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 #95

June 15, 2006


Barbara Thompson
The Voice of Obesity

Hello Everyone,
In the last issue of the newsletter I mentioned that I was considering conducting a series of retreats.  I then sent out a survey to get your feedback.  I was not prepared for the tremendous response that I received. Wow!!!  As a result, we are planning our first retreat in Pittsburgh on August 18th to August 20th with more retreats in other cities around the country.  Thanks to the nearly 800 of you that responded.  You spoke and I am listening!! There are details below.

In This Issue

  
* Dealing with an Empty Pouch
* Hair Loss
* Recipe: Kiwi in Strawberry Sauce
* Success Story: Tricia Watts

Dealing with an Empty Pouch

Dear Barbara,
I have a stomach that empties quickly. Have you heard complaints of people’s pouches emptying quickly?
Liz
Iowa City

Hi Liz,
The main reason for your stomach emptying quickly is because the stoma, or the opening from the pouch to the intestines has stretched or was not made small enough initially.  Right after surgery, the opening is about the size of a dime.  This small opening means that food stays in the pouch longer and you feel full and satisfied. The faster your pouch empties, the sooner you will feel hungry.

There are a couple of ways that you can manage this. They are:

·        Do not drink right after you eat.  The liquid will push the food out of your pouch even faster.  Wait at least 30 minutes before having liquid.

·        Eat food that is denser such as protein or higher in fiber such as whole fruits and vegetables.  These foods will not break apart as easily and will therefore stay in the pouch longer

·        If it is extreme, you may be a candidate for revision surgery.  Some bariatric surgeons are doing this.  Either the stoma, or opening, is surgically tightened or a lap band is used.  To qualify for the surgery, you must meet the same criteria as for the original operation. You must have a BMI of 40 or above to have your surgery covered by insurance. If you qualify for this option, please be sure to have your surgery performed by a very experienced bariatric surgeon.

This is not common, but it certainly does happen.  There are many who have regained their appetite that are on my Back on Track Internet Mentoring Program and are finding that they are having great success learning how to control their appetite, how to control grazing and their portions. 

Click here for more information and to read what attendees have said about the program http://www.BackOnTrackWithBarbara.com .

Hair Loss

Hello Barbara – I so look forward to your newsletters!  I feel blessed that I am doing so well at 3.5 months out of my surgery.  My only concern/complaint is the hair loss.  I know it is inevitable, but wondered if there are any remedies that slow it down at the very least.  Also, what really causes it?  My hair is short and fine and gray to start with.  Would you consider including something about it in your newsletter or responding to this with some ideas.  I do appreciate this so much!!!

Katie Stowell

Hi Katie,
Unfortunately, this is a common complaint that many weight loss surgery patients have. I covered this is depth in an article in my November 1st newsletter. Click here for the article:

http://www.wlscenter.com/NLArchive/Nov_1_2005.htm

I know this can be very difficult and discouraging, so I wish you the very best!

Sincerely,
Barbara

Recipe:
 

Kiwi in Strawberry Sauce

Kiwi in Strawberry Sauce

This is a simple-to-prepare Strawberry Sauce that you can use combined with other fruits like pineapple, sliced peaches, or pears. This is a recipe for one but you can multiply the recipe to serve your family or friends.

1 container vanilla yogurt (Dannon Light and Fit Carb and Sugar Control)
1 kiwi, peeled and cut in half lengthwise, each half cut into ¼-inch slices

Strawberry Sauce

1/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1/2 teaspoon honey (or Splenda)
Dash of ground nutmeg

Garnish: (optional) sprig of fresh mint

Spoon the vanilla yogurt into a dessert bowl and top with the kiwi slices. Purée all of the sauce ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth. Pour over the kiwi and  yogurt.

Each Serving:
118 calories, 16 g. carbohydrate, 6.25 g. protein

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

Success Story:
  Tricia Watts

I want to offer a special thanks to Tricia Watts. Here is her story:

Dear Barbara,
I am so happy that I have the opportunity to share my story with you and the many fans you have. I have been up and down in my weight for years. At the age of fifteen I weighed 185 pounds. I had been on all the diets just like your readers and even made up a few of my own. Yes, and as we have all experienced, I regained all of the weight plus more.

It was 2003 before I thought about having weight lose surgery. I attended many meetings and heard the pros and cons about the surgery. To tell you the truth I was scared to death. Thinking back now I was devastated knowing that my battle with my weight was one I had lost. I always thought that I didn’t need surgery and that I could do this on my own. Sad to say I had to understand that I needed a tool like this to help guide me along my way to be able to live a life that I couldn’t without the surgery.

I went to a seminar in Kansas City, MO. where I first heard Barbara speak. I remember her saying the word “us” all the time. She was talking and I thought to myself, ‘Why is she saying that? She is thin and I am big. Why would she say “us?”’ At the end of the seminar I could not leave until I asked her. She said to me, “I will always be one of us even though I have lost weight. I will just be a morbidly obese person who has lost her excess weight.”  That moment is when I decided to have the surgery. How funny that I understand the word “us” so much better now.

On January 15, 2005 weighing 347 pounds, 33 years old, and a single mother of five, I took the first step to a new life. It has been great! Then on February 14, 2006 after losing 167 pounds I also had 10 pounds of skin removed from my belly and four inches of skin removed from each thigh. I also have an appointment to have my breasts and arms done. I now weigh 170 pounds having lost a total of 177 pounds.  I lost more than I weigh!

I can do so much that I never thought I could. I play with my kids. We go for walks. Wow I can't tell you how good my life is now that the weight is gone. If I can do it, trust me you can. My insurance was great. I was never denied and I am on State Medicaid. If there is a will there is a way. Thanks so much for letting me share my story. Good luck to everyone.

Tricia Watts

Bluesprings, MO.

Congratulations Tricia

You achieved your goal, be proud and tell the world.

If you have a story to share, are at least 1 year post-op and have before and after  pictures, please send them to me at Barbara@wlscenter.com so that I can include them in a future issue.

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