In 2008, the New York Times published an article that estimated only 650,000 people in the U.S. had ever completed a half marathon. That’s less than 1% of the U.S. population.This proves that our Gastric Band Institute Marathon Team is very courageous and special!
Last week, you finished a distance of 8.55 miles. What a feat! You are more than half way there with only eight more weeks until the half marathon on December 6, 2009. Your dedication and pace have been amazing.
By conquering this goal, you are redefining the scope of what is possible in all areas of your lives. You are now a part of something extraordinary that you will remember for a lifetime.
You should all be very proud of yourselves.Keep up the good work and we will see you at the finish line!
There was a good turnout for Lap Band Support Group last Tuesday night with a good mix of veteran, new, and potential lap band patients.I found it interesting that so many of our patients put years of thought into their decision to have a weight loss surgical procedure.I really feel that this surgery does more to improved patients’ lives and health than any other.
I appreciated the honesty of one gentleman who admitted he was still not sure if he was ready to make the lifestyle changes and sacrifices to be successful with a gastric band.The group recommended he take his time making his decision and to ensure he was ready to have a surgical procedure to help him cut down his meal portion size.This was great advice.No patient should feel forced or pressured into having the lap band procedure.Patients sometimes tell me, “My doctor wants me to get a Lap Band.” Dr. Atkinson and I need to hear, “I want to have a Lap Band.”
We recently posted a YouTube video about a patient named Becky and her involvement and utilization of our support groups.Check it out!
Congratulations team!You have completed two weeks of training and did four or more miles at your last long walk!
I want to thank everyone for coming out to the group trainings on Thursdays or Sundays. Your dedication is awesome! You are all off to a strong start.
We are on week three of training and will be doing five miles this week for our long run. Looking forward to seeing you there. On individual training days this week, possibly try new trails or tracks for your three, 60 minute walks and a new activity for your cross training day. Whatever you do, have fun with each session and don’t forget your two days of rest!
As the miles continue to grow, also remember to stay focused on the prize and keep yourself motivated. Log your struggles, trial and error methods and of course your successes. Collect bits of encouragement, such as a friend’s inspirational words or other quotes.Look back on these entries for extra motivation in the coming months.
“Nobody trips over mountains.It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble.Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain.”~Author Unknown
Remember, it is just one step at a time!How are you guys staying motivated and continuing to commit? Please share your strategies!
Finishing your first marathon is a special experience – it’s something that you will never forget. Due to the excitement of training and looking forward to the race, many people have high expectations that do not benefit them in the end. Remember, you have already committed. For your first marathon your only expectation is to finish the race safely. Enjoy the journey and remember not to over do it!
Check out the article link below for more info on managing expectation. Let’s focus on goal #1 and goal #2.
The Annual Healthy for Life Celebration Picnic is this Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 11:00 am to 3:00pm at Centennial Hills Park.The Healthy for Life picnic is a special event for patients to celebrate their successful journey to becoming healthy along with their families, fellow patients and the Gastric Band Institute staff.
Also, the next lap band support group meeting is Tuesday, September 22, from 6:00-7:30pm in the seminar room behind our office.All patients pre and post-op are welcome, as well as persons considering the lap band procedure.If you are a patient and have yet to attend a support group, I highly recommend it.It’s a great opportunity to meet other patients, voice your thoughts and learn tips for how to be successful with the gastric band.
A common misconception is that hair loss is a symptom of weight loss surgery.The truth is that hair loss is caused by rapid weight loss, NOT weight loss surgery.Patients undergoing crash or starvation diets will also experience temporary hair loss like some of our patients do.The hair loss stops and grows back when the weight loss slows down.Our gastric bypass patients experience more hair loss than our gastric band patients because the weight loss is more rapid with bypass. To minimize hair loss we teach our patients to make sure they are getting enough protein, about 60 grams daily.Some believe that prenatal vitamins or Biotin can also help although this has not been proven.For questions on this topic, please call us at 702-384-8446.
One topic brought up in the last support group was that some patients noticed that their restriction was tighter in the morning than later in the day and at night.For some the change is dramatic enough that they have trouble with solids in the morning and have to eat soft foods like yogurt, but seem to have too little restriction at night.Some patients don’t notice this difference at all, but for those that do, it can make finding the “perfect” adjustment more difficult.
We believe that the morning tightness is from increased blood flow to the stomach and intestines during sleep which increases the stomach wall thickness temporarily.Remember, any swelling can lead to increased restriction.So, if you are experiencing this, be sure to discuss it with our physician’s assistants, Brian or Melissa, during your adjustment visits.Also, patients considering the band procedure are welcome to attend support groups to meet other patients and learn more about living with the band.For more information on our support groups, please call 702-384-8446.
A recent study out of Baylor University confirms findings which we have already observed in our practice.The health benefits of losing weight also apply to older patients and that weight loss surgery can be safely performed in the older population, provided they are healthy enough to undergo general anesthesia.You are never too old to get healthier.Here is the link to that report: http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/06/26/Bariatric-surgery-not-riskier-for-seniors/UPI-29531245990735/
Also check out this YouTube video of our 72-year-old patient Don.
The recent debates about the best way to approach healthcare reform have really highlighted obesity and obesity related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer as the top preventable health problems in the US today. Both parties agree that focusing on obesity cures and prevention will be an important part of bringing down the costs of healthcare.It is estimated that every pound lost is equivalent to a $50/yr savings in healthcare costs.An obese 40-year-old is equal in medical age to a 60-year-old normal weight person. Weight loss surgery provides an aggressive approach to significant weight loss to improve health in persons who have tried and struggled with traditional diet and exercise programs.For the health of our nation and to lower healthcare costs, it is my hope that the final healthcare reform bill will include provisions to improve access to treatments like weight loss surgery.
If you haven’t been to one of the gastric band support groups lately I can tell you that the patients that have been attending regularly have been extremely positive and helpful.The support they show each other and new group attendees is quite impressive.The “hot topic” last night was using Chia seeds for health and appetite control.Patient Becky even brought sample Chia seed gel shots.Prudence, our nutritionist/bariatric coach, likes the health benefits of Chia seeds as they are high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants.Also, the patients find that it can help curb hunger between meals and adjustments with very few calories.
At the latest support group, there was one person who had not yet had her surgery and she was able to get great input from experienced band patients firsthand.The next band support group meeting is August 25, 2009 starting at 6pm and ending at 7:30 pm.Meetings are free for all Gastric Band Institute and Surgical Weight Control Center patients and potential patients. Hope to see you there.
