Alex Brecher

I posted your question to a Kosher Gastric Sleeve group and this was the response I received from one of the members: "When I was a couple weeks out. According to my rav. the 4 cups I had 3 oz cup drank within 3 min if you use that size cup you only need to drink most of the cup. Matzah you need a kazais within 7 minutes only 1st night. I soaked mine in soup."

We are planning on giving away or selling a few different types of cool sports shaker bottles in the BariatricPal Store. Would you be embarrassed to use it out in public?

Thank you, everyone, for your input! Get your FREE BariatricPal.com Logo Shaker Bottle for the next 24 hours. Just use coupon code FREESHAKER at checkout! Getting in your protein is easier than ever with the BariatricPal Logo Shaker bottle! Just add your protein powder and water, or toss in your favorite protein shake ingredients and give it a good shake. The whisk works like magic to blend your protein shake so you never need to choke down powdery clumps or have a lumpy shake.

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Sandy, The initial post is 100% accurate. Dr. Elias Ortiz from ALM (your company) did have a patient death when this was posted. You personally confirmed the death of this patient to me via email: I agree that most Bariatric surgeons have had deaths. Not all bariatric surgeons have had deaths though. Not having a death makes a great (and lucky) surgeon, not a liar.

There are two Dr. Ortiz's that perform Bariatric surgery in Tijuana. There's Dr. Ariel Ortiz from OCC and there's Dr. Elias Ortiz at A Lighter me. Dr. Elias Ortiz at A Lighter me is the surgeon that had the patient death that this topic is referring to.

What are the fees? What did they quote you for interest? We are going to be offering in-house financing shortly.

What would you do if you could not afford weight loss surgery in the U.S., What if your health insurance company made you jump through too many hoops before promising to reimburse your surgery, or you did not like the surgeon you would be assigned to if you got surgery through your health insurance? Thousands of weight loss surgery patients a year are choosing to go abroad for their weight loss surgeries, with many of them going to Mexico. Would you go? It sounds scary at first, starting with the language barrier and an unfamiliar hospital. You may be confused about getting your passport in order, and about arranging ground transportation. And what about aftercare once you are back home? Still, there are a lot of potential benefits! The cost can be a fraction the cost in the U.S., with promises of care as good as you would get in the U.S. You can also choose to have your surgery done at a Center of Excellence as designated by the Surgical Review Center. What, if anything, could convince you to get your surgery done in another country? A promise of English-speaking staff? An aftercare plan that includes providers near your home? A positive video chat with your potential surgeon? The ability to get your surgery as part of a package offered by an American company that coordinates everything from surgery to ground transportation to paperwork? Share your thoughts about surgery abroad here!

We are extremely proud and super excited to announce our exclusive strategic alliance with Oasis Hospital! It was created specifically to only serve international Medical Tourism patients and is the first private hospital of its kind in Tijuana. They are fully ready to provide our American, Canadian and International patients with a comfortable and welcoming environment. The facilities are comparable to or even beyond the standards of most US hospitals. 7 Reasons to Choose Oasis Hospital: Brand New Bariatric wing. Rooms that are fully equipped like you would expect in a hospital but furnished like a quality hotel (with Roku and Netflix on your own TV). New Operating rooms and new recovery rooms with state of the art equipment. Full-service hospital (ICU unit, Pharmacy, Radiology Department) Bilingual nurses on staff 24/7 Bilingual Medical Doctors on staff 24/7. Peaceful and tranquil setting. Oasis Hospital located in Playas of Tijuana, Mexico which is just twenty-five minutes south of the San Diego airport in California. Special Gastric Sleeve Package at the BRAND NEW Oasis Hospital with Dr. Jalil Illan All-Inclusive price $4400 (844) WLS-DEAL (844) 957-3325 TeamMX@BariatricPal.com http://TeamMX.BariatricPal.com/

Congrats, Josie!!! A DECADE with the Lap-Band!!! Seems like you've learned that the band isn't a quick fix. Thanks for checking in and happy Bandiversary!

Are you or someone you love struggling at an extreme weight over 600Lbs? BariatricPal is working with the producers of My 600 Lb Life and searching for individuals weighing 600 pounds or more who are ready to make a life change. My 600-lb life follows the lives of real people suffering from super obesity that embark on a year-long journey to regain their health. If approved they receive gastric Bypass Surgery. Each episode tells the powerful story of one super obese individual. Many are home-bound, relying on family care just to live day to day. They make the courageous decision to save their lives and change their world forever. If this describes you or someone you know, then please send the following information to us via email to castingcalls@BariatricPal.com : Name Age Height Weight City, State Brief Bio Phone number

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I have two Lab/Hound X's. Ozzy Sophie My kids and I adopted both of them when they were tiny pups from a kill shelter. They're part of my family today.

I added "Transdermal Patches" as an option, thanks!

No, I've never heard of this before.

Weight loss surgery is a lot about yourself – you eat well, get active, and take your vitamins to lose weight and get healthy. Sometimes it even seems like you are alone or acting in a vacuum – that nobody notices what you do. Still, you have a lot of influence over others. Realize it or not, you influence your children, coworkers, partner, parents, siblings, friends…everyone you know, practically, whether or not they notice it. They see your eating patterns, your dedication to achieving your goals, and your attitudes on a daily basis. How do you set a good example for others? Do you make sure to stick to your plan so you can demonstrate the value of dedication? Do you face every challenge with a smile to show your positive attitude? Do you notice your effects on others, and does that affect your thoughts and actions?

Ask Questions Your advocate should get the information you need. Ask your surgeon how you can best prepare for surgery, what you can do to recover faster, and which mistakes he or she sees most often so you can avoid them. Find out how to contact your surgeon for post-op questions, and learn where you can go for support group meetings. You will need to ask plenty of other questions, too! As your own advocate, don’t be shy about asking anyone about anything. Read everything you can online and on BariatricPal, then use the forums to ask about anything you’re not sure about. You are sure to get all kinds of helpful hints that you never expected! Provide for Your Needs Life does throw curve balls, but your basic needs stay predictable. You know which foods and fluids you will need in any given day, so make sure you have them. Plan your menu for each day and go grocery shopping for the week so you are sure to always have the food you need around. Always keep a stash of “extras” in case of unplanned circumstances. Have instant protein meals and other staples in your pantry for last-minute meals. Keep protein bars and nuts in your car, your gym bag, and at work. Have different flavors of protein powder for whenever you find yourself hungry and without other options. You can also help yourself out by planning ahead. For example, if you’re going to a party, make sure you will have the foods that you will need for that time without needing to wait until after the party to eat or depending on the host to provide healthy proteins. Stick a protein bar or some nuts in your pocket or purse, or bring a healthy dish to share and nibble on yourself. Be Your Own Planner If you were taking care of a child with certain needs, you would schedule them in, make sure your child had the materials needed, and get your child to where he needed to go. If you have children, you may keep track of their homework, take them to after-school activities, and make sure they get the nutritious meals and proper sleep that they need. You would keep healthy foods around and provide them with the pencils and sports equipment that they need for school and extracurricular activities. Why wouldn’t you be just as good to yourself? Provide the same level of self-care for yourself as you do for your family. Keep healthy foods on hand, and schedule your own exercise and meal planning in and keep your commitment just like it was school. Prioritize your commitments, just like you would do for your children. Your meal prep and workout time is important, but so is relaxation time with your family or friends, or by yourself. Over the long term, balancing work and play can keep you on track but satisfied. Speak up When Necessary Keeping quiet can sometimes seem easier or more considerate to others, but keeping a low profile can work against you sometimes. Learn when it makes sense to speak up for yourself. For example, at restaurants, the server may be willing to bring you what you ask for (like a slab of plain chicken breast or the kids’ meal), but will not even know that is what you want (and need) if you do not say something out loud. You may find that you need to explain your weight loss surgery as a medical condition to get your server to honor your request. These are some other times when you should not keep your mouth shut: When someone pressures you to eat something that's not on your diet. When you do not understand your surgeon’s or nutritionist’s instructions. When you need help around the house or preparing your food. Learning to be your own best advocate can pay off in a big way, as you will always have someone looking out for your best interests. It is one more thing you can do to help yourself succeed in your WLS journey.

Weight loss surgery is not easy. You need a lot of courage to get started, and a lot of persistence to get the information you need to choose a surgery and surgeon, and figure out finances. It takes a lot of discipline to give up favorite foods, to cut portions, and to work out regularly. There can also be challenges from other people who question your every decision or undermine your hard work. You need help meeting these challenges. You need someone to speak up for you. The best person for the job? It is you. While others can help, you are the one whom you can depend on to be there for yourself and who knows exactly what you need and want. Here are some ways to be your own best advocate. Ask Questions Your advocate should get the information you need. Ask your surgeon how you can best prepare for surgery, what you can do to recover faster, and which mistakes he or she sees most often so you can avoid them. Find out how to contact your surgeon for post-op questions, and learn where you can go for support group meetings. You will need to ask plenty of other questions, too! As your own advocate, don’t be shy about asking anyone about anything. Read everything you can online and on BariatricPal, then use the forums to ask about anything you’re not sure about. You are sure to get all kinds of helpful hints that you never expected! Provide for Your Needs Life does throw curve balls, but your basic needs stay predictable. You know which foods and fluids you will need in any given day, so make sure you have them. Plan your menu for each day and go grocery shopping for the week so you are sure to always have the food you need around. Always keep a stash of “extras” in case of unplanned circumstances. Have instant protein meals and other staples in your pantry for last-minute meals. Keep protein bars and nuts in your car, your gym bag, and at work. Have different flavors of protein powder for whenever you find yourself hungry and without other options. You can also help yourself out by planning ahead. For example, if you’re going to a party, make sure you will have the foods that you will need for that time without needing to wait until after the party to eat or depending on the host to provide healthy proteins. Stick a protein bar or some nuts in your pocket or purse, or bring a healthy dish to share and nibble on yourself. Be Your Own Planner If you were taking care of a child with certain needs, you would schedule them in, make sure your child had the materials needed, and get your child to where he needed to go. If you have children, you may keep track of their homework, take them to after-school activities, and make sure they get the nutritious meals and proper sleep that they need. You would keep healthy foods around and provide them with the pencils and sports equipment that they need for school and extracurricular activities. Why wouldn’t you be just as good to yourself? Provide the same level of self-care for yourself as you do for your family. Keep healthy foods on hand, and schedule your own exercise and meal planning in and keep your commitment just like it was school. Prioritize your commitments, just like you would do for your children. Your meal prep and workout time is important, but so is relaxation time with your family or friends, or by yourself. Over the long term, balancing work and play can keep you on track but satisfied. Speak up When Necessary Keeping quiet can sometimes seem easier or more considerate to others, but keeping a low profile can work against you sometimes. Learn when it makes sense to speak up for yourself. For example, at restaurants, the server may be willing to bring you what you ask for (like a slab of plain chicken breast or the kids’ meal), but will not even know that is what you want (and need) if you do not say something out loud. You may find that you need to explain your weight loss surgery as a medical condition to get your server to honor your request. These are some other times when you should not keep your mouth shut: When someone pressures you to eat something that's not on your diet. When you do not understand your surgeon’s or nutritionist’s instructions. When you need help around the house or preparing your food. Learning to be your own best advocate can pay off in a big way, as you will always have someone looking out for your best interests. It is one more thing you can do to help yourself succeed in your WLS journey.

Our first BariatricPal Logo Shaker bottle has arrived in the BP Store! We'll be adding more colors and designs shortly.

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Congrats on moving forward with this! I listen to Podcasts on a regular basis. I hope you're planning on publishing them to iTunes?

Spring cleaning is no joke. Many of us desperately need to take the time and make the effort to clean the windows, dust the mantle, and reorganize closets after a long winter in which everything seems to be more difficult, and the home gets a little less tidy. There is something about the milder weather that makes it easier to be productive and energetic, and makes it less easy to be complacent about a mess. For many of us, the spring makes it easier to clean up our diets if they have slipped during winter. Do you do a thorough spring cleaning of your home? Does it inspire you to clean up your diet, too? What else changes with the changing of the season?