Legal Worries Over "Obesity Disability"

The American Medical Association says it doesn't want to call obesity a "disability" because doctors may be legally vulnerable to lawsuits under disability laws. Doctors don't want to get sued by overweight patients who are sensitive to discussions of weight. See the Associated Press article below.

I guess my thought is this: instead of worrying about getting sued lets put some energy into figuring out how to help the overweight and obese in a kind and sensitive manner so that we do not feel disabled or discriminated against.

just sayin'!

CHICAGO (AP) — The American Medical Association has taken action to support doctors' ability to discuss obesity with their overweight patients.

Under a new policy adopted Tuesday, the AMA formally opposes efforts by advocacy groups to define obesity as a disability.

Doctors fear using that definition makes them vulnerable under disability laws to lawsuits from obese patients who don't want their doctors to discuss their weight.

Doctors took the action at their annual meeting in Chicago.

In other action Tuesday, the AMA agreed to lobby for legislation to ban selling tobacco in pharmacies.

Health care reform issues are slated to come up later at the meeting, which ends Wednesday.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Look Mom - No Training Wheels!!

Hello Neighbors!

So it's been about 100 years since I last rode a bike. I have to be honest with you -- I never got over the fear of being judged after some mean kids hollered at me one day "Look at the fat pig on the bicycle." Yeah, sticks and stones break bones but words can wound for life. I'm sure many of you endured similar experiences and I'm so sad about that.

So last week I told my husband that I've seriously been thinking about getting a bicycle. While we live way out of town and dirt roads are the rule the LivingAfterWLS office is in the "metropolitan" heart of our tiny community. And There is a wonderful biking/walking trail between the office and the grocery store where I visit the salad bar nearly every day. "How fantastic it would be," I told him, "If I had a bicycle and could ride to the market for my salad?" Jim is not one to spend time on Pro's and Con's and the very next day he surprised my this darling baby blue Huffy with whitewall tires! I am crazy in love! It is simple and sturdy and nothing so complicated as gears and hand brakes. All that's missing now is a pretty basket for going to the market. I do have a helmet, but didn't wear it for this posed picture - so don't worry.

It has been such a joy, a childlike joy, to ride a bike again. I am so happy that I finally screwed up enough courage to take back this pleasure. I'm sad that cruel words from so long ago kept me from doing something so carefree and healthy and fun.

According to my Sports & Recreation Chart I can burn 200 calories in just 30 minutes of cycling! And that's not counting the valleys & hills! I really cannot think of a better statement of "LIVING" than being able to take a break in the workday for a little fitness and fresh air. I bet I have inspiring words to share after a mid-day ride!

For some great bicycle safety tips visit BicycleSafe.com

Shake it Up Baby!

Hello Neighbors!

First of all I'm sending a big thanks to so many of you who have purchased the You Have Arrived Seasoning Blends. The response has been tremendous and we hear from happy customers daily how much they are enjoying these fresh, tasty and healthy seasoning blends. The Seasoning Blends have long been a dream of mine and knowing that others are enjoying them and the improved culinary experience they bring is a true delight to me.

Our blends are free of filler, MSG and phosphates to keep you healthy. Without these ingredients some natural settling will occur, particularly with the Poultry Blend, Signature Blend and Finishing Salt. Be sure to give your jars a vigorous shake or two before using to ensure evenly blended seasoning. Shake it Up Baby -- It Feels Good!

You can now purchase the blends individually in addition to buying the complete set. And we are also offering a 4-ounce refill for when your jars go empty. And the best news -- our Introductory prices are still in place so you can enjoy the blends at an affordable price. (Save $4 on the Seasoning Collection!)

Shop our new Online Store for Seasoning Blends, Soup Mixes & Publications

The You Have Arrived (YHA) Seasoning Blends are hand-mixed in small batches of all natural ingredients specifically formulated to support your healthy diet after surgical weight loss. We know that "Protein First" is the dietary key to weight loss and weight maintenance with surgery. And we promise that well seasoned protein is the first rule of satiation and culinary pleasure of any healthy diet.

The You Have Arrived Blends we offer are:
Signature Blend: The popular You Have Arrived Signature Blend is an aromatic no-sodium mixture of savory, sweet, and citrus flavors including onion, garlic, tomato, citrus, spices, and oils. Use on protein, vegetables, and in sauces and marinades.

Poultry Blend: The You Have Arrived Poultry Seasoning is a light and savory blend of onion, bell peppers, garlic, and a light hint of citrus is a refreshing compliment to poultry. Contains sodium.

Grilling Blend: The You Have Arrived Grilling Blend marries the smoky flavor of paprika with garlic, onion and a hint of cinnamon to nicely compliment grilled vegetables or protein. Use to season homemade barbecue sauce. Contains sodium.

Savory Provence Blend: The You Have Arrived Savory Provence Blend is all herbs with a Mediterranean essence. This sodium-free blend contains rosemary, thyme, savory, lavender, and other herbs. Particularly delicious on fish and in vegetable soups and stews as well as on fresh salads and vegetables.

Finishing Salt: The You Have Arrived Finishing Salt is lightly flavored high quality kosher salt for a finishing touch. Helpful in reducing free-pour sodium intake.


Enjoy!!

Chicken, Cheese & Spinach Manicotti

Hello Everyone!

I know from reading your emails that lots of you get pasta cravings now and again. We know that pasta is a simple carbohydrate with little nutritional value for the space it takes up in our tiny gastric pouches. But we also know that cravings are powerful things. Last week I tried this manicotti recipe from Kraft Foods. While not on the top of the "Protein First" recipe chart it does go along way for providing protein, nutrients and comforting carbs in the form of pasta. Unlike spaghetti or macaroni, manicotti is a controlled portion of pasta so it rates better in my book as a "for emergencies" indulgence. I'm sharing this recipe exactly as it is published on Kraft Foods. I suggest for WLSers one manicotti is plenty.

Chicken, Cheese & Spinach Manicotti

Prep Time: 30 min
Total Time: 1 hr 5 min
Makes: 5 servings, two stuffed shells each

What You Need!
1-1/2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken breasts
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 egg whites
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1 container (16 oz.) BREAKSTONE'S FREE or KNUDSEN FREE Fat Free Cottage Cheese
1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
10 manicotti shells, cooked, drained
1-1/2 cups spaghetti sauce
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Make It!
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Combine chicken and garlic in large bowl. Add egg whites, spinach, cottage cheese and 1/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Spoon evenly into manicotti shells.

PLACE in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with spaghetti sauce.

BAKE 25 to 30 min. or until heated through. Top with the remaining 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese; bake an additional 5 min. or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with basil.

Kraft Kitchens Tips
Make Ahead: Assemble recipe as directed; cover and refrigerate up to 4 hours. When ready to bake, uncover and bake 35 to 40 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese and continue as directed.
Substitute: Substitute fresh parsley for the basil.

Day 6 after the 5 Day Pouch Test

Good Morning Neighbors! Once in a while there comes a post in the Neighborhood that makes me do the Happy Dance (literally) and this is one of them. Our new Neighbor and friend Beverley, who arrived way back in 2000, just finished the 5 Day Pouch Test. Here is what she has to say about her results and her enthusiasm to move forward. Go ahead and join me in doing the Happy Dance! And Way to Go Beverley!!!

Read the entire conversation in the Neighborhood


Wow Day 6 I've lost 6.5 lbs I'M still totally PUMPED over the new lease on life I have found. I'm surprised at how quickly these 5 days (5 Day Pouch Test) have gone by and how easy I found it.

5 Day Pouch Test Owner's Manual

What Changes I have made in the last 5 days (and still working on).-I now write down everything that passes my lips, no more mindless eating... that leads to snacking and grazing.-I am jotting down how I feel, what my trigger emotions are... what my trigger foods are.
-I've become aware of Slider Foods, always wondered why some foods just go down so easy and can go down in
mega portions ("Up-size that please" no more of that!!) I now consider "Slider Foods" an ex lover, MY NEW LOVER IS PROTEIN.
-Work my tool (that almost sounds dirty), recognize how my pouch feels, I'm looking for a slight fullness now. I was one of those kids that were told to "clean your plate"... I'm an adult now and I'm in control of my intake so "push it away and throw it in the garbage" I give myself permission to do this!!

-Smaller bites and chew, chew, chew, be mind full of the amount I put in my mouth and chew till mush, that sounds gross to someone who is 9 yrs out BUT if that's what it takes mush it is!! Huh...old dogs can learn new tricks!!

The big one THE 4 RULES
- Follow the 30-/-30
- 64 oz water at least
- Protein, Protein, Protein, Protein
- Back to exercising
-I've broke the CarbMonster cycle I'm in control of that CarbMonster, but most of all over my pouch. I will make this tool work for me again! I am in control. Yahooooo
- Planning my meals ahead of time weighing and measuring my food no more eyeballing it, my eyes are waaay bigger than my pouch.. 2 eyes, 1 pouch.. hmmmmm.
- I will begin to WEIGH DAILY. Ignorance is bliss, but not when your NOT watching - and the # on scales creep up... Last week I was opposed to getting on the scale daily.

All this in 5 days WOW, this is a big deal for me. I was aware of most of these things for about 10 mins after my WLS. I'm sure as I continue I will have lots more to add to this list... but for now this is what I am focusing on.

** THANK YOU all so much for your support and encouragement and most of all to my buddy girly, we did it


Day 6 and Going Forward!! Come join us Girly and Dee are joining me in this- Day 6 and Going Forward journey. - you are welcome to join at any time at whatever stage of the 5DPT you are in.

They say it takes 21 days to create a habit, so my plan is to stay on the 6th day of this plan on till the 22nd of this month, this will make it a full 21 days of proper eating...breaking old habits and creating new ones. In this time frame if I fall off the wagon I will go back to day 1&2. I love the soups anyways. 21 days to break a habit is my short term goal.... life/forever is my Day 6 long term goal. Hey girls, we've already got 6-7 days in so thats just 14-15 more to go, we can do it!!

I see there's lots of good recipes for day 6 food, and I understand the 2b/1b and will work on that, as well as continuing what I've been doing last 5 Days. eg 30-0-30.

LivingAfterWLS Online Recipe Collection

I plan to discover what Low-Glycemic fruits and vegs are good for me... Lord knows I have enough diet books this should be fairly easy ( there's the net as well)*" I have the tools and I will use them."*

The Neighborhood Cookbook

I have never had a real structured time to eat my meals before .... I'm thinking this is something worth changing in this 21 Days eg. eating every 2-3 hrs not just when I'm hungry *"if you fail to plan, be prepaired to fail" * I will concentrate on making changes on my bad habits like eating to fast and not chewing my food enough.I plan to continue to post my food and H2o intake daily because it keeps me accountable. I'm thinking 1000 cal a day and 100g protein. Any suggestions here... too many cal, too much protein ?????

I am wondering if there are any other tips for day 6 and onward? I know this question has been asked soooo many times before... but hey this is my first time to ask !!!!!

Secrets of Day 6 & Beyond -- Neighborhood Conversation

21 days to break a habit is my short term goal- life is my long term goal. When I first had my surgery not one grain of sugar passed these lips, It was years ago but I remember it like it was Yesterday. I had surgery in Jan and the following Dec I was at a party *looking fine* and there was a tray of sweets being passed and around... I indulged. That was it for me!
That was the past and I CAN DO THIS AGAIN, RIGHT NOW and SUCCEED!!!

I have found some Motto's on various posts that I'm using... more tools ....if they were yours... thank you.

*"food is my fuel, not my friend"* *"if you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail"* *" I have the tools and I will use them."*

LivingAfterWLS General Store Online - Free Gifts with Order

LivingAfterWLS General Store

Hey Neighbors --- As you know we have been working on the LivingAfterWLS online store for a loooooooonnnnnggggg time. A long long time. It isn't fancy and I'm not sure it is working all that great yet. So I'm bringing it live for the Neighbors to give it a test and let me know how it works for you. It is very basic -- no music, no pop-ups, now flash or sass. Just a list of our products and simple check-out process.

AND -- Any orders placed between now and Midnight June 10th will receive free gifts from me!! The first gift is our newest product, the Walk Your Way to Fitness Guide. This 36-page pocket size guide and daily log includes tips for feeling good by adding exercise to your life. A useful tool in your LivingAfterWLS healthy lifestyle (I use this tool myself). A $4.35 Value. In addition, all orders will receive a 1-ounce sample of our forthcoming seasoning blend, "You Have Arrived Italian Blend" complete with recipe.

Our popular publications, The 5 Day Pouch Test Owner's Manual and The Neighborhood Cookbook are available in the store and both come with FREE gifts!

Soup Blends and Seasoning packages are offered too and listed at the low introductory prices during this test phase!! We have opened our blends & soups to International shipping as well.

No incremental shipping & handling charges -- all orders ship for one low flat rate!
US Orders - $6.95 Shipping & Handling
International Orders - $15.95 Shipping & Handling


So act now and please give me feedback on this thread in the Neighborhood regarding your shopping experience. Here is the link to the store:

LivingAfterWLS General Store


Thanks for helping me test this new resource that, if all goes well, will make it easier for our friends and Neighbors to find the products they need to live their best after WLS.

THANKS,
Kaye

The Neighborhood Cookbook

Hello Neighbors!

Last week, on the same day, I received two emails. The first asked, "This Neighborhood Cookbook: Does it have recipes my family can eat?" and the second email exclaimed, "Thank you for the Neighborhood Cookbook! I use it all the time to cook for my family and they don't know they are eating WLS food, they love the recipes."

I use The Neighborhood Cookbook a lot and I'm biased - it is a great resource. I also have the good fortune to cook for a husband, and occasionally our extended family, all of whom are good eaters with few requirements or complaints. So to read that others are using the Neighborhood Cookbook as an effective tool in their long-term commitment to healthy eating with weight loss surgery is a tremendous compliment and a testament to this community collection of recipes. The cookbook is now in it's 3rd printing with over 2,000 books having shipped to every state in the Union and internationally as well.

Learn more about The Neighborhood Cookbook

This last weekend I put together a summer picnic menu from the Neighborhood Cookbook. You won't find potato salad or German chocolate cake, but you will find a nutritionally balanced meal the whole family can enjoy. Take a look:

Appetizer: Deluxe Deviled Eggs (page 28)
Main Dish: Chicken with Plum Barbecue Sauce (page 109)
Salad: 3 Bean Salad (page 59) or Dutch Cucumber Salad (page 67)
Side or Snack: Dill Pickle Snack (page 40)
Dessert: Raspberry Cream Tarts (page 162) or Summer Fruit Tart (page 166)

This menu served 8 people including four hungry teenagers. Nobody asked for chips, crackers, potatoes, pasta or even ice cream. Everyone left happy and satiated. It is possible to feed our families and friends well without cooking a completely different meal for them than what we fix for ourselves. And healthy mindful cooking takes us one step closer to keeping the next generation out of the surgical weight loss operating room.

In addition to our beautifully presented spiral bound Neighborhood Cookbook you can get recipes at the LivingAfterWLS Kitchen and in the Neighborhood Community Kitchen.

CHEERS!

Oven Fried Coconut Chicken

This is a crispy delight with the unexpected flavor of coconut. The recipe calls for ground pork rinds. If you are sensitive to MSG be certain to check the label for that ingredient. You may substitute 1/4 cup ground flaxmeal and 1/2 cup ground whole wheat crackers for the pork rinds. We enjoyed this served with fresh wilted greens.

Ingredients:
2 1/2-3 pounds meaty chicken pieces (breast halves, thighs and drumsticks) skin removed.
1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
3/4 cup finely crushed pork rinds (about 1 1/2 ounces)
1/4 cup butter or margarine melted

Directions:
Remove skin from chicken. In a shallow dish stir together coconut and pork rinds. Brush chicken with melted butter; sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Dip into coconut mixture to coat, pressing mixture on the chicken pieces.

In a 15x10x1-inch baking pan arrange chicken pieces, bone sides down, so the pieces aren't touching. Drizzle any remaining melted butter over chicken.

Bake in a preheated 375(F) oven for 45-55 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink (170F for breasts; 180F for thighs and drumsticks). Do not turn chicken pieces while baking.

Kaye's note: We tested this recipe using 1/2 cup of coconut milk for dipping the chicken instead of the butter. This gave us good results. We also tried spraying the chicken with an oil mister and found the coconut coating did not adhere well to the meat during cooking.

Serves 4. Per serving: 318 calories, 29 grams protein, 21 grams fat (12 saturated) and 2 grams carbohydrate.

Long Time, No See! I'm here -- Really I am!

Hey Blogging Neighbors! Long time no see - I have missed you guys! I never realized just how busy we are, as a family, between middle April through the end of May. We had four local birthdays, Jim and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary, one high school graduation, one high school graduation party, Memorial Day and Puppy Charvie's 1-year birthday! All within six weeks. And to make things even more thrilling LivingAfterWLS introduced two new products that were wonderfully received and we scrambled to keep up with orders! Talk about a wonderful crazy life!! And I wouldn't change a thing except for maybe adding a few more hours in the day so I could keep better in touch with everyone here!

So how are you doing?

Over in the Neighborhood we've welcomed quite a few new Neighbors -- Drop in and say Hello on the Introductions board. And many many more have joined us for support and friendship in the 5 Day Pouch Test. Have you taken control of your pouch lately? Let us know! Others, our true and steady veterans, have done a brilliant (Hi Kim) job of answering questions, lending support and comfort, and taking care of one another. Thanks everyone.

Today is Fun Friday in the Neighborhood -- this week we are answering quick and fun survey questions from Jane. Get on over and play -- there are fabulous prizes to be won!!

So I hope on this Friday afternoon my little post finds you happy and well. I think we have finally cleared the hurdle of hectic living and can languish in all the wonderment of summer (Yeah! Right). But whatever the coming days bring I hope to see you more often here. I have lots of fresh and helpful information to share and I know you all have lots to teach me.

Have a great weekend my friends!

Win Free Bariceutical Vitamins for a Month!

Hey Neighbors! I just got off the phone with Silvia and she apologies for some out-of-stock problems and customer service issues. Like any new company that experiences a growth surge there is a learning curve. But due to increased business she has been able to reduce prices on the Bariceutical product line without any compromise in quality.

Read my endorsement of Bariceuticals - I use these and love the way I feel!

Right now she is offering the Total Protein (My favorite product) at Buy 1 - Get 1 Free. Take a look:

True Protein - 15 Servings
Buy 1 Case/Get 1 Free for only $29.99
A $60 Value!

Go Here Now!

"Pre-Digested Total Protein complex is a concentrated, great tasting liquid that can be mixed with water or your favorite drink. It is essential for you to consume the right amount of protein to help your muscle mass and prevent anemia. The fact that you are not able to eat as much protein as your body requires, this pre-digested protein will fill the gap between what you are getting nutritionally and what your body needs. Recommended dosage: Bariatric bypass patients, 1-2 packets A.M. or P.M. mixed in water or your favorite drink and sipped gradually throughout the day which is helpful in the prevention of mal-absorption. Lap Band patients, 1 pouch each day at any time, just mix in 20 oz of water or favorite drink."

From WHFoods: Strawberries & Chocolate

Good Morning Neighbors! You know I'm a big fan of chocolate & strawberries and back in March issued the Chocolate & Strawberries Challenge. We continue to learn that small wisely chosen indulgences contribute to our mental happiness and nutritional health.

One of my favorite resources for current nutritional information is World's Healthiest Foods at http://whfoods.org

This week's featured food is Strawberries and I'm all over this recipe for strawberries with chocolate creme. If you are sugar sensitive replace the maple syrup with your favorite sugar-free syrup.

10-Minute Strawberries with Chocolate Creme

A delicious way to serve strawberries!

Prep and Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 TBS low-fat vanilla or soy yogurt
• 3 TBS organic cocoa
• 3 TBS maple syrup
• 1 pint strawberries

Directions:

1. Whisk yogurt, cocoa, and maple syrup in a small bowl. If your cocoa has lumps, sift it through a strainer before mixing with the other ingredients.
2. Place mixture in 2 small sauce cups on a plate and arrange the strawberries around the cups.
3. Dip strawberries into the chocolate créme and enjoy! Serves 2

   Healthy Cooking Tips:

   The taste of this recipe will vary depending upon the brand of yogurt used. A creamy, custard-type yogurt works best.

What's for dinner?

Well, it's about that time of day again when I'm wondering "What's for dinner?" As silly as it seems I forget we have a great resource of recipes and nutritional ideas here at LivingAfterWLS! There is the Kitchen on the main LivingAfterWLS website that has loads of great recipe ideas that are both WLS friendly and family friendly. We have the Neighborhood Community Kitchen where we are all busy sharing recipes too. And then there is the 5 Day Pouch Test site with great recipes that are not just for the 5 Day Pouch Test. Give these sites a look and tell me "What's for dinner!"

CHEERS!

LivingAfterWLS Kitchen
5 Day Pouch Test Recipes
Neighborhood Community Kitchen

Hate Talk. It has to stop.

This morning I was bad talking to someone. Really harsh and hateful words. Ugly words. My husband was listening and at last told me, "Don't you dare talk like that to my wife." Yes - I was giving myself hate talk because I did not like the reflection in the mirror.

You know, I work with people every day to help them improve their self- esteem. I know the advice to give to others, yet there are days when I seem incapable of practicing what I preach. As luck would have it I have been filing paperwork this morning and came across a printed copy of the January 6, 2009 You Have Arrived Newsletter. The opening article really struck home with me today and I feel it timely to share with you as well. Today I will work on being kind to myself. How about you?

2009 - It's Your Time to Shine
by Kaye Bailey
Happy 2009 Neighbors! This is your year to shine and I'm going to help you with the 5 Day Pouch Test and our continued community support in the Neighborhood. In the Neighborhood this year we have already talked a lot about self-improvement and renewed personal commitment as we begin the New Year with resolve. After the buzz of the New Year dulls it may become easy to find reasons not to measure up to our resolution expectations. As we have heard lately, life gets in the way. But I suggest this year we don't resolve to live a better life: instead I suggest we expect to live a better life.

In 1980 the US Hockey Team, against all odds, beat the Russians to win the Olympic gold medal. It was a long-shot victory at best and when team captain Mike Eruzione was asked why they won he said the pundits had underestimated the team's intangible assets. He said, "Our abilities deserved seventh place. They were wrong because of the 'intangibles.' How can you measure desire, commitment, faith, passion, and courage? They weren't able to measure those 'whys.' There weren't able to see how much heart we had, how much pride we had, why we were so close as a team, and why we were willing to pay the price that enabled us to win. You ask why we won. We asked ourselves, 'why not?'"

I believe that as a community we can pool our desire, commitment, faith, passion, and courage to become a gold medal winning team of Neighbors who are doing our very best to thrive in a world where it is much easier to stay unhealthy. The power of collective strength is unstoppable. As is the course of human nature there will be times some are thriving while others are struggling: but together we can strengthen one another and we can meet our best expectations in 2009.

In this course of his studies on evolution Charles Darwin discovered that in sea turtles it is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor is it the most intelligent of the species that survive. The survivors are those most responsive to change. As weight loss surgery patients we have affected a major change on our bodies, our species. I consider that we caused a voluntary acceleration of evolution and because of this we must embrace and accept change with great enthusiasm. We don't have to be the strongest or most intelligent, we just simply have to move forward accepting this change and find what works.

Our surgeons have skillfully changed us physically. But the more difficult change comes from within. Within our minds, our hearts, and yes, our spiritual beings. When we embrace inner change our physical being will follow.

As part of embracing change I ask you to be kind to yourself. Be kind to yourself. This is a really important part of the 5 Day Pouch Test and LivingAfterWLS. Often people recovering from morbid obesity (myself included) put ourselves last on the priority list. Anything else feels selfish and we are giving people, right? Wrong. We cannot give fully of ourselves until we are healthy inside and out. And remember, you are never alone in this journey. Come see is in the Neighborhood.

Potassium at a Glance

Learn more about nutrition after weight loss surgery when you read "A Collection of Neighborhood Recipes - the LivingAfterWLS Cookbook"


Yesterday's "Cooking With Kaye" newsletter addressed the nutrient potassium and how to enrich our health with potassium dense foods. I hope you enjoyed the recipes and will make them part of your menu rotation as you cook for healthy living after weight loss surgery. Here is a brief summary about potassium for further reference:

Adults require 4700mg of potassium a day.

Potassium maintains normal fluid and electrolyte balance; facilitates many reactions; supports cell integrity; assists in nerve impulse transmission and muscle contractions.

Symptoms of potassium deficiency include muscle weakness, paralysis and confusion.

Toxicity symptoms include muscle weakness, vomiting.

Whole foods including meat, milk, fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes are excellent sources of potassium.


Here are some winners when it comes to whole food potassium with links to recipes in our LivingAfterWLS Kitchen:



Papaya
Salmon - try Salmon with Ginger Teriyaki Sauce
Tomatoes - try Tomato Basil Saute
Winter Squash - Chicken & Squash Stew
Bananas - Strawberry-Banana Smoothie
Beets - Oven Roasted Vegetables
Cantaloupe - Melons
Yogurt - Salsa Yogurt Dip
Chicken breast - try Chicken & Mango Salad
Kiwifruit & Mango - Tropical Fruit Salad
Strawberries - Strawberry Parfait
Zucchini - Seasoned Summer Squash

Read more in the LivingAfterWLS Library: Boost Potassium with Food

And visit the Community Kitchen in the Neighborhood to learn what others are fixing up in their healthy kitchens!

ENJOY!

May Day Knock & Drop

Hey Neighbors! I am a bit slow posting this -- where does the time go?

Have you joined our Neighborhood Knock & Drop yet? As part of Fun Friday on May 1 we are spreading flowers all over the Neighborhood and you can join us too! It's a great budget-friendly (FREE) way to tell your LivingAfterWLS Neighbors you care! Here's how it works:

Happy Fun Friday Neighbors!!! I'm taking a happy little May Day leap and posting today's Fun Friday Question -- Hope you don't mind, SongBirdDiane. As you all know, Fun Friday is our favorite Neighborhood Quiz Game where we get to know our Neighbors better and there is a chance to win FABULOUS prizes! Today's question is from me and the always generous KeepHerKitty has offered up some prizes. So let's get started:

Today's Game:

In many cultures baskets of flowers are often left in "Knock & Drop" style on friends and Neighbor's steps to herald the arrival of Spring. So here is your chance to Knock & Drop a May Day Basket to one of your favorite people here in The Neighborhood. Here's how to do it:

1. Pick a Neighbor and post their Name in your reply to this thread.

2. Pay tribute to that Neighbor by sharing something you treasure about them.

3. Describe the May Day Basket that you have left for them.

4. Drop them a note on their Profile that you have Knocked & Dropped a May Day Basket to them. (In the top navigation bar click Members, search for the name of your gifted Neighbor, when the search results return click the purple bar that has the member's name and then click "View Members Profile". When the profile opens there is a comment section on the right -- just leave a little note. It's as easy as that.)

You can give as many May Day Baskets as you like, but each needs to be in its own post.

Happy Birthday To Me!

Hey Neighbors!!!

Just want to send out a great big THANK YOU for all the good wishes and thoughts today as I celebrate my birthday! It's been a great day so far and I'm feeling quite pampered and adored. What did we ever do for birthdays before Facebook? So today, and always, I wish each joy, health and happiness. Thank you for being a treasured part of my world.

And please - visit me, friend me, hang-out with me on Facebook!

Introducing Walk Your Way Thin Kits by Leslie Sansone!

Hey all you Leslie walkers --- Good news today! (And for the record - this is not a paid endorsement -- I just like her products!)

Brand new products that help you reach your weight loss goals! Available exclusively at select Target stores for $19.99!

	Walk Off Even More Weight with 2 lb. Weight Belt You don't have to run a marathon to get a challenging workout. For the first time ever, we are incorporating a weight belt with our walk. Workout #1 is a 2 Mile Walk with classic Walk at Home features, moving at a 15 minute per mile pace(4mph) while wearing the weight belt for more calorie burn! Workout #2 is another 2 Mile Walk, but we increased the pace. Try a 12 minute per mile pace(5 mph) while wearing the weight belt. Fast sweaty fitness...at home!
	Walk Off 10 Pounds with Step Counter This 3 Mile calorie cruncher is a perfect tool to help you walk off those extra pounds . On alternate days, wear your step counter and follow our easy 14 day plan. You get the meals and the miles in this super slimming system!
	3 Mile Calorie Blast with Walk Belt Pour on the power and get ready to blow away those calories for good. This 3 Mile Walk uses the Walk Belt to engage the core while slimming the arm, back and chest muscles! The result…a flat tummy and sleek toned upper body. Walking doesn’t get any better than this!
	Punch Up Your Walk with Weighted Gloves Walk strong with this high-intensity workout that will challenge every major muscle group in your body, right in your own home. Wear the weighted gloves and FEEL the muscles work! 4 STRONG Miles! You choose to wear the gloves or just walk, walk, walk!
	Walk It Off & Tone It Up with 2 Firm Bands 5 BIG Miles to walk yourself to a slimmer stronger you! And… not 1… but 2 Firm Bands to BOOST muscle activity while you walk! Be prepared for Lots of Miles AND Lots of Sweat.
	Belly, Buns & Thighs Slimdown with Fit Cuff You don’t have to spend hours in the gym to get leaner, trimmer or stronger. Join us in this exciting new program and take your walk to the next level. This 3 Mile Walk workout uses the Fit Cuff resistance tubes at the end of the walk for standing exercises that tone the lower body! PLUS: A special segment follows the walk using the Fit Cuff with floor exercises for sculpting the muscles of lower body. You will trim your thighs and firm your backend…fast!

Spring Flavors: Seared Mint Scallops

I found this terrific recipe in Diabetic Living, Spring 2009 issue, page 24. It is simple and brings a sweet balance of seared protein and the fresh flavor of mint and watercress. Look for the big sea scallops rather than bay scallops and cook in a searing to skillet for a nicely caramelized finish.

Seared Scallops with Mint Pesto
Ingredients:
1/3 cup lightly packed fresh mint
1/4 cup lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons almonds, toasted & chopped
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 sea scallops (8 to 10-ounces total)
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup fresh watercress or spinach

Directions:
For Pesto: In a food processor, combine mint, parsley, almonds, Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons water, lemon juice, garlic, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper. Cover and process until nearly smooth. Set aside.

Rinse scallops and pat dry with paper towels to avoid hot oil splatters. Season scallops with salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Adscallops; cook 4 to 6 minutes or until scallops are opaque, turning once halfway through cooking.

Divide clean, fresh watercress on 2 plates. Serve scallops and pesto over watercress.

Serves 2. Per Serving: 189 calories, 23g protein, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 7g carbohydrate.

Ask Kaye: Nutrition Values

From Cincygal in The Neighborhood:
1. What percentages of calories eaten per day should be protein? carbs? fat?

My Answer:
Here is the BEST CASE I look for (percentage-wise) when I prepare a recipe for myself or for future publication with the LivingAfterWLS/Kaye Bailey endorsement:

60% protein (30g protein/serving on main meals)
15% fat (more mono-unsaturated fat than saturated fat if possible)
25% carbohydrate (complex carbohydrate from fruit/veggies, limited starch, no processed white carbs)


Now, of course, these numbers are rough guidelines. But hitting in this ballpark keeps me (and LAWLS) within the guidelines of ***most*** bariatric centers and also is proven to facilitate and maintain a healthy weight.

Savvy readers may wish to calculate some of the 5 Day Pouch Test recipes that are higher in fat or carbohydrate than this standard and say, "what about this??" The fat and carbs are higher for that five-day program in order to correct an addictive processed carb cycle and return us to a high-protein diet. I know thousands will agree when I say breaking a carb-addiction "cold-turkey" (pun-intended ) with a high-protein diet has oodles of unpleasant affects and seldom results in a protein-compliant way of eating. We must ease off the "bad stuff" in order to successfully return to a physician advised post-weight loss surgery diet.

Safety First: My Personal Plea to YOU

Bad drive home. I was the first witness on scene to a terrible motorcycle accident tonight. Biker Neighbors: Please PLEASE PLEASE wear your helmets. And All Neighbors: Please PLEASE PLEASE hug your loved ones tonight and tell them what they mean to you.

Life is fragile: don't waste a minute.

You can follow my updates on Facebook. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for all. Please be safe.

Recipe: Roasted Fish Catalan

Are you looking for something new and exciting to do with your fish? Try this easy and tasty recipe that just tops the calorie count at 205 calories per serving while delivering 25 grams of heart-healthy protein. Great recipe for Day 4 of the 5 Day Pouch Test. And don't forget, you can always get great ideas in the Neighborhood Community Kitchen.


Roasted Fish Catalan
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
8 black olives, chopped (Kalamata are delicious here)
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound thick-cut, firm-fleshed fish fillets, such as halibut, mahi-mahi or cod

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450F.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute' until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add wine and garlic and simmer for 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes, olives, oregano and orange zest. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Cut fish into 4 pieces and season with salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer in a pie pan or baking dish. Spoon tomato mixture over fish.

Bake for about 15 minutes, or until opaque in the center. Serve immediately.

Serves 4. Per serving: 205 calories, 25g protein, 6g fat, 11g carbohydrate and 2g dietary fiber.

Treat yourself to more great LivingAfterWLS Fish & Shellfish Recipes

Walk for the Health of Your Heart

Today is the American Heart Association National Start! Walking Day. "The Start! Heart Walk is the American Heart Association's premiere event for raising funds to save lives from this country's No. 1 and No. 3 killers - heart disease and stroke.

Designed to promote physical activity and heart-healthy living, the Start! Heart Walk creates an environment that's fun and rewarding for the entire family.

This year, more than 1 million walkers will participate in over 425 events. Your participation will help us raise even more in our fight to save lives. Walk with friends, family, coworkers or strangers you'll bond with along the way.

Any way you choose to do it, your heart will thank you for it!"

Intro Tips for Early Morning Walkers:

* The night before, get your walking clothes and shoes ready so it’s easy to put them on and head out the door.
* An iPod or other portable music device programmed with up tempo music or set to your favorite radio station can keep you moving at a brisk pace. Just make sure you can still hear traffic.
* Stretch your calves and hamstrings at the end of your walk. Watching a morning news show or check your email while stretching.
* If it’s dark outside, wear clothing with reflective stripes so motorists can see you.

Congratulations! You’re getting your day started right!

Remember Rule #4: Daily Exercise

Intro Tips for Lunchtime Walkers:
* Schedule your lunchtime walk in Outlook or your work calendar. Think of it as an important appointment, which it is!
* If you can, keep everything you’ll need for walking at work. This way you won’t find yourself saying “I forgot my shoes. I can’t go.”
* Recruit a couple work colleagues to join you in the program. You can keep each other on track.
* Depending on your walking pace, the weather, and your tendency to sweat during exercise, you may be able to wear your work clothes and just switch to athletic shoes. Or you may prefer to slip on a t-shirt. In cooler weather, you might need a jacket, hat or gloves. If you’re walking briskly, you’ll heat up after about 10 minutes, so avoid the tendency to overdress. You’ll be MOVING, not sitting in the fresh air!
* Pick a route where you can grab a sandwich at the end of your walk, or make sure you bring a healthy lunch.

Congratulations on fitting in fitness!

Intro Tips for After-Work Workers:
* Have a light snack at about 4pm (for example, a yogurt and handful of almonds, or an apple and 1 oz of cheese) so you don’t experience a late-day dip in energy and talk yourself out of walking.
* Pick an area that’s not heavily trafficked since rush hour can increase air pollutants.
* Walk tall and do some backward shoulder rolls to relieve work stress.
* If it’s dark outside, wear clothing with reflective strips so motorists can see you.

Congratulations on taking care of yourself!

Salmon with Mango and Peach Salsa

From The Diabetes And Heart Healthy Cookbook

Serves 4; 3 ounces fish and 2 tablespoons salsa per serving

Ingredients
Vegetable oil spray

Salsa
1 medium mango, chopped
1 cup chopped fresh peeled peaches or 8-ounce can light peaches in
extra-light syrup, drained and chopped
3 tablespoons chopped red onion
1 small fresh jalapeño pepper, seeds and ribs discarded, chopped, or
1/2 teaspoon bottled pickled jalapeño juice
1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro or fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

Salmon
4 salmon fillets with skin (5 to 6 ounces each)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper (white preferred)

Directions
Lightly spray a grill rack with vegetable oil spray. Preheat the grill to medium-high.

In a medium bowl, stir together the salsa ingredients.

Rinse the fish and pat dry with paper towels. Season with the salt and pepper.

Grill the salmon with the skin side up for 4 minutes, or until browned. Using a spatula, turn the fish over. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.

To serve, place the fish with the skin side down on plates. Spoon the salsa on top or to the side of the fish.

Nutrition Analysis (per serving)
Calories 304; Calories from Fat 112; Total Fat 12 g; Saturated Fat 2.2 g; Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8 g; Monounsaturated Fat 6.0 g; Cholesterol 96 mg; Sodium 222 mg; Total Carbohydrate 17 g; Dietary Fiber 2 g; Sugars 13 g; Protein 31 g

Dietary Exchange
4 lean meat; 1 fruit

The Diabetes And Heart Healthy Cookbook

This recipe is reprinted with permission from the Diabetes & Heart Healthy Cookbook, Copyright © 2004 by the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. Published by the American Diabetes Association. Available from booksellers everywhere.

More heart healthy fish recipes in the LivingAfterWLS Kitchen

Finding Diets That Work

This is part of an article from WebMD by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD. Titled, "The Worst Diets Ever: Diets That Don't Work" can be found in its entirety here:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/worst-diets-ever-diets-that-dont-work

It is interesting to note that even with weight loss surgery we tend to seek diet programs and plans to help us lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. In fact, the 5 Day Pouch Test, considered by many to be a diet, has helped thousands of people get back to the weight loss surgery basics that we may have let slide. I have excerpted from Ms. Zelman's article three points for finding a weight loss or weight management plan that can work for us. These are good common sense tips that go a long way in supporting our healthy lifestyle.

Finding a Diet That Works
by Kathleen M. Zelman for WebMD

"There is no such thing as one size fits all when it comes to diet plans, and it's key to find one that fits your lifestyle. The best diet is one you can safely and realistically stick with for the long term, plain and simple.

"It should be flexible enough to fit into your real life and should encourage healthier eating by focusing on balance, variety, and moderation" says May. "I encourage my patients to enjoy eating the foods they love every day, mindfully and in moderation."

In fact, the best "diet" may not be a diet at all, says Yale University's David Katz, MD, author of The Flavor Point Diet.

"Forget about 'dieting' and instead, think about strategies to satisfy your hunger for fewer calories," he says. "Eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help manage your appetite."

Dawn Jackson-Blatner, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association (ADA) recommends using diet books as a loose template for tips, strategies, and behavioral ideas. Or save your money and follow the three-step approach she uses with her own weight loss clients:

1. Take inventory of what you're doing now and identify your "weakest link." "Most people know immediately where they are vulnerable -- 3 p.m. snacking, monster portions, too much alcohol, (an) insatiable sweet tooth, or snacking all day long," she says. Katz suggests trying to identify what led to your weight gain and address it. For example, if you overeat because of stress, consider a stress management course. Develop a strategy to address areas where you're vulnerable so you can set yourself up for success.

2. Identify one to three small changes you can make right now in your diet and exercise habits. "Even though they want quick results, this method has proven to be safe, effective, and sustainable long term," Blatner says."

3. Reassess in a few weeks to see whether your changes are working; then make a few more small changes. "It takes about 12 weeks for you to see progress, and that is about the time you should incorporate a few more changes so you keep pushing the bar," Blatner says.

And remember: if you are struggling with weight control after weight loss surgery it is never to late to re-discover your tool. Give the 5 Day Pouch Test a try and get back in the game of healthy living. Thousands who had lost hope in their weight loss surgery tool have learned, with the 5 Day Pouch Test, how to work the tool again. You can do it too.

Iron Chef: Hot & Spicy Black Bean Soup

One of the most popular Carb-Monster soups on the 5 Day Pouch Test is the Black Bean Soup. It is made from scratch with fresh vegetables and black beans that are rehydrated during the cooking process. In other words, it takes time to make this healthy and crave-stopping concoction. Many times I'm asked, "Are then any ready-made products that will work just as well for the 5 Day Pouch Test?"

Recently I came across a boxed soup mix under the brand "Iron Chef". The mix, which cost about $5 and and makes 4 (1-cup) servings is "Hot & Spicy Black Bean Gourmet Soup Mix". Simply add water and simmer 15-minutes -- easy!! Without additions the soup is 100 calories per serving, provides 7g protein and 21g carbohyrate and only 1 gram fat.

I found this soup mix in our little tiny grocery store here off the beaten path, so I think it should be widely available at larger supermarkets as well. To learn more about the Iron Chef line of products and recipes go to: www.ironchefproducts.com (This is not a paid endorsement - I just happen to think this is a pretty darn good product.)


Made as directed this soup is warmly satisfying and lacks an "out of the can" taste. The depth of flavor is top notch. To boost the protein I added one (15-ounce) can of premium black beans, rinsed and drained, during the final 10 minutes of cooking. This boosted the protein to 13g protein and doubled the dietary fiber to 14 grams.

Give this mix a try -- don't save it only for the 5 Day Pouch Test. For variety add 1 tablespoon of shredded cheese or a dollop of sour cream to your serving. Enjoy!

From the 5 Day Pouch Test:

Black Bean Soup: Days 1 & 2

Feed the Carb Monster

Taken From The New Glucose Revolution page 244
--Vegetarian Friendly

Beans are naturally a low-GI (Glycemic Index) food and one of nature's nutritional power packs. They are considered good sources of protein, fiber, B vitamins, iron, zinc and magnesium.

Ingredients:
1 cup dry black beans
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced celery
1 large red pepper, roasted
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
2 quarts vegetable stock

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:
In a large bowl, cover black beans with 3 1/2 cups water and soak overnight.

Rinse beans in a colander with fresh water and drain.

Lightly spray a large saucepan with olive oil. Sauté onions, carrots, celery, roasted pepper and garlic Add vegetable stock and black beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 1 hour.

When beans are tender, pour into a food processor and puree. Add cumin, salt, oregano, parsley, and cilantro.

Serves 6. Per serving: 140 calories, 13 grams protein, 27 grams carbohydrate, 5 grams dietary fiber and .5 grams of fat.

Feeling Backed-up? Constipation Relief

Usually we find the constipation questions in the Embarrassing Questions forum at the LivingAfterWLS Neighborhood. At some point or another, most of us after weight loss surgery experience constipation. Really bad unrelenting painful constipation. Have you been there, done that? Recently we discussed this is the Diet, Nutrition & Supplements forum as the Neighbors are looking for natural and reliable relief when nature fails to call. Take a look:

Does anyone know of another juice that has the same effects as Prune juice but without so many carbs?
-- Sue W

Something Besides Prune Juice

Link above to read the full post and below is my reply to the question:

Hi Sue - Great question - and I think it is one most of us ponder occasionally (frequently) after WLS. You are correct that prunes and prune juice are high in carbohydrate and it is not the fiber that causes a laxative effect, it is an active enzymes.

Gwenda is correct that sugar-free items that contain sugar alcohols including mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol and maltitol will trigger bowel movement (sometimes too much movement.)

Over the years I've tried a number of things but at this point I'm sticking with some herbal teas that are blended for regular bowel movement.

My favorite is by the Republic of Tea (www.republicoftea.com) and is called "Get It Going." It is blended from red South African rooibos, an herb, and includes seinna and ginger. It is not upsetting to the tummy and is not dramatic enough to cause pain or cramping. It tastes like herbal tea and benefits from a small bit of honey and a squeeze of lemon (also a cleansing agent).

Another tea that is available at stores like GNC is "Super Dieter's Tea" in a cranberry blend. This is a bit more powerful and works overnight to give relief the next morning.

I know there are many medications available for relief and have tried many of them. But I've found my happiest results in the teas described above.

Hope this helps -- We want to see you smiling and comfortable!

Weekend Update: I'm At Camp!

From our official Neighborhood Weekend Thread:

Hi Neighbors! Sounds like everyone is busy!

I am attending & participating in a research camp this weekend about long-term life after weight loss surgery. This past week I spent many hours preparing for this weekend and I'm so anxious to learn from others who work in the front-lines of post surgical weight loss. The point of view at this camp is not necessarily bariatric or even medical - the focus in on the physical, mental and spiritual changes affected by massive weight loss long-term. Another side-bar topic is revision surgery and I am hoping to learn a great deal about this to share with everyone here. I worry that those who undergo revision surgery are the "lost children" in our WLS community. My research is showing that there is shame invoked by the medical community when someone requires a revision to their gastric surgery. This must be changed and I intend to create a safe place here in the Neighborhood for those who do need a my heart.

If you are one who needs or has undergone a surgical revision of your weight loss surgery please accept my personal invitation to join The Neighborhood and share your story. In our safe haven circle of friends you will never be judged or made to feel a failure. We are here for you.

Write to me at kayebailey@livingafterwls.com

So, I'm looking forward to fresh insight and new information to share here so we can continue to expand our body of knowledge and improve our lives after WLS.

Have a great weekend, everyone! I will check in as often as possible and I'm (probably foolishly) optimistic that I can get caught-up from the week after spending lots of time offline preparing for this camp.

CHEERS!

Weight Loss Surgery is Easy? NOT!

From my syndicated article file, published in 2005. Not much has changed since then. Please share your experiences with public perception of surgical weight loss. Thanks for stopping by.

Gastric Bypass: The Easy Way Out of Fat Land - Right?
By Kaye Bailey

If you listen, even for a moment, to the talk in overweight communities you will almost always hear that gastric bypass weight loss surgery is the “easy way out” of Fat Land. People with weak spirits and good insurance get a lucky break, have their stomachs whacked and stapled and lose weight the easy way. Weight Loss Surgery: seen by pious public to be surgical baptism for the guilty gluttonous slothful.

But those of us who step in the water to be cleansed of our fatty sins know better. Weight loss surgery is NOT the easy way out, a simple dunking of the repentant, the sins atoned, and the price paid, the soul and body healed. We know the atonement is paid every day for the rest of our lives when we set our healthy house in order with gastric bypass.

We understand that WLS is not easy. Why, then, does the public think it’s redemption to weight loss?

First: what the public sees is a rapidly diminishing person recently repaired by gastric bypass. The pounds melt away seemingly in a plain sight. What hides behind the curtain are the ugly demons. Dumping? We don’t talk about it. Vomiting? We don’t tell our regurgitating stories. Head games driving you insane? Who you going to tell? Who is listening? Exercising? Nobody wants to hear about the “E” word. So what the public sees front and center stage is a person consistently succeeding at massive weight loss; a person glowing in their own rebirth and betraying the fat and hopeless around them. How else can it be explained? WLS must be the magic pill, the easy-way-out of obesity hell.

Second: the WLS grass-roots public relations machine tells the public gastric bypass is easy, thus we become our own worst enemy. Tell me if this doesn’t sound familiar: “I can still eat the same things, just less of them! ha ha ha!” or how about, “I lost 145 pounds and never had to do a moments exercise – WLS is fabulous that way – no exercise required.” And so the popular belief perpetuates that fat glutton slobs can lose weight just by eating less of the same foods and never exercising. Brilliant! How easy is that?

Let me tell you what weight loss surgery is really like for me.

I am six years post-op. Two nights ago I vomited my dinner (bacon-seared sea scallops and green beans) because it was just a bit too greasy for my sensitive stomach. A week before that I became deathly ill, it’s called dumping, from snacking mindlessly on Chinese chow mein noodles. Disorientation, hot sweats and then cold chills – dumping – a dire consequence of eating the wrong foods with the malabsorptive system. This morning, just like most mornings, I walked two brisk miles on the treadmill to begin my day. This evening I spent 25 minutes strength training to maintain my muscle tone, keep my metabolism running high and making damn sure I don’t regain one single pound.

And this is how it will be for the rest of my life. I will vomit, dump, exercise and be vigilant day in and day out if I want this easy weight loss surgery to work for me.

My body does not take weekends off from weight loss surgery. I don’t get chocolate cake just because it’s my birthday. I do not have a double-cheeseburger with fries and a shake just because I’ve had a stressful day and I deserve it. My body is on the gastric-bypass plan 24-7.

Do you think that’s easy?

Weight Loss Surgery post-ops understand what I’m talking about. Many of us go through a phase of fighting the gastric bypass and engage in snacking or grazing. We out-eat the stomach pouch and regain weight and we become self-loathing. We vomit and dump and do it all over again thinking we can somehow trick the body. Eventually we learn and we get it: WLS is for life.

Weight loss surgery pre-op patients want badly to understand this, but the dieting culture has taught us to be strict for X-number days and then we get a free day. The culture has taught us if we can stick to a plan for X-weeks and lose X-pounds then we can “get back to normal”. We are all expert dieters by the time we elect to have gastric bypass surgery.

There is no back to normal after WLS – it is a lifetime lifestyle commitment.

Kaye Bailey © 2005 - All Rights Reserved


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kaye_Bailey http://EzineArticles.com/?Gastric-Bypass:-The-Easy-Way-Out-of-Fat-Land---Right?&id=71012

LivingAfterWLS Newsletters Honored

Hello Neighbors!

I hope you don't mind this self-indulgence but I'm just tickled pink to share the good news that the LivingAfterWLS email newsletters were awarded the 2008 All Star recognition from email marketer Constant Contact. To earn this distinguished honor we maintained an extremely high level of integrity in our newsletters. Our newsletter list grew 100% during 2008 and we sent 758,000 emails during the year with less than .001% spam reports (this is a BIG deal with email newsletters). On average 34% of the emails from LivingAfterWLS were opened compared to an 18% open rate in similar business segments. That means we are providing content you want to read and for that I am infinitely proud and humble at the same time.


Thank you for making the newsletters a part of your LivingAfterWLS toolbox. I pledge to continue to improve our product always keeping our readers in mind. Thank you for sharing this honor with me and LivingAfterWLS.

LivingAfterWLS Newsletters

Chicken & Pepperoni - Low Carb Slow Cooker Supper

I have been a fan of pepperoni for as long as I can remember. Here is a recipe from Diabetic Living that incorporates today's leaner figure-friendly turkey pepperoni with succulent dark meat chicken in a no-fuss no-muss slow-cooker supper. At zero carbs you can enjoy this protein dense recipe with a crisp side salad or steamed veggies. It's what's for dinner in your LivingAfterWLS Kitchen!

Chicken and Pepperoni

6 (4-ounce) servings of chicken

Ingredients:
3 1/2 to 4 pounds chicken legs and/or thighs, skinned
2 ounces sliced turkey pepperoni
1/4 cup sliced pitted ripe olives
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (2 ounces)

Directions:
Place chicken in a slow cooker. Season chicken with 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Cut pepperoni slices in half. Add pepperoni and olives to slow cooker. In a small bowl whisk together chicken broth, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning. Add to mixture in cooker.

Cover and cook on low-heat setting 6 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting 3 to 3-1/2 hours.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken, pepperoni, and olives to a serving platter. Sprinkle chicken with cheese. Cover loosely with foil and let stand 5 minutes to melt cheese.

Per Serving: 209 calories, 33g protein, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 484mg cholesterol, 1g carbohydrate and 0g fiber.

Curious what other weight loss surgery folks are cooking? Visit the Neighborhood Kitchen.

Healthy Carbs - We can have those, right?

Hello Neighbors!

One of the things that I struggle with, and many of you as well, is including healthy carbs as part of our post-surgical weight loss diet. We know we need to eat Protein First and saving room for that crisp delicious salad is a tough task. So what role do healthy carbs play in our diet?

LivingAfterWLS Salad Recipes

Salads are a popular meal both at home and at restaurants. We need to aim for 2 ounces of protein
(minimum) which provides 14grams of protein. We can get that from beans, poultry and cheese. To that we should add fresh, non-starch vegetables such as cucumbers, radishes, peppers, and broccoli. Unsweetened fresh fruit such as berries or melon will keep your glycemic impact down yet provide only 60 calories and about 15 grams of carbohydrate and dietary fiber.

This protein and carbohydrate needs to be consumed with some healthy fat (monounsaturated) that will help the body absorb nutrients. You can get healthy fat from an olive oil vinaigrette dressing (served on the side, of course) or a small serving of fresh diced avocado. Remember to follow the 2B/1B rhythm (2 Bites Protein, 1 Bite Carbohydrate) and chew chew chew. Stop at the first sign of fullness and ask for a to-go box.

Many who have undergone weight loss surgery have indications of Type II diabetes. In the paragraph below registered nutritionist Beck Abel from DiabeticLivingOnline explains why ALL carbs must be counted:

Myth: Eating healthful carbs will control blood glucose

"Fact: All carbs matter, says Becky Abel, R.N., CDE, director of the diabetes self-management center for the LHC Group in Lafayette, Louisiana. One of Abel's patients with high blood glucose was shocked to learn that her daily tropical fruit smoothie packed 126 grams of carbohydrates -- eight carb servings! Sure, it was made with healthful fruit, but good-for-you ingredients don"t negate the carbs. Healthful trail mix, whole grain cereals, and sweet potatoes supply nutrients, but they're packed with carbs, too, and your body is aware of every one. In a curious moment, I weighed some apples and oranges. Most had 25 to 30 grams of carbs, equaling two servings of fruit, not one. Yikes! So I started buying bagged fruits, which are often smaller. Weighing and measuring portions really helps. With practice, you'll get better at knowing what a serving looks like. The moral of this story: Count the carbs -- all the carbs."