To "Be Drunk" or To "Feel Good"

Happy Monday all! I hope you had a pleasant weekend. I know I have been keeping busy with all the new things I have in the works but I have also been doing a lot of reading on various WLS forums that I am a part of. I know it's been a while since I've blogged but today, I just felt the need to ask a question.

Transfer addiction post weight loss surgery has been a hot topic for sometime now. Possibly years... I have seen it, I had a breif affair with it, I have recovered from it. However, in the past month or so, it seems like all the rage. Between a dear friend of mine, Melting Mama, talking about it on ABC's Nightline to the countless youtube videos you can find on post-ops having alcohol issues to the need for another dear friend of mine, Connie Stapleton, PhD along with her partner Cari De La Cruz, to be hosting a webinar on it.

I just wanted to throw something out there... Many say that they find they "want to drink". Wanting to drink does NOT mean you have a problem with alcohol. It does not make you an alcoholic it doesn't even necessarily mean you have a problem. While I am not justifying behaviors or giving anyone a rational to continue what you may personally feel is an unhealthy behavior in your life, but I have to ask...

Is the desire you have... the desire to "be drunk" or to "feel good"?

There is a major difference. It is completely normal and healthy to want to feel good. As formerly obese people, we have used food for a long time to feel good. Make no mistake about it. There is a chemical transaction occurring in our brain every time we eat carbs and sugar. Our pleasure receptors are triggered and happy hormones released. Food makes our brain happy. We have become so accustomed to feeling happy from outside sources that we may have forgotten or possibly never learned what it means to find happiness from within.

On the other hand, wanting to "be drunk" to "forget" to "quiet emotions" is an unhealthy state to exist in. If these are the feelings you associate with alcohol, or any other substance for that matter, you are heading down a slippery slope that will lead to no where good.

As with anything, I have always said, you must know yourself. Sit down today and think about where your motivations lie. If you truly believe you are in an unhealthy place and on that road to no where good, perhaps it is time to seek help. You are not alone. There are many others who are feeling the exact same way you do. There are anonymous/closed groups on facebook that you can go to for more support. There are groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and others in your area you can attend that you may find helpful or you may need more help like a therapist or inpatient, detox or out patient treatment.

You may want to start by attending the webinar mentioned above! For more information on the webinar, check out this video.

If you would like some help finding local support in your area or on facebook, comment below or send me an e-mail at SleevePixie@gmail.com.

You are not alone!
xoxo
Sleeve Pixie

ASMBS 2011 - Day 1

So here I am... ASMBS!!! I have wanted to attend the ASMBS conference for three years now! I remember learning that anyone who was anyone in the Bariatric Community goes to ASMBS and I wanted to go too!

I didn't sleep last night because we all know I am a procrastinator. I was awake packing and had to make a run tot he office to put the finishing touches on a presentation for a perspective employer :-) I got to the airport at 4:15 in the am. JFK, terminal 5, Jetblue! The ONLY way to fly! On the plane by 5:45am and passed out before the plane even took off. I woke up about 20 minutes before we landed. Thank goodness for those two hours of sleep. Landed in Sunny beautiful Orlando, FL at 8:45am, picked up my rental car and headed for the hotel.

I was hunting for a Starbucks but there was no one to be found... Orlando, for a touristy town is definitely lacking in the Starbucks department! Made it to the hotel, changed and ran out to take the 30 minute drive tot he Gaylord Palms Conference center in Kissimmee, FL. This place is HUGE!!!! It's also gorgeous!!! I parked my rent-a-compact and headed in to find the registration booth.

I had an hour before my first class so I grabbed some ASMBS sponsored lunch! Dear ASMBS, thank you so very much for ensuring that I eat at least one meal a day because the cost of your conference has me wiped!

Onto my first class... Masters in Behavioral Health Part One... The Pre-op Eval. I totally thought this was going to be like a psych or social work class I took in school. Boy was I wrong. 3 Abstracts... All talking about using various psychological scales during the pre-op eval.

Abstract 1.
Construct Validity and Clinical Utility of the MMPI-2-RF Among Bariatric Surgery Candidates.
By: Anthony Tarescavage
While I was able to follow this abstract, Anthony spoke very fast and zipped through his slides. Once he started talking about Standard Deviation I have to admit my mind kinda zoned out. I tried to be there I really did but I am not a fan of research. I don't mind gathering data but once it comes time to analyze it... That's just not my strength. The basic jist of the talk (at least what I got from it, is that the MMPI-2-RF is a restructured clinical scale which encompasses 51 different scales in 338 questions. Each of these 338 items are taking from the original MMPI 2 which is initially over 500 questions. I think he was trying to say that the data showed a positive correlation between certain items and either a positive or negative outcome post-operatively. To be honest, I personally didn't feel that the data presented was conclusive enough to show positive correlation between the MMPI 2 RF and post-op outcomes. But then again perhaps I was just too zoned out to get it.

Abstract 2.
Differences in Psychological Profiles of Sugar Cravers.
By: Kerry B. Ferguson
The basic premise here was that many patients pre-op, self reported during their psych eval that they were Sugar Cravers. Such scales were used as the Carb Addiction Scale and the BDI (depression scale) and the results showed that 75% of sleeve and bypass patients self reported that after surgery their cravings for sugar disappeared. There was also a positive correlation between Depression and Sugar Cravings. I personally don't think enough research was done here. The presenter neglected to provide a clear and universal definition of what a Sugar Craver is, so therefore there is really no baseline from which to measure. I think there is much more to be discovered here.

Abstract 3.
SCL-90R Profiles and Weight Loss Outcomes Among Bariatric Surgery Candidates.
By: Kathleen Ashton
Yet another talk on the benefits of using certain psychological scales to predict outcome of a bariatric surgery candidate. The findings here stated that Patients with a positive clinical profile lost 9% less than their negative clinical profiled peers. This was prob one of the most well thought out and interesting of the abstracts with regard to the psychological scales being used as a predictor for post-operative weight loss outcome.

These three abstracts led to a very interesting discussion about the place of mental health professionals and the pre-op psych eval in pre-op patient care. There seems to be an unspoken yet widely accepted belief that Mental Health professionals are supposed to be able to predict, based on the evaluation, and tell the surgeon, if a particular patient is "good candidate" for bariatric surgery. The unspoken agreement is that a good candidate is one who will comply with the rules, and lose and maintain a certain percentage of their excess weight. Not for nothing, I can't tell you that! No one can. We can give our best guess but really it's a 50/50 shot. Either the patient will or wont. I think the mental health professionals in this field along with the ASMBS need to change the way the pre-op psych eval is viewed. Instead of it being a predictive factor, perhaps we can view it as more of an intake in which we use psychological scales to best gauge a post-op treatment plan for each individual patient. I think we need to require as part of a patients complete treatment of obesity, that patients have 6 sessions of therapy after bariatric surgery and more if needed. As one surgeon got up and said during this discussion, his patients who have severe and persistent mental illnesses like schizophrenia, who engage in regular weekly therapy and medication management are some of his most successful and compliant patients. GO FIGURE! What do you think? Do you think we should try to predict outcomes or help patients attain the outcomes they desire? What changes would you make?

The discussion turned to billing codes for all of these psych evals and I left. I cannot and do not accept insurance and listening to the fees some of these folks charge makes me feel like I am selling myself short.

So I went to hang out at the OAC booth with my good friend Jeff Haaga! Have you all joined the Obesity Action Coalition yet? They are having a half price membership sale here at ASMBS and raffling off 3 Apple TVs! I personally hold 2 memberships to the OAC. a regular membership and a professional one. I spoke to Jeff about more ways I could get involved. After his release from booth duty and we sold a few memberships, I joined him for dinner to discuss some new possibilities for me. I have been invited to join a committee within the OAC. I have a few choices to consider. Once I know more I will fill you all in :-)

After dinner, I headed over to Beth and Andrea's hotel to say a quick hello and girlie banter a bit. On the way back to my hotel, I finally found me a Starbucks!!! Woohoo! Got my iced latte and headed back tot he hotel. Long day... but well worth it! I am looking forward to sharing tomorrows sessions with you and all of the extra curricular invite only parties and cocktail hours! Tomorrow night is the OAC's member only party. I look forward to meeting the board members and those that make the OAC tick.

'til tomorrow friends,
xoxo
Sleeve Pixie

Endorse The Obesity Action Coalition!!!

The OAC needs your help! As some of you may have seen on my Facebook or Twitter Pages, The OAC is participating in a Facebook contest for nonprofits sponsored by Vivint. This is a great opportunity for the OAC because the grand prize, going to the nonprofit who receives the most overall votes, is $250,000!

Right now, Phase 1 of the contest is taking place and will come to a close on June 11. At that time, the top 20 nonprofits from each region (there are five different regions and we are part of the Eastern region) will advance to Phase 2. The top 20 nonprofits from each region will be announced on June 14 and then voting will resume. As of today, the OAC is close but not yet in the top 20 for our region. Right now the OAC is number 21!!

 reaching out to you to help the OAC advance in this contest. All we are asking is that you vote for the Obesity Action Coalition and that you share this contest with all your followers on Facebook. This contest allows individuals to vote for one charity, once a day, every day, by signing in with their Facebook account. You can vote for the OAC by visiting this Web site: http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject/charity/233.

You place your vote by clicking the “endorse” button. Right above that button is a message that says “I just endorsed Obesity Action Coalition on the Vivint Gives Back Project. Vivint is giving away $1.25 million dollars to local charities and I want Obesity Action Coalition to win.” If you click yes, this message will then be displayed on your Facebook for all your Facebook Friends to see. If possible, the OAC asks that you share this link on your Facebook so we can get the word out to as many people as possible.

With everyone’s help and support, we believe we can win this contest and use the money to continue helping those affected by obesity through education, advocacy and support.

Thank you for your help.

xoxo

Sleeve Pixie

Why Do I Write...

Wow... ok, so I was tagged on a twitter post and someone asked me "why do I write?"

(Our mission: Ladies please tell us in a post, Why You Write? Please also tag 5 others and offer them 3 pearls of wisdom for other writers/bloggers.)

So let's get down to it... I will start off by saying, I began this blog because my very good friend Beth Sheldon Badore, best known as Melting Mama, told me to. She said I need to start blogging. I had been toying with the idea but it was her push that made me actually do it. 

Now that I have started blogging, although I don't do it consistently, I keep it going for many many reasons. 

Therapy: It eases my mind and helps me to let go of what is weighing heavily in my heart. While I don't always  put it all out there, this blog definitely serves as a form of catharsis when I need it to. 

Support: Isn't it nice to know you're not alone? There have been times I have sat down to blog and I will get a reply saying... "OMG I sooo needed this today! Thank You!" To everyone of you who has ever sent one of "those" messages, just know there is strength is numbers! If I feel "that way" and so do you, chances are pretty good so do others! 

Shameless self promotion: Yep I said it. I sometimes blog so that people will oooh and ahh with me and at me. Everyone deserves an ego boost! I sometimes blog to promote my practice. I am currently accepting appointments by the way for both my live and virtual couch! I sometimes blog to promote others too. The OAC mostly falls into this category. I have also promoted events for Obesity Help and my surgeon. 

I write to get information and give information. I write to help you see things in a new light. A re-vision of your own. Perhaps about body image, or the infamous "food addiction". I write about good things and not such great things, ups and downs. I write for you and I write for me. Ok now I am starting to sound like a Dr. Seuss book. 

So now I am supposed to give you three pearls of wisdom...

• Be honest
• Be yourself
• Be passionate

xoxo

Sleeve Pixie

OAC Walk Complete!

DSC_1633 a video by bethography - melting mama on Flickr.

Beth and I had a little too much fun with Hula's and things after we walked our walk and talked the talk. The OAC and ASMBS raised over $10,000!!! WOOHOO!!! Great Job team Melting Mama for being the top fundraiser!

Is Food an Addiction?

The Diagnostics and Statistical Manual (DSM IV-tr) lists a few levels of what we have come to know as addiction. Substance ABUSE and DEPENDENCY…  

The criteria for substance abuse as listed in the DSM IV-tr is... 

A maladaptive pattern of abuse leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one or more of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:

1. Recurrent use resulting in failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.
2. Recurrent use in situations in which it is physically hazardous. 
3. Recurrent related legal problems.
4. Continued use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance.
5. These symptoms must never have met the criteria for substance dependence.

Ok so I can easily stretch food to fit into the above description of substance abuse… I say STRETCH because realistically, most of these wont happen to a foodie. Perhaps we may meet the criteria in Number 4 but I am willing to bet that most if not ALL of us can cancel out Food ABUSE because we meet the Criteria for dependence. 

The criterion for Substance DEPENDENCE however, I don’t need to stretch at all to fit. The criteria for substance dependence as listed in the DSM IV-tr is...

A maladaptive pattern of use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three or more of the following seven criteria, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:

1. Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
1. A need for markedly increased amounts to achieve intoxication or desired effect. (check)
2. Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of substance. (When I was little I ate a cookie, pre-op I ate a whole damn box!)
2. Withdrawal, as defined by either of the following:
1. The characteristic withdrawal syndrome… Substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms. (Check: I know I am a bitch when carb detoxing and even worse when sugar detoxing)
3. Substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended. (Check)
4. There is a persistent desire or there are unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use. (CHECK!! Every failed diet in the last 15 yrs!)
5. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain substance, use substance or recover from its effects. (Check! How many of us have spent countless hours thinking about whats for lunch, where we are going to go out to eat, what we will eat when we get there and how we will burn off the meal afterwards)
6. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use. (Check: I know I didn't want to be seen at certain social functions at 391lbs. The clothing selection was limited, what would people think, would I be able to walk there from the car etc... etc…)
7. Substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (Check! So many of us continue our negative eating patterns knowing we may die from our high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes etc etc)

Ok so just saying, to qualify as substance dependence, you need 3!!! I got ALL 7!!!! How many did you get??

**The criteria above was taken word for word as the criterion for Alcohol.

So are you convinced yet that food is an addiction? No of course you aren't! You want the SCIENTIFIC PROOF! Ok Ok. As always I come prepared! I am sure you have heard me rant about this before. Research shows that carbohydrates and sugar react with the same neuron receptors as OPIATES! Opiates are drugs like:

• Opium
• Morphine
• Codeine
• Heroin

Don't believe me... read it for yourself HERE and HERE. And here are a few quotes from a a few studies I have used in the past. I cannot link to because I got it through my Adelphi Library. But you can find the study if you would like to pay for it. 

Research done by Bruinsma and Taren (1999), shows that, chocolate may evoke similar psychopharmacologic and behavioral reactions in susceptible persons as opiates. A review of the literature on chocolate cravings indicates that the hedonic appeal of chocolate (fat, sugar, texture, and aroma) is likely to be a predominant factor in such cravings. Other characteristics of chocolate, however, may be equally as important contributors to the phenomena of chocolate cravings. Chocolate may be used by some as a form of self-medication for dietary deficiencies (eg, magnesium) or to balance low levels of neurotransmitters involved in the regulation of mood, food intake, and compulsive behaviors (eg, serotonin and dopamine). Chocolate cravings are often episodic and fluctuate with hormonal changes just before and during the menses, which suggests a hormonal link and confirms the assumed gender-specific nature of chocolate cravings. (p. 1249) Another interesting finding on Chocolate suggests that addiction for chocolate may stem from the same receptors in the brain as opiates. Naloxone, found in chocolate attaches to opiate receptors in the brain. “Endogenous opiates, are involved in drug addictions and are responsible for the body's response to pleasure, stress, and pain. A study investigating this hypothesis found that infusions into rats of the opiate antagonist naloxone diminished taste preferences for high-fat and sweet foods and selectively suppressed consumption of these foods; in contrast, rats infused with morphine, an opiate agonist, increased their fat intake.”

** Bruinsma, K., & Taren, D. L. (1999). Chocolate: Food or Drug? Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 9

Avena, Rada, and Hoebe (2008), shows that intermittent sugar access also acts by way of opioids in the brain. There are changes in opioid systems such as decreased enkephalin mRNA expression in the accumbens. Signs of withdrawal seem to be largely due to the opioid modifications since withdrawal can be obtained with the opioid antagonist naloxone.(p.887)

**Avena, N. M., Rada, P., & Hoebel, B. G. (2008). Evidence for sugar addiction: Behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake. Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 32(1), 20-39.

Withdrawal symptoms of opiates include:

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Muscle aches
• Increased tearing
• Insomnia
• Runny nose
• Sweating
• Abdominal cramping
• Diarrhea
• Dilated pupils
• Goose bumps
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Which ones do you get? I get Anxiety and Agitation big time. But I have also had the Muscle Aches and Diarrhea. We are not created equal. 

So how about now... I have given you solid evidence and research to back my claim that food IS an addiction... What are your thoughts?

xoxo

Sleeve Pixie

NYC - MY Walk from Obesity!

This weekend I invited myself to "Obesity Online", an invite only conference for WLS bloggers and vloggers. The conf was held at the Mondrian hotel in SoHo, NYC. While the conference was a room full of 20ish social media moguls, most of whom I knew in one form or another, I am not going to write about that in depth.

The things that happened outside of the conference are what matter to me. The people, the support, the community are the reasons I pushed to be at the conference.

The conference featured some of the higher-ups in the WLS professional circle. Joe Nadglowski, President of the OAC, Robin Blackstone, MD, President Elect of the ASMBS, and Melissa Lierman, a social media expert! We spent the day talking about obesity, advocacy, surgeries, social media and had a few debates along the way.

After the conference some of my friends and I walked around the city. We ate, we laughed, we got lost and found all in one day! I walked more this past weekend then I have in the last two weeks combined! The most amazing and meaningful part of this weekend for me was Yesterday... Every part of my day was both fun and meaningful.

We started our day off with a windy walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. When the cab dropped us off at the entrance on the Manhattan side, I felt both excitement and panic at the thought of this adventure. I didn't know if I was going to make it all the way across but I was excited to try. Then the panic set in and I was afraid if I got stuck half way through, there was no way out. I feared getting stuck and being in pain like I would have been just months ago.

Half way through the bridge!

The support I got from my friends, who promised me they would walk slow and not leave me hanging and push my from behind if needed was amazing! They were my cheer leaders the whole way through. The walk was actually quite easy. I didn't HAVE TO stop to catch my breathe or sit down because I hurt. We had so much fun! We took pics of buildings and graffiti and each other and just had a blast!

When I reached Brooklyn, I couldn't believe it! I DID IT! I walked the Brooklyn Bridge! 1.13 miles and we didn't stop there! We walked to Grimaldi's Pizza Place to find them closed then continued walking to Bubby's for Brunch.

After brunch we hopped the subway back to Manhattan. Another NSV! I didn't have to walk through the turn-style sideways, for the first time in 10 years!! I was amazed and on cloud 9! I think I still am! The walk continued....

Next a few of us headed over to the Museum of Sex! What fun we had!! I walked through 3 floors of exhibits, took pictures and had fun in the goody shop! Walking on...

Next, 24 hour fitness for some protein shake yumminess! I got a strawberry banana smoothie with some whey protein and man was it AMAZING! When we left there I had already walked over 4 miles and over 10,500 steps! It was only 4pm! The last leg...

We headed back to the hotel to hang out and say our goodbyes. At the end of MY Walk... I got the most amazing prize... My life! It's not promised for forever but yesterday I grabbed it by the balls!

xoxo
Sleeve Pixie

When Doctors Judge Their Obese Patients. How Do We Avoid This?

When Doctors Judge Their Obese Patients

David Katz, M.D..Director of Yale University's Prevention Research Center
Posted: March 16, 2011 08:11 AM

"I saw a patient in my clinic last week who came to me for ... never mind. I am now her doctor; she is now my patient. What happens between us is private and privileged, and none of your business.
But in one regard, this patient was a prototype of countless others, and that can, and perhaps should, be everybody's business. She was heavy. She was very, very heavy.... (cont reading)

The article above has sparked many discussions recently in the bariatric community. We were all over weight before our WLS and some of us still are. It is a harsh reality that many doctors judge us, make us feel unwelcome and research shows that bias from the doctors towards obese people often prevent us from getting the proper medical care we need!

I can ramble off many obese people who have chosen not to see a doctor for years now because their prior experiences have been less than comfortable. It is time to take action! you have to know that it is not ok to be treated this way! Doctors have to realize that we deserve TLC, especially C no matter what we weigh or look like!

Here are a few things you can do to prevent feeling less than human when you go to a doctor!!

There are lists out there of "fat-friendly" doctors.
http://www.cat-and-dragon.com/stef/fat/ffp.html
http://homepage.mac.com/joeobrin/FatDoc/FatDoc.html
http://www.plussizeyellowpages.com/Size_Friendly_Health_Professionals.htm
 
 
There are also questions that can be asked over the phone that will tell someone whether their doctor is "fat-friendly". Ask if the waiting room has bariatric sized chairs, if they have a large blood pressure cuff handy, if they have plus sized gowns and what the maximum weight is on the scale in the office. Also how the staff reacts when you ask them to look up this information is a huge indicator of the feel in the office.


One woman I know goes as far as to get the doctor ont he phone and ask the doctor if she is comfortable touching fat people? No one likes to be diagnosed from across the room!

If you have any suggestions to add to this list please post below!
xoxo
Sleeve Pixie

NSAIDS: VSG Friendly?

Why are we talking so much about NSAIDs lately? Everyone has an opinion on whether or not we can take em. By "we" I mean the VSGers. Even doctors can't seem to agree on the facts. When I had my band I waas popping Aleve like candy... 500mg in one shot 4 times a day. It's a miracle I don't have an ulcer.

So I did some breif research this morning about the FACTS on NSAID use. Once you have the facts you can decide if NSAID use is for you.

What exactly is an NSAID? NSAIDs are Non-Steroidal Anti Inflamitory Drugs known for their ability to reduce fever and provide pain relief. They are non narcotic, but lemme tell you they can be addictive.

What is the problem with NSAIDs?  The problem with NSAIDs are the damage they can cause to the inner lining of your stomach. They can wear the lining down and cause ulcers.

"The second major cause for ulcers is irritation of the stomach arising from regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. NSAIDs are available over-the-counter (OTC) and by prescription" ~American College of Gastroenterology.

What are the Complications of Ulcers? Bleeding, Obstruction and Perforation
Bleeding: Internal bleeding in the stomach or the duodenum.

• Bleeding is never a good thing clearly. If the bleed is in the duodenum, we have a chance to possibly convert to a DS, but if the bleed is in the stomach... Well we don't have much less. With a full stomach we have more room to play and most consider the benefits to outweigh the risks. We only have 20% of our stomach left friends.... Not much to play with there... Do the benefits of NSAIDs still outweigh the risks?

Perforation: When ulcers are left untreated, digestive juices and stomach acid can literally eat a hole in the intestinal lining, a serious medical problem that requires hospitalization, and often surgery.

• Again... we have 20% of our stomach left!!!! Why risk it? We have to save it for a potential rainy day!

Obstruction: Swelling and scarring from an ulcer may close the outlet of the stomach, preventing food to pass and causing vomiting and weight loss.

• Ok, I didn't know this until recently... Has your surgeon showed you what a bougie looks like?? Below you will see a picture sent to me by Dr. Alvarez, of a 32fr Bougie.
• Picture of 32 French Bougie... Its the clear thing in the middle... If you don't understand what a bougie is or why is used for VSG surgery... Here is a quick explanation... The bougie is place in through your esophagus into your stomach and used as a guide for the surgeon to staple. Basically the bougie decides the size of your new sleeve. As you can see below, the bougie is barely bigger than a pen.
•  Not very much there to save or work with. I would imagine it would be fairly simple and quick for an ulcer to work its way through our new stomach and cause a hole... It is possible for ulcers to heal... but again look at the size of the inside of your stomach... How much scar tissue do you think it would take to cause an obstruction? I'd gather not that much!

Can you see why this may be problematic for VSGers?

So now you can make an educated decision is to whether or not NSAID's are good for you!
They are not for me. If you do NEED to take NSAIDs for heart health and things of that nature... There are medications that can be taken in conjunction with NSAID to lower your risk. Talk to your doctor :-)

Here is a list of all of the OTC (Over the Counter) NSAIDs out there. For a more complete list of both OTC and perscription NSAIDs Click Here!

Over-the-Counter NSAIDs
OTC Brand Name	Generic Name	Dose
Actron®	ketoprofen	1-6 pills/day, (up to 75 mg/day)
Advil®	ibuprofen	1-6 pills/day, (up to 1,200 mg/day)
Aleve®	naproxen sodium	1-3 pills/day*, (up to 660 mg/day)
Bayer®	aspirin	1-12 pills/day, (up to 4,000 mg/day)
Ecotrin®	aspirin	1-12 pills/day, (up to 4,000 mg/day)
Excedrin®	aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine	2-8 pills/day, (up to 2,000 mg/day aspirin, 2,000 mg/day acetaminophen, and 520 mg/day caffeine)
Motrin IB®	ibuprofen	1-6 pills/day, (up to 1,200 mg/day)
Nuprin®	ibuprofen	1-6 pills/day, (up to 1,200 mg/day)
Orudis KT®	ketoprofen	1-6 pills/day, (up to 75 mg/day)
*2-pill limit for patients over age 65.

TO OUR HEALTH!

Sleeve Pixie

Lost and Insecure....

While I usually blog about the struggles and successes of WLS as a whole today I am down in the dumps.. In fact, if I am really being honest with you all I have been this way for about a week now... This is why I have not been blogging as regularly as I should or would like to... It's time to lay it alllll out on the table... Beth, the owner of Weighty Secrets says... Secrets are things we give to others to keep for us... So I give to you my secrets today...

• Today, my love for this very community that I work so hard to better has dwindled. The constant drama and 1-uping bull shit behavior has got to stop. I seriously can't take it anymore. Why are you so insecure that you have to prance around and believe you are better than everyone else. When did it stop being for the right reasons? What happens in post-op brain that makes them loose their damn mind?? 
• Today I confess that I am outraged, disgusted and disappointed in the so-called pillars/post-op professionals of our community...I will not name names because I know nothing to be FACT but for the rumors that have been flying... I KNOW there HAS TO BE a few who are not acting right... 
• To all those Bariatric "para-professionals" out there... support group leaders, life coaches and the like... know your place! What you have to give is beautiful. You have the heart and soul of a helper but know where to draw the line and please leave your ego at the door. I don't care how much you paid for your life coach certificate or how many years post-op you are or any of that other stuff. You ARE NOT a surgeon, dietitian, therapist, nutritionist etc... YOU are a HELPER. Nothing more, nothing less. Know when it's time to send your "clients" for the help they deserve and need. You are doing nothing for them if you believe you can "therapy" away their issues, YOU CAN'T! You don't have the education to do so. Completing a course of therapy for yourself does not in any way make you qualified to give therapy to others. Paying for a 6 week course in coaching, DOES NOT qualify you to give therapy. In fact that only thing you are doing is stroking your own ego and hurting the people you once wanted so badly to help. Therapists do a MINIMUM of 6 years of schooling plus internships under heavy supervision. They study for weeks if not months and take licensing exams! 

*note... If you find this post offensive, you may want to figure out why... If you don't find it offensive... I'm clearly NOT talking about YOU! For those of you who fit the category above, I am ashamed to stand next to you as a "professional" in our community. 

Venting this out makes me feel so much better... Someone had to say it. I have been afraid to say this for so long because of the backlash I will face. Today, right now in this moment, I DON'T CARE. I can't make everyone happy. Not everyone will love me. I am ok with that. But I cannot sit here and say nothing... It just doesn't flow with my moral fibers...

To my amazing friends, please please please... Be careful with regard to whom you entrust your well being. 

I love you all!

xoxo

Sleeve Pixie

Help the OAC Reach 50,000 MEMBERS!!!!

Please join online!  Use BETH BADORE as your referral!

Help me help the Obesity Action Coalition reach 50,000 members this spring!  It's a BIG task, but I think we can do it. 

Join the OAC Now! 

The mission of the OAC is to elevate and empower those affected by obesity through education, advocacy and support.  I'm sure many of you understand wanting to EDUCATE, ADVOCATE and SUPPORT.  Now is your opportunity to make your voice part of a bigger cause.

• Just download the member recruiting form and send it in!
• Or join online!

This IS a contest!  ;)    Yes, Beth and I have no shame in promoting for a totally worthy cause. 

In fact, I'd be doing this regardless of the prize, you know that.  (Look at the Walk From Obesity -- that's for the OAC, and there's no prize involved.  It's about raising awareness and I drove in from NY.) 

Help me recruit the most new members to the OAC! 

Make sure you put BETH BADORE IN THAT SPOT on the form so SHE gets credit for you! 

• Just download the member recruiting form and send it in!

• Or join online!

THANK YOU!

Beth is giving away prizes so Check out HER BLOG for Clicktastic prizes and more!!!