Blog | Bailey Bariatrics

Protein Supplements, Shakes and Smoothies – What’s the Difference?

Bailey Bariatrics dietitian Rene Norman, RD/LD, shares this tip to better understand what is really going into your protein shake.

Sometimes words can trip you up. We talk a lot about finding a protein shake that you like. Generally, a protein supplement is a protein powder and the protein shake is the liquid form, whether as a protein powder mixed with a liquid or the ready-to-drink protein shakes. Our guidelines state a protein shake needs to have 20 to 25 grams of protein, five grams or less of carbohydrates and three grams or less of fat. This ratio of protein to carbohydrates... Read More »

Sugar Blues and a Cheesecake Treat for Valentines

Bailey Bariatrics dietitian Rene Norman, RD/LD, shares insight into how added sugar infiltrates our diet. She also provides a recipe for Valentine’s Day for both pre-op and post-op patients to enjoy.

Too much added sugar in our diets is linked to a higher risk of developing heart disease, belly fat, cancer, liver disease, shortened life expectancy and speeding up the aging process. After bariatric surgery, too much sugar can lead to dumping. Sugar dumping symptoms include shakiness, sweating, heart palpitations and diarrhea. The naturally occurring sugars in milk and fruits aren’t... Read More »

Heart-y Chili for Super Bowl Sunday

Bailey Bariatrics dietitian Rene Norman, RD/LD, shares a recipe for a heart-healthy chili in time for the American Heart Association’s Heart Month and upcoming Super Bowl Sunday.

February is the month of Super Bowl and National Heart Month. This is a great time make a heart-healthy chili to enjoy for Super Bowl Sunday. The Calorie Control Council projects that the average American will consume 1,200 calories and 50 grams of fat during the Super Bowl. That does not count in the calories and fat eaten during the rest of the day. Finding healthy alternatives is a must.

Here’s a... Read More »

Facing Hair Loss after Weight Loss Surgery

Unfortunately, hair loss is a natural process after surgery. Hair loss happens due to the stress of surgery, the rapid weight loss after surgery and the challenge of getting adequate nutrition after surgery. Hair goes through a growth cycle and a dormant cycle. Hair thinning is generally noticed two to four months after surgery and regrows about nine to twelve months after surgery. During times of stress, your body will shuttle protein towards essential functions like a beating heart, breathing, digestion, a healthy immune system and muscle movement. Contrary to popular opinion, hair... Read More »

Why am I not hungry after having bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery changes the body's routine in many ways which initially includes a loss of appetite, according to Allie Wood, RD/LD, bariatric dietitian for the Kirk Center for Bariatrics at Bailey Medical Center.

Bodies rely on physical and hormonal cues to eat, along with social influences as well. Simply put, there is physical hunger (the need to eat) and mental hunger (the want to eat).

The body goes through numerous hormonal and biochemical changes after having bariatric surgery, which involves removing a portion of the stomach and rerouting the intestine which... Read More »

Under the Tree: Gifts for the Bariatric Patient

As you make your holiday wish list, Bailey Bariatrics dietitian Rene Norman, RD/LD, would like you to keep in mind some important tools for the bariatric patient. Having equipment that will measure your food, mix your protein shakes or puree food, make your food by cooking or baking and move your food with you will help you stay on track with your nutrition.

Measuring your food helps you understand how much you can eat and how much protein you are getting each day. Helpful tools for your nutrition include measuring cups and spoons, small and reusable plastic containers, blender/... Read More »

Products for Bariatric Patients: Measure, Mix, Make, Move

Planning your meals and snacks is an important part of having the nutrition you need at home, while traveling or at work. This is a list of products to help you measure, mix, make and move your healthy choices wherever you go.

Key Points:

Products listed were chosen to help you in your pursuit of a healthy weight. Information and reviews from 2020 are used for information on pressure cookers, mixers and air fryers. Specific models will change and may not be available in the next couple of years. Choose what works best for your budget and... Read More »

Holiday Recipe for the Bariatric Patient - Crazy for Cranberries

Bailey Bariatric dietitian Rene Norman, RD/LD, shares a recipe to enjoy during the holidays without the added sugar.

Fresh cranberries finally arrived in the grocery store this past week. I typically use some during the holidays and then freeze the rest to have throughout winter. The cranberry is a native fruit to North America and is a super source of antioxidants. Typical cranberry dishes offered during the holidays are laden with sugar. A tablespoon of commercially prepared, jellied cranberry sauce has six grams of sugar - that’s a teaspoon and a half of sugar.

You can... Read More »

It's Pumpkin Time!

Bailey Bariatrics dietitian Rene Norman, RD/LD, joins us on the blog today to share nutrition tips for enjoying a popular fall time favorite – pumpkin!

Eating after you have had bariatric surgery is different. The types of pumpkin foods we enjoyed before surgery, like pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread, are loaded with sugar and fat. These foods can lead to dumping and less weight loss. Getting through Thanksgiving season without pumpkin seems bleak, however, there are several products on the market to help you get that pumpkin fix without wrecking your eating plan.

Several Greek... Read More »

Husband and Wife Support Each Other from Weight Loss Surgery to Running

Christine Weller and her husband Scott have recently begun enjoying something new together – running. However, that was not Christine’s plan when Scott started training for his first race as part of the “Fab Five,” Bailey Bariatrics Route 66 Relay Team, in 2013. “When he was starting to run, I didn’t go, because I didn’t want to be by myself,” she admits. Scott had bariatric weight loss surgery earlier that year and as his weight dropped, his transformation became as apparent as his new love of running. Scott signed up for just about every running event Team Bailey Bariatrics joined, and... Read More »