WLS Center Newsletter for Jan 1, 2004

WLS Center E-Newsletter

A FREE publication from
http://www.wlscenter.com

Hosted by Barbara Thompson
Author of:
Weight Loss Surgery:
Finding the Thin Person Hiding Inside You.

Issue #39

January 1, 2004

A new year and a new look. I hope you like the new format for the e-newsletter. We are having some fun with this and I hope you enjoy the visuals! To properly read this new format, be sure that your email software is set to accept HTML documents. I would be interested in your comments about this new format.

For those of you who have just begun your weight loss surgery journey, I hope that 2004 will be your year. What an adventure awaits you! It is not always easy, but it is worth it.

For those of you on your way, let’s succeed together. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Just keep appreciating the wonderful person that you are

In This Issue
* Body Image * Telephone Seminar: It’s All about Food * Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pork Meat Loaf * Success Story: Kristin Szilagyi * Spreading the Word in LA, CA, NY, and PA

Body Image

I would like to thank Martha Bracken for allowing me to include her question in this e-newsletter. Because this is such a common problem, it is our hope that many people will benefit from this.

Question:
Thank you so much for your news letter. I am now almost 2 years post-op and I have lost about 140 pounds. I feel like a new person. But, even though I look back on pictures of the way I used to be and think to myself that I don't even remember who that was. I look in the mirror now and think, “OK now I remember you.”

I am 6'1" and between 185 and 190 pounds. My goal is 175 pounds but I have tons of extra skin. I am in a size 14 which is a size that I haven’t seen since I was 14. I have had two C-sections which hasn’t helped my stomach. There are still two big rolls and my thighs are huge. I have always had a big butt but it is pretty much gone somewhere south along with my boobs.

What is my point??? I feel fat! Is that normal? I just look at the rolls of my stomach and my thighs and think, “what a hog.” I know if I just exercised it would firm up a bit but it is mostly skin. I have fibromyalgia and I am always in pain, so it hurts to exercise. I was just wondering if you think I am just being ungrateful and should stop thinking the way I do.

Everyone asks me if I am still losing weight. I tell them “no,” and they say, “Good, you don't need to lose anymore.” But they are used to seeing me at 325 pounds and they don't see me without clothes. Ick!!!! Thank God for clothes to hide all the sagging skin. I really need to know if this is an unhealthy way of thinking.

Martha Bracken, Eden Prairie, MN.

Answer:
Dear Martha,
I receive many letters from people who are expressing the same dissatisfaction with their bodies. I certainly wouldn’t say you are ungrateful or that you have an unhealthy way of thinking. But there are some things that you could keep in mind. Try this.

Concentrate on how far you have come. It is an incredible accomplishment that you have lost 140 pounds! That is amazing. You have succeeded in doing what millions of other morbidly obese people pray they could do. You have had wonderful success. Appreciate yourself!

Is it possible that you had unrealistic expectations? You are older. You have had 2 children and years of being morbidly obese. You will never have smooth skin with no bulges without extensive plastic surgery. You may look at your stomach and say “Ick.” Or you may look at the rolls caused by your 2 c-sections and think of the 2 wonderful children who helped to produce those rolls.

We are so accustomed to disliking our bodies that it is difficult to get out of the habit. You are 2 years post-op, but you spent many years hating your body. You are probably still in the habit of being repulsed by what you see, without even thinking. I am 4 years post op and I still have to look very closely in the mirror to realize that I am no longer morbidly obese. My eyes still play tricks on me. It will take a long time before you see yourself as you really are. Believe in yourself. Believe that you are a healthy beautiful successful woman.

Telephone Seminar:

“It’s All About Food!”

Wow!! The response has been fantastic to the upcoming telephone seminar with Chef David Fouts! Register now before we fill up! http://www.wlscenter.com/Teleseminar/ChefDavid/ChefDavid.htm

Here are the details:

It’s All about Food!

Barbara Thompson interviews Bariatric Chef Extraordinaire, David Fouts (a live 1-hour telephone seminar), Wednesday January 14, 2004, 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.

In the telephone seminar, you will learn:
* Day One to Day Fourteen. I’ve had surgery, now what?
* How you can make those awful pureed foods incredibly good!
* How you can make those first few months not only bearable but enjoyable
* Did you know some types of protein are better for you than others?
* Eat less and enjoy it much much more
* Essential questions to ask in a restaurant.
* Make those tasteless proteins delicious with marinades and sauces.
* How to make carb-free sauces
* Find the secret ingredient that makes everything taste better
* Know which carbs are better than others
* How to stock your kitchen. Which tools are musts.
* I am one year post op and hungry. Has my surgery failed? Find out the answer and what to do about it.
* How do I eat for the long term?

You won’t want to miss this telephone seminar!! To register, click here
http://www.wlscenter.com/Teleseminar/ChefDavid/ChefDavid.htm

How do telephone seminars work? Click here: http://www.wlscenter.com/Teleseminar/Teleseminar_intro.htm

I am lining up some very interesting guests, so stay tuned!!

Recipe:

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Meat Loaf

1 pound lean ground pork
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 teaspoon ground sage
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 cup green onion, minced
4 slices bacon

In a large bowl, combine oats, sage, salt, pepper and thyme. Stir in applesauce, egg and green onion; mix well. Stir in ground pork until well blended. Form into a loaf. Wrap bacon strips around pork loaf; secure with a toothpick; bake at 350 F for 45 minutes or until done. Makes 4 servings

Per Serving: 354 Calories, 23 g Protein; 10 g Carbohydrates

A special thanks to David Fouts. This is a recipe from his book, “Culinary Classics; Essentials of Cooking for the Gastric Bypass Patient.” .

If you have a recipe that you would like to share in future issues of this
newsletter, please send it to me at Barbara@wlscenter.com

I Need Your Help!

Would you like to have the opportunity to assist me in helping a group of physicians to understand the importance and effectiveness of weight loss surgery? This month I will be speaking to a group of family practice physicians and endocrinologists about the improvement of health following this surgery.

If you would like to be one of the cases that I cite, send me your details and your before and after pictures. I will need:

1. Your health problems prior to surgery

2. Specifically how your health has improved following surgery

3. Your before and after pictures (necessary)

4. Your first and last name, city, and State.

Many of you have been so generous in helping me with other projects, so I am counting on you again! Send everything to me at Barbara@wlscenter.com.

Success Story: Kristin Szilagyi

I want to offer special thanks to Kristin Szilagyi. Here is her story:

My name is Kristin. I am 31 and I am married with 2 children. I had weight loss surgery on December 6, 2002 performed by Dr Mehta at St. Peter's Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. I have lost 140 pounds and I feel incredible!

Before my surgery I felt there was no hope for me. I was 5' 5" and weighed 314 pounds. I had tried everything. Then feeling like a failure, I gave up on myself. I almost never left my house. I just went through the motions of the day, waiting for the day to end.

Then I began to research weight loss surgery and after 2 years and many discussions with my husband I decided that the surgery was my only hope to living a happier healthier life.

For the rest of Kristin's story, along with photos, go to: http://www.wlscenter.com/SuccessStories/KristinSzilagyi.htm

I love good news. If you have good news, a success story to share, or
inspiration, please send it to me at Barbara@wlscenter.com so that I can
include it in future issues.

How Do You Maintain Your Weight Loss?

Are you 2 or more years post-op? If so, I need to know what your secret is for maintaining your weight. I will be using your story to include in a mini e-book on the secrets of success of weight loss surgery patients. You must write at least 1 full page. Anything less than 1 page will not be useable. I need to know how you eat, what you do for exercise, and any tips that you have to offer. This will be a tremendous help to people who are having the common problem of weight gain following surgery, or are struggling to maintain their weight loss.

Send your stories to Barbara@wlscenter.com

Permission to Reprint

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“Reprinted from Barbara Thompson’s free e-newsletter featuring helpful information and research material to help patients succeed following weight loss surgery. Subscribe at http://www.wlscenter.com. If you like this newsletter, please pass it on to your friends and family.”

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