Your Weight Loss Surgery Psychologist

More Vegetables Anyone

missypsyd — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:52:33 +0000

Weight loss surgery patients need to focus on protein protein and more protein. This is the mantra that we preach. However, did you know that there is actually protein in plant food as well. Don’t underestimate the power of vegetables. Think of all of the wonderful fruits and vegetables there are in the grocery store. When was the last time that you had a plate full of them! Talk to you surgeon’s nutritionist more about the health benefits of fruits and vegetables.

There is a great documentary called Forks over Knives that also highlights this! You can watch it on Amazon.

Just a little can make a difference

missypsyd — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 16:05:20 +0000

There is a great article on cnn.com today about how a young man lost 175 pounds. He decided to lose the weight after having tingling in his legs and some random chest pains. He decided that at 24 years he should be at the prime of his life and not worried about his health problems. After much determination, he lost the weight.

The article goes on to say that according research that just even a little bit of weight loss can be beneficial health wise. Even as little as five to ten pounds. That is something to keep in mind as you are on your journey! Just a little bit can be a healthy thing. So many times I hear patients get frustrated when they have “only lost 5 pounds.” Five pounds is good! It is all relative. Five pounds lost is better than five pounds gained! Keep that in mind. Whatever it is going to take to make sure that you keep your mind on the right track to lose weight. I have said it before and I will say it again–one step at a time, one day at a time, one minute at a time if necessary.

Weight loss surgery is not the easy way out. You have to put one foot in front of the other just like any other life changing plans. It is more than just the surgery–it is changing your lifestyle. You can’t just have surgery and expect that your life and weight is going to change without some effort on your part.

Who should you tell?

missypsyd — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 17:37:04 +0000

This week I had an interesting conversation with a patient that was going to have weight loss surgery. She wanted to know if she should tell her children about the surgery or not. One of the great things about the lap band particularly is that you lose weight gradually. It is only a day surgery and usually people are up and about right away. A lot of patients have the surgery on a Friday and are back to work on Monday morning. This begs the question, who do you need to tell?

In my experience there are actually a lot of people who have weight loss surgery who do not tell everyone. Some people only tell their spouse. It is not really necessary to tell everyone and their brother that you are having the surgery. Who you decide to tell about it is really a personal choice. I know that a lot of people do not want to be known as the weight loss surgery poster child at work or with their circle of friends. You really do not have to tell anyone. It is a medical procedure and really it is none of anyone’s business but your own.

With the lap band, you lose weight more gradually so really there is no reason to tell a lot of people. You can simple tell people that you are eating better and exercising, which is hopefully, really true. The procedure is usually only about thirty to forty-five minutes. You can just tell your work that you need the day off for some doctor’s appointments. With the gastric bypass and sleeve, there is more recovery time involved. Therefore, patients sometimes feel the need to tell more people. Again, you can if you want but you don’t have to tell anyone, only unless you feel comfortable.

Of course, there are people who do want to tell everyone about their surgery. This is also acceptable. It is completely up to you. No one needs to know anything about it unless you want them to know. You can make your journey as private or as public as you want.

No matter what you decide, remember to take advantage of the support that your surgeon’s office offers. This is the most important, especially if you do not tell people. You want to make sure that you have some people in your corner when the going gets rough!

Live Support Group This Week

missypsyd — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 04:02:05 +0000

This week I will be at a live support group on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at Northridge Hospital at 7pm. The support group is held in the lower level of the hospital (ironically) near the cafeteria. This is a great opportunity to meet other people who are in the process of or who have had weight loss surgery.

Remember using all avenues of support is the best way to continue with your ongoing weight loss success. If you don’t attend a live support group, make sure that you are getting support from somewhere. It might be as easy as hooking up with someone via email or text.

See you Thursday!

Find a WLS Partner

missypsyd — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:42:01 +0000

One of the reasons that weight loss programs like Weight Watchers, Lindora, and Jenny Craig work while you are in the program is that you are help accountable by someone else. Each of these programs require that you check in at least weekly or some even daily. It goes without saying that if we are held responsible to someone else for our actions then the more likely we are to stay on track. If we have to check in with a boss, finish an assignment for a teacher, or make a deadline at work, then we are more likely going to follow through with the task.

The same thing goes for your success with weight loss surgery. Hold yourself accountable to someone else. You can do this in a number of ways. You can find a support group to attend. There are a number of support groups that you can find on the internet close to you. Many times you can go to a support group at a facility even though you didn’t have surgery there. Getting involved with a group allows you to get back on track and stay focused on your goals for the week. Even if you just go and not talk (although I do encourage participation!)

Another way to get support is simply with your doctor’s office. Particularly those of you who have had the lap band. Schedule regular follow-up appointments even if you are not going to get a fill. If you had the gastric bypass or the gastric sleeve, schedule appointments and regular follow-ups to have your blood drawn to make sure that you are getting all of the nutrients that you need. This is a good check-in point for you. Schedule the appointments several months ahead of time so they are on your calendar.

Get a virtual buddy. There are a lot of people who have had the surgery that have access to email, texts, twitter or other social media outlets. Find someone you connected with and email that person on a regular basis to go over how you are doing with the diet and exercise plan. Make a deal with a fellow weight loss surgery patient that the two of you or more are going to be each others’ “surgery buddy.” If you are having trouble finding someone who fits the bill for this, you can ask your surgeon’s office to hook you up with someone.

Utilize some of the websites like www.lapband.com www.obesityhelp.com and others to get information or post your own information. Make one of those websites your home page on your browser. That way every time you get online you are reminded about sticking to your program.

Get your family involved. Ok. So this one might be hard especially if your family was less than helpful during the initial surgery process. However, you can be the catalyst to get your family moving in the right healthy direction. Get your kids moving with you by taking walks. Make healthier meals. Educate your family on nutrition content.

There are so many ways that you can get involved in the weight loss surgery community and find someone to help you through this process. Again, studies show that if people use support during their weight loss they are going to be more successful. This is one of the reasons why this question is asked during the psychological pre-operative evaluation. Use the resources that your surgeon’s office offers. Use the web. Get to a support group. I think you will find that every little bit helps!

Mindful Eating means CHEW CHEW CHEW

missypsyd — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:08:58 +0000

Ok. So I know I have gone over this again but it is worth repeating. I have been speaking to a lot of patients lately who are struggling after surgery with either vomiting or weight loss stagnating. When I dig a little deeper, I find that these patients are falling back into their old habits of not chewing up their food and not eating protein first. I hate to be a nag about this issue but chewing up your food is really important! First of all, the actual chewing helps to tell your brain that you are starting to eat and that you will soon be full. If you don’t signal your brain, it will take longer for you to feel full. Also, if you don’t chew up your food you are likely to see it come back up again and that is something WE DO NOT WANT! It doesn’t matter what surgery you had–regurgitation is not recommended and should not be a part of your daily life. I know it is hard but can’t be avoided. You must slow down and take a break when you eat. This is part of your new life. This is part of taking care of yourself! This is what you committed to when you decided to have surgery!

Take time for yourself. Take at least enough time to have a meal! That is not too much to ask! Eat slowly and chew your food. Enjoy your food.

Ok. I know this is short and sweet but this is for all of you who don’t chew and are still struggling! Just a friendly reminder from your favorite psychologist!

Remember Virtual Support Group Tuesday February 8

missypsyd — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:41:26 +0000

Just a reminder that my virtual support group will be help tomorrow on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 7pm.

Call in 661-673-8600
participant access 920391#

This is a great way to ask others questions and to ask me any questions that you might have!

Dr. Melissa

Support Groups this week

missypsyd — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:44:47 +0000

Greetings!

I just wanted to remind you that our first virtual support group of the year is on Tuesday evening at 7pm! Please see previous entry for instructions to call in.

Also, I will be hosting the LIVE support for Northridge Hospital on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 7pm. This is held in the lower level of the hospital.

Looking forward to talking or seeing you this week! All are welcome for both groups!

Still on track?

missypsyd — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:40:11 +0000

So here we are about four days into the New Year. How are you doing with keeping on track with all of the promises you made yourself on the first? Broken any resolutions yet? Well, don’t beat yourself up too much if you have. it is a common occurrence. Instead, take each day at a time. Remember last time I mentioned that it is not just the New Year that can be a renewing experience, every day can. You can start out every day with renewed hope in your weight loss journey. Maybe just pick one thing to focus on for the day. Try and get that 60 to 100 grams of protein in. That will be your main focus for the day.

There are tons of articles out in the newspaper, web and magazines about weight loss products, remedies, etc. There is actually some good research in some of them. For instance, one article I read on Sunday talked about again how people who get a good night’s rest–meaning at least seven to either hours–have a faster metabolism and have less of a weight problem. Remember our bodies need rest. You are not doing yourself any good trying to get one last thing done before you go to bed. Make that your goal today. Get to bed at a decent hour.

How about drinking more water? How much water have you been drinking. Water helps fill you up and helps cleanse your body. Not only that but lots of time when we do not drink enough water, we get dehydrated. This might not be a total problem for some, but for those with a weight problem the symptoms of dehydration can mimic hunger pains.

Pick one thing today and focus on that!

Welcome 2011

missypsyd — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 03:18:02 +0000

I just love the New Year. It is a time of putting things in the past in the past and starting fresh. Sure we all make lots of resolutions that might be broken before the end of the weekend, but there is such a fresh start feeling to the new year. This is also your opportunity to get back on track if you have fallen off during the holidays. If you haven’t made an appointment for a fill for that lap band, call on Monday. If you had gastric bypass, have you checked in with the doctor or had your blood checked? Call on Monday. Get things started.

The key to make new behaviors last is to take one day at a time and make small changes gradually. Let’s face it–most of us are not going to hit the gym seven days a week but committing to more walking each day is a good place to start. Maybe it is time to replace a meal or a snack with a protein bar. Each day is a actually a mini New Year where you can look yourself in the mirror and say, “Today is a new day.” Sometimes, as many of you know, it might be, “This is a new minute.”

Think about when you decided to have weight loss surgery and how excited you were about the new beginning your life was going to take. Maybe the weight came off quickly or came off more slowly than what you thought. Weight loss is work. It is a lifestyle change that has to be monitored daily. It is like brushing your teeth. You need to incorporate it in your daily life for your health.

As 2011 begins, you don’t have to make a bunch of resolutions. Instead look at it as a way to restart what you started when you decided to have weight loss surgery. Every day can be a new beginning. The New Year just reminds us of that. Take that “New Year” feeling with you every day this year.

Remember to get support. Call the doctor. Follow-up. Success doesn’t happen by itself.

Have a great year!