Bridges Center for Surgical Weight Management

From health apps to wearable devices, technology is revolutionizing how we manage our well-being. Steward CEO Dr. Ralph de la Torre recently joined a team of panelists at Reuters' 2023 to discuss unlocking with technology.

Patient engagement, positive habits, and cross-industry collaboration are key to making meaningful gains. Patients are no small part of the solution. Take action today!

At Steward, we’re proud to be a part of making professional success a possibility for military spouses. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and supporting by joining the Department of Defense in its Military Spouse Employment Partnership.

View the event here: https://bit.ly/45Pvs90

While Super Bowl LVII (57) doesn't kickoff until Sunday, staff at didn't let that stop them from celebrating the big game today with our own Soup-er Bowl party!!!
More than a dozen of our own griddle-iron greats brought in different soups, chili's (with & without beans), pulled pork, and all the fix 'ins, and we turned our small conference room into an early tailgate party!
Physicians, nurses, techs and support staff, all scored a touchdown for their tastebuds as they sampled from the different selections.
And while everyone who participated in the event was a winner, the Soup-er Bowl I Champion was Trina Abbott, RN in our Emergency Department, who's Green Chili Chicken soup needed overtime to pullout the victory. A close second was Chelsea Price, MS, RD, LDN, Bariatric Coordinator, whose chili with beans was delicious!
A huge thank you to everyone who participated! Here's hoping Sunday's big game will be as exciting as the first annual Soup-er Bowl.

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Marisela Marrero to Senior Vice President of Health Care Equity and DEI and Paul Smith as the next President of Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center. https://bit.ly/3HQa370

Bariatric Support Group - Today at 4pm
Topic: Importance of Vitamins
Where: Facebook Live and Teams

Join via Teams using this link:
https://bit.ly/3jrsKEE

Cooking doesn't have to be complicated. Check out this bariatric-friendly 5-ingredient chili recipe!

https://bit.ly/3woq4uh

Easy 5 Ingredient Chili Easy 5 Ingredient Chili perfect for post-op bariatric surgery patients needing to get lean protein in their meals after Gastric Sleeve or Bypass

Taking vitamins after surgery is essential. Without them, patients run the risk of developing life-threatening vitamin & mineral deficiencies.

Bariatric surgery patients need: a bariatric multivitamin, calcium, and to ensure their body gets enough iron and vitamin D to meet their needs.

The bariatric surgery program at Tempe St. Luke's Hospital has specially trained providers and a registered dietitian to customize a vitamin routine to fit each individuals' needs.

Obesity continues to be a worsening epidemic in the United States and impacts the health of our country.

Treatment options for severe obesity are available. Bariatric Surgery is recognized as the number one most effective treatment for severe obesity.

To learn more about bariatric surgery options at Tempe St. Luke's Hospital, visit our website.

Activity and movement are essential for health. It doesn't take extreme workouts to benefit from moving your body.

What's your favorite way to move your body?

You'll never feel ready - just start.

Bridges Center for Surgical Weight Management updated their address.

Bridges Center for Surgical Weight Management updated their phone number.

We are on Instagram!

Finally - mindful eating teaches us where to invest our energy.

Physical activity should not be used as punishment, but rather a celebration of what the body is physically capable of? If you're not ready to or unable to go all-in on an activity schedule, do what you can! Increasing daily movement will increase your activity tolerance over time. Eventually you'll be able to move your body more than ever before.

Physical health is important - but it's also important to remember that we must invest in or emotional, social, and spiritual health to be completely fulfilled. Mindful eating practices can pave the way for all of these things by first helping us develop a healthy and satisfying approach to eating and activity.

To learn more about Am I Hungry? and their approach to mindful eating - check out the website here:
https://amihungry.com/

Mindful eating also addresses HOW MUCH DO I EAT?

After surgery, fullness feels different and happens very quickly. With more awareness, people can learn to avoid discomfort from eating too much. Learning that the plate doesn't have to be clean, the package doesn't have to be empty - is an important skill to avoid eating too much after surgery.

Many patients notice their body sends a small signal when it's time to stop: a hiccup, a cough, runny nose, a yawn or sigh.

Step 4 of the Mindful Eating Cycle is addressing HOW DO I EAT?

Mindful eating brings awareness about physical and emotional feelings with eating. When you focus on eating and physical cues, you're more likely to feel satisfied without eating in excess.

To learn more about Am I Hungry? and their approach to mindful eating - check out the website here:
https://amihungry.com/

Step 3 of the Mindful Eating Cycle is WHAT DO I EAT?

Most patients have tried multiple diets before deciding to have bariatric surgery. Research shows chronic dieters are more preoccupied with food, feel deprived, and guilty about food if they "break their diet". Because of this feelings of failure and low self-esteem emerge - which can cause even more overeating.

Mindful eating strives to support wisdom about what to eat. Instead of providing a black and white list of foods to eat and avoid and feeling deprived of foods you love - through mindful eating you are given the power to choose foods that are nourishing, satisfying, and avoid unwanted side effects (like dumping syndrome).

The second question in the Mindful Eating Cycle is WHEN DO I EAT?

Research shows that individuals with a normal weight are more likely to eat due to hunger, while those with overweight or obesity tend to eat due to external triggers. It's important to learn the difference between physical hunger and environmental or emotional triggers for eating. Eating when actually hungry is much more satisfying!

Learning to redirect when triggered by environment or emotions is an important skill. Think about keeping food out of sight and avoiding locations where food tends to be (buffet area at a holiday party, office break room, etc). Order small portions or share meals to avoid overeating when dining at restaurants.

If you often use food to cope with emotions, having bariatric surgery will disrupt this cycle. It is essential you find alternative coping strategies for emotions that are not related to food.

To learn more about Am I Hungry? and their approach to mindful eating - check out the website here:
https://amihungry.com/

It's National Cappuccino Day!

As a bariatric surgery patient you can still enjoy an occasional fancy coffee drink. Here's some tips for ordering:

* Choose a smaller size
* Use skim milk or unsweetened almond milk instead of whole
* Ask for sugar-free syrup/flavoring options
* Sweeten with stevia or other no-calorie sweetener

The first step in the Mindful Eating Cycle is addressing the question: WHY DO I EAT?

Understanding why we make certain decisions about eating is essential because the underlying reason for eating will affect the decision that's made.

For example: Eating because of stress or boredom means you are more likely to choose convenient, high calorie, high fat & sugar choices. You may also be more likely to eat bigger portions or graze because the eating is not addressing the trigger (boredom or stress).

To learn more about Am I Hungry? and their approach to mindful eating - check out the website here:
https://amihungry.com/

For November's Support Group we discussed Mindful Eating.

Mindful eating is becoming a universal way to address eating-related issues like binge eating and maladaptive eating disorders. To be successful after surgery, these behaviors must be identified and addressed.

This month we will discuss the Mindful Eating Cycle, as proposed by the Am I Hungry Mindful Eating Program created by Dr. Michelle May.

YOU are invited to join as we host our Frist Annual Trunk or Treat on Monday, October 31st from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Kids can tour an Air Method Helicopter, and City of Tempe Fire Truck, Ambulance, and Police cruiser.
This is the perfect way to kick off your trick or treating activates. So, gather up all your little ghosts and goblins and join us for our frightfully fun festivities.

Shaunte started her journey in 2017. Since then she's down over 100 pounds and living life to the fullest!

Shaunte says: "Most days I still feel like I'm the girl on the left. My advice...take pictures! You will thank yourself later"..."Guidance from Dr. Schuster and the dietitian saved my life!"

We are SO proud of you Shaunte - you are an inspiration to everyone on their journey to surgery and beyond!

To learn more about bariatric surgery at Tempe St. Luke's Hospital, visit our website at bridgesaz.com

A grocery list can help you plan your meals. Include foods from each food group to have a variety of ingredients on hand for healthy meals. More meal planning ideas: https://www.myplate.gov/tip-sheet/meal-planning

It's finally cooling off here in the desert 🌵 which means it's time to start moving your body outside!
Whether it's hiking, biking, walking, or climbing, moving our bodies is essential for long term health and weight management.

How do you like to get outside and move? 🥾

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