The Teal Pumpkin Project: How to Celebrate Halloween with Non-Food Treats

Halloween is an exciting time of year that typically means candy, costumes, and cold weather. However, the candy that is a common household staple during this time is generally not recommended for the pre-and-post-operative bariatric surgery patient. These sweet treats are highly palatable, so they can be easy to overeat. The extra calories and added sugars can quickly add up and lead to digestive upset or plateaus in your overall weight loss. Although Halloween and several other holidays are highly food focused, this should not stop you from celebrating them! Rather, you can find alternate ways to celebrate while still reaching your weight loss goals.

 

Food Allergy Research & Education, also known as FARE, promotes a worldwide movement known as the Teal Pumpkin Project. This aims to create an inclusive Halloween for everyone, by offering non-food items to trick-or-treaters. This movement can be especially important for children with food allergies or other conditions where candy is not an option. While you may not be a trick-or-treater with food allergies yourself, offering non-food treats may be a good strategy to keep candy out of the house, while still enjoying the festivities with your family, friends, and neighborhood.

To participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project, place a freshly painted teal pumpkin or colorful sign in front of your house to notify trick-or-treaters and their families that you are offering non-food treats. You can also add your home to the Teal Pumpkin Project map and spread the word to your friends and family through word of mouth and social media platforms. There are several options for non-food items that you could give out, including glow sticks, bracelets, pencils, crayons, bubbles, rings, etc., just to name a few! To read more about the Teal Pumpkin Project, visit www.foodallergy.corg

 

As a reminder, if you choose to celebrate Halloween this year, follow the CDC guidelines to keep yourself and others safe: maintain at least six feet of social distancing and always wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose when out in public. If you don’t plan on celebrating Halloween this year, that’s okay, too – you can save these ideas for next year and take the Teal Pumpkin pledge to stay safe at home.

 

Call 817-832-7227 to schedule your appointment and discuss your nutrition in detail.

 

Article provided by: Jessica Wiklund, MS, RD, LD • Registered/Licensed Dietitian for Trinity Bariatric Institute, PLLC

Motivation Monday- Patient Testimonial

Night after night, Angela Torres awoke to a horrible, suffocating feeling. She knew her weight was the culprit. She feared for her life every time she stirred from sleep, choking and gasping for air. As a grandmother, she especially wanted to live and be a part of her grandchildren’s lives. She knew she was overdue for a permanent lifestyle change.

Angela struggled with being overweight for years and she felt the effects on a daily basis. Her knees ached from carrying around unnecessary weight and she often found herself out of breath. She tried numerous approaches to weight loss—various diets, exercise routines, she joined a gym and even hired a personal trainer. Nothing gave her the weight loss results she wanted.

One of Angela’s coworkers had bariatric surgery and shared the experience with Angela. The story sparked Angela’s interest, so she did her research. She read about the different types of surgeries, she read several doctors’ bios and patient testimonials, and then she discovered Dr. Dyslin. She immediately felt drawn to Dr. Dyslin and decided to make an appointment with him.

After her initial consultation, she knew she wanted to have bariatric surgery and she wanted Dr. Dyslin to become her doctor. He was very knowledgeable, caring, listened to all of her concerns and answered all of her questions—and even answered her family’s questions, despite a language barrier. He put her at ease about having the surgery and walked her through every step.

Angela had Gastric Bypass surgery in November.  Within two weeks after her second surgery, she was able to incorporate soft foods and shortly thereafter, she started her new normal eating regimen.

Dr. Dyslin has continued to help Angela transition into her post-surgery lifestyle through educating her about diet and exercise that compliment her surgery and facilitate her weight loss. He has helped her feel comfortable about various lifestyle modifications, and was particularly helpful in suggesting certain exercises to accommodate her unrelated injured ankle. She now exercises three to four times a week and enjoys eating healthier meals with her family.

Angela believes her bypass surgery was the best decision of her life and she recommends Dr. Dyslin “in a heartbeat.” She continues to lose weight and gain energy. Angela now feels comfortable and confident taking her grandchildren to the park—a newfound freedom for making invaluable memories.

Announcing Virtual Visits – COVID-19

At Trinity Bariatric Institute, our priority has always been the health and safety and overall well-being of our patients.  We want to keep you updated with the most recent information regarding COVID-19.

This week Governor Abbott has asked the medical community to postpone all elective medical procedures and surgeries.  This includes any surgeries that are not immediately necessary or life-saving.  If you are currently scheduled for Bariatric Surgery, Reflux Surgery or The Obalon Balloon Procedure, a member of our staff will be in contact with you to discuss your options.  All insurance approvals for Bariatric Surgery will be honored in the future if we are forced to reschedule your surgery.

If you are considering weight loss surgery or have a new patient appointment already scheduled with us, do not let this temporary mandate deter you from your goals.  The insurance approval process typically takes 3-6 months and sometimes up to 12 months.  We are still conducting new patient consultations.  We also offer psychological and dietitian visits via telehealth.  We are excited to now offer virtual appointments with Dr. Dyslin.  These convenient virtual visits will be available for new patients, follow up patients, and post up patients unless you need a weight check or wound care/staple removal.

This situation is changing at a rapid pace so this information may change in the coming weeks.  We will keep our patients updated as we get new information.  We at Trinity Bariatric Institute are committed to your health and safety.  We will continue to go above and beyond the standards put in place by the CDC for your safety.

We are increasing the frequency of our normal sterilization’s procedures of each room before and after every patient.  We are taking steps to ensure that the waiting room, bathroom and door handles are sterilized multiple times a day.

We are working hard to prevent the spread of sickness by pre-screening every patient before they come in.  Any patients with upper respiratory illness are being rescheduled to a later date.

Our staff is screened daily to make sure they do not have symptoms or have recently traveled.

We are practicing social distancing by limiting the seating in our waiting room to 2-4 people at all times, 6 feet or more away from each other.  Please call our office when you arrive for your appointment, before entering the building.  The receptionist will notify you when it is safe to enter for your visit.  This is to avoid crowding in our waiting room.  We are limiting visitors to our clinic at this time.  Please do not bring anyone to your visit including children, spouse or family.  All visitors will be asked to sit in the car to wait on you.  If you have children, need translation or walking assistance please request a virtual visit.  This is a convenient way for you to stay home and still have a face to face visit with Dr. Dyslin.

We look forward to seeing you, please call us with any questions you may have.  817-832-7227

We will continue to care for our community and offer life changing weight loss surgeries, as well as post-operative care.

Sincerely,

David Dyslin, MD, FACS, FASMBS

Trinity Bariatric Institute