Tag Archives: BariBelle

The Year of the Snake

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2013 is the Year of the Snake

2013 is the Year of the Snake

I’ve spent a lot of time today thinking about how to welcome the new year on this blog. What to write about, what to write about? A new year, a new me? Nah, I kind of like the old one. A new beginning? Nope, nothing from 2012 is officially “closed.” Motivational rah, rah, rah? I don’t think so-not exactly my style. Then it hit me-I posted this picture and the full description of those born during the year of the snake on my Facebook page a few days ago. I’ve read the description several times and while I do agree with most of it (the positive components), I don’t see eye to eye with some of the less flattering traits (doesn’t mean they’re not entirely true, it just means I don’t agree with them) So, today’s blog post is all about me! Whether it’s the focus of the year of the snake, a mid-life crisis or peri-menopause, I don’t know, but I feel compelled to make a few life commitments.

I mentioned mid-life crisis, that’s kind of funny. Since I’m 47 years old, I’m not exactly sure I have as many years left on the planet as I’ve seen whiz by already. For 2013, I’m going to concentrate on living up to the year of the snake.

“People born during the Year of the Snake are said to be endowed with wisdom and with deep philosophical understanding. They are born thinkers who excel in finding solutions to complex problems. In matters of business they can be shrewd, biding their time in making a deal only to strike like lightning and make a killing when they judge the moment is right.”

As such, I will continue to weigh the facts, think about the intended/desired result and plan accordingly after considerable contemplation.

“Even when they are at their laziest, their minds are working overtime, laying their schemes and hatching their plots for the future.”

I can definitely vouch for this being true. My mind never quits working, as a result it is very difficult to de-stress, to relax and to just “un-plug.” After 12 years of not taking a true vacation, the wonderful trip Reo and I took last month has motivated me to actually take more “vacations” as opposed to simply taking “time off” from work. We already have two vacations planned for 2013.

“They can be treacherous creatures who delight in intrigue and who wouldn’t think twice about double-crossing someone in order to save their own skins. Their calculating natures will never forgive or forget a slight.”

This is one of the descriptors I have a bit of an issue with-while true I have an elephant’s memory and never forget, I admittedly also find it difficult to forgive especially after multiple “infractions.” I give second chances. I give third chances. Fourth, fifth and sixth chances? Not so much. I sincerely hope no one ever feels I have or would double-cross them as I much prefer to work with others than to work against them. Having said that, the following may sound a little harsh; however, it is truly how I feel. When someone makes reference to “being thrown under the bus” my thoughts are maybe they shouldn’t stand in front of it with their eyes closed and their fingers in their ears. I take responsibility when I am wrong and I accept accountability for my actions. I take responsibility for leadership decisions I make and accept accountability for the decisions and actions of my staff; therefore, I expect that quality in others. In 2013, I will strive to be a more forgiving person.

“They can be lazy and self-indulgent. Their innate elegance can at times be ostentatious.”

I would never, ever describe myself as lazy. I can be and admittedly am self-indulgent. Whether it goes back to being an only child or whether it’s part of that “mid-life crisis” mentioned previously, I am of the mindset if I want it and I can afford it, why shouldn’t I have it? I grew up in that era of having a formal living room that was only used three times a year-Easter, Christmas and when the preacher came to dinner. My “formal” dining room is our dog’s room with a loveseat where I sit down and enjoy pure unadulterated puppy love every afternoon. Not only does my room get more use than my parents living room, I enjoy the company of the dogs much more than the folks that would be “formally” entertained. Growing up you saved your “good clothes” for a special occasion. What’s more special than waking up in the morning and having one more day on the planet? Going forward, everyday I will eat off the “good plates” while sitting in the “formal” dining room and wearing my “good” clothes. Why? Why not?

“A Snake can be counted on to carry a project through to the end. Their decisions are quick and firm, but they are formed by first impressions, on sympathies and feelings logically assembled in their minds — rather than by simple facts alone.” Just ask anyone I work with or volunteer with and they’ll verify this is true. I am never going to allow anything that has my name, my department’s name or my company’s name on it appear as half-done or mediocre. My preferred method of work is that all projects be completed correctly, the first time, ten minutes ago! “The Snake will fight and plod for anything they believe in and allow nothing to stand in his or her way.” I have a reputation. That reputation is that I am like a dog with a bone and “will not let it go until I have what is needed.” Correct. I relish that reputation. The patients I am blessed to work with are my priority. The staff I am allowed to lead are my priority. The volunteers I am honored to serve are my priority. “At ease in all circumstances and possessing uncommon self-discipline, the Snake achieves great heights and honors in his or her career, enjoying the well deserved respect of an admiring entourage.”  I have been very fortunate and very grateful to have previously received the Middle Tennessee Case Manager of the Year award and the national CMSA Award of Service Excellence.

“The Snake is freer with himself than he is with his money! The fatal flaw in the Snake’s character is, in fact, a tendency to exaggerate — in helping friends as with everything else. If a Snake does somebody a favor, he becomes possessive toweard them in an odd way, so that finally he is more a hindrance than a help.” 

Hmmm, I do definitely tend to over-extend myself by volunteering a lot! Am I a smotherer? Maybe, I could see that perception. I will work on giving without commitment.

“Both men and women of the sign have elegant and stylish taste in clothes; the men are sexy and always have a bit of the dandy about them, and the ladies are seductive and rave over smart accessories.”

Finally, I now know where the love of all things Coach and Kate Spade comes from! In order to truly live up to the Year of the Snake, I feel I should immediately order something from the Kate Spade online sale…

“As with real snakes, which hibernate in the cold season and come out when it’s warm, Snake people shine in the hot months. And the Snake born at midday in the heat of a tropical summer will be happier than one born in the middle of an icy night in winter.”

I was born in the middle of the day on June 26th. In general, I am a very happy person. A blessed person. A thankful person. A giving person. I hope what most would describe as a kind person.

Welcome 2013 and the Year of the Snake-this is going to be OUR year!

BariBelle

Letter to Santa (from two adopted shelter dogs)

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Merry Christmas everyone! Geordie and Brady Davis here and we are so excited mom is letting us post our letter to Santa as guest bloggers on her site. We pointed out to mom she had been a little negligent of her blog recently and the cuteness of us is just what she needs to get it back on track. We’ve been trying every morning to type our letter to Santa while mom’s checking her email and Facebook, but not having thumbs makes it really hard. So, mom agreed to type our letter to Santa and in exchange, we agreed to let her post it here.

Dear Santa,

Geordie and Brady Davis here. Since a lot has changed for us in the last year or so, we’re thinking we may need to remind you who we are. 

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I’m Geordie (the smart one). You came to see me last year which was my first year with mom and dad. I still didn’t know them really well, but I knew choosing them to be my new parents would be a good idea. When I first found myself all alone in Gallatin, Tennessee, being a smart dog, I figured if I went to one of the local schools there would be lots of good people there, maybe even someone who would want to take me home. Well, instead I found myself in the Nashville Metro pound. I was literally on death row, scheduled to be executed the next day for a crime I didn’t commit. Oh wait, I guess the crime was not having a family, maybe I was guilty. On the day before my planned execution, EmmyLou Harris’ wonderful organization, Bonaparte’s Retreat http://www.bonapartesretreat.org/#!/Home came and rescued me. They only rescue dogs like me, who are on death row. They placed me in a temporary foster home with a wonderful woman named Kate. Another great organization, Mars Petcare sponsored an annual adoption day and that’s when I first met mom and dad.

Out of all the dogs there, they chose me! There were a couple of other people who filled out an adoption application, but mom called every day until Kate came to see them. She brought me with her and I got to stay! Those first three months were so great-I was the only dog, the top dog, they took me everywhere-to the toy store, to the park and even just riding around so I could bark at motorcycles.

Then, it happened. I saw mom on the computer and she was gushing over another dog. His name was Dillard and he was on the Tennessee Death Row Dogs site. He was at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Animal Shelter. He was sooooooo furry you couldn’t even tell from the picture what kind of dog he was. So off we went, me and mom in the car driving to Clarksville to see another dog. “Dillard” had just been picked up by a rescue and was at the beauty shop so we had to go there to check him out. Come to find out, there was a dog under all that fur, a Cocker Spaniel. I stayed in the car while mom met him, she liked him a lot so I got to go in and meet him. Well, I decided to let him know right away who’s boss so I peed all down mom’s leg-she’s mine! That didn’t stop him, he just sat there in her lap like he thought he belonged there or something! Next thing I know, Dad is there too and well, long story short, I got a new “little” (although he’s older, he’s still little) brother. We all decided Dillard was a totally dorky name so after much thought we decided to go with Brady (mom won’t let me say words like what I wanted to name him) after Tom Brady. I don’t know how Brady came to be at the shelter the day after Christmas, he won’t talk about it. Either it’s too depressing or too awful to share. I know how he feels. Life on the streets is bad enough, but being dumped by your family at four years old, that sucks too. Here’s Brady’s picture, he kind of blends in with the furniture.

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So now that you remember who we are, we just wanted to let you know that this year for Christmas, we don’t need a thing. We have a mom and dad who love us, who spoil us rotten (mom’s phrase) and give us lots and lots of love. We have two brothers who aren’t as furry as we are and they walk on their hind legs all the time, but they’re pretty cool too. Every day we have full bellies, warm beds, toys and a big yard to run in. Every day we get hugged and kissed and reminded that we are the best dogs in the whole world.

“So this year Santa, we were wondering, could you make sure every shelter dog gets a home like ours?”

With Much Love and Much Gratitude,

Geordie and Brady Davis

P.S. IF you have some extra tennis balls rolling around the sleigh, I could perhaps take those off your hands-you know just to make sure they don’t cause a sleigh wreck or anything.

Labor Day Celebration at the Davis House

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I know, I know, I preach all the time about not celebrating with food and here I am blogging about our Labor day cookout. Well, the reason for that is simple, we had such a good time celebrating each other-not the food. We did eat, but it was not the focus of the day. I specifically asked everyone NOT to bring a dish. I really enjoyed preparing healthy substitutions that looked great, tasted great and made it easy for healthy to be the default choice because ALL the options were healthier (I say healthier because we had several items that were sugar free, while we all know that doesn’t mean calorie free, it was a better option for our diabetic attendees.) Below are my recipes-I believe in cheap, easy and tasty. Feel free to not take the easy way out like I did and make more things from scratch!

Appetizers:

Home-made guacamole (I made WAY to much, but with the extra sprinkle of lime juice, it’s still green!)

  • 6 Hass avocados
  • 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with lime cilantro seasoning
  • 1/2 of 1 small can diced jalapenos
  • 1/2 cup diced purple onion
  • generous sprinkle of red wine vinegar
  • two generous splashes of lime juice
  • pinch of pink Himalayan salt (treasure find at TJ Maxx)
  • several cranks of ground coarse black pepper

I mixed everything but the avocados together in a bowl, then smushed up the avocados and added it all together and mixed-yum, yum, yum!

 

Caprese on a stick (it doesn’t get any easier)

  • Mozzarella cheese in basil and olive oil (bought at huge tub at Costco)
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Cherry tomatoes (bought a huge container at Costco)

Spear a tomato, basil leaf and cheese ball with a toothpick-arrange on a beautiful platter. 

 

Layered Vegetable Salad (I hate cutting up vegetables so I bought everything bagged and ready to go)

  • large container of 1/2 spinach 1/2 baby greens (purchased at Costco)
  • bag of shredded red cabbage and shredded carrots (like you would normally use to make cole slaw)
  • diced red, green, and yellow peppers (off the salad bar at Kroger)
  • diced onion (off the salad bar at Kroger)
  • sliced mushrooms (off the salad bar at Kroger, hey I told you I’m lazy when it comes to veggies)
  • 1/2 package 2% shredded cheese (used for decoration more than as a full layer)
  • pre-cooked and crumbled bacon (again, a sprinkling for decoration and aroma, not as a full layer)

Layer everything in order, except for the cheese and bacon-save it to use after you put the dressing on top. The reason no amounts are listed is you can make this salad as big or little as needed based on the size of your crowd. I’ve actually used an upside down Tupperware cake carrier before for a huge crowd. The dressing recipe is where I’m so excited that everyone liked it and I totally substituted! The recipe calls for mayo and sugar which is why this salad traditionally is so high calorie. 

Salad dressing:

  • 1 large tub Fage 0% Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup bottled Italian dressing (you need this to thin the yogurt out a little as well as to add flavor)
  • sprinkle of pink Himalayan salt and several grinds of black pepper
  • 1 inch squeeze of Cilantro in a tube

Mix all the ingredients and spread on the top of your salad, then sprinkle with the cheese and bacon for a garnish.

 

For our protein, we had steak seasoned with only a little salt and a lot of pepper and chicken with two different marinades:

“Pam’s citrus marinade”

sprinkle chicken tenders with coarse ground black pepper, smoked paprika; place in a plastic bag and shake several squirts of liquid smoke on the tenders, add citrus salad dressing (this time I used mango vinegarette), shake-refrigerate overnight, shake again, pour off the extra liquid and grill.

“Pam’s beer tenders”

sprinkle chicken tenders with Weber’s beer butt chicken spice, place in plastic bag, pour in a beer, let marinate overnight, pour off the extra liquid and grill.  

 

For “dessert” I made a recipe I saw from Hungry girl

Mixed a Duncan Hines red velvet cake mix (the whole box) with 12 ounces of club soda (no calories) and NOTHING ELSE. Poured the mix into cupcake tins and baked as per package directions, (made 15 cupcakes) and after cooling completely, I “frosted” them with french vanilla cool whip. Each cupcake wound up having approximately 140 calories.

 

Pam’s Trifle (again, I’m all about easy!)

I bought two sugar free Angel food cakes and cut 1 and 1/3 of them up into cubes.

I mixed 3 packages of Jell-O sugar free white chocolate pudding separately (to one of the mixes I added some sugar free Torani’s raspberry syrup which made it a pretty pink color, I used this for the middle layer of pudding)

I bought two pints of raspberries and one quart of blueberries.

In your prettiest glass bowl, put a layer of angel food cake cubes, then layer one of the mixed up packages of pudding and sprinkle a few raspberries, layer another round of cake cubes, your pink layer of white chocolate pudding, another sprinkle of berries, another round of cake cubes, last layer of pudding, then cover with the remaining raspberries and blueberries. You could use any flavor of sugar free pudding and any type of berries. Make sure to refrigerate for a couple of hours first and let it set.

 

We served Crystal light margaritas (no alcohol). A good time was had by all, including the pups who really enjoyed the bites of steak Auntie Jo snuck to them.

 

Being an only child, I’m so glad I married into a family with lots of siblings and good times. I would love to hear about your Labor day celebration and any new recipes you tried. Celebrating the workers today!

BariBelle

Live from San Diego…It’s ASMBS

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This is my first attempt at video blogging-so it’s short, sweet, and a little hard to understand at the very beginning because of the wind. It gets better though.

Enjoy-

BariBelle

Hey Bucko! Eyes Up Here

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No, they’re not looking there. I wish they were. That would be easier to deal with, I think. 

I am a gastric bypass patient. I lost 160 pounds over 10 years ago. I have excess skin. I come from a long line of women blessed with both batwings and thunder thighs-even on the thin ones. Combine my genetic tendency with that amount of massive weight loss and well, yeah, my thighs would not make Heidi Klum jealous and my arms certainly do not rival Madonna’s. I rarely ever wear shorts because well, I rarely wore them when I was obese and I don’t really wear them now. However, I did wear sleeveless shirts before surgery because I live in Tennessee and it’s hotter than Hades here from April/May through September/October. 

I typically wear some type of shrug or sweater over my arms because I don’t love how they look. I realize they are not attractive; however, the number of people I’ve encountered lately who are staring at or making “eye contact” with my arms, more specifically my batwings, while I’m speaking is frustrating. Uh, hello, just need to clarify, my eyes are up here, not on my arms. Just like my personality, my intelligence and my worth were not and are not directly related to my weight; they are not tied directly to my arm jiggle.

I went shopping last week for some cute little dresses to wear at ASMBS. I found an adorable silky navy number, sleeveless of course, so my first instinct was to try and find something to wear over it. The adorable sales person asked me why on earth was I trying to find something to cover up that cute dress when it’s summertime in Tennessee. I looked at her, looked at the dress and wondered the same thing. So you know what? I bought the cute dress, I quit looking for something to cover up the cute dress and guess what? Both me and my arms will be rocking that dress at ASMBS, but just remember if I see you there, “The eyes are up here, Bucko.”

BariBelle

Response to ’20/20 Episode on 5/11: Losing It, The Big Fat Trap’

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The build up to this episode was strong. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery sent an email to their membership and posted it on their website. The Obesity Action Coalition posted it on their social media outlets. I posted the reminder on our social media sites.

Dr. Robin Blackstone as President of the ASMBS gives multiple interviews. She is, after all, an expert in the field of metabolic and bariatric surgery. She represents an organization of thousands of surgeons, nurses, dietitians, exercise physiologists, physical therapists and psychologists dedicated to the care and treatment of those with obesity and severe obesity.

When I first heard they were pulling the segment with Dr. Robin Blackstone and Melting Mama, I thought it was so they could dedicate an entire episode to bariatric and metabolic surgery and how it is a life saving treatment for so many. Instead we got a 60 minute long sensationalistic expose on practices those of us who are healthcare professionals working diligently to help those with obesity and severe obesity would never support!

Lose 90 pounds in 90 days!
NOT!

Allow me to illustrate and elaborate on a few points your so called “reporting” missed.

1. There is no magic bullet, miracle discovery or new breakthrough cure for obesity.

2. Obesity is a life-long, multi-factorial, complex, chronic disease process that requires life-long, multi-factorial treatment by dedicated and experienced healthcare professionals.

3. Dobb-hoff tubes and tube feedings are for individuals who are either too sick or too malnourished to sustain their nutrient intake, it is not for weight loss.

4. Celebrities who represent various commercial weight loss programs have access to personal trainers, chefs, therapists and countless others in addition to the pre-packaged food provided while “on the program.”

5. Bariatric (weight loss) surgery is not only safe, it is life-saving when performed by experienced and skilled bariatric surgeons.

  • There are criteria that must be met to have bariatric surgery.
  • The criteria were established by the National Institute of Health in 1991.
  • Comprehensive Center of Excellence programs include access to Certified Bariatric Nurses, Registered Dietitians, Exercise Physiologists and Psychologists or other Behavioral Health Experts.
  • Laparoscopic bariatric surgery has been performed safely and effectively for over a decade.
  • Hundreds of thousands of successful bariatric surgery patients are not only surviving, they are thriving. I am one of them.
  • You interviewed one of them, Beth (AKA Melting Mama).

6. Instead of taking the opportunity to provide factual information from an expert on the most effective treatment we have at present for severe obesity and highlight the recent studies in the New England Journal of Medicine regarding how effectively bariatric surgery treats type 2 diabetes, you chose to “reveal” an expose on two surgeons. This story has been in the news for nearly a year. 

 


I am completely disappointed, irritated and flat out disgusted at the so called “journalism” that went into this ABC 20/20 episode. They completely and totally missed the opportunity to focus on legitimate, successful medically [and surgically] appropriate treatment for obesity and severe obesity. Instead I felt like I was watching a rogue episode of Entertainment Tonight.

Not good ABC, not good-shame on you.  ’20/20: Losing It: The Big Fat Trap’

BariBelle

I Forgot My Surgiversary!

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Below is my before photo taken in January of 2001, just a few weeks before I had my gastric bypass surgery on March 2nd, 2001. I always remember my surgiversary. I usually write a pretty detailed post for our website, Facebook and ObesityHelp detailing how far I’ve come and how much better I feel. How did I forget this anniversary? At each seminar, when I’m doing our introductions and I speak about being a patient I always tell how many years postop I am. On Saturday when doing the opening, it hit me. Saturday was March 3rd. The day after my surgiversary. I’m now 11 years post laparoscopic Roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Wow. Eleven years. Weighing 330 pounds seems like a life time ago. It also seems like yesterday. That woman in the photo below, I know her well. I know for example that while many view her as a WLS success, she views herself as always one step away from sliding back into severe obesity. I know that she still misses treating herself with food so instead she treats herself with shoes, clothes, techno gadgets, etc. (some might say this is a transfer of addiction, I will address that later this week.) I know she has daily conversations with herself about her food choices, about trips to Starbucks, about what is more important today-the taste of a certain food on her lips or the fit of a certain skirt on her hips?

January, 2001 at 330 pounds, two months before gastric bypass surgery

A few weeks ago, it was my honor to be invited to speak at a Obesity Roundtable discussion held at Boston University. There were researchers and presenters from BU, Cornell, Stanford, Harvard and me (representing the patient, patient advocate, designated nurse and non-researcher.) Suffice to say, this was a very intimidating crowd. My topic was how we HAVE to change the public perception of obesity. Without doing so, these researchers will struggle to obtain the funding they need because, well, let’s face it, obesity is not a “sexy” disease. Without a change in the public perception of obesity, no matter what the research finds for cause and suggests for treatment, obesity will continue to be simply a character flaw, a lack of will. During my presentation, I shared my personal story of obesity. I shared the struggle of others too. I showed some of the images that are typically shown in the media, images used in the CHOA childhood obesity campaign, excerpts from media articles and sadly from healthcare journals that are disheartening, derogatory and downright demeaning. My plea, to understand while these images may have a certain “shock” value, these images are inappropriate and directly contribute to the way those with severe obesity are treated.

After the presentations, we had lunch (yes, it was healthy!) I was pleased that a few people actually wanted to sit with me and ask more questions. One gentleman is a professor at Harvard who teaches a mandatory 9 hour nutrition course to their medical students. I was very impressed with both this young man and that Harvard required this training…until we discussed it further over lunch. He shared with me how the students really dislike this class and look at it as something they are forced to do. He asked me how he should ingrain in these students the message they should treat their obese patients with respect. I responded that as future physicians, they should be taught to treat ALL of their patients with respect and be sensitive to their needs. I asked if he agreed with me that patients should be treated respectfully regardless of their age, sex, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and physical and mental disabilities. “Of course,” he said. Then why is their physical size any different? Why does that number correlate to the level of respect due to an individual. His response was so simple but so true, “It shouldn’t, but we both know that it does.” There is so much work to be done.

Over lunch, we also discussed what life is like as a bariatric patient. I described a recent afternoon when I had had a really rough day at work. As I was leaving, I had that thought, “I’m going to Starbucks. It’s been a crappy day, I want Starbucks, I deserve Starbucks, I’m going to get Starbucks.” Then I reminded myself that what I really wanted has about 300 calories in it and my skirts have been a little snug lately so I really shouldn’t go because I really didn’t need those calories, especially since I could fix me a cup of coffee with SF creamer and splenda when I get home. As I was walking to my car, I started bargaining and negotiating, “well, just drive by there and if the drive thru line doesn’t go past where you order, you can stop; but if the line’s longer than that, well it’s a sign you shouldn’t stop.” Then, as I’m driving down West End, quickly approaching Starbucks, I’m thinking, “You know, you tell you’re patients all the time, they don’t deserve food rewards, remember you’re still a patient, crappy day or not, Starbucks is not going to make it better. This deal about how many cars are in line will determine if you stop or not is crap, don’t even look at the line, you don’t need it, don’t stop.” So, I pulled over in the far right lane, I didn’t look left, I don’t know how many cars were in line, I didn’t stop. When I finished that story, this poor professor is looking at me with his mouth hanging open and looking totally perplexed, he says, “Wow, I have never, ever put that much thought into anything I was going to eat or drink, if I want a cup of Starbucks, I just stop and get it.” I told him he should think what it’s like for a patient who has similar thoughts about pretty much any and all foods and drinks they take in, constantly trying to find ways to “justify” what/how/why/when and how much they are eating. Realizing that it’s not always feeding a true physical hunger, but often feeding an emotional need. We then had a great conversation about how what I described is just one factor that influences our weight. With so many complex factors at work, how can obesity treatment ever be so simple as eat less and exercise more? How can we continue to look externally and judge so severely what occurs internally?

I am a 46 year old white female with severe obesity. Eleven years ago, I underwent successful surgical treatment for the chronic disease process of severe obesity. I continue to keep my severe obesity in remission by committing to lifelong dietary modifications, lifelong lifestyle changes, regular attendance at support groups and weighing daily. I can slip at any time, I am susceptible to recurrence of my severe obesity. I am a patient deserving of ongoing treatment. I am a person deserving of your respect regardless of my size.

BariBelle

I’m Curious

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Nearly four years ago I attended a conference where one of the sessions included an overview of social media, specifically Facebook. I came home from the conference, spent a couple of hours online and created my Facebook profile as well as a page for the bariatric program where I work. At that same time, I gave Twitter a try, set up my profile, etc. and I just didn’t get it! I deleted my account and pretty much kept wondering what all the hype was about. Eventually, I started watching some videos (you know, the cute kitten and puppy type) on YouTube. Then I discovered cooking videos, then videos by lots of people I know in the bariatric field, so I expanded my profile to actually have a channel for both me and my work.

In April of 2011, I had the opportunity to attend Obesity Online, an event sponsored by Ethicon Endo-Surgery and the Obesity Action Coalition with the featured guest speaker being Melissa Lierman Melissa, AKA “Time Out Mom” was an awesome speaker on social media. I could have easily listened to her for oh, two or three weeks! After hearing Melissa and her helpful hints, tips and suggestions, I decided to give Twitter another try. I beefed up our Twitter feeds at work and have now created my own Twitter profile once again. This past week, I was part of an awesome experience at work. We tweeted live from the OR our first two robotic assisted bariatric surgeries! Super cool.

So realizing how much I interact with social media personally and how much our bariatric community interacts with social media, I’m really curious which ones do you use? Which ones do you like best? Least? I’m asking that you please take the poll below and also post in the comments which social media outlets you like best and why.

Please feel free to connect with me via any/all of the following!
Via Facebook as BariBelle (my personal page, it’s new and needs some likes)
Like/Follow my work page Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity for hints, tips, recipes, and reminders for both surgery and non-surgery folks
Via Twitter as BariBelle (my personal Twitter account)
Via work Twitter posts from Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity (Work Twitter account and where you will find the live tweets from the OR by searching hashtag #cmcwls then “select all posts”)
Via my YouTube Channel BariBelleCBN (I’m going to be adding videos over the next few weeks)
Via our Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity YouTube Channel (video testimonials, procedure videos, and lots of other cool stuff)
Via Google+ (I’m really new to this one and not getting the hang of it too quick, so I could really use your help!)

I’m really excited to hear/see/read your thoughts on which social media outlets are your favorite and why. I’ll be keeping up with you via Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube and whatever is new and exciting!

BariBelle

I thought I was done with cliques in high school.

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I know you know life in high school is seldom fun for everyone. In fact, unless you’re in one of the cool cliques or you’re so self confident you don’t care, it may not be much fun at all. I attended Caverna high school in rural Horse Cave, KY. in the early 80s. There were 63 people in my graduating class.

Our standard cliques at the time:

  • The jocks (same group since 5th grade and usually the same for all sports)
  • The cheerleaders (same group since 5th grade)
  • The smarties (today’s nerds)
  • The party crowd (today’s stoners)
  • The good ol’ boys (it is the south after all)
  • Then you had the rest of us. Not part of an official clique, we were friendly, smart, fun and more than willing to hang out with anyone in any of the “official cliques”

I survived high school never being an official member of any of these cliques. I played on the tennis team, but by no means would I ever be considered a jock; was always too fat to even think about being a cheerleader; I made pretty much all As and Bs but definitely was not in with the smarties; partied some in high school (what else do you do in small town, USA?) but definitely wasn’t part of that crowd either. Oh, I had friends. Several, we were part of the unofficial “chubsters” clique. 

Fast-forward nearly 30 years to present day and I find there are still cliques everywhere. Even at the dog park! Maybe it’s just Franklin, but somehow I doubt it. I’m sure by now you know we’ve adopted two shelter dogs. Sweet, cute, lovable fur balls, Geordie who is a one year old Scottie mix who loves to chase tennis balls and Brady who is a four year old Cocker Spaniel who is adorable but still seems a little lost as to why his original family gave him up (who knows?) Now that we have two sweet, young, active boys who need frequent exercise, the dog park has become a very regular hangout for us. Just like taking your kids to the playground and meeting other parents, the same thing happens at the dog park. You tend to see the same people with the same fur babies and you can’t help but strike up conversations. We’ve been going to the same dog park multiple times every week since October and let me tell you cliques are alive and well at the dog park!

First, let me be clear, I love [nearly] all dogs, their owners, well, maybe not always so much. The groups I have observed are very near to the cliques in high school:

  • The jocks (these tend to be the single guys who bring Boxers, Rottweilers, Great Pyrenees, German Shepherds, Pit Bulls and other big dogs) The dogs tend to be focused on running, running and a little more running. The owners tend to drink red bull or other energy drinks, have a permanent five o’clock shadow and pay little attention to what their dog is doing.
  • The cheerleaders (these tend to be young ladies who are dressed and made up as if they were going out on date night who bring the mini dogs such as Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Mini Poodles, etc.) The dogs nearly always have matching collars, leashes, sweaters and bags. Many of them act like they’ve never been on grass before and have no idea how to react when another dog barks at them or tries to play. The owners tend to drink Starbucks, carry designer bags and stand in one corner of the park with the other cheerleaders holding their dogs and speaking to them and the other dogs in some sort of strange baby language.
  • The smarties (this is a wide variety of breeds) Both the dogs and owners are pretty quiet, they stay to themselves and are heavily concentrated on mastering the jumps, ramps and tricks at the park.
  • The party crowd (adolescent and young 20 somethings who tend to come in packs, like this is a group date.) They come with dogs of all shapes and sizes, usually 4-6 people with 2-3 dogs. They hang out in a corner of the park while the dogs run completely crazy.
  • The good ol’ boys (we are still in the south afterall; these tend to be the single dog moms or dads with big fun dogs like Goldens, Labs, standard size Poodles and Schnauzers.) This is the group Reo and I and our dogs best identify with – they usually have a coffee mug in hand and dog treats in their pocket. The dogs love to run, play, bark, chase balls and sometimes wrestle. The parents like to talk sports, weather, and watch their dogs run, play, bark, chase balls and sometimes wrestle.

I love to people watch and frequently when I have a break from throwing the tennis ball non-stop for Geordie, I’ll stand back and watch the cliques and how they work.

While writing this, I can’t help but think that over the years, I’ve now become a part of another clique, one I’m really proud of – the bariatric or WLS clique. Now before anyone feels the need to draw the parallel, trust me, yes, I am fully aware that among WLS patients all the cliques listed above, the jocks, the cheerleaders, the smarties, the party crowd and the good ol’ boys are alive and well; however, I would argue these are more sub-cliques of the greatest clique of all – the one where we’ve taken responsibility for our lives, we’ve made profound decisions to affect our health and as we joined the WLS clique, that provided a conduit for us to also join one of the sub-cliques we always wanted to be a part of in high school. 

Pretty profound for only one cup of coffee and 6 AM in the morning, right? Off to work where those same cliques can be found!

BariBelle