Gastric Bypass Support
Group Online Newsletter

Central Minnesota Surgeons

Spring/Summer 2005

 

Issue: 3

Abbott Northwestern Specialty Care Center

2000 Abbott Northwestern Court, Suite 300

Sartell, MN 56377

 

 


Welcome to the third issue of Central Minnesota SurgeonsÕ Gastric Bypass Support Group Newsletter. We will be using this format to inform, educate and support all preÐ and post-operative patients of Dr. Darren Glass.

 

Check out the support group schedule, try a new exercise or recipe, and get information about our new web site -- All Inside!!!

 


Support Group Schedule

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!!

 

Support Group Details

The first 15 minutes of every meeting (5:15-5:30) is devoted to Topic of the Day. This topic will be informational and related to gastric bypass surgery.

The remainder of every meeting (5:30-6:30) is devoted to discussion, sharing, questions, etc.

Schedule

 


                                     


Dates

Topics    

 

Moderator


May 5

May 19

June 2

June 16         

July 7 

July 21

Aug 4

Aug 18

 

Each meeting will have a featured topic.

 

For the summer months topics will include:

Stretching

Dietary Fiber

Protein Supplements

Dumping syndrome

Plus much more!!

 

Kristin Ewing will lead all summer meetings

                                                                                                    

 

Featured Recipe - Garden Omelet

 


Ingredients:

1/8 cup zucchini, diced

1/8 cup plum tomato, diced

1/8 cup mushrooms, sliced thinly

1/8 cup bell pepper, diced

1 TBSP water

1/2 cup egg substitute

1 tsp water

Butter flavored cooking spray

1 oz low fat Swiss cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

 

In a microwave safe bowl, microwave the vegetables with 1 TBSP water 3-4 minutes. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap when cooking.

In a medium bowl, beat egg substitute with 1 tsp water.

Spray a medium skillet and place over medium heat. Add egg to cover bottom of pan. Cover half of the omelet with vegetables and cheese. Fold in half.

Reduce heat to low and cook 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted. Salt and pepper to taste.

 

Nutrition Content:

This recipe makes one serving.

A serving contains approximately:

200 calories

23 grams of protein

9 grams of fat

5 grams of carbohydrate

1 gram of fiber

 

Variations:

Replace the vegetables and/or cheese with your favorite variety! Broccoli, spinach, carrots, and onion are a few possibilities

Low-fat cheddar or other cheeses would also work!

Vitamin B12

 

What is Vitamin B12? Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin. It helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is bound to protein in food and is only found in animal
products (meat, fish, dairy).

 

Why are gastric bypass patients at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency?  Gastric bypass surgery results in a decrease in available stomach acid and intrinsic factor. Both of these substances are required for proper digestion and absorption of vitamin B12. Therefore, after gastric bypass surgery, vitamin B12 digestion is compromised and patients are at an increased risk of deficiency.

 

How do I know if supplementation is needed? At six months and twelve months after surgery, and every year thereafter gastric bypass patients should have lab tests performed to assess B12 status.

 

Should I supplement? If so, how much? Our bodies store vitamin B12 VERY well. Thus, not every gastric bypass patient will need supplementation. If lab tests determine that supplementation is necessary there are two options: sublingual (under the tongue) vitamin B12 or  injectable vitamin B12. Sublingual vitamin B12 can be found at pharmacies, health food stores and grocery stores. Consult with a physician or bariatric dietitian to determine an appropriate dose. Injectable vitamin B12 is only available at a physicians office.

 

 

 

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 have compiled 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 and IÕll add you to the group.

                                    Kristin Ewing

 



New Web Site!!!

Have you checked out Central Minnesota SurgeonsÕ Bariatric web site? It is located at:

 www.cmsobesitysurgery.com

 

All email sent via "Contact Us"  goes directly to Kristin Ewing, RD

 

 

Exercise  - Superhumans

Superhumans
Begin on hands and knees, hand directly under shoulders, knees under hips and back straight, abs tight. Slowly raise right arm and left leg up until level with the body, holding your balance and keeping torso tight. Lower back down and repeat with the left arm and right leg. Take your time--this exercise will challenge your balance!

 

 


Target Muscles: Low back  - back extensors

 

Setup: Begin on hands and knees. Hands directly under shoulders and knees directly under hips. Back is neutral, abdominals tight. Maintain a neutral back during the entire exercise. Perform all repetitions slowly.

 

1.     Single arm lifts:  Lift one arm up to shoulder level in front of you without arching your back. Hold. Progress to alternating arm lifts.

2.     Single leg lifts:  Lift one leg up to hip level behind you without arching your back. Hold. Progress to alternating leg lifts.

 

Advanced Option

1.     Opposite arm and leg lift:  Lift one arm and the opposite leg up to shoulder/back level. Hold. Do not arch your back. Repeat on one side and progress to alternating from side to side.

 

Food Find!!

Are you looking for a new way to add protein to your diet?  Maybe youÕd also like to add more fiber to your diet. If so, try Soy Nuts! A serving of soy nuts has fewer calories, more protein, and more fiber than a serving of peanuts. Soy products also provide additional health benefits.

They can be purchased in a variety of delicious flavors: BBQ, honey, cheese, etc. at your local supermarket.                   

                        Serving Size = 1/4 cup

                        Calories                      140

                        Protein, gm                10

                        Fat, gm                       7

                        Fiber, gm                   5

                        (If you have a Food Find youÕd like to share please let us know)

 

What Can I Do?

Submit a profile of yourself!

This may be "your story", "things you've 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 youÕve 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:

kristin@cmsobesitysurgery.com

 

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

c/o Kristin Ewing