How To Fail A Test.

Tomorrow morning at bright and early I have my appointment with a certain Dr. So and So for a cognitive test.  This is part of determining whether I am a surgical candidate for epilepsy surgery, as there are many steps to actually getting to the cutting part.

OMG, SHE EATS TEH FOODZ. GASP.

This morning we went out to breakfast and I post a photo of my meal on Facebook.

I sometimes do this, often to The Greater Distress Of The Internet.  

I asked the waitress for a "Egg White Veggie Frittata" though she didn't ask me white kind of anything I wanted with it -- so it just CAME with white toast.  I would have asked for extra MEAT on the side or whole grain toast.  So, this is not my normal, I don't typically do white bread.  That said, What You See Is What You Get.  I Ate Teh Foodz.  I also ate, not shown, two slices of bacon, after tossing aside the nasty-ass turkey bacon that was offered with this frittata.

The internet gets distressed when Weight Loss Surgery Patients Eat Teh Food.  The SOLIDS.  The Not A Shake.  

We hear --

• "Did you really eat that?"
• "Can you eat that?"
• "Should you eat that?"
• "Can you really eat white bread?  Eggs?  Bacon?  Vegetables?  ______?"
• "Did you really use butter?"
• "OMG, COFFEE?"
• "Wait, you use CREAM?"
• "What, no PROTEIN SHAKE?"
• "Wait --- THOSE ARE CARBS!?!"
• "OMG TOAST?!?!?!??!?!??!?!??!?!?!??!?!"
• "I thought we could not have bread?"
• "But, I was told no TOAST?"
• "My surgeon told me no BREAD FOR LYYYFFFFEEEE!!!!"
• Etc, etc.. so forth, so on.  

I have been getting these comments for as long as I have been blogging my intakes on the internets.

I had one person even offer the suggestion that my epilepsy (at the time, not diagnosed...) was Due To The Fact That I Ate Carbohydrates More Than She Was Suggested.

Here's a couple of  random suggestions, y'all --

#1 - Bariatric Eating Plans Can Be DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT FROM ONE LOCATION TO ANOTHER.

#2 - Some of us are many years post op, and food happens. Ask around, do you know many 5-8-10 year post gastric-bypass patients that subside on meal replacements?  <crickets> Right.  "Things change."  And, even though you may be TOLD that you are going to 'live on 1/4 cup of solids three times a day,' uh... that doesn't happen.  I am sorry.

I rarely share the reality of what actually goes in my gullet these days because for one -- it's so boring -- and because, wow, some of  Y'all Are Judgy!  You have to realize, at pushing nine years later -- it's back to food!  It's normal life!

Tell me.  What are you eating?   Are you willing to SHARE?   Let's start sharing.

Is Your Glass of Wine Loaded With Sugar?

Q: True or false — alcohol turns into sugar in the body.

Dysfunction!

Which will really help when I have to take my neurocognitive testing next week.  My cognition was already a mess, now that I have added Topamax back, there may be zero brains left for an actual many hour test.

Restaurant Discounts For Gastric Bypass Patients May Send Mixed Messages

Please do not give me a reason to patronize restaurants with low-quality food options.  MM needs no reason ON THIS EARTH to step foot in a Golden Corral, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, etc... EVER. 

Nor do MMs kids.  EVER.  I do not need a trough of pasta, fried seafood or oily iceberg lettuce based salad.

MM Does Not Endorse The Use Of WLS Discount Cards For Food.   We have to learn to eat like normal people.  Having an excuse to pay less for crappy food does not teach us anything.

NPR - n.pr/UEF2qA

All of these reduced appetites might seem like bad news for the restaurant business, but surgeon-distributed food discount cards aim to make dining out cheaper and more practical for gastric bypass patients.

But is this kind of encouragement really a good idea?

To accommodate the patients' reduced stomach volumes, the cards, called WLS (Weight Loss Surgery) cards, ask restaurants to allow patients to order a smaller portion of food for a discounted price.

These cards aren't a new phenomenon — they've been around in the U.S. at least since the 1990s, and a similar discount programwas proposed to city council members in Campinas, Brazil, earlier this year. 

And like the surgery itself, the WLS cards have grown in popularity, says Ann Rogers, director at the Penn State Surgical Weight Loss Program. "Now there's so much word of mouth about it, that if we forget to give them out [after surgery], the patient says, 'What about those discount cards?' " Rogers says.

Some popular U.S. restaurants accept the cards. For example, Cracker Barrel restaurants allow patients to order from the inexpensive children's menu or order a lunch-sized portion for dinner. In a statement issued to the Salt, Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants say they are happy to do the same.

Even "all-you-can-eat" buffet restaurant Golden Corral provides a discounted buffet price upon seeing a proof-of-surgery card in some locations.

Though gastric bypass surgery leaves the patient with a stomach pouch only about the size of an egg, restaurants, especially buffets, still spell trouble for many patients. Unlimited portions and heavily processed, quickly digestible foods that keep patients from feeling full make it difficult to keep the weight off, says Rogers.

Golden Corral could not provide a spokesperson to respond to our inquiries, but it and other companies have made efforts in recent years to add healthier choices to their buffet offerings.

Even if the patient makes better choices, however, friends and family who come along may not do the same. "I definitely discourage patients from going to buffet-style restaurants — it's a danger for everybody," Rogers says.

In fact, Rogers says she discourages her patients from eating at any restaurant. So why distribute a discount card that seems to encourage dining out?

Rogers says it's OK for patients to use the WLS card and splurge at the buffet every once in a while, and the card also encourages them to order smaller meals at other restaurants. If patients make healthy choices about 75 percent of the time, they'll keep the weight off, she says.

But just as the buffet can have negative family health consequences, patients who are diligent about eating well a majority of the time can encourage healthy habits among friends and family. Rogers says patients who attend regular follow-up appointments, some featuring weigh-ins and healthy cooking classes, retain their lost weight about 70 percent of the time.

"For most of our patients, when the patients change their habits, it changes the eating habits of the whole household. It's pretty educational," she says.

Changing habits is critical, she says. It's a myth that the stomach surgery is a permanent weight loss cure. After surgery, "the [hunger] hormones go down and stay down for a year or two. But, slowly, the hunger starts to come back," Rogers says.

 

#malware #scam Bariatric Eating Susan Maria Leach Before + After BEHealthyDrinks + Book Release

Presented without commentary for your perusal.   

PS.  Susan, you might want to take back control of your social media.

Mini Squee - #YWMconvention #OAC

On October 27th, 2012, during the Obesity Action Coalition "Your Weight Matters" Event at the Hilton Anatole, there will be another first: the first annual OAC Awards!

Your friendly blogger was nominated in one of these categories, and I am thankful to you for that.  Thank you.  And, really, thank you.

I will be present at the events, dinner, ceremony, and of course the Walk From Obesity with at least $6000.00 in donations from Team MM + BBGC.  

Have I mentioned that there is still time to donate to Team MM + BBGC and I do not see your donation in yet?  

Go ahead, I will wait for you!

Thank you - and see you there? 

There is still time to register for the OAC event!  

Do. not. miss. it.

 Join the OAC event on Facebook!

 

 

About the OAC Awards -

The following awards will be presented during the OAC Inaugural Your Weight Matters National Convention:

OAC Advocate of the Year - This award is given to the OAC Member who has lead the charge in taking on National, local and state advocacy issues. This individual should be a tireless advocate to advance the cause of fighting obesity and the individual affected by obesity.

Community Leader of the Year - This award is given to an individual who continually works in their community to advance the cause of fighting obesity. The recipient should be an individual who actively engages their community or with their constituency in spreading awareness of obesity and encourages others to get involved in activities that further the mission of the OAC.

Outstanding Membership Recruitment by an OAC Member - This award is designated for the individual OAC member who is an active membership recruiter in the OAC. The individual is a regular membership promoter and continually encourages membership in the OAC.

Outstanding Membership Recruitment by a Physician - This award is given to the Sponsored Membership Program participant (physician) that has recruited the most new members in the OAC in the 12 months prior to the Convention month. The recipient of the award has encouraged membership in the OAC by purchasing it on behalf of the patient.

Bias Buster of the Year - The OAC’s Bias Buster of the Year is awarded to the individual who has lead the charge to put the OAC on path to effect change in mindsets, policies and public perception of weight bias. This individual is both proactive and reactive in responding to weight bias issues and is an example to others on how to get involved as a Bias Buster.

OAC Member of the Year - This is the OAC’s highest honor and is awarded to an OAC member who goes above and beyond to help the OAC in its efforts to achieve its mission and goals. This individual is an exemplary OAC member and continually represents the OAC in impacting the obesity epidemic.

______________________________________________________

The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is set to host a ground-breaking educational convention on weight and health, the Inaugural “Your Weight Matters” National Convention. Join them in Dallas, October 25-28 for this ground-breaking Convention that will answer all your questions about weight and health! For more information, please visit www.YWMConvention.com.

 

Time is running out! #OACYWMconvention #WLS

Registration for the Your Weight Matters National Convention closes this Friday, October 12 - so this is your last week to get registered for what is shaping-up to be a historical and ground-breaking event that you won't want to miss!

• One-day registration, which only includes the educational sessions, is available for just $35/day (price goes up to $50/day on-site).
• Full Convention Registration for OAC members is $125 and includes all educational sessions, tickets to all social events, as well as the official Convention T-shirt, souvenir tote bag and Convention Program Book.
• Nurses and Health Professionals can earn CE credits by attending the educational sessions of our Convention starting at just $60/day.

We are excited to host the crowd of the more than 200 attendees already fully registered to attend - will you be there? Time is running out, so if you have been thinking about attending the OAC's Inaugural Convention, now is the time to register!

         

 

 

 

 

• Convention Dates: October 25 - 28, 2012
• Location: Hilton Anatole - Dallas, TX
• For all the details on the OAC's Inaugural Convention, please visit www.YWMConvention.com.

#OHATLANTA2012 Wrap-up! #WLS

   

Some of the bestest BBGC girls and a very Slim Sister-boy.

Thanks once again to Obesity Help for putting on a terrific conference in Atlanta, Georgia this past weekend!

 

John from Building Blocks Vitamins

 Even with a few miniature traumas  (Toni Lee + a curb = broken toes, although that's the story we are making up...) all-in-all it was another great event and lots of lifelong memories were made.

 

 

Bariatric Advantage

 

 â€œWe don't heal in isolation, but in community.” â€• S. Kelley Harrell

http://snd.sc/WJlgHF

I had a fantastic time speaking on the grads and pros panel, although I was a bit more than terrified and I might have cried.  (You'll have to ask the BBGC.)

Pretending I knew what was going on on the grads and pros panel.

And of COURSE I adored helping out my pals at Building Blocks Vitamins and CLICK Espresso Protein.  Did you get you some?  Buzz, buzz, buzz!

Getting the CLICK on the OH Event!  Watch for a GIVEAWAY tomorrow!

The BBGC &lt;3's CLICK.

 Thank you all for making the trip to Atlanta to see us -- and thank YOU for being there.  A good time was had by all and absolutely worth it.

Yes, I am that small. Sorry.

Sam, the man! Throwing some glitter, making it rain!

Absolutely innocent.

Photobeth.

At the fashion-show + masquerade party. I heart my BBGC.

5150 - BBGC Style. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeylHwHWemE

Thanks again to Obesity Help, to the good people of Atlanta, to the ATL POPO (no, really...) the Waffle House and various caffeine reloading location, also Target Pharmacy! 

See y'all in Dallas, Texas in two weeks!  BBGC Road-trip 2012!

 

Does a number determine your worth?

I am away at a conference, so I am phantom linking you to some older content ...

Here's something to think about -- do you determine your worth by the number you see on the scale each day?

Allergan Pulled Teen Lap-Band Plans

Allergan Inc. won’t seek U.S. clearance to sell its popular Lap-Band stomach shrinking device to an increasing population of obese teenagers.  Not. surprising. 

The LAP-BAND^® Adjustable Gastric Banding System is the first adjustable medical device approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States for individualized weight loss for obese patients whose weight is affecting their health. The LAP-BAND^® System was originally approved by the FDA in 2001 for use in weight reduction for severely obese adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more, or for adults with a BMI of at least 35 plus at least one severe obesity-related health condition, such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and asthma. In February 2011, the FDA approved the expanded use of LAP-BAND^®for adults with obesity who have failed more conservative weight reduction alternatives, such as diet and exercise and pharmacotherapy, and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30-40 and at least one obesity related comorbid condition. In addition, the LAP-BAND^® System has been approved internationally since 1993. The LAP-BAND^® System is now the first and only FDA-approved device for weight-loss surgery in patients with a BMI of 30-35.

Businessweek -

Allergan Inc. (AGN) won’t seek U.S. clearance to sell its popular Lap-Band stomach shrinking device to an increasing population of obese teenagers.

In the wake of congressional criticism and lawsuits, the Irvine, California-based company has decided to shelve any plans for marketing its Lap-Band device to adolescents, among the fastest-growing group of obese Americans.

#OHATLANTA I'm on my way! #WLS Obesity Help Event!

By the time you read this I should by the transportation security admininstration and getting a little lovin' and scanning and running through Logan Airport on my way to Atlanta by way of Washington for the one-and-only Obesity Help Event of THE YEAR.  

I love traveling.  O-o  

PS. No, no, I don't.  I love airports, I loathe planes.  I have to sing soft kitty and force naps to get in the air.  It's bad.  But, I've done it All By Myself for five years now, I think I have beat the monster!

SEE YOU THERE!  I know I'll see YOU, and YOU, and YOU, and YOU!  And I am SO HAPPY!  And even some last minute joiners!  

• If I don't see you there - FIND ME ON FACEBOOK while I'm off!
• Make sure to give a LIKE to CLICK Espresso Protein Drink + Building Blocks Vitamins, too!

 

SCHEDULE

Friday, October 5th, 2012
Clothing Exchange Drop Off Savannah Room	9am - 11am
Clothing Exchange  Open to Public, Savannah Room	Noon
Friday Registration Chattahoochee foyer	1:00pm
Professional Workshop, Chattahoochee A Understanding the Obese Patient	1:00pm - 5:00pm
Mixed Q & A Panel,  Grads & Professionals, Chattahoochee BC	2:00pm - 4:30pm
Dr. Paul E. Macik  Performing operations laparoscopically since 1991. His practice offers Gastric Bypass, LapBand and Sleeve Gastrectomy options. Also an Instructor for Quarterly In-Service Program of Bariatric Surgery atEmory Dunwoody Medical Center and Northside Hospital.	Jim Blackburn Jim lost 215 pounds and found a love for running. With 58,038 Race finishers at an avg time of 01:17:35, Jim finished the 2012 Peachtree Road Race (10k) in 1:07:57, a goal he's worked towards since having Gastric Bypass.
Dr. Michael Williams Dr. Williams principal clinical and research interest include minimally invasive techniques, and the surgical therapy of morbid obesity. He has been involved in training surgeons in laparocopic techniques in the United States and the Caribbean.	Beth Sheldon-Badore Blogger, & Founder of Bariatric Bad Girls. "Melting Mama" as she's known through her blog has been blogging about life since her WLS in 2004. Her witty, honest approach to life after WLS has inspired and supported thousands.
Dr. Sheldon Lincenberg Double-board certified, plasticand reconstructive surgeon and a board-certified general surgeon. In 1995, he created and began sponsoring Pink Ribbons, an annual October event during Breast Cancer Month to benefit breast cancer organizations. Colleen Valentine, LE, MA Celebrity licenced medical aesthetician and make-up artist. Beyond her celebrity clientele, Colleen also works with Plastic Surgeons and Dermatoligists' patients that have skin challenges due to weight loss, scarring, burns and victims of domestic violence.	Courtney aka tripmom02 An active OH member for 5 years and a frequent poster on the VSG forum! She's bringing her post-op experience as a Lap Band to VSG Revision. Courtney has lost 170 lbs and is training for her 1st half marathon in October. Her goal is to complete an Iron Man in 2014!
Break for Dinner with your friends!	4:30pm - 6:30pm
Meet and Greet Sponsored by NewWhey Welcome Coffee	7:00pm - 10:00pm
TOPIC: Nothing Succeeds Like Success  Colleen M. Cook Motivational Speaker	7:30pm - 8:30pm
TOPIC: Post-Op & a Doc LIVE! Post Op and a Doc! A POST-OP (Cari De La Cruz. Bariatric After Life)  A DOC (Dr. Connie Stapleton, Author, Speaker)	8:45pm - 9:45pm

Saturday, October 6th, 2012
Registration & Exhibits, Grand Salon Prefunction Area	7:30am - 8:15am
Meet the Speakers & Vendors,Grand Salon Main Session Bo McCoy	8:15am - 8:30am
TOPIC: WLS and ALCOHOL:Facts and Folly Connie Stapleton, Ph.D, Clinical Psychologist	8:30am - 9:30am
TOPIC: Exercise, Myths and Realities Jeremy Gentles, Ph.D Candidate  Exercise Physiologist	9:40am - 10:25am
Professional Q & A Panel	10:30am - 11:55am
Scott Steinberg, MD Fellow-ship trained advanced laparoscopic surgeon. A member of the American College of Surgeons and the ASMBS.	Qammar Rashid, MD Fellow-ship trained in Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery. A large part of her practice is breast and bariatric surgery.
Dr. Dennis C. Smith The 3rd surgeon in the world to perform the totally laparoscopic DS and the 1st bariatric surgeon in the world to present the Hand-Sewn Duedenal-Ileal Anastomosis technique.	Connie Stapleton, Ph.D Dr. Stapleton is a licensed clinical psychologist, received her doctorol degree from Texas A&M University in Counseling Psychology.
Donna DeMild, LPBLC Post-Op and CEO of BodySmart, LLC. Donna works at NJ Bariatrics and is a licensed bariatric life coach. Her focus is lifestyle change after wls. Safa Nooromid, RD, LD A Registered Licensed Dietitian in the state of Georgia for the past 9 years. Guest speaker for Georgia State University Food and Culture Diversity Group, Life college, and for many companies for their health fair and wellness programs. Also a preceptor for Georgia State University, Huston University, UGA, Life College and Emory University.	Jeremy Gentles  A Ph.D Candidate in Sport Science at East Tennessee State University and for a number of years, served as ObesityHelp's Exercise Physiologist.
Lunch Buffet & Prizes Premier Nutrition is sponsoring Lunch!	12:00pm - 12:50pm
Exhibit Visits Get your Swag Bags & talk to vendors!	12:50pm - 1:15pm
Breakout Session #1 Options:	1:15pm - 1:55pm
Session #1, Option 1 in: Grand Salon A TOPIC: DS Nutrition Dr. Dennis C. Smith Bariatric Surgeon	Session #1, Option 2 in: Grand Salon B TOPIC: Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss Surgery Dr. Alejandro Quiroz Plastic Surgeon
Breakout Session #2 Options:	2:05pm - 2:45pm
Session #2, Option 1 in: Grand Salon A TOPIC: Hope & Help for the Pain of Regain Colleen M. Cook Motivational Speaker	Session #2, Option 2 in: Grand Salon B TOPIC: Every Thing You Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to AskDr. Michael W. Blaney Bariatric Surgeon
Breakout Session #3 Options:	2:50pm - 3:30pm
Session #3, Option 1 in: Grand Salon A TOPIC: Optimizing the Benefits of Bariatric Surgery for Long Term Success Dr. Jacome, Bariatric Surgeon	Session #3, Option 2 in: Grand Salon B TOPIC: Taming Your Inner Critic: The Connection Between What You Feed Your Head & What You Feed Your Body Jill Temkin, MA, Motivational Speaker
Breakout Session #4 Options:	3:40pm - 4:20pm
Session #4, Option 1 in: Grand Salon A TOPIC: No Shame in Revisions  Charlie Brown,  Motivational Speaker	Session #4, Option 2 in: Grand Salon B TOPIC: Spending Your Money Safely and Wisely For Body Contouring After Weight Loss  Dr. Lincenberg, Plastic Surgeon
Exhibit Visits OR Optional ZUMBA Class Great vendors that support the wls community	4:30pm - 5:15pm
Dinner Break  with Your Friends!	6:00pm - 8:00pm
The Grand Finale: Member Fashion Show with designer clothing options sponsored by Gwynnie Bee, Clothing without Commitment. Slimpressions Masquerade Party with a DJ & Free Unlimited Photo Booth Photos from3:00pm until 10:00pm Sponsored by Premier Nutrition. AND Bryson Bmoney Jenkins performs LIVE for you!	8:00pm - 11:30pm
Breakfast for Registered OH Leaders!  Location TBA within our hotel.	9:00am Sunday

FASHION SHOW

 

OAC Announces Convention Recruitment Contest Winners

Community Responsibility - Fat Shaming - Bullying

WAY TO GO!

Huffington Post -

"That man’s words mean nothing to me, but really angers me about this is is there are children who don’t know better — who get emails as critical as the one I received or in many cases, even worse, each and every day."

She said that bullying scared her as the mother of three daughters. "If you are at home and you are talking about the fat newslady, guess what?" she said. "Your children are probably going to go to school and call someone fat."

Livingston thanked the viewers, friends and colleagues who have stood up for her, and ended with these words:

“I leave you with this: To all of the children out there who feel lost, who are struggling with your weight, with the color of your skin, your sexual preference, your disability, even the acne on your face, listen to me right now. do not let your self-worth be defined by bullies. Learn from my experience — that the cruel words of one are nothing compared to the shouts of many.”

Percentage of severely obese adults skyrockets

USA Today -

The percentage of American adults who are 100 or more pounds over a healthy weight has skyrocketed since 2000, a study released Monday shows.

In 2010, about 6.6% of adults in this country were severely obese -- about 15.5 million people -- up from 3.9% in 2000, says the study from the RAND Corp., a non-profit research group.

"There is no question that severe obesity is going up very fast," says lead author Roland Sturm, a senior economist at RAND. "Severe obesity has severe effects on quality of life, chronic conditions and health care costs."

Walk From Obesity Prize Updates!

From the Obesity Action Coalition -

2012 Fundraising Incentive Program – We would like to thank everyone that participated in one of our Spring 2012 Walk from Obesity events and are happy to announce those that qualified for an incentive prize. 

  
The winners are: 

Wii Game System and iPod Nano (Raised over $2,500): 

Beth S. – Natick, MA <-- WOOT!

We raised almost $4000 for the Natick, MA Walk From Obesity!

Deborah T. – Birmingham, AL 

iPod Nano (Raised over $1,000): 
Barbara B. – Spokane, WA 
Cheryl W. – Natick, MA 

Wii Game System Drawing Winners (Raised over $500): 
Sue B. – Birmingham, AL 
Kristy C. – Mooresville, NC 

iPod Nano Drawing Winners (Raised over $100): 
Megan V. – Spokane, WA 
Michael G. – Mobile, AL 

Thanks again to everyone that took the extra steps and fundraised for our cause and congratulations to the prize winners. We hope that you enjoy your great prizes! 

Fall 2012 Update 

During our Fall Walk campaign, we will be offering the same great prizes to individual participants that meet the following fundraising goals: 

Raise $100 or more – You will be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 3 iPod Nanos! 
Raise $500 or more – You will be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 3 Wii Game Systems! 
Raise $1,000 – You will automatically win an iPod Nano! 

Raise $2,500+ - You will automatically win an iPod Nano and a Wii Game System! 

We are already AT $5096!

Remember that “Every Step Counts” and asking your family and friends to sponsor your participation in the Walk from Obesity is a great step to take and helps to ensure that your local Walk is a successful one.     

PS - Everyone who DONATES to Team MM + BBGC gets a shot at MY PRIZES because I re-gift them!  Donate NOW to Team MM + BBGC for Dallas!