Alex Brecher

You have my permission (as do all the mods) to mark a member as a spammer. Once you do that, their posts are permanently deleted. Only use when it's outright spam (like today) and not when it's a questionable spammy sounding post.

I only noticed 1 and deleted it right away, thanks! The best way to notify us of spam is by using the REPORT button found below each post. It seems that the spammers found a way to work around the spam filters we have in place. It's a never ending battle with these guys. Most spam is posted by automated software bots and not actually people.

Thanks to everyone for reporting these spammers!

Thanks! We were on it right away....this spammer is very very devious. All his posts and topics have been deleted.

A NYC-based production company is producing a documentary series for a major cable network that will tell inspiring stories of MEN and WOMEN who are about to embark on two life-changing journeys simultaneously: marriage and weight loss. If you or someone you know is planning both a wedding AND Weight Loss Surgery, they would love to hear from you. If you are interested in being part of this unique opportunity that will be part of a project that will change lives, please contact Riot Casting . Email your name, recent photo and contact information.

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New Scholarship Opportunity Available for a Limited Time! The OAC is excited to announce a brand-new scholarship opportunity to bring individuals to the 2015 Your Weight Matters National Convention, and we encourage you to apply now! We have partnered with Eisai, Inc., on their new Weigh In for Healthy Change initiative, and as part of the partnership, we are excited to launch the Weigh In for Healthy Change Scholarship Program! This special scholarship program is designed to give individuals interested in Legislative Advocacy the opportunity to receive formal training at the OAC’s National Convention. We encourage interested applicants to act fast, as the Weigh In for Healthy Change Scholarship deadline is fast-approaching on Friday, June 19! The Weigh In for Healthy Change Scholarship Program will award up to 10 full scholarships to individuals meeting eligibility requirements who submit an application by the deadline date – Friday, June 19. Applications received after this date will not be reviewed. To be eligible for a scholarship, you must: be at least 18 years of age or older (or traveling with a parent/legal guardian) confirm your attendance at the OAC’s National Advocacy Training Session on Thursday, August 13, from 1-4:30 pm have past experience addressing weight and health through medical weight management, intensive behavioral counseling under the care of a physician, or pharmacological treatment Applicants not eligible to receive a scholarship include: health professionals; individuals seeking CE credits; individuals who have already received formal legislative advocacy training conducted by the OAC; and relatives/members of OAC staff, National Board Members, or OAC Committee Members. All applications must be completed and sent to the Scholarship Review Committee by Friday, June 19. To learn more about the Weigh In for Healthy Change Scholarship application and review process, please CLICK HERE to view full details!

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Please check out 17 new LAP-BAND patient testimonial videos we've uploaded to our new Video Area of our site. Yours truly is in two of the videos. Please leave comments and feedback. We'd love to know what our members think and what content our members are looking for.

NewNewMe, Congratulations on your surgery and progress! I have to say…it’s looking good! That’s a ton of weight to lose in three (and now four) weeks. Stalls are discouraging, but they happen. They also end if you stick to the plan. Some people find shakes and bars to be helpful for getting in the Protein. Since they can be sweet, some people find them more appetizing than “substantial” foods like chicken, fish, and yogurt. For both food and drink: remember the importance of convenience! Get your food ready the day before or in the morning so it’s ready for you when it’s time to eat. No excuses for skipping meals! Between meals, keep the Water bottle nearby so you don’t have to try to remember to drink enough. Prepare your drink beforehand, whether it’s slicing up lemon for your water or brewing up tea to make iced tea. About being tired: It can definitely be a side effect of the WLS diet. You’re cutting calories – which means you’re cutting energy. What you can do to support yourself during this time is take care of all the other things that could be making you tired. Are you getting enough water? Sounds like you may not be, from what you mentioned. Dehydration can make you tired. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you taking your supplements? If you get Iron deficiency anemia, you’re going to feel tired. Good luck! You’re doing great!

ridingrae, What are you eating for your 2-ounce meals? An ounce of tuna has 7 grams of Protein, an ounce of chicken breast has 8 grams, and an ounce of ground turkey has 7 grams. If you have one ounce at each of your 2 meals and add that to the 46 grams you’re getting from protein shakes, you would be at 60 or more grams for the day. As the others suggested, you might want to consider eating/drinking a fifth time during the day if you can’t get enough protein from your current 2 2-ounce meals plus 2 protein shakes. Quest and other protein bars can also help, especially if you want something sweet and don’t mind the processed foods. A Quest Protein Bar has 21 grams of protein, or 10 grams per ounce (a half of a bar). Protein powder in tea, soup or anything else can help. Drinking another shake might be the answer, especially since you’ve found one that agrees with you. Regarding the discussion on amount of protein that can be used at one time: I believe the figure that goes around is 15 to 20 grams at once. However, that’s the amount that your body uses for things you think about protein being used for, like supporting muscle mass. Any extra you eat isn’t just discarded by the body. Your body still gets calories from it (just like you get calories from fat and carbs) and the calories (energy) can be stored as fat.

Yes, I was approved with a BMI under 40…but just barely. At 5’7” and 255 lb, I had a BMI of 39.9 and no comorbidities. I got the lap-band. If you get rejected the first time, try again. Good luck, and keep us posted!

Today is the Last Day for Early-bird Pricing! Register NOW!

This topic has been locked since this surgeons office has not followed our posted rules and terms of service. We've deleted numerous accounts and many fake posts created by individuals that we've found to be directly linked to or that actually work in the surgeon's office. They've received warnings on numerous occasions and it seems that they've fallen on deaf ears. I am sorry we had to take this route.

Last Chance to Save on Registration for the 2015 Your Weight Matters National Convention! “I had bariatric surgery and I knew I had a second chance at life, so I wanted to do everything I could — even if it meant making myself extremely uncomfortable — to learn enough to be successful.” –Jennifer Coleman, Past Your Weight Matters Convention Attendee No matter where you are on your journey with weight – just getting started and considering all of your options, or several years out from a bariatric surgery – the 2015 Your Weight Matters National Convention offers you the RIGHT education to manage your weight and health. Attendees from across the Nation come together for this 3-day educational event featuring thought leaders in the fields of weight, health, nutrition, exercise and more. We invite you to join in, “Our Journey: Restore. Refresh. Renew.” at the 2015 Your Weight Matters National Convention taking place this August 13-16 in San Antonio! Register NOW for the Best Price! The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), host of the 2015 Your Weight Matters National Convention, strives to keep the prices affordable for all of our Convention attendees. Registration pricing will increase after June 5, so take advantage of this competitive price, including: $95 for a Full Convention Registration - includes access to all educational sessions, group exercise classes, meals (except for lunch) and tickets to special events. $30 for a One-day Registration – includes access to all educational sessions, group exercise classes and Thursday and Sunday’s special events. Meals are NOT included. After this Friday, June 5, registration pricing options will increase to $125 for a Full Convention Registration or $40 for a One-day Registration. With fun special events, an unsurpassed educational agenda and a welcoming community of attendees, the 2015 Your Weight Matters National Convention gives you the support and resources you need to manage your weight. Early-bird pricing ends on Friday, June 5, so get the savings by CLICKING HERE to register now!

Last Chance to Save on Registration for the 2015 Your Weight Matters National Convention! “I had bariatric surgery and I knew I had a second chance at life, so I wanted to do everything I could — even if it meant making myself extremely uncomfortable — to learn enough to be successful.” –Jennifer Coleman, Past Your Weight Matters Convention Attendee No matter where you are on your journey with weight – just getting started and considering all of your options, or several years out from a bariatric surgery – the 2015 Your Weight Matters National Convention offers you the RIGHT education to manage your weight and health. Attendees from across the Nation come together for this 3-day educational event featuring thought leaders in the fields of weight, health, nutrition, exercise and more. We invite you to join in, “Our Journey: Restore. Refresh. Renew.” at the 2015 Your Weight Matters National Convention taking place this August 13-16 in San Antonio! Register NOW for the Best Price! The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), host of the 2015 Your Weight Matters National Convention, strives to keep the prices affordable for all of our Convention attendees. Registration pricing will increase after June 5, so take advantage of this competitive price, including: $95 for a Full Convention Registration - includes access to all educational sessions, group exercise classes, meals (except for lunch) and tickets to special events. $30 for a One-day Registration – includes access to all educational sessions, group exercise classes and Thursday and Sunday’s special events. Meals are NOT included. After this Friday, June 5, registration pricing options will increase to $125 for a Full Convention Registration or $40 for a One-day Registration. With fun special events, an unsurpassed educational agenda and a welcoming community of attendees, the 2015 Your Weight Matters National Convention gives you the support and resources you need to manage your weight. Early-bird pricing ends on Friday, June 5, so get the savings by CLICKING HERE to register now!

The 100lb figure is an average I've seen from our members, but I think of 90-100 as sort of the common number that's given frequently. E.g., here's 90 lbs. http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/november2013/11182013bariatric.htm and I think this works out similarly: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23265120 .

The weight loss surgery journey is easier for some than for others. That’s true not only mentally, but physically as well. Some patients are confident as they get the surgery, follow their prescribed diets, and lose weight until they approach their goal weights. But most have doubts at some point. Those doubts can be strong especially in the first few weeks after surgery. I see this lack of confidence time and time again in the forums. Weeks or a month after surgery, gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, lap-band, and other Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) patients start to wonder whether Weight Loss Surgery was the right choice. Most often, they are disappointing in the number of pounds they have lost, and they wonder, “Am I going to be the Weight Loss Surgery patient who fails?” I can say this with confidence: If you follow the Weight Loss Surgery diet, you’ll lose weight. “I’m Not Losing Weight Fast Enough!” That’s a common post on BariatricPal. The poster is usually a week or a few weeks post-op, and worries their weight loss isn’t fast enough. They think their “slow” rate of weight loss means Weight Loss Surgery didn’t “work” for them. They think they will never be able to lose significant amounts of weight, since WLS was a last-ditch effort to lose weight and get healthy after years of dieting didn’t work. But in most cases, these fears just aren’t true. Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying these fears are unreasonable. I understand them perfectly. I, and probably every Weight Loss Surgery patient, wondered whether it would work for me. And the answer for me, and for everyone who followed their Weight Loss Surgery diet, was “YES!” The Perfect Storm for Frustration So why the panic? I like to think of the first few weeks or even months after weight loss surgery as a perfect storm for generating doubts. It’s a time when the following are true. You realize you have made a decision that led to a change to your body that is irreversible (in the case of sleeve gastrectomy) or meant to be permanent (in the case of the gastric bypass), or You realize a lifetime commitment to changing your eating habits and lifestyle is a pretty big deal. You have not eaten solid foods for weeks, or even more if you had a liquid diet for long before surgery, and it’s getting you down. You are struggling in your daily life as you try to make time for exercise or you find your family members continue to eat junk food in front of you. All that is enough to get anyone down before you even start thinking about the reason you got the surgery in the first place – to lose weight! If you doubt you’re losing weight “fast enough”, you might start wondering if you made the wrong decision when you got Weight Loss Surgery – and that’s a depressing thought. Crunching the Numbers Almost without fail, the BariatricPal member who posts about disappointing early weight loss is losing weight quite quickly. The only person who is disappointed in this number, typically, is the member him or herself. I’ve seen members post with concerns about losing “only” 20 pounds in the first month, or “only” 10 pounds in the first week. Guess what. That’s great! Think about it. A general round number for great first-year weight loss after Weight Loss Surgery is 100 pounds. That’s an average of 2 pounds a week, or 8 pounds a month. If you lost 20 lbs in your first month, you’re doing fantastic! To hit 100 pounds in your first year, you won’t even lose a pound every three days! So don’t worry if the scale doesn’t plummet every single day. If you’re eating right, you’ll lose weight. Try to keep yourself motivated by keeping it all in perspective. Another motivating thought is to consider how long it took you to gain the extra weight. 5 years? 10 years? Your whole life? And now you have a chance to lose it within 1 or 2 or 5 years? That’s a pretty good bargain, right? Recovery Now for Weight Loss Later Now, I know you’ve prepared for Weight Loss Surgery for a long time, and you’re eager to lose weight. But really, you’re not quite ready to focus on weight loss if you’re still recovering from surgery. It’s far more important to heal properly. That’ll help you lose weight faster later and avoid complications that’ll set you back, not to mention cause possibly serious health problems. So, no matter how frustrated you are, stay positive, and focus on following your surgeon and nutritionist’s instructions to the letter. Continue to eat a liquid diet and then pureed foods without cheating and sneaking in solid foods. Use this time to establish a pattern for your long-term success. Learn to measure your food, and to set aside time for food prep and for exercise. Weight loss surgery is a lifetime adventure, and that realization can really hit hard in the early days and weeks post-op. You can get through this tough period by focusing on one day at a time and not worrying about your rate of weight loss. Measure your success not by the scale number, but by how well you stick to your plan.

style="margin:0;padding:0;background-color:#d8dde8;color:#5a5a5a;font:normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif;position:relative;"> Hey BariatricPal Members! We’re heading into the longest days of the year, so it’s a great time to take advantage with some morning or evening walks and healthy barbecues. I hope this newsletter finds you making progress in your WLS journey, thinking about your summer goals, and maybe planning a little summer vacation! Here’s what you’ll find in this newsletter. The Weight Loss Surgery Journey: A Test of Patience Member Spotlight: Meet RogofUlm! Strawberry Recipes Enjoy the newsletter, then share your own recipes and whatever else is on your mind at BariatricPal. Thanks for sharing your summer with us! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal The Weight Loss Surgery Journey: A Test of Patience You’ve worked hard to get to this point. You’ve researched your options for surgery, chosen a surgeon, figured out your finances, completed the pre-op tests and diet, and gotten surgery. You’ve done a lot…and you’re only just beginning. You’ve followed 1 or 100 diets before, but weight loss surgery is different. It’s not a month-long commitment. It’s a lifestyle. That’s what makes it so challenging. WLS patients who are just starting to realize this can easily get discouraged, but that’s normal. The solution is to be patient, whether it’s with the scale or with your diet. Yes, You’re Losing Weight Fast Enough! A lot of WLS patients secretly hope the pounds will melt off and they’ll be skinny in a month. It doesn’t happen like that, but if you’re following your diet to a “T,” you’re losing weight fast enough. You may be losing 5 pounds a week, or 1 pound a week, and it’s good enough. It may take a year or more to hit goal weight, but so what? As long as you’re eating right, you’ll be stronger and healthier every day. Don’t Jump Ahead in the Diet Plan Feeling good about your diet? Have you been able to get through the first days or weeks following the liquid and pureed foods stages of your WLS diet without much pain or discomfort? Are you wondering if it’s okay to jump ahead in the diet progression, maybe add in semi-solid (soft) foods or a greater variety of foods a little bit ahead of schedule? We say…don’t do it! That’s great you’re feeling so good, but don’t take it for granted. Keep doing what you’re doing so you can keep feeling good. If you jump the gun, you risk: Developing intolerances unnecessarily. Developing complications, such as delaying recovery from surgery. Slowing weight loss later if you develop a complication. Of course, ask your surgeon or nutritionist all of your questions, and let the experts have the final say. Member Spotlight: Meet RogofUlm! This month’s spotlight is on RogofUlm from Germantown, Maryland. This gastric sleeve patient lost nearly half of his body weight, and is now a svelte 143 pounds with a BMI of 23.1. Rog agreed to be in our member spotlight and was willing to write up his own feature, which follows. This is the shortened version, but you can find the complete version in the Share Your Story forum. I went on my first diet at the age of 7, and sometimes feel like I've started a new diet every Monday morning for the last 48 years. I've done 'em all – from a 40-day hospital stay in 1974, to Weight Watchers (3 times), Diet Center (2 times), Jenny Craig, Nutri-System, Atkins, South Beach, Cambridge, Slim Fast, Fen-Phen, grapefruit and egg, and even self-starvation. I've probably lost close to 1,000 pounds throughout my life, including three or four nearly 100-pound losses. And after all that, at the age of 55, I still found myself 110 pounds overweight; with diabetes, apnea, asthma, arthritis, high cholesterol, and borderline blood pressure. With a wonderful wife and 10-year-old child at home, I was a heart attack or stroke just waiting to happen. So why was I able to lose weight so effectively at times, but never keep it off? Same as most people, I guess. When fully committed, I could “flick the switch” in my brain and resist anything… for a while. I'd lose a bunch of weight and start looking and feeling better, and then I'd be at a party with lots of goodies and think, "What the heck. I've done so well, so I’ll treat myself just this once and get right back on my diet." Hello, slippery slope! And then the cycle would begin again. That “switch” doesn’t always stay flicked, you know? Then, 20 years ago, I lost a bunch of weight and maintained it for quite a while. But then I had some surgery and even quit smoking in the process. Great, right? Yeah, but after that the weight started coming back on, and eventually I gained about 50 pounds. So then I bounced around between 60 and 100 pounds overweight until I got married and we had a baby. Of course, during the pregnancy I gained 40 more pounds of "baby weight". But unlike my wife, I never delivered mine! So that brings me to the more recent past, when all those years of being overweight finally caught up with me and I began getting all the "fat diseases”. Before my surgery, I was taking daily injections plus pills for diabetes, sleeping with a CPAP machine for apnea, and taking fistfuls of pills every day to manage the other co-morbidities. And that brings us to last year. In addition to all the diseases, I was exhausted and achy all the time, and had trouble dragging myself out of the recliner to play with my kid like I should. I'd take naps after stuffing myself at lunchtime, and exercise as little as possible. We all know the drill, right? And gradually, I got more and more disgusted with myself. During that time, two of my co-workers had weight loss surgery: one bypass and one sleeve. Every day for about a year, I watched them get smaller and smaller. They didn’t keep their surgeries a secret, so when I asked about their experience, they graciously shared all the details with me – the good, and the bad. And gradually I got to the point where I said, “I WANT THAT!” Once I decided to get sleeved, I went all-in. I followed all my doctor’s post-op rules to a tee (with the exception of coffee – my one remaining vice). But this time something was different from all those past diets. Because of the restriction in my stomach, instead of losing momentum and giving in to temptation, my new “tool” gave me the strength I needed to consistently make the right choices. I lost 110 pounds and made it to goal in 8 months. And in the two months after that, I lost another 10 pounds to give myself a comfortable buffer. I’m off all diabetes, apnea, blood pressure, and asthma meds, and after my next doctor’s appointment, I should be off the cholesterol meds too. So now that I’ve reached my final goal weight, I’m exactly where I want to be for the first time in my adult life; which, quite frankly, is a totally mind-blowing thought! My big secret? Just follow the danged rules – all of them! (And mind you, I’ve been a rule breaker all my life.) If you do exactly what your doctor or nutrition program recommends, the weight will come off. After a month or two of making good (but difficult) choices, the cravings for the foods that got you to your pre-surgery weight will start to fade away, and the pride in your accomplishment will have a stronger pull than the food. That’s when you really get on a roll! My philosophy has been that there’s plenty of time to learn how to eat for maintenance once I get to my goal weight. That way, if I add something back into my food plan and it causes me to gain a few pounds; I only need to re-lose those few pounds. I don’t need to lose them PLUS all the rest that haven’t come off yet. I also believe that we get a 9–12 month “honeymoon period” (when the weight comes off more easily and the hunger is more manageable), to get our heads in the right place for the long haul. I firmly believe that people who take maximum advantage of their honeymoon period are far more likely to get all the way to goal weight; and hopefully, to keep it off. And now my theory will be put to the test... Over the next few weeks and months, I’ll need to start experimenting with what works and what doesn’t. I’ll need to add back some foods that will stop the weight loss, without causing a gain, and without putting me back on the slippery slope. But what are those foods? My doctor suggests that if you want to increase your carb intake, to add only foods that you would eat cooked as part of a meal (like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, sweet potatoes, barley, quinoa, oatmeal, and green peas). No white bread, pasta, rice, or potatoes, no refined sugar, no fruit juice, soda, or ice cream – and nothing that would tempt you to go to the fridge or pantry for a handful or bowlful as a snack. That sounds reasonable, so that’s what I’m going to try. So how do I feel about my weight loss journey so far? Believe it or not… it’s been a total blast! And see, that’s another reason to follow all the rules and lose the weight quickly – the compliments, your reflection in the mirror, clothes that fit and look good, the extra energy for family and friends, and most of all, your new-found health, are a thousand times more fun and motivating than anything that could ever go into your mouth! And here’s one final thought… Several months ago I ran into a woman I hadn’t seen for a while. She’d been thinking about weight loss surgery, but was afraid to take the first step. But when she saw the “new me”, she said the exact same words I had said a year ago, “I WANT THAT!” Well, a few weeks ago she got sleeved and she’s doing great! And that’s how this wonderful story continues… I wish all of you great success, and a healthy, exciting, and fun journey to good health!!! Thank you, Rog, for being in our newsletter and for writing such an inspirational and engaging bio! Congratulations on your success – you look fantastic! Don’t forget to check out Rog’s full story! Let us know if you want to be in our Member Spotlight or if you want to nominate a member. Post your nomination in the Member Spotlight Forum or send Alex Brecher a private message (PM). You can be at any point of your WLS journey – you don’t need to be at or near goal weight. And, you don’t need to be a frequent poster on BariatricPal. We want to hear from all members! For Dessert…Fresh Strawberries! Strawberries are in season in late spring and early summer. If you get the chance, go strawberry picking at a local farm. It’s worth the effort. You can spend quality time with your friends or family, burn a few calories while picking berries in the sunshine, and get some of the sweetest and best strawberries you’ll ever taste. Strawberries: The Good and the Bad Then what? Strawberries are high-fiber, low-calorie, and naturally sweet. A cup of sliced berries has 53 calories, no fat, and more than 3 grams of fiber. But don’t turn your strawberries into a high-calorie, sugary disaster. Here’s what not to make with your berries. Strawberry shortcake, with 600 or more calories and 50 or more grams of sugar. Strawberry pie, with 350 calories per slice, before adding ice cream. Strawberry jam or syrup, with 60 calories per tablespoon. The Best Recipes Need some healthier choices? Try one of these. Plain strawberries. Yep, they’re actually really good! Think of them as one of nature’s fast foods. Sliced strawberries in your oatmeal or with fat-free cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, or ricotta. Strawberry pie with alternating layers of sliced strawberries, sugar-free strawberry gelatin, and low-calorie vanilla yogurt. Top with non-fat or sugar-free whipped topping, optional. Strawberry protein smoothie with strawberries, plain or no sugar added vanilla or strawberry Greek yogurt, skim milk, and a scoop of vanilla protein powder. Strawberry Substitutes Not able to eat strawberries? Maybe the seeds are a little much for where you are after weight loss surgery, or they’re too acidic for you? There are plenty of other fruits to try. Apples – fresh or cooked if you need them soft – are available year-round, and other summer fruits are coming in. Try peaches, nectarines, apricots, and the season’s first melons. Of course, frozen fruit works fine, too. Just be sure to choose unsweetened varieties so you don’t get extra sugar without realizing it. Be Patient Enjoy the summer fruit if you’re able to tolerate it. If you’re not quite there yet, don’t rush it. Since fruit does have sugar, it can cause dumping syndrome, especially in gastric sleeve and gastric bypass patients. If your WLS was recent, you need to be careful to avoid peels and seeds – like those in strawberries – until you’re sure you’re completely healed. In the meantime, if you can tolerate it, enjoy peeled, soft fruit like ripe honeydew and watermelon. Have a wonderful start to the summer. Good luck setting and working towards your summer WLS goals!

Due to a scheduling issue there's a good chance I won't be able to attend this year I'm trying to work things out and see if I can still make it. If I can't, I most definitely will attend next years event. Please send regards to Dr. Alvarez for me!

The early-bird pricing deadline is coming up this Friday, June 5, and we don’t want you to miss-out on your chance to save on registration! The affordable early-bird pricing starts at just $30/day or $95 for a Full Convention Registration. These prices will increase after June 5, so if you have not yet registered for the meeting, make your plans today! The OAC’s National Convention features some of the most prominent thought leaders in the field of obesity, such as: Dawn Jackson-Blatner, RDN, CSSD, LDN Dawn Jackson-Blatner is the registered dietitian nutritionist for the Chicago Cubs, a blogger with the Huffington Post and on the advisory board of Fitness magazine. She is the author of The Flexitarian Diet, ranked a top plant-based diet by US News and World Report, and received Lifetime Television’s 2011 “Remarkable Woman Award” for her work in the field of nutrition. Merrill Littleberry, LCSW, LCDC, CCM, CI-CPT One of the most popular Convention speakers each year, Merrill Littleberry is a psychotherapist and understands the debilitating effects of emotional and physical weight. Her training as a licensed chemical dependency counselor and Nationally certified case manager adds to her insight and expertise to improve the unique goals of one’s mind and body. Lloyd Stegemann, MD, FASMBS Dr. Lloyd Stegemann is a metabolic and bariatric surgeon with almost a decade of surgical experience. Dr. Stegemann’s southern charm and personal, down to earth approach to the surgical treatment of obesity has made him a sought-after speaker at local and National events. With the early-bird pricing deadline right around the corner, it’s time to make your plans to join in, “Our Journey: Restore. Refresh. Renew.” at the 2015 Your Weight Matters National Convention. By attending this 3-day educational event, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the BEST education presented by renowned experts! To register today, please CLICK HERE!

Dr. Adeyeri, Thanks for this article for those of us (myself included) who can find the scale creeping up. It’s a good reminder to take responsibility and face reality instead of denying the weight gain or acting like we’re not sure why the scale is going up. Thanks for the great advice. Going back to the beginning always works. Reaching out for help at support groups and anywhere else is good, too, because it helps us hold ourselves accountable. I’d also suggest troubleshooting – sitting down to try to figure out where we might be going wrong. Small changes can creep in without us noticing beforehand, and make us gain weight. Thanks for the article!

I don’t have anything new to add, but what I do have is probably worth repeating a few more times (yep, I realize it’s been said before!). Follow your surgeon’s instructions, including for post-op diet progression, long-term diet choices, exercise, and pretty much everything else. Be patient, whether it’s with your weight loss, your diet progression, your recovery from surgery (and the pain you might have), how you compare to others, or anything else. Get your Protein, drink your Water, and eat your fruits and veggies (once you can!). Appreciate every moment. How often do we get a chance to turn our lives around?

Ice cream…but I try to keep it as a “pleasure” and not as a “guilty” pleasure. I try to plan for it and have it only when I really, really want it, and savor it as I eat it. Then, hopefully, by the time I’m done, I’m satisfied. I’ll have ice cream a few times a year – sometimes something healthified, like frozen yogurt or low-fat ice cream, but sometimes the real thing.

I realized there was a better way to live my life! I knew diets worked, but I didn't stay on them. And, life was about food. One day, I learned from a friend about the lap-band, and immediately I researched it. It's what's helped me lose weight and eat healthy for the last 12 years, and life has been a blast since then!