Alex Brecher

This is exactly why we recently launched a protein shake that contains a multivitamin and fiber! It’s called BariatricPal Protein One and available at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-protein-one

I loved this topic. I used to use it for inspiration on what to eat some nights. Let's get it back on track! What are ya eating tonight??

Thanks for everyone's feedback! We've added back most of the missing categories over the last 24 hours. The ones that weren't added back didn't have a topic posted to them in a long time. We only kept forums that have active and ongoing discussions. The majority of our members are on Mobile. Having many sub-forums isn't considered user-friendly these days. We're going to update the website Monday night to further optimize things on desktop and mobile. You should notice some new, fun and useful features available after that point. Soon after that, we are going to release a brand new mobile app which should make posting and use of the forums MUCH easier!

Thanks for everyone's feedback! We've added back most of the missing categories over the last 24 hours. The ones that weren't added back didn't have a topic posted to them in a long time. We only kept forums that have active and ongoing discussions. The majority of our members are on Mobile. Having many sub-forums isn't considered user-friendly these days. We're going to update the website Monday night to further optimize things on desktop and mobile. You should notice some new, fun and useful features available after that point. Soon after that, we are going to release a brand new mobile app which should make posting and use of the forums MUCH easier!

Congrats!!!

Many bandsters have severe left shoulder pain. I personally had the same issue. It can be caused by the lap-band putting pressure on the Vagus nerve. You should go for an esophagram to make sure that your Lap-band didn't slip. If it looks OK, I would suggest removing 3/4 of the saline for a few weeks to give your tummy a little rest. Then go ahead and slowly start adding saline back, a few cc at a time.

We made some organizational changes. We will explain tomorrow.

How many surgeries were done? The data show that there were 215,666 total bariatric procedures done in 2016. That is a lot if you compare to 2011 – it is an increase of 36.5% over the course of 5 years, but it is not much if you compare it to the over 20 million Americans who are eligible for bariatric surgery based on criteria of a BMI over 40 or a BMI over 35 plus a related condition. In fact, only 1% of eligible Americans get weight loss surgery. Why is the gastric sleeve taking over? The gastric sleeve is gaining momentum, and quickly. It has leaped from 28,124 procedures in 2011 to 125,318 in 2016. It has jumped from making up 17.8% in 2011 of the total to 58.1% in 2016. Why has the gastric sleeve become so popular, so quickly? There is a lower risk of nutrient deficiencies and dumping syndrome compared to gastric bypass. It helps fight hunger by lowering levels of the hormone ghrelin. It is relatively safe for higher-BMI patients. It has similar weight loss as gastric bypass, and lower reoperation and complication rates than gastric band. Why would anyone not choose the gastric sleeve? The gastric sleeve may appear to be the choice du jour according to the numbers, but even so, not everyone chooses it. These are some hesitations with the gastric sleeve. It is so new that there is no long-term research on it. We just do not know if it stays effective for years and decades. It is permanent. Done. There is no going back, even if the patient really, really begs. Some patients have trouble getting enough calories and protein and continue to depend on supplements for a long time post-op. What are the non-sleeve choices? While 58.1% of patients opt for the sleeve, the other 39.9% do not. In fact, nearly 1 out of 5 patients opt for gastric bypass, and biliopancreatic diversion/duodenal switch (BPD-DS) has held steady at 0.6%. These are some reasons to consider other types. The gastric bypass has a long history. It can be successful long-term with weight loss, and it is famous for its ability to resolve diabetes quickly. The lap-band is reversible. Even though the band has dropped 86.93% since 2011, there were still 7,310 new bands in 2016. The BPD-DS may still be the best for higher-BMI patients. What does the research say? Good news – weight loss surgery works! At least, that is what the majority of the research studies conclude, whether they are looking at the sleeve, bypass, band, or another method. All surgery types have a risk of complications, and all have a risk of mortality of under 1%. BMI can drop 7 to 14 or more kg/m2, and diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, and other obesity-related conditions can get better. Is the gastric balloon going to be a factor? Time will tell whether the gastric balloon is going to be a factor in the overall bariatric surgery statistics. The FDA approved it only in 2015, and it jumped from 0 in 2011-2014 to 0.3% (700 procedures) in 2015 to 2.7% (5,744 procedures) in 2016. The balloon is not a true bariatric surgery; it is not permanent, it leads to less weight loss, and it is intended for lower-BMI patients. This means that it may not be in competition with the true bariatric surgery procedures, although it is likely to become more common as it becomes better known. What is the deal with so many revision surgeries? If weight loss surgery techniques are always advancing, why are revisions becoming so much more common? They comprised 6% (9,480) of the total in 2011, but 13.9% (30,077) in 2016. It could be because some of the previous (failed) surgeries were done using older techniques, and are now ready for serious help – a revised procedure. Why are 99 out of 100 eligible Americans not getting Weight Loss Surgery? There are a lot of reasons eligible Americans are not getting Weight Loss Surgery. They include: Cost. Fear of complications or death. Not knowing where to start. Lack of support from family, friends, and healthcare providers. Fear of failure. Lack of long-term commitment to lifestyle changes. What can health professionals and patients do to help eligible patients get the Weight Loss Surgery they need? Surgeons and other bariatric professionals can help by making sure they reach out to eligible patients. They can explain their options, and promise to provide the nutritional and psychological support patients need for success and to feel confident in their success. They can organize support groups and provide additional resources for patients to get advice and encouragement anytime. What can health professionals and patients do to help eligible patients get the Weight Loss Surgery they need? Patients can do their part by asking questions to learn about their best options. They can express their doubts and fears to surgeons to come up with strategies for success. They can reach out to friends, acquaintances, and online groups for support.

We recently introduced an awesome line of Protein + multivitamin Shakes called BariatricPal Protein One which should allow you to get your protein and vitamins at the same time! No more gagging on chewable vitamins or pills!!

Who do YOU think YOU are? I've warned you a few times to follow our rules. Your tone and posts are extremely disrespectful, hurtful, rude and impolite. This is my last warning. Your account will be suspended if you continue this behavior.

We now offer plastic and reconstructive surgery! You can check out our new hospital at https://BariatricPalHospitalMX.com .

We're trying to research (and possibly work with) the top plastic surgeons in Mexico. I've found that our members are usually right on target when it comes to this kind of info. Which plastic surgeon in Mexico have you used or are looking to use, in the near future? Please provide all contact info for any plastics surgeon you're recommending.

I am in Tijuana at the moment and have learned that Dr. Ramos Kelly had two more patients die after he operated on them. It's really sad that people don't do enough research!!

There are two financing companies we work with: For US patients: United Medical Credit For Canadian patients: MediCard We do not currently offer in-house financing. I will say that UMC approves most of our patients that apply.

Please agree to disagree. Name calling will never be tolerated here. Reminder to please read the rules you agreed to upon signing up: https://www.bariatricpal.com/guidelines/

I've seen many members report gas or other similar pain in their shoulders many weeks after all types of endoscopic surgery. As @Berry78suggested, contact your surgeon or another medical pro asap just to make sure everything is OK. It's a similar pain but generally, that pain is pressure on the vagus nerve caused by the Lap-Band.

One of the great things about our community is that our members are all in different stages of their weight loss journeys. So, we want to know where YOU are in your weight loss journey! Choose your answer and tell us more in the discussion below!

No single type of weight loss surgery is right for everyone. Choices like the adjustable gastric band, gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve each have their pros and cons. How did you decide which surgery to get? If you haven’t had surgery yet, how are you making your decision? My insurance only covers one type – read my answer below to find out which kind. I was too “small” to qualify for bypass or sleeve, so the lap-band was my best option. I chose the lap-band because it is adjustable; maybe I’ll become pregnant or get sick and need to eat extra food sometime in the future. I got the gastric sleeve because I’m a heavier patient and this was a lower-risk choice. I got the gastric bypass because of the restrictions on sugary foods. I chose my surgery based on the complication rates and expected weight loss. See which one I chose in the discussion below! I have revisional weight loss surgery. Read what happened and why I got it converted in the discussion below! Other. See my choice and reasons in the discussion below! Mark your answer, and feel free to explain it in the conversation below. We want to know what you think about the different types of weight loss surgery!

Knowing what you know now about weight loss surgery, would you do it again if you had the chance to make your decision again? Choose your option in the above poll, and then explain it in the discussion below!

PM me....we might be interested.

THE PORK RIND, PERFECTED: Chicharrones Cooked in Olive Oil Bacon's Heir takes fresh pork skin, melt off the fat, cure the skin in salt, and rapidly puff it in olive oil. The result is so outrageously fluffy they had to change the name. Pork Clouds are wonderfully fluffy crisps of pork skin, so fluffy that we couldn't in good conscience call them a rind. So we looked up and a more appropriate name dawned upon us. We love taking them on trips, particularly of the outdoor variety. Wherever they end up, they help to expedite a busy day, crispen a relaxing day, or punctuate a perfect day. Pork Clouds has 5 delicious flavors to choose from: Rosemary & Sea Salt Malabar Black Pepper Habanero Garlic Thyme Cinnamon Ceylon Every flavor of Pork Clouds is seasoned with only a few specific spices. Each one is particularly poignant, emphasizing the power of individual ingredients versus a large number of hidden flavors or preservatives. This methodology results in the absence of a few things: No hormones No carbs Transfat-free Gluten-free Ingredients: Pork Clouds are made with three ingredients. We start with fresh pork skin, melt off the fat, then cure it in salt. Following this, we use a unique Olive Oil kettle cooking process to make them extra fluffy and especially tasty. Allergen: *No Pork Cloud ingredients contain gluten, but for those concerned regarding Celiac disease or allergies - our facility is NOT certified as gluten-free. Click here to visit the BariatricPal Store!

REMINDER: Please read our the rules you agreed to before signing up! Forum Rules and Guidelines Welcome to BariatricPal! A warm welcome from the entire BariatricPal team! Forum registration is free. Our community includes members from all kinds of different backgrounds and regions of the world, but we all share the goal of leading healthier lives. To keep BariatricPal a friendly and helpful place for the entire community, we have developed the following rules and policies. We ask all member to follow these guidelines, and members who do not follow them may have their posts removed or accounts suspended or terminated. Your use of BariatricPal is your agreement that you accept all forum policies. Forum Moderation and Community Standards Full-time BariatricPal administrators moderate the forums. All posts must follow the posting guidelines outlined below. To maintain BariatricPal’s high standards, we reserve the right to remove, modify or move any post or thread at our discretion and without explanation. Please contact us if you do not understand any of the rules, guidelines or policies outlined below. BariatricPal administrators and moderators attempt to prevent or remove all objectionable messages. To help us, please use the “Report Post” link to let us know when you see a post that violates the forum guidelines. A moderator will look into the matter. BariatricPal.com reserves the right to accept or dismiss user complaints at its sole discretion. Disrespectful and Hurtful Posts are Forbidden All posts must fit within BariatricPal’s guidelines for acceptable posts. Posts must be consistent with BariatricPal’s core beliefs. Weight loss surgery can be an effective tool to fight obesity. Our common goal is to fight obesity through a unified voice. No weight loss surgery is inherently better or worse than any other. Each has advantages, and each has disadvantages. Some individuals are good candidates for one kind of surgery, and other individuals are better candidates for another kind of surgery. No individual is more or less deserving of weight loss and health because of a decision to get or not get weight loss surgery, or because of which type of weight loss surgery he or she chooses. BariatricPal serves as a place where anyone can ask questions about weight loss surgery without fear of ridicule. BariatricPal serves as a forum for open discussion and polite disagreement so that everyone can benefit. Weight loss surgery “bashing” is absolutely prohibited. This include, but is not limited to, statements that a specific type of weight loss surgery is: Bad or wrong Easier than another type of weight loss surgery or “cheating” when someone is trying to lose weight Out of date or obsolete Doomed to failure In addition, “bashing” of individuals is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, statements that a person is: Lazy for choosing one type of weight loss surgery over another Unprepared for or undeserving of weight loss surgery because of Deserving of complications or disappointing weight loss because of their choice of weight loss surgery Violations of these rules and consequences will be determined at the sole discretion of BariatricPal and based on individual situations. They may include, but are not limited to, the following: Editing or removal of the offensive post(s) Warning from BariatricPal staff or Forum Hosts to avoid such posts in the future Temporary suspension of membership Permanent removal of the member’s account These guidelines do NOT forbid disagreement and candid discussions on BariatricPal. Members may discuss and defend their points of view in respectful manners. Please feel free to contact BariatricPal with any questions about these guidelines. Remember that written communication is different from face-to-face communication. When you post a message on the discussion forum, send someone a text message, email, or private message, or meet in a chat room, a lot of the message is lost. When you are face-to-face with someone, you can use tone of voice, gestures, and expressions to help get your point across. These aids are lost when you communicate online. Your message can accidentally come across as harsh or rude. A good way to reduce accidental misunderstandings is to read your own message before posting it to see if there is any way that a reader could mistake its meaning in a negative way. Additional BariatricPal Posting Guidelines Be polite. Rudeness is not tolerated and can lead to post removal or account suspension. All members have the right to express their opinions and are encouraged to do so while maintaining a courteous tone. Posts that are forbidden include, but are not limited to, the following: Rude posts Obscenity, pornography and profanity. The following are examples of unacceptable content in photos: nudity underwear, thongs, g-strings, or banana hammocks excessive cleavage close-up shots of cleavage, butt, breasts or crotch in any state of dress hateful or violent imagery images containing profanity. Any abuse towards our staff and/or management in any form Posts that contain derogatory references to sex, gender, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation, or endorsement of violence against any person or group, even if couched in humor. Don’t break the law Don’t use others’ experiences as medical advice. Do not use the forums to share private contact information, such as telephone numbers, email addresses, mailing address, instant messenger IDs, etc. BariatricPal forbids commercial activity on the forums. No advertising, self-promotion, fund-raising, direct marketing or selling on the forums. You may not post any links or mentions of other services, websites, or businesses from which you or an associate might benefit financially or otherwise. You also may not solicit off-Forum contact from which you might benefit. Examples of forbidden activity include "Message me for more info" and "I can get you free samples." Members may use their signatures to indicate a commercial affiliation by including a single link to a web site of their choice, with no more than one line of explanation in addition. This signature text is not to exceed the default font size of forum posts (size=2). Requests or solicitations for donations are prohibited. This includes requesting contributions to "pooled fund" competitions, requests for votes in any venue (e.g., online contests) and requests for charitable contributions. Recommendations or reviews of surgeons, hospitals and other bariatric products and services are welcome only if based on the reviewer's personal experience. 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However, the same member cannot ask the same question or post the same topic more than once.

We're still dealing with this issue....

Is Dr. Ismael Cabrera the original surgeon you went to or is he the one that quoted you on revision surgery? I don't think Mexico Bariatric Center was around when you originally had your surgery. I have heard about similar issues from a few patients over the years. There were and still are some bad surgeons, in Mexico and elsewhere. Some were using expired staples and equipment as well. At least you found out and didn't live not knowing your entire life!

We will have a permanent fix in to block this new wave of Chinese spam at some point tomorrow. Thanks for your patience! Now go to sleep