Many overweight people have the same story and have struggled with the same issues when trying to lose weight.  This can leave many people feeling helpless and chained to their extra pounds.  After years of trying and failing to get to a healthy weight many people give up and decide to just live with their weight problems.  Is it any wonder after they have tried every diet, exercise program and diet pill with little or no results that they would want to give up.  When you reach this point, try one more option.  Research bariatric surgery to help you with your weight control troubles. Bariatric surgery is not for everybody so you need to know what the doctor will want in a perfect candidate for the procedure.  The first condition for bariatric surgery is that the patient has to be at least one hundred pounds over their ideal body weight.  Along with that, the doctor will check you body mass index, which will have to be at least thirty-five.  If your BMI is thirty-five the doctor will look for other weight related problems such as diabetes.  If your BMI is as high as forty then no further test need to be done.  The doctor will also want to see proof that you have exhausted every other option for loosing weight and failed.  Since the surgery is followed by a lifetime diet change the doctor will want to be positive that you are ready to commit to the drastic changes you will have to make in your lifestyle. 

Bariatric surgery alone can achieve some success but the diet and changes in behavior that are required are a huge part of the overall treatment.  The most important information that you will receive from the doctor are the facts about the surgical risk and benefits.  The surgeon will make sure that you are intimately aware of all factors involved with the surgery before he will perform the procedure.  The surgeon will want you to try one more medically controlled diet also.  He will control the diet himself to determine if the weight can be taken off by methods other than surgery.  The surgeon will also want you to meet with a psychologist, dietician, and other specialist to ensure that you are mentally as well as physically ready to make the commitment to the surgery.  The reason for all the caution is that once you have the surgery you will have to make lifelong changes in your diet and lifestyle or you could cause more complications for yourself.

Focus 28 Team

www.focus28.com

When you consider the option of Bariatric surgery to begin losing unwanted weight, it will be emphasized by the surgeon that weight-loss surgery will not work alone. You cannot continue to eat unhealthy and avoid exercise like in the past. There has to be a commitment to changing your lifestyle for the better. This includes avoiding junk food which can be a challenge to break. This is because for years you have been use to eating whatever you like, say it be from your favorite fast food restaurant or unlimited amounts of snacks at home. Vegetables and fruits may be cringed at, but they will have to become a major part of the new diet plan since they carry tons of essential nutrients that the body needs.  The chances of succeeding with the new diet can be slim if you are not guided and motivated. Fortunately, many patients can get the support and guidance through a Bariatric program. There are some behavior modification techniques that can be implemented to increase your success following the surgery. 

When it comes to grocery shopping, a list should be made and stuck to. This means not putting junk food into your cart. Buying only the necessary items and avoiding purchasing foods that other people in the household will eat will help to control the temptations of snacking on unhealthy foods at home. It is best to take a visit to the grocery store on a full stomach so that your stomach is not eyeing up the foods for you. Once at home, foods should be not visible. You are less tempted if you cannot see foods on the counter or on the kitchen table. Instead of eating too large of portions, leftovers should be quickly stored or thrown out.  

Eating slowly is very important after surgery. This is because if you eat too quickly you may vomit. Mealtimes will be longer than prior to your surgery. You may need between 30 to 60 minutes to eat your meal. Small bites that are chewed into a liquid consistency are the ideal way to eat. If you like to eat when you are bored, depressed, or anxious you should find activities to avoid eating. This can be simply by going for a walk, listening to music, doing yoga, or finding a new hobby. Anything to keep your mind away from going into the kitchen will help to avoid overeating.  

These are just a few of the ways you can try to help assist you in staying on the right path of maintaining a healthy diet and losing and keeping the weight off. Changing one’s diet can be difficult, but with the right support and knowledge, you will have the tools to accomplish your goals.   

Focus 28 www.focus28.com

Bariatric surgery is a step towards changing one’s life for the better. It can either be an easy decision to go forth with it, or a scary one. This is why it is very important to have support to help before the surgery, afterwards, and through all the lifestyle challenges once the healing process begins. No one wants to be alone and not have anyone to listen to their fears and struggles. They need to be able to discuss their journey and get encouragement in some form of support. Having support from family and friends should be the easiest form. When deciding on whether to have Bariatric surgery your family and friends may either be very supportive with your decision or against it. If they are not supportive it could be over fear. They may not know all the facts of weight-loss surgery and feel it is too risky for you to go through. A good way to change their feelings is by taking the time to talk with them about why they feel this way and inform them of the aspects of the surgery and why you are leaning to go forth with it. Hopefully by doing this, they will understand that even though it is a major surgery and there are risks, the benefits are greater since it will lessen your chance of medical illnesses, and make help you achieve a healthy life. 

Support groups ran by Bariatric programs is another way to cope through the entire weight-losing journey. The programs are often times ran and moderated by a healthcare professional such as a dietician or psychologist. It is a great way to get support since they consist of other people who have the same goals as you, and will understand what you are going through. Even through struggles they can lend their support which will help you get through challenging times. With the internet becoming more and more popular, online support groups can be found. It is very convenient to turn on the computer and access online support groups that understand what you are going through. You’ll be able to make new friends and read their stories and encouragement. Since it is online, there are things to be watchful of. Some people will complain endlessly on the support group which can have a negative effect and should be avoided. It is best to meet people who are positive. There sometimes will be people who claim to be experts who are not, so their words should not be taken seriously as a real expert. 

Fortunately, your journey through weight-loss surgery does not have to be alone. You can have your family and friends to share your challenges and accomplishments with, join a support group where you go to meetings with fellow people in your situation, or log online and write and read for support. You could even do all of the options! Having the adequate support will give you the boost you need to stay focused and achieve your weight-loss dreams.      

Focus 28 www.focus28.com

“Live and Learn”! Now there is a great statement for you. It is the uttermost truth that you have to live by in order to learn.  For some of us, it takes a lifetime to learn things, but it is the information that we pick up along our journey that teaches us.

I might have spent a good portion of my life trying to shed pounds, but now at the age of thirtynine, I understand I am who I am.  I have learned that I am only myself, and nobody can change me but myself! Ha ha go figure,took me all that living and learning to come up with that.

I now know that my body is a temple and I should treat it with respect and love, and that means taking care of it and maintaining a healthy diet.  I still have a lot more living and learning to do , but at least I have my temple under control!

Kerry Timmins

Focus 28 Customer

kerrytimmins@yahoo.com

www.focus28wellness.com

Bariatric surgery has become a popular option for improving an obese individual’s life. It can alleviate life-threatening illnesses often associated with obesity such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Since the benefits and risks of the physical aspects of Bariatric are well-known through experience with patients, what about the Bariatric surgery’s psychological effects? These effects are less understood. It is typical for someone who is overweight to have depression or other mental issues regarding their situation, so patients often wonder if Bariatric surgery can cure their psychological issues or increase them. 

Depression and mood disorders are common for people who qualify for Bariatric surgery. Anxiety disorders have been diagnosed in almost half of the patients. For a one year period following the surgery, the patient’s mood usually improves. Those suffering from depression or anxiety feel positive about their situation which is a factor in combating their mental issues. But after two to four years, patients were shown to have an increase in their depression and anxiety issues. This may have to do with the fact that after a year, weight is not lost as quickly and noticeably which may make the person feel negative.    

There have been some studies that have shown that people who have undergone Bariatric surgery have a surprising risk of committing suicide. It is unknown if this is because of the history of depression, stresses and challenges of being severely overweight, or disappointment with the results of the surgery that play a role in the people’s decision to end their life. This is why it is important to seek mental health during the entire weight-loss journey.  

Studies have not all been bleak for depression sufferers. The overall results of Bariatric surgery are positive. Quality of life is improved over time. Most patients who had the surgery do feel better out their appearance afterwards. Individuals who have severe body issues prior to surgery had drastically changed their feelings after the weight-loss, which resulted in a better life outcome both physically and mentally. As for the impact Bariatric surgery plays on marriages and relationships, it depends on how strong it was before. Usually relationships improve after surgery, which is another positive that lessens depression. 

No one should not feel bad about their mental issues. People throughout the world suffer from it. Fortunately, Bariatric surgery can help to eliminate it and give patients a new positive lease on life. 

Focus 28 Team

www.focus28.com

“Everyday is a gift!”  That is why they call it the present.  I love that saying; I feel it just couldn’t be truer.  Through my experiences in life, I know that we are not promised tomorrow, so that is why we need to start living and getting motivated today.  All those days that I wasted, being overweight and being utterly unhappy have been wasted for me. I wish I could trade them in for happy days.  

Although many years have passed, I have finally begun to treat my days as a gift!  I could safely say “it feels fantastic!”   When your body feels good, so does your mind, and I really believe that. At least with me, it’s a proven fact.  I have lost all of my weight, I am maintain a healthy lifestyle, I am extremely happy.     

My advice to you is to unwrap each new day as if it’s Christmas or Chanukah.  Start treating yourself to things you deserve. Get motivated; get happy, it’s definitely worth it.

Kerry Timmins

Focus 28 Customer

kerrytimmins@yahoo.com

www.focus28.com

Being happy is a task that has not come easy for me.  I am happy to say that “I have never been so happy in my life!”  I am wearing things I never thought I could, I am  eating all the best and healthy foods I could, I exercise on a daily basis, and I drink plenty of water. My life is finally falling into place and it feels terrific!  

Still somewhere in the back of my head, I worry about my weight. I guess that feeling will always be there.  I am terrified of becoming the person I was ten years ago!  I have come so far, and the thought of going back, well, you could only imagine.  

I work hard, every day, to ensure that I do not fall back into those old, terrible habits.   That little voice in my head, you know the one, we all have it, is always there to stop me from being who I was, years ago.  

The more I think about it, I’m glad to hear that voice on occasion, because without it, I might just revert to my old habits. It’s that tiny voice that stops me from having that slice of pie, or that glass of soda. It might sound strange but kudos to that tiny voice in my head! 

So about that voice in my head, I have come to grips with the fact that I am not insane, that everyone has that voice on occasion.  I have come to the reality that without that voice in my head, I wouldn’t be happy today. 

Focus 28 Customer

Kerry Timmins

kerrytimmins@yahoo.com

www.focus28.com

When we hit a

I can only speak for myself and for many other people that I have had this conversation with, “Being overweight can make you feel depressed and lonely.”  It took me some time to realize, and with some help, that these emotions that we go through are very normal.

Everyday people, people who are thin, sick and even people who are just going through a rough time in their lives have the very same feelings. You should know that there is nothing wrong with feeling these strong emotions.

Even after making that life changing decision to have surgery, to make yourself healthy, does not mean you will be immune to these feelings. It will take time, but you will learn how to handle them.  You should realize that nobody in this world is happy everyday or every minute of their lives, whether they have has surgery or not.

The key to dealing with these emotions is to first acknowledge that you do feel depressed. You are simply not happy with the way you look, you’re not being conceded or self-absorbed because of this, and it’s a normal feeling to have.  It is okay to want to look and feel better as long as you do not let this feeling take over you.

A little advice that I can give you is to stay focused, utilize your support groups, and talk to your doctor, a friend or someone you trust. It helps to be able to say what you’re thinking and feeling out loud so that you can hear it for yourself, and begin to work through it.

The feeling of loneliness is also normal. I’m sure that you have been feeling this way for quite some time.  It is normal to feel like you are the only person in the world who is not happy with themselves, but believe me, you are not!  Do not forget the wonderful world of internet. If you do not feel comfortable talking to anyone face to face, there are a ton of communities that you can go to.

Try and visit www.obestiyhelp.com.  They have a wonderful online community that can help you through any concerns you may have.  It is a community geared towards bariatric patients.

There are plenty of websites, like www.focus28.com that will give you loads of information about the surgery, after surgery, dealing with emotions, the list goes on.  These people have done their research, and they know the emotions that people like us go through. So, if they can do the research then why can’t we. We are just as savvy with typing in a key word in a search engine to find the answers to the question we have.

The bottom line is, to accept these feelings and emotions and embrace them. Once you are able to do that, then every morning you will wake up and say to yourself “ What kind of day am I going to have today?” and right then and there, you will make a decision without even realizing it. And hopefully, you will have decided to have a good day.

I can not stress enough that yes you are normal, and no you are not alone. Take your journey, walk down that path that has looked so enticing all these years. Look up at the trees around you and down to the flowers. Enjoy the new life you have created for yourself, and please do not forget to stop and smell the roses.    They are beautiful, and so are you!

Katherine Adams

Focus 28 Customer

www.focus28wellness.com

I can not speak for everyone, but I personally get tired of eating the same old things all the time. From being on my program for a while now I forgot what it was like to sit down and eat a normal meal.  As much as I do not want to admit this out loud, but I have finally learned what portion control really is. It’s not all about what you are eating but how much of it that you are eating.

After 34 years, I have finally listened to some of the nutritionists that I have seen throughout the years, who suggest that those of us who are on the bigger side of the scale simply use a smaller plate to eat off of. Now how simple is that?

It has been wonderful. Of course, I am on a planned weekly meal, but I do once a week with my doctor’s approval of course, treat myself to healthy whole food that I have been missing in my life so very much.  I know I am sounding a bit dramatic, but when you have to be on liquids for some time, even 1 month feels like forever.  I was able to eat a few strands of green beans and a little less then 2.5oz of grilled chicken off a dessert dish. I can not begin to tell you how delicious this one meal was for me that week.

What I try to do now, is schedule one day a week where I substitute my meal plan with a small dessert plate of what ever it was that I had been craving for the week.  Of course, I’m not talking about the normal candy and cakes; I’m talking about bariatric desserts, like Cheesecake from Focus 28. I suggest this method to anyone whose doctor agrees with allowing them to try this.

Please do not get me wrong. I have not dared to eat anything that was fried and high in fat and calories. But I did eat what I cooked for a change and that made a world of difference for me and it has actually made me stronger and more focused on my main goal.

Katherine Adams

Focus 28 Customer

www.focus28wellness.com