Kathryn Lost More Than 100 Pounds With Penn Medicine

To see Kathryn Naphy, you’d think she’s been thin and eating healthy, balanced meals all her life. But, the 33-year-old mom of two has a story behind what you see today.

“In 2006, I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes, my cholesterol was about 350 and my triglycerides were in the thousands,” remembers Kathryn. “I was only 26, a new mom and I was scared I wouldn’t be around to see my son grow up.”

Though Kathryn had been active her whole life, her weight had always been a struggle for her. Even while eating well and playing sports, she remained about 30 pounds overweight.

“After I had my first child, I hit my highest weight - about 240 pounds,” she remembers. “That, combined with learning about my health problems was a wake up call for me.”

Making the Weight-Loss Surgery Decision

Kathryn’s aunt had Roux-en-Y (gastric bypass) surgery with Penn bariatric surgeon Matt Kirkland, MD, and successfully lost weight – and gained her life back.

“Seeing my aunt’s success made me realize weight-loss surgery might be a tool I could use to get healthy again,” says Kathryn. “My aunt paved the way for me, and everyone in my family was supportive of my decision.”

Kathryn met with Dr. Kirkland to learn about her weight-loss surgery options at Penn.

“I knew gastric bypass was the surgery that would save my life.”

Kathryn fulfilled the necessary testing and nutrition requirements, and had her surgery
On July 5, 2006. Everything went smoothly.

“The biggest challenge was immediately after surgery,” remembers Kathryn. “It was difficult to lift my son in and out of the bathtub while I was recovering, but aside from that, my recovery was fairly easy.”

It wasn’t long before Kathryn lost more than 100 pounds going from her pre-surgery weight of 224 to 119 pounds.

“I was surprised at how fast the weight just came off,” she says. “In fact, I had to make a conscious effort to stop losing weight because I was getting so thin.”

Kathryn worked with Penn dietitians to maintain an eating program that would help her maintain her weight at about 130 pounds.

Pregnancy After Gastric Bypass Surgery

And then in 2009, she got pregnant with her second child. This pregnancy, she says, was a bit different than her first.

“I didn’t eat poorly like I did with my first pregnancy,” she says. “And I only gained 35 pounds. Overall, this pregnancy was easier because I wasn’t carrying all of that extra weight around.”

Kathryn breastfed and got back on track after she gave birth, and returned to her pre-pregnancy body in no time.

Today, Kathryn blogs about her weight-loss journey, and what it’s like to be a mom of two who’s had gastric bypass surgery.

She has also led by example, and changed the way her entire family eats by cooking fresh meals prepared with fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains.

“I still eat small meals, five or six times a day,” she says. “Weight-loss surgery at Penn was the tool I needed to change my life and turn my health around for good.”

Connect with Kathryn on her blog, Eating After Gastric Bypass, or follow her on Twitter. 

Lose Weight at Penn Medicine

Penn can help you lose weight.

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

Register for a free information session today.

7 Smoothies for Every Day of The Week

Registered dietitian and bariatrics program nutritionist Danielle Rosenfeld, MS, RD, LDN, gives us some ideas on refreshing and nutritious summertime smoothies to try. 


Smoothies can be an excellent way to boost your intake of fruits, veggies and protein. During the summertime, there are an abundance of in-season fresh produce, such as blueberries, raspberries, peaches, watermelon, cherries, basil, broccoli and strawberries. In-season produce are at their peak in terms of nutritional content and flavor profile and taste delicious blended in a refreshing smoothie.

In the colder months, check out frozen fruits to add to your shakes.

Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with your smoothies. Here are some unique and tasty options.

Note: Add 1 scoop of protein powder to any of these recipes for an extra 20 grams protein/serving.

Green Machine

1 cup fresh baby spinach leaves + 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh honeydew + 1/3 cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt

162 calories
Source: Cooking Light

Berries and Beets

1 cup fresh blueberries + 1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries + 1/3 cup sliced, cooked beets + 1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt + 1/4 cup diluted fresh orange juice

219 calories
Source: Cooking Light

Ginger, Berries & Oats

1/4 cup prepared oatmeal + 1/4 cup fat-free milk + 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger + 1 cup fresh blackberries + 1/2 cup sliced strawberries + 1/2 cup ice

179 calories
Source: Cooking Light

Peanut Butter Berry

1/4 cup 1% low-fat milk + 1/2 medium ripe banana + 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter (or PB2 reduced calorie peanut butter) + 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries + 1/2 cup crushed ice

237 calories
Source: Cooking Light

Watermelon with a Hint of Mint

2 cups seedless watermelon + 2 tablespoons fresh mint + 1/3 cup 0% plain Greek yogurt

98 calories
Source: Cooking Light

Creamy Mango, Avocado & Lime

1/4 cup sliced avocado + 1 cup sliced Champagne mango + 1 tablespoon lime juice + 1 tablespoon fresh mint + 2 cups crushed ice.

191 calories
Source: Cooking Light

Peach Cobbler Protein Shake

8 oz skim, 1%, Lactaid, soy or almond milk + 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder + 1/4 cup frozen sliced peaches + dash cinnamon & nutmeg + 2 to 3 ice cubes

185 calories, 17 g protein (when made with 1% milk)
Source: The World According to Eggface

Note: If you can’t find fresh fruit, frozen is a great option. Frozen fruit is often just as nutrient-packed as fresh—just make sure to choose those with no added sugars.

Also, If your smoothie does not have enough liquid, add cold water, skim milk or unsweetened soy or almond milk.

Lose Weight at Penn Medicine

Penn can help you lose weight.

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

Register for a free information session today.

10 Summer Bucket List Ideas

Summer is halfway over, and it’s easy for the whole family to succumb to lazy summer days. And with high obesity rates ravaging our country, it’s more important than ever to keep active and healthy.

If you’re looking for ways to manage the amount of time your family spends in front of the TV, computer, and other electronics, coming up with a “summer bucket list” can help keep your family active and entertained. Here are 10 great ideas to help you get started on your own summer break to-do list.

1. Buy fresh produce at the farmers’ market
2. Play tag, hopscotch, four square, spud, or kickball
3. Go for a hike
4. Build a sandcastle at the beach
5. Pick berries or peaches at a farm
6. Go camping
7. Play Frisbee
8. Have a cartwheel competition
9. Play baseball
10. Go kayaking or canoeing

Lose Weight at Penn Medicine

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

Register for a free information session today.

3 Ways to Deal With a Weight-Loss Plateau

When trying to lose weight, staying motivated is one of the most important parts of success. So when the scale suddenly stops moving, it can be an incredibly frustrating time. If your weight loss has stalled in the past few weeks, here are three helpful hints to try to get the scale moving in the right direction again.

Write down everything that you’re eating

When our dieting choices start to become habit, it’s easy to slide in a few extra calories here and there. And while they aren’t much on their own, when you add the calories up over the course of the week, it could be enough to detriment your progress. On the other hand, you could be eating too few calories as well. Start writing down everything you eat and drink with specific portion sizes, either with a hand-written food journal or tracking application such as My Fitness Pal, and make a plan for how you can improve your nutrition intake.

Try a new exercise routine

Are you a regular on the elliptical machine at the gym? Spice up your workout by taking a Zumba or kickboxing class. De-stress with a yoga session. Incorporate strength training exercises. Go for a walk around your town instead of using a treadmill. By spicing up your usual exercise routine, you can banish workout boredom and jumpstart your weight loss.

Talk about it

Having a workout buddy or joining a weight-loss forum to talk to when you’re struggling means getting advice from other people who’ve hit similar weight loss plateaus. You’re likely to get a plethora of ideas and inspiration to get you over this bump in the dieting road.

Bonus Tip: Don’t forget to measure your loss in other ways

Just because the scale isn’t moving right now doesn’t mean your diet isn’t paying off. Have you lost inches? Can you fit into an old pair of jeans that were too tight to close last month? Celebrate those milestones as well – you’ve worked hard to get them!

Lose Weight at Penn Medicine

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

Register for a free information session today.

Why is Olive Oil Good for You?

Did you know the United States is the third largest global consumer of olive oil? As the world continues to recognize all the health benefits that olive oil offers, the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle are becoming more and more popular, and with good reason. Olive oil is one of the healthiest oil options for cooking, as well as having a variety of other health and beauty uses.

Piling on the polyphenols

Olive oil is a fantastic source of polyphenols, which are a type of antioxidant, which has anti-inflammatory properties and help protect cells from damage. Because of this, olive oil is good for your heart, bone, and digestive health. Scientists have also begun researching the oil’s capabilities of improving memory, cognitive function, and cancer prevention.

Headlining the Mediterranean diet

Olive oil remains one of the biggest elements in the Mediterranean diet, which has commonly been linked to individuals in the best health. The diet is rich in monounsaturated fats, fish, olives, fruits and vegetables, and has been thought to lead to long healthy lives and lower rates of chronic diseases, like obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Beauty on a budget

Olive oil is also an effective supplement for skin care, thanks to its antioxidant properties. Found in hundreds of beauty products, from moisturizers to nail care, olive oil can be applied directly to the body to heal dry skin, remove eye makeup, or as an inexpensive hair mask.

Good for you, but watch the calories

Olive oil is a prime example of the phrase “too much of a good thing” when it comes to dieting. While the oil is full of health benefits, it also packs a caloric punch, at a whopping 120 calories per tablespoon. So, even though olive oil is a better choice than other saturated fats, it’s important to remember that a little goes a long way.

Lose Weight at Penn Medicine

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

Register for a free information session today.

3 Tips for Working Out in the Heat

Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean it’s time to stop exercising and spend all day laying in the air conditioning!

Before you begin exercising this summer, here are three tips for working out and staying healthy in the heat.

Stay hydrated and replenish electrolytes

One of the most important things to do while exercising in the heat is drinking water, water, and more water! Dehydration can cause light-headedness and nausea, and can lead to bigger health problems like kidney failure. Make sure to take plenty of water breaks and watch for any signs of dehydration.

While it’s crucial to drink enough water while working out in the heat, making sure you maintain your body’s balance of electrolytes and salt is important too. Bringing along a sugar-free sports drink, like G2 Gatorade can help avoid confusion, nausea  and muscle cramps associated with low electrolytes.

Avoid temperature peaks and heat advisory days

Working out in the morning, before the sun has a chance to kick up the heat is the best. If you can’t work out in the morning, avoid exercising during the hottest part of the day, which is from 10 am to 3 pm.

Always check the weather forecast before leaving for a workout. If there is a heat advisory in effect, keep your exercise session indoors.

Use sunscreen and shade

There’s no sense in heading outdoors to get in shape and getting skin cancer, right? It’s important to wear sunscreen every time you exercise outside, even on cloudy days. Look for places with ample shade for your work out: not only will you protect your skin, you’ll stay cooler too.

Bonus tip: Hit the pool

Who says exercising can’t be fun? Stay cool and tone your body by doing laps around your local pool, bring a friend and race each other, or check out a water aerobics class at the YMCA.

Lose Weight at Penn Medicine

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

Register for a free information session today.

How Much Weight Can You Expect to Lose With Weight-Loss Surgery?

Here’s an exercise:

Imagine losing 1/3 of your weight.

Take your weight and multiply it by .30. Now subtract that number from your current weight. Imagine what your life would be like if you weighed that number.

Could you move easier? Would your knees still hurt? Could you keep up with your kids or grandchildren?

Would you be able to stop taking some of the medications you take every day? What would it be like to regain your health?

On average, someone who undergoes weight-loss gastric bypass surgery can expect to lose approximately 30 percent of his or her starting weight. Most of this loss is experienced during the first few months following surgery with the weight loss continuing for 12 to 18 months after surgery.

Weight loss associated with the adjustable gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy may not be as rapid and the weight loss may not be quite as great.

Each person’s weight-loss progress is different, but one thing is clear: healthy eating habits, exercise and ongoing support are critical for continued success.

Lose Weight at Penn Medicine

Penn can help you lose weight.

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

Register for a free information session today.