Alex Brecher

Please keep us updated!

They don't work well with all insurances. You need to be lucky MANY members have been very lucky. It definitely can't hurt to try. They never ask for payment if your insurance covers.

What negative comments? I'm personally aware of hundreds of our members they've assisted thus far who are extremely happy with their service and offering.

BariatricPal Members, I am working with ASMBS on an outreach project called This Time It Counts, and I would like to ask for your participation! It’s for members who have had WLS and have seen results already. Being a part of the campaign is easy. Just post a short video of yourself telling your WLS story and post it on This Time It Counts (the instructions are on the page). In your video, you can talk about your journey. Also, you can mention and talk about how BariatricPal has played a role in your WLS success . This project will help reach thousands of potential WLS patients who are trying to make the right decisions for themselves. I hope you will take advantage of this chance to give back! Thank you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rezwVHbA1gs

There are probably a few things everyone looks for when looking for a bariatric surgeon. Beyond insurance coverage and/or cost and location, you probably wonder about success rates, and use your gut to decide whether you like the surgeon and the look and feel of the clinic or hospital. What are the factors you are looking at if you are looking for a surgeon? If you’ve already had WLS or chosen a surgeon, what did you look for? Was there a “deciding factor” that helped you decide “This is the one for me?” I’m also wondering whether your decision was entirely based on something objective, or whether there was a factor involved that you can’t really explain – your gut just told you to choose your surgeon. And finally…did it work out for you, if you’ve already had surgery?

I had an interesting realization the other day. I realized that although I continue to love vanilla Oikos yogurt, I also like other kinds of Greek yogurt that I had been avoiding due to my Oikos vanilla habit. It was actually a bit of a pleasant surprise to consciously recognize my “need” to stock up on that one flavor and brand of yogurt and to realize that other brands and flavors would be fine in a pinch…so I don’t need to waste energy being anxious about running out of my original preference. But still, there are foods I won’t go without, and to make sure I don’t, I stock up on them. I always have yogurt in the fridge, blueberries in the freezer, and tuna in the pantry. Some of us are naturally more inclined to stock up than others, but being on a strict meal plan like you are on after weight loss surgery makes it seem more important than before to insure you have the foods you need in the house. Otherwise, you might find yourself reaching for some regrettable alternatives…like potato chips instead of carrot sticks, or ice cream instead of yogurt. What are the snack foods you need to have around your house (or car or workplace)? How many of them do you feel the need to keep around? Do you stock up whenever they’re on sale?

I felt like I didn’t have any other choices if I wanted to be happy. Diets did work for me, but they weren’t living. They were temporary, as was the weight loss. I couldn’t get past food as a hurdle. So what else was I going to do? Weight loss surgery seemed like a good idea, and I’ve never regretted the decision to get the lap-band. Where am I in my lap-band journey? I got it 12 years ago, and am staying within a few pounds of goal weight. I still need to pay attention to what I eat, but food is not ruling my life. My life is fuller now – I can enjoy myself, my family, and my work.

Sugar addiction is really tough. It’s different for different people. Some people choose gastric bypass specifically because it makes you sick (gives you dumping syndrome) if you eat sugary foods, so it basically forces you to stop. Some people are able to get over their sugar addictions by building new habits. I think that’s probably the premise of the whole30 program krisrpaz posted a link to, and similar programs, and also the idea behind the WLS diet – stop eating sugary foods, and you won’t crave them anymore. Some people always crave sugar, but use the new habits to stay stronger than their cravings. Once you get used to choosing healthy foods and make a habit of grabbing string cheese instead of Cookies, you find it easier to ignore the sugar cravings. At least, that’s the hope!

Invite her to dine with you for a day? Even offer to make her meals for her. See how long she thinks the WLS diet is easy for.

Choosehope, You’ve gotten some excellent advice here: DO keep working towards whatever activity works for you, and DON’T compare yourself to others! Other people have different weights, different lifetime exercise histories, different abilities at the same weight, different chronic pains/conditions, etc. That said, you’ve gotten some good suggestions for progressions. Do what is pain-free, so swimming might be a good starting place, with a minute or two walking on the treadmill to follow. The rules are to be patient, persistent, and safe. And have fun! Good luck!

Rene, Thanks for bring attention to this important topic! As you found, the links between sleep and weight control are pretty definitive. There is the effect of sleep deprivation raising ghrelin (hunger hormone) levels, and it also interferes with related hormones like leptin. And it’s not just hormonal! Research studies have shown people make bad choices when they’re sleep deprived. They’re more likely to crave sugary and starchy foods – and give in to these carb cravings. And they’re more likely to take larger portion sizes when they’re sleep deprived. The effects aren’t just limited to hunger. Lack of sleep also raises your risk for diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease – some of the very diseases we’re trying to fight with weight loss surgery! So it’s definitely time to think of adequate sleep as part of an overall healthy post-op life. It takes discipline to get enough sleep, but if you’re going to go through the trouble of weight loss surgery and changing your entire lifestyle to get healthy, it makes a lot of sense to get enough sleep, too.

IndieFlickers, Congratulations on your impressive weight loss so far! I think everyone here has made some good suggestions about possible reasons for your fatigue. I wonder whether your body is simply tired. You have lost an average of nearly 4 lbs per week for 6 months! That’s A LOT! And while it’s great for weight loss and probably long-term health, it may be tough on your body when you consider you’ve had nearly a 2,000-calorie deficit every single day for 6 months. Something else I wonder about is your sleep. If you’re using a CPAP machine, that means there’s probably some reason – there’s something going on with your sleep. Maybe those 7.5-8 hours aren’t as productive as you might be hoping. Or, maybe you just need more, since sleep needs can change over time. When was the last time you took several days in a row and slept without waking to an alarm clock? And finally, don’t forget the effects of stress. I don’t know if anything else particularly stressful is going on in your life, but WLS can be emotionally and certainly physically draining. Anyway, good luck with your doctor and let us know what happens! Good luck.

Thanks for all of your answers! It looks like the good news is that a lot of us have healthy food ruts going on! Something I’ve noticed is that these food ruts are based on convenience foods or easily prepared foods – like yogurt, deli slices, cheese, and Protein shakes. That seems to make sense, since most of us don’t have the time, energy, or interest in cooking a lot now, Still, I wonder if some of the gourmet chefs on here get into food ruts or not. WL Warrior, Yes, food ruts are definitely a strategy for success! Find what works, and do it, over, and over, and over again! The fact that cutting out a lot of foods and depending on a limited variety can help you lose weight is one reason why a lot of the fad diets work, too (for a time, until you get sick of them). I think there’s research also to show that the fewer different foods you have at one meal, the fewer calories you eat because your taste buds get tired so your appetite goes down sooner.

Wow, what an inspirational story! Congratulations to George! An Ironman is something most people cannot even imagine completing! You are an inspiration for your weight loss and athleticism! Thanks, Dr. Adeyeri, for sharing this story.

Looks interesting. I'm away next weekend. Wish I could join.

Chew, chew chew! I have zero issues with them.

What browser are you using please?

Note the word US in the subject line....Interesting US Bariatric Surgery Statistics

Awesome! Sounds like tons of fun!! I've only been to Colorado in the winter. I'm told it's stunning without the snow as well. How old are your kiddos? Are you driving straight or stopping midway?

The thought of summer is always nice. The pace is usually slower at this time of year, and you may be lucky enough to get away for a vacation or enjoy a bit of a staycation. If you’ve had weight loss surgery fairly recently, this may be the first summer in years that you’re itching to be healthy and active! But the summer heat can challenge for WLS patients. How can you lose weight and get fit safely during the summer? Hydration Hydration is a big one. WLS patients are at double risk for dehydration during the summer. First, there’s the heat. Second, there’s the difficulty of meeting your fluid needs already, since you can’t drink with meals. Under normal conditions, you need at least 64 ounces of fluid per day. That’s 8 cups or 4 half-liter water bottles. Here’s one way to get in your fluid. Start with 1-2 glasses as soon as you wake up. Have a cup 30 minutes after breakfast, and an hour after that (or 30 minutes after your mid-morning snack if you have one). Have a cup or 2 30 minutes after lunch, and an hour after that (or 30 minutes after your mid-afternoon snack). Have 1-2 cups at least 30 minutes before and after dinner. Don’t forget to go calorie-free and non-carbonated with your beverages! You need more liquid when it’s hot, and a little extra when you sweat heavily during exercise. Remember, water is fine. You don’t need sports drinks unless you are exercising intensely for more than 90 minutes. Drink extra an hour before your workout, every 15 to 20 minutes during it, and when you’re done. Stay Motivated Don’t let the long, lazy days of summer lull you into being lazy! It may be hot, but there are better things to do – like exercise! - than sit on the couch (and by the way, cranking up the a/c while you watch TV is expensive). Here are a few ways to get yourself moving. Walk somewhere cool and inviting, such as in the mall or along the beach. Get a friend, or a group of friends, to get moving with you. The more the merrier, whether you break up into walking groups of twos and threes, or you play a big game of volleyball or tag. Set a goal to finish a 5k by the end of summer, and train for it. Let the gym pay for the air-conditioning. Take advantage by trying new classes, using each of the cardio and weight machines, and playing with equipment like free weights, kettlebells, weighted medicine balls, and Bosu balls. The gym has more equipment than you’ll ever have at home, so use it and have fun with it. Safety Precautions Safety comes first. Avoid activities that are very hot and can put you at risk for heat stroke. Instead, go indoors to an air-conditioned gym, or choose cooler options like swimming, or walking in a shaded park. Most of the time, you can beat the heat by exercising very early in the day, which is the coolest time, or later in the evening, after the sun goes down. If you’re exercising outdoors, tell someone where you’re going, your route, and when you’ll be back. Better yet, get that someone to go with you! Don’t exercise in severe weather warnings, such as extreme heat, tornado watches, or electrical storms. Never go near water during a thunderstorm. Count Calories Okay, this one applies year-round, but it’s worth a reminder now. That’s because, in the heat of the moment, you might forget about your WLS rules. What will you order when you and the kids flag down the ice cream truck? (Nothing). What do you say when you’re offered a cold beer at your neighbor’s backyard barbecue (“No, thanks – got my water right here!”). How do you avoid the baseball game peanuts (suck on ice cubes), hot dogs from beach vendors (PYOP - pack your own protein), and freshly baked blueberry pie (enjoy your own fresh blueberries)? These are some tips for losing weight, staying hydrated, and getting in your exercise without putting yourself at serious risk. What are your summer tricks?

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LoreLu, I think it depends on the individual, and on the type of surgery, and on about a million other factors! I have to say that I was super lucky and didn't have many second thoughts...although I guess I must have been uncertain/scared enough when I came home from the hospital that I started looking for an online forum and felt the need to create LapBandTalk.com! But I didn't have any regrets, and maybe it's because I didn't have terrible pain. As for what I've noticed with others: some have it worst in the first few days; for others, it lasts a few weeks; and for others, especially when there are some complications or difficulties, it can be a month or two. It's hard when you're in pain and you realize you can't undo what you did...it's easy to start second-guessing yourself.

Great suggestion! I just purchased two Mission belts via Amazon two weeks ago and LOVE them! I'm pretty impressed, they're really well made.

I use Dr. Ren-Fielding from NYU. Love them!

Thank you for all the congratulations and well wishes!