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WLS Center E-Newsletter
A FREE publication by
http://www.wlscenter.com
Issue # 33, Oct. 2, 2003
Circulation: 8,913

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From the Desk of Barbara Thompson
Author of "Weight Loss Surgery, Finding the Thin Person Hiding Inside You"

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** In this Issue **
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* Research Article: Whose Fault is Fat?
* Question about Fatigue
* Recipe: Mini Blueberry Cheesecakes
* Success Story: Teesha Lane Murphy
* Spreading the Word in Waterloo and Tulsa

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Dear Subscriber,

I don’t have as much time to read as I used to, but I am reading a fabulous book at the moment that I highly recommend. It is called “Fat Land, How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World” by Greg Critser. Mr. Critser traces our obesity through the 1970’s when the US Department of Agriculture tried to bolster sagging farm prices by boycotting meat. It is about how we came to have such an incredible weight problem in this country through political interests and tax cuts which led to local schools having to partner with fast food companies because their funds for their cafeterias had been cut, and how these same tax cuts caused physical education programs to be cut. It is disheartening to discover how many people knew the harm they were causing yet greed caused them to continue. The interests of a few have led to a national health crisis.

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** Question about Fatigue **
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Hi Barbara,

I am 10 weeks post-op. I have lost 43 pounds and "my get up and go has got up and went." I'm hoping that you might offer some suggestions. I am taking 2 multiple vitamins, a B-12 tablet, iron and calcium citrate (liquid). Your book has been such a source of reference on so many different occasions and I have strongly recommended it at our local support group. In fact I have recommended it to everyone thinking about weight loss surgery and to those who have pending surgeries.

Prior to surgery, in spite of my 232 pounds, I was active. Now I find mornings to be the worse time, sometimes I want to doze at my desk. I work in a high school guidance office. I have been getting in my daily protein both in solid form and drinking a protein shake which has 43 grams of protein. I know that I'm not getting in all the water I should but I am working on that, too.  I discussed this with my surgeon and he says, “This too, shall pass.” I'm hoping you might have a solution.

Thanks,

Hazel Shadduck

Hi Hazel, 
I am happy that you have enjoyed my book so much and that you have agreed to let me publish your question in the e-newsletter.

Since you have consulted with your doctor, let me take a stab at it. I have several suggestions. Here are my thoughts:

1) You have had major surgery and even after 10 weeks you may still be recovering, although by 10 weeks most people have bounced back. You don't mention your age, but the older you are the longer it takes to recover. So this might account for some of it. 

2) You mention that you are taking a B-12 tablet. After surgery, your ability to absorb pills is decreased. You may want to have your B-12 levels checked via a very simple and accurate blood test.  If your levels are low, try monthly B-12 injections.  Low levels of B-12 will definitely make you feel tired.

3) You are taking 2 multi vitamins. I suggest that you switch to the multivitamin that I sell.  It will supply you with all of the vitamins you need and because it is isotonic when mixed with water, they are being absorbed within 5 minutes of taking them and at the highest concentration.

4) I highly recommend that you take my OPC product. It is an antioxidant supplement that will improve your immune system and give you more energy. I have never taken anything that has made me feel better.  I have more energy and have not been sick or had a cold since I started taking it.  Now this is not the miracle cure for the common cold, but it has boosted my immune system. And with my traveling and speaking I am exposed to who knows what on airplanes, I am constantly around large groups of people and in very stressful situations.  Yet I feel great. If you want to take a significant step towards better health, call my office toll free (877) 440-1518 for more information or to order.

5) Although you are taking an iron supplement, I recommend that you have your iron levels checked. If your iron supplement is non-prescription, you might need something stronger. I take Nifrex 150 Forte which is available by prescription only.

6) You seem to have the protein, calcium, and water covered. I am wondering what you have eating in the morning.  Are you eating any carbohydrates or juice that has natural sugar or milk? You may be experiencing a mild dumping.  One of the symptoms of dumping is extreme tiredness.

 I hope some of this will help you.  Continue consulting with your doctor, consider my suggestions and let me know how you are doing.

Sincerely,

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** How Do You Maintain Your Weight Loss? **
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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

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** Recipe: Mini Blueberry Cheesecakes **
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What a neat and yummy recipe. You will love this. It has lots of protein and the blueberries provide a natural antioxidant which you get from dark colored fruits and vegetables. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 Graham cracker
1/4 cup apple juice
1/4 tsp Jello powder, any flavor except lemon
4 oz Yogurt, any fruit flavor, non fat and light
2 Tbl ricotta cheese
2 Tbl brown sugar substitute
1/2 tsp lime juice
1/2 cup blueberries, raw

Spray an individual custard cup with nonstick spray. Crush the Graham cracker and add 1/2 of the apple juice. Mix with a fork and press the crumbs into the bottom of the cup and up the sides. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool completely.

To make the filling, heat the remainder of the apple juice until it is hot but not boiling. Sprinkle the Jello gelatin powder over the apple juice and stir until it dissolves. In a blender or food processor blend the ricotta cheese, yogurt, gelatin mixture, brown sugar substitute, and lime juice until smooth. Fold 3/4ths of the blueberries into the mixture. Put the mixture into the custard cup, top with the remaining blueberries. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
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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

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** Success Story: Teesha Lane Murphy **
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I want to offer special thanks to Teesha of Denver for her story. We both share a special admiration for Dr. Michael Snyder in Denver. I spoke for Dr. Snyder in December of last year and hope to return. Here is Teesha’s story:

My name is Teesha, I am 31 years old, and had laparoscopic RNY surgery on Feb. 4, 2003.  I can't begin to explain how thrilled I am that I have lost 135 pounds already! 

I started getting heavy in junior high, and by the age of 15, weighed 150 pounds.  I consistently gained 10 pounds with every year of my life, even though I stayed as active as my friends.

After I was married, I ate portions equivalent to those of my husband.  He has hovered around 175 pounds all his life, and I watched myself get bigger, and bigger, and bigger.  By the time I was 30 I weighed 300 pounds.

I was never one of those people that complained to her friends about weight.  I didn't want to be one of those friends that are always whining about which diet they were on, or what cute clothes they couldn't fit into.  A couple of my friends were surprised that surgery was something I was even considering, because they didn't think I had a problem with my size.

Believe me, on the inside, I was horrified, mortified, embarrassed and depressed.  I knew that in almost any public place I was that I was the biggest person in the room.  That is a tremendously horrible feeling.

For the rest of Teesha’s story with before and after photos, go to:
http://www.wlscenter.com/SuccessStories/Teesha.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.

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** Permission to Reprint **
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You may reprint any items from this newsletter in your own print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:

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.