www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124
Hair Loss and Ways to Help
Hair loss after surgery is very normal, as is being in any active state of weight loss, and is due to your body being in an active state of weight loss (ketosis). During this time, your body is forced to make a choice and is starts focusing on vital organs instead, so sadly, hair growth is a secondary process for your body. It’s a common fear and complaint from many bariatric patients after weight loss surgery, because while for most of us as human beings, hair has become an important part of our self-image and has even become a way of expressing ourselves. Our bodies, however, don’t agree.
Hair loss can happen commonly around 3 or 4 months post-weight loss surgery, but every patient is different, and so the time hair loss starts and stops does vary.
Know that hair loss is short term! It does stop and it does grow back. Rest assured, you won’t go bald. You, the patient, are the one who notices your own hair loss the most; we are our own worst critic.
No remedy is thoroughly scientifically proven, but taking biotin, niacin, or gelatin capsules can help to grow strong, healthy hair once you are out of the active state of weight loss. As long as you are eating adequate amounts of protein (40-60 grams/day), the hair loss is stemming from the body’s way of shedding itself while maintaining the most vital organs (the ones inside you!).
If you have questions or concerns about your hair loss, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (801) 268-3800.
Links to similar articles:
Bodily Functions that Can Happen After Weight Loss Surgery
Understanding Weight Loss Surgery and Being Aware
The Positives of Protein
Is This Normal?
www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124
John C.’s Gastric Bypass Story
I have always been a “big” person. When I was a youth, I was always heavier than most all of my friends. Buying clothes was always a problem, even when I was a young person. I played all sports as a youth and was very active on the family farm, and this helped keep my weight in order, but I was still heavy-set.
After graduation from high school, I went on to college for two years, and then farmed and worked for another three years. During this time, my weight ballooned out of control, and I did a terrible job of trying to keep how heavy I was getting in check.
I decided at this point in my life to go back and finish school. While attending Chadron State College, I played football collegiately and even though this helped keep my weight in line, there were times my weight fluctuated in a “yo-yo” fashion. I weighed anywhere from 235-320 pounds during my college days. I was up and down consistently.
After graduation from college, my activity level decreased (even though I was at times coaching three sports) and I continued to put on weight. There were many times that I lost weight, but it seemed like fi I lost 20 pounds I would put back on 25 and my weight continued to increase. I continued a pattern of dieting with the same results of losing weight then gaining back the weight lost, plus more. I even worked with a weight loss clinic and while I lost some weight, I wasn’t consistent in my efforts and I gained the lost weight back plus added additional pounds.
Fast forward to the winter of 2011. I had reached the weight of 440 pounds and even though I had no major medical issues (no blood pressure problems, no diabetes issues, my cholesterol was unbelievably low, etc.), I knew it was just a matter of time before some of these things reared their ugly head. I had given consideration to weight loss surgery in the past, but never thought that I was “ready” for this step. However, it was at this time that I knew if I wanted to see my daughters and my son get married and have my grandchildren, grow old with my loving wife and enjoy the quality of life again that I once had, then something needed to change. It is hard to be that heavy. Doing everyday little things like walking steps, dressing, traveling, etc. take a task all to their own. This is not to mention the things that I used to enjoy that I really couldn’t do anymore, like enjoying the lake, the mountains, hunting, hiking, officiating ballgames (I was done coaching at this point), and all the other random activities that happen in a person’s life.
I searched on the internet one night shortly after Christmas for a weight loss surgeon in Salt Lake City. I was BLESSED to have Dr. Sherman C. Smith’s name come up at the top of the list that was shown that fateful time so many years ago. I e-mailed Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) about the process that I needed to go through to get the “ball rolling.” I immediately heard back from RMAP and I was scheduled to attend a group presentation at what was the initial meeting of RMAP personnel that explained the different surgeries that were available.
It was this night, at this presentation when I met Dr. Sherman Smith for the first time. After talking with him for only a few moments, I knew immediately in my mind and in my heart that I was in the hands of someone who could change my life profoundly for the better. I can’t explain why I felt so strongly this way, but I just really believed that Dr. Smith personified how genuine, caring, empathetic, and understanding he was to the plight of the people who ultimately were his patients. I couldn’t have been in better hands!
The staff at RMAP was very helpful in the process of working through the insurance, scheduling of different medical items, hospital coordination, support before my surgery and all follow up items. My Gastric Bypass surgery was scheduled for April 10th, 2012 and it went off without a hitch.
Through help, guidance, and support from my loving family, the medical professionals I worked with, my colleagues at work, and my friends, I had no major problems of any type. I was truly blessed to have everything work out.
The day I had surgery I weighed 440 pounds. I had an appointment with RMAP on February 25th, 2013 and my weight at that time was 260 pounds, which is a lower weight that I’ve leveled off with. I didn’t know if that much of a loss is common or not. I try not to think about it at times, because sometimes it is almost overwhelming. I continually thanked the good Lord on a regular basis for the miracle of that surgery, finding Dr. Smith (I can’t even begin to explain how devastated I was when I found out that he had passed away), and all the help that I received from so many to make things all come together. I was and still am very blessed that the whole process happened for me.
Fast forward to March of 2021 and my weight, while fluctuating some, has stayed around the 285-295 pound mark. This seems to be the place that I’m at on a fairly consistent basis, so it is a weight that seems to be the place that works for me. I still have to watch what I eat and drink. If I drink pop (I haven’t drank alcohol since my surgery), I can gain weight in a hurry.
I am more active now than I ever was 15 years ago, and I truly believe that if I hadn’t had Dr. Smith enter my life and complete this surgery, I would not be alive today. I am not being melodramatic; it is just a fact in my opinion. When I was 440 pounds that day nearly nine years ago, I was not done gaining weight. I was just there that day for a whistle stop, well on my way to 500 pounds and beyond!
Again, I could never thank you all of the fine people at RMAP for their help and what they have done for my family and me. For me, they have helped make all for the difference in the world!
I will do whatever I can to help any other person who decides they want to change their life with this surgery. I believe this is the least I can do to help in some small way, honor the work of Dr. Sherman Smith, and pay what he did for me forward to others who might possibly choose this different path in their life.
If I can ever be of service in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the below contact information. You can call or text anytime of the day or night, and if I can’t answer right then, I will get back to you ASAP.
— John C.
Rock Springs, WY
Jtcundall15@gmail.com
307-272-0918
Surgeon: Dr. Sherman C. Smith
Surgery Date: April 10th, 2012
SW: 440
CW: 295
TWL: 145
Read more patient stories here.
Interested in learning more about weight loss surgery? Learn more information here.
If you would like to share your weight loss surgery story with others and on Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) other social media outlets, contact Jessica at Jessica@rmapinc.com.
www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124
Joe P.s Gastric Bypass Story
This is an absolute LIFE CHANGING experience. I was always athletic, but once I graduated high school, like most people, you put on a few pounds here and there.
You always tell yourself, “Man I need to lose 20 pounds,” or, “I need to start working out,” but you NEVER EVER do, and that’s where I was. I eventually realized I was one day going to face some VERY serious health issues down the road if I did not face this problem. I began to research different options and found that Gastric Bypass was the best and last chance.
What a great decision it has been. I have energy from 3:30 in the morning when I get up and go to the gym, until 8:00 at night when I go to bed. I am NEVER hungry, I have so much energy I literally feel like a 16 year old again, and tomorrow I will be 47 years old. I just took two pairs of jeans from my 17 year old! NEVER in a million years would I have thought I could fit into the same pair of jeans that my son wears. This is just incredible! I strongly advise this to anyone who has struggled with their weight their entire life; you will not regret this decision.
— Joe P.
Surgeon: Dr. Steven C. Simper
Surgery Date: January 17, 2020
SW: 330
CW: 202
TWL: 128
Read more patient stories here.
Interested in learning more about weight loss surgery? Learn more information here.
If you would like to share your weight loss surgery story with others and on Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) other social media outlets, contact Jessica at Jessica@rmapinc.com.
www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124
Hitting Plateaus and Stalls During Weight Loss
If you have been at the same weight for a while during your weight loss process after having bariatric surgery, don’t be discouraged! As long as you are following the guidelines in your RMAP blue binder (RMAP Bible), then you are doing great. Your stall—or plateau—is most likely a natural stall during your weight loss journey. To consider weight loss at a plateau, you usually stay at the same weight for about six weeks. Anything less than six weeks (if you are following the guidelines) is the body’s own way of shedding itself. Weight loss doesn’t maintain a consistent downhill pattern; weight loss ebbs and flows, vacillating between minor stalls and losses.
If you maintained a certain weight prior to weight loss surgery, it’s not uncommon for the body to want to stay there on its way down as well. As you should be exercising, you may be gaining muscle weight (which has more volume than fat) while losing fat. The number on the scale may be the same, but your clothes may be fitting more loosely.
If you have not being following the guidelines we have set out for you, and feel you have reached a plateau because of poor habits; there’s help! You are not alone on this journey. Think about the habits that may be causing your weight to slow down or plateau. You may find it helpful to meet with bariatric dietitians at St. Mark’s Hospital, or LDS Hospital. Most insurance companies cover visits with the dietitians.
Emotional support is also critical after weight loss surgery. We welcome you to attend support group, which is held on a monthly basis. You may also find individual counseling helpful as well. We work closely with Michelle Lewis, LCSW, CHT at Salt Lake Weight Counseling.
Remember, you didn’t gain the weight overnight, so you aren’t going to lose it overnight either. Enjoy this journey!
Links to similar articles:
How Much Should I Be Eating?
Bodily Functions That Can Happen After Weight Loss Surgery
www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124
Annual Labs after Bariatric Surgery
The surgeons at Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) advise that you have your labs drawn annually and have the results sent to us to keep on record. The labs can be drawn at any lab that is covered by your insurance, or through your primary care doctor’s office.
Labs:
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
- Lipid Profile
- CBC with diff
- Vitamin B-12 level
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1) level
- Folate
- Hemoglobin A1c
***You must be fasting 6 hours prior to blood draw.
Duodenal Switch patients
Get all of the labs listed above PLUS
- Vitamin A level
- Vitamin D level
- Protime
Please make sure the lab results are faxed to (801) 268-3997
You can request an order for your labs by contacting Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians at (801) 268-3800.
Links to similar articles:
Understanding Vitamins and Labels
Changing Your Lifestyle as a Bariatric Patient
www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124
Happy Presidents’ Day
www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us here at Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP)! We hope you have a safe, healthy and FUN holiday.
**Our office will be CLOSED on Monday, February 15th for Presidents Day. If you have any emergent medical questions or concerns, you can still call our number for after hours help at (801) 268-3800. Our office will resume for normal hours the follow day, 9 AM-5 PM on February 19th for any other questions or concerns.
www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124
The Power of Self-Acknowledgement
Self-Acknowledgement propels progress and is a tool for transformation.
What is Self-Acknowledgement? According to Merriam-Webster dictionary is means: “known and openly stated by oneself as being such.” It can be seen as the ability to get to know, understand, and appreciate oneself. Somewhere between middle school and growing into adulthood we forget just how important self-acknowledgement is. We have a tendency to focus only on where we think we should be in life, and what other people are thinking and surmising about why we are, where we are.
People often criticize weight loss surgery patients for taking the easy way out. We have said this hundreds of times before and we will never stop saying it, “There is nothing about surgery that is easy.” It is important to acknowledge the bravery it took to make and follow through with bariatric surgery.
With weight loss the body moves from a sick place towards health. Physiological changes occur such as the resolution of co-morbidities. Bariatric patients are now becoming free of physical limitations and experiencing a greater quality of life. For continued success throughout the weight-loss and maintenance journey for patients, it is important to acknowledge and recognize the positive changes.
Not only are old habits broken, new healthy ones developing, but co-morbidities and illnesses such as high blood pressure, type II diabetes, sleep apnea, joint pain, reflux disease, etc. are eliminated or lessened for most patients.
Finding worth in oneself is probably the biggest challenge all of us face. We forget who we are. What if instead of focusing on where we think we should be, or worrying about where others think we should be, we focus on celebrating our own progress? And instead of worrying what others might be thinking, we focus more on our thoughts and positivity? Once we remember and reclaim our worth, our lives take on new meaning.
Self-acknowledgement can be thought of as a muscle. The more you use it, the better you get at it. Your own self-acknowledgement can be a reflection on acknowledging others, too.
Positive self-talk is one of the keys to long-term success. Thinking positively about oneself can help shower yourself with rewards and self-praise to keep you on the path of a lifestyle of health.
Even though the surgery affords many physical advantages patients may still struggle with some other emotional difficulties. Most of us fall into the trap of assuming a change in our lives will solve all of our problems. How often have you thought to yourself, “If I just had a new house, more money, more time, a new job, or more space, I would be happy.” Many of you may have thought to yourselves before having weight loss surgery that losing weight would make you happy forever and your problems will go away. Most times a lot of us find that thinking this way is in vain. None of these things will take away emotional difficulties. The road to health is not an easy one. You will experience a lot of challenges that will be difficult to deal with. It’s so important for you to know you are of worth and that you are accomplishing so much!
Here are some tips and suggestions on ways to help:
Negative Self-Talk
No more negative self-talk. Period. Remove the words stupid, dumb, ugly, fat, lazy, failure, and any self-negative word from your vocabulary. Replace them with verifiable examples of successful behaviors, not concepts.
Negative Talk to Others
To go along with negative self-talk, no more talking negatively about yourself to others. When you talk negatively about yourself to others you are helping by showing them with instruction on how you wish to be treated. Begin to put a voice to your success no matter how small.
Religion
If you are part of a religious sect, turn to your faith for peace.
Books
Check out books from the library about self-esteem.
Journaling
Keep a journal on your emotional stability day to day. Record the choices you make that bring you joy and stability.
Support Groups
Keep attending support groups. Make friends with patients in your support group. It can help to confide in someone who has had the same experience as you. Share you challenges and successes. Your story can help inspire others.
Seek Help
Emotional difficulties are part of life, but sometimes a more serious problem is present. If you feel that you suffer with a psychiatric problem, please, please, do not be afraid to consult your primary care physician.
Rewards should not be food or clothing related. Food is for nutrition. Your clothing size is rapidly changing. Reward ourself with something of value such as a relaxing massage, spa facial, and/or manicure/pedicure, buy a new kitchen tool or get a new hair-do, buy new golf clubs, jewelry, or books. Go on a fun vacation. It is such a powerful tool and of such importance on our own self-acknowledgment to clearly see something good that we have done. To sit and enjoy an outcome that has worked well for us. It will help to recognize what it is that makes us feel good, what we value, what is important to us. Take the time to thank yourself and acknowledge yourself.
Links to similar articles:
Be Kind to Yourself
www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124
The Positives of Protein
Protein is important to not just weight loss surgery patients, but to all individuals. It gives us energy and is essential for the development of new cells. Consuming enough protein helps with the prevention of muscle loss and may even help prevent hair loss. Protein found in meats provides iron which is necessary for red blood cell production and the prevention of anemia.
Muscles are made of protein. When you don’t eat enough you break down muscle to use stored protein instead of using stored fat. You need enough protein to help fight infections, recover from illnesses and to slow muscle loss. Because organs are made of protein, protein intake affects the health of your organs as well.
You want to replenish your body with protein daily. The limited capacity of your pouch/sleeve makes it difficult to eat enough high protein food at any one time. This is why it’s critical to eat protein-based foods at each meal. We strongly advise that you eat all of the protein items in your meal first, and then proceed to the veggies.
Sometimes meats have a tendency to not “sit well” with some weight loss surgery patients. Chewing protein dense foods until they are smooth in your mouth may help with any stomach discomfort.
So, what are good sources of protein? A food must contain at least 30% protein to be considered a “source of protein.” Look to see if the food is high in fat. Is it a good source of other nutrients such as iron or calcium?
Powerful Protein Choices
Soy nuts
Sunflower seeds
Tofu
Cottage cheese
Turkey
Chicken
Egg whites
Legumes
Skim milk
Kidney beans
Lamb
Beef jerky
String cheese
Mozzarella cheese
Refried beans
Halibut
Veal
Bacon
Tuna
Crab
Catfish
Beef
Ham
Protein needs
- Eat a diet that consists of 70% protein foods and 30% vegetables to ensure that you are getting all the protein that you need after surgery.
- Eat protein-based meals three times daily
- Add two 1-ounce protein/vegetable snacks between meals
Increasing Protein in Your Diet
Think of meals in terms of which proteins and vegetables you can eat. Egg whites are pure protein and you can eat as many as you like. Egg yolks, however, are high in fat. Limit the yolks to once or twice a week. Here are some suggestions for increasing protein in your diet:
- Melt cheese on refried beans, meat or any kind of veggie
- Eat an omelet, scrambled egg, slice of meat or yogurt for breakfast
- Mix or add cottage cheese with eggs, tuna, turkey or chicken
- Eat tuna or chicken salad made with light mayonnaise
- Add cottage cheese and small pieces of meat to a tossed salad
- Use legumes such as lentils, pintos and kidney beans
- Eat a few nuts (no more than four) on occasion
- Add tofu to soups
- Use dry milk powder
Links to similar articles:
The Importance of Protein
What Should I Be Eating After Weight Loss Surgery
What Do Food Labels Really Mean?
The Lifestyle of a Bariatric Patient
www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124
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