Alex Brecher

A few members PM'd me asking what exactly brought about this sudden decision. I think it's just easier to repost Jennifer Reeves post to our FaceBook group. Just to clarify, the patient that passed was a private patient of Dr. Altamirano's and not booked via BariatricPal. "It's very hard to write down all that happened. I am going to try and condense what happened. By brother was set to have surgery on Monday. He did but was pushed back until the very last person. My brother went through surgery fine and when brought back to the recovery room, he was not helped out of the bed. He got out of it and walked across to the other bed and eased himself down. The staff did not help him. Which we find terrible. He just got out of surgery. The nursing staff didn't take his vitals an left him alone for a long while. My brother was awake and told my mom that his chest hurt and said it was hot in the room. My mom asked if she needed to open the window and he said yes. She the. Asked if he needed an extra pillow for behind his head, he said no and that he would just relax. My brother went to sleep and began snoring... There was no oxygen in the room, nor was he hooked up to a monitor. My mom noticed something when the snoring pattern changed. After snoring weird for a lil bit my brother just stopped breathing. My mom shook him and screamed his name, no response. My mom went screaming out the door an the nurses came running Dow. The hall into the room where the proceeded to slam the door in my moms face as a team of people tried reviving my brother. My mom was in total chaos and anguish, fell to floor and screamed for over an hour and began to pray. The team that tried to save my brother were able to restart his heart twice. Both times it stopped beating. After 45 minutes he was declared dead. The first doctor that tried to save said my brother bled out, Dr Altamirano said he had a heart attack. My mom went back into the room after 2 hours and saw my brothers lifeless body. She got her things and was take to the Grand Hotel. I was worried and called her through Facebook because that was the only way I could reach her. She was alone I the room and freaking out. I the contacted Bariatric pal because I didn't know what to do. They not only were kind enough to go get my mom but they have been by our sides through this nightmare When Dr Altamirano spoke to my mom he was very upset and had said that this was his first patient that he had ever lost . I spoke to Dr Altamirano and he told me that my brother died of a heart attack and would do anything he could to help my family get my brothers body out of Mexico. During the time my mom was in the hotel room alone, I called the consulate and got them involved because I knew we were going to need all the help we could get. While in conversation with Dr. Altamirano, he told me he would pay 2,000 dollars to get my brother body back to the states and hopefully all the way home if we could find a way . I was so thankful to him for his help. As I talked to my mom and got all the details of what happened surrounding my brother's death, things began to not add up right. The hospital that my brother was in was not equipped for patients. They had to go searching room to room to try and locate an oxygen device. 7 different rooms . Now you tell me if that is normal? No! When my brothers body was at the funeral home my mom was told it would be 5500 to transport his body out of Mexico, causing horrible strain on what was already the worst day of her life. While my brothers body lay in the funeral home , the director tried to Embalm my brother after he was told not to touch the body. We don know why he would do that. As we checked with the funeral home about possible solutions we found that Dr. A only paid out 500 dollars and not the 2,000 he originally said he would. So that's a lie. As the situation progressed a police report was filed, my brothers body was removed to the coroners office, an investigation began as well as an autopsy. In the mean time my brother wife and her parents arrived as well as my step. While all of this was going on I could only intact my mom through Facebook, then got bills number so that when bill and his wife stacey from Bariatric pal wee with my mom , I could talk to her. I have since learned that Dr. Altamirano and someone from Bariatric pal got into an argument over them interfering with Dr Altamirano's private client. I reached out to Bariatric pal because I knew they were an organization and not a private work. If the staff of Dr. Altamirano really cared , why did they neglect my brother ? Why was the hospital rooms not equipped ? Why did he have to move himself ? Why was he not hooked up to monitors? This is right and those of you reading this know it. We have since gone through different people to transport my brothers body out of Mexico and have to get a permit to do so. And also my brothers suit that he will be laid out in was sent to the dry cleaners and Dr.A's assistant refused to bring them to my family's room and left it down stairs with the bell hop. I ask you today, if you were in a foreign country and Drs are advertising that they are successful and to trust them and you went through what we just did, how would you act ? How would you feel ? An investigation is going on over the death of my brother because the authorities know that what happened to him was not right. So now today Dr. Altamirano has been telling people that they need to get out of other groups. Why??? Why do they need to do that Dr??? Are you afraid you will be blamed for hiding something ? Let the people make up their own minds. I am most devastated that I recommended my brother to him. I know thy he would have been alive , if it had not been for the gross neglect he suffered at the hands of the hospital and Dr. A's staff. We are currently working on getting my brothers body back to the states as I type this. The question is since you know now what happened will you continue to say this is here say or will you make up your own mind given then facts ? As of right now , I am still not sure what caused my brother's death, rest assured that when I do find out I will be happy to tell the world. My brother came to change his life and he died because of neglect . The Dr didn't post facts because he didn't want you to know them . You can't justify your behavior by saying he died because he chose to take that risk. No sir !! We will not accept that. If you did something wrong Dr. You need to be honest. That's good business and practice. Thank you all for taking the time to read the story of my brothers experience in Mexico . I will say that if you find yourself needing a new surgeon, I highly recommend you going through Bariatric pal . Bill would be more than happy to help you. After all, they have given so much of themselves to our family when they didn't have to. We owe them a huge debt. We are forever grateful. If all of you wouldn't mind praying for my family as we gather our strength to get my brother home and to lay him to rest. Thank you so much and God bless you all !!

style="margin:0;padding:0;background-color:#d8dde8;color:#5a5a5a;font:normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif;position:relative;"> Hey BariatricPal Members! Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Hey, it’s okay if you’re not Irish! Anyone can still use it as an excuse to celebrate. Or, you can celebrate the start of Daylight Savings Time, the beginning of spring, or a new chapter in your weight loss surgery journey. Why not? Here’s what you’ll find in this newsletter to give you a few ideas and food for thought. Green Foods You Can Eat Get Moving This St. Patrick’s Day Spring Break: Home and Away Hope you have fun with this newsletter and whatever comes next in your journey! Have a wonderful spring, and see you on the boards! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder and CEO, BariatricPal Green Foods You Can Eat St. Patrick’s Day revolves around green food and green beer, at least for many of us in the U.S. who just like to enjoy the day without worrying about being Irish. There’s nothing really wrong about green food, as long as you have no problems with artificial colorings from food coloring, and calories from green cupcakes, green beer, corned beef, and green Irish soda bread. Okay, there clearly are some problems with these St. Patrick’s Day choices if you’re trying to eat healthy and lose weight! There are plenty of other ways you can get your green on – err..in – you! Here are a few greenish ideas that will keep you on your weight loss surgery diet. Feel free to experiment with the ingredients and textures…the only right way to make these is however works for you. Green frittata: grated zucchini mixed with egg, a bit of cheese, and herbs. Try dill and a Greek yogurt topping, or use oregano and basil as a seasoning and top your baked frittata with tomato sauce. Pesto: Use a food processor to blend basil and arugula leaves, lemon juice, pine nuts, black pepper, and olive oil. It’s a little high in calories, so just use it as a condiment like you would with peanut butter or hummus. It goes great on chicken and salmon. Green dip: The name’s pretty vague, and that’s because you can put pretty much anything you want into to. Make the base out of pureed cooked peas, broccoli, and/or lima beans, and you can even add a little avocado for creaminess. Add spices and herbs like garlic, onion powder, cilantro, and cumin, and use it for dipping – what else – green veggies such as broccoli florets, green pepper strips, and celery. Green smoothie: The sky’s the limit. Try any combination of arugula, pear, avocado and kale for a deep green color, and add protein with soy milk and Greek yogurt. Flavor it up with berries, ginger, half a banana, or even mint leaves. Cucumber rolls: Peel a cucumber and slice it thinly lengthwise. Spread non-fat cream cheese and dill, or feta cheese and sliced green olives, and roll up your cucumbers. Mint frozen yogurt: This may be the healthiest fro-yo you ever have. Blend and freeze Greek yogurt – try no sugar added lime if you like – with almond milk, your choice of sweetener, and a few fresh mint leaves. Get Moving This St. Patrick’s Day Any good holiday starts with a chance to burn a few extra calories. What better way to get energized, work up an appetite, hang out with friends and family, and – oh, yeah – lose a little extra weight than to get moving? Hop in a 5K There’s no shortage of road races around the country on St. Patrick’s Day and the weekend following it. If you’re in shape for one and your doctor thinks it’s a good idea, sign up! Most let you sign up online a few days in advance, or you can register on the spot an hour or so before starting time. Grab a friend to join you or make a friend on the starting line, and get ready to have fun for 3.1 miles! Hold Your Own Event You can get moving in other fun ways if you’re not quite ready for a 5k or you can’t find one near you, Hold your own race series with any kids and other relatives who are around. You can hold events like the 1-block run, relay races where you team up, and contests to see who can jump the furthest, throw a ball furthest, hop on one foot for longest, balance on one foot with eyes closed for longest, or make up the best dance to whatever song’s on the radio. Have fun – it’s all about burning calories and loving life in your new, healthier body. Spring Break: Home and Away It’s the time of year when a lot of us have spring break. It can be an official vacation with time off and a trip to somewhere warm and exotic, or it might just involve a day or two when you get to relax for the first time in a while. Even if you don’t have a formal day off, you can put yourself in the spring break mode by enjoying the changing of the seasons. Spring Cleaning to Lose Weight How do your home and kitchen look after a long winter? Be honest with yourself, now. You don’t have to tell us. A little cluttered? Yes, that happens, especially when the weather’s gloomy. Now that winter’s on its way out and the sun is starting to make its presence known again, you may find you have a little more energy to do things again. And one of those things may be cleaning. A clean home, and especially a clean kitchen, can lower stress and give you more energy to prepare the food you need to prepare to lose weight. There’s another perk to cleaning. The more you clean, the more calories you’ll burn. Weeding can burn 300 calories an hour, while dusting and taking out the trash can each burn 200 calories. And if you’re still getting rid of the snow around your property? Carrying a snow blower around can burn 300 calories an hour. Deep Cleaning for Your Kitchen Clean your counters so there’s space to work in your kitchen, and go a step further. Take inventory of what’s accumulated in your fridge, freezer, and pantry over the past few months, and get rid of anything that’s not on your WLS diet. Throw it away or donate it, but don’t let it end up inside of you. After cleaning out the bad stuff from your kitchen, don’t forget to restock with the good stuff! Take a trip to your supermarket or a farmer’s market to look for greens and other vegetables, strawberries and other fruit, and eggs, fresh fish, and yogurt. Pack Your WLS Extras If you’re lucky, your spring break might involve a trip. We’re betting there’s no way you’ll forget to take nicely fitting clothes in your new smaller size! Don’t forget to take the other new items that you didn’t need before deciding to get healthy. Along with your bariatric vitamins, plus a pair of good walking shoes and some comfortable clothes for walking and any other activities you’ll be participating in, you made need to take some emergency snacks and meals, depending on where you’re going. Pack a few non-perishable, high-protein options if you’re going to a foreign country, an isolated resort, or anywhere else you’re not sure you’ll be able to purchase the foods you need on the spot. You can find what you need at The BariatricPal Store. It’s also a great choice because you can get the lowest possible prices on everything we sell, plus free shipping with qualified orders. Check it out today! You might want to take some of these items when packing for your trip. Instant low-carb, high-protein oatmeal – just add hot water and have a low-cal breakfast anywhere! Protein bars to stash in your purse or pocket so you never have to choose between starving, going off of your diet when you’re out and about. Protein shakes, smoothies, and hot chocolate, so you can stay nourished even if your pouch, sleeve, or stomach is acting up a little. Protein pretzels, so you can crunch and munch along with everyone else, but still lose weight. Enjoy your spring break, St. Patrick’s Day, and entire spring! Thanks for making BariatricPal part of it and continuing to support us.

No more posts that go against our forum rules, please. Don't want to ban anyone for not following our posted guidelines. Thanks in advance for everyone's cooperation!

Hey everyone, I have exciting news about BariatricPal. It’s getting a facelift…and more! We’re planning a major overhaul of the BariatricPal website and apps. You’ll notice them looking a little nicer with a new makeover, and you may find them easier to use - across all types of devices. We’re also working on some fun new features. As we plan the new site and app, I want to get input from the experts – YOU! As a user and member, you’re in the best position to make suggestions for the upgrades. Do you have any ideas about what you’d like us to change, fix, add, or update? What should we keep in mind as we design the new version? Just add your suggestions as a reply to this thread. Feel free to say what you already love about the current site and app if you want to make you keep seeing it in the new versions. Thanks for your help!

I don't sound much better. There's a reason I went with a pro. Sorry they're not to your liking.

Appreciate everyone's feedback! We are working on things and it's really very useful to keep receiving everyone's feedback, thanks!

I believe, left shoulder pain is generally caused by gas in new patients. If you've had your procedure for a few months or years I believe it has to do with something called the Phrenic nerve. I think it's attached to the diaphragm. Many LapBand patients get referred and excruciating left shoulder pain when they over eat or have a band that's too tight. Left shoulder pain can mean many other things as well and I'd get it checked out if it doesn't subside. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Appreciate the feedback!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Left shoulder pain? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Left shoulder pain? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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@@nervousnelly719, Thanks for sharing your experiences! Congratulations on your surgery. It’s great to hear your day by day account of your thoughts and experiences – it can really help others. Good luck as you move forward!

@@salmon77, Are you able to enjoy hanging out with your friends if you’re not drinking and they are? If so, maybe that’s the way to go. Otherwise, it may be time to see if they are willing to do non-drinking-related activities sometimes, and just hang out with them during those times. Alcohol will never exactly be good for your diet, of course, but in terms of when it’ll be “safe” – well, it’s not great. Definitely wait a little longer until the sleeve completely heals. Then if you choose to drink, know that your tolerance will be way less than it used to be. You won’t be able to handle as much. It also may be worth thinking about a few years down the line. You may find yourself at a point in your life when drinking isn’t the only thing to do: maybe you’ve just arrived there a little sooner than you thought. Whatever you do, do it responsibly!

@@lachellove, Congratulations on your weight loss journey! You look fantastic. You look so proud and happy, just like you deserve to feel with all your hard work. Sorry nobody but your husband and sister supported you, but apparently their support was enough for you. Good for you for taking responsibility and getting it done!

@, Welcome to BariatricPal! Thanks for introducing yourself. This is a wonderful community that can help you through your journey. Congratulations on your decision to get surgery and on your work so far. It’s normal to be nervous, and great that you’re admitting your fears and identifying them. That way, you can face them. I can TOTALLY understand your concern that this won’t work since nothing else has. It’s true that it’s up to you to make it work long-term, but what’s also true is that everyone who chooses to get WLS gets it because nothing else worked. Everyone here tried a million other things that didn’t work before deciding to get WLS. Post-op pain: you’ll get through it, one way or the other. It’ll pass. The good thing abou tit is that by that point, you won’t be able to change your mind or wimp out. And dumping syndrome? Yes, it can happen, but there’s a lot you can do to try to prevent it. Eat right, and you’ll have way less of a chance of getting it frequently. Good luck with everything, and thanks for sharing!

@@DivaSoBlessed, I am so sorry to hear that. That sounds like an unacceptable response. If you’ve met every requirement, how could your insurance possibly deny you if you’re entitled to it? I agree with @@cbrown1 – it was easier to deny than to chase down your info, and they should review your COMPLETE file! Call your insurance provider (or your HR person if you’re getting insurance through work). If you can’t get through or if they’re not helpful (a lot of the time, they’re not!), call your surgeon’s office. It’s in their interest for you to get surgery. They probably deal with this all the time and know how to help you. If not, find another surgeon. Some bariatric surgeon will help. I am sorry, but keep your chin up and keep moving forward.

@ crazyplantlady, First, congratulations on doing so well these first six weeks! For caffeinated coffee, I agree with @@Bufflehead that it’s not truly dehydrating unless you drink a ton of it and take a few caffeine pills, too. The liquid in coffee far outweighs the diuretic effect of caffeine that makes your body lose Water. Decaf coffee is another choice – especially if you’ve been able to get off of caffeine since surgery. Maybe it would be neat not to start depending on it again. You mentioned you missed the taste and comfort of coffee, not the caffeine, so maybe decaf would work. If you’re worried about the texture of the shake or being able to mix it in with the Protein powder, you could try instant coffee. I mean, make your shake as usual, then stir in some instant regular or decaf coffee. That would give you the taste with no worries about clumping, since instant coffee is made to dissolve really well.

Thanks for all of your answers! It’s inspiring to learn about each of your struggles and triumphs to succeed at WLS since you wanted it badly enough. It’s also need to see what little things hold us back, and how conquering them can help push us forward.

Some of the biggest barriers to getting weight loss surgery are the changes you’ll need to make. They can be enough to make you think twice, especially if you think you can’t make those changes and won’t be able to succeed with the surgery. It could be something like giving up caffeinated coffee for a few months, or committing to a post-op diet that included a stage called “Mushies” – blech! You may even hate the thought of processed shakes, but realized you had to choke them down on the pre-op and post-op liquid diets if you wanted to have a chance of succeeding. For me, one of the toughest changes was separating liquids from solid foods. Before surgery, I never ate without having some to drink with it! I didn’t know if I could do it. But, since I had to if I wanted to get the lap-band and lose weight, there was no choice. I did. What change did you find very difficult to make, but eventually you were able to do?

By the time you get weight loss surgery, you’ve probably been struggling with your weight for years. For most WLS patients, weight had gotten out of control, and WLS was the tool that let weight get back in check. The long-awaited control over your weight and your new lease on life can make you feel awfully grateful for the chance to get WLS. It’s only natural to want to show your gratitude and pay it forward. There are tons of ways to do this! Some WLS patients get involved in WLS organizations or with their surgeons’ support groups or other WLS support groups. Others may resolve to be more vocal about their experiences so they can try to help other patients. You might not even pay it forward directly, but instead just try to be a “better” person – maybe more cheerful, more helpful, or more active in the community because now you can. So, how do you show your gratitude for WLS?

Thanks for each of you who shared, and especially thank you for what you do for the WLS community. I think it’s a gift not to be taken for granted, and it’s good to show gratitude for it in whatever big or little ways make sense for each of us.

I don't think we made drastic changes to ads as of late. You can always subscribe to a VIP membership account at $4 per month for a close to ad-free experience I do appreciate your feedback! We are looking at ways to minimize ads one way or the other. There's a new site being rolled out within the next 90 days which should make BP a lot more pleasant to use and view, on all devices.

OMG! That sounds delish! Please share the recipe. http://healthyrecipesblogs.com/2013/11/04/eggs-baked-in-portobello-mushrooms/ I used garlic pepper seasoning and black pepper along with light sharp cheddar instead of parmesan. It was so good. I'm a dude! Going to need more details. How high? How long? Step by step instructions would be greatly appreciated!! The website link lists all the directions. Totally missed the website, thanks!

Where are you guys seeing these ads? On the website? Within the app? Generally Google will serve you ads based on sites you've previously visited. We've done away with most of the google ads but a few still exists as you're aware. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The OAC’s National Convention is the leading educational conference designed to help individuals who struggle with their weight, and attending this meeting is a great investment in your personal journey with weight and health. However, we understand that for many who wish to attend the Convention, it may be a hardship. The Convention Scholarship Program, now in its third year, is designed to open the doors for any individual to attend and benefit from this meeting, without letting expense get in the way. The Convention Scholarship Program is now accepting applications, and will award a limited number of full and partial scholarships to individuals who apply by Friday, February 26. The number of scholarships granted will be based on number of applications received, along with the total expenses requested. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older (or travelling with a parent or legal guardian) and have plans to attend the 2016 OAC Convention. Applicants not eligible to receive a scholarship include: health professionals seeking CE Credits; and relatives of OAC staff, National Board Members, or OAC Committee Members (or actual members of these groups). Need for scholarships will be determined with the following weighted criteria: Statement of Financial Need (50%); Impact of Obesity on Your Life (35%); Your Intent for Attending the Your Weight Matters Convention (15%) The Obesity Research Team at the Milken Institute School for Public Health at the George Washington University will act as the designated third-party to handle the review of all Convention Scholarship applications, in order to ensure an unbiased selection process. The OAC will not have any involvement in the evaluation or selection of the scholarship recipients. We invite any individual interested in receiving financial assistance to submit an application for consideration by Friday, February 26. To get full details and apply for the Convention Scholarship Program, please CLICK HERE!