VerticalSleeveTalk Newsletter 08/15/2013

[Alex Brecher 10,512]

VerticalSleeveTalk Newsletter

Hey Sleevers!

It’s hard to believe that summer’s almost over! We hope you get some time to enjoy the weather, your family and friends and your pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. If you’ve fallen off course a little bit, VerticalSleeveTalk.com is a great source of inspiration to get you back on track. If you’re going strong, log onto the forums and give a weight loss buddy a helping hand. That’s what the boards are for! Here’s what we have for you in this month’s newsletter.

• Sleever Poll – Which Dietary supplements Do You Take?

• Member Spotlight – Meet Curvy Girl!

• Staying Nourished After Weight Loss Surgery – Which Bariatric Dietary supplements Do You Need?

• Tips for Better Boarding – Be Considerate!

So read through the newsletter, answer the Dietary Supplement Poll and stick around on VerticalSleeveTalk.com. We can’t wait to see you there!

Sincerely,

Alex Brecher

Founder

VerticalSleeveTalk.com

Sleever Poll – Which Dietary Supplements Do You Take?

Vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements are important for staying healthy when you’re a bariatric surgery patient. Not every patient receives the same advice and some patients don’t know the best options. This forum is a great place to let everyone know which bariatric supplements YOU take. Can you please take a few minutes to share which dietary supplements you take? Thanks for spreading the word!

1. Do you take a bariatric daily multivitamin/mineral supplement? Which brand and formulation specifically? For example, you might take Centrum for Women or One a Day Women’s Active Metabolism.

2. Which bariatric Vitamins and minerals do you take each day? What is the brand and formulation of each? For example, you might take Puritan’s Pride Calcium Magnesium Vitamin D or Nature Made Iron 65 mg (ferrous sulfate).

3. Which other supplements (including herbals) do you take, and what brands are they? For example, you might take Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omegas fish oil.

Answer these questions and see what other VerticalSleeveTalk.com members have to say about their dietary supplements by using this link!

Member Spotlight – Meet Curvy Girl!

This month’s member spotlight is on Curvy Girl from San Antonio, Texas. She lost 100 lbs with Weight Watchers, but gained it back when she was pregnant with her twins. Since then, she gained and lost the same 30 pounds over and over. She felt as though the weight loss surgery was her last chance. Her highest weight was 348 pounds. She got the surgery done in August of 2012, and now, at her one-year anniversary, has lost about 100 lbs!

Curvy Girl says there are so many differences in her life. She doesn’t have to worry about whether she’ll be able to fit into a chair. She’s a regular gym-goer, and she’s eating healthily and drinking Water. She’s confident in her decisions, and knows to eat her Proteins first and veggies second – with no sodas or beer! Curvy Girl says she doesn’t stick out like she used to. Some of her greatest moments have been buying an extra large bathing suit, buying a shirt in a regular store and being able to fit into a regular airplane set! Also, she’s comfortable taking photos with her children!

Of course, there have been challenges. On vacation, there have been times when Curvy Girl wishes she could eat, but she knows that she’s been successful exactly because she couldn’t eat!

VerticalSleeveTalk.com has helped Curvy Girl from the beginning of her weight loss surgery journey, and she still loves reading posts from beginners and veteran members. The boards let her see how far she’s come and give her a chance to inspire others. Her tips for others are to follow the rules, to focus on Water and Protein and to be happy with your progress.

Curvy Girl, you really have reason to be happy with your progress! Congratulations on your one-year sleeve anniversary, and thanks for being in our member spotlight!

If you want to nominate yourself or someone else to be in our Member Spotlight, please do so in the Spotlight forum! You can nominate yourself or someone else anonymously by sending a private message to Alex Brecher. Thanks!

Staying Nourished After Weight Loss Surgery – Which Bariatric Dietary Supplements Do You Need?

You get weight loss surgery as a tool to help you eat less so that you can lose weight. You eat a low-calorie diet, you drink plenty of water and you hit your Protein goals every day. You’re losing weight and think everything’s under control, but there’s something else you should be thinking about. Ironically enough, you might be malnourished.

Why are weight loss surgery patients at high risk for Vitamin and mineral deficiencies?

You’re not eating very much.

You’re limiting certain food groups.

Your body is trying to recover from surgery or sustain weight loss.

Right after surgery, you may need liquid or powdered forms of supplements. Later, chewable or even gel supplements may be tolerable. Many weight loss surgery patients take a daily Multivitamin and mineral supplement to get a range of nutrients to make up for possible deficiencies in your diet. Ask your surgeon or a nutritionist which one might be best for you. You might also need to take a few single vitamin or mineral supplements in addition to your daily Multivitamin and mineral supplement.

Which additional supplements might you need? These are some of the common ones, but there are more that you may need.

Iron – needed to prevent anemia and keep your immune system strong

Vitamin D – supports bone health to prevent osteoporosis and fractures

Calcium – supports bone health to prevent osteoporosis and fractures

Vitamin B12 – helps prevent anemia

For recommendations from our members, visit this month’s poll on VerticalSleeveTalk.com! When you’re there, please share your own supplements! As with any advice, a doctor or dietitian should provide the final word.

Tips for Better Boarding – Be Considerate!

We’ll end the newsletter with a brief reminder. VerticalSleeveTalk.com is a source of information. It’s also a community. Our members depend on VerticalSleeveTalk.com to be encouraging and supportive. For some of our members, VerticalSleeveTalk.com is the only source of social support they have for their surgeries and weight loss journeys. Please remember this and respect all members’ rights to a warm and welcoming atmosphere! People may have different viewpoints, but every member deserves respect and courtesy. Thank you for keeping our boards a safe haven for all weight loss surgery patients!

Thanks for reading the newsletter and for your continued support! Don’t forget to check out the old newsletters in on VerticalSleeveTalk.com. It is always a pleasure to hear from members, so please feel free to contact us anytime with feedback. Thanks!

Take care of yourself and each other.

Sincerely,

Alex

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