LapBandTalk Newsletter 09/15/2013

[Alex Brecher 10,498]

Hey Bandsters!

The lull of summer is ending, and autumn is just around the corner. How did you do in meeting your goals this summer? We hope you met your weight loss and health goals, but if not, don’t worry. It’s the perfect time to get back into your weight loss routine if you got sidetracked during a summer vacation. Pick yourself up, return to your bariatric surgery diet and, of course, let us help! Here is what you’ll find in this month’s newsletter.

• Bandster Poll: How Did You Find Out About LapBandTalk.com?

• Member Spotlight – Meet Carol285!

• Your Lap-Band lunch – Packing Your food for a Busy Day

• Keep the Forums Positive!

Take a look at the newsletter and then join us at LapBandTalk.com! We’re always looking for more participation, and we welcome your feedback, so drop us a line whenever you want!

Sincerely,

Alex Brecher

Founder

LapBandTalk.com

Bandster Poll: How Did You Find Out About LapBandTalk.com?

A. Search engine (e.g., Google, Yahoo!, Bing, etc…please tell us which one)

B. Friend or family member

C. Your surgeon

D. Your primary care physician (PCP)

E. An offline support group

F. Your nutritionist or dietitian

G. Someone else from your doctor’s or surgeon’s office (e.g., a nurse or receptionist)

H. App store (e.g., iTunes, Google Apps Marketplace)

I. Another way.

Mark your answer and discuss it in the forums!

Member Spotlight – Meet Carol285!

Our September spotlight is on Carol285, a 49-year-old substitute and mother from from New York. She’s a veteran bandster whose surgery was in October 2010. She got the surgery because she always gained back the weight she lost after each diet, and felt that the lap-band would be the extra tool she needed for ongoing success. Carol’s top weight was 285 pounds, but she’s down to 190 pounds now!

Since surgery, Carol has more energy and better health. More important are her new self-confidence and realization that she is worth the effort! She has enjoyed her shrinking body and fitting into smaller clothes. She has also found that she can walk without pain – and she loves it!

Carol has overcome her share of challenges. She cares for her 16-year-old son with autism, and for her husband who had a heart attack before her surgery and who is still unable to work. Carol was able to get continue with her lap-band surgery because a friend helped her at home. Her next challenge was sorting out insurance – and in the process, she had to delay getting to the proper fill level for six more months! During that period, she gained some weight back.

Carol uses LapBandTalk.com most days for support and information. She also likes to support others – what a great feeling! As a tip for members who are struggling with their weight loss, she says to remember that mistakes and doubting are normal, but it is not okay to give up on yourself. If you’re having trouble, she says, reach out to the site! “While are journeys are all a bit different there are many more similarities so take advantage of that.”

Thanks, Carol, for your tips and for being in the Member Spotlight! You have overcome a lot of challenges, and we are proud to see your success!

If you want to be featured in the Member Spotlight section of our newsletter, let us know in the Member Spotlight forum! You can also nominate another member. If you’re shy, just send a private message to Alex Brecher.

Your Lap-Band lunch – Packing Your food for a Busy Day

By mid-September, many of us are back into regular routines. If you have children who take their lunches to school, you make sure their lunches are appetizing and healthy. Your own lunch deserves just as much care. These tips can help you create easy lap-band-friendly sack lunches to take to work.

Have these helpful items on hand:

• An insulated lunch bag

• A small spoon, fork and knife

• A set of small containers with tight-fitting lids

• Plastic baggies

• An insulated beverage container (unless you stick to Water bottles)

Once a week: Figure out how many days you will need to take a lunch to work in the coming week. Plan your lunch menus, make a shopping list and get the groceries you need

The night before: What can you do so that packing your lunch is easier in the morning?

• Measure your chicken breast

• Pack a serving of leftovers from dinner in a small container with a tight-fitting lid

• Wash and cut some fruit and vegetables

• Pack your utensils and a bottle of water

• Count your crackers

Portable protein: Just as it does when you’re at home, Protein comes first when you’re on the go. These are some ideas for brown baggers.

• Tuna or chicken in cans or pouches

• Hard-boiled eggs

• (If you have a fridge at work): cottage cheese

• Fat-free canned refried Beans or low-sodium pinto, black or garbanzo beans

• Low-fat string cheese or light Laughing Cow cheese

• Lean ham or turkey breast

• Leftover grilled chicken or fish

• Peanut Butter

If you’re still in the pureed foods stage, try lentil Soup, Protein shakes, hummus and Greek yogurt.

Nutritious combinations: Combine your Protein with vegetables, fruits and whole grains for their Fiber and other nutrients

• Dip and raw vegetables, such as carrot and celery sticks, grape tomatoes and cauliflower florets

• salad with chicken or tuna and shredded low-fat cheese

• Peanut butter on whole grain crackers or with apple slices

• Ham and low-fat cheese rolled up in a small whole-grain tortilla

• Greek yogurt with high-fiber Cereal or melon

• One-half small whole-wheat bagel with fat-free cream cheese and canned salmon

If you’re post-op and not at the solid foods stage yet, try fat-free cottage cheese with pureed canned peaches, fat-free refried Beans with low-fat shredded cheddar cheese and instant oatmeal with skim milk and Protein powder.

Have extras on hand. You might get stuck working late or unable to make your planned lunch-time trip to a grocery store. Stash protein-containing Snacks at work for those occasions. Protein Bars and powder, canned tuna and chicken, roasted soybeans and almonds provide protein and do not need refrigeration, so you can keep them at work or in the car.

Lunch after weight loss surgery can be a disaster if you opt for fast food or whatever’s in the vending machine, plan, but you can easily pack a healthy lunch that fits into your diet. Plan ahead, have the containers and utensils you need and focus on lean protein and other nutritious choices so that your lunch supports weight loss.

Keep the Forums Positive!

You come to LapBandTalk.com for information and support. Unlike many other online forums, LapBandTalk.com maintains a positive atmosphere and has zero tolerance for rudeness. We welcome anyone who is interested in weight loss surgery, regardless of their personal beliefs about it. When you see a post that is inappropriate or offensive, please report it using the “report post” link located at the bottom of the post.

We realize and appreciate that nearly all members try hard to be welcoming, helpful and polite. These are a few tips to help you avoid avoid accidentally saying something that can be hurtful to another member.

• Say, “my surgeon told me…,” not, “the only right way is…”

• Say, “I think I would choose …,” not, “You made the wrong choice.”

• Say, “Have you considered…?,” not, “You’re not ready for your weight loss journey.”

• Say, “I have found that …,” not, “The right way is …”

Each of these statements let you give your own opinion and advice without accusing other members of doing something wrong. Thank you for keeping the boards positive!

That’s what we have for this month’s newsletter. Thank you for reading it and for your contributions to the board! You can always check out the old newsletters in the archive section. Take care of yourself and each other!

Sincerely,

Alex

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[dee257 1,516]

Very well said Alex !!!

and great job Carol...~hugs~ cuz I bet you could use one or two....

[carol285 145]

Thx dee257!!! I find these forums such a great support

[carol285 145]

PS: There is even more good news is that I am now down to weighing 168 lbs!!