Posted on 17 July 2009
Greetings!
In this week’s edition of WLS News, get the results of a new report on obesity in America, and find out where we stand in the battle of the bulge. Plus, learn whether weight loss surgery can help teens battling Syndrome X, hear a startling report on the link between obesity and antidepressants, and find out why Yvonne McCarthy is sitting inside a giant egg. Finally, is weight loss surgery riskier for seniors? The answer might surprise you! Click the image above to catch this week’s edition.
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Life After WLS
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Leveraging the Lap-Band®
 We all know that weight loss surgery is just a tool, and that winning the battle against obesity requires an ongoing commitment to a new, healthy lifestyle. Learn how the Lap-Band can be leveraged to provide continued opportunities for guidance and counsel in this interview with Dr. Sunil Bhoyrul from the annual meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
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Healthy Living
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Smart Tips to Beat Belly Fat
 Not only is belly fat unsightly, but it has also been linked to a host of illnesses, including high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. The good news is, a new study shows that making smart food choices can help you slim down your mid-section in no time. Click the photo to get the inside scoop on how to beat belly fat for good!
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How many people have you told about the Weight Loss Surgery Channel? Whether you’ve shared the site with lots of folks, or you’re looking to expand your circle of friends, please “friend” us on Facebook! Check out the Weight Loss Surgery Channel’s newest home on the Web, and connect with hundreds of people just like you in the WLS community!
Sincerely,
Craig Thompson
12 Years PostOp RNY
President
Weight Loss Surgery Channel
Posted on 10 July 2009
Greetings!
In this week’s edition of WLS News, find out what life-threatening condition weight loss surgery patients should be on the watch for up to a year after surgery. Also, stats say that weight loss surgery can help women bear healthier children post-op — get the details. Plus, we’ll share an investment tip that may surprise you, and Yvonne pops in with a special find from the World Wide Web. Get the latest medical updates and stay on track to a healthy lifestyle with WLS News!
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Looking Your Best
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Body Lift Basics
 When is it safe to consider a body lift after weight loss surgery? How long is the recovery time? What other plastic surgery operations are popular for bariatric patients? Board certified plastic surgeon T. Michael Dixon, MD, FACS, answers these questions and shares some remarkable patient before and after pictures in this informative interview.
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Tasty Tidbits
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Chef Dave is Stirring Things Up
 You asked for it, and we’re delivering! Starting in August, Chef Dave will take viewers on a culinary adventure that will make your mouth water, with the debut of Eating Right Every Bite! The first episode? Crisp and refreshing pouch-friendly summer salads, including Watermelon Salad, Grilled Chicken Pecan Salad, and Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette. All of Chef Dave’s recipes are designed for bariatric patients, but will have everyone begging for more!
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Need information on a body lift or breast augmentation without all the hype, the sideshow atmosphere, or the dry documentary narrative you’ll find elsewhere? Our sister station has a weekly show called Plastic Surgery News. It’s educational and entertaining, and the programming covers all facets of what’s hot in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery — news backed by board certified leaders in the field. You’ll find it every Friday on The Plastic Surgery Channel. I hope you’ll tune in!
Sincerely,
Craig Thompson
12 Years PostOp RNY
President
Weight Loss Surgery Channel
Posted on 03 July 2009
Greetings!
In this week’s edition of WLS News, learn why breakfast really is the most important meal of the day when it comes to keeping off extra weight. Plus, your cupboard contains a super fat-burning ingredient–find out what it is! We’ll also explain how obesity affects your brain, and share the secret of longevity for those with a higher BMI. Get the latest medical updates and stay on track to a healthy lifestyle with WLS News!
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WLS Community
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The Girls Are Back!
 Members of the RenewedReflections.com WLS support forums turned out recently for a special Natrelle Try-On Party hosted by our sister network, The Plastic Surgery Channel. See TrulyKath and others take the Natrelle sample breast implants for a test drive and share their thoughts on breast augmentation after weight loss surgery in the first episode of a brand new show, Plastic Surgery Talk.
Are you thinking about a breast augmentation to complete your transformation? You can win a Natrelle Pre-Consultation Kit, and test drive a pair of sample implants, too! Just leave a comment on The Plastic Surgery Channel’s FaceBook wall and you’ll be entered to win!
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Mood Music
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Your Backstage Pass
 Taunia Soderquist is a talented jazz vocalist, music teacher, and active member of the WLS community. She underwent gastric bypass surgery in March 2008 and documents her journey via video in her incredibly amusing blog, Diva Taunia’s Backstage Pass. Get a sneak peek at the goodies on her site from our friend Yvonne McCarthy during this week’s segment of WLS on the World Wide Web. And check out some of Taunia’s tunes here!
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Tomorrow is the Fourth of July, a day to celebrate our nation’s independence. Wherever you are at in your weight loss surgery journey, I encourage you to celebrate freedom, as well — freedom from shame, remorse and the physical limitations of obesity. Whether you are pre-op or post-op, you have a goal in sight, and you are making progress toward a new and wonderful life.
If you’re heading outside this holiday weekend for a picnic, pool party, fishing trip, or to watch the fireworks, be sure to stay hydrated! The temperatures have been in the triple digits here in Dallas for the past week. So, drink plenty of water, and wear your sunscreen or incur the wrath of those UVA rays on Monday morning.
From all of us here at the Weight Loss Surgery Channel to all of you, HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
Sincerely,
Craig Thompson
12 Years PostOp RNY
President
Weight Loss Surgery Channel
Posted on 26 June 2009
| Greetings!
In this week’s edition of WLS News, we’ll examine how weight loss surgery can increase your risk of bone fractures, and explain how a lack of physical activity and poor diet are causing serious health concerns for kids. We’ll also share new recommendations regarding pregnancy after weight loss surgery, and find out what happens when Western diet and lifestyle habits come to the developing world. Get the latest medical updates and stay on track to a healthy lifestyle with WLS News!
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ASMBS Conference Update
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Exhibits Focus on Post-Op Care
 From tasty chewable vitamins to high-tech pain pumps, numerous exhibits at the 26th Annual Meeting of the ASMBS focused on post-op support for patients. Yvonne McCarthy, host of WLS Journeys, and Chef Dave, the world’s first bariatric chef, joined Craig Thompson to discuss some of the most interesting finds in this special report straight from the exhibit hall floor.
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Medical Update
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Fast Food Driving Global Cancer Rates
A high-calorie, high-fat, low-fiber diet and other lifestyle factors common to Westernized nations are gaining popularity in the developing world. As a result, colorectal cancer rates are increasing around the globe, even as the incidence of colorectal cancer in America is declining. Get the full story in this week’s medical update.
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| WLS Community |
 Share Encouragement and Support!
You already know that the Weight Loss Surgery Channel offers fantastic — and life-changing — information and programming, including 90 Seconds to Success, WLS Journeys, Melting Mama, and more. You may even know that we’re adding new shows later this summer, including a cooking show with Chef Dave. We do this because we want to support each and every one of our viewers in their own weight loss surgery journey — and we believe that once you’ve been down that road, you should share what you’ve learned along the way.
Now, we’re asking you to share the Weight Loss Surgery Channel. Share it with your support group, your surgeon, your patient care coordinator, and your friend who is thinking about weight loss surgery. Help us help others on this incredible journey!
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A big thanks and shout out to our amazing production team for all their hard work at the annual meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) this past week. They went above and beyond the call of duty to capture the highlights from this year’s event, including interviews with more than 20 bariatric surgeons and allied healthcare professionals, so we can bring YOU the very latest news and information about treatment options and patient support. What an exciting time!
We’ll be rolling out the footage in the upcoming weeks, so stay tuned to the Weight Loss Surgery Channel for the inside scoop!
Sincerely,
Craig Thompson
12 Years PostOp RNY
President
Weight Loss Surgery Channel
Posted on 19 June 2009
Greetings!
In this week’s edition of WLS News, we’ll explain why a lack of sleep can cause serious physical consequences — and which ethnic group is most at risk. We’ll also tell you how obesity can reduce the effectiveness of your asthma inhaler, and how scientists have discovered a genetic pathway to promote fat loss. Plus, get the results of a recent survey that polled post-op bariatric patients to find out if they’re really happier and healthier after weight loss surgery. Catch the latest edition of WLS News now!
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Money Matters
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Insurance Affects Weight Loss Surgery Results
 A new study finds that patients who rely on Medicare to pay for their bariatric surgery lose less weight post-op than those who have private health insurance. Find out why Medicare patients may be at greater risk in this report from WLS News.
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Post-Op Support
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‘Cause You Gotta Have Faith
Need a pick-me-up to help you deal with life’s daily challenges? Want some perspective on navigating relationships after weight loss surgery? I’ve just recorded several new episodes of 90 Seconds to Success, where I share some of the insights I’ve learned over the past 12 years as a post-op WLS patient. Click here to see the latest episode!
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| WLS Community |
 Roll Out the Welcome Wagon
Social networking sites, like Facebook and Twitter, are a great way to connect with other members of the WLS community across the country. Get plugged in with people who have traveled the weight loss surgery journey before you. You can also send us your feedback, show ideas, or silly videos. Join the WLS Channel group on Facebook…or send us a Tweet!
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We’ve been super busy behind the scenes, getting everything ready for next week’s annual meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. We’ll be bringing you Special Coverage of the ASMBS Meeting from our remote television studio at the event, including interviews with top bariatric surgeons and healthcare professionals from across the country, reports on new surgical procedures, and updates on research related to the management of obesity and related co-morbidities.
Stay tuned to the Weight Loss Surgery Channel to get the inside scoop!
Sincerely,
Craig Thompson
12 Years PostOp RNY
President
Weight Loss Surgery Channel
Posted on 12 June 2009
| Greetings!
In this week’s edition of WLS News, we’ll explain why UK children in low-income families have higher rates of obesity, and how Scotland and France are joining forces to fight the trend of childhood obesity overseas. Plus, find out whether moms who focus too much on food make their kids fatter. And, learn how actress Nia Vardalos recently lost more than 40 pounds, and why the slimmed-down star of My Big Fat Greek Wedding has plenty to celebrate this summer. Catch the latest edition of WLS News now!
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Life after WLS
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How to Get Your Body Back
 Here at the Weight Loss Surgery Channel, we receive a lot of emails from our viewers, including how to deal with the excess skin after weight loss. Should I get a tummy tuck or a full body lift? Does anyone specialize in helping bariatric patients?
To help folks find the right answers — and get insights from the very top medical experts — we created The Plastic Surgery Channel. So, if you’re looking for information about removing excess skin and getting your body back post-WLS, click on over to The Plastic Surgery Channel to see how we can help.
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Medical Alert
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Childhood Obesity Causes Sleep Problems
Snoring, sleep apnea, even heart attacks — obese children are at risk for all of these. Find out what can be done by clicking here.
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| WLS Social Networking |
‘Cause You’ve Gotta Have Friends
Meet other members of the WLS community across the country! Share your experience, strength and hope, and get encouragement from people who have traveled the weight loss surgery journey before you. Plus, send us your feedback, show ideas, silly videos, and anything else you think we should see. Join the WLS Channel group on Facebook now…or send us a Tweet!
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Need a pick-me-up to help you deal with life’s daily challenges? Want some perspective on navigating relationships after weight loss surgery? I’ve just recorded several new episodes of 90 Seconds to Success, where I share some of the insights I’ve learned over the past 12 years as a post-op WLS patient. Click here to see the latest episode!
I’ve also been doing some fun vlogging (that’s video blogging) on YouTube. Check out what’s really happening behind the scenes at The Weight Loss Surgery Channel — I think you’ll get a kick out of it!
Sincerely,
Craig Thompson
12 Years PostOp RNY
President
Weight Loss Surgery Channel
Posted on 05 June 2009
Greetings!
In this week’s edition of WLS News, we’ll give you the details on a new attempt by Congress to attack the nation’s growing childhood obesity plague. We’ll also sample some data showing that an ingredient in curry–the delicious South Asian dish–may have fat-fighting properties, as well. And we’ll tell you about one woman’s journey from hippo-size to hypno-sized. Catch the latest edition of WLS News now!
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Medical Alert
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Swine Flu Threatens Obese
 The H1N1 virus, better known as swine flu, swept across the globe earlier this year. Does the disease pose special risks for the obese? Learn what Margaret Chan, head of the World Health Organization (WHO), has to say about a second wave of the epidemic, and how you can minimize your risk of complications, should H1N1 come to your town.
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The Inside Scoop
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Straight from the Doctor’s Mouth
Find out what only the insiders know! In just two weeks the Weight Loss Surgery Channel will be on location at American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 2009 annual conference in Grapevine, Texas, to bring you interviews with the nation’s leading bariatric healthcare professionals, and news of the latest advances in technology & surgical techniques!
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We have had a tremendous response to our call for personal stories of weight loss surgery success — and we encourage you to keep ‘em coming! If you’re at least three years post-op and have an important message to share about your weight loss surgery journey, we want to hear from you! We are looking for WLS Success Stories to feature both on the Weight Loss Surgery Channel website and in upcoming shows.
Stories should be 500 words or more, with plenty of before and after pics. Links to YouTube videos are great, too. This is not the place to promote a product or service, but simply to provide encouragement to your fellow travelers on the WLS highway. Interested? Submit stories to MyStory@WeightLossSurgeryChannel.com.
Sincerely,
Craig Thompson
12 Years PostOp RNY
President
Weight Loss Surgery Channel
Posted on 29 May 2009
Greetings!
In the May 29, 2009 edition of WLS News, we’ll examine just how badly budget shortfalls are cutting into Canada’s bariatric care programs, and fill you in on new research indicating that smoking really can keep you thin. Then we’re off on a trip Down Under to learn how the government is battling obesity in the land of the koala and kangaroo (including a heartless ban on birthday cake). If it’s happening in the weight loss surgery community, we’ve got it covered. Catch the latest edition of WLS News now!
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The Next Generation
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Stress Affects Teen Obesity
 Recent research shows that a variety of stress factors, including academic problems, drug use and financial concerns, are likely direct contributors to obesity in children and teens. Find out which specific “stress markers” to watch for if you’re concerned that your child may become overweight or obese.
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Did You Know?
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‘Tis the Season for Sneezin’
The rate of childhood obesity is rising at a similar pace to the rate of childhood allergies, including allergies to food and pollens. Now, a new study has noted a correlation, and researchers believe that children who are overweight or obese may have a significantly higher rate of allergies than kids who are a normal weight.
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Community Support
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Share the Good News
How many people have you told about the Weight Loss Surgery Channel?  If the answer is “lots!” — or if you’re looking to expand your circle of friends — then “friend” us! Check out the Weight Loss Surgery Channel’s newest home on the Web, and connect with hundreds of folks in the WLS community, on Facebook! |
If you’re at least three years post-op and have an important message to share about your weight loss surgery journey, we want to hear from you! We are looking for WLS Success Stories to feature both on the Weight Loss Surgery Channel website and in upcoming shows.
Stories should be 500 words or more, with plenty of before and after pics. Links to YouTube videos are great, too. This is not the place to promote a product or service, but simply to provide encouragement to your fellow travelers on the WLS highway. Interested? Submit stories to MyStory@WeightLossSurgeryChannel.com.
Sincerely,
Craig Thompson
12 Years PostOp RNY
President
Weight Loss Surgery Channel
