Support Group Newsletter 1

Support Group Newsletter

Volume 5, Issue 4 Summer 2016

In the News

“Biggest Loser Winners Regain

Weight”

National media outlets reported on a new NIH

study that found many competitors on NBC's "The

Biggest Loser" leave the show with a slower

metabolism, making it more difficult to keep off

weight.

Physicians studied 16 former contestants from

Season 8 of The Biggest Loser, who lost anywhere

from -75 to -240lbs through the show. And what

they found was, “most of that season’s 16

contestants have regained much if not all the

weight they lost so arduously. Some are even

heavier now.”

The study found that during and after losing

weight, contestants' resting metabolic rate (amount

of calories burned when at rest) slowed down.

Participants come out of the weight-loss

competition burning about 500 fewer calories a

day and contestants who drop the most weight see

the greatest slowing of their metabolisms As the

years went by, their metabolisms did not recover.

The extreme dieting and extreme exercise alters

metabolism and, over time, makes it harder and

harder to lose weight.

To read the article in its entirety go to

http://nyti.ms/1TeVWnG

Many thanks to JoAnn Tropiano for sending the

information and link!

NSV

(Non Scale Victory)

Michelle S. suffered from a condition called

Pseudotumor Cerebri

Pseudotumor cerebri occurs when the pressure

inside your skull increases for no obvious reason.

Symptoms mimic those of a brain tumor, but no

tumor is present. Obesity has been associated with

Pseudotumor Cerebri, which occurs in 1 to 2

people in 100,000. About 4 to 21 obese women in

100,000 develop the condition. Obese women

under the age of 44 are more likely to develop the

disorder.

The increased intracranial pressure associated with

Pseudotumor Cerebri can cause swelling of the

optic nerve and result in vision loss.

Approximately 96% of people afflicted with

Pseudotumor Cerebri experience complete

resolution after bariatric surgery.

Michelle is now 6 months post Sleeve

Gastrectomy. At her recent visit not only had she

lost 72 pounds in 3 months, but she reported that

there is no longer any pressure on her optic nerve!

Truly a fantastic Non Scale Victory!

Congratulations to Michelle!

If YOU have a Non Scale Victory you wish to

share, please email me – psullivan@jfkhealth.org

– and I will report it in a future newsletter.

Support Group Newsletter 2

Come on in, the water is fine!

Swimming is, without question, an effective way

to burn calories. And, since swimming is a non-

impact sport, it's neutral on common problems

areas like the lower back and knees. But how

much of a calorie-burning workout is it, truly?

First, your weight plays a big factor in how much

is burned. Generally, the more you weigh, the

more you burn.

These estimates are from research data from the

American College of Sports Medicine. They are

based on one hour of swimming, rather than the

total distance an athlete covers.

A 130-pound person swimming freestyle

for one hour will burn 590 calories

swimming fast, and 413 calories

swimming slower.

A 155-pound person swimming freestyle

for one hour will burn 704 calories

swimming fast, and 493 calories

swimming slower.

A 180-pound person swimming freestyle

for one hour will burn 817 calories

swimming fast, and 572 calories

swimming slower.

A 205-pound person swimming freestyle

for one hour will burn 931 calories

swimming fast, and 651 calories

swimming slower.

Fitness Apps to Get Your Child Moving!

(and maybe yourself, too)

According to the President’s Council on Fitness,

Sports and Nutrition, only one in three children

are physically active every day. What are they

doing? Children nowadays are spending more the

seven and one-half hours a day in front of a

screen, whether it’s a TV, computer or

smartphone/table.

Smartphone apps and games are now available

that encourage exercise and nutritional awareness.

And more good news – many of them are FREE!

Here are a couple of examples:

Treasure Dash – Race for Lost Wonders

This game is played by standing up and jumping

in place to get your character to move and who

will move around the game as the child moves.

7 Minute Workouts with Lazy Monster

In ”Lazy Monster” a little orange monster leads

various workouts that don’t require exercise

equipment and can be completed in 30 second

intervals. To keep kids coming back, the game

has a rewards system with points that unlock other

workouts.

NFL Play 60

This game gets the child up and moving in

place to outrun a coach. They can collect coins to

earn points and unlock new characters and power.

Eat & Move-O-Matic

This app is an informative way for children to

learn how many calories are in the foods and how

long they will have to exercise to burn them off.

Support Group Newsletter 3

These members recently celebrated

their 1 year

Surgi-versary!

MJ MB ER DD JH RD JJ

FW MH CM OMG CS

Together they have lost a total of

888lbs!

Kudos to our 2 & 3 year alumni CB DC LD NB and UP who have together maintained a weight loss

of …

321.4 lbs!!

Best Follow Up Award goes to BH who at 5 years has kept off

101 lbs.!

Our Before and After bulletin board

is filling up!

Please submit your photos! They have

a major impact on potential patients

who see them at the new patient

seminars.

Did You Know?

The word 'gymnasium' comes from the Greek

word gymnazein, which means 'to exercise

naked.

The attachment of the human skin to muscles

is what causes dimples

The number one cause of blindness in the

United States is diabetes

The first Band-Aid Brand Adhesive

Bandages were three inches wide and

eighteen inches long. You made your own

bandage by cutting off as much as you

needed.

The first known heart medicine was

discovered in an English garden. In 1799,

physician John Ferriar noted the effect of

dried leaves of the common plant, digitalis

purpurea, on heart action. Still used in heart

medications, digitalis slows the pulse and

increases the force of heart contractions and

the amount of blood pumped per heartbeat.

Ben and Jerry’s was originally going to be a

bagel business. They ended up changing

their minds when they found out how much it

would cost to get all the needed equipment

for making bagels.

Support Group Newsletter 4

Sunscreeen FAQs

From the American Academy of Dermatology

The summer is here… FINALLY! Time to heat

up the BBQ, dust off the beach chairs and find

your flip flops. The arrival of summer also means

protecting your skin from the harmful effects of

the sun.

Who needs sunscreen?

Everyone. Sunscreen use can help prevent skin

cancer by protecting you from the sun’s harmful

ultraviolet rays. Anyone can get skin cancer,

regardless of age, gender or race. In fact, it is

estimated that one in five Americans will develop

skin cancer in their lifetime. The following

physical characteristics also increase the risk for

sunburn, skin damage, and skin cancer:

Blond or red hair

Blue or green eyes

Fair skin

Freckles

Moles (also called nevi)

What sunscreen should I use?

The American Academy of Dermatology

recommends everyone use sunscreen that offers

the following:

Broad-spectrum protection

(protects against UVA and UVB

rays)

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 or

higher

Water resistance

A sunscreen that offers the above helps to protect

your skin from sunburn, early skin aging3 and

skin cancer. However, sunscreen alone cannot

fully protect you. In addition to wearing

sunscreen, dermatologists recommend taking the

following steps to protect your skin and find skin

cancer early:

Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that

the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2

p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek

shade.

Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved

shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses,

when possible.

Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as

they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which

can increase your chance of sunburn.

Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that

may include vitamin supplements. Don’t seek the

sun.

Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the

sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and

wrinkling. If you want to look tan, you may wish

to use a self-tanning product, but continue to use

sunscreen with it.

Check your birthday suit on your

birthday. If you notice anything changing,

itching or bleeding on your skin, see a

board-certified dermatologist. Skin cancer

is very treatable when caught early.

When should I use sunscreen?

Every day if you will be outside. The sun emits

harmful UV rays year-round. Even on cloudy

days, up to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV

rays can penetrate your skin.7

How much sunscreen should I use and

how often should I apply it?

Use enough sunscreen to generously coat all skin

that will be not be covered by clothing. Ask

yourself, “Will my face, ears, arms or hands be

covered by clothing?” If not, apply sunscreen.

Most people only apply 25-50 percent of the

recommended amount of sunscreen.

Cont. on page 5

Support Group Newsletter 5

Cont. from page 4

Follow the guideline of “1 ounce, enough to fill a

shot glass,” which dermatologists consider the

amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the

body. Adjust the amount of sunscreen applied

depending on your body size.

Apply sunscreen to dry skin 15 minutes BEFORE

going outdoors.

Skin cancer also can form on the lips. To protect

your lips, apply a lip balm or lipstick that contains

sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Reapply sunscreen approximately every two

hours, or after swimming or sweating, according

to the directions on the bottle.

Broad spectrum sunscreens protect

against both UVA and UVB rays. What is

the difference between the rays?

Sunlight consists of two types of harmful rays that

reach the earth — UVA rays and UVB rays.

Overexposure to either can lead to skin cancer. In

addition to causing skin cancer, here’s what each

of these rays do:

UVA rays (or aging rays) can prematurely age

your skin, causing wrinkles and age spots,

and can pass through window glass.

UVB rays (or burning rays) are the primary

cause of sunburn and are blocked by

window glass.

The United States Department of Health &

Human Services and the World Health

Organization’s International Agency of Research

on Cancer have declared UV radiation from the

sun and artificial sources, such as tanning beds

and sun lamps, as a known carcinogen (cancer-

causing substance).

There is no safe way to tan. Every time you tan,

you damage your skin. As this damage builds, you

speed up the aging of your skin and increase your

risk for all types of skin cancer.

Who regulates sunscreens?

Sunscreen products are regulated as over-the-

counter drugs by the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration. The FDA has several safety and

effectiveness regulations in place that govern the

manufacture and marketing of all sunscreen

products, including safety data on its ingredients.

Sunscreen labels now provide you with more

information about what type of UV protection a

sunscreen offers and what a sunscreen can do.

On the label, you’ll see whether the sunscreen:

Is Broad Spectrum, which means the sunscreen

protects against UVB and UVA rays and helps

prevent skin cancer and sunburn.

Has an SPF of 30 or higher. While SPF 15 is the

FDA's minimum recommendation for protection

against skin cancer and sunburn, the American

Academy of Dermatology recommends choosing

a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

Has a Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert in the Drug

Facts section of the label, which means the

sunscreen will only prevent sunburn and will NOT

reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging.

Is Water Resistant (effective for up to 40 minutes

in water) or Very Water Resistant (effective for up

to 80 minutes in water). This means the sunscreen

provides protection while swimming or sweating

up to the time listed on the label.

Sunscreen manufacturers now are banned

from claiming that a sunscreen is

"waterproof" or "sweat proof," as the FDA

has determined that those terms are

misleading.

Even when using a water-resistant sunscreen,

you should reapply after getting out of the

water or after sweating.

Cont. on page 6

Support Group Newsletter 6

Cont. from page 5

What type of sunscreen should I use?

The best type of sunscreen is the one you will use

again and again. Just make sure it offers broad-

spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection, has an SPF

of 30 or higher and is water. A sunscreen with an

SPF of at least 30 blocks 97 percent of the sun’s

rays. Higher-number SPFs block slightly more of

the sun’s rays, but no sunscreen can block 100

percent of the sun’s rays.

Can I use the sunscreen I bought last

summer or do I need a new bottle? Does

it lose its strength?

If you find a bottle of sunscreen that you have not

used for some time, here are some guidelines you

can follow:

The FDA requires that all sunscreens retain

their original strength for at least three

years.

Some sunscreens include an expiration date. If

the expiration date has passed, throw out

the sunscreen.

If you buy a sunscreen that does not have an

expiration date, write the date you bought

the sunscreen on the bottle. That way,

you’ll know when to throw it out.

You also can look for visible signs that the

sunscreen may no longer be good. Any

obvious changes in the color or

consistency of the product mean it’s time

to purchase a new bottle.

Your skin is the largest organ you have so it's

essential you take care of it, especially during the

summertime, when UV levels can wreak havoc on

exposed skin. While those killer rays may feel

sensational, the effects of sun exposure may not

be as agreeable over time.

Constipation After Weight Loss Surgery

Constipation is never comfortable.

Being constipated means your bowel movements

are difficult or happen less often than normal.

Almost everyone has it at some point in life, and

it's usually not serious. Still, you'll feel much

better when your system is back on track.

The normal length of time between bowel

movements varies widely from person to person.

Some people have bowel movements three times a

day. Others have them only once or twice a week.

Constipation is not uncommon during the first few

months following weight loss surgery.

Immediately after surgery the normal movement

of your digestive tract that moves food from one

end to the other will be less than normal. Changes

to your digestive tract and the composition of food

moving through will be different.

Causes of Constipation Following Bariatric Procedures

The most common causes of constipation in

bariatric surgery patients are as follows:

Reduced food intake

Reduced intake of water

Reduced physical activity

Side effects of iron and/or supplements

Side effects of narcotic pain relievers

The combination of multiple or all of the above

can result in some major problems with

constipation that can alarm patients as they

recover.

Because of potential problems with hemorrhoids,

hernias, and intestinal blockages, it is important to

prevent constipation. Here are some ways to

prevent or treat constipation:

Cont. on page 7

Support Group Newsletter 7

Cont. from page 6

If you are on an iron supplement, it may be

necessary to take a stool softener.

Exercise daily to increase bowel motility

Add fiber supplements such as Benefiber

or Metamucil to your water

Drink at least 64 oz. of water or other

sugar-free, caffeine-free, non carbonated

fluids daily

Always consult your bariatric surgeon

about stool softeners or laxatives.

By the third week following your surgery, your

bowel habits should start to return to normal.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) happens when

your stomach contents come back up into your

esophagus.

Stomach acid that touches the lining of your

esophagus can cause heartburn, also called acid

indigestion.

Does GER have another name?

Doctors also refer to GER as

acid indigestion

acid reflux

acid regurgitation

heartburn

reflux

How common is GER?

Having GER once in a while is common.

What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a

more serious and long-lasting form of GER.

What is the difference between GER

and GERD?

GER that occurs more than twice a week for a few

weeks could be GERD. GERD can lead to more

serious health problems over time. If you think

you have GERD, you should see your doctor.

How common is GERD?

GERD affects about 20 percent of the U.S.

population.

Cont. on page 8

“It’s not who you think you are that holds

you back; it’s who you think you’re not.”

~Unknown

GERD

Support Group Newsletter 8

Cont. from page 7

Who is more likely to have GERD?

Anyone can develop GERD, some for unknown

reasons. You are more likely to have GERD if you

are

overweight or obese

pregnant woman

taking certain medicines

a smoker or regularly exposed to

secondhand smoke

What are the complications of GERD?

Without treatment, GERD can sometimes cause

serious complications over time, such as

Esophagitis

Esophagitis is inflammation in the esophagus.

Adults who have chronic esophagitis over many

years are more likely to develop precancerous

changes in the esophagus.

Esophageal stricture

An esophageal stricture happens when your

esophagus becomes too narrow. Esophageal

strictures can lead to problems with swallowing.

Respiratory problems

With GERD you might breathe stomach acid into

your lungs. The stomach acid can then irritate

your throat and lungs, causing respiratory

problems, such as

asthma—a long-lasting disease in your

lungs that makes you extra sensitive to

things that you’re allergic to

chest congestion, or extra fluid in your

lungs

a dry, long-lasting cough or a sore throat

hoarseness—the partial loss of your voice

laryngitis—the swelling of your voice box

that can lead to a short-term loss of your

voice

pneumonia—an infection in one or both of

your lungs—that keeps coming back

wheezing—a high-pitched whistling sound

when you breathe

Symptoms and Causes of GER and

GERD

What are the symptoms of GER and GERD?

If you have gastroesophageal reflux (GER), you

may taste food or stomach acid in the back of your

mouth.

The most common symptom of gastroesophageal

reflux disease (GERD) is regular heartburn, a

painful, burning feeling in the middle of your

chest, behind your breastbone, and in the middle

of your abdomen. Not all adults with GERD have

heartburn.

Other common GERD symptoms include:

bad breath

nausea

pain in your chest or upper part of

abdomen

problems swallowing or painful

swallowing

respiratory problems

vomiting

the wearing away of your teeth

Cont. on page 9

Support Group Newsletter 9

Cont. from page 8

What causes GER and GERD?

GER and GERD happen when your lower

esophageal sphincter becomes weak or relaxes

when it shouldn’t, causing stomach contents to

rise up into the esophagus. The lower esophageal

sphincter becomes weak or relaxes due to certain

things, such as

Increased pressure on your abdomen from

being overweight, obese, or pregnant.

smoking, or inhaling secondhand smoke

Taking certain medicines, including

those that doctors use to treat asthma—

a long-lasting disease in your lungs

that makes you extra sensitive to things

that you’re allergic to

calcium channel blockers—medicines

that treat high blood pressure

antihistamines—medicines that treat

allergy symptoms

painkillers

sedatives—medicines that help put you

to sleep

antidepressants—medicines that treat

depression

Following bariatric surgery, especially the

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, patients may

notice symptoms of GERD. If this occurs contact

your surgeon’s office and schedule an

appointment. You may be prescribed a PPI –

Proton Pump Inhibitor such as Dexilant, Prilosec

or Prevacid. PPIs reduce the production of acid in

the stomach. This leaves little acid in the stomach

juice so that if stomach juice backs up into the

esophagus, it is less irritating. This allows the

esophagus to heal.

Lifestyle modifications may also help.

1) Don't lie down after eating.

2) Avoid foods known to cause reflux. If

you're at risk for GERD, avoid:

Fatty foods

Spicy foods

Acidic foods, like tomatoes and citrus

Coffee or any caffeinated beverage

3) Do Not Smoke Nicotine can relax the

muscles of the lower esophageal sphincter

(LES)

4) Cut back on alcohol. As with smoking,

alcohol can cause the LES to relax

Support Group Newsletter 10

98 James Street

Suite 212

Edison, NJ 08820

Ph 732-744-5955 Fax 732-906-4967

www.jfkforlife.org

Check us out on our FACEBOOK page!

UNJURY can be purchased through Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeons in the JFK for Life office in Edison. UNJURY is available in single serve packets for $1.99 each or 17 serving canisters for $22.95. Unflavored is $20.95. Also available is a Starter Kit with 10 single serve packets, a shaker and a thermometer for $21.20. UNJURY is available in Chocolate Classic, Chocolate Splendor, Strawberry Sorbet, Vanilla, Chicken Soup and Unflavored. Contact Kelly

DeFabio, RD for details.

Join the OAC

The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is a

more than 50,000 member strong non profit

organization dedicated to giving a voice to

the individual affected by the disease of

obesity. They assist individuals along their

journey towards better health through

education, advocacy and support. One of

their core focuses is the fight against weight

bias and discrimination. For more

information go to www.ObesityAction.org

CALENDAR

June 21

st

New Patient Seminar 7pm

Call 732-744-5955 to register

July 4th

Independence Day

JULY 13TH

& 21ST SUPPORT GROUP

6:30PM

JULY 14TH

BASTILLE DAY

JULY 19TH NEW PATIENT SEMINAR

7PM Call 732-744-5955 to register

AUGUST 10TH SUPPORT GROUP

6:30PM

AUGUST 16TH NEW PATIENT SEMINAR

7PM Call 732-744-5955 to register

Support Group Newsletter 11

Food and Transfer

Addiction

The Obesity/Addiction Connection

Although many complex factors may be involved

in excessive behaviors such as overeating,

gambling and drug abuse, they are similar in a

number of ways.

The brain is changed and reward circuits

are disrupted (whatever feels good needs

more to feel the way it used to feel)

Behavior eventually becomes involuntary

Symptoms of Food Addiction:

Repetitive consumption of food against the

individual’s better judgment

Loss of control of the amount of food

eaten

Preoccupation with food

Hiding your food to keep people from

knowing what you are eating

Preoccupation with body weight and

image

Continuation with food related behaviors

despite evidence that food is causing harm

What is Addiction Transfer?

Swapping the compulsive use of food for some

other compulsive behavior or substance.

Who is at risk?

The bariatric patient who:

Does not recognize and confront his/her

own compulsive use of food.

Has a personal history or family history of

addiction.

Has a history of a pre- existing mental

health diagnosis.

Addictions WLS patients need to be aware of:

Prescription Pain killers

Gambling

Alcohol and other drugs

Shopping

Risk taking

Exercise

Tobacco

How to prevent addiction after WLS:

Find healthy ways to get your endorphin

“fix”

Listen to family and friends if they express

concern any behavior they may see as

excessive

Develop coping strategies that do not

involve excess

If a behavior becomes problematic, discuss

it with your therapist or health care

provider

Make yourself accountable to friends and

family as you moderate your behavior

STAY CONNECTED to your support

group!

What to do if you think you have an addiction?

On line screening tools:

www.alcoholscreening.org

www.drugscreening.org

www.overeatersanonymous.org

Support Group Newsletter 12

A major global analysis

published in The Lancet has

revealed a dramatic increase in

the number of people with

obesity in the world.

The number of people with the disease went from

105 million in 1975 to 641 million in 2014.

Underweight has diminished dramatically around

the world, and obesity is now the greatest

nutrition disease faced by mankind.

Thank you to Doreen Puliafico for sharing this

article about dispelling the myths around weight

loss surgery:

“Let's start with the big one: Weight loss surgery

is a cop-out for people.”

https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3a

%2f%2fwww.prevention.com%2fweight-loss%2f8-

misconceptions-about-weight-loss-surgery-that-you-

probably-still-

believe&data=01%7c01%7cpsullivan%40jfkhealth.org%7c8

6058dd652c64b10b42008d379864c46%7c2564b4e2dd4a49

9d8c4b62be7798f3d9%7c0&sdata=vYdS4oc4E4WRmeCd9

vCPVDlTW5RUnjZ9D5TYKDG2B30%3d

For additional information on this topic, go to

https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-

misconceptions

If YOU find an interesting article or have a topic

you would like to learn more about, please email

psullivan@jfkhealth.org

OR

kellyd@alsnj.com

OR

karenr@alsnj.com

From the desk of Karen Rose, LCSW

Support Group Newsletter 13

Health Benefits of Probiotics By Kelly DiFabio, RD

The human gut contains more than 400 types of

microorganisms that protect you from toxins and

help you digest and absorb the nutrients in your

food. Some of these are considered “good” or

“helpful” gut bacteria called Probiotics. Probiotics

can be found naturally in your body and can be

found in food and supplements. As you are

rebuilding your gut bacteria after Bariatric

Surgery it can be beneficial to include foods and

supplements to promote the growth of healthy gut

bacteria.

Benefits of Probiotics:

Research is ongoing about how and why

probiotics work. Some of the potential benefits

include:

Synthesizing vitamins

(particularly B Vitamins)

Boosting your immune system by

producing antibodies for certain

viruses

Decreasing the risk of developing dental

caries

Speeding recovery from bacterial

vaginosis

Reducing the problems associated with

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),

Ulcerative Colitis, and Irritable

Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Helping people with Lactose intolerance

digest dairy products more easily

Reducing antibiotic related diarrhea

Reducing blood pressure, cholesterol,

and insulin resistance

Food sources:

Yogurt (look for “Contains active

cultures” on the label)

Kefir

Cottage cheese

Fermented dairy products

Fermented vegetables - kimchee,

sauerkraut

Fermented soy products – miso, tempeh,

soy sauce

Organosulfuric compounds – Garlic,

onions, chives, citrus fruits,

broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower,

brussel sprouts

Supplement sources:

Probiotics can vary from brand to brand. It is best

to take a high quality probiotic supplement with

several different strains of Lactobacillus and

Bifidobacterium species versus mass quantities of

few strains. It is recommended the supplement

contain the specific strains: L. acidophilus, B.

longum, and B. bifidum, L. fermentum, and L.

rhamnosus. Be sure to check expiration dates of

your Probiotic supplements to ensure live cultures.

Brands such as Nature Made, Bariatric Advantage,

Renew Life Ultimate Flora Crital Care, Now

Foods, and Puritan’s Pride Premium Probiotic 10

supply excellent probiotic sources.

Prebiotic versus Probiotic:

While probiotics are live cultures in food and

“good” bacteria in your gut, Prebiotics are the

non-digestible food ingredients that provide food

for the good bacteria to grow. Add Prebiotic foods

to your diet to boost the effects of your Probiotics!

You can find Prebiotics in foods such as:

High fiber whole grains – oatmeal, Flax,

Barley

High Fiber vegetables – Asparagus,

Jerusalem Artichokes, Leeks, Dark Greens

Fruit - Berries, bananas

Legumes

Onions

Honey

Maple Syrup

Red wine

Support Group Newsletter 14

“I’ve lost all my weight. Why can’t I

just eat anything I want but in smaller

amounts ?”

To be successful after any bariatric surgery

you have to change your lifestyle. This

includes eating a healthy diet and

exercising.

The gastric sleeve allows you to eat any type

of food. But your new diet should be high

protein and very small amounts of simple

carbohydrates. Try to avoid sugar, sweets

and white flour. Foods that are spicy or

highly seasoned can cause gastritis or acid

reflux.

“What About Alcohol?”

Alcohol is very high in calories and contains

no nutrients. Alcohol consumption should

be avoided for 3 to 6 months following your

surgery.

Remember that you will feel the effects of

alcohol much more quickly than before your

surgery. Take special care when driving!

“Why are calories in alcohol extra-

fattening?”

Alcoholic drinks are made by fermenting

and distilling natural starch and sugar.

Being high in sugar means alcohol contains

lots of calories – seven calories a gram in

fact, almost as many as pure fat!

Calories from alcohol are 'empty calories',

they have no nutritional value. Most

alcoholic drinks contain traces of vitamins

and minerals, but not usually in amounts

that make any significant contribution to

our diet.

Drinking alcohol also reduces the amount of

fat your body burns for energy. While we

can store nutrients, protein, carbohydrates,

and fat in our bodies, we can't store alcohol.

So our systems want to get rid of it. This

takes precedence over the metabolism of

protein, carbohydrates, absorbing nutrients

and burning fat.

So when you are considering what to eat or

drink, consider this…

Why you had surgery

Where you are

Where you want to be

Living Near Fast-Food Places

Hurts Less-Educated Most

Living in a neighborhood full of fast-food outlets

is especially unhealthy for people who are poorly

educated, a new British study suggests.

“Neighborhoods are clearly important in shaping

what all of us eat, no matter how educated we

are,” said researcher Thomas Burgoine, a fellow at

the University of Cambridge. “But this effect

appears to be much greater for those with lower

levels of education,” he said in a university news

release.

Cont. on page 15

Support Group Newsletter 15

Cont. from page 14

The researchers wanted to understand how the

availability of fast food influences diet and

obesity. To find the answer, they examined survey

results from 6,000 adults ages 29-62 living in

Cambridgeshire, a county in England.

The study found that the least educated people had

unhealthier diets than the most educated, even if

they lived in the same neighborhoods full of fast-

food restaurants.

In those neighborhoods, the least educated people

ate about one-third more unhealthy fast food a day

than the most educated people. That’s the

equivalent of nearly 9 pounds of unhealthy food a

year, the researchers said. The least educated

people were also the most prone to obesity.

While the study did not prove cause-and-effect,

the researchers think the findings show the value

of regulating the number of fast-food outlets in

neighborhoods.

“Our results suggest that these policies will be

effective across socioeconomic groups, but,

critically, particularly for the most disadvantaged.

This could help to reduce socioeconomic

inequalities in diet and health,” said study senior

author Pablo Monsivais, a public health researcher

at Cambridge.

This is important, Monsivais said, “because

attempts to encourage more healthy living at an

individual level have largely failed to reduce

health inequalities.” Some say such initiatives

have been especially ineffective among

disadvantaged groups, he added.

The study was published in the May 11 issue of

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Who Doesn’t Like Ice Cream?

I don’t know too many people who don’t enjoy ice

cream now and then, especially in the summer. In

fact, I don’t know anyone.

If you are a fan, have you tried this?

Artic Zero

Fit Frozen Desserts

This skinny alternative really has just 75 calories

per serving! It isn’t too shocking when you

consider that makers of the treat replaced the

cream and milk typically found in ice cream with

water and whey protein. Example: Buttery Pecan

has 75 calories, 2.5 g fat, 10 carbs, 7 g sugar and

3 g protein.

Go to www.arcticzero.com to check out all their

products.

Support Group Newsletter 16

What Are We Talking About?

Remember! B.G.T.Y.

Be Good To Yourself

VACATIONS

Promote Creativity

Reduce Stress

Help You Sleep Better

Strengthen Relationships

Enhance Memory

Prevent Burnout

Make Lasting Memories

The Staff at JFK for Life wishes everyone a

healthy, happy and safe summer!