Let’s celebrate Christmas in style. For December support group, we will be having a clothing exchange. Bring clothes that no longer fit and exchange with other bariatric patients!

Orem: December 2nd, 2009 @ 7pm, Timpanogos Regional Hospital, Women’s Center Classroom

Details: Dress festively and bring bariatric friendly food (i.e. meat/cheese/veggie trays)

Salt Lake City: December 9^th, 2009 @ 6pm, St. Mark’s Hospital, Room G04C

Details: Dress festively and bring bariatric friendly food (i.e. meat/cheese/veggie trays)

Ogden: December 8^th, 2009 @ 7pm, Ogden Regional Hospital, Oak Room

Details: As the group decided against food, bring your favorite holiday recipes to exchange. Dress festively.

Let’s make it a party!

The reason why Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) has been performing weight loss surgery for 30 years all comes down to one thing: Success seen in our patients. It is why the surgeries are becoming better recognized as necessary procedures throughout our world; it is what keeps our medical practice running; and it is why we love what we do at RMAP.

Success can be defined in many ways, and to different degrees, but the ultimate definition stems from HAPPINESS received. And the support groups in Orem, Ogden, and Salt Lake City all offered their HAPPINESS from personal success stories.

Our patients’ success:

• Fitting into clothes that haven’t seen the light of day since college. Or even fitting into size 14 of the little girl’s department!
• Running and playing with children, nephews, and nieces.
• Coming off of all diabetic, blood pressure, cholesterol, and sleep apnea (etc) medications/devices
• Flying on an airplane for the family’s annual vacation.
• Motivation to go to nursing school (Hooray for nurses! I am not biased or anything…)
• Seeing a 100 pound bag of potatoes during Idaho’s harvest and realizing that “bag” has been lost from the body.
• Being able to cross the legs when sitting, and not even think twice.
• Changing their family’s health: Teenage daughter losing 14 pounds simultaneously from healthier habits being established
• Has learned to love exercise. Yes, physical activity is now fun!

I cannot speak for all in attendance, but I certainly walked away from support group this month feeling buoyed and grateful for the opportunity to work with people who are changing their lives. Thank you for those who attended, for sharing a piece of yourself. It was rewarding and inspiring.

Many of you have come so far. And I look forward to seeing those same changes in patients to come. Enjoy this journey!

Meredith Mangum, RN

With the holidays right around the corner, it is a good time to start thinking about how to beat the urge to calorically splurge. Several patients on our online forums have offered their suggestions that have proven to help during this wonderful, but trying, time. 

Top Ten Holiday Survival Tips: 

1. Focus on the people, and not the food/drink when at a holiday function.

“I actually enjoy these events more now, as the focus is on spending time with people I like and focusing on them instead of the food.” – Amy

2. Bring food you can eat and enjoy.

“If you are going to a potluck type event bring something you can eat. Meat and cheese trays are popular and WLS friendly.” – Amy

3. Healthy stocking stuffers.

 Instead of filling your children’s Christmas stockings with sugary goodies, add oranges and their favorite sugar free chewing gum.

4. Don’t forget your water…But spice it up!

“Add a little variety to your party sipping options: lemon or lime slices, fresh mint, or crystal light. Tomato or vegetable juices are also reasonable options.” – Amy

5. Drink your Bloody Mary virgin.

“No one can tell by looking at your glass that it is [sans alcohol] and it’s tomato juice all spiced up and yummy. You usually get a celery stick to munch on too!” – Kristen  

6. Use fun party cups.

“If you are the host, put your water in a cocktail glass or other pretty glass. If you are at a party with a bar, ask for your drink in a cocktail glass instead of a plastic glass.” – Amy

7. Remember, you can eat Thanksgiving leftovers later.

Do not feel like gorging at Thanksgiving dinner will be the only time to enjoy the annual tasty meal. Leftover turkey is still yummy the next day!

8. Keep desserts out of view at work. “Out of sight, out of mind.”

“If you have coworkers who bring a lot of candy to work, see if it can be put in a place that is out of your way, but convenient for others.” – Amy  

9. Use closed containers to prevent munching mindlessly.

“Use a container with a lid so you don’t pick up a piece without thinking.” – Amy

10. Exercise.

This increases your output to defeat your input. And it motivates you to not sabotage your hard efforts by eating inappropriate foods. 

Happy Holidays!