The Bariatric Buzz: January 2020
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A Note From Dr. Bilof
The End of a Decade
It’s a new year and new decade..so what the heck, let’s try a resolution. Here’s one for you…it sounds deceptively simple and it’s not another diet, it is to…. Eat. Real. Food.  

You might reasonably ask, “Don’t I eat real food?”. Actually, if you’re a typical American eating the typical American diet - chances are this concept is being challenged. Most Americans eat highly processed ‘food’ that all too often is loaded with added sugar, fat, salt and artificial ingredients. What most of us eat could be more accurately described as “Edible food-like substances."

How do you know if what you are eating is “real food?" Here is a simple test...read the ingredient label. There are many whole food options that contain only real ingredients. Hint - most packaged goods in the middle of the supermarket are processed. Try to shop the perimeters of the supermarket with the fresh fruits, vegetables and healthier options. Some examples, in addition to whole fruits and vegetables, are handmade guacamole, whole chicken and roasted vegetables with olive oil (avoid the canola oil!). Most real food options have 1-5 ingredients. When you start seeing ingredients you do not know, or cannot pronounce, or have over 8-10 ingredients, you know it is highly processed. The nutrition labels on all packaging will give you incredible insight into the health of a product.

For, anyone who wants to do a deeper dive on the subject, the book Real Food: What to Eat and Why
is a great resource.

Happy New Year to all of our patients and their families.
Physician Insights
Getting to Know Dr. Yurcisin
Dr. Basil Yurcisin, a seasoned bariatric and general surgeon, joined GSBWC after a rigorous search for the right fit for the practice. Dr. Yurcisin met all of the criteria of being a s uperior surgeon, highly trained (with thousands of surgeries performed before he joined GSBWC) and an unwavering, authentic passion and commitment to patients.

He trained at one of the world’s top fellowship programs in bariatrics and minimally invasive surgery- Duke University Medical Center in NC.

Committed to ensuring his patients receive the best care possible, he interacts with other bariatric surgeons world-wide and is a resource for all of our patients – whether it is for bariatric counseling/support or assisting a patient for general surgery..

Born in Buffalo, NY, the eldest of 10 (so patience is a virtue he learned from his family); he relocated to New Jersey to join the team at GSBWC.

While Dr. Yurcisin’s training is world-class and his experience impeccable, Dr. Yurcisin has a warm and generous bedside manner; a compassion and openness with all of his patients and the ability to support patients with every facet of their medical needs (if he cannot help – he finds someone who can). Dr. Yurcisin takes his role as your medical advocate seriously – and does so with a smile and a sense of humor – a warrior to help you eradicate your medical illnesses with the warmth and compassion of an old friend. Read more about Dr. Yurcisin's extensive experience.
Patient of the Month
Patients of The Month - Meet Shakeyhia
I had the Gastric Sleeve Surgery. As a young girl growing up I was always the fat or the heavyset girl, and as I got older I started having miscarriages and other health issues which took a toll on me mentally and physically. So I decided it was time to take control of my weight, which was 275LBS, so....

Read more of Shakeyhia's challenges growing up and into adulthood and how she persevered by clicking on the button below.
Dietitian Corner
Recipe of the Month
Sun-Dried Tomato Pork Tray Bake

Ingredients
1 eggplant, diced
1 red onion, chopped
14 oz baby new potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
low-fat cooking spray or mist
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1½ oz sun-dried tomatoes with garlic and herbs, drained
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
zest of 1 lemon
4 thin-cut pork loin steaks
8 oz cherry tomatoes on the vine
 
Directions
  1.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2.  Place the eggplant, onion and potatoes in a large roast pan and spritz generously with cooking spray or mist. Season and mix well then roast in the oven for 20 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile to make the paste, blitz the sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan and half of the lemon zest in a blender or food processor to make a rough paste. Spread over the pork steaks and place on top of the vegetables along with the tomatoes (still on their stalks) and roast for a further 10-12 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through.
  4. Garnish with the remaining lemon zest to serve.

Nutritional Value
Serving size: 4 serving per recipe
Calories: 332 per serving
Carbohydrate: 26.2 grams
Fat: 15.3 grams
Protein: 22.3 grams

This and other recipes can be found on our website.
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Tips From Your Dietitian
Think Ahead
Often unhealthy eating habits happen when you get to a place of hunger and grab the easiest option or what's right in front of you.

It is so much easier to plan ahead - even 1 to 2 days in advance - to take out the guess work and ensure you choose healthier options. Sometimes you can even cook something that will offer leftovers the next day. For example, cooking beans in an Instant Pot can be part of a dinner and roll-over to a salad the next day.

Know what's for breakfast. lunch, dinner and snacks in-between. Have healthy snacks ready and prepared in the fridge or cabinet that you can bring with you in the car, to work or when going out for the day.

Ensure your daily choices include fruits and vegetables. Chose sweet fruits when you have a sweet craving. By the end of the day, you've consumed extra fruits and veggies without going overboard on the sweets.
Hot Topics From Our Blog!
Gastric Sleeve Surgery: How Big Are the Incisions?
Considering gastric sleeve surgery and curious about the incisions?

It’s natural to wonder about the scarring that could be left behind after the procedure. The size of the incisions used in any surgery determines the amount of scarring that will occur. Fortunately, as your bariatric surgeon will explain, gastric sleeve surgery incisions are usually very small.

Gastric sleeve procedures are performed using multiple micro-incisions...
The GSBWC Podcast: Listen Up!
The Questions You Really Want To Ask
So many patients and potential patients confess to having questions they were afraid to ask...like when will you be able to eat pizza and steak, or can I have a drink or will my hair fall out? All very valid questions.

This podcast "Ask the PA – What You REALLY Want to Know About Bariatric Surgery" with our own PA Bella, will answer your most pressing questions about the before, during and after of bariatric surgery.
Interesting Fact
Interesting Fact
“Liquid sugar (sugar in beverages like soda and sports drinks) is the single largest source of added sugar in the American diet (36%).”

This interesting and sad fact was found on this Sugar Science website .

Dr. Bilof highly recommends taking some time to read the information on this website to learn more about the problems and dangers of added sugar in the typical American diet.
Keep In Touch
At GSBWC, we pride ourselves in providing support before, during and after your surgery. One of the tools we use is the Baritastic app. Our GSBWC Baritastic app offers support before, during and after your surgery.
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Have you subscribed to GSBWC's patient portal? It's the best way to stay connected, with 24/7 access to your health care. View your visit history, prescriptions, notes and make an appointment...all at your fingertips - any time of the day. Login or subscribe here.
Office Hours & Hospital Affiliations

Garden State Bariatrics is now affiliated
with Overlook Hospital.

To see a full list of our hospital affiliations
and office hours for each location, visit our website.
We're Always Here For You
Garden State Bariatrics is an MBSAQIP accredited bariatric practice that provides surgical and on-going medical care. The entire Garden State Bariatrics team is rigorously chosen for their passion for patients’ surgical, nutritional and lifelong success. We are privileged to be your health care provider of choice and we are always here for you, whenever you need us.
Please call us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Dr. Michael Bilof & Dr. Basil Yurcisin
Garden State Bariatric & Wellness Center

Millburn, NJ
973-218-1990

Toms River, NJ
732-269-6800

Browns Mills, NJ
200 Trenton Rd, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
(609) 893-6611 Ext:4727