Alex Brecher

I use BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE “1 per Day!” flavorless capsules from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-multivitamin-one! BariatricPal has a special offer where it’ll cost you only $99 for an entire year's supply! Check it out at https://store.bariatricpal.com/99 With just ONE convenient & affordable BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE each day, you can get the bariatric vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy! BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE was designed and developed by a team of the world’s leading Bariatric medical professionals. Please take a calcium supplement separately to prevent interference with the absorption of iron. You can view a large selection of bariatric-friendly Calcium supplements at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium. You can also find MANY other brands of bariatric multivitamins at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/multivitamins.

The BariatricPal Store carries a huge selection of Bariatric-friendly Protein drinks at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders. Here are some popular options: BariatricPal Protein ONE: MultiVitamin, Calcium, Iron, Fiber & Meal Replacement from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders/brand_bariatricpal Syntrax Nectar Protein Powder Sampler Variety Bag - All 17 Flavors! from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders/products/syntrax-nectar-protein-powder-sampler-variety-bag-all-17-flavors GENEPRO Medical Grade Unflavored Protein Powder - 3rd Generation! from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/genepro/products/genepro-medical-grade-unflavored-protein-powder-3rd-generation Bariatric Advantage HPMR High Protein Meal Replacement - Available in 8 Flavors! from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders/products/bariatric-advantage-high-protein-meal-replacement Protein tubs from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powder-tubs Protein Smoothies from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/smoothies Hot Protein Drinks & Soups are great alternatives to protein shakes: Hot Protein Drinks: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/hot-protein-drinks Hot Protein Soups: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/soups-bouillons-broths

The BariatricPal Store carries the Premium Abdominal Binder for Bariatric and Plastic Surgery by DeRoyal at https://store.bariatricpal.com/products/premium-abdominal-binder-for-bariatric-and-plastic-surgery-by-deroyal. I didn't use one after either of my weight loss surgeries. Still, patients tell me that it makes a HUGE difference.

I use BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE “1 per Day!” flavorless capsules from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-multivitamin-one! BariatricPal has a special offer that will cost you only $99 for an entire year's supply! Check it out at https://store.bariatricpal.com/99 You can view a large selection of bariatric-friendly Calcium supplements at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium.

I've had reactive hypoglycemia for the last 4-5 years. Definitely talk to an endocrinologist. I got a prescription for the Libre 2 wearable device that allows me to monitor my sugar levels in real-time. The Libre will notify you when your blood sugar is dropping or spiking. You'll learn which foods trigger low blood sugar soon enough. For me, it's sushi and alcohol or any high-carb food.

Your weight loss surgery decision is your own. So is your Weight Loss Surgery journey. Those facts, however, do not mean that others do not count. Having your loved ones on your side can pave the way for success, while their disapproval or outright sabotage can make your journey that much more difficult, from finding a ride to surgery to keeping trigger foods away from the home. 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.

Fast food is a fact of life for so many of us, so is it really reasonable to expect it to disappear from the scene after bariatric surgery? Note: This isn’t an article on “How soon after surgery can I eat pepperoni pizza and wings?” This is an article on making the best choices you can given your situation. Consider Macros That is, “macronutrients,” or carbohydrates, fat, and protein. The news is bad on the surface since the average fast food meal has more carbs and less protein per calorie than the average home-cooked meal. You can work to turn this around, though. Carbohydrates: Cut back on carbohydrates by skipping the starchy sides: French fries, potato chips, and hash browns, steamed, fried, or Mexican rice, and breadsticks. Try to go “green” (lettuce wrap) or “naked” (no wrap) with your burger, tortilla, or sandwich; if the fast food joint cannot honor your request, just eat the filling with a knife and fork, and throw away the bread, bun, tortilla, or taco shell (if you are feeling guilty because of starving children in third-world countries, make a donation. You’ll do more good than you would by adding starch to your hips). Protein: How can you boost your protein intake at a fast food restaurant to be what you need? Skinless grilled or baked chicken, lean cold cuts, cheese, and beans can all up your totals, and yogurt is an increasingly common side option. Even a small burger patty can give you 10 to 15 grams of protein, although it comes with a few extra grams of fat. A good protein goal for a meal is about 20-30 grams. You can get that for 200-300 calories with any of the following. Burger King Double Cheeseburger, no bun; Grilled Chicken Garden Salad, no croutons; or Veggie Burger with cheese, no bun or mayo. McDonald’s Grilled Southwestern Chicken Salad, no cheese; or Grilled Chicken Sandwich, no bun or spread. Taco Bell 2 grilled or fresco steak soft tacos, no tortillas; chicken or steak Power Menu Bowl, no rice or cheese. KFC Grilled Chicken Drumstick plus green beans or side salad. Panda Express Grilled Teriyaki or Asian Chicken. Fats: Your first order of business is to avoid anything fried. You will be avoiding excess grease while also avoiding sneaky carbs in breading – did you know that the amounts of carbs in onion rings and fried chicken are comparable to the amounts in bread? Also, watch the fatty spreads – think mayonnaise – salad dressings, and dips. Find the Vegetables Protein and vegetables…does this sound familiar? It should, since your goals when eating at a fast food restaurant should be the same as when you eat at home. Vegetables help fill you up without filling you out, and it is best to eat as many of them as you can handle with your pouch or sleeve. It may take a little more digging to find vegetables at fast food restaurants than at home, but you can usually do it. Here are a few leads. Ask for extra lettuce, tomatoes, and any other available vegetables on burgers and sandwiches. Order a side salad or baby carrots with your meal. Check for salads with grilled chicken as an entrée. Pile salsa and diced vegetables onto your naked burrito. When “Value” Isn’t Besides the convenience, the deals are among the most tempting things about fast food. For pennies more, you can often add fries and a drink, or you could get a second burger or taco for half the price. Don’t do it! “Value” depends on what you want and need; why would you pay extra, even if it is “only pennies more,” for extra fat, sugar, starch, and calories? A healthier definition of “value” might be to pay the least you can for a meal that is convenient, delicious, and healthy. Why include “oversized” in your definition? For those times when fast food simply makes sense, go for it – just keep yourself on track by reading the menu carefully and staying focused. You can do it, no matter where you end up. You might as well enjoy it!

Collagen protein is great for you but is not counted towards the daily amount of protein you're required. Clean Whey by BariatricPal is a whey protein isolate, which is optimal for bariatric patients https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-clean-whey-protein . Protein ONE by BariatricPal has vitamins in them https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-protein-one-multivitamin-calcium-iron-fiber-meal-replacement .

I'm familiar with all available flavors and brands and there aren't any pure vanilla calcium citrate chews available on the market at the moment. As you said, there's French Vanilla Caramel but these taste very Caramel and not so much Vanilla.

You clicked on the unsubscribe link for all BariatricPal.com emails a while back. I corrected that and had your reset email resent.

You need a total of 1200-1500mg of calcium citrate spread out 3 times per day. The BariatricPal Store carries a huge selection of Bariatric-friendly Calcium at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium. Check out the newly released BariatricPal Sugar-Free Calcium Citrate Soft Chews 500mg with Probiotics at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium/brand_bariatricpal+vitamin-form_soft-chews . They come in 6 AMAZING flavors: French Vanilla Caramel, Chocolate Mint, Belgian Chocolate Caramel, Orange Creamsicle, Strawberry Watermelon Twist and Wild Grape. You can get Calcium in many different forms: Soft Chews: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium/vitamin-form_soft-chews Chewable: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium/vitamin-form_chewable Powder: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium/vitamin-form_powder Liquid: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium/vitamin-form_liquid Tablets: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium/vitamin-form_tablets Patches: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium/vitamin-form_vitamin-patch

The BariatricPal Store carries a huge selection of Bariatric friendly Protein Snacks & Desserts at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatric-high-protein-low-calorie-snacks-and-desserts Here are some other bariatric friendly ideas as well: Chips and Crunchy Snacks: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-chips-and-crunchy-protein-snacks Chocolate Bars & Candies: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatric-friendly-chocolate-bars-chocolate-candies Cakes, Cookies & Wafers: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/cookies-wafers Sugar-Free Candy: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/sugar-free-candy Cheese Snacks: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/cheese-snacks Meat & Jerky Snacks: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/meat-snacks Fish Snacks: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/fish-snacks Protein Bars: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-bars Pretzels: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/pretzels Nuts: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/nut-snacks

Check out netrition.com! They have thousands of low-carb snacks and low-carb food options.

We have some podcast episodes published at https://www.bariatricpal.com/podcast/ . You can also find them by searching for Your Bariatric Journey in your favorite podcast player.

I’m sorry everyone but our chat rooms were discontinued 6-7 years ago.

The BariatricPal Store carries a nice selection of Bariatric friendly Collagen at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/collagen

Dr. Joseph Capella comes highly recommended and specializes in body contouring after weight loss surgery. He has offices in NYC and NJ. Please let me know if you come across any other great surgeons in the NYC area. I get asked this question often and would love to offer other alternative suggestions.

I use BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE "1 per Day!" flavorless capsules from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-multivitamin-one! BariatricPal has a special offer where it'll cost you only $99 for an entire year supply! Check it out at https://store.bariatricpal.com/99 With just ONE convenient & affordable BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE each day, you can get the bariatric vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy! BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE was designed and developed by a team of the world's leading Bariatric medical professionals. Please take a calcium supplement separately to prevent interference with absorption of iron. You can view a large selection of bariatric-friendly Calcium supplements at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium. You can also find MANY other brands of bariatric multivitamins at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/multivitamins.

Try a one-per-day capsule! I use BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE "1 per Day!" Bariatric Multivitamins from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-multivitamin-one! BariatricPal has a special offer where it'll cost you only $99 for an entire year supply! Check it out at https://store.bariatricpal.com/99 With just ONE convenient & affordable BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE each day, you can get the bariatric vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy! BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE was designed and developed by a team of the world's leading Bariatric medical professionals. Please take a calcium supplement separately to prevent interference with absorption of iron. You can view a large selection of bariatric-friendly Calcium supplements at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium. You can also find many other brands of bariatric multivitamins at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/multivitamins.

My personal fave are the 25g shots https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/collagen-for-bariatric-patients/products/bariatricpal-25g-whey-protein-collagen-power-shots-crisp-apple . They're very tart so if you don't like tart this isn't for you.

The BariatricPal Store carries a nice selection of Bariatric-friendly Collagen at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/collagen . Also, netrition.com has a nice selection as well.

if I'm being 100% honest, I think I'd personally swap surgeons if at all possible.

You can call 1-800-LAP-BAND and they'll direct you to the closest medical pro that can fill/unfill your band. You can visit https://www.lapband.com/find-a-surgeon/ as well for the same information.

It was mistakingly deleted by one of our mods. It's back up now, thanks!

Sounds like you need an adjustment. You should be able to have fluid removed from your lap band, even after 15 years. Have you reached out to a local lap-band surgeon? You can call 800-LAP-BAND to locate a lap-band surgeon near where you're located.