Alex Brecher

@@VSGMEPLZ26, Congratulations on your surgery! It sounds like you’re feeling exactly as expected, so hang in there and feel proud of yourself for getting through this first stage of the weight loss surgery journey! Hope you feel better soon and enjoy your new sleeve.

@@WitchySar, It’s definitely your decision. It depends on your own level of comfort and on how you think your own friends, family, and acquaintances (if you’re even considering telling people like coworkers) will react. For me, I have always been quite open about my surgery. In part, it is because I am lucky – I was confident that my family and friends would be supportive or at least neutral, and I was right. In part, though, it’s because telling people made it more real. I felt more committed when I was open about it. Even if telling people didn’t necessarily mean they would know how to help or how to help me keep on track, at least it made me feel that I couldn’t fail because it would be embarrassing. It's really up to you. Think about things like how much pressure you’d expect to feel from even innocently intended comments, and how you would be able to handle it if people said things like, “you’ve only lost XXX lbs. by now?!” or “I can’t believe you’re eating XXX after WLS!” If you don’t tell anyone about your WLS, you won’t have to risk hearing those comments. Good luck with your decision and your surgery!

@@treblecutie23, Congratulations on your weight loss and your decision to get skin removal surgery! It’s completely your decision, not something that others can make for you. Even wanting it off for cosmetic reasons is a good enough justification if you feel that way, but knowing that it’s uncomfortable, too, makes it sound like surgery is an even better idea! Good luck with it, and hopefully you can find other reminders of your journey besides 10 lbs. of skin hanging from your stomach, like how great you look every time you see yourself in a photo or a mirror.

@@Daisee68, You look fantastic – just as one might expect given your hard work and tremendous accomplishments! Congratulations on your weight loss and on getting past goal weight. I hope you can start to see how far you have come and you can be proud of yourself – because you deserve it, and because recognizing your hard work and its payoffs will help motivate you to keep the weight off for the long-term.

I was debating carrying them at the BariatricPal Store. Do you actually enjoy the way they taste? I couldn't deal with the smell when I lifted the bottle up to my nose mouth and had to hold my nostrils shut in order to take a few sips. I'm pretty sensitive when it comes to taste and smell and I'm sure there are many others that love this stuff. I'm curious about your feedback once you've tried a few flavors! I might reconsider stocking them as well.

I got this at the beginning quite often! Didn't help that I had a little bit of jaundice as well.

Thanks for sharing! It sounds (not surprisingly) like there are a lot of pretty rude, uninformed, or generally persistent people out there. It also sounds like you’ve come up with a lot of ways to handle these questions and comments, so thanks for the ideas for comebacks to the unwanted remarks.

The beautiful thing about potlucks when you’re a WLS patient is that you get to bring the exact dish you want. You can make it healthy, high-Protein, low-calorie, and just what you want to eat to stay on your bariatric surgery diet. At the same, though, you probably want to make a dish to impress. You want everyone to love it and go back for seconds. You may love the compliments and the requests for the recipe. So how do you reconcile the two? When you go to a summer potluck, barbecue, pool party, or picnic, what do you bring that’ll keep you on track while pleasing the crowd? Do you have a great low-fat deviled egg recipe? Do you have a salad that’s always a smash hit? Do you pass around a refreshing fruit and nut salad? What’s your party dish for the summer?

Thanks for the great ideas! I think we can all enjoy them – whether we’re bringing them to a party or we just want something delicious and healthy to eat at home! @@Djmohr, I love fruit salsas! They work so well with so many types of fruits – I’ve also used watermelon and peaches. You can also swap up the herbs – cilantro is definitely the most “salsa” - like, but mint and basil can work, too. I love your won ton chips idea! I guess you could make some salty ones or garlicky ones, too! @@Valentina, I love it! I bet that’s a great conversation starter! @@OKCPirate, I love broccoli salad. It always seems so decadent, though – definitely one of the higher calorie options at any salad bar. I used to try it with fat-free mayo and soy bacon bits and fat-free cheddar. Yum! @@Dub, I bet that goes over really well – it sound delicious, and people probably have no idea you brought it because you needed something healthy to eat! @@Sharon1964 – great idea with the stuffed mushrooms. Stuffed things always seem so fancy, and I think that’s a great idea for preventing double dipping and also for promoting a little bit of portion control. I bet that dip would be great in hard-boiled egg white halves, too. @@CallMeTee, let us know how it goes!

Hey BariatricPal Members! Happy Independence Day from BariatricPal! It’s a chance to show off your national pride if you tend to be patriotic. Otherwise, it’s a chance for a three-day weekend, some relaxation, and hopefully some celebrations and family time. And, of course, a chance to keep chasing your weight loss surgery goals. As always, we hope to help, so here’s what you’ll find in this newsletter. Independence Day: Celebrate Your Freedom Taking a Look at Those Summer Goals Red, White, and Blue Bariatric food Ideas Hope you love the newsletter and then take advantage of the long weekend and a little down time to logon to the BariatricPal forums to catch up on all the discussions. Thanks for all of your support, and Happy Independence Day! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Independence Day: Celebrate Your Freedom July 4 celebrates the freedoms we all cherish. Each of us can do what we wish, and that’s not something to be taken lightly. So as you go through these next few days, why not pay a little extra attention to the choices you are making each and every minute, and remember to be grateful that those choices are in your hands? The Freedom to Eat What You Want It may not be what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they signed the Declaration of Independence, but being free includes being free to eat what you want. So what’ll it be for you? pizza, chips, and a soda? Or tuna, yogurt, and strawberries? Nobody but you has the right to decide, so make the decision that would make the Founding Fathers proud – the decision that will make you the strongest and healthiest citizen possible. Land of Opportunity…and Options What’s another great thing about the freedom we have in this country? How about seeing how easy it is to get your hands on delicious, high-Protein foods? At The BariatricPal Store, you can get high-protein, low-carb meals, Snacks, and beverages for every occasion and every time of day. Our low-carb cereals, pastas, protein bars and protein powders, and instant entrees can be yours with the click of a button. The store promises the lowest prices available online, and we back our products with a satisfaction guarantee. Taking a Look at Those Summer Goals Summer has a habit of slipping away. At the beginning, it seems like it will last forever, with the long days stretching out endlessly. Then all of a sudden, the nights get crisp and autumn arrives before you know it. Don’t let your summer goals slip away with the summer! July 4 is a great time to refocus on those goals – or set them, if you haven’t already. So, here are a few steps you can take to be sure you can look back at Summer 2016 as one that did wonders for your health and weight. Remind yourself – or set – your goals. Keep them realistic, measurable, and under your control. There’s no point in setting a goal that depends on factors outside of your control. Examples of possible goals include getting in five servings of fruits and vegetables a day by summer’s end, walking a September 5k, and getting WLS in the fall. Figure out what you need to do to hit your goals. For example, what kind of diet do you need to follow? Do you need to train a certain way if you have a fitness goal? Do you need more information if your goal is to get surgery? Get working! Make any necessary changes to your diet if your goals are related to weight or eating habits. Write out your workout schedule, and stick to it. Make any phone calls to potential surgeons to gather more information about getting weight loss surgery if that’s your end-of-summer goal. Slow and steady effort is one of the biggest tricks to hitting your goals. Be patient and persistent; love yourself, and be confident that you can do it. With renewed focus and daily commitment, your efforts will add up to big things by the end of summer. Red, White, and Blue Bariatric Food Ideas A festive July 4 picnic or cookout can spell trouble if it involves the usual barbecue fare (slaw, burgers, and baked Beans come to mind) along with berry cheesecake, Cookies and cake decorated like the American flag, and brownies (just because they’re American!). You may already know how to handle a traditional barbecue (chicken breast and veggies, anyone?), but as for the red, white, and blue? There must be a better way to celebrate Old Glory than with fat and sugar! Instead of the high-calorie culprits, you can find weight loss surgery-friendly red, white, and blue food options to stay in the holiday spirit and to stay within your calorie goals. When you choose naturally colored foods, you’re almost sure to end up with nutritious, satisfying, and diet-friendly choices that actually are as Starting the Day Red, White, and Blue Get in the mood from the get-go with a bowl of protein oatmeal, whitened up with a swirl of fat-free ricotta cheese or Greek yogurt. Stir in some sliced strawberries and blueberries, and you’re on your way to a fiber and protein-filled day. The amount of sugar and calories in your breakfast doesn’t even compare to the load you’d get from a stack of pancakes with whipped cream and blueberry and strawberry syrup. Red, White, and Blue Cheese Dip Blue cheese contributes both the blue and the white colors, and it’s easy to add the red. Whip up your favorite blue cheese dip and serve it with red bell pepper strips, or, for a bit of a fancy twist, some baked beet chips. For the non-WLS patients at the party, serve some blue corn chips for an even more festive presentation. Red, White, and Blue Skewers If you’re planning to do a little July 4 grilling, keep it healthy while making it patriotic with red, white, and blue skewers. Use cherry tomatoes or red bell peppers, and add blue from eggplant slices. Then take your pick of white options, from button mushrooms or, for some protein, chicken breast or tofu. Drizzle your kebabs with olive oil and seasonings of your choice. Patriotic Dessert to Live For Granted, it may not be as decadent as a frosted cupcake with a candy flag it in, but a fresh fruit salad can do just as much for your patriotism and far more for your longevity. Watermelon, white nectarines, and fresh blueberries can be just the beginning, with plenty more choices like strawberries, grated coconut, and blackberries waiting in the wings. With these ideas for treats and tricks, have a wonderful and safe Independence Day! Thanks for reading the newsletter and continuing to support BariatricPal. We couldn’t do it without you!

FYI just because a post was flagged or reported does not mean it'll be deleted. It's reviewed and only if it doesn't follow the spirit of our terms of service, is it deleted.

I was totally cool with the topic but you just wrote a Subject and had an entirely empty post. That's the only reason it was deleted. We are all for hooking up at support groups ????

No comment about your sanity but we will implement this in the near future. At the moment we only have the ability to limit by length of time someone is a member or how many posts they've accumulated. We are working on limiting based on surgery date.

Just another update. Our attorney has just mailed out a cease and desist letter to this company. They consistently sign up as forum members posing as potential patients or patients that have already successfully had surgery. Please do your research before you use any surgeon.

happytrooper11 works for this surgeon. Their IP address was coming from Mexico and they've been banned. I'd be a little careful if I were you.... Oh and the email they used to register was worklongtermvsg@XXXXX.com . That was a pure giveaway. It's impossible to offer actual surgery using decent equipment, facilities, staff, non-expired staples etc for such a low price. They're skimping on things that you don't realize but you're putting your life at risk.

Wow, I think the summer heat is getting under the skin of our membership. I don't care how many posts you have...if you call someone a name, you will be banned. If you have an issue with a post, REPORT IT. I'm going to stop posting warnings. I've pretty much had it with the name calling and bullying. It has no place on BariatricPal.

@@jintycb, Of course I think it’s really important to do as you’re told by your surgical team! I also think that before that, you should make sure you trust your surgical team. Find a team you trust, so that you are willing to do whatever they tell you. If they tell you something you don’t agree with, ask why they want you to do it. Usually they have a good reason. But I also think it is legit to ask around online to see what other patients have been told. You can learn a lot and even come up with some new questions to ask your surgical team.

@@Oak Park Lorena, It’s good you’re addressing this now rather than waiting until you had gained more weight! It is much easier (although admittedly not “easy”) to lose 40 lbs than 100 or more. You have a lot going for you. You know where you went wrong, which is a big step. You know that you stopped working out, and that you ate too much, or, rather, drank too much. And you’re starting to work out again. I suggest…patience! Remember that the weight will not come off as fast as it did post-op. That can be frustrating and discouraging, but it’s okay. If you do the right things, it will come off, even if it takes a year or more. Along the way, you’ll develop healthy habits so the weight won’t come back on. If you love beer that much and you are really drinking so much of it – more calories than food – you probably don’t have to cut beer out in order to lose weight. You can probably just cut back. There must be some bottles of beer with fewer than 800 calories – or if they aren’t the kinds you want, maybe you can pour out half before downing the rest. That’s great if you’re already eating right. It’s one thing you don’t have to worry about changing. Keep up with the exercise and always be careful – as you learned, it’s never worth it to get injured! Just balance your love of beer with your desire to get back to goal weight, however long it takes, and make a plan that will you get you there. Once you get back into the habit of doing the right things for yourself, it’ll get easier. Good luck!

@@beccaconaty87, Death is a possibility with surgery, but 1 in 50 sounds a little high. As others have pointed out, if it’s death you’re worried about, you’re probably dropping your chances by having surgery. If it’s pain and suffering you’re worried about, you’re probably dropping your chances by having surgery. Except for the first week or few weeks post-op when you will probably feel terrible, losing weight post-op will probably make you feel way better. You’ll be less tired, have less joint pain, spend less time at the doctor, and worry less about your health after you lose some weight. If your real worry is that you’re going to worry, maybe you can schedule some sort of counseling just to get you to surgery and through the first month post-op.

@@Jasmine Smith, Wow! You look fantastic! And I bet you feel just as good as you look! Congratulations on your hard work and success, and keep letting us know how you’re doing as you get closer and closer to goal weight!

@@garciagiss, It’s probably fine to eat a lot of broth. Everyone’s different. Some people are fine getting their post-op fluids from Water. Others like flavored waters, which are sweet. And maybe you’re finding that the salty taste is easiest for you. It’s great that you’re staying hydrated – that’s super important after surgery.

@@karine76, You can probably wear your favorite undies. They’ll come off long before the surgeon sees you.

@@gettingsleeved1, “Are you missing anything?” Well, there are at least a million different brands and flavors of Protein powder and shakes to try. But it looks like your current collection should be good for starters. Have you tried some of them yet? @@Sophie74656 makes a good point: your tastes can change post-op. It’s kind of a balancing act and gamble: how much do you stock up pre-op so that you can have enough protein around so you don’t have to worry about shopping too much, but so that you don’t end up with a ridiculously big surplus of useless protein if you find you don’t like the ones you stocked up on? At least with the assortment you have, you should still like something post-op!

@@Sandy GlueStick, You’ll be fine, as long as your hospital lets you check in alone. I can’t imagine that they’ll let you check in without having a plan for being driven home, though, unless they’re planning to keep you in for a good long while until the anesthesia and any other meds wear off. Your best bet is to check with the hospital for their policy. In terms of how the experience will be, stay positive! Yes, it is often nicer to go with someone, but you are strong. You can do this! I bet the nurses and everyone else at the hospital will take extra good care of you and make an extra effort to help make your experience as good as possible.

@@kadie777, You probably will be able to. Just take the same approach that you do with every new food after surgery. Be sure you wait long enough before trying it, and start with just a tiny amount to make sure you can handle. And, of course, measure out your portions! Also, be sure to go for the healthy kinds like air-popped, and not buttered movie theater popcorn. Enjoy it when you get to it!