Alex Brecher

@, It’s absolutely perfectly normal to get cold feet! WLS is a HUGE deal! Some patients are lucky enough to be absolutely sure that WLS is the right choice for them, but most patients have some doubts. Now, just because it’s normal to have doubts does NOT mean you should ignore them! You are not committed to surgery until you are under anesthesia. Take all the time you need to think about it. You can reconsider things you may have dismissed before but now seem more important because they’re more real. Or, once you go over your fears again, you might decide (again) that they’re not important compared to the benefits of getting surgery. Take your time, and make your own decision. Gather information, but don’t let anyone pressure you either way. Good luck!

@@momofthree1986, I would see what your surgeon says. You might have a comorbidity that you are unaware of. It might not be a comorbidity that is currently life-threatening – it could be something like high cholesterol. Something like joint pain that prevents you from doing everything you want to do might count, too. Have you checked your insurance policy to see what the requirements are to cover surgery? Good luck with your consult and your WLS journey!

@@Sweettee23, Congratulations on your weight loss so far and your hard work! You look great! Be proud of yourself, and keep up the good work!

@@OutsideMatchInside, Thanks for the info on bananas and for raising this discussion! Definitely bananas are not a low-carb food! I don’t think I would equate bananas with Oreos given the differences in potassium, sodium, Fiber, and Vitamins. Certainly for a single day if you are trying to balance your calories, you could choose two Oreos or a banana interchangeably. Day in and day out, though, I don’t see being able to justify (from a health or weight loss perspective) choosing a banana over Oreos and their refined grains, salt, and high fructose corn syrup, not to mention losing out on the possible benefits of the resistant starch found in bananas, which possibly could help with growing good bacteria in the gut. Thanks for the list of various fruits and their net carb content! It can definitely be helpful to have a quick list of possible fruits to choose if you’re looking for a snack and only have a few calories to spend. A cup of strawberries can certainly be more filling than a half a banana for the same number of calories.

There are a ton of reasons for getting weight loss surgery. Dropping the weight can help you build confidence, feel more energetic, get off your medications, sleep better, get rid of pain, and enjoy feeling “normal” by fitting into restaurant booths, airplane seats, and amusement park rides. But one more reason for many weight loss surgery patients is family, including your children or future children. Being around for your children to watch them grow up and to be able to take care of them rather than have them take care of you is a common reason for wanting to get WLS and get healthy. You might also want to set a healthy example for your children and believe that WLS can help you get on the right path. If you are trying to start or grow your family, being overweight can reduce fertility, making it harder to conceive and putting you at higher risk for miscarriage and complicated pregnancies. Losing significant weight can make it all easier. So, if you are thinking about WLS, or you have WLS scheduled already, or you got WLS…did you consider your children a lot? Were they a major reason, or just a minor reason for WLS?

Great answers – thanks for telling us how you get your nutrients in and why! There is no single right answer for how to stick to your post-op diet, and it is great to see how BariatricPal members are each finding their own path to success.

Thanks for your answers! Children are such a motivating factor for us to improve ourselves, from the time we first start thinking about wanting them, like @@Cervidae has mentioned. Then so many women and their partners, when they become pregnant, suddenly find themselves able to take on healthy behaviors to benefit the fetus even though they had a hard time adapting a healthier lifestyle before pregnancy. I am in the stage where my children are school-aged, and I cannot and do not want to imagine life without having the energy to be able to keep up with them. I also would not want to be worried about obesity-related health problems interfering with my time with them, or threatening to kill me before I get to see them grow up, as @kharanhee mentioned.

I couldn't agree with you more! I've been trying to get the regular vitamin companies as well as PatchMD to run some studies on our population. They all claim it's too expensive and not necessary.

Which studies? I'm certain that there were no studies like they've mentioned because I'd be well aware of them. There are tons of studies about the efficacy of transdermal vitamin absorption. Please see http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3976443/ and https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=transdermal+vitamin+study&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiJ7NmUsYXPAhXBVD4KHQe8AuwQgQMIHTAA for some examples. I personally sponsored bloodwork for 3 patients that were taking the patches and all were doing really well after 6 months. I was sceptical at first but I do believe in the patches today. The reason there are issues with absorption of normal Vitamins taken orally is because they're being processed through your digestion system which has been alterered after weight loss surgery. Transdermal patches don't go through your digestion system and are absorbed directly into your blood stream. Yes, they are designed for weight loss surgery patients. The reason you need to take more oral Vitamin sis because your body isn't absorbing enough of the the vitamins you take orally.

I've enabled the ILUVMYPATCHES coupon code again.

Good point! I'm going to address this within the next few weeks, thanks!

WLS has a lot of benefits, but it comes with a lot of responsibilities. You have to think about every bite you take, how you’ll be sure to get in enough Protein, and when you’ll manage to get your fluids in around your meals. There may be workouts to schedule, social events to prepare for, and – if you’re a lap-band patient – fills and adjustments to worry about. What are the one or two things you find most inconvenient or difficult to manage about WLS? That is, what’s weighing you down after WLS?

Nope, we will have it posted within the next day or two. Give Bill a call and he will send you the video privately before it's posted here.

style="margin:0;padding:0;background-color:#d8dde8;color:#5a5a5a;font:normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif;position:relative;"> Hey BariatricPal Members! Happy Labor Day from BariatricPal! It’s a celebration of the American labor movement, and for many of us, it’s a three-day weekend that unofficially separates the end of summer from the beginning of autumn. It’s a good time to shift into serious weight loss surgery mode by focusing on your diet and mental health, so here’s what we have for you in this newsletter. In the Spirit of Labor Day, Are You Treating Yourself Fairly? Labor Day Picnic: Send Summer out with a (Healthy) Bang! Facing the Changes as You Lose Weight Hope find the newsletter useful and motivating. After reading it, we hope you logon to the BariatricPal forums, and share some thoughts with us before going about your weekend. Happy Labor Day, and thanks for keeping us going strong! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal In the Spirit of Labor Day, Are You Treating Yourself Fairly? Labor Day celebrates the American labor movement, which resulted in better working conditions in many industries. Workers have the right to limited hours and paid overtime, a minimum wage, regular breaks, and decent working conditions. When you stop and think about it, are you treating yourself fairly? As you “work” towards better health, do you make sure you set up ideal “working conditions” to give yourself the best chance of success? Everyone does better when they’re treated right, and your mind and body are no exception. When you treat yourself right, you: Lose more weight. Feel healthier and more energetic. Enjoy the journey more. Have better medical checkups. Stay more motivated. So how can you treat yourself fairly? Give yourself fair compensation by rewarding yourself when you hit milestones. It can be a massage, a new workout outfit, or a Improve your “working conditions” by stocking your kitchen with healthy foods as well as with a scale, containers with lids, and the other tools you need. Take frequent “breaks” from the grind by eating the occasional meal out (check the nutritional facts first) or using prepared foods like Instant Protein Entrees whenever you can. Schedule days off from your workouts to let your mind and body recover. You might as well learn from those who came before you and apply it to yourself. Give yourself a fair chance at weight loss and maintenance, and you may be surprised at how well your body responds compared to when you don’t treat it right. Labor Day Picnic: Send Summer out with a (Healthy) Bang! It does not feel like the end of summer until after Labor Day, even if your children have already back in school for a week or more. And the time from Labor Day to the first official day of autumn on September 22 feels more like fall than summer. Unofficial though it may be, Labor Day sure seems like the day that marks the end of summer. So why not Celebrate? You can easily put together a healthy cookout for your family or a few friends. Some may insist on the standard fare of hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and blackberry cobbler with ice cream, but that doesn’t mean you have to eat like them! Along with serving the old fallbacks that your guests demand, you can easily make a few dishes that fit on your weight loss surgery diet plan. And guess what: after tasting your delicious alternatives, your guests may decide they are fans of healthy eating, too. From the Grill As a weight loss surgery patient, you can count on grilling as being one of the friendliest cooking methods for your diet. It’s so easy to skip the fatty beef burgers and hot dogs, and instead toss a chicken breast or veggie burger on the grill. By Labor Day, you can still take advantage of summer’s bountiful harvest and grill eggplants, zucchini and yellow squash, and tomatoes as fiber-filled, low-calorie side dishes. On the Side For sides, there’s nothing more obvious than a green salad, and you may be shocked at how popular it is. Shred some romaine or green or red leaf lettuce, add favorite veggies like cherry tomatoes, diced onions, and peeled cucumbers, and make it special with nuts or seeds, plus fresh berries or even pieces of nectarines or plums, since they’re still in season. It can take a while after weight loss surgery to work up to eating salads and seeds. If you’re not yet up to the task, opt for something a little softer. It’s hard to go wrong with faux potato salad made with cooked cauliflower or egg white salad made with Greek yogurt. You can also put together skewers with balls of mozzarella cheese or chunks of feta cheese, along with cooked mushrooms or bell pepper pieces. Sweet Treats to Finish Fruit always works, both as a dessert that fits into your diet, as well as a crowd pleaser. Watermelon’s easiest, and with 46 calories per cup, it’s a nice calorie deal, too. You can also throw together a fruit salad with any berries, grapes, and other seasonal finds. For another few calories, you can even add a tablespoon or two of whipped topping – try sugar-free if you’re worried about dumping syndrome. And if you’re looking for even more serious treats, you can always go for Protein chocolate Chip or oatmeal Raisin Cookies, fresh-baked Protein Brownies, or bariatric biscotti, wafers, or gluten-free cookie bites. Your guests won’t even know they’re healthy (and new customers can get a 10% discount on your first order at The BariatricPal Store by using coupon code BPNEWCUST2016!). Your end of summer party should be one to remember, but not for the inches it added to your waistline. You can remember it for the good company and good food, and the knowledge that you successfully put together a healthy celebration that helped you lose weight. Facing the Changes as You Lose Weight Without a doubt, you’ve thought a lot about losing weight. You’ve thought about what your goal weight is, how you may feel, and how your diet will change after surgery. All that careful thinking before getting surgery can help you prepare yourself so you can do better when the time comes. But weight loss surgery and the journey you take can affect every aspect of your life, and some of the changes can be surprising and even challenging. When your weight loss becomes visible, people may ask how you lost weight and you might not feel comfortable telling them about your surgery. Many people will be quicker than they have any right to be to offer suggestions and judgment on your weight loss, your diet, and pretty much everything else about your weight loss surgery journey, even though it’s none of their business. You may not feel like “yourself” if your previous identify was the “overweight one” in the room. While you cannot prepare for every situation, you can help to prepare yourself generally by focusing on mental strength. Be proud of yourself for sticking to the weight loss surgery diet, even though it’s difficult and not at all the “easy way out.” Have confidence that you are taking the right path for yourself, so others’ questions and comments are less hurtful. Know that your weight loss comes at its own speed, and others’ ideas about how fast you “should” be losing weight are irrelevant. Realize that you are yourself, no matter what, and you are valuable. I hope the Labor Day weekend leaves you time to appreciate yourself, your family, and your weight loss surgery journey. Maybe, along with some healthy meals and a few brisk walks, it will also leave you time to stop by the BariatricPal forums and share your questions, thoughts, and advice. Thanks for your support, and Happy Labor Day! · Unsubscribe from all BariatricPal E-Mail.

It is! I'll be posting a video tour of it within the next few days.

Happy Labor day! What version iphone and which version of iOS are you running please?

Yes, that sums it up quite well!! I'm REALLY proud of them.

They're 100% private. You have your own TV with Netflix and Roku, your own remote controlled AC/Heat, your own really nice shower and all the privacy you'll ever want ????

@@Michilingi, It’s not a question of feeling like a failure! It’s a question of being healthy. I’ve seen too many WLS patients end up in the emergency room because of dehydration. Getting in enough fluids is your most urgent priority. Sip, sip, sip. All the time! If you’re having trouble with Water, try flavored water like Crystal Light or Dasani Drops or Nestle PureLife or Mio drops. Try Powerade Zero. Try decaf tea (sweeten with a calorie-free sweetener if you like). Try broth and bouillon. Keep trying! The same is true for Protein. Keep getting in as much as you can. Keep trying different types if you’re having trouble tolerating the ones you’ve been depending on. I know it’s hard, but you will feel so much better – and probably stay out of the emergency room – if you can take care of yourself by staying hydrated and nourished. And don’t feel like a failure! You went through a surgery that made drinking and eating nearly impossible!

@@curlysue, You’re at a really hard stage now. You’re still not eating solid foods, and it’s been a long 9 weeks, which is probably long enough to make you realize how long “forever” is, which is how long you’ll be staying on your diet! It makes perfect sense to miss feeling “normal” and being able to grab a burger and fries, but I think there is hope! Things should get better once you are back to eating solid foods and you have more choices of what to eat. When you expand your range of healthy foods and you try and love new healthy foods and recipes and dishes, you may not have the urge to get that burger and fries. It may be more natural and feel better just to grab a stick of string cheese and some baby carrots, or if you feel like going through the drive-through, maybe you’ll just order a fresh fruit cup or a grilled chicken sandwich and not eat the bun – so you get the fun of the drive-through, but without the junk food. Things will look up once you’re eating solid foods and a variety of them.

@@trekker954, Good for you for sticking with the cottage cheese! It’s awfully nutritious! You can go sweet or savory with cottage cheese. I know you mentioned that you cannot yet have fruits or vegetables, but does that include the super soft ones? Most weight loss surgery patients can have things like pureed well-cooked acorn squash, applesauce, and canned peaches. You could blend cottage cheese with pureed mashed potatoes and some chicken broth and/or a bit of parmesan cheese. You could make a smoothie with cottage cheese and ripe banana or even flavored yogurt. Something else you can do with cottage cheese is cook it! You can make little “cheesecakes” or “cottage cheese muffins” by beating cottage cheese with egg whites, possibly some ricotta cheese, and a little bit of sweetener, along with a flavoring like lemon juice or cinnamon or pumpkin. Good luck!

@@SoExcited101, Congratulations! What a great way to start off your weight loss surgery journey! That should really give you motivation to keep working hard so you can keep seeing those great numbers…and see yourself look and feel better. And it may not be the most important thing, but it sure feels good to show the doubters a thing or two! Keep up the good work!

@@saphfyre14, I know it’s really frustrating, but stalls are part of the process. If you’ve lost a total of 25 pounds in the barely over 2 months since surgery, and you haven’t lost any weight for a month, that means you lost 25 lbs. in the first month post-op. That’s a lot! Your body may just be adjusting. If you truly are eating the diet that your surgeon or nutritionist suggested, and you’re hitting your Protein, calorie, and Fluid goals, you will lose weight when your body is ready. I am not surprised that you are hungry frequently, since you are working off of such a substantial calorie deficit. You are probably burning 1000 to 2000 calories more per day than you are eating, so of course you are hungry. As others have suggested, you can have a snack if that fits into your meal plan, or drink Water to fight the hunger. Good luck, and congratulations on getting into the healthy gym habit!

@@Marissa.Ann.C, I can see why you’d be upset, but try not to panic just yet! Some types of Protein, for some people, are just awful! There’s no real rhyme or reason to it, so it’s very possible that you could absolutely hate a type of protein (in this case, unjury chicken Soup and unflavored) even if tons of other people like it. I would say…keep trying. Try other brands of unflavored powder, and try other flavors and brands of chicken flavored Protein Powder. You can also look for other brands and flavors of protein soup. You could also try preparing your powder differently, such as adding it to milk or even coffee or tea instead of Water. You can’t have coffee post-op, but decaf tea should still be okay. Then there is the whole world of chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and all kinds of sweet Protein shake flavors to try. You can try powders and readymade shakes from about a million different brands. Starting with single-serve packs is a great way to try them, and you can also think about starting with the cheapest options, since more expensive ones don’t always taste better. Good luck – you’ll find something if you keep looking long enough!

@4ukay, Unless you are in severe pain and/or there is something wrong, you will be sent home long before your surgery wounds have healed completely…which means there is potential for pain. Some patients get lucky and do not have much pain. Others have more pain. Most surgeons are quite willing to prescribe pain medications. You can try to help yourself out by losing as much weight as you can before surgery. Also, you can get into the habit of walking if your doctor allows it. Walking can be a really good way not only to make yourself a little healthier before surgery so recovery is easier, but also to help manage pain after surgery, even in the hospital or right when you get home. I know it’s hard, but try not to worry about it. Whatever happens with the pain, you will get through it.