Alex Brecher

@, I am so sorry that came from your own family. People will always say mean and demeaning things, whether or not they intend to. You can’t let them get to you. You know you’re doing awesome. You know there’s no point in even answering them. They’re probably not interested in learning about your new lifestyle. They probably don’t care how hard you’re working. They probably don’t realize or want to recognize how little 8 weeks is in the scheme of your entire life. People like that can always make you feel bad, but try not to let them. Just carry on. In six months when they ask how you lost so much weight, you can tell them, “I tried to tell you six months ago...”

Thanks for all the answers! It’s nice to see all the positivity and to see you recognize some of the things you love about yourselves!

It’s time for a little self-love and appreciation! We can spend so much time and energy being upset about how we look and wishing our bodies were different that it’s easy to lose sight of the things we love about our bodies. You can gain a lot when you focus on something positive. Remembering what you love about yourself can increase your motivation to get and stay healthy. If it’s something that you noticed as you lost weight, remembering it can remind you how far you’ve come and how much your hard work is paying off. So, which body part do you love the most? Is it your face with a pretty smile? Is it your calves that are starting to show now that you’ve been working out? Is it your elbow that’s now visible?

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I use the FitBit Aria Smart scale. Love that it keeps track of my weight and body fat online and in the accompanying app. I have a few years of weight history at a glance and it really keeps me in check. The body fat measurement is grossly inaccurate but it seems to be pretty on the money weight wise.

Weight loss surgery is hard work, and being in a time crunch can be another challenge. After weight loss surgery, you may need to spend extra time planning meals, preparing your food, and working out. That time can become a barrier to success So how can you fit weight loss into your already-packed life? We have a few tips that can help you save precious minutes here and there. Serve one meal per family. Do you regularly make your family one meal and make yourself another? You’re doubling the time you spend cooking. You’re also showing your family that healthy eating is something that only YOU do, not something “normal.” Save time and make the healthy eating bandwagon more welcoming by planning to serve one basic meal at each family dinner. You can always alter it to make it a little lower calorie for yourself, or to add some of the treats that your family loves but that are off-limits for you. Take a spaghetti dinner, for example. You can skip the pasta but serve it to everyone else, while making lean ground turkey meatballs in tomato sauce with a side of veggies that you and everyone can enjoy. If you’re craving noodles, use some low-carb ones or make zucchini noodles. Then, if your family wants, offer extras such as parmesan cheese and garlic bread. It’s no extra work for you, and everyone gets what they want…while they get some good nutrients in them, too. Use meal helpers – the healthy ones. We’re not talking about boxes of rice or pasta helpers or family-sized frozen mac and cheese or pizza. We’re talking about healthy meal helpers, such as already-marinated chicken breast, pre-cut salad and veggies, and rotisserie chicken. They’re nutritious, and they save time. You can also stockpile instant high-protein meals for anytime. BariatricPal has tons of hot and cold breakfasts and lunch and dinner choices that are ready in minutes and designed for weight loss surgery patients. Choose them for breakfast or lunch at work, for a quick dinner, or when you just feel like a great-tasting entrée without needing to cook. Multi-task when appropriate. We’re not fans of multi-tasking when it comes to focusing. In fact, multi-tasking can actually be one of the biggest time-wasters of your day since it takes so much time to switch your attention from one task to another. But in its place, multi-tasking can be a brilliant time-saving move. Doubling up on family time and chores is one of the most sensible ways to multi-task. You’ll get to spend more time with your family, while making chores more pleasant and saving time. Take your children with you to the supermarket (bonus: they can learn to read food labels!), and work on household chores together. Cleaning the house is a lot more fun when it’s a family activity, and it’ll teach good habits and responsibility. Multi-tasking can also be a great way to fit more exercise into your life, since one of the biggest excuses for not getting active is lack of time. Walk them to and from school while you chat about their days. Walk laps, doing jumping jacks and squats, or even help out the coach and run drills with the kids if you’re watching your children’s sports practice. Encourage your children to play outside, and make it fun for them by being right there with them. Walk on a treadmill, use an exercise bike, or march in place while watching TV or during commercial breaks. Make movement part of life. Did you know moving for even a minute at a time can give you tons of benefits? There are plenty of ways to add in activity without taking an extra second of your time. You can try different games with yourself to see which works for you. You might decide to stand up every time you send a text message or check your phone, or remind yourself to walk around your office whenever you’re on the phone. Now, we’re not saying to quit your gym membership or give up on your regular workouts. Just know that every little bit counts, and getting in a few minutes here and there can keep your metabolism going and help you think more clearly…so you can make better food choices. Plan ahead to save time. Sometimes it’s hard to set aside a few minutes to plan the week’s meals, recipes, and grocery shopping, but it saves time overall. You’ll be able to zip through the grocery store and get meals on the table faster when you already know exactly what you’re making. Planning ahead can even let you plan for leftovers, so you don’t have to cook another meal just yet. You already know that sustainability is the key to long-term weight loss surgery success. The more you can fit your healthy weight loss surgery habits into your regular life, the easier it’ll be to keep up those good habits. They don’t need to take up much time as long as you plan them carefully.

I edited the post since it had no place on this forum. I am going ahead and deleting some more posts from this topic. I'd like to remind all our members of the forum rules you agreed to abide by when signing up for this forum. There's no need to respond to my post. Let's get back on topic. I will instantly ban any member that fat shames another. We have zero tolerance for that kind of behavior on here.

It's going to take them some time to perfect this device. It seems the most promising to me as well but there were too many patient issues in the trials.

I just read an article about the new AspireAssist device by Dr. Yoni Friedhoff. He's a medical professional I trust and look up to: The Aspire Assist: Surgical Bulimia Or A Case Study In Weight Bias? I can't tell you how many people have contacted me about the Aspire Assist. What's been genuinely shocking to me is that the sentiment surrounding the online commentary, as well as the emails I'm receiving, is hugely reflective of weight bias - including from colleagues who I know are champions in the fight against weight related stigma. I wrote this post when the Aspire Assist was first launched, and I'm updating and reposting it in the hopes of triggering at least a little bit of reflection. Is this new device simply a condemnable medical bulimia machine? That's certainly the tenor of the discussion out there as generally the reports on this are either pretty angry or simply express revulsion. Superficially it really does sound horrifying, and undeniably, at first blush it's not what I would consider to be the intervention I'd always hoped for. But when researching the story of course I needed to know - what type of studies have been done on it to date? Believe it or not, their very early data's interesting. Now this isn't peer reviewed published data, just a presentation, but in it they describe the 111 patients who were randomized to receive an Aspire Assist. 74% of them completed the year long study (vs. only 50% of the control group who received the same lifestyle counselling as the Aspire Assist group but no Aspire Assist). The results were dramatic. This 15 minute long outpatient endoscopic procedure led completers to lose nearly 40lbs on average representing a loss of 15% of their presenting weights. The completers of the control group meanwhile lost on average just 4lbs. Not surprisingly, there were post-operative adverse effects - the most common being irritation or granulation of the stoma (the exit port). There were only 4 subjects who reported "serious" adverse effects and all were quickly resolved. Eating behaviours were also monitored. Pre-surgically subjects were screened for binge-eating, bulimia, and night eating syndrome. None of the Aspire Assist patients were reported to experience worsened eating behaviours, while one control subject developed bulimia. Interestingly, self-reported data actually demonstrated improvements in Aspire Assist subjects' eating behaviours with more thorough chewing, more Water consumption greater meal planning, more mindful eating, and decreased calorie consumption (confirmed by the fact that losses were greater than would be predicted by simple aspiration). And as far as tolerability goes, the vast majority reported satisfaction with the device, with 93% of survey respondents reporting that they would be somewhat or very likely to recommend it to others. Comparing the Aspire Assist to the other endoscopic bariatric procedure, the intra-gastric balloon (a procedure that has not been raked over society's coals) the Aspire Assist appears to lead to markedly larger losses with greater response rates and fewer serious adverse effects. So yes, back to the shock, horror and repulsion, while I readily agree that on its surface both the premise and procedure is less than appetizing, I'm pretty sure that safety and efficacy, not grossness, are what determine the utility of an intervention. If larger, longer, studies reproduce these results whereby the Aspire Assist doesn't lead to or exacerbate disordered eating, involves minimal risk, has minimal adverse metabolic or nutritional consequences, and leads to sustained losses which in turn had demonstrable medical or quality of life benefits, why wouldn't I consider it? As I've written before it'd be wonderful if everyone lived incredibly healthful lifestyles and in turn those incredibly healthful lifestyles guaranteed weight loss (they don't BTW), but I think my job as a physician is to ensure people are equipped to make informed decisions, not to make decisions for them, or to judge the ones that they make. If the Aspire Assist proves to be both safe and efficacious in the long run, I'll happily discuss its pros and cons with each and every suitable patient. I'll also happily discuss more traditional bariatric surgery, pharmacotherapy, purely behavioural therapy and also the option of doing absolutely nothing with them. And I'll do it all in a nonjudgmental manner too - because my job is to ensure my patients are aware of the risks and benefits of all of their treatment options, including watchful waiting, and then to support them in whatever informed decision they make. To do otherwise in my mind is contrary to the spirit of medicine and suggests one of two exceedingly common and unfair weight biases. First the one that often angrily asserts that unless a person is willing to make formative lifestyle changes, they're not worthy of being helped, or the second - that if only patients wanted it badly enough, they'd just fix themselves. Honestly, if desire were sufficient is there anyone out there who'd struggle with anything? So is the Aspire Assist brilliant or brutal? Given it's just been born, it's going to be at least a decade before we'll even have the chance of having the robust long term data to make an informed decision. Until then all I can really say is that I'm looking forward to reading it.

@@cseidman, I think the “slippery slope” concern depends on the individual. Some people do better with a substitute (like high-Fiber bread or low-carb Pasta or veggie noodles like zoodles) or a small amount of the real thing; others need to stay away so they don’t start wanting more and more carbs. It’s like with junk food and cravings: some people do better with a bite of the real thing to satisfy their craving, while others need to stay away entirely to avoid a full-out binge. I would think that Protein and then veggies would still be taking priority if space is still a precious commodity. Maybe a little later when you’re more calorie-conscious and trying to limit carbs/calories, you might want to choose some of the more nutritious options, like high-fiber bread and cauliflower rice.

@@WitchySar, WLS will never work if you don’t change your eating habits, regardless of what the problem is! But it can definitely work if you use WLS as a reason to change your food choices. The WLS diet excludes a lot of junk foods, possibly like ones that you may be choosing now. If you get surgery, go on a liquid post-op diet, and gradually add back in healthy foods without the unhealthy ones, you’ll probably crave grease, sugar, starch, and salt less. However, you’ll probably also crave them less if you eat healthier without surgery, too! So I guess the question is whether you can eat healthier without the motivation of WLS, or if you think WLS is what you need to motivate yourself to choose the right foods.

@@Fettchick83, There’s debate over stomach stretching, but it seems as though many people agree that it’s not a real thing. You can get used to overeating if you aren’t careful to do exactly what you’ve probably been told to do: measure everything, choose the right foods, stop eating before you’re quite full, eat slowly, etc. It’s true that you can out-eat your sleeve if you’re not careful, but that doesn’t mean your stomach stretched. It can mean you’re filling it too full, drinking your calories, eating “slider” foods that aren’t filling, or eating super calorie-dense foods. Don’t worry – just go with the plan!

@@pleezeSleeve, The short answer to what to tell the surgeon is “the truth.” You cannot go into something as important as surgery under the pretext of a lie. You need to tell your surgeon everything. If the surgeon thinks you should not get surgery and you disagree, find another surgeon. And another. And another. If you go through 10 or 20 surgeons who all say you shouldn’t get surgery, maybe you should consider listening. Otherwise, it’s just a question of finding the right surgeon for you. I don’t think your BMI will disqualify you. Isn’t 40 the general cutoff? And pain and snoring aren’t just inconveniences; they’re medical issues. Also in your favor is that you’re not that young, in WLS terms. You’re very much an adult who is mostly finished growing and who has had plenty of opportunity to lead your own life and try to lose weight. So while your concern is that 26 is too young, lots of surgeons will look at your history and agree with you that you need surgery. So, go with the truth, and good luck to you!

@@ccnb, While it can be disappointing not to hit your expectations, it’s also important to remember that expectations are very rarely met when it comes to post-op weight loss! You lost 12 pounds in 2 weeks – that’s phenomenal! That would be a rate of 300 lbs. in a year – and you aren’t sincerely expecting to lose 300 lbs. this year, are you??? Now, why the stall? First, it’s barely a stall; it’s been only a few days. Second, because your body is trying to catch up from losing those first 10 lbs., plus recovering from surgery (it’s a big deal and takes its toll on the body). What can you do about it? Be patient. Are you hitting your Protein, calorie, and Fluid goals? If not, focus on those before worrying about the scale. If you are, the pounds will come off just like they’re supposed to. It will just be on your body’s schedule, not your brain’s schedule. You’ll be fine if you just stick to what you’re supposed to do and you’re patient!

@@SashaMLS, I am sorry you have to deal with a boss like that. You are absolutely in the right and should be able to have your surgery when you want it, particularly if the only reason to delay is because your boss feels like being mean. Unfortunately, I think there are two issues here. One, as the others have pointed out, is the legality. What are your rights based on where you live and the place you work? Are you in a place with good employee support? The other is, how big of a stink do you want to raise? Even if you are totally in the right (which you are) and the law protects you completely, do you want to fight with your boss? Will it make your work life miserable if you don’t comply with your boss’s demand? Would going to HR give you a bad name with your boss or even with your coworkers, thus making work really miserable for you in the future? Again, sorry about this! These are things you shouldn’t have to deal with at this important time in your life (or ever). Good luck figuring it out.

@@tholbert08, Great question! You definitely want to know ahead of time what the requirements are so you don’t accidentally get disqualified. I don’t know the rules are for your particular insurance plan, but I do know this: You are best off finding out, and getting it in writing. You don’t want any disappointing surprises when it comes time to get the surgery. Good luck!

@@VSGMEPLZ26, You are definitely NOT the only one with these feelings, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore them. Take all of your doubts just as seriously as you did when you were first considering the sleeve. It sounds like your thoughts are just like most other people’s. On the one hand, you feel that you should be able to do this on your own without surgery; on the other, you feel that with the sleeve, you can be sure your dieting efforts will work. Back to being able to do it on your own: have you tried? Of course you have, right? Haven’t you done a million diets? Did they work? No. And why not? If they didn’t work then, do you have reason to believe they would work if you tried them again? If not, it’s not realistic to think that you could lose weight without the sleeve, right? By the way, remember that your decision does not need to be final until you are under anesthesia. Don’t ever worry about “looking silly” for backing out or about “not following through.” Only worry about what is best for you, whether or not that includes the sleeve. Good luck! It’s a tough and agonizing decision, but you will make the right one for you.

@@Kaze, While avoiding dumping syndrome is definitely a good reason to avoid added sugars, especially in the early stages when you’re still getting acquainted with your sleeve, I think there may be additional reasons for that advice. One is that sugar is empty calories. It doesn’t do anything for you besides add calories and bump up your blood sugar. Long term, you’re going to be looking for lower calorie foods to help you lose weight and keep it off. A packet of oatmeal can have 100 calories, but 150 if it has sugar in it, for example. Another is that foods with added sugars are not always the healthiest. They are processed, generally. Even getting the versions without added sugars isn’t always a great choice because “sugar-free” often means there are sugar substitutes in there. Going for plain oatmeal and plain yogurt can be healthier than flavored oatmeal and yogurt with artificial sweeteners. I’m not saying that sugar substitutes are terrible; they have their place if you like them. I’m just thinking that maybe your surgeon is trying to steer you towards healthier foods – fruit in its own juice (and later, fresh fruit) is healthier than fruit in sugar Water. There is tons of variety in sugar/fat/salt-free things! In general, think: unprocessed, healthy. Otherwise, you’re stuck searching for foods labeled “sugar-free.” In the post-op stages, there are fat-free dairy products – yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, ricotta – lean Proteins – eggs, chicken breast, tuna, Beans – fruits – start with canned, move into ripe fresh and frozen fruits. Ripe watermelon, cantaloupe, and peaches are especially soft – vegetables – start with low-sodium canned such as carrots and green beans, then cook your own fresh or frozen choices such as cauliflower florets, zucchini and crookneck squash, bell peppers – starches – sweet potatoes, winter squash, couscous, oatmeal, potatoes…the list goes on. By the way, I’m not sure if the fat-free recommendation is for short term or long term, but I wouldn’t try to cut out fat long-term! Avocados, nuts, peanuts, and fatty fish are some of the best foods you can eat both for health and for weight loss. They have healthy fats.

At first glance, it scares me, too! I would worry that consciously or subconsciously, the user would feel freer to use the device as an excuse to eat more or make poorer choices. Most (probably all) of us who got to be overweight haven’t been eating completely mindlessly. We know already that some of our choices are bad, and we try to make better ones like cutting back on serving size and choosing healthier foods. We may not do it well enough – that’s why the weight came on – but there generally is some sort of self-restriction going on. I would worry that the Aspire Assist would lead users to be less cautious about eating habits, leading to no weight loss (or even weight gain) and the development of eating habits that are even harder to kick. Another concern for me would be the removal of the device. Some of us depend on our weight loss surgery restrictive tools (pouch, stoma, or sleeve) for life, but Aspire Assist patients wouldn’t have the option of the constant companion. I guess they could go back to it if needed, but that’s not the goal (I don’t think). @@Guineakitty, Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds like you are using the tool exactly as it was meant to be used, and it is working exactly as it was meant to work. Congratulations on getting to goal weight, and good luck maintaining in the years to come!

Thanks for the article and the good guidelines on how many reps to aim for depending on your experience and goals. Weight lifting can make such a difference as it boosts metabolism, improves blood sugar control, and makes you look and feel better all over. I also like that it gives me so many more options at the gym – rather than going for straight cardio every day, I can mix it up with strength training and even turn my weightlifting session into a heart-pounding workout if I set it up right. I think it’s also good to remind beginners that everyone was a beginner at some point, and it’s not something to be embarrassed about. If you belong to a gym, at the very least ask the staff there to show you how to use the weight machines or do certain exercises with cables, dumbbells, or other equipment. That’s what they’re there for, and proper form is very important to avoid injury. If possible, you can even get a session or two with a personal trainer. If you’re working out at home, online videos and good exercise DVDs can show you proper form. Make sure you pay attention! Thanks again for the great information.

Thanks for sharing what you’re proud of – these really are quite worthy of pride! You’ve all overcome so much and I am glad you can see the great things you’ve done. It really does take a lot to be persistent, stay on track during tough times, get back on track when you’re not in a good place, and have the courage to address difficult relationships and get yourself in a better or safer place for your health. Congrats to all!

If you’re considering weight loss surgery or you’ve gotten it, you’ve gone through a lot. You’ve fought obesity for years. You may have had to bite your tongue when friends, family members, and even strangers have been unsupportive or even downright mean. You’ve worked hard at many diets, especially (if you’re a post-op patient) your pre-op and post-op diets. That’s all worth being proud of! There are plenty of other things to be proud of, too. There are the milestones, like losing your first 50 lbs., getting under 300 or 200 lbs for the first time, or getting out of the “obese” BMI category and into the “overweight” or “normal weight” category. And there are may be other sources of pride, like seeing your face in a mirror and being happy with it for once. So, what are you most proud of in your weight loss journey? For me, I think it has been my ability to maintain my weight loss without fixating on food. Instead, I am able to enjoy a fuller life.

Happy Father's Day from BariatricPal!#subject#> body,div,dl,dt,dd,ul,ol,li,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6,pre,form,fieldset,input,textarea,p,blockquote,th,td { margin:0; padding:0; } table { border-collapse:collapse; border-spacing:0; } fieldset,img { border:0; } address,caption,cite,code,dfn,th,var { font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; } caption,th { text-align:left; } h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { font-size:100%; font-weight:normal; } q:before,q:after { content:''; } abbr,acronym { border:0; } address{ display: inline; } html, body { background-color: #d8dde8; color: #5a5a5a; } body { font: normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif; position: relative; } h3, strong { font-weight: bold; } em { font-style: italic; } img, .input_check, .input_radio { vertical-align: middle; } legend { display: none; } table { width: 100%; } td { padding: 3px; } a { color: #225985; text-decoration: none; } a:hover { color: #328586; } div.outer { margin: 0 auto; padding: 14px; } table.wrap { max-width: 800px; margin: 0 auto; } td.logo { background-color: #0f3854; padding: 8px; } td.content { background-color: #fff; font-size: 14px !important; color: black !important; line-height: 150% !important; padding: 8px; } ul { margin-left: 25px; } Hey BariatricPal Members! Happy Father’s Day from BariatricPal! Today is the day when we take some time to appreciate our fathers or any father figures in our lives even more than usual. We at BariatricPal hope you have some special time scheduled with your family to appreciate each other. We also hope you’re using this as another chance to re-energize your WLS success efforts, since there’s a good chance that part of the reason why you’re in this journey is because of your family. If you are indeed looking for a little inspiration, we hope to give it to you! Here’s what you’ll find in this newsletter. Showing Gratitude with Health dinner Dad’s Way: Easy Peasy and Healthy Starting a Healthy Father’s Day Tradition If that’s not enough to keep you motivated, there’s plenty more help over on the BariatricPal Forums. Don’t forget to logon and join the fun – after you’ve said “Thanks” and “I love you” to Dad, of course! Here’s to weight loss surgery and what it can do to strengthen your family! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Showing Gratitude with Health A Healthy You Is A Better You Holidays like Father’s Day may make you think a little more about others. You might think about what you can do to be a better parent, or how you can show your parents how much you appreciate them. In all that generosity, you might forget about your own health, or feel guilty about focusing on yourself once in a while. After all, the pre-op prep and post-op recovery from weight loss surgery already demands a lot of time and energy that you aren’t spending on your family. But, the weeks, months, and years following weight loss surgery are just as important. To succeed long term, you need to take care of yourself. And that’s not selfish. All of your loved ones benefit when you are energetic, happy, and healthy. You can be more involved in family activities, and save money on healthcare costs. The effort you put into your own health is not just for you. It’s for your family, too. Share the Health Your healthy behaviors don’t happen in a vacuum. They happen in the middle of real life, and that’s great. You can be an excellent role model for your children and spouse just by sticking to your commitments and intentions. You can also actively involve them in a healthy lifestyle. You don’t need to be overbearing about. It can be as simple as inviting them to walk with you to the post office, letting them choose between carrot sticks and bell pepper strips when you pack lunches, and taking fun outings like hiking as a family. As health becomes the norm, your whole family can win. Dinner Dad’s Way: Easy Peasy and Healthy It may be a stereotype, but we’ll play along: not all dads are the best cooks. You may remember the occasional day in your childhood when Dad was responsible for looking after you and your siblings for the evening. What did you have for dinner? eggs? Cereal? Chinese takeout? Maybe you’re a father who’s guilty of this same behavior! Hey, whatever works to keep the kids happy and fed, right? Well, we have a better option. Keep the kids happy while getting a weight loss meal for yourself with no extra effort. Sound good? Here’s the scoop. Cereal for Dinner – a Classic “Dad” Dinner If cereal is your go-to, take a look at The BariatricPal Store’s cereal choices with about 15 grams of Protein and only about 120 calories per serving. We’re not talking about tasteless “health” cereals here. We’re talking about old favorites like cocoa flavored pops and honey nut circles. Yum! Add cow or soy milk for extra protein, or serve it with almond milk for a low-cal cereal “dinner.” If you want to be a super-dad, offer your kids fresh fruit or treats like raisins, coconut, nuts, or even chocolate chips so they feel special on their evening home with Dad. Cooking 101: Eggs If there’s one thing a guy knows how to cook, it’s probably eggs. But if you don’t know how to cook eggs, or you didn’t stock up on fresh eggs, or you just don’t want to try to get your college cooking skills back by experimenting on your children, you have another choice: BariatricPal instant Protein Omelets. You can grab them from your pantry and get them ready in minutes. Each bacon and cheese or vegetable omelet packet has 15 grams of protein and 100 calories. You can eat yours straight, but your children may want a little more oomph from Dad. Get your creative juices flowing and give them an omelet to remember! If your children like vegetables, make them a colorful, crunchy omelet with diced bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli florets, or any other veggie they love. You can eat the veggie omelet on its own, and serve it on toast for your kids. Top it with cheese, avocado slices, or salsa to make it a dinner to remember. Chinese Takeout Minus the Weight Gain Weigh the options. With Chinese takeout, you need to go get your food or wait up to an hour to be delivered. Then, you have way too many calories and carbs from fried rice, egg rolls, chow mein, and breaded sweet and sour chicken. The alternative? Grab a box of Spicy Chicken Oriental from your pantry and serve the family in minutes. The meal has 240 calories and 14 grams of protein – that’s quite a bargain for delicious chicken and rice! If you’re feeling super ambitious, start with Protein Fettuccine and Asian Inspired Pasta Sauce, and let your imagine take over. Toss in diced chicken or shrimp and bok choy and other vegetables, and serve up some healthy chow mein to make your children proud. Starting a Healthy Father’s Day Tradition If there’s one thing that makes a healthy lifestyle easier, it’s habit. You’re way more likely to get to the gym if you don’t stop to think about it. You’re way more likely to keep the junk food out of your grocery cart if you automatically steer past the aisles with packaged snack foods and frozen desserts. And packing a healthy lunch is way easier if you just know what’s going to go into it each day. So why not add another healthy behavior to your arsenal on this Father’s Day? You can kill two birds with one stone by spending some quality Dad time while you work on a new healthy tradition. It can be something for you and Dad, for you and your kids, or maybe for all three generations to look forward to every year. Here are a few ideas: - Healthy barbecue with chicken breast, veggie or turkey burgers, - An early morning fishing trip followed by feasting on your protein catch and a summer fruit salad to die for. - A trip to the beach or a local park for some volleyball, swimming, soccer, or a treasure hunt (if you have young ones around!). - A healthy gift exchange, with great gifts like a gift card to The BariatricPal Store, a set of partner training sessions for you and Dad with a personal trainer, or a sampler of grab and go protein Snacks like protein bars, salmon jerky, and peanuts. Whatever healthy tradition you start, you can rest easy knowing that’s one more day out of the year that you’ll be solidifying your healthy lifestyle while building those family ties. And when all is said and done, that’s what weight loss surgery is all about, right? Thanks for reading the newsletter and supporting BariatricPal. Have a wonderful, safe, and healthy Father’s Day, and keep letting us know how your weight loss surgery journey is going. Let this be a summer to be proud of! · Unsubscribe from all BariatricPal E-Mail.

I posted about the AspireAssist stomach pumping device over here a few days ago....

Do you have an appalling experience of dealing with a weight-biased healthcare professional? Would you share it with a reporter working on a high-profile story about weight bias in healthcare? I believe connecting weight bias in healthcare to the impact it has on real people will take us a long way toward putting an end to it. Our stories are POWERFUL! If you'd be willing to share yours and help raise awareness please contact a dear friend of mine, Ted Kyle via email ted.kyle@conscienhealth.org Please let him know I referred you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App