“I can’t run. I can’t swim. I can’t bike.” Tonya Cowan, wife and mother to three children, told herself the same mantra she had repeated over and over again growing up. “I couldn’t do it before, because I was too heavy. I would just sit and watch.” Though she was never an “athlete” growing up, somehow Tonya found herself having a conversation about signing up for the Tie-Dye Tri sprint triathlon in Norman, OK. Three months, three weeks and three days after having bariatric weight loss surgery at The Center for Bariatrics at Bailey Medical Center, Tonya crossed a finish line she never even... Read More »
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Bailey Bariatrics dietitian Rene Norman, RD/LD, joins us on the blog today to explain how vitamin B12 is absorbed by our body and why that is of special consideration for anyone who has had bariatric weight loss surgery.
Vitamin B12 does a lot of work - protecting nerves, helping to release energy from our foods and working with folate to produce healthy red blood cells and keep homocysteine (an inflammation molecule) in check. Symptoms of a B12 deficiency include fatigue, tingling or numbness in your extremities, weakness, vision changes, abnormal gait, difficulty concentrating,... Read More »
As we continue to strive to be your resource throughout your weight loss journey, we are excited to announce we are now on Pinterest to provide you more information at your finger tips. Bailey Bariatrics dietitian Rene Norman, RD/LD, has shared valuable nutritional information with our Facebook fans in her weekly “Tip from Rene” posted on our Facebook page and will continue to do so. Rene is now joined by Bailey Bariatrics dietitian Stephanie McKinney, RD/LD, not only for in-person patient consultations, but also online as a contributor to our Pinterest boards - 20 boards ranging from “... Read More »
Taking a multi-supplement before surgery will improve your nutritional status to help you feel better now and help with healing after surgery. Once you’ve had bariatric surgery, you will need to take a multi-supplement forever. Vitamins and minerals are needed for a wide range of functions, including your muscle’s ability to move, conduct nerve impulses, strengthen bones, heal wounds, support a healthy immune system, improve vision at night, and many other functions.
There are two main reasons you need to take your multi-supplement indefinitely. First, your stomach pouch is very... Read More »
As soon as you are given the “OK” by your surgeon following weight loss surgery, incorporating exercise into your post-op plan will help not only with weight loss, but also helps to improve cardiovascular health and boost your mood! What is the first step? Taking that first step, literally. Exercise specialist Mo Smith encourages patients to start small. “I ask them to start out with baby steps,” she explains. “The goal is to start with three days a week of walking for 30 minutes total each day throughout the day. For example, you can walk three 10-minute sessions throughout the day.... Read More »
Yield: 8 Frozen Pops
Equipment:
3 oz. paper or plastic cupsBaking SheetPopsicle or wooden craft sticks
Preparation Directions
Ingredients
Directions
1 cup (8 oz.) each:
RedWhite/Clear/Light yellowBlue...liquids that are sugar free or low sugar drinks such as diet juice, G2, sugar free Koolaid, Powerade Zero, water flavored with zero calorie powders or flavor drops, etc....
Avoid carbonated fluids.
Place 8, 8 3-oz. paper or plastic cups on a baking sheet.
RED:
Divide the red liquid evenly through the cups.... Read More »
Most of us have fond memories of frozen treats like fudgesicles. As a bariatric patient, there are recipes that can duplicate those frozen wonders of summers past. Here is a great recipe for healthier fudgesicles with just 3 ingredients: chocolate protein powder, skim milk and a package of sugar free, fat free pudding mix. It’s the type of starch in the pudding mix that provides a creamier texture. This can be used before surgery or starting in the full liquids phase after surgery. There are some flavor options suggested in case chocolate isn’t your thing.
Yield: 6... Read More »
Bailey Bariatrics dietitian Rene Norman, RD/LD shares tips today on our blog to help you practice mindful eating.
Experts suggest starting gradually with mindful eating, eating one meal a day or week in a slower, more attentive manner. Here are some tips (and tricks) that may help you get started:· Set your kitchen timer to 20 minutes, and take that time to eat a normal-sized meal.· Try eating with your non-dominant hand; if you’re a righty, hold your fork in your left hand when lifting food to your mouth.· Use chopsticks if you don’t normally use them.· Eat silently... Read More »
Registered Dietitian Rene Norman, RD/LD with The Center for Bariatrics at Bailey Medical Center joins us on the blog today to share a recipe to celebrate the sweetness of Valentine's Day for pre-op patients before the liquid diet phase and post-op patients during or after the soft and pureed proteins phase of the program. Enjoy!
I bet you didn’t think you’d see these two words - Valentine's Cheesecake - together in a bariatric nutrition tip, right? Regular cheesecake is laden with fat and sugar. This version can be a treat for Valentine’s Day that provides a good source of protein... Read More »
Each year, post-op patients, family, friends, support groups, and the Bailey Bariatrics team comes together to celebrate the success of those who have taken the steps on their journey towards a healthier life. We celebrate their success, milestones reached and lives changed.
Learn more about how The Center for Bariatrics at Bailey Medical Center changed the lives of patients Andrew Ames, Denise Paine and Ron Eisenbart, who shared their stories with us at our Bailey Bariatrics Graduation January 10, 2015.