 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| The first "official" Renew Support Group was held in New Orleans on September 11, 2006. It was a great success. Both patients and Renew Team members enjoyed discussing issues that have been "put on the side" since Katrina. As the meeting expands, we will anticipate moving to Touro. Until then, meetings are held at our New Orleans Office. Dr. Macgregor is also available for individual consultations ((504) 723-9133). Hope to see you all at the next meeting! The Renew program has relocated to its new and hopefully final premises at 4429 Clara Street, Suite 600 New Orleans, La. This office is located in the 'The Women's Pavilion' next to Memorial Hospital (Now Ochsner Baptist) off Napoleon Avenue. We are performing our surgeries at Touro Infirmary and provide Gastric Bypass, Adjustable Lap-Band and Gastric Sleeve procedures at that location. We would strongly encourage ALL our patients to attend our monthly support group meetings held now FREE of charge at our office location. These are chaired by our Clinical Psychologist Dr. Kathy McGregor and deal in a professional manner with the concerns and questions that all our patients may experience in the post surgical phase of their recovery from morbid obesity. We plan to have our resident Nutritionist attend the meetings to address topics of special interest for you and to offer support in finding the right nutritionally balanced diet for long term success. National data indicates that long-term weight management; even after the surgical procedures we offer is more likely to be achieved when the patient is well informed and aware of the pitfalls that can occur over time. The support group outlines these problems and offers mechanisms to overcome such problems as inappropriate snacking, disordered self esteem and sabotaging. Our meetings are held every month on the 2nd Tuesday at 6:30pm. Registration is mandatory. See y'all Ruary O'Connell MD FACS |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Renew New Orleans Support Group Schedule: Tuesday October 14, 2008, 6:30 P.M. Tuesday November 11, 2008, 6:30 P.M. Tuesday December 9, 2008, 6:30 P.M. (2nd Tuesday of each month) *RSVP a must. Meetings will be cancelled if lack of interest/RSVP 4429 Clara St., Ste 600 New Orleans (Across from Baptist/Ochsner on Napolean) RSVP (504)897-0700 |
AND WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DRINK? I received an inquiry a few weeks ago about the appropriateness of a new energy drink – “Full Throttle Sugar Free” and “Fury Sugar Free”. I know we all can grow tired of drinking the same beverage day after day, but I wanted to remind everyone that beverages should be sugar free, or no sugar added, and non-carbonated. “Full Throttle Sugar Free” and “Fury Sugar Free” are sweetened with sucralose (Splenda®) which is acceptable, BUT the first ingredient listed is CARBONATED water. I suggest you stay away from all carbonated products as they can stretch your stomach pouch and allow you to overeat. There are many alternatives to water that are allowed on the gastric bypass nutrition regimen. . . . Propel®, Minute Maid Light®, sugar free Kool-aid®, Crystal Light®, Powerade Option®, SoBe Lean® flavored beverages, Diet Snapple®, Aquafina Flavor Splash®, Dasani® flavored water, diet green tea. . . Remember that part of maintaining your weight loss is making healthy lifestyle changes. Starting back on carbonated beverages can be a stepping stone to other bad habits like eating sugars and high fat foods and eating out of boredom or stress. New products are available everyday, and some may have misleading labels. If there are any products that you have questions about, please ask. You can call, email, or leave a question on the blog. I will research the product and respond on the website as the information may be beneficial to others. Paula Rangel, LDN, RD Renew Nutritionist ruaryoconnellmd@bellsouth.net |
| Be Aware Of Misleading Labels Remember that if a product sounds too good to be true, unfortunately it probably is. While the bold print on the front of a package can draw you in, you should always check out the true Nutrition Facts Label and ingredient list. Recently on one of my grocery trips, I came across a new product – Special K2O Protein Water. My first thought was “maybe this would be good for gastric bypass patients”. Then I looked at the Nutrition Facts. In 1 – 16 oz bottle you do get 5g protein with 0g fat in only 50 Kcal, but it comes along with 8g sugar. You would consume more sugar than protein, and one of the ingredients listed is sugar. Not the great drink it first seemed. This prompted me to look into the other new protein focused Special K products. Special K Protein Meal Bars 190 Kcal 5-6g fat 16-17g sugar 10g pro (per 1 bar serving) Ingredients include sugar, corn syrup, dextrose, and high fructose corn syrup Special K Protein Snack Bars 110 Kcal 3-3.5g fat 11-12g sugar 4g pro (per 1 bar serving) Ingredients include sugar, corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk, and molasses While these bars have more protein than most cereal and granola bars, they are both high in sugar content. Even if you don’t experience dumping syndrome, remember that you have to make healthy choices in order to maintain your weight loss. Just so I am not only bringing bad news, here is a product that does seem to have some benefits in a low sugar, low fat, high protein meal plan. Special K Low Carb Lifestyle Protein Plus Cereal (per ¾ cup serving) 100 Kcal 3g fat 2g sugar 10g pro Add ½ cup skim milk for an additional 40 Kcal and 4g pro. Remember surgery is just a tool and you are ultimately responsible for your continued success. Good luck in making the right behavior and food choices, and call the Renew office if you have any questions. Paula Rangel LDN, RD |