Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking at a post op bariatric support group meeting.  It really was wonderful to see so many people that not only reached their goal, but maintained it.  The people that have maintained their weight, years after their surgery continue to follow their doctor’s guidelines and understand it is a lifestyle change.  They have stayed loyal to their exercise program with workouts that fit their lifestyle, such as; playing tennis, swimming, dancing, aerobics, yoga, pilates, walking and resistance training, to name a few.  Unfortunately, there were some people at the meeting that had either gained some weight or were fearful that they would. 
 
If you read my article in the last issue, it was about how your thoughts become your reality.   It is really important for anyone that has gained back some weight to evaluate what they are or aren’t doing on a daily basis.  We can be quite creative with excuses as to why things aren’t working; but we really do know how we are sabotaging ourselves.  Use the Holiday time to get back on track. When you go to Holiday parties, make good food choices.  You can still be social, without going off your program.  Get your mind to move out of where you are stuck right now and focus on where you want to be. See it, feel it, and write down what you want to achieve, write it as if you have already achieved it and read it every day! 
 
Every practice is different, but if your practice has you on a specific food and exercise program, are you following it?  If your practice doesn’t have a nutritionist, exercise physiologist, psychiatrist and hypnotist on staff, do some research and find these professionals on your own to assist you in achieving your goals.  Help is available for you, but you need to reach out, take the first step, and admit you need some assistance.  It is always best if your chosen healthcare professional has worked with bariatric patients.
 
Make it easy for yourself.  Start with one thing at a time.  Perhaps you want to plan a weekly menu.  Perhaps you want to find an exercise buddy or locate a support group in your area.  Whatever it may be, it is up to you to take that first step.  You can do it, I know you can.
 
Wishing you the very best for the Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year!
 
Live, Laugh & Love
 
by Pamela Shenk, C.Ht

“Dumping Syndrome” occurs when carbohydrates or sugars enter the small intestine without being digested by the stomach.

After a Roux en Y Gastric Bypass, the patient develops a relative intolerance to sugars. Conveniently, this prevents digestion of large amounts of carbohydrates that would significantly hinder the weight loss process . Not all post-gastric-bypass patients have the same reaction following the ingestion of carbohydrates. Some people experience a mild case of dumping syndrome causing them to become flushed. Others experience an increase in heart rate, followed by light headaches, and in some extreme cases, severe abdominal cramping and diarrhea may also occur.

Once again the Dumping Syndrome is a desired effect of the Roux en Y Gastric Bypass and acts as a deterrent to ingestion of large amounts of carbohydrates. While the spectrum of dumping ranges from none or very mild to severe, most patients fall in between these extremes. As a patient comes close to achieving his or her goal weight, carbohydrates can slowly be further introduced into the diet. If larger amounts of carbohydrates are ingested, the symptoms of dumping can be expected. There are a small percentage of patients who do not experience any dumping symptoms at all. These patients need to be more vigilant about their intake of carbohydrates.

by Michael Perez, M.D.