Helpful Hints
Accountability is key. To support you on your journey, SOBC and Allergan, the LAP-BAND® company offer some great tools:
• Go to www.lapband.com and sign up for “My Journey” for access
to three great programs including Lindora® LAP-BAND® TLC a personalized 10-week program in a “virtual clinic” setting with 24/7 access. Your program is designed to maximize your weight loss, complement your unique dietary needs, and give you support,
guidance, and motivation to achieve long-term results.
• Curves® discounted membership: Get a free 2-week membership at your nearest Curves® and additional membership discounts— exclusively offered to all LAP-BAND® System patients. Start realizing your fitness goals today.
• Fitday.com Online food, activity and health journal powered by FitDay™ is the quick and easy way to keep track of your nutrition,
weight loss, fitness and health goals as you are taking control of your new lifestyle.
• As Reeger mentions in her article (to the right), Sparkpeople.com is
another great resource to maintain a food, activity and health journal. Fitday.com and Sparkpeople.com are both available togastric bypass patients too!
• www.sobariatrics.com—Message Boards! Share with your peers and let them share their experiences with you. Sign up today. It’s free and available to everyone!

—Kathleen Kellenbeck

Recipe:
Shrimp Calypso
1 pound large shrimp shelled
and de-veined
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup plain, fat-free yogurt
½ cup green onions, chopped
½ cup fresh pineapple, diced
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
Cooking spray

1. Combine shrimp and next six
ingredients in large zip-top plastic bag. Seal and turn to coat all shrimp, then marinate in the refrigerator for 30 min.
2. Pour shrimp & marinade into large skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring for 3 minutes.
3. Stir in pineapple and cook 2 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.
Amount per Serving Cal: 184, Protein 27.5g, Fat 2.2g, Carb: 11.77

When in doubt, count
by Reeger Cortell, MSN, FNP-C
Some of my patient visits go like this:
“How are you doing?”
“Fine, but I have stopped losing weight.”
“Why do you think this is?”
“I am not sure. I eat small portions and walk a few days a week.”
“Do you know how many calories you are eating and burning through exercise?”
“Not exactly, but I must be eating less than I am burning.”
To this I respond, “When in doubt, go back to the basics and count calories.”
I know, I know. Counting calories can be tedious and boring, but when it gets right down to it there is no better way to really grasp the truth about how you are doing on your calories in verses calorie out. This is because when we make “best guesses” or assumption about calories, we under estimate how any calories we eat and over estimate how many calories we burn. Errors by only 100 calories a day (2 tablespoons of almonds) can equal one pound of weight gain a month.
Now a-days there are wonderful tools available to assist with calorie counting. If you prefer books, check out the Calorie King series. For the digitally inclined you can add programs to your phone (Calorie Count Mobile is free), Pocket PC (Pocket Diet Tracker 3.0 is a good, low cost option), or join any number of free internet websites (my favorite is sparkpeople.com). The tool of bariatric surgery makes weight loss easier than ever before, but easier does not mean effortless. If you need to, put some effort into tracking your calories 

Back on Track
Tracy Shaw had 11 Pear Blossom Runs under his belt and had competed in three triathlons before a new job in 1996 sidelined his fitness program. “Being in the fire service as a career was great,” says Tracy, “but it was mostly a desk job, and all of a sudden there wasn’t enough time to work out and train.” Over time Tracy’s weight ballooned to more than 350 pounds, his knees and ankles hurt, and he was certain he was a heart attack waiting to happen. Tracy decided to take control of his weight and regain his life. His first step was contacting Southern Oregon Bariatric Center. It has been almost a year since Tracy had gastric bypass surgery, and he is gearing up for this year’s Pear Blossom Run. He runs 3 to 6 miles four times per week, lifts weights, and works out every day. Tracy loves to run. “It’s a release; you let your troubles go and test yourself,” he says. Look for Tracy at the starting line on April 11, where the Pear Blossom Run slogan fits him perfectly: Everyone’s a Winner.
Tracy Shaw, shift officer,
Jacksonville Fire Department.

Calendar of Events
Upcoming bariatric symposiums: