Welcome to the 2nd edition of the Georgia Coast Surgical newsletter. We have tried to include articles that will answer questions you may have or may just be interesting to read. If you have any suggestions for improving our newsletter please email ami@georgiacoastsurgical.com.
Common Sense Health
Are you tired of being confused about what is considered healthy options that will not only make you feel NOT deprived but also promote weight loss? Using your weight loss surgery tool (adjustable gastric banding, roux-en-y gastric bypass) effectively can become easier by following these tips!
Here are 7 guidelines that will help you look and feel your best and help you succeed!
1. Eat mindfully and healthfully.
How? Nutrient dense foods are defined as foods that are packed with vitamins and minerals and that contain protein and carbohydrates without too much added sugar and fat. Prior to surgery, your dietitian provided you a personalized Functional Foods Meal Plan that included protein portion sizes tailored to your needs. Nutrient dense food recommendations were made to provide you with a healthy variety within your diet.
What about…? When you have questions regarding eating out, convenient meal planning or how to manage non-nutrient dense foods (a.k.a. Caution Foods), utilize the Georgia Coast Surgical message board or make an appointment with Lauren to learn more strategies for implementing a healthier meal plan.
2. Drink water.
Keep your body hydrated. Drink more water or fluids that are sugar free, non-caffeinated, and non-carbonated. Following these fluid guidelines are important to avoid weight gain and to keep your body well hydrated. Consuming high volumes of caffeinated products (coffee, soda, tea) throughout the day poorly hydrates your body. Also, to help your surgery tool be most effective, follow your fluid rules.
3. Get daily exercise.
Remember, exercise is 1/3rd of weight loss but 100% of weight maintenance. The type of exercise required for consistent weight loss depends on your current weight status and metabolic rate. Lauren is available to also provide your exercise recommendations so please place any questions on the message board. Just remember, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!
4. Reduce stress.
Stress is a part of everyday life but there are ways to reduce it. Think back to the Obesity2Balance weekend workshop that you attended before your surgery. Greg and Betsy offered a variety of recommendations for reducing stress. You can also call the office to make an appointment with Greg, three visits are included in the program fee.
5. Be responsible for your health.
Your decision to have weight loss surgery was an important decision that requires more work after surgery than you might have expected. Taking care of your body with appropriate vitamin supplementation, food choices, and exercise is your responsibility first, not that of your spouse, children, doctor, dietitian, friends or church community. It is important to be mindful of our environments in which your place your mind and body. Make sure that your environments support and promote a healthy lifestyle.
6. Manage your thoughts.
The human mind is a power tool. But we use it mainly against ourselves, wasting our thoughts on worry, fear, blame, shame and resentment. Start using the infinite power of your mind to envision and support a healthier you.
7. Enjoy your life right now.
Living longer would be great – if you're happy and healthy. If not, why bother. Your own health and happiness is your responsibility. As Abraham Lincoln said, "Most people are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be." So make up your mind to be happy. And go for it!
Lauren Approved Recipe
It’s finally Spring and what better way to celebrate than firing up the grill. Grilling can offer a healthy way to prepare a delicious meal. We have found a recipe that is a delicious way to get in you veggies and your protein.
Grilled Chicken Kabobs
2 teaspoons ground mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup light soy sauce
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Four boneless chicken breast halves (1 pound)
Two medium zucchini cut into 1-1/2-inch slices
One medium onion cut into wedges
One medium green pepper cut into chunks
8 medium fresh mushrooms
Directions:
In a resealable plastic bag, combine the mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Add water, soy sauce and oil; remove 1/3 cup and set aside for basting.
Cut the chicken into 1-1/2-inch chunks; add to bag. Seal and refrigerate for 1-1/2 hours.
Drain, discarding marinade.
Thread chicken and vegetables alternately on skewers. Baste with reserved marinade. Grill over hot coals for ten minutes. Turn and baste. Cook ten minutes more or until chicken juices run clear.
Emotional Eating and Cravings
Having bariatric surgery does not necessarily mean that you’ll be free from cravings or bouts of emotional eating. Succumbing to food cravings and emotional eating can lead to weight regain and, for gastric bypass patients, dumping syndrome. Successfully overcoming cravings and emotional eating takes patience and knowledge of a few coping techniques.
Coping with Cravings
Cravings can be difficult to deal with. A lot of people fight the craving for a period of time and then try eating the desired food to get rid of the craving. This often results in eating too much of the food and then feeling guilty. Giving in to the urge often makes the craving stronger and more frequent with time. It is actually more effective to avoid the desired food. With time, the craving will pass and will be less likely to return. If you experience difficulty in coping with cravings, you don’t have to go it alone. Contact Lauren or attend a support group meeting.
Tips
Coping with Emotional Eating
For some people, eating is a way to cope with emotions. After bariatric surgery, this can be a painful and unhealthy coping mechanism. You should know that breaking the pattern of eating is response to stress, frustration or sadness is possible.
Identifying the Emotion
When you experience a strong emotion that leads you to food, stop and identify the emotion you are experiencing. You may open the refrigerator and realize that you feel sad or angry rather than hungry.
Ask for Help When You Need It
Breaking the connection between emotions and food can be difficult. If you feel overwhelmed or out of control, attend a support group meeting or contact Greg or Betsy. These two resources can help you identify what’s causing the emotion and provide you with strategies and alternatives to eating.
Taken from www.bariatricedge.com
Support Groups
Attending support group meetings is an excellent way to stay on track with your weight loss. Talking to others who are experiencing the same things that you are can shed light on your journey. Our local support groups are available to anyone who has had or who wants to have weight loss surgery. Our support group leaders are also available should you have questions or concerns.
Brunswick Lap Band Support Group
1st Tuesday of each month – 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Larry Rice – Home: 912.427.2122, 912.294.5908
Sherri Kroll – Home/Fax: 912.264.4979, Cell-912.266.2372
Brunswick Support Group, Lap Band and Gastric Bypass
3rd Monday of each month – 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Terry Brack – H: 912.267.6539, C: 816.269.9111
tbrack@cerner.com
Barbara Kochanski – H: 912.261.0096, C: 912.996.2590
Lisa Marie Stephens – H: 912.832.6612, C: 912.270.1437
1st & 3rd Thursday of each month – 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Darlene McNeely – W: 800.234.3558 x100, C: 912.659.5127
Karen Raines – H: 912.728.5446, C: 912.663.6542
stargazer24@comcast.net
3rd Thursday each month – 6:30-8:30 pm
The Annex
Ashley Tuttle- H: 912.449.1391, C: 912.288.3011
Collins Area: Lap Band
4th Monday each month – 6:00-8:00 pm
Jeannie Burkhalter – W: 912.739.8800
jburkhalter@tattnall.k12.ga.us
Visit Our Web Site
If you haven’t already, visit our website www.georgiacoastsurgical.com and register with us. We have some great information listed on our message board and we are working to make our website more interactive. We would love any comments or suggestions you might have. The Patient Portal will be available in the near future and it will be a wonderful tool in tracking your progress. We are making www.georgiacoastsurgical.com an all-in-one website to meet all of your needs!
Follow-up
How long has it been since you have had a follow-up visit? It is imperative that you see your surgeon on a regular basis. If you are a few years out and feel it is unnecessary to come to the office then please give us a call and let us know how you are doing. The number at the office is (912) 264-9724.
Refer a Friend
Don’t forget the $25 Visa gift card that you may be eligible to receive when you refer a friend. Your confidence in our surgeons and our practice is the greatest compliment that we could receive. Weight loss surgery has helped most of us enjoy a more fulfilled life so help a friend or family member enjoy the same freedom that health can provide.
Kudos to Dr.
Our surgeon, Harold L. Kent, M.D., FACS, has been named to the Board of Directors of the American Society of General Surgeons by Dr. Barry McKernan, the outgoing president. The American Society of General Surgeons represents the needs and interests of practicing General Surgeon Specialists in the areas of national policy, long range planning and clinical education. Dr.
LifeStyle Teams
Dr. Betsy Ryland, PhD, is introducing a new interactive, experiential group for patients who are frustrated with their personal healthy lifestyle progress. “TEAMS” stands for The Extra Advantage for My Success. The group is open to both adjustable gastric banding patients and gastric bypass patients who are at least one year out of surgery and have been referred for the program by Dr. Henderson or Dr. Kent.
The group provides an arena in which patients can look at personal motivations and values to help reach their goals and works in conjunction with your current support systems. After a no fee initial interview with Dr. Ryland, patients are asked to commit to 6 consecutive sessions. The meetings will be held at Georgia Coast Surgical on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, starting in June, at 6 p.m. with each meeting lasting roughly 1 ½ hours. The cost is $25.00 per session. If you feel that you would benefit from the Lifestyle Teams group please call the office and make an appointment with your surgeon to see about getting a referral for the program.