Alex Brecher

We have a ton of options at the BariatricPal Store. Read customer reviews at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders . Most of the products are whey protein isolate

You can follow your meal plan and get your exercise in, but you are selling yourself short if you are trying to lose weight without taking your vitamins! BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE Iron Free capsules can help prevent the nutrient deficiencies that are all too common after bariatric surgery. With just one convenient & affordable BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE capsule each day, you can get the vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy! The vitamins and minerals in BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE may help: Maintain normal metabolism and energy. Promote healthy bones, joints, blood, and heart. Support normal mood. Support healthy wound healing and immunity. Maintain cellular integrity and antioxidant functions. Promote healthy hair, skin, and nails. BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE was designed and developed by a team of the world's leading Bariatric medical professionals. The fas129.99t-dissolving small veggie capsules are very easy to swallow and use. You only need one a day to meet recommendations for bariatric patients. BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE is based on the latest post-op guidelines from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) to provide over 20 vitamins and minerals. BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE is especially high in nutrients such as vitamins B12 and D, folic acid, and biotin, that are known to be at risk for bariatric surgery patients. BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE Highlights: 100% of the daily value for 20 essential vitamins and minerals. Formulated based on the latest ASMBS guidelines. One small convenient capsule daily. Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free. Fast-dissolving veggie capsules. Made in the USA. Easy to swallow. Affordable. BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE "1 per Day!" Bariatric Multivitamin Capsule is also available with 45mg of Iron here. Designed for patients that have undergone weight loss surgery such as RNY Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, Duodenal Switch, and other malabsorptive weight loss surgery procedures. Available in 30-count or 90-count bottles here.

Check out PatchAid patches. They have better nut facts https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/patchaid

My good friend Jay Casale‎ just dropped his latest podcast episode where he interviews Amanda Johnson from TLC's hit TV show, "Family By the Ton. In Jay's words... "Amanda Johnson currently stars on TLC's hit show, "Family By the Ton.", in which she bravely shares her journey as both a food addict and a cancer patient. When I met her two years ago, she was a sassy graphic designer with perfect makeup and a short temper, who had no time for nonsense or ignorance. She's still all of those things and more. She's also my friend, and I couldn't have been happier to speak with her in her first off-camera interview since Family by the Ton started airing. In true Amanda fashion, she held nothing back." Available on: iTunes: https://apple.co/2EQ20bG Android: bit.ly/2DxAvSQ Don't wanna use a phone: lightersidepodcast.com

You didn’t go into weight loss surgery blindly, but there are sure to be quite a few surprises along the way. Stalls can be among the most discouraging, but you are sure to notice plenty of other things that your surgeon may not have warned you about before you got your surgery. Here are a few of them. Stalls Happen Your surgeon will probably tell you about your likely weight loss. You might hear numbers such as 70 to 100 lb. in the first year, or up to 10 to 20 lb. in the first couple of months. Those might be realistic and turn out to be accurate for you, but what might also be true, that your doctor did not tell you, is that weight loss may not be steady. You might lose 75 lb. in a year, which is an average 1.5 lb. per week, but you are not going to lose 1.5 lb. every week for a year straight. You may lose 5 lb. in one week, 3 lb. in another, 0 lb. in another, and, some weeks, even gain weight. You are almost sure to encounter stalls, or plateaus, or periods of weeks or even a month when you do not lose weight, even if you are eating right. Your doctor may not tell you about stalls ahead of time, but you can handle them better if you are prepared right out of the gate. Your Metabolism May Plummet As you lose weight, you need fewer calories to sustain your basic body functions. Furthermore, when you exercise at a lower body weight, you burn fewer calories doing the same workout at the same intensity than you did when you were heavier. On top of that, your body may go into starvation mode and use even fewer calories as it becomes more efficient at using what you give it. While there is little that you can do to prevent a slower metabolism, you can at least be aware of it. Also, you can take heart knowing that you are likely to be able to exercise longer and at a higher intensity to offset some of the reduced body weight. It’s Freezing! Brrr…! Remember the days when you were the hottest one in the room, and all you wanted was to stop sweating? Those may be in the past. Part of the slowed metabolism can be due to your body’s new mechanism to save energy, which means turning down the thermostat. Another possibly surprising side effect of weight loss is that having less cushioning (body fat), so sitting in chairs or lying in bed can be less comfortable. People Can Still Hurt You You probably know that Weight Loss Surgery does not change who you are, but your doctor may forget to tell you that it does not change other people, either. You may no longer get flack for being overweight, but people can still be hurtful. They can tell you… You took the easy way out with Weight Loss Surgery. You have not lost much weight. Clearly, Weight Loss Surgery did not work. You lost so much weight that you look sick. All you care about now is your diet and exercise plan. Your Social Life May Change Some friends will stick by you. Others may desert you. If some of your friends have just been “eating buddies,” or people you go out with to the bar or restaurants, you may need to exercise self-control at the bar or restaurant, find new activities to do with those friends or find new friends. You stand to gain wonderful new friends who share your new interests, such as walking, going to the gym, or cooking healthy fun foods. The Skin Stays Losing body fat will not give you a movie star’s appearance. It may not even be all that you need to lose. You may have loose skin that flaps, chafes, and interferes. There is a chance that you will want to get skin removal surgery for cosmetic, comfort, or medical reasons. Beware Replacement Addictions You may have been addicted to food. It may have provided comfort, entertainment, and companionship. Give it up, and you are likely to find something to replace it. Alcohol is a common replacement addiction, but you can do better! Stay aware of your emotional and physical needs, and you can be mindful of what replaces food in your life. Exercise, within reason, is a common choice; another healthy option is to make some great friends who are supportive and make you feel good. Your doctor will tell you a lot about what to expect after weight loss surgery, but she may leave out several important items. Go in with open eyes, and you can prepare better and come out farther ahead.

On January 9, 2019, The CDC issued a Level 2 Alert about Drug-Resistant Infections at Dr. Almanza's Grand View Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico. The Mexican government has closed Grand View Hospital until further notice: Key Points Recently, some US residents returning from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, were diagnosed with infections caused by an antibiotic-resistant form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. All of the travelers with this particular infection had an invasive medical procedure performed in Tijuana. Most (but not all) of them had weight-loss surgery. About half of those infected had their surgery done at the Grand View Hospital. Based on information provided by the CDC, the Mexican government has closed the Grand View Hospital until further notice. CDC recommends that travelers to Tijuana, Mexico, not have surgery at the Grand View Hospital until the Mexican government can confirm that the drug-resistant form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria is no longer there We urge all BariatricPal members to stay far away from Dr. Almanza and Grand View Hospital.

Dr. Francisco Manuel Contreras Guarista We recently received information about Dr. Francisco Manuel Contreras Guarista that we need to share with the Bariatric community. Dr. Francisco Manuel Contreras Guarista was sentenced on 2/04/2011 for DRUG SMUGGLING! https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/California_Southern_District_Court/3--10-cr-00834/USA_v._Contreras-Guarista/ He is currently being represented by Santé Surgical Group and operating out of Oasis of Hope Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico. We also received information that he is a medical doctor and is not licensed as a bariatric surgeon in Mexico! Please make sure you share this information with friends and family that are researching having surgery in Mexico.

Try to see their side. You are asking them to see it from your perspective, so it is only fair that you try to see it from theirs. What are the reasons they may be against your Weight Loss Surgery, and how can you address them? In many cases, their concerns are legitimately about your well-being, and things you should consider if you have not already. They may worry that: You will not hit your goal weight this time since they’ve seen disappointment before. You will suffer complications from surgery. You will regret having a permanent Sometimes, their concerns are selfish but still worth discussing. They may worry that: You’ll stop feeling attracted to them. You will pressure them to give up their own favorite foods while you eat healthily. They will feel left out. You will not want to spend time with them. Reassure them. Address their concerns directly. Explain why you feel the surgery is safe, and how much research you have done to learn about it as well as find a surgeon. Tell them why you think Weight Loss Surgery will work for you even if previous diets have not. Let them know that you need to do this for yourself, not for them and that this will not change the way you feel about them – you will still love your SO, and respect your parents, for example. Tell them how you see yourself spending time with them after surgery, so they can be comfortable. Write it down and practice. Starting the conversation can be the scariest part of telling them. Before you bring up the subject, write down what you plan to say. This is a good exercise for you to do anyway since it encourages you to think through all of the doubts around Weight Loss Surgery. Writing it down and practicing can make it easier for the words to come when you decide to bring it up. Include them in your plans. Often, your spouse and parents, and others who care about you, just want to help. They may be afraid if they do not how to help. When you talk to them, let them know how important they are to you, both in life in general and in this important period of your life. If you tell them specifically what they can do to support you, they may feel more at ease with your decision and more confident in their roles. You might ask them to: Pick up your children from school when you are recovering from surgery. Go with you to the store to pick out protein powders and measuring cups and spoons. Ask you each night how you are doing. Cook healthy meals with you. Prepare for anything. The conversation may be as difficult and unfulfilling as you feared. Or, your SO, parents or other loved ones may be surprisingly supportive once they realize that you have done your research and are serious about making the lifestyle changes needed for success. They may even be interested in getting healthy with you and ask for your help and support in exchange for theirs. Stay strong and independent. As much as you long for your SO and other loved ones to support you wholeheartedly, it may not happen. Try not to let it get you down, though. If you are sure about what you want, go for it, with or without them. They will come around sooner or later, and if not, you may be better off without their negative influence. Letting them know that you have made up your mind regardless of their support may actually convince them to help you since there is no point in standing in your way. Stay independent in the sense that you realize that you do not need them. Your success does not depend on their approval, and you are not doomed to fail if they stand in your way. Get the support you need from others as you move forward.

Can you buy these in a grocery store? Not at the moment but there are many other brands that should be for sale locally.

Please see https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/zeroodle

I'm biased! We're releasing an Iron Free version of https://store.bariatricpal.com/products/bariatricpal-multivitamin-one-1-per-day-bariatric-multivitamin-capsule-with-45mg-iron in 2 weeks.

This is what everyone is taught. It's a controversial topic. I found this online "The absorption of calcium and iron is a controversial topic in the realm of bariatrics. Research has shown that Calcium does not interfere with non-heme iron found in supplements. Calcium does interfere with heme iron found in meat. For instance, you should not take a calcium supplement before or after eating a steak. NON-heme iron is the iron found in vitamin supplements. The medical professionals behind Bari Life feel that other vitamin / pharmaceutical companies require patients to take calcium and iron separately because it increases sales. There are virtually no studies performed with patients who have altered digestive systems by means of weight loss surgery (WLS). However, the New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery has a study that is pending publication for bariatric medical journals that proves NON-heme iron absorbs just as well when taken with calcium, as opposed to the iron being taken by itself. The study comprised of over 300 gastric bypass patients. Each patient was evaluated before their bariatric surgical procedure, then again at 6 months and 12 months after the procedure. The patients were evaluated for deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, B-1, B-12, and vitamin A. The vitamin deficiency rate of patients taking Bari Life multivitamins was compared to the deficiency rate of patients taking other leading bariatric vitamin brands (non-compliant patients)"

Calcium blocks absorption of Heme Iron. From what I've researched, it doesn't block non-heme iron and can be taken together.

Thanks for the explanation and info. It was super helpful. I was just researching heme and non-heme iron and their interaction with Calcium. I was wondering why any company would use Heme Iron. Now I understand!

I just reached out to Mylan to see if they'd sell to us directly or if it's available through a national distributor, thanks! Why do you like it?

We literally just launched our own brand, NutriNoodle! Check it out at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/nutrinoodle .

Are you ready to make your New Year’s resolutions to get the year started off with purpose? Not everyone makes official New Year’s resolutions, but you can still set some goals for the New Year or for the next few weeks or months. Consider this: you can be 10 times more likely to achieve your goals if you make New Year’s resolutions than if you do not. That statistic may motivate you to take a little care in setting your goals for this year. So, here are a few tips for setting resolutions that you can keep. Make Them Realistic We all want to hit goal weight and stay there, but is that realistic for you? Probably not, if you are more than 70 to 100 lbs. overweight and have not yet had weight loss surgery. A more realistic resolution might be to schedule your surgery and then lose an average of 5 to 10 lbs. per month after surgery. These are some additional examples of unrealistic and realistic resolutions. Get to the gym every day. Work out at the gym or walk 5 days per week. Follow your diet perfectly. Get back on track within a day of losing control. Avoid all restaurants. Check the nutrition facts beforehand and make healthy choices when you order. Plan all meals and snacks ahead of time. Keep protein bars and other healthy protein snacks on hand for when you need them unexpectedly. Make Them Specific Yes, you want to lose weight for example. But how much do you want to lose? Your resolution might include the number of pounds you want to lose or the BMI you want to hit. It might be to lose back the pounds you regained after weight loss surgery a few years ago. Here are some other examples of specific resolutions to consider. Drink at least 64 ounces of water per day. Attend two support group meetings each month. Eat at least two servings of fish per week. Eat at least 65 grams of protein per day. When you make your goals specific, you know whether or not you are making progress towards them and when you hit them. That is motivating, and it keeps you honest with yourself. Consider the Process A goal is an endpoint. Your resolution might be to achieve those goals, but it should also include the process, or “how” you are planning to get there. If your resolution is to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, your process might include storing canned and frozen vegetables so they are always available, keeping washed and cut fruits and vegetables in the fridge for snacks, and adding a half-cup of vegetables to your omelets. Here are some more examples of ways you can focus on the process. To hit your pre-op weight loss requirements, swap water for soda and side salads for fries. To get to the gym more often, lay out your clothes and shoes the night before, and figure out which workout you will do once you are at the gym. To move closer to your weight loss surgery, find out how to get approval for insurance reimbursement (or how you will finance your surgery) and which surgeons are your top choices. To get your blood sugar levels down, healthify your carb choices by identifying which are sugary and refined, and swapping them with high-fiber, unrefined whole grains, beans, and fruits. Stay Accountable Your resolutions are important to you, so make them a priority and hold yourself accountable. One way is to use the buddy system. You can either find a buddy with resolutions similar to yours, or just use a buddy who is willing to hold you accountable. Check in regularly with each other on your progress, encourage each other, and ask the tough questions if either of you are falling off track. Another way to hold yourself accountable is to use a log. Use an old-fashioned pencil and paper log, or opt for an online or smartphone app. Depending on your resolution, you can record thoughts, feelings, and progress, as well as food intake, weight, and exercise. Seeing your efforts in black and white can keep you honest and motivate you to keep going. Be Patient with Yourself Recognize that you won’t do it all at once, and that you will make mistakes. Set smaller incremental goals so that you can see progress in January, but keep the big picture in mind and realize that your resolutions are long-term. The big payoffs will come later in the year if you stick with your resolutions. Also, have a plan to forgive yourself, because things will go wrong. Dust yourself off and get back up, because you can achieve your goals!

This is clearly a bug. We do appreciate you bringing it to our attention and our developers will be adding a fix for this issue to our next app update. We have some exciting things planned for our app this year. Stay tuned for some interesting developments.

Consider this: you can be 10 times more likely to achieve your goals if you make New Year’s resolutions than if you do not. That statistic may motivate you to take a little care in setting your goals for this year. So, here are a few tips for setting resolutions that you can keep. Make Them Realistic We all want to hit goal weight and stay there, but is that realistic for you? Probably not, if you are more than 70 to 100 lbs. overweight and have not yet had weight loss surgery. A more realistic resolution might be to schedule your surgery and then lose an average of 5 to 10 lbs. per month after surgery. These are some additional examples of unrealistic and realistic resolutions. Get to the gym every day. Work out at the gym or walk 5 days per week. Follow your diet perfectly. Get back on track within a day of losing control. Avoid all restaurants. Check the nutrition facts beforehand and make healthy choices when you order. Plan all meals and snacks ahead of time. Keep protein bars and other healthy protein snacks on hand for when you need them unexpectedly. Make Them Specific Yes, you want to lose weight for example. But how much do you want to lose? Your resolution might include the number of pounds you want to lose or the BMI you want to hit. It might be to lose back the pounds you regained after weight loss surgery a few years ago. Here are some other examples of specific resolutions to consider. Drink at least 64 ounces of water per day. Attend two support group meetings each month. Eat at least two servings of fish per week. Eat at least 65 grams of protein per day. When you make your goals specific, you know whether or not you are making progress towards them and when you hit them. That is motivating, and it keeps you honest with yourself. Consider the Process A goal is an endpoint. Your resolution might be to achieve those goals, but it should also include the process, or “how” you are planning to get there. If your resolution is to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, your process might include storing canned and frozen vegetables so they are always available, keeping washed and cut fruits and vegetables in the fridge for snacks, and adding a half-cup of vegetables to your omelets. Here are some more examples of ways you can focus on the process. To hit your pre-op weight loss requirements, swap water for soda and side salads for fries. To get to the gym more often, lay out your clothes and shoes the night before, and figure out which workout you will do once you are at the gym. To move closer to your weight loss surgery, find out how to get approval for insurance reimbursement (or how you will finance your surgery) and which surgeons are your top choices. To get your blood sugar levels down, healthify your carb choices by identifying which are sugary and refined, and swapping them with high-fiber, unrefined whole grains, beans, and fruits. Stay Accountable Your resolutions are important to you, so make them a priority and hold yourself accountable. One way is to use the buddy system. You can either find a buddy with resolutions similar to yours, or just use a buddy who is willing to hold you accountable. Check in regularly with each other on your progress, encourage each other, and ask the tough questions if either of you are falling off track. Another way to hold yourself accountable is to use a log. Use an old-fashioned pencil and paper log, or opt for an online or smartphone app. Depending on your resolution, you can record thoughts, feelings, and progress, as well as food intake, weight, and exercise. Seeing your efforts in black and white can keep you honest and motivate you to keep going. Be Patient with Yourself Recognize that you won’t do it all at once, and that you will make mistakes. Set smaller incremental goals so that you can see progress in January, but keep the big picture in mind and realize that your resolutions are long-term. The big payoffs will come later in the year if you stick with your resolutions. Also, have a plan to forgive yourself, because things will go wrong. Dust yourself off and get back up, because you can achieve your goals!

I just logged in to her account to test. No problem. I don’t see where she’s seeing anything about being banned.

Fat shaming adds insult to injury when you are obese or you have had weight loss surgery. Life is already difficult enough without the extra challenges of fat shaming. You may have health conditions, trouble moving and low energy levels if you are overweight. After weight loss surgery, you need to watch every aspect of your diet and lifestyle. Anyone who has struggled with weight can have low self-esteem and feel insecure at times. So why must you face “fat shaming,” too? Nobody should be forced to experience fat shaming, but unfortunately, it is a reality. It is a way of making people feel bad about their weight, often through subtle or less subtle passively aggressive words or actions. Here is some information about what it is and how you can fight it Why It Hurts Fat shaming hurts emotionally. It involved people judging you negatively for your appearance. Worse, they feel that you have no right to be at peace with who you are. Having others let you know day after day that you should feel inferior can drag you down, and that’s unfair. Think about an experience so many of us have had, and often on a weekly or even daily basis. When you order in a restaurant or check out at the grocery store, have you ever suspected that the server is thinking, “Why is this lady ordering a salad? She clearly eats way more than that at home.” Or do you see the skinny person in line behind you at the supermarket look at your cart and think, “She’d be better off skipping the Froot Loops and sticking to lettuce” (never mind that the cereal is for your kids). The fat shaming may be less subtle. “Excuse me, ma’am, but are you sure you should be buying that pasta? Should you stock up on celery sticks instead?” What nerve! Fat shaming can even hurt in practical ways. Take jobs, for example. Have you ever walked into a job interview only to see the interviewer look at you with disdain, so you know you’re not going to get the job because of your weight? How Bad It’s Gotten (Hint: There’s an App for That) Fat shaming is pervasive in our society. People don’t even realize it’s there. It’s just accepted that fat people are somewhat subhuman. Even doctors often assume that your obesity is your fault. “Just stop eating,” people say. No matter what they see you do in public – order broiled fish and broccoli at lunch, hit the gym every day, and faithfully chug your 8 glasses of water – they assume you’re ordering a couple of value meals at the drive-through on the way home, and curling up with a box of doughnuts every night. Fat shaming is so accepted in our society that there are even apps to promote it. They may show you what someone looks like when they’re a few pounds heavier (oh, the horror!), just to scare you away. The thing is, these shame campaigns don’t work. In fact, they even lead people to eat more because they feel inadequate. People who experience fat shaming are more likely to gain weight. And, if their doctors are doing it – which happens with shocking frequency – they may not seek or receive the medical care they deserve and need. The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is calling for tech giants to remove these apps from the market. What Leads to Fat Shaming? Fat shaming comes from the assumption that overweight people are not people. Fat shamers believe overweight people do not deserve respect. They just eat too much because they’re too lazy to eat right and exercise. Fat shaming can also come up out of a sense of insecurity on the part of the fat shamer. It’s a lot easier to point out the flaws of someone who’s overweight than to acknowledge one’s own shortcomings. Fat shaming is hurtful, and it needs to stop now! Pledge to Join the Fight You can sign up to join the growing movement against fat shaming. The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America (WLSFA) is sponsoring a challenge to fight fat shaming. You can sign up to post videos, pledge to stand up against fat shaming, and join the growing movement. You can get more information and resources from WLSFA Be the Change You can also work every day on your own to fight fat shaming. The WLSFA suggests vowing to fight ignorance with education and speaking up for others who are facing fat shaming. You can also vow to treat all people with respect because you know what it is to be treated disrespectfully for no reason. Fat shaming is deeply rooted in our society, and it hurts. You can fight this unfair practice by pledging with the WLSFA or taking your own steps to embrace your body, stand up for anyone who needs it, and love others, no matter who they are or what they look like.

This is quite common! I doubt it's gas. Did you have left shoulder pain prior to surgery as well? The lap-band causes issues and exacerbates the area around the vagus nerve, which in turn causes left shoulder pain. The paid should hopefully subside within time. It was excruciating for me for a few weeks after my own lap and removal but has completely disappeared since.

You either LOVE them or HATE them. There's no in between. I personally can't stand them but people in my office LOVE them! I need to dilute them quite a bit to get them down. You should definitely try them out to see which team you're on. Let us know! Some other options you might want to look at: 1) Liquid protein concentrate like https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatric-predigested-protein-liquid-protein/products/bariatricpal-fruit-drink-15g-protein-concentrate-jumbo-variety-pack 2) Protein shots like https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatric-predigested-protein-liquid-protein/products/bariatricpal-15g-protein-shots-variety-packs We have some other liquid options at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatric-predigested-protein-liquid-protein as well.

What’s the Big Deal? First off, why do you need to worry so much about excuses now more than ever? Well, the rest of the year may present challenges, but those challenges can grow at this time of year. You may be under a lot of pressure from friends and family to do unhealthy things during the holidays. You will not only be offered or served weight loss-unfriendly fare, but probably also feel pressure to give up healthy habits, such as working out or taking relaxation time, in favor of socializing or cleaning the house. The consequences can include: Eating too much and gaining weight. Skipping workouts and feeling sluggish. Overcommitting, feeling stressed, and gaining weight. Overextending yourself and getting run-down or sick. You do not get to make excuses very often, so you might as well take advantage of the chance to do so now. Just make them good so they work! Iron-Clad Excuses Your excuses need to be iron-clad so nobody can argue with them. In general, simpler is better because the longer you make it, the more they can find to argue with. For example, if you say that you cannot eat that fudge because it has too many calories, they can say that a little can fit into your diet. Instead, consider saying that you are not allowed to eat fudge. Period. Stay away from wishy-washy refusals that include, “Maybe,” or, “I don’t think so.” They open the door to the last thing you want – further offers! These are some additional iron-clad excuses: “I cannot eat that.” “My doctor says I cannot eat that.” ”Thanks, but I am not hungry.” “I would love to go with you, but I need to be home at that time for my family.” Keep It About Yourself In an effort to be polite, you might decline an invitation by saying that you think the person who invited you might be too busy, or you do not want to inconvenience them. Unfortunately, that only opens the door for them to say that it’s okay, they still want to go. Instead, they cannot argue if you keep it about yourself: “I’m too busy,” or, “I have another commitment at that time” indisputable (and more polite than the possible truth: “I don’t want to!”). Little White Lies White lies are okay if you are using them for your health. If you are a bad liar, make it true. Instead of saying, “I don’t like fruit cake,” say, “Fruit cake does not agree with me” (perfectly true, since your goals along with losing weight may include avoiding dumping syndrome or saving room for protein-packed foods). Instead of saying, “I have other plans at that time” when you don’t, make other plans – even an appointment with yourself to relax. Then your “other plans” excuse will be true. If you do not want to do it (go out to dinner, for example), you can say, “I can’t do it because I don’t have the time.” You can make that true by coming up with something to do during that time, such as working out, planning meals for the next day, or reading a book with your kids – all truly more important than committing to an engagement that may be stressful or unhealthy. Keep those excuses coming this season so you can keep yourself healthy and focused. Make sure your excuses are strong and on point so they work. And, have fun with them!

The holidays are upon us. If you are a weight loss surgery patient or someone who’s working on losing weight, knowing that it’s that time of year can fill you with dread. Let’s face it: it does not seem like much fun to pass up your favorite foods while watching what seems like everyone else eat them, or drag yourself to the gym while the rest of the world is dreaming in their nice cozy beds, or go to doctor’s appointments when you think everyone else is on a care-free vacation from work. How you may wonder, can you make this the most wonderful time of the year if you cannot celebrate it with the same food, drink, and abandon that you may have before your WLS journey started? Keep your chin up! We’re not promising that these holidays will be the same as ever, but you can make them great. They may even be better! Here are our thoughts on loving the holidays while staying healthy. We’re Not in Kansas Anymore! As with the rest of your life, the success of the holidays can no longer best be measured by how much you ate. There is so much more to it than that! Now, pleasure from food contributes to “success,” but so do so many other things, including the activities you do, the quality of your time with loved ones, and the pride you have in yourself. Give up your former conceptions of what holiday happiness is, and you will have a lot to gain (but not weight). Just Say, “No!” – But How? There is no denying that a good deal of the holiday cheer – and the holiday struggle – revolves around food. Eat it with abandon, and you will set yourself back months. You are almost sure to be offered more than you should eat and foods that are not on your diet, so you will need to learn to say no. Be prepared with different ways to say, “No,” without hurting anyone’s feelings, and practice the before-hand so you are not caught off guard. “No, thanks.” “No, thanks. I’m not hungry.” (If you’re in the middle of lunch so you cannot claim that you are not hungry:) “No, thanks. It’s not in my diet.” “I would love to, but my doctor said I cannot have that!” “Thank you! How kind! I will save it for later.” Later, give it to someone who will love it. Be Confident. Be polite but firm when refusing food or insisting on getting in your afternoon walk. You may be surprised at how easily people accept your decisions. They may even make them easier once they see you are serious by, for example, offering to bring you a diet-friendly version of a treat or asking to come on your walk. If you waver initially, though, they may not take you seriously, and instead, keep prodding you to abandon your good intentions. Be Proud of Yourself. A barrier to success that is present year-round, but more intense during the holiday season, is the natural desire to help others – and this can come with a feeling of guilt if making your health a priority makes you worry that you are not giving your best to your family. Remember that you can give your best only when you are at your best, and to be at your best, you need to be healthy. You will have more energy, think more clearly, and even be happier when you are taking steps towards health, and all that will enable you to give more to others. You Are Not Alone The grass may seem greener on the other side of the fence, but is it really? It probably is not, even though you may feel that your holiday season is hard while others have it easy. The truth is that millions of others are facing the same challenges as you. Even people who appear not to have weight problems are sure to have major concerns in their lives. They may be fighting just as hard as you to avoid eating the whole pie, or they may have non-food challenges. You do not know, but what you can safely assume is that everyone has challenges. You will feel better about yourself if you always treat others with respect and not with jealousy. Rather than feeling sorry for yourself, you might as well embrace the holidays for what they are worth: an opportunity to overcome hurdles and strengthen yourself; a magical time of year when people come together; and a chance to experience new feelings and participate in new activities that may not have been possible before you got serious about your health.