Weight Loss Surgery Newsletter Dec 1 2005

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 #82

December 1, 2005

Hello Everyone:
I remember when I got the call, just like it was yesterday. My weight loss surgery had been approved by my insurance company. The wait was over and I knew that nothing could stop me now. But how many people are there who try to get coverage for years and either have to give up the dream of a normal life or endure that financial burden?

Now you have a chance to help in a small way. As of Nov. 23rd, Medicare is recommending that bariatric surgery be covered for all of their morbidly obese patients under the age of 65. For the next 30 days, they are accepting public comments. Let your voice be heard. Email the government and tell them that you whole heartily approve their recommendation. Details are in the article that follows.

In This Issue
* Exercise Videos * Golden Carrot Award * Winter Activities: More Responses * Holiday Special * Recipe: Mini Breakfast Muffins * Success Story: Janine Engler

Exercise Videos

At a recent ObesityHelp event in Houston where I was speaking, I met a man who was about two months post-op. We talked about the importance of exercise and he commented that he has a hard time exercising because of his back. It is difficult for him to even stand for any length of time, much less exercise. I know that many people share his problem. So I wanted to develop a list of exercise videos for those who are in a similar situation.

These videos will help you in your beginning months post-op. They will get you going on an exercise program even if you do have mobility problems or need to start with a very easy regimen.

And if you have a favorite video that is for people with limited mobility that is not on this list, please email the information to me at Barbara@WLScenter.com so I can share it with our readers.

	Jody Stolove’s Chair Dancing More Sit Down & Tone Up		Fabulous Forever – Easy Aerobics: Slow Down Your Aging Clock by Mirabai Holland, MFA
	Big on Fitness: Full Figure Aerobics		Chair Exercises for Seniors

Golden Carrot Award

Golden Carrot Award, CBS News Sunday Morning Nov. 27^th, 2005

We can make a difference in the food that our children eat while in school and there are healthier choices for them.

On November 27^th,CBS Sunday Morning reported on the Cincinnati Seven Hills Elementary School that was awarded the Golden Carrot Award by the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine for overhauling the way they prepare food. How did they do it? The Food Service Department decided to toss out the deep fryer and bake everything. The food now has less fat, salt and sugar. Everything is prepared from scratch using organic meats, vegetables and whole grains. But instead of being every child’s worst nightmare, the children actually like it!! They are served such items as salmon with lobster sauce. Moroccan meatballs with couscous, and the school favorite – baked lemon Tilapia with sage. Students prefer the fish more than the homemade pizza. Go figure!

You would think that the cafeteria would be filled with students bringing their lunches. On the contrary. Sales are up. And since they don’t sell anything made with processed packaged foods, costs are down.

The school chef, Chef Jimmy Girardi, says that this system could be taken to any school within a week’s time. He says that schools need to throw away the boxes and the cans and learn to throw a chicken in a pot again so they’re making real food.

Your school can do the same. Get involved with the Parent Teachers Association for your school. Or get more information from the Cincinnati Seven Hills Elementary School and present it to your local School Board. Even if they aren’t interested in the health of the students, I guarantee that when they learn that sales can go up while costs can go down, you will catch their attention. Be an advocate for the health of your child!

Winter Activities: More Responses

This is a continuation of last month’s article in which I presented great ideas for winder activities from our readers.

My exercise of choice is water aerobics. I go to the rehab center in my area and the water temperature is 92.5. I find it very soothing and I can get my all over body workout. I go to classes 5 days a week and am loving every minute of it.

- Annette

I dress in goretex and then have someone drive me how ever far I want to walk---but always upwind. That way I walk with the wind to my back!

- Dick

I take a swimnastics class all year round, great on these 50 year old joints! I also go roller skating with the kiddies and my teenage daughter and I take an adult jazz dancing class together. It is really something nice that we have fun doing together (how many things do teenagers usually have fun doing with their yuck parents!). We even are in the recital together, costumes and all!

- Sue

I am truly blessed. I live in Palm Springs, California and our winters are beautiful. I walk, hike, and ride my bike. The summers are too hot, so I do jazzercise and power walk in the malls.

- Marsha

I love to walk the malls, look in the windows and see the clothes that I can now fit into!!!!! A real boost to my ego and I walk a little faster.

-Becky

Recipe:
	Mini Breakfast Muffins

Thanks to Joyce Stewart who posted this recipe on the ObesityHelp message board.

4 whole eggs Or 8 egg whites Or 1 cup egg beaters -
4 slices Turkey Bacon cooked and chopped into bits
1/2 cup lowfat part skim shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped onions
1 tsp.chopped chives/parsley
1/8 tsp garlic powder
salt
pepper

Mix all the ingredients together, pour into well sprayed mini muffin pans and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until edges start to brown and they are set.

One muffin made with whole eggs has 40 calories and 6 grams of protein. Figure about 2 or 3 to a serving.

Joyce

ps. My husband loves them, says you'd never know they were lowfat, high protein and good for you ! ...lol

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

Success Story:

Janine Engler

I want to offer a special thanks to Janine Engler. Here is her story:

My name is Janine Engler and I would like to share with you my weight loss surgery journey. I have been overweight my entire life. I can remember how I was always picked on not only for my size but the clothing I wore. It really hurt. Not everyone knows what it’s really like being big unless you are there or have been there. It’s painful inside and out.

In 2000 I was my largest, weighing around 409 pounds. In 2001 I started researching gastric by-pass surgery. I knew I had to take drastic measures to get a handle on my weight. I had enough and I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. The pain was becoming unbearable. I feared I would not be around to watch my kids grow up or to grow old with my husband. It took me 2 years to make the big decision.

On June 30, 2003 I had surgery. I was ready and excited to become a “big loser.” At the time of my surgery I weighed 381 pounds and was wearing a women’s size 32 or larger with a BMI of 56.3. I am 5 feet 9 inches tall and my ideal weight range should be 149-170 pounds.

When I awoke from surgery, I was sore and scared. I was in the hospital 4 days and immediately the weight began to come off. The first 26 days I lost 41 pounds, a pound or more a day. With a very few plateaus, I have lost 224 pounds in 17 months. I am now 2 years post-op and I have maintained my weight at 157 pounds and feel great. I know I will be around longer for my kids and husband.

I have to remind myself that this surgery is ONLY a tool. You still must make healthy food choices and exercise daily. It's a lifetime change. There have been a lot of head games that have come along with the surgery for me. I still see myself at 400 pounds, but sometimes, if I am lucky, I say, “Wow that’s me! I look great!”

I always worry about gaining my weight back. Trust me, I keep a close eye on the scale. I have not undergone any plastic surgery but want to. Although I am very surprised at how well my skin has done, I still would like to have plastic surgery. But it’s just a financial problem. Perhaps one day I will.

Everyone says to me, “Wow you were that big? I would have never known because your skin looks great!” I think to myself, ‘If you could only see me naked.’ It is really upsetting to me to have a constant reminder of the old me. I want to finish my journey and be free of that memory.

I have come so far in such a short period of time. I want to enjoy my life to its fullest. The only thing I regret regarding this surgery is I did not do it sooner!

I do believe that I will finish this journey, but not on my time, on GOD’S time. It’s because of Him that I am sharing this story with you now.

I have been truly blessed.

I thank you, Barbara, for letting me share my story with you and your readers.

If anyone is interested in e-mailing me, feel free.

Janine Engler
JanineGreenwood@HotMail.Com

Click Here for Janine's ObesityHelp profile


Before	After

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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