Weight Loss Surgery Newsletter Oct 1 2007

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 #126

October 1, 2007

Barbara Thompson
The Voice of Obesity

Hello Everyone,
Weight loss surgery is not an easy journey. We have to learn an entire new way of eating if we want to be successful. And while we may be successful initially, for some of us the struggle gets harder and harder until our weight starts going in the wrong direction and we’re gaining. In this newsletter, I have included information about a new procedure that will help with this.

One of the best routes to success is through education. You will not be nearly as successful unless you learn the best route through this journey. Therefore we are offering the biggest sale we have ever had. It is 25% off most items. Don’t miss this sale!

In This Issue
* National Weight Control Registry * Latest Survey Results * Oktoberfest Sale * Are You Regaining Weight and Desperate? A New Procedure May be for You! * Blogging Along * Recipe: Broiled Tilapia Parmesan * Speaking for Your Support Group * Success Story: Tammy Van Kooten

National Weight Control Registry

On Sept. 20^th I spoke at an obesity conference sponsored by Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Also speaking was Dr. James Hill from the National Weight Control Registry http://www.nwcr.ws/ . The Registry follows people who have lost 30 or more pounds and maintained that weight loss for one year or more. From questionnaires, they have been able to determine what the majority of the people in the registry do to maintain their weight loss. Here are things that successful weight losers have in common:

78% eat breakfast every day
75% weigh themselves at least once a week
62% watch less than 10 hours of TV per week
90% exercise, on average, about 1 hour per day

How many of these practices are you willing to do to maintain your weight loss?

I did have the opportunity to ask Dr. Hill what his opinion was of weight loss surgery. He is a great weight loss surgery supporter for those who qualify, but looks for a day when obesity will be controlled and no one will need it.

Latest Survey Results

Our latest survey appeared in the Sept 15, 2007 newsletter and here is a summary of the results:

Only 13% of you get up in the middle of the night feeling like you have to eat.
Also 12.5% have noticed significant dental problems since surgery.
There were 12% who had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) prior to surgery and 35% of those have found relief after surgery.
Only 7% have experienced a bowel obstruction since surgery, but
28% have muscle spasms.
Of the people who have gained more than 30 pounds since surgery, 17.5% have been able to lose that weight again.
And finally 20% have experienced chronic sleep problems.

The comments that people have made for each question is very revealing. To read those comments, go the survey by clicking below.

Click here to see the actual survey results

Oktoberfest Sale

We are having a sale!

For the month of October, my books and CDs and book/CD packages are 25% off only to readers of my newsletter. To receive the discount, click the special button below to go to my shopping cart and get the discount. You will see the discount on the checkout page.

Don't miss this excellent opportunity to build your WLS information library.

(Please note that this discount is only available for online orders
that are entered through the above button.)

Are You Regaining Weight and Desperate?

A New Procedure May be for You!

Now that weight loss surgery has been performed for a number of years, the number of people who are starting to struggle with weight regain is significant. In some cases it is because we fall back into old eating patterns, but in other cases it is because our “tool” is wearing out. According to sources, there are 10% to 15% of patients that this happens to.

It stands to reason that this would happen. After all, our pouch and stoma are made of tissue and tissue stretches, some more than others. Consider a face lift. A face life lasts about 5 to 7 years and then needs to be tweaked. Gravity and age takes its toll. Your plastic surgeon doesn’t scold you for being bad because your face “fell.” That is natural.

So it can be with weight loss surgery. Your pouch is made from your stomach tissue at the base of the esophagus. That tissue is resistant to stretching; but it does stretch somewhat. But what is apt to stretch even more is the stoma which leads to the intestines. This opening starts out the size of a dime and then can stretch so that it doesn’t hold food as well in your pouch. When you eat, food goes into your pouch and then empties too quickly into your intestines so that you don’t have a sustained feeling of being full and satisfied.

There is a new procedure that was approved by the FDA this past Spring that can solve this problem very effectively. It is a Revision Obesity Surgery, Endoscopic or ROSE Procedure. This particular ROSE procedure is called the StomaphyX Procedure after the device that is used. Here’s how it works.

StomaphyX is a device that is used endoscopically (down the patient’s throat) to make the pouch and the stoma smaller by using many mini staples. The device uses suction to pull the tissue against the device and then the staples are inserted. The pouch is “pleated” or pillows are made to make it smaller. Although the procedure requires general anesthesia, it is done as an outpatient and after a day or two the patient is fine, but with a renewed “tool.” Because the entire procedure is done going down the patient’s throat, there are no incisions and is very safe.

You don’t have to have a high BMI to qualify. If you have regained weight and are struggling, then you qualify. The down side is that the procedure is normally not covered by insurance and the cost is approximately $9,000. Of the procedures performed, on the average, patients have lost 10 pounds after 1 month, 15 pounds after 2 months and 20 pounds after 3 months.

For information on the StomaphyX and a list of surgeons who perform this surgery, go to http://EndoGastricSolutions.com .

But if you cannot afford the StomaphyX procedure, then you should consider my Back on Track with Barbara Program. In fact, you may want to try that first even if you are considering the procedure. People who are good candidates for the StomaphyX procedure are those who are compliant with their diet and exercise regularly which is what we teach in the Back on Track with Barbara Program.

Are you regaining your weight?

If you’re not happy with your weight loss, then join the
Back on Track with Barbara Internet Mentoring Program.

Back On Track with Barbara is a 6-month or a 12-month membership program that provides an internet mentorship for those who are struggling with weight regain after weight loss surgery. It also benefits those who have never reached their goal weight after surgery

For more information or to join the Program, go to

http://www.BackOnTrackWithBarbara.com

Blogging Along

Check out my Blog and be sure to leave your comments. Since the last two weeks, there are new articles about:

Walk from Obesity Today
Mike Huckabee – WLS or Not?
Exercise with a Buddy
Grazing – a Trick to Control It

If you especially like a specific post in my Blog, be sure to email it to a friend.

Visit my Blog at http://WeightLossSurgeryBlog.net and leave a comment.

Recipe:
	Broiled Tilapia Parmesan

Tilapia is a very mild fish. Even if you don’t like fish, you will love this! Unless you live near the ocean, buy fish frozen rather than fresh. When you are ready to prepare it, thaw it in cold water and use it immediately.

Broiled Tilapia Parmesan

½ cup Parmesan cheese
¼ cup butter, softened
3 Tbl mayonnaise
2 Tbl fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup dried bread crumbs
¼ tsp dried basil
¼ tsp fresh ground pepper
1/8 tsp onion powder
¼ tsp paprika
¼ tsp garlic powder
2 pounds tilapia filets

Preheat your oven’s broiler. Grease a broiling pan or line a pan with aluminum foil

In a small bowl, mix together the Parmesan cheese, butter, mayonnaise and lemon juice. Add the bread crumbs, dried basil, pepper, onion powder, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix well and set aside.

Arrange filets in a single layer on the prepared pan. Broil a few inches from the heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the filets over and broil for a couple more minutes. Remove the filets from the oven and cover with the Parmesan cheese mixture on the top side. Broil for 2 more minutes or until the topping is browned and the fish flakes easily with a fork. Be careful not to overcook the fish.

Makes 8 servings. Each serving:
231 calories; 26 grams protein and 1 gram of carbohydrates

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

	Speaking for Your Support Group
Would you like to have an exciting and special event at your support group? If your event will draw 75 people or more and you would like me to speak, have your support group leader contact me for details. Have them email me at Barbara@WLScenter.com.

Success Story:

Tammy Van Kooten

I want to offer a special thanks to Tammy Van Kooten. Here is her story:

Dear Barbara,
I am 39 years old and I live in Allentown, PA. I met you when you spoke at Sacred Heart Hospital in February 2007. Remember the big snow storm!

I had my gastric bypass surgery on October 2nd, 2006. I weighed 334 lbs. and now I am down to 166 lbs. I am just 7 pounds from my goal of 159 lbs. and I hope to be there soon.

I have been either overweight or obese most of my adult life. I was married young at the age of 18 and soon after gave birth to my 3 children.

I was a young, bored housewife who enjoyed eating WAY too much. After the birth of each child I gained more and more weight until I was way out of control. Food was my constant companion, a friend that was always there for me, always made me feel better.

Soon I developed health problems: high blood pressure, severe foot pain and I became border line diabetic. I would have constant bad headaches caused by my blood pressure and combined with the terrible pain in my feet. I was taking 10-12 Advils a day to try to ease the pain.

I was always interested in gastric bypass surgery but I did not have health insurance so I knew it was not a possibility for me. Finally, a year and a half ago circumstances changed and my husband switched jobs and we had health insurance, which was pretty awesome! I researched more about the procedure and talked to a friend that worked at a hospital on the floor where gastric bypass patients went for recovery. She told me some amazing stories about the patients and I was inspired to learn more. She gave me the phone number for Karen, the bariatric surgery coordinator. I called Karen and she was wonderful! Having had the surgery herself she was very compassionate and knew how I felt. She understood my feelings of despair, of worthlessness and desperation.

Karen referred me to a surgeon and the support group that was held monthly at the hospital. I made an appointment with my surgeon, Dr. Holland and set the wheels in motion. I had to wait 6 months but I did get a surgery date on my first visit, which was very exciting! I started attending the support group and met so many wonderful people that were so understanding and supportive. I was very excited about my upcoming surgery.

My surgery date finally arrived. I was scared but also very happy to be starting a new life. After my surgery I developed several complications and required 2 more surgeries back to back. I was very upset and told my doctor this was a big mistake and I regretted it. He told me to hang in there and things would get better. I did not believe him. I had a very long and rough recovery and had to have 2 more surgeries over the next few months but I did start to get better.

Now, 11 months out, I am in perfect health. I am full of energy and wake up every morning with a huge smile on my face, excited about my future. My friends and family are very supportive and proud of me. I love my new found health and my new body. I love shopping for new clothes and I love how I look in them. God has blessed me in so many ways and I am very grateful.

My surgeon asked me recently if I still regretted the surgery and I responded with a very firm, NO!!! He was right; things did get a whole lot better. I do struggle with old bad habits every day but I will overcome my "head demons" and continue to succeed.

If anyone that reads this is considering having the surgery, believe me, it is the smartest thing you will ever do!!!

Sincerely,
Tammy E. Van Kooten


*Congratulations Tammy*


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