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WLS Center.com E-Newsletter
A FREE publication by
http://www.wlscenter.com
Issue # 35, Nov. 2, 2003
Circulation: 9,126

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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: Diabetes Improves After Weight Loss Surgery
* Book Excerpt: Over the Counter Medications Following Weight Loss Surgery
* Recipe: Chicken Paprikash
* Telephone Seminars are Coming
* Success Story: Judy Ellis
* Spreading the Word in Tulsa, Morristown and Sedalia, MO

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Dear Subscriber,

When I speak around the country, one of the things I ask people to do is to make a list of what they would like to do if they were of normal weight. It is a time to dream. It is a time to imagine what seems so far away, yet is attainable. One thing that people often list is the ability to throw away their medication. That is a wonderful dream of those whose morbid obesity has really taken its toll on their health. The following article reports on research that is just another indication of how life saving this surgery can be.

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** Research Article:
Diabetes Improves After Weight Loss Surgery **
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Phil Schauer, MD, who was my surgeon and the author of the Foreword to my book, has published the results of his research on diabetes following weight loss surgery in the most recent issue of the “Annals of Surgery.” The results of this research are very exciting. Please pass the summary article on to your primary care physician. It is the primary care physician who is in a position to recommend weight loss surgery to his or her patient with diabetes. They are profoundly influential, and anything that we can do to spread the word about this life altering surgery, the better. Click Here for the Article

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** Book Excerpt:
Over the Counter Medications Following
Weight Loss Surgery **
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With cold and flu season looming, you may be concerned about what over the counter medication is safe to take following surgery. As a general rule, avoid anything that has aspirin in it. This is a list that is found in my book “Weight Loss Surgery; Finding the Thin Person Hiding Inside You.” Be sure to check with your own surgeon to ensure that he or she agrees with these recommendations.

Medications to Avoid:
Advil
Alka-Seltzer
Vanquish
Aspirin
Bufferin
Coricidin
Cortisone
Excedrin
Fiorinol
Ibuprofen
Motrin
Pepto-Bismol

Medications That Are Recommended For Colds:
Benadryl
Dimetapp
Robitussin
Sudafed
Triaminic
Tylenol Cold Products

Medications That Are Usually Well Tolerated
(Try to obtain sugar free or diabetic formulas for any of these products.)
Peri-Colace
Panadol
Tylenol
Tylenol Extra Strength
Gas-X
Phazyme
Colace
Dulcolax Suppositories
Fleet Enemas
Glycerin Suppositories
Milk of Magnesia

If you do not have your copy of my book “Weight Loss Surgery; Finding the Thin Person Hiding Inside You,” what are you waiting for? Many surgeons all across the country will not allow their patients to have the surgery unless they have read my book. Order your copy at http://www.wlscenter.com/Announce_Book.htm#book

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** Recipe: Chicken Paprikash **
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Everyone who has gastric bypass surgery must have a crock pot. There is nothing that will soften a piece of meat better than a crock pot. Crock pots make meat so tender that it almost melts in your mouth and most importantly will not get stuck in your stoma. I made this recipe today and it was wonderful.

2 pounds of boneless Chicken
1 can of cream of mushroom soup (I used the one with garlic)
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1/2 onion, chopped
1 can of water
1can of button mushrooms
1/2 cup of sour cream
1 tsp paprika

Salt and pepper to taste
Cut pork into chunks. Season the pork with paprika, salt and pepper.
Sauté in a little oil until lightly browned. Put into a crock pot.
Add chopped onions to the pan and sauté until soft. Add to the crock pot.
Add 2 cans of condensed soup and 1 can of water. Stir until mixed.
Cook in the crock pot on high for 5 hours or low 8 to 10 hours.
For the last 1/2 hour add drained canned mushrooms.
During the last 5 minutes, add the sour cream.

To make this a lighter, less caloric recipe, use low fat versions of the soup and sour cream.

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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** Telephone Seminars are Coming **
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Have you ever participated in a telephone seminar? They are a terrific way to learn. To participate in a telephone seminar you call a designated phone number and enter a pass code number so that you are connected to what is called a bridge line. It is similar to a party line, because you can hear other people speak and you can speak yourself. After the start of the telephone seminar the moderator puts the guests on mute during the presentation. There is lots of time for questions which can be asked when everyone is taken off mute.

I will be starting a series of telephone seminars and want to get your input on them. It will be an opportunity to interact with me "live" and pose your questions to me on the specified topic. Occasionally, I will have a special guest. Each telephone seminar would cost $19.95 to participate or to purchase as an audio cassette tape later from my website. If you participate in the telephone seminar, you can tape record the session so that you have it to keep. I would like to know the following:

1) Would you be interested in a telephone seminar?
2) What topics would you like to see covered?
3) Are there any guests that you would like me to interview?

I would love to have your feedback. Email me at Barbara@wlscenter.com

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** Success Story: Judy Ellis **
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I want to offer a special thanks to Judy Ellis for sharing her story. Here is her story.

Dear Barbara,

I really enjoy your newsletter each month. It really helps me since my surgery and your articles are wonderful.

Here is my story. I am a 56 year old women who thought her life was about to end. My weight had gotten out of hand. All my life I have been over weight and have been on many weight programs. But in the last 20 years it has gotten a lot worse. My health was going down hill by the day.

I went in to see my primary care physician and he told me about a wonderful doctor in West Columbia, SC, Dr. Glen Strickland who was doing gastric bypass surgery. He thought I would benefit from this surgery. My appointment was made before I left his office.

I met with Dr. Strickland and he sent me to have all the medical work-ups to get approved by my insurance company. I talked everything over with my family who by the way had many questions. When I started my journey I knew nothing about this surgery. So I went online and started my search.

My surgery was on Oct. 30, 2002 and my beginning weight was 248 pounds. My BMI was 43. I am 5'1" so 248 pounds is a lot for me. My surgery was laparoscopic RNY.

Although my surgery went well; my recovery was tough but well worth it and yes I would do it again. I am 10 1/2 months post op and I now weigh 143 pounds. I feel better than I have in 20 years. I wish I could have had this done years ago. I know this is not for everyone, but I thank God everyday that it was for me.

We have an Angel Program through our support group. We find out when our pre-ops are having surgery and are there for them and their families. I try very hard to be there for all our pre-ops as well as post-ops. We also have an online support group. You need the support from your friends as well as your family. 

Here are before and after pictures of me if you would like to use them. 
http://www.wlscenter.com/SuccessStories/JudyEllis.htm

                Hugs 
                  Judy Ellis   

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.