Puget Sound Surgical Center

According to a news report by CNN, a study of human relationships in social network behavior has discovered that people are more likely to be influenced by the people they know.

Social networks influences our likes and dislikes both online and offline. This affects the behavior of people and their friends up to the 4th degree of separation. According to Dr. Nicholas Christakis, a Harvard Professor and James Fowler an associate professor at the University of California, San Diego, this new form of connected behavior has a significant affect on people’s social views, preferences, even to the point of affecting others eating habits. This phenomena is very similar to how patterns of disease spread.

These affects are not small to any degree. In fact they can have a profound impact on a person and the amount of weight that they gain. “If a mutual friend becomes obese, it nearly triples a person’s risk of becoming obese.” It doesn’t matter if the person or friend is over a 1000 miles away, the risk of becoming obese as a result of the social network relationship is increased.

This is an interesting study that has yet to be fully explained. Obesity seems to spread in social networks because of “behavior imitation.” This is where a person copies the behaviors of friends that they are close to. When people see friends gaining weight, they modify their behavior to readjust their own idea of what an acceptable body size is.

People are always going to be susceptible to bad behaviors, even in cyberspace. Being aware of how it affects you is important and being strong enough to quarantine the negative behavior of others is key to preventing it from affecting you.

Hey y’all!   I am one week post surgical and have my good days and bad days – mostly good.  I never thought that finally being able to have pureed potatoes would excite me more than a new pair of shoes but here I am!

So let’s have some fun!  What are some habits that make you a “Gold Star” earner as a Lap Band-ite? What are some that might put you in detention?  With school starting soon it makes for a fun game.  I’d love to hear from y’all – I would hate to think I am alone on this board!

Go Hawks!

Jill

I have lapband surgery almost a year ago.  While I lost 35 lbs during the first 6 months, I did not lose more weight from months 7-10  As I’m sure many of us know, the nutritionists are very conservative in their approach to fills, and we understand why.  However, at 10 months I was only at a fill of “2″.  A friend of mine who had the same procedure done in Olympia talked to me about the bariatric xray that she’d had and how you could see what was getting through and when a fill was enough.  One of our nutritionists suggested that I go to a 2.2 fill.  I went ahead and scheduled the X-ray prior to the fill and Dr. Billing found that it wasn’t until 2.9 that I personally (and I know this is a personal situation for each of us) was getting any type of true restriction.  Now I can actually feel fuller yet still get enough protein through to be healthy!  Thank heavens for modern science and equipment that helps us “know” where the restriction works rather than have it based on guess work.  I’m now starting to lose weight again. Good luck to you all in your journeys- Jan Schiffner

Hi!  I just found the new weblog site.  This is so great!  We now have our own surgical center blog!  I was at a seminar at the clinic this evening and Dr. Billing told me about this.  The seminar was really fun and informative.  It brought back memories of a year ago January when I was one of those people sitting and gathering info, trying to make one of the biggest decisions of my life.  So glad I did!  I think at least 5 people asked me if it hurts to get a fill and I, who am deathly afraid of needles, said no, it doesn’t hurt a bit…and it wasn’t a lie!  There was one woman there who said that two of her friends had lapbands inserted last year and neither one is doing very well with the band.  She said they have no support system, no nutritionist, nothing… It’s sad that there are places out there doing this surgery and then just kind of “throwing” the patient out there with no support to help them along.  We’re so blessed… Anyway, glad I found the new site.  Have a great rest of the week!  :0) Allison

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With this latest medical report from CNN, gives a personal testimonial of how bariatric surgery is making a huge difference in people’s lives. The emotional and psychological healing that comes as a result of the physical transformation is a life saver.

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I have been researching Lap Band Surgery for quite some time. My research continually brings me back to PSSC. I still have many questions and would like to talk to others who have had the surgery. Not all of my questions have been answered and like anyone thinking about any sort of surgery I have my hesitations as well.

I am aware of the support group that meets in the Stevens Hospital Cafeteria on the last Tuesday of each month, I am looking for online groups via yahoo or other avenues that I can either chat or post questions to boards since I can’t always make evening meetings.

I am leaning strongly towards the surgery for my health and to spend quality time with my son with out having to watch his activities from the “sidelines”, however, in order to truly make the right decision for myself I am wanting to get more information.

I have my appointments scheduled in the next week with the surgeon, and the nutritionist, so I am taking the necessary steps to move forward.

At the same time I am in the process of working with and collecting medical records for my insurance company. I have time to look at all the information to ensure that this is right for me.

Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Kasey

We had our first committee meeting this week.  Anyone who wishes to participate should contact our office.  We are planning for the walk to be at the end of September.  Anyone struggling with obesity should come and lend their support.

Regards,

Peter Billing

Hello everyone,

We hope the new website and blog will create greater communication and community for those who are in our program.  If you have a question that you want me to answer, you are welcome to use this site or send me an email.  Our other staff are also open to questions, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Most of you who have been with us for the past 2 years have seen the tremendous growth to the program.  As the program grows we want to maintain that personal touch that you have seen.  We are open to hear any concerns you may have and if you have ideas for solutions, that would be appreciated as well.  Periodically, you will be receiving updates regarding new services at PSSC.  This site will be an opportunity to exchange ideas and hear about upcoming events/news.

Many of you know we have an office and program in Bellingham.  Our office is located next to the Bellwether Hotel at the Harbor in Bellingham.  It has many of the components that you see in our Edmonds office.  Cincy Tobiason, RN is our nurse coordinator there.  We also provide dietary and psychological support locally and of course provide a place to have gastric band adjustments.  We are doing our surgeries at Pacific Rim Outpatient Surgery Center next to St Joseph Hospital.  If you know people in B’ham who are wanting weight loss surgery, I hope they would consider coming to PSSC.

I want to let you know about the Walk from Obesity march this September.  This is to help create awareness about obesity by raising support for education and research.  You can go to the website at walkfromobesity.com to learn more.  We will need lots of volunteers to make this successful and those who are interested in helping will need to let us know soon.  We are putting together a committee in May.

I hope to hear from many of you soon.  It has been a wonderful experience seeing you get your life back.  I never imagined that with one operation that we could treat so many diseases.  More importantly many of you are doing things that you never could imagine doing.  I am glad to be a participant with you in that. 

Take care,

Peter Billing MD

Hi everyone, I see we now have about 8 people in here, let me know if you find or receive this post ?

Denise