Gastric Bypass Support Group

Personal Profile	1
Support Group Schedule	2-3
Recipe	3
Exercise—Wall Push-ups	4
Belly Bear? - Where are you?	4
Email Support	4
How can I Help?	4

Date of Surgery: 2-19-2004 Pounds Lost (so far): 155

If someone had asked me a year ago how I felt, I probably would have said FINE. But deep down I didn't feel fine. I could hardly walk. I was often out of breath. I avoided going places. And I felt worthless to my family and friends.

On 7-3-2003, Dr. Reisgraff said, 'Vicki, with your medical history you could lose your legs!". Then she talked with me about gastric bypass surgery and referred me to Dr. Glass. I met with Dr. Glass in October!!

Dr. Glass explained everything. I listened and I was scared. I wondered if I could handle it. But what did I have to lose?

My surgery was 2-19-2004. It went well, but I don't remember much that first day..

Dr. Glass said "It's important to WALK, WALK, WALK". At first this was very hard for me. My back and knees hurt. My husband would stop the car at the end of the driveway and make me walk home. Little by little my endurance got better. I now have a regular exercise routine. My husband and I joined a health club and we attend water aerobics classes 3 times every week. I also started weight training. I still have weakness in my back and knees but the sharp pains are gone. I also still have diabetes, but it's under control and I require fewer pills.

Some people told me I would get depressed. I'm not. I'm just amazed at the small things I can do again: tie my shoes, sit comfortably in a chair, fit into seat belts, and go with friends to river bats games, stock car races, and rodeos. I hadn't done these things in years. I could go on and on describing the many little things that are now better in my life.

I encourage everyone to get support from family and friends. I know I couldn't have done this without them. Attend support group. It's so important for both pre- and post- op patients. We learn from each other.

The Bariatric Support Group meets the first and third Thursday of every month. The meeting is held in Room 120 (Conference Room A) on the main floor of the Abbott Northwestern Specialty Care Building. These meetings are led by either Brad Kuhlman, Ph.D. or Kristin Ewing, R.D.

5:15—6:30 pm

Friends and Family are welcome to attend!!

Dates	Topic of the Day	Moderator
January 6th January 20th February 3rd February 17th March 3rd March 17th April 7th April 21st	Vitamins Surprise!!!!!! Strengthen Your Core Calcium and Minerals Strengthen Your Core	Kristin Ewing, R.D. Dr. Glass Brad Kuhlman, Ph.D. Kristin Ewing, R.D. Brad Kuhlman, Ph.D. Kristin Ewing, R.D. Brad Kuhlman, Ph.D. Kristin Ewing, R.D.

The first half of every meeting (5:15-5:50) is devoted to questions and answers. During this segment, questions and discussion are encouraged on all topics relating to gastric bypass.

The second half of every meeting (5:50-6:30) is devoted to “Topic of the Day” and all issues relating to post surgery.

Bring a beverage!!
Bring a question!

Featured Recipe-Easy Wine Poached Fish au Gratin

Ingredients:

1 pound frozen fillets of flounder, sole or (my favorite) cod, thawed

2 tablespoons minced onion

1/2 cup dry white wine

3 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread the fillets in a 12 inch ovenproof pan just large enough to hold them. (Chef's note: I use a ceramic pie pan and a pyrex lid. A covered pyrex baking dish will also work but I do not use any aluminum pie pans or foil). Sprinkle the fish with the onion and pour white wine over the top. Cover and place in oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until fish turns opaque white. Remove from the oven and pour off all liquid. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the fish. Return dish to oven and bake uncovered until cheese is just melted.

Nutrition Content:

This recipe makes four servings.

Each serving contains approximately::

200 calories

25 grams of protein

9 grams of fat

2 grams of carbohydrate

Thank you Seth Parent for sharing this recipe with us!

Aim for 50-60 grams of protein every day!!!!!

Belly Bear?

Exercise - Wall Push-ups

Where is the support group
Belly Bear?

If you have any information as to his whereabouts please let us know!!

Email Support

Are you interested in corresponding with other bariatric patients of Dr. Glass via email?

We have a number of out-of-town patients who are looking for an alternative to support group. They are interested in communicating questions, concerns and support through email.

I will compile a list of interested individuals and their email addresses. If you can lend support or are looking for support, call or email me with your information.

Kristin Ewing

Wall push-ups are an excellent upper body exercise.

Target Muscles: The pectorals (chest) and triceps (back of the arm)

Setup: Start with feet about 12 inches from the wall. Place hands flat on wall at shoulder height a little wider than shoulders - but not outside the elbows.

Steps 1-2: Bend elbows until chest is a few inches from the wall. Keep abdominals tight, neck straight and back straight. Squeeze the chest muscles as you straighten your arms.

Repetitions: 8-15 repetitions.

Correct body position for a regular pushup.

What Can I Do?

This newsletter is for all of you. We would love to have contributions every issue from anyone who would like to share.

Submit a profile of yourself!

This may be "your story", things you have learned or anything else you believe others will find helpful, informative, or of interest.

Submit a recipe!

It will be published in the newsletter along with its nutritional content.

Submit Resources!

Maybe you've found a protein supplement that you really like. Or, a website you've found helpful. Let the group know about it by submitting your resource for placement into our newsletter.

How do I submit?

Mail a copy of your article, etc to:

Kristin Ewing, R.D., L.D.

Central MN Surgeons

Abbott Northwestern Specialty Care Center

2000 Abbott Northwestern Court, Suite 300

Sartell, MN 56377-4200

Email a copy to:

KristinNMEwing@netscape.net

Drop it off at our office or at a support group meeting:

c/o Kristin Ewing

Newsletter-Second Issue!!!

Personal Profile-Vicki Abraham

Support Group Schedule

Support Group Details