Posts Tagged ‘bariatric patient’
Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
Team GBI – welcome to the end of week 4! This weekend we are stepping up our long walk once again as we work to achieve 6 miles at Sunday’s group training! As our weekly mileage continues to climb and we check off short walks, strength training and cross training days, are you keeping track? We recommend keeping a personal log of your workouts as the details of each may assist you in the journey to the Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll ½ Marathon!
While your log may be as simple as checking off the weeks on the training schedule or adding a star to activity days on your calendar, consider including the following details:
Date, time of day, mileage/time/activity completed
Give yourself a boost by looking over the past weeks and noting the amount of effort and achievement already completed. Keep this progress in mind when working to conquer new hills and increased mileage.
Weather, track, trail, and type of terrain
Maybe the trail around your neighborhood is more difficult on windy days or the hills at the park are easier to tackle on your short run/walks rather long run/walks. By logging these details, you will be able to see how your stamina is affected by different conditions and plan future trainings accordingly.
Mood, inspirations
Have you experienced a particularly fun or effortless training session? Recognize what motivations or events during your day may have contributed to your positive mental energy.
Clothing, nutrition, training gear used
By including details in your log about the clothes worn or the food consumed on a day of training, you will be more able to realize what works best. Stick to using these items.
Whether your log is more detailed or to the point, becoming mindful of each training can assist you – all the way to the finish line. Let us know what type of log you keep by commenting below!
Happy & Safe Training,
Team GBI
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Tags: bariatric patient, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Half Marathon Training, las vegas, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Marathon Training Tips, training log Posted in Gastric Band Institute Events, Half Marathon Training, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, Weight Loss Support Groups |
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
Are you a fan of training to music? Not everyone is, however; making training mixes can be extremely motivational when you need that extra push. Music can make that sometimes dreaded training much more enjoyable when you hear your favorite song on your iPod.
Studies have shown that listening to music can serve as a motivator, while allowing you to push away any negative feelings you might have during a specific training session. Sometimes, music can help you to improve your stride and your speed. Basically music can equal MOTIVATION!
When selecting your training music you should know that not all music is the same when selecting it specifically for training. Have you ever wondered why your body gets a jolt of energy when a specific song comes on? This is most likely because your body is functioning to the rhythm and pace of the music, otherwise known as the B.P.M., the song’s beats per minute. Professional athletes often use the songs B.P.M when selecting their playlists!
If you’re looking to start collecting playlists from your favorite athlete or if you’d like to create one from scratch, a great place to find music is on iTunes. Some professional athletes create workout and/or training music mixes that you can purchase. Just go to iTunes and search for your favorite athlete. You might be in luck and they may have a training playlist that consist of various artists that you can purchase. Or begin to start one or two of your own by gathering songs from your CD collection that get you pumped. In no time, you will have compiled a few songs that you can start training to.
Training for the ½ marathon should be an enjoyable experience whether you chose to train with or without music.
Happy training,
Team GBI
p.s. Post a comment on this blog with your favorite training songs and we’ll send out a list to the entire team.
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Tags: bariatric patient, beats per minute, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Half Marathon Training, las vegas, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Marathon Training Tips, team fitness, training music, Weight Loss Support Groups Posted in Gastric Band Institute Events, Half Marathon Training, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, Weight Loss Support Groups |
Friday, September 17th, 2010
Happy Friday Team GBI!
This Sunday’s five mile group training is just around the corner! As the weekend approaches and our mileage continues to build take a moment to review the run/walk and walk training tips below. Remember, whether you decided to run, walk, or run/walk your way to finish line, the goal is to do your best, prevent injury and most of all have fun!
Run/Walk Tips:
As running is a high-impact exercise, you may consider a run/walk technique as you work through your training. Walking breaks will allow your muscles time to recover which can help you to finish training stronger and even feel less fatigued afterwards. The following tips can help keep your training on track if you decide a run/walk technique is for you:
- Be sure to warm up your muscles by walking for approximately five minutes before you stretch and start your course to reduce the risk of injury. Stretching after running can also reduce soreness and muscle cramping.
- Set run/walk goals for each training. To start, you may choose to alternate one minute of running and one minute of walking. As your training and endurance improve, challenge yourself to increase the distance or time of each segment.
- When walking between running segments, focus on maintaining a strong pace as to avoid losing momentum.
Walking Tips:
More and more, marathon walking is increasing in popularity. Walking can be easier on the body than running and therefore allows runners who may be less experienced, complete and even compete at a long distance course. If you have chosen to walk for the duration of our training as well as on race day, consider the following pointers:
- As you walk, focus on your posture by keeping your back straight (not arched), relaxing your shoulders down away from your ears and bend your elbows at 90° angle to avoid your hands and fingers from swelling.
- Walk consistently. As you progress through the 14 weeks of training, your physical stamina will build thus allowing you to complete the 13.1 mile course with ease.
- Start each walk at a comfortable pace and increase your speed as your body warms up. Overtime, your average pace will increase as your endurance and strength improves. (However, remember that while you are on short walks, the focus is on 60 minutes of activity rather then distance or speed.)
Keep in mind the importance of listening to your body’s cues whether you decided to walk or run. There will be days that your body can be challenged as well as days that you’ll need to push less and allow yourself to recover. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
We look forward to seeing you at this weekend’s team training!
Team GBI
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Tags: bariatric patient, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Half Marathon Training, las vegas, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Marathon Training Tips, run/walk training technique, walking a marathon Posted in Gastric Band Institute Events, Half Marathon Training, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, Weight Loss Support Groups |
Tuesday, September 14th, 2010
Hello Team GBI!
When it comes to half- marathon training no man is an island. Building and maintaining communication with a training support system will help you stay motivated as you prepare for and accomplish this feat. Having a support system helps you to be accountable to someone else besides yourself and provides additional encouragement when you need it most.
Your training support system can consist of anyone you choose as long as those people believe in you and are willing to take the time to provide encouragement and discipline to help you stick to your goals. Be sure to involve them in your training and share your goals – as positivity will keep you on track. Keep in mind your GBI team will also be there for you as your primary or additional support system. Training with a compatible partner, or as part of a group of runners with compatible goals can be especially beneficial as they can provide support, motivation, humor, structure, information exchange, and sometimes coaching. Once you have determined who will be in your support system, take the following steps:
1. Make a list of things you need help with during your training
2. Make a list of the people in your support system
3. Regularly communicate your goals and progress to these people
After months of encouragement and helping you stick to your training goals, the people in your support system can stay updated on your race-day progress through “Runner Tracking” offered by the Las Vegas Rock n Roll Half-Marathon. With “Runner Tracking,” real-time updates of where you are at in the race can be sent to your friends and family via text message, by signing up here: https://www.competitorwireless.com/
If you have yet to build your support system, please start thinking about who those people could be and have a serious conversation with them to see if they are willing to be a part of this undertaking. And remember, Team GBI is here for you every step of the way.
Team GBI
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Tags: bariatric patient, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Half Marathon Training, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Marathon Training Tips, training support system Posted in Gastric Band Institute Events, Half Marathon Training, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, Weight Loss Support, Weight Loss Support Groups, Weight Loss Surgery |
Saturday, September 11th, 2010
Yesterday we learned about the importance of hydration and how to properly hydrate before a workout. Today, we explain how to hydrate during and after a workout and the risks of drinking TOO MUCH water.
During and after:
During a workout, drink ¼ to ½ cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes throughout your training session. In hot weather, you will need more because of increased water loss due to sweating. Your thirst mechanism is blunted during exercise, so don’t rely on drinking only when you are feeling thirsty. Set your watch to go off every 15-20 minutes to prompt you to take a drink. Post-workout, recover with two to three cups of water.
Too much water:
Staying hydrated is important, but it’s possible to overdo it. Drinking excessive amounts of water can cause a rare, life-threatening condition called Hyponatremia. This occurs when someone drinks so much water that they dilute the sodium in their blood. It can cause a clouding of consciousness, nausea/vomiting, lightheadedness, dizziness, and in severe cases, seizures, unconsciousness or death. Drinking no more than eight ounces every 20 minutes typically provides enough but not too much fluid.
I hope this two-part series has answered any of your concerns about hydration while training for the Half-Marathon in December. Keeping the right amount of fluid in our bodies is an important routine that we should all become familiar with. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to leave us a comment in the box below.
Team GBI
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Tags: bariatric patient, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Half Marathon Training, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Marathon Training Tips, training and hydration Posted in Gastric Band Institute Events, Half Marathon Training, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon |
Friday, September 10th, 2010
Hello Team GBI!
To those of you who were able to attend, we hope you had a great experience at the first official Half-Marathon team training this past Sunday. For those of you who weren’t able to make it, we hope you participated in your own training session to prepare for the big walk/run in December. As you begin the training for this amazing physical feat, please get into the habit of drinking sufficient amounts of water before, during and after a workout. Especially during these hot summer days, staying hydrated is vital to your health and performance.
In this first part of our two part series on hydration, we will explain why our bodies need water and how to hydrate before a training session. Tomorrow, we will discuss how to hydrate during and after a session and the dangers of over hydration.
Our bodies are made up of 60% water. Every reaction inside of our bodies happens in water, from digestion through muscle contractions to converting fat into fuel that our muscles use during a long workout. Studies have found that a loss of two or more percent of one’s body weight due to sweating is linked to a drop in blood volume. When this occurs, the heart works harder to move blood through the bloodstream. This can also cause muscle cramps, dizziness, fatigue and heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Hence, the essential need to keep the right amount of water in your system.
Before:
Did you know if you wait until you are thirsty to take a drink, then it is already too late to catch up on replenishing your fluids during that workout? That’s why you must hydrate BEFORE you begin working out. It’s recommended that the average person drink at least 16 ounces before, but not immediately prior to a workout. Your body needs time to take in and distribute the fluid. You should not quickly drink two glasses of water and bolt out the door for a walk or run. Two to three hours prior to a workout, drink two to three cups of water (think of it as the 2:3 rule).
Please check back tomorrow, or sign up for our RSS feed to see the second part of our series on hydration.
Team GBI
P.S. Our first team video is up on YouTube! Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/user/LVGBIpatients
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Tags: bariatric patient, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, Half Marathon Training, las vegas, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, marathon nutrition, Marathon Training Tips Posted in Eating, Gastric Band Institute Events, Half Marathon Training, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon |
Monday, July 12th, 2010

Do you have clothes sitting in your closet that don’t fit anymore? Are you tired of buying new clothes to keep up with your changing body as you reach your goal weight?
The Gastric Band Institute is excited to announce that for three days in August we will be hosting another, popular Clothing Exchange event in our seminar room. On Friday, August 20, Saturday August 21, and Monday, August 23, from 11:00am – 3:00pm, you can bring in your non-fitting clothes and leave with some new ones! If you’re not interested in the clothes, feel free to just come and visit with your fellow weight loss surgery patients. The seminar room is at the Gastric Band Institute offices at 3810 Meadows Lane on the southeast corner of the Meadows Mall.
We hope to see you there!
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Tags: bariatric patient, clothing exchange, clothing swap, free clothes, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Gastric bypass, lap band, lap band surgery, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery Posted in Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute Events, Weight Loss Support |
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Bringing fun, color and health together is the perfect cooking combination! Adding natural herbs and spices into your recipes to add flavor, color and health benefits is truly something to celebrate. Try the recipe below this 4th of July weekend to create your food fireworks! Also check out the fun cooking health facts below.
Festive Fruit Sauce
This delicious dessert sauce is perfect for any summer event or occasion, and it’s so easy to make!
Ingredients:
½ can (15 ounces) peach slices in natural juice
¾ cup fresh blueberries
¼ cup Just Like Sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon almond flavoring
4 to 6 large fresh strawberries, sliced
Preparation:
Drain juice from peaches into a saucepan. Combine Just Like Sugar and cornstarch; stir in to juice. Cook over medium-low heat until thick. Add almond flavoring and cinnamon, reserved peach slices, sliced strawberries and blueberries; heat throughout.
Serve over angel food cake for guest or add to cottage cheese, Greek yogurt or ricotta cheese for bariatric patients for a high protein and tasty treat! Gastric bypass patients, please note that a 1oz serving will keep you below 15g of carbohydrates and help prevent dumping.
Serves approximately 4
Fun Cooking Health Facts
· Adding color to your meal can increase the production of feel good hormones increasing your over all sense of meal satisfaction
· Just Like Sugar has 0 calories, scores a 0 on the glycemic index, is made from all natural food derivatives and contains fiber. It is a perfect alternative to regular sugar or sugar substitutes that can actually decrease hunger as you eat it.
· Blueberries are a good source of antioxidants and fiber that assists with healthy skin, a healthy body, and the feeling of hunger satisfaction?
· Cinnamon can reduce nausea and can increase insulin sensitivity to help focus burning of fat.
Happy 4th of July!
Prudence
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Tags: bariatric patient, Cooking Facts, Fourth of July Recipes, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Gastric bypass, Health Facts, lap band, lap band surgery, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Prudence Ticknor, Recipes for bariatric patients, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery, Weight loss surgery recipes Posted in Eating, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Gastric bypass, Nutrition, Weight Loss Support, lap band |
Monday, June 21st, 2010

Do you find that you are physically hungry between meals? While many patients have become aware of their mindless snacking patterns throughout the day, others may actually be experiencing physical hunger. If this applies to you, please take a few minutes to think about the recommendations below to assist in alleviating hunger between meals.
Are you getting enough protein?
I know many of you have been told to eat 60 grams of protein per day, 20 grams per meal. Sixty grams of protein is for minimal health, not optimal health goals. Research is now showing that for optimal weight loss and minimal muscle loss, the magic number is 90 grams of protein per day. Keep in mind that for every pound of muscle, your body burns calories 4 times as fast. Many of you may have lost an initial amount of weight but cannot seem to lose the rest. This could possibly be due to muscle loss.
How does a bariatric patient get 90 grams of protein?
Following the 4 ounce rule (3 ounces in protein + 1 ounce of additional food) you receive approximately 60 grams of protein per day. We are now recommending that you have 3 meals plus the addition of a protein shake each day. The shake will add the extra 30 grams of protein you need to your diet. Please note that the protein shake is not equivalent to a fourth meal.
After bariatric surgery it is difficult to get the recommended fiber intake of 21 – 35 grams per day.
Fiber has the great benefits of filling you up and assisting you with staying satisfied between meals. Bariatric patients can consume the recommended amount of fiber by adding Chia seeds to their meal plan. Chia seeds expand in your stomach pouch making you feel as if you are full. We recommend consuming one tablespoon 3 times per day to reach the minimum requirement of 21 grams of fiber. Remember, when eating Chia seeds you need to make sure you are drinking water. Chia seeds can be added to water, protein drinks or other foods. You can purchase Chia seeds in the GBI office or at Whole Foods.
Are you still experiencing hunger in-between meals?
After assessing your protein and fiber intake, band patients who still feel physically hungry may need to make an appointment for a fill.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, or post a comment here!
Prudence
PrudenceT@bandandbypass.com
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Tags: bariatric patient, Bariatric Surgeons, between meals, chia seeds, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. Donald Tice, Dr. James Atkinson, fiber intake, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, lap band, lap band adjustment, lap band surgery, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, physical hunger, protein intake, Prudence Ticknor, staying full, staying full between meals, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery Posted in Eating, Gastric Band, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Nutrition, Psychological, Weight Loss Products, Weight Loss Support, Weight Loss Surgery, lap band |
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
The rising rate of obesity in the U.S. adult population creates a need for more attention to be given to sexuality and sexual function. There are many myths and misconceptions concerning women and higher body mass indexes. It appears there is a notion of a negative relationship between hip and waist size and sexual frequency and that women with larger body sizes have a more difficult time finding partners than leaner women do. Several studies have looked into these notions and found they are NOT true.
The conclusions of a study reviewed* are as follows:
1. Overweight and obese women do not report a decrease in the frequency of sexual encounters as compared with their leaner counterparts.
2. Overweight or obese women are not shunned more by their sexual partners.
3. If you are one of those women who feel that your weight is interfering with your sexual activity, according to the studies, it has less to do with your weight than you might think. The numbers in almost all sexually based categories studied between women with BMI’s less than 25, between 25 and 30 and higher than 30 are the same. There is little to no statistical difference in the age range under 45 years of age that was studied. In one category, “Lifetime history of sexual intercourse with a male,” the women with a BMI of 25-30 and higher had a significantly higher percentage than women under a 25 BMI.
*Kaneshiro B, et al. Obstst and Gynecol. 2008
The point I take from this is that a woman is, or can be sexual, according to her own attitude and self-confidence. If you are having difficulty with how sexually attractive you feel, consider whether it could have more to do with your own perception of yourself as reinforced by society, Hollywood and advertising, than it is with fact. Feel free to share your thoughts or questions here.
– Dr. Donald Tice
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Tags: bariatric patient, Bariatric Surgeons, Dr. Donald Tice, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Gastric bypass, lap band, lap band surgery, obesity, obesity and sexuality, sex and weight, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Psychological, Weight Loss Support |
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