Long-Term Weight Control: “The Battle AFTER the Battle”
Most of you have lost many pounds since your gastric bypass surgery. We are so proud of you, and SUPPORT YOU! However, you may find that after a couple of years out, some of those “eating habits” may have returned to haunt you. We are looking at trying to help you with these concerns after surgery and “getting back to normal” with your food intake. Some tips:

• It is completely normal to have your pouch stretch out to about 6-8 oz. by the first year. If you notice you are able to consume more volume of food, you may want to be careful to NOT snack. By eating only 3 meals/day, you may maximize the restrictive component of your surgery.
• If you eat “just a bite” of sweets over time, you can build up a tolerance for them. This means that you will eventually be able to eat more sweets without experiencing dumping, and then only will-power will help you avoid these high fat, high sugar, high calorie foods. Of course, that can ultimately lead to regaining of weight or perhaps not even reaching your expected weight-loss.
• If you think your pouch has been stretching (a small amount is normal), continue to practice this principle: ALL FLUIDS should be consumed between meals, never WITH a meal! Again, this may be a hard habit to break, but it is very important to your success. Drinking with meals can lead to“pushing” the solid food through your pouch more quickly, leading to faster emptying of the stomach.
• You learned at your pre-op class NOT to drink carbonated beverages, and long-term post-op patients (YOU) are no different! Yes that means NO SODA, diet or regular. Besides making you feel uncomfortable, the gas produced by the carbonated beverage can stretch the pouch or its outlet. Stretching means that you will soon be able to fit larger portions of foods in your pouch before you feel full. Remember, more food equals more calories.
• Make eating purposeful, not mindless. Whenever you put food in your mouth, peel it, unwrap it, plate it, and sit. Engage all of the senses in the pleasure of nourishing your body.
• Stay connected with CBSI by keeping up with regular office visits and attending seminars and support groups. If you feel off-track, we can help you get back on the road to SUCCESS!

--Shannon Bishop, RD

The Promise of Bariatric Surgery
For every individual who has undergone gastric bypass surgery, there is truly a compelling story with lessons to be learned. These are stories of people with courage and vision who challenge themselves to improve the quality of their life. Following are comments from some of our CBSI patients-read and learn.

I truly believe there is discrimination in our society against obese people. It's very unfair. Sometimes I think I even have some of it in myself, since I'll occasionally look at someone who is obese and ask, "Why don't they do something?" While I was relatively successful in my career, I always felt that other people were getting promoted and good things were happening for them. It sounds a bit like sour grapes, but I really felt that way. Perhaps looking back, it was a factor that motivated me to do something positive.

I truly bobbed up and down in weight-that was my history. I went on Oprah Winfrey's Optifast diet and I lost over 100 lbs and then gained all the weight back up to 320 lbs. I will never forget standing in Dr. Brown's office and asking him, "Do I have any choice accept to go through with this surgery?" The thought of surgery was just so unappealing to me.

He said, "You've repeatedly demonstrated that you are an up and down dieter. You clearly are part of the 95% group of people that lose a lot of weight, then gain it back, and usually gain more than they lost. You're destined to a lifetime of that unless you can demonstrate that you are part of that 5% that can lose it and keep it off.".So, we scheduled surgery.

It has made me a much happier person. I like where my career has gone. I like the way I feel, how I look in clothes. My wife teases me because I'm the shopper in the family and I like nice clothes, and frankly I need them for my job. Also, when I had the surgery we already had a little 6-month-old baby and I really wanted him to have a normal Dad who was active. And, I wanted to live longer. Now, all those wishes are realities for me. Now I ski 30-40 days a year, I ride my bike, I'm scuba certified, and we hike. My son has no idea that his Dad used to be a big guy. In fact, it's part of my life I'm a little bit ashamed of .I'm very proud I did the surgery, for it has truly been a life changing experience.

I'm also so fortunate to have an incredible wife. She is so fit, normal, and healthy, and although she did fall in love with me when I was a big guy (which is wonderful thing!), she is very proud of me and happy that I'm there now to walk with her and do things I just didn't enjoy doing before. I'm here now for a long-time to come-that's another thing Dr. Brown told me, "you just don't see many morbidly obese people who live past 70," so when you're close to 50 like I am, 70 doesn't seem that far off.

Honestly, you truly have to get to a point of desperation. It would be nice if people could just come to the logical conclusion that they have to do something about their obesity, but it doesn't really work that way. I believe you finally have to fail enough times and come to a realization that you must accept. I have a cousin who is a candidate and interested in the surgery, but she just can't get the courage up to go through it. I've encouraged her, and shared with her how it has changed my life, and how it is just a wonderful experience to have people treat you differently-like a normal person instead of an obese person. It is a chance to close a chapter on something that no obese person is happy being-because there's nobody that's fat that likes being fat. Since the surgery I've even had people say to me, "boy it's nice that you've been thin all your life." For people contemplating surgery, believe me, it's truly the opportunity to start over in your life.

I'm not trying to brag, but I do look incredibly well. I'm a successful business man for whom appearance is really critical. I appreciate every day what Dr. Brown did for me.

You could be obese and go scuba diving-while there would be issues that you're concerned about (ie, heart risk), you could still do it. For me-not in a million years would I have ever gone through the embarrassment of getting in the pool and getting into one of those wetsuits! But, just look at me now.!!!

Good Grief!
“When you walk to the edge of all the light you have, and take a step into the darkness of the unknown, there will be something solid for you to stand on…or you will be taught to fly.” —P. Martin

We all grieve. Grieving occurs for many reasons. The most obvious is the death of a loved one. However, there are many other reasons we grieve. Some examples include the loss of a healthy body, loss of a job, a break-up or divorce, or loss of financial success. For those of you who have undergone gastric bypass surgery, you many feel like you lost your best friend—food. Grieving is a natural part of who we are as human beings. We cannot rush it. We cannot deny it. It can take on many forms. We cry, get angry, withdraw, or try to sleep it away. Sometimes, we choose to stuff it away through unhealthy behaviors such as drinking alcohol or gorging ourselves with food. Other unhealthy behaviors that may mask our grief include excessive spending
or excessive exercise. All of these behaviors may feel soothing immediately, but will not compensate for or take away the grief. So, how do we deal with grief? We talk about it. We allow our emotions to express themselves. We pamper ourselves with healthy choices, such as through massage, nature walks, watching movies, etc. For
those of you who have already met me, I encourage writing in a journal.

We want you to have 100% success with your gastric bypass surgery. More importantly, we know YOU want 100% success. One of the biggest reasons you many not succeed is due to not dealing with your grief. Try some of those coping skills listed, or come up with your own. Know that there are people out there you can talk with. Attend our monthly support group and share your thoughts and learn coping
strategies from others. The quote at the beginning of this article reminds us that even in darkness, we will succeed. We just need to trust it!

--Amy Pickett, LCSW

Seminar Series
Promoting an Optimal Outcome Following Surgery

August 16th
Patty Fries
“Getting Your Body Moving after Bariatric Surgery”
Patty Fries from P/SL’s Physical Therapy Department will show us the proper way to do exercises and introduce us to some fun new ways to move our bodies. Please wear comfortable clothing.

September 20th
Chef Scott DeVee
We are lucky to have Chef Scott DeVee back to show us some new recipes perfect for those crisp fall days.

October 18th
Fall Clothing Exchange
We will have a clothing exchange so you can get rid of those clothes that don’t fit anymore and find some new clothes from other patients that you can wear as your weight goes down. Bring bags full and those articles that do not get taken will be given to a representative from a local consignment shop.

These seminars are offered as part of CBSI’s long-term bariatric surgery program. They will be held at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center in the Colorado Room North at 6:00 p.m. Our CBSI Support Group will be meeting in the same room immediately following the seminars (7:00 p.m.).

UPCOMING PATIENT INFORMATION SEMINARS:
August 2nd, September 5th, October 4th 6:00 p.m. P/SL’s Colorado Room North…or log on to: www.coloradobariatric.com and view “patient information presentation”