Ending TOMORROW - Nominations are open! #OAC #YWM2013

Via OAC -  Nominations END tomorrow!

We are proud to open the nomination process for the OAC’s 2013 Annual Awards that will be presented on Saturday evening, August 17, at the 2^nd Annual Your Weight Matters National Convention in Phoenix, AZ.

Last year, the OAC unveiled its Annual Awards Program as a way to honor outstanding OAC members and volunteers for their tireless efforts to advance the cause of obesity and help individuals affected through education, advocacy and support. Our members truly drive the successes of the OAC, and we are excited to celebrate the individuals that have made a direct impact in furthering the goals and mission of the OAC.

During this year’s awards ceremony held in conjunction with the 2013 National Convention in Phoenix, we will present seven awards in key areas of focus for the OAC. A complete list of the awards to be presented may be found to the right. Of the seven awards, four are open to the membership to submit nominations. The remaining award recipients will be selected by the Annual Awards Program Review Committee.

If you know someone who is deserving of one or more of the OAC’s awards, we encourage you to submit a nomination using the below links. Self-nominations are also welcomed and accepted.

 

Supporting the #WalkFromObesity for the OAC and ASMBS Foundation with the #BBGC

Deadline to Submit Your Nomination: Friday, July 19

 

Candidates for the below awards are nominated by the OAC membership and will be submitted for final review by the OAC Annual Awards Program Review Committee. Self-nominations are accepted. The description, qualifications and criteria for review are available once you click the link provided for the respective award. 

 

#YWM2012 Awards Night with Michelle Vicari

 

• The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, July 19. 

We hope you submit a nomination for the OAC’s Annual Awards and invite you to join us in Phoenix for the presentation. Here are the details of this year’s Awards Ceremony:

Saturday, August 17
7:00 pm – Arizona Grand Ballroom – Conference Center at Arizona Grand

Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
8000 South Arizona Grand
Phoenix, AZ 85044
Plated Sit-down Dinner

Tickets to the 2^nd Annual OAC Awards Dinner are included in Full Convention Registration and can also be purchased separately. To learn more about registering for the Convention and this event, please visit the official Convention Web site at www.YWMConvention.com.

• To view the recipients of the 2012 OAC Annual Awards, please CLICK HERE.

A Tongue Patch For Weight Loss

A tongue-patch to lose weight.  

No, really.

"Dr. Chugay has recently begun performing a revolutionary weight reduction procedure, which he has dubbed the Miracle Patch.  This patch, when surgically applied to the tongue, produces a means to lose weight never before offered by other surgeons.

During a reversible procedure that takes less than an hour, the patient is fitted with a custom patch for the tongue which makes chewing of solid foods very difficult and painful, limiting the patient to a liquid diet. Under the direct supervision of Dr. Chugay and his staff, the patient is put on an easy to follow liquid diet, fulfilling all of their nutritional needs while at the same time minimizing caloric intake and maximizing weight loss results.

Recovery is rapid; and patients are typically able to return to work the following day."

I am intrigued and disturbed at the same time.

As a woman who had her stomach and intestines altered to lose more than 170 pounds I will not judge much (?) the above procedure's level of "OMG YOU DID WHAT TO YOURSELF!?!" because I have heard it all.

But how is this accomplished?  

The doctor takes a piece of mesh - the material used to repair abdominal hernias - and attaches it to your tongue.  Heck, you may already have this stuff inside you.  (Half my family does.  We're all patched together.)

This is supposed to make eating now so. unpleasant. that. you. stop.

You have surgical hernia (repair?) of the tongue.  (I see other uses for this.  Today.   Yes.)

 

I am not a psychologist, but I am a bariatric patient of nearly ten years and professional watcher of post op bariatric patients.  (That's my disclaimer, it's all you get.)  Rapid weight loss by behavior modification of "Eating!  Now Very Difficult And Painful!" can lead to some severe psychological eating issues later on.

Certainly if you're following the "rules of the tongue patch" it should work -- as as very low calorie liquid diet would.  But, add in the benefit of making food no longer a pleasant experience, you might as well add the cost of your therapists bill too.

 Sigh.

Related articles

Katie Jay Keynote Speaking at Southcoast Center for Weight Loss - Video

Wellesse Stay Behind WLSFA Meet and Greet Swag Bag Giveaway TIMES FIVE... PLUS Free Sample Offer is BACK!

A new uncharted territory.

Welcome, Beth, to somewhere you've never been before - .3 point to a normal BMI.

145 lbs at 5 ft 3.5  = 25.3 BMI = something I have never seen as an adult.

Related articles

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal.

Apathy and failure

Win An All-Expenses Paid Trip To #YWM2013 - JOIN US!

From the OAC -

YOU ARE INVITED to join us for the 2nd Annual Your Weight Matters National Convention, taking place this year in Phoenix, AZ, August 15 – 18 at the beautiful Arizona Grand Resort & Spa!

“Rise to the Challenge” with the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) in Phoenix, where you can learn from the country’s leading experts and arm yourself with the knowledge to better manage your weight and your health!

The Your Weight Matters National Convention is the largest National meeting dedicated to providing evidence-based strategies for individuals impacted by excess weight and obesity, proudly brought to you OAC. As a National non-profit organization, the OAC is dedicated to helping the millions of Americans impacted by excess weight and obesity through education, advocacy and support.

The OAC’s National Convention is a 3-day educational event designed to bring together all individuals who struggle or are concerned with weight-related issues. The entire weekend is dedicated to presenting a comprehensive agenda, comprised of diverse topics that are designed to help any individual who has ever had a concern about their weight. We bring-in the country’s leading experts on weight and health and give you the RIGHT tools to be successful in your lifelong journey with weight.

Would you join us?   Please do.  

• Learn more here!
• Register now!

The OAC invites you to “Rise to the Challenge” and have the opportunity to win an all-expenses paid trip to the 2013 Convention in Phoenix.

Caesar demands - asks...

• If you refer 10 or more registrants to the 2013 Your Weight Matters National Convention, you will be entered-in to a Grand Prize drawing for an all-expenses paid trip to the Convention! The individual whose name is drawn will receive airfare, three-nights hotel stay and a Full Event Registration. Participants must recruit a minimum of 10 registrants to be eligible to enter the raffle for the Grand Prize.  

• All individuals who refer at least one registrant will be entered-in to a Runner-up drawing for a complimentary Full Convention Registration and a free OAC Membership (or renewal). You will receive one entry into the Runner-up drawing for each registrant who indicates that you referred them to Convention.  

• SO DO IT ALREADY.   Here is the form -  Download Convention_Recruitment_Contest_2013

• GET ENTERED!  GET THERE.  We want to see you!  

(If you have not watched this - DO - embed the words inside your brain - that little dance - can you?  Would you?)

Have you already registered for #YWM2013?  (GO YOU!)  

• If you HAVE?  

• Please please please shoot the OAC a quick email to [email protected] and provide the name of the individual that recruited you to attend.  Because, they get a shot at winning the trip - and that's super-helpful.  The more the better.  

• Spread the love.  And see you at #YWM2013!  

• Related articles

Obesity Help Announces Keynote Speaker for 2013 National Conference

For Many, Affordable Care Act Won't Cover Bariatric Surgery

Carnie Wilson Speaks At WLSFA 2013 Las Vegas Luncheon

Carnie Wilson Speaks At WLSFA 2013 Las Vegas Luncheon

Related articles

Katie Jay Keynote Speaking at Southcoast Center for Weight Loss - Video

Obesity Help Announces Keynote Speaker for 2013 National Conference

Null and Void. #WLSFA2013 Post #1 Good Tried To Do Good

Viva Las Vegas

THIS! Are you an emotional eater?

Study - Expectations for weight loss and willingness to accept risk among patients seeking weight loss surgery.

Just a warning, this is NOT a pleasant Rainbow and Butterflies study for those in the early or research stages of weight loss surgery.

Study -

Expectations for weight loss and willingness to except risk - JAMA -

Importance  Weight loss surgery (WLS) has been shown to produce long-term weight loss but is not risk free or universally effective. The weight loss expectations and willingness to undergo perioperative risk among patients seeking WLS remain unknown.

Objectives  To examine the expectations and motivations of WLS patients and the mortality risks they are willing to undertake and to explore the demographic characteristics, clinical factors, and patient perceptions associated with high weight loss expectations and willingness to assume high surgical risk.

Design  We interviewed patients seeking WLS and conducted multivariable analyses to examine the characteristics associated with high weight loss expectations and the acceptance of mortality risks of 10% or higher.

Setting  Two WLS centers in Boston.

Participants  Six hundred fifty-four patients.

Main Outcome Measures  Disappointment with a sustained weight loss of 20% and willingness to accept a mortality risk of 10% or higher with WLS.

Results  On average, patients expected to lose as much as 38% of their weight after WLS and expressed disappointment if they did not lose at least 26%.

Most patients (84.8%) accepted some risk of dying to undergo WLS, but only 57.5% were willing to undergo a hypothetical treatment that produced a 20% weight loss.

The mean acceptable mortality risk to undergo WLS was 6.7%, but the median risk was only 0.1%; 19.5% of all patients were willing to accept a risk of at least 10%.

Women were more likely than men to be disappointed with a 20% weight loss but were less likely to accept high mortality risk.

After initial adjustment, white patients appeared more likely than African American patients to have high weight loss expectations and to be willing to accept high risk.

Patients with lower quality-of-life scores and those who perceived needing to lose more than 10% and 20% of weight to achieve “any” health benefits were more likely to have unrealistic weight loss expectations.

Low quality-of-life scores were also associated with willingness to accept high risk.

Conclusions and Relevance 

Most patients seeking WLS have high weight loss expectations and believe they need to lose substantial weight to derive any health benefits.

Educational efforts may be necessary to align expectations with clinical reality.

/end study

NO SHIT, REALLY?!  Go back and READ IT AGAIN.

Now go read this: http://www.drsharma.ca/how-much-are-people-willing-to-risk-for-bariatric-surgery.html

WHAT HAVE WE BEEN TELLING YOU?!  Please.  START.  LISTENING.

Related articles

Weight Loss Surgery Connected to Increased Risk Of Colon Cancer

After weight-loss surgery, new gut bacteria keep obesity away?

Regain After Weight Loss Surgery.

How Much Are People Willing To Risk For Bariatric Surgery?

Weight-Loss Surgery's Weird Alcoholism Risk (It's not weird.)

Gastric Artery Chemical Embolization GACE Procedure Helps Shut Off Ghrelin Production Without WLS

Regain After Weight Loss Surgery.

Left -  Fitbloggin' 2012  Right - This Week - Lost the regain  - Also, 3 pounds to my lowest weight.

Several years ago, a woman messaged on a weight loss surgery forum and told me that my weight chart resembled a roller-coaster and that she wanted to "help me get control."  After a quick Google search -- I noted she was seeking a new client for her weight loss surgery coaching business and dumped her "friendship."

Friends do not pay friends to help them lose weight, maintain weight loss or to help them lose regained weight after weight loss surgery.  If you are paying someone for your friendship, it might be time to redefine that friendship -- just saying.  I suppose this changes if your friend happens to be a weight loss professional?  But how often does that happen -- and how many weight loss professionals would potentially destroy a friendship with aligning with your weight loss journey?

Um.  No.  A professional would NOT.

• Weight loss is personal.
• It is something you choose for yourself when you are ready.
• Weight loss is not something you can be talked into - nor shamed into.  

Regain after weight loss surgery is also a very touchy subject.  Countless bariatric patients go through it -- and less want to talk about it.  But it seems like everyone wants to sell "us" something to fix it.  

Let me repeat -

• Weight loss is personal.
• It is something you choose for yourself when you are ready.
• Weight loss is not something you can be talked into - nor shamed into.  

Yet it seems like the larger community wants "us"  (the regainers) to feel shamed for regaining and wants to sell us another quick-fix.

Let us discuss:  Regain is common.  How much?  Some is very typical.  Sometimes even a lot of regain is normal.  You do not have to be sold into another diet, quick-fix, or scam.  You need to remind yourself why you had weight loss surgery to begin with --

...for your HEALTH.  

Some good links on regain -

• http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/weight-loss-surgery/why-am-i-struggling-with-my-weight-i-am-doing-everything-right
• http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/weight-loss-surgery/treating-weight-regain-after-weight-loss-surgery
  

 

 

 

 

Related articles

Weight-Loss Surgery's Weird Alcoholism Risk (It's not weird.)

Imagining WLS? Weight loss surgery hypnosis?

No long-term cost savings with weight loss surgery

Weight Loss Surgery Connected to Increased Risk Of Colon Cancer

Sugary drinks linked to 180,000 deaths worldwide - Sugar is a toxin?

Well, yeah?  Listen to the entire video before judging please.  

"What if you're NOT an athlete?" <-- like most of us?  Sugar is NOT okay, builds up, and causing obesity.

Related articles

Salt, Sugar, Fat - Michael Moss

Banning large sodas is legal and smart

Brain study aims to stop overeating after weight-loss surgery | Health - WCVB Home

Brain study aims to stop overeating after weight-loss surgery

A clinical trial at Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston, MA is under way where a group of people who have had gastric banding surgery undergo non-invasive brain stimulation.  Video is at the link.

Related articles

Study - 47% Weight Stays Off Long Term After Gastric Band Bariatric Surgery - But...

People Magazine - Half Their Size - No Surgery! No Gimmicks - A Rant from a Bariatric Patient.

Study aims to stop overeating after weight-loss surgery

Bariatric Support Groups in Massachusetts - From ASMBS Directory - WLS Support Groups

"I can't find a support group in Massachusetts!"  

Here is a list of bariatric support groups in Massachusetts from the ASMBS website - 

ReShape Duo™ Intragastric Balloon System Seeing Weight Loss Results in Study

The REDUCE Pivotal Trial is a pivotal clinical study designed to develop valid scientific evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of the ReShape Duo® as an adjunct to diet and exercise in the treatment of obese subjects with one or more obesity-related comorbid conditions.

• Study -  Download “A Prospective, Randomize...ew - ClinicalTrials.gov”

Related articles

UK Lays out KICK ASS Advertising Codes for Weight + Diet Products

Obesity Larger Health Crisis Than World Hunger?

Weight-Loss Surgery Ups Cardiac Function in Kids

The New England Journal's Obesity Mythbusting

Ceelo Green signs with eDiets to lose weight

CeeLo.  Really?  No, really?  You eat flash-frozen diet-delivery food?  Mr. Lo, you sir, are a multi-millionaire with access to personal chefs and high-end kitchens with additional access to likely The Best Healthcare in the World.  I call bullshit.

"You can change. You can change for the better. You can be a better version of yourself. I choose eDiets because it works."

No, you just ripped off Weight Watchers slogan.  This isn't about eating frozen food. 

Related articles

People Magazine - Half Their Size - No Surgery! No Gimmicks - A Rant from a Bariatric Patient.

Dieting can lead to food withdrawal and depression

CeeLo Green says eDiets partnership a 'win-win'

Food journaling helps with weight loss

Food journaling helps with weight loss.

I'd agree.

Though I am not very good at the follow through, when I do follow through I do well!

• Join my accountability group on Facebook

 

 

People Magazine - Half Their Size - No Surgery! No Gimmicks - A Rant from a Bariatric Patient.

I watched ABC's 20/20 on Friday night as I typically do, and I was half-inspired, refreshed to push forward in my own journey as I continue to press on nearing nine years post gastric bypass surgery and ever so slightly PISSED OFF.  Why?  Read that cover again.  "No SURGERY - No GIMMICKS!"

People Magazine does this every year, much to the chagrin to every surgically altered bariatric patient in the blog-o-sphere.  ABC.  People Magazine.  The show and the magazine, both -- FULL OF GIMMICKS, and quite possibly more than one surgery.  "No SURGERY - No GIMMICKS!"

 Except when they're touting Beachbody, "lost the weight Atkins" AND a gastric bypass?    

• Download NatalieJillGetEmiBook  <--- Page 46.   

Why is it celebrated to Lose Weight With Diet Plans like "Beachbody, Visalus and Atkins"   (All three were referred to in the program to at one point in the program ... were they sponsors?  Hello, RUBY GETTINGER IS HAWKING the 90-DAY VISALUS CHALLENGE?!?!) but life-saving bariatric

surgery or weight loss surgery --- is shunned in the same category?  Diets fail.  That's why they are so lucrative!  You go ON a diet so that you can fail a diet so that you can get on a diet so that you can fail a diet so you can go on a diet.  This is how people become morbidly obese and meet bariatric surgeons.

(Image from Roni's Weigh)

I get it.  Diet companies pay to be on the show and in the magazine.

 

However, those living with morbid obesity also need to see the opportunity for success, and showing them the success of those who have succeeded with bariatric surgery is not something to be ashamed of.  Clearly SHAME made the woman in the article hide.

It's time to stop calling weight loss surgery a quick-fix, a gimmick or a cheat and give it the respect and attention it deserves.  The individuals who most benefit from having a bariatric procedure can be exposed to it's benefits instead of a constant barrage of useless diet advertisements.

WLS is the ONLY "diet" that has allowed myself, my husband, my mother in law and my sister in law  to live within normal weight ranges for the last 7-9 years.  What say you about your diet?

Related articles

2013 - Day One - Community - Caring - Pay It Forward #BBGC

Body image MYTHS - DEBUNKED! WLS will CURE MY BODY IMAGE WOES!

Should A Christian Have Weight Loss Surgery?

Review - Before & After, Second Revised Edition: Living and Eating Well After Weight-Loss Surgery

I'm a little choked up. YAY MICHELLE!

Bariatric surgery for diabetes tops innovation rankings

Top 50 Emotional Eating Blogs - cue thud and human puddling.

I found this list  of the "Top 50 Emotional Eating Blogs 2012" through a blog I found via fitbloggin' this year.  This. list. is. amazing.  I'll share half - you can visit the link for the rest. 

1. Life with Cake â€“ Greta Gleissner is a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of eating disorders. Life with Cake is a personal blog about her recovery from an eating disorder and includes advice about addressing urges to eat emotionally.

2.  Karen C.L. Anderson â€“ Karen C.L. Anderson writes about what happens after achieving “weight-loss success”. She talks about self-acceptance, how to truly feel your feelings, and eating mindfully.

3. The Begin Within Blog â€“ The Begin Within Blog is a blog for individuals recovering from eating disorders. The blog covers a wide range of topics from binge eating to intuitive eating to kindness and compassion.

4. Savor the Blog â€“ Savor the Blog expands on the themes found in Savor, the popular book by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr. Lilian Cheung. Many of the posts are about mindful eating, while others address the emotional reasons we make our food choices.

5. A Weigh Out â€“ A Weigh Out is a blog written by a number of contributors — all of them professionals in the field of nutrition, emotional eating, and eating disorder therapy. While some of the posts are personal reflections by the coaches and therapists, a number of the posts include advice about addressing emotions in our lives that can affect health — and diet.

Virtually Anorexic

Virtually Anorexic -

An alarming number of young women are using dangerous pro-anorexia websites that encourage users to "starve for perfection," according to a new study.

This - is even prevalent in the WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY COMMUNITY.  

Shocking?  No.  Not at all.    

You must realize that so many bariatric patients are ED patients in recovery (...or not!) and some many are seeking to be accepted and to get acceptance of their behaviors and ...

A LOT OF IT IS NOT OKAY.  

Related articles

Body image MYTHS - DEBUNKED! WLS will CURE MY BODY IMAGE WOES!

25% Drink 16% Calories Via Alcohol Daily.

My Child is Searching About Anorexia, What Do I Do?

Pro-anorexia websites highlight the dark side of the internet

Hundreds of pro-anorexia websites urging young girls into competitive dieting

Pro ana? what is it really?

Review - Before & After, Second Revised Edition: Living and Eating Well After Weight-Loss Surgery

Jesse Jackson, Jr. Resigns - Welcome to our world Mr J.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 

Huffington Post - 

"Jackson, 47, disappeared in June, and it was later revealed that he was being treated at the Mayo Clinic for bipolar disorder and gastrointestinal issues. He returned to his Washington home in September but went back to the clinic the next month, with his father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, saying his son had not yet "regained his balance."

Shortly after taking office, he was deemed People magazine's sexiest politician in 1997 and became one of the most outspoken and quoted liberals in the House. There was a near-Hollywood buzz over his newly svelte figure in 2005 when he quietly dropped 50 pounds, disclosing months later that he had had weight-loss surgery.

Welcome to WLS + suspect malabsorption of medications.  We are a fun bunch!  :D

 

 

 

Neurologic complications of bariatric surgery

"My doctor said my blood work looks great.  I'm going to stop taking my vitamins."  

-Said someone in my group today

Neurologic complications of bariatric surgery have an estimated incidence of up to 16% per year and need to be discussed with patients who are considering surgery. Neurological deficits are most commonly associated with nutritional deficiencies that develop following surgery. The most commonly described nutritional deficiencies include thiamine (B₁), B₁₂, folate, vitamin D, vitamin E, and copper deficiencies.Risk factors for nutritional complications include vitamin noncompliance, protracted vomiting, and excessive alcohol consumption.

Download study

• Danielle A. Becker, Laura J. Balcer, and Steven L. Galetta, “The Neurological Complications of Nutritional Deficiency following Bariatric Surgery,” Journal of Obesity, vol. 2012, Article ID 608534, 8 pages, 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/608534

Signed,

Nine year RNY post op with permanent cognitive neurological disorders.

Review - Before & After, Second Revised Edition: Living and Eating Well After Weight-Loss Surgery

Before & After, Second Revised Edition: Living and Eating Well After Weight-Loss Surgery

Regurgitated Self-Importance Now With More Hate! 

• Amazon Review