Weight Loss Surgery Information Sessions at Penn in October

For many people trying to lose weight, taking the first step can be the most difficult part of the process.

Whether it’s getting out of the door to head to the gym, or deciding to choose a healthier option at mealtime, once you take that first step, it can be easier to gain momentum toward a healthier lifestyle.

Weight-Loss Information Sessions at Penn Medicine for October, 2013

Choosing to have weight-loss surgery is not an easy decision, but learning all of the facts is easy with Penn’s free weight-loss information sessions.

At a weight-loss information session, patients learn about the various options for weight-loss surgery and get to meet with the surgeons and clinicians who will help them every step of the way.

Learning about weight-loss surgery and getting all the information firsthand from experts at Penn Medicine can be empowering, and help you make a healthy decision that can have lifelong positive effects.

Mark your calendars for the following information sessions at Penn Medicine in October.

• 10/2 at 6 pm: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine)
• 10/7 at 6 pm: Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
• 10/9 at 6 pm: Pennsylvania Hospital
• 10/9 at 6 pm: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine)
• 10/10 at 6 pm: Penn Medicine at Valley Forge
• 10/14 at 6 pm: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine)
• 10/16 at 6 pm: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine)
• 10/17 at 7 pm: Penn Medicine at Bucks County
• 10/19 at 10:30 am: Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
• 10/21 at 6 pm: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine)
• 10/23 at 6 pm: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine)
• 10/23 at 7 pm: Penn Medicine at Cherry Hill
• 10/28 at 10 am: Pennsylvania Hospital
• 10/29 at 11 am: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine)
• 10/30 at 6 pm: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine)

Register for a Weight-Loss Information Session at Penn

Learn more about weight-loss surgery at Penn during this free session and meet physicians and team members from the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program

Register for a weight-loss information session here.

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13 100-Calorie Snack Ideas

Registered dietitian Cara Stewart, RD, provides some quick snack ideas - all under 100 calories. 

Pre-packaged 100-calorie snacks may seem like a wise option to control calories, but despite the low calorie count, they are often highly processed foods that contain some less than healthy ingredients. While they may satisfy a craving for something salty or sweet, they don’t contain protein or fiber to sustain energy levels and keep you feeling satisfied. Enjoy some of these quick and easy 100-calorie snacks to fuel you through your day.

• 14 almonds
• 2 cups air-popped popcorn with 1 Tablespoon Parmesan cheese
• ½ baseball-sized apple sliced with 1 Laughing Cow cheese
• 10 baby carrots with 2 Tablespoons of hummus
• 1 cup frozen grapes
• 22 pistachios
• 1 slice whole wheat bread topped with 2 thin slices deli turkey, 1 tsp mustard
• 1 brown rice cake topped with ¼ mashed avocado
• 1 brown rice cake topped with 2 teaspoons of almond or peanut butter
• 10 large strawberries with 1 Tablespoon of goat cheese
• 1 slice of whole wheat bread topped with 2 scrambled egg whites
• Pumpkin yogurt :
• Mix ½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt + ¼ cup pumpkin puree + ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract + cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. Sweeten with no-calorie sweetener of choice.
• Bean salad:
• Combine 1/3 cup cooked beans of choice + ¼ cup diced tomatoes + 1 tablespoon of sliced green onion + a squeeze of lemon juice.

Lose Weight at Penn Medicine

Penn can help you lose weight.

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

Register for a free information session today.

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Lisa Speaks! What to Expect Before Your Weight Loss Surgery

Lisa Harris of Clementon, NJ, was a self-proclaimed “yo-yo” dieter her whole life. Moved by her father’s dying request to get healthy, Harris had gastric bypass surgery at Penn Medicine with Alan Schuricht, MD, FACS. 

I remember back in November 2010 when I first started investigating bariatric surgery. I’d considered it years before, but I always thought it would be painful, and with a long recovery process. And then there are the horror stories – the mere mention of surgery and everyone “knows someone” who had complications or failed. I decided to find the best of the best at Penn Medicine.

The Information Session That Started it All

Sure, the process in the beginning can be overwhelming. You go to an informational seminar, where you’re met with a barrage of information, put on overload, and handed a binder full of prerequisites to be done prior to surgery. Insurance varies from plan to plan, but bariatric surgery is becoming much more accepted and I was happy to learn that my procedure would be covered 100 percent for the most part.

The day after I went to my information session, I called my primary care physician and made an appointment to discuss it with him. He was initially opposed to the idea, telling me that he could try me on diet pills and a strict diet. I refused the medication due to risks, but did schedule monthly visits for weight monitoring. The process had begun!

Initial Consultation

Next was my initial consultation with the surgeon. I had to wait until January for my appointment, but that gave me three months’ of weight management with my primary care physician. Dr. Schuricht told me I was a perfect candidate for the surgery. At that time, I weighed 357 pounds. He explained the surgery in more detail, discussed the pre-op and post-op process, and really set my mind at ease. I knew this was the right decision for me.

Pre-Surgery Testing

Then started all the testing. It took me a while to process the information in the packet I was given. At times it felt overwhelming, but once I broke all the steps down, everything fell right into place. I had the initial blood work done the following week. In late January, I scheduled my upper GI, and February I had a sleep study. I’d never had a formal sleep study before, and the day after, they called me and requested a re-test immediately because my sleep apnea was so bad.

During those months, I continued seeing the primary doctor for weight monitoring. Even with the strict diet he had me on, I could only lose a few pounds. The doctor finally agreed that bariatric surgery was the right choice for me, and he sent his recommendation letter to Penn.

My next test was paramount: The psychiatric evaluation. The reasons for a psychiatric evaluation prior to surgery are simple. They need to ensure that you are committed to making the lifestyle changes that are necessary to make the surgery a success, and to make sure every patient is aware that the surgery is not a magic bullet, but a tool to help you change. My psych evaluation went well, at the end the doctor told me that she would recommend me for the surgery.

One last test was a cardiac workup. This made me nervous because I was already suffering from high blood pressure due to my weight. I was often afraid that my weight and blood pressure had taken its toll on my heart. To my surprise, I was given a clean bill of cardiac health. The last hurdle was cleared!

Setting The Date

With all my testing completed, the bariatric coordinator at Penn got everything together and sent all of my information to my insurance for approval. This was in early April 2011. In a few days, I saw on the insurance website’s patient portal that my authorization was pending. I checked that portal twice a day, every day. It was always pending. Then one day when I got home from work, there was an envelope from my insurance company in the mailbox. Just one thin envelope. I opened it nervously, expecting it to be a denial. I couldn’t believe my eyes as I read that they were approving the request! I was shaking and crying from happiness!

The following day I called Penn and we scheduled my surgery for May 2, 2011. We also scheduled my nutrition class, which was important for me to learn about what types of food I would be able to eat post surgery, and what the best protein supplements would be. I also learned about vitamins and the importance of water.

All told, my pre-op process was just under 6 months, from the information seminar to the day of my surgery. I was out of work for three weeks. I’m now just over two years post surgery. I’ve lost 166 lbs. Size wise, I went from a tight 28 to a 12. I’ve traded my 5X tops for a size L.

My total out of pocket expenses for the surgery were $475.

In the grand scheme of things, $475 was a small price to pay for the health and long life that I’ve been given in exchange.

Lose Weight at Penn Medicine

Penn can help you lose weight.

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

Register for a free information session today.

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Healthy Recipe: Vegetable Frittata

A frittata is an easy to prepare, high protein dish that can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This recipe uses garden fresh summer vegetables to add vibrant colors and flavors.

Summer Vegetable Frittata

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 2 wedges)’
Time to prepare: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup diced zucchini
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup chopped seeded tomato
• 9 large eggs

Preparation

1. Heat olive oil in a 10-inch nonstick broiler-proof skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini, bell pepper, onion, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, and garlic. Cover and cook 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomato. Cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until liquid evaporates.
2. Combine eggs, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl; stir with a whisk until frothy. Pour egg mixture into pan over vegetables, stirring gently. Cover, reduce heat, and cook 15 minutes or until almost set in the center.
3. Preheat broiler.
4. Broil frittata 3 minutes or until set. Invert onto a serving platter; cut into 8 wedges.

Nutritional Information

Amount per serving
Calories: 227
Fat: 16.4g
Saturated fat: 4.2g
Monounsaturated fat: 8g
Polyunsaturated fat: 2.1g
Protein: 15.1g
Carbohydrate: 5.5g
Fiber: 1.1g
Cholesterol: 476mg
Iron: 2.4mg
Sodium: 458mg
Calcium: 80mg

Ann Willan, Cooking Light
JUNE 2010

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Tips for Exercising with Joint Pain

Cara Stewart, RD, LDN, is a clinical dietitian with the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program. In this blog, she discusses exercises people with joint pain can perform.

Exercise is essential for successful weight loss. Movement of any kind will help you along your weight loss journey. If you have joint pain or osteoarthritis, try non-weight-bearing activities such as biking, water activity, or chair dancing.

Biking

• When biking, you may want to use a recumbent bike, which seats you so you are low to the ground with your legs reaching forward to the pedals. The seat on a recumbent bike is also wider than the seat on an upright bike.
• For biking outdoors, try a sturdy mountain bike. You can also buy a larger seat to put on your bike.

Water aerobics or swimming

• You do not need to know how to swim to work out in the water – you can do shallow water or deep-water exercises without swimming.
• Many swim centers also offer classes in water workouts. Check with local pools.
• If money is tight, consider a community pool.
• Consider asking your doctor for a physical therapy referral or a prescription to use a therapeutic pool.

Chair aerobics

• Dance in your chair! See chairdancing.com for some ideas and resources
• Use light hand weights

*Adapted from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Weight Management Toolkit

Lose Weight at Penn Medicine

Penn can help you lose weight.

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

Register for a free information session at Penn today.

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