Alex Brecher

@@TanishaP, Congratulations on your surgery! It is great that it went well, and thank you for letting us all know! Yep, keep walking! Hope you keep feeling good, and good luck as you continue your journey.

@@Raynbolite, (and to anyone else new to gyms)…Don’t worry! People go to gyms to work out, not to laugh at people. People don’t pay for gym memberships and take time out of their day and go work up a sweat just because they hope they can find someone to laugh at! They do all those things for the exact same reasons you are: to look better, to feel better, to get healthier, and to control weight. @@Bufflehead is exactly right. They are only judging the ones who don’t go to the gym. Gym-goers know enough about how hard it is to get to the gym to be able to respect any other gym-goer, no matter what you look like. When you go check it out and go for your first workouts, be friendly! You might pick up a few gym buddies or workout partners that can turn your workouts into a pleasure instead of a chore. At worst, even if you do not get close with anyone, you can still meet people and exchange smiles and “good mornings” so you feel like you are among friends whenever you go to the gym. Good luck, and good for you for going!

@@carmenlw3, Congratulations on your surgery! I would first suggest that you bring up all of your concerns with your surgeon. Ask why you do not feel any restriction and whether that is something to worry about. Also ask all of your food questions: given that you do not feel restriction, should you stick to the diet or go ahead and eat other foods. My gut instinct would be to stick to the diet! It can’t hurt, and it can help a lot. There is the possibility of doing real damage with solid foods as your surgery wounds are in the process of healing. You don’t know until it is too late, so it is probably best not to take chances. There is also a benefit to sticking to the prescribed diet for another reason: for discipline. This is a chance for you to completely re-establish your eating habits. It is a good time to get used to following the plan exactly as intended. Just one other thing that might be helpful (or not). I noticed you said you ate chicken and pudding, and can’t remember what else. I don’t know if that is true or not; maybe you just said you don’t remember because you do not want to share (and that’s okay). But if it is, I would strongly recommend that you keep a food log! It will help you stay on track now and in the future. It can also help you learn a lot about your food choices, like which ones are high in Protein and low in calories. It’s easier to see patterns when you write the information down (or enter it into an app). Good luck!

@@BigJohn58, I agree – a second (and possibly third and fourth and fifth) opinion is a good idea. Even if you agreed with the first surgeon, more opinions are always good. I would also agree that you should ask the surgeon why he suggested the DS. Then go over each of his points and decide if you agree or disagree. He should be willing to discuss each one with you. Then, go over each of your reasons for wanting the sleeve and get his opinion on each. At the end of the day, there probably is no “right” answer. Just like every other WLS patient, you will need to make the final call based on the benefits and risks of each choice, and on your gut feelings. Good luck!

@@gustavio, Congratulations – for a few things! Congrats for maintaining your exercise program. Congrats for not letting the weather interfere, and for getting to the gym instead. Congrats for finishing your workout even though you didn’t feel comfortable. Congrats for even considering talking to some people to make some “gym buddies.” All of that is wonderful! As for people staring at you…they probably weren’t. Everyone who goes to the gym is there for themselves. They’re pretty engrossed in their own workouts. If they were staring at you, they were probably doing so with admiration, and here’s why. Getting to the gym is hard for everyone. Fit people know that better than anyone else, and they are more likely to respect anyone who gets to the gym – whether or not they look fit. Plus, the gym people know that it’s extra hard for you. Just like them, you had to get up early, get to the gym, and do your workout. And on top of that, you had to feel self-conscious about it. They know that, and most of them respect it (and the few who don’t aren’t worth bothering about). So, keep using the gym whenever you want, and talk to everyone whether they look approachable or not. They’ll let you know quickly enough if they are open to chatting or not. And keep up the great work!

@@tenseintexas, Good question! Those coke cravings can be pretty intense, and it’s hard to stay away! At 9 weeks out, there’s a good chance you wouldn’t be able to have coke comfortably. As the others have said, you might get bloated, gassy, uncomfortably full, or nauseous, or you could get diarrhea. There’s no telling how long those effects will last; there is a chance it could be months or years before you can comfortably have soft drinks no matter how badly you want them. If you are able to drink some coke comfortably, it’s a good idea to stay aware of some of the potential problems it could lead to. While a lot of surgeons believe that the sleeve cannot be stretched, drinking carbonated beverages could still lead to getting used to being overfull, and that defeats the purpose of the sleeve for helping you monitor fullness. You would also want to be super aware of links between soda drinking (even diet soda) and weight gain, plus the potential for drinking coke being a gateway for slipping back into old habits. In general, it's best to do what the surgeon says! Along with those reasons for avoiding soft drinks and other carbonated drinks, there is the concern about sugar substitutes in diet drinks. Even though diet drinks are calorie-free, drinking them can actually lead to weight gain. Some evidence shows that artificial sweeteners trick your body into thinking you’re going to eat sugar. Later, you crave it and are more likely to eat more high-calorie sugary foods. Plus, your blood sugar levels can get out of whack. Good luck with your choice and the rest of your WLS journey!

Thanks for these great ideas and tips! Your advice can definitely help out other WLS patients who are struggling to get in their Fluid intake or who just need a change! Thanks for pointing out the value of trying fluids at different temperatures – sometimes room temperature drinks are easiest to get down, while ice Water can work for some patients, and Hot Drinks and broth present a welcome change! With all of these ideas, I think there is a great take-home message: keep trying, because there has to be something you can tolerate well enough to hit your fluid recommendations! Keep them coming!

Congrats, you're the winner!

That was so much fun! If you missed the show you can listen any time at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatauniaradio/2016/10/22/backstage-pass-radio-with-diva-taunia-and-jean-powergirl-welcomes-alex-brecher .

I'm going to be a guest on the awesome Weight Loss Surgery Backstage Pass Radio Program tonight 10/21 @ 7pm PST or 10pm EST). You can listen to our interview streaming live on any device at www.backstagepassradio.com, and you can also watch the Facebook live feed on my page at www.facebook.com/divataunia. We are also giving away prizes to callers (keep the # handy: 347-857-2052): 1) $25 Online Gift Certificate to the Bariatric Pal Store 2) LEAVE A QUESTION FOR ME IN THE COMMENTS SECTION HERE AND WIN: Another PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter Gift Package that includes a large container of regular powdered peanut butter and a container of chocolate peanut butter shipped from me to your hot little hands! Questions must be submitted by 6pm PST tonight. I hope you'll tune in and chat with us!

I'm not local this weekend. I think I'm closer to where you are at the moment (Boca.) Have fun!

This Friday, 10/21/16 I'll be on the Backstage Pass Radio Program! "Not only is Alex the Founder and CEO of one of the largest and most successful online weight loss surgery social networks, but he's also a VERY successful lap band patient, having maintained his weight loss since his surgery in 2003! Alex will be on to talk about his surgery, Bariatric Pal, and also his branch in Mexico, which helps match up patients with his outstanding #bariatric surgeons there at the BariatricPal facility. In addition to that, we have several GIVEAWAYS(!), including another $25 Online Gift Card to the Bariatric Pal store, which you can save 15% using the discount code DIVAT or POWERGIRL! Over 650 products at amazing prices:store.bariatricpal.com. Tune in Friday 10/21 @ 7pm PST and listen streaming on any device at www.backstagepassradio. Watch live here on my Facebook page."

We currently sell one-dimensional Livliga portion plates as well as the portion8 plate in the BariatricPal Store. The LivLiga dinnerware is great to use at home as a replacement for regular dinnerware. We receive quite a bit of positive feedback as well as quite a few complaints about the Portion8 plates. Our customers feel they're a bit flimsy and they're not watertight, which causes liquids to leak from them. We're thinking about designing our own leak-proof, microwave safe, dishwasher safe, freezable and BPA-Free portion controlled lunch or bento box. Something you can use at home or take to work that will offer a tangible demonstration of how much food we as WLS patients should eat for each meal. I'm thinking a meal should have: up to 3 ounces Protein. up to 1 cup veggies (or you can swap fruit) optionally another serving of veggies/fruit. optionally 1/2 cup protein (cottage cheese/yogurt) optionally 1 ounce cheese or nuts as a secondary protein (if you opt for this, probably you would have it instead of the 3-oz protein or the cottage cheese/yogurt). optionally a starch (size of a slice of bread, up to 1/2 cup of cooked space for a condiment So the plate would be required to have sections for protein and veggies/fruit and condiment, then you can choose up to 3 of the other options (more veggies/fruit, dairy, cheese/nuts, starch). I'm looking for any ideas or feedback our members may have on designing this plate! I will send a free plate to anyone that provides a useful suggestion that we implement into our plate.

It's not what I'm talking about but we are planning on starting to carry a plate that will keep warm for at least 30 minutes. I will let you know once it's in stock. This is *EXACTLY* what I had in mind! I was thinking about designing something that's modular, like lego or the LoveSac Sactional couch concept. Where parts are interchangeable, depending on your current need. Like Google's project Ara phone I have a tech background so I'm all about UI and UX. Keep those ideas coming!

@@ncqt1973, Good question! Anything to give a little variety to Protein shakes can only help! Pumpkin and spices such as pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice can be a nice addition to a vanilla based shake. Cinnamon and coffee go nicely with chocolate shakes. You can also go with almond butter if you are allergic to Peanut Butter. For extra protein, you can add yogurt or tofu. Low-sugar vanilla yogurt can make it a little sweeter if that’s what you’re going for. A little bit of sugar-free pudding mix can give some extra flavor. Bananas give extra texture if you feel comfortable getting in a few extra carbs from a half a banana. Frozen berries and peaches are also nice. Enjoy!

@@momto3E, Congratulations on your surgery! I know this is a tough time. I am sorry you are feeling regretful, but I do believe that this is the most challenging time post op. You are in discomfort, and it is hard to get the nutrients you need. Right now, the best you can do is try to stay positive and keep working on getting down your Protein and fluids. As others have said, usually Vitamins are not absolutely required at this time post-op; maybe your surgeon or nutritionist will let you postpone them for a week or so until they are easier to get down. I would also focus on getting enough liquids. They are yet another challenge, but are so helpful. They will help you recover faster and feel better now, since staying hydrated can give you more energy and keep headaches away. Something else you can do is try to stay moving with short walks whenever you can. Good luck!

@@xoxococojay, Great question! It’s a great way to prepare yourself for the journey ahead. One of the hardest parts for me is something that is unique to the lap-band, so it will not apply to you if you are going for the gastric sleeve. For me, a challenge was to get into the “green zone,” which is the exact right level of restriction that the adjustable band gives based on how full the surgeon fills it. It was tricky for me to figure out whether I was hungry because the band was not tight enough, or because I just needed to get used to the hunger. On the other end, it was tricky for me to figure out if I felt pinched because the band was too tight, or because I needed to be patient and wait for it to feel more comfortable. A lot of weight loss surgery (including gastric sleeve) patients do have the mental challenge of realizing that this is forever! You will never get your stomach back, and you will never be able to eat endlessly again. On the other hand, this can be a huge relief, because it is a major step towards controlling your weight forever. I think a lot of it is about staying positive and thinking about opportunity rather than loss. Good luck as you move forward!

Welcome to the boards, @@JMJames92! Thanks for introducing yourself, and congratulations on your weight loss so far! I am so glad you have found the boards helpful, and I hope you continue to get answers to your questions. Keep us posted on your progress if you like, too!

Hey BariatricPal Members, Remember the ice bucket challenge to raise awareness around ALS? I was touched every time I saw a celebrity, a family member or friend of someone affected by ALS, or, honestly, any kind-hearted soul take the challenge to raise awareness about this important health issue. I was also inspired. When I saw how much of a difference individuals can make, I naturally started thinking about weight loss surgery. I know each member of the BariatricPal community can make a difference, too. Each one of you who is grateful to your surgeon for a good WLS experience can help raise awareness about your surgeon. And now I’m looking for your ideas! What are some ways BariatricPal members can help raise awareness about weight loss surgery and their surgeons? Would you be interested in promoting your story and/or your surgeon on YouTube? On Twitter? What other great ideas do you have? Also, what motivates you to succeed? If we can get the message out to overweight patients who are considering weight loss surgery, we can help motivate them to find their own motivation and take the plunge. So…all ideas are welcome! Thanks!

We've had many members reach out to us over the last few months that they were disappointed that we stopped carrying Quest protein bars. We're happy to announce that we've decided to add them back to the BariatricPal Store. We carry every flavor, including the new Blueberry Muffin Protein Bar and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip bars! We will also start carrying all 7 flavors of their Protein powder tubs within 7-10 days.

It could be the corn Fiber, sucralose or stevia having that effect on you. I know a few others that have similar issues with them.

As the seasons change, so can your tastes, along with what you see at the supermarket. Now that it is fall, what recipes and foods do you depend on? Strangely enough, one of my fall favorites is a fruit: apples. They’re not all that glamorous, but they are always welcome. Yes, I miss the abundance of summer fruit in the stores, but crisp apples in the fall taste good on their own, with Peanut Butter, in Cereal and oatmeal…and you can’t beat stewed apples with cinnamon for a healthy dessert. Then there is winter squash and pumpkin – starchy, yes, but so satisfying for the number of calories. They are also packed with Fiber and potassium and Vitamin A, so it’s hard to feel bad about eating them. It’s easy enough to roast winter squash, or to beat pumpkin puree with egg and non-fat cream cheese and cinnamon for mini cheesecakes, or to make a casserole with winter squash, parmesan, egg, and spinach. So, what do you love to make in the early fall? How do you keep it weight loss surgery-friendly?

that is a very interesting proposition and as a person who works with data and metrics, I'd really like to see the data for failed lap bands and review for commonalities. @@Alex Brecher, what do you think about some data analysis? Not just for bands, but for all surgeries? It's extremely difficult to do a study like this. There is the newish MBSAQIP reporting that many "accredited" bariatric centers report to but the data isn't really public and it's going to be a little while until it can be put into practical use. There are many bariatric centers that aren't part of this at all. I just read about a new study that's starting that was recently awarded but sadly it doesn't include Lap-Band.

I suggest asking your local Rabbi Also, read this article, it might be helpful.

If you are like most weight loss surgery patients, you plan your food. A lot. You try to know what you will be eating in the next few days, especially when things are pretty routine. Even if you do not formally log your food or write down menus, you probably spend a lot of time thinking about food, and have a good idea of what you’ll be eating in a day. …Except when something goes wrong. There is always that time when you need to stay late at work, or you need to run out the door to pick up a child and you forget to bring your snack, or you are so gung-ho about your workout that you bring your Water and running shoes, but not your Protein shake. What do you do? Share the last time you found yourself in a bind and needed to come up with a meal or snack when you did not have many options around. Set the scene: did you get hooked into a last-minute business luncheon at a restaurant? Were you trapped into watching your child and some of her friends at another child’s pizza birthday party? How did you handle the situation? Did you nibble on whatever was available? Did you delay the meal or snack until you got home? Were you able to dash into a grocery store to pick up some string cheese or a Protein Bar? What is your plan for these types of situations?