Alex Brecher

It messes with your vagus nerve. We'll know sooner than later if this is going to be successful.

Here's news released today by the FDA: FDA approves first-of-kind device to treat obesity The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the Maestro Rechargeable System for certain obese adults, the first weight loss treatment device that targets the nerve pathway between the brain and the stomach that controls feelings of hunger and fullness. The Maestro Rechargeable System, the first FDA-approved obesity device since 2007, is approved to treat patients aged 18 and older who have not been able to lose weight with a weight loss program, and who have a body mass index of 35 to 45 with at least one other obesity-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes. BMI, which measures body fat based on an individual’s weight and height, is used to define the obesity categories. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of all U.S. adults are obese, and people with obesity are at increased risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain kinds of cancer. “Obesity and its related medical conditions are major public health problems,” said William Maisel, M.D., M.P.H., deputy director for science and chief scientist in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Medical devices can help physicians and patients to develop comprehensive obesity treatment plans.” The Maestro Rechargeable System consists of a rechargeable electrical pulse generator, wire leads and electrodes implanted surgically into the abdomen. It works by sending intermittent electrical pulses to the trunks in the abdominal vagus nerve, which is involved in regulating stomach emptying and signaling to the brain that the stomach feels empty or full. Although it is known that the electric stimulation blocks nerve activity between the brain and the stomach, the specific mechanisms for weight loss due to use of the device are unknown. External controllers allow the patient to charge the device and allow health care professionals to adjust the device’s settings in order to provide optimal therapy with minimal side effects. The safety and effectiveness of the Maestro Rechargeable System were evaluated in a clinical trial that included 233 patients with a BMI of 35 or greater. The weight loss and adverse events of 157 patients who received the active Maestro device (the experimental group) were compared to 76 patients in the control group who received a Maestro electrical pulse generator that was not activated. The study found that after 12 months, the experimental group lost 8.5 percent more of its excess weight than the control group. About half (52.5 percent) of the patients in the experimental group lost at least 20 percent of their excess weight, and 38.3 percent of patients in the experimental group lost at least 25 percent of their excess weight. The clinical study did not meet its original endpoint, which was that the experimental group lose at least 10 percent more excess weight than the control group. However, an FDA Advisory Committee (the Gastroenterology and Urology Devices Panel) found the 18-month data supportive of sustained weight loss, and agreed that the benefits of the device outweighed the risks for use in patients who met the criteria in the device’s proposed indication. In considering the benefits and risks of the device in its review of the Maestro Rechargeable System, the FDA considered the clinical study and the Panel’s recommendations. Additionally, the Agency looked at an FDA-sponsored survey relating to patient preferences of obesity devices that showed a group of patients would accept risks associated with this surgically implanted device for the amounts of weight loss expected to be provided by the device. As part of the approval, the manufacturer must conduct a five year post approval study that will follow at least 100 patients and collect additional safety and effectiveness data including weight loss, adverse events, surgical revisions and explants and changes in obesity-related conditions. Serious adverse events reported in the clinical study included nausea, pain at the neuroregulator site, vomiting, as well as surgical complications. Other adverse events included pain, heartburn, problems swallowing, belching, mild nausea and chest pain. The Maestro Rechargeable System is manufactured by EnteroMedics of St. Paul, Minnesota. The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products. ###

Ever dream of being on The View? Looking for Pre Ops who have not yet had weight loss surgery who are near New York City who would like to be on The View with Rosie O'Donnel on 1/29/2015. They are taping a segment that day all about WLS and they need pre ops in the audience for Q & A with Rosie and the doctor. If interested email your name, email address and phone number to info@wlsfa.org and they will give the producer your information!

George Fielding is top notch. You're in great hands. Send him my best please.

I closed your topic. You can email me directly at alex@BariatricPal.com if you'd like to discuss this further.

This is a great topic, thanks! I plan on addressing this in a magazine article in the near future.

Ask your surgeon

Please forward the email to me at alex@BariatricPal.com so I can investigate the URL in question. Gracias!

Thanks for the "bump" :-)

Invest in a Volcano vaporizer. My friends who partake tell me that it's the safest method of ingestion.

Sous vide is the only way to cook IMHO! Great choice!! It'll soften up your food without drying it up. You can always cook stuff and freeze it in freezer bags and just reheat in oven.

I've been watching the chat rooms for the last few weeks and members pop in and out of there but there isn't a vibrant chat going on at all times of the day and night like we were all used to previously. It doesn't make sense for us to continue a feature if it's not being widely used by the community. We have other areas we'd rather be working on (food and health trackers etc.) which we hope will be more useful to our WLS community. If you disagree with me, please let me know and I'll consider adding chat back to the site if you feel it's a feature that's widely used and you can't live without.

No single type of weight loss surgery is right for everyone. Choices like the adjustable gastric band, gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve each have their pros and cons. How did you decide which surgery to get? If you haven’t had surgery yet, how are you making your decision? My insurance only covers one type – read my answer below to find out which kind. I was too “small” to qualify for bypass or sleeve, so the lap-band was my best option. I chose the lap-band because it is adjustable; maybe I’ll become pregnant or get sick and need to eat extra food sometime in the future. I got the gastric sleeve because I’m a heavier patient and this was a lower-risk choice. I got the gastric bypass because of the restrictions on sugary foods. I chose my surgery based on the complication rates and expected weight loss. See which one I chose in the discussion below! I have revisional weight loss surgery. Read what happened and why I got it converted in the discussion below! Other. See my choice and reasons in the discussion below! Mark your answer, and feel free to explain it in the conversation below. We want to know what you think about the different types of weight loss surgery!

If your goals for 2015 included getting weight loss surgery, it’s about time to get started. But how do you even do that? How do you choose a surgeon, decide on a type of surgery, and figure out what you need to do to be successful? The process can be overwhelming, but you can take advantage of BariatricPal to help you through almost every part of the journey. Learning About Your Options Okay, so you want weight loss surgery. Which kind? There is no single right answer for everyone. It is an individual decision that you should make using good information. Don’t rely on just one source of information when learning about the different types of weight loss surgery. Instead, gather information from many sources, such as the following. Your primary care physician or another doctor who is recommending weight loss surgery for you. Surgeons at bariatric centers in your area. Trustworthy online sources, such as university hospitals and bariatric centers. People you know who have had the surgery. Weight loss surgery seminars sponsored by a surgeon or medical group. Should you get lap-band, gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, gastric plication, or another type of surgery? As you are researching, consider the following. Do you want the procedure to be adjustable? The lap-band is, which can be helpful if you get sick or if you are planning to have a baby in the future. Do you want the procedure to be reversible if necessary? Weight loss surgery is intended to be permanent, but the lap-band and gastric bypass are reversible if necessary. Do you fear having a foreign object in your body? The gastric sleeve, bypass, and gastric plication do not involve implanted objects, but the adjustable gastric band stays in your body. Which dietary restrictions sound most appropriate for you? Gastric bypass patients need to stay away from sweets to avoid dumping syndrome, gastric sleeve patients need to eat multiple times a day because of the tiny sleeve, and lap-band patients need to be careful about stringy, sticky, and doughy foods that could get caught in the band or cause an obstruction. How much weight do you have to lose? The vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a more common choice for high-BMI patients, while the lap-band is suitable for lower-BMI bariatric patients. Which complications are likely with each type of surgery? Gastric bypass can lead to dumping syndrome and nutritional deficiencies, the gastric sleeve can lead to leakage from staple lines, constipation, and diarrhea, and the lap-band can cause leakages, obstructions, and gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Choosing a Weight Loss Surgeon Your surgeon will be an important person in your life! The surgeon gives you pre-surgery instructions, performs the surgery, and continues to provide follow-up care for months or years. If you get the lap-band, you’ll be going back to your surgeon every time you need a fill or unfill. When choosing a surgeon, look at the following aspects of the surgeon and the bariatric center she works in. Experience performing your specific type of weight loss surgery. The more experience, the lower your risk of complications. Ask how long the surgeon has been performing your type of surgeries, and how many surgeries per week she performs currently. Board certification by the American Board of Surgery, which shows that the surgeon has passed exams and completed training. Recent certification demonstrates ongoing dedication to maintaining knowledge in the field. Membership in the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery to help stay current in the field. Requires extensive follow up. Your success largely depends on post-surgery care. A complete aftercare program includes mandatory office visits and support group meetings for at least a year, and the availability of nutritional counseling. Medical facilities. The anesthesiologist and nurses should be experienced in managing obesity and morbid obesity. The bariatric center should have larger sized toilets, beds, chairs, gowns, and other facilities so you will be comfortable. Preparing Yourself for What’s Ahead Once you settle on a type of surgery and a surgeon, it’s time to get ready for what’s to come. The BariatricPal forums can be of great help here as other members share their own experiences. You’ll need to go through a battery of tests and follow a special diet before surgery. Psychological evaluation to make sure you are mentally and emotionally ready for surgery. Pre-op testing, including blood-work and other labs, and possible tests of your heart and lung function to make sure you can withstand the procedure. A pre-surgery diet. This may include several weeks of a weight loss diet similar to The last few days before surgery, you will likely be on a liquid diet to shrink the liver and further reduce body fat. Support and information from BariatricPal can be especially helpful as you try to imagine what the future will be like. You can learn about the post-surgery diet progression and get recipe ideas. You can find out how other members try to prevent complications and plateaus – and how they deal with them when they come. Building relationships on BariatricPal near the beginning of your weight loss surgery journey make your journey easier. You’ll have a place to go 24/7 where you can ask questions and get encouragement. Support is a major factor in weight loss surgery success, and you’ll be doing yourself good by taking advantage of every opportunity you can to strengthen your support system.

I've watched chat this entire week and it's barely used. How often do you use it and how many people are normally partaking in your chat ? Appreciate your feedback, thanks!

Ditto! Only 67 days until Spring :-)

¡BariatricPal es en castellano! La comunidad para cirugía para perder peso más grande en el mundo es accesible a BariatricPal.es . Hispanohablante en los Estado Unidos y el resto del mundo también entrar en el sitio web en ir a BariatricPal.com. Cliquear en BariatricPal en Español. Le obesidad es un epidemia en la comunidad de hable español en los Estados Unidos y el resto del mundo. En los EEUU, los estadounidenses de origen mexicano y otra gente hispana tienen más riesgo de sobrepeso y obesidad. México, España, Chile, y Argentina son algunos de los países con un problema de obesidad cada vez mayor. Un tercero de adultos en estos países tiene obesidad. Incluye 27 millones de mexicanos y 6 millones de españoles. La obesidad mórbida y la cirugía bariatrica también son comunes en España, México, y América Central, y América del Sur. BariatricPal quiere servir a la gente en estas zonas. BariatricPal.es una red social por la comunidad bariatrica entera. Ese recurso es gratuita. Nuestros miembros utilizan los foros diariamente para dar y recibir consejos y ánimo entres pares. Usted puede establecer su cuenta para miembros, seguir su pérdida de peso, y manejar a sus amigos y sus mensajes privados. El sitio también tiene un directorio de cirujanos con críticas y clasificaciones de otros miembros para que Usted pueda encontrar a un cirujano de confianza en su región. Cirujanos bariatrica y otros profesionales de salud son bienvenidos también. En juntarse a BariatricPal, Usted ganen publicidad instantáneamente a nuestros cienes de miles de miembros. Muchos de ellos hablan español y están buscando un cirujano u otro profesional bariatrica. Contáctenos para más información sobre membresía gratis y mejorada. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BariatricPal is now in Spanish! The world’s largest weight loss surgery community is at BariatricPal.es for Spanish speakers in the U.S. and world. You can also get to the Spanish site by going to BariatricPal.com and clicking on BariatricPal en Español. Obesity is an epidemic in the Spanish-speaking community in the U.S. and worldwide. In the U.S., Mexican-Americans and other Hispanics have higher obesity rates than non-Hispanic whites and Asian Americans. Mexico, Spain, Chile, and Argentina are just a few of the countries with dangerously high – and increasing – obesity rates. One out of three adults in these countries is obese. About 27 million Mexicans are obese, as are 6 million Spaniards. Morbid obesity and bariatric surgery are also common in Spain, Mexico, and Central and South America. BariatricPal is reaching out to these communities through its Spanish site. BariatricPal is a free resource for the entire weight loss surgery community. Our members use the forums daily to give and receive peer-to-peer encouragement and advice. You can set up your member profile, track your weight loss progress, and manage your friends and messages. BariatricPal also has a surgeon directory with member ratings and reviews to help you find a trusted professional in your area. Bariatric surgeons and integrated health professionals are welcome, too. By joining BariatricPal, you gain instant exposure to hundreds of thousands of pre-op and post-op weight loss surgery patients – many of whom speak Spanish and are looking for a surgeon or another bariatric professional. Contact us for more information on free and enhanced memberships and other opportunities.

¡BariatricPal es en castellano! La comunidad para cirugía para perder peso más grande en el mundo es accesible a BariatricPal.es. Hispanohablante en los Estado Unidos y el resto del mundo también entrar en el sitio web en ir a BariatricPal.com. Cliquear en BariatricPal en Español. Le obesidad es un epidemia en la comunidad de hable español en los Estados Unidos y el resto del mundo. En los EEUU, los estadounidenses de origen mexicano y otra gente hispana tienen más riesgo de sobrepeso y obesidad. México, España, Chile, y Argentina son algunos de los países con un problema de obesidad cada vez mayor. Un tercero de adultos en estos países tiene obesidad. Incluye 27 millones de mexicanos y 6 millones de españoles. La obesidad mórbida y la cirugía bariatrica también son comunes en España, México, y América Central, y América del Sur. BariatricPal quiere servir a la gente en estas zonas. BariatricPal es una red social por la comunidad bariatrica entera. Ese recurso es gratuita. Nuestros miembros utilizan los foros diariamente para dar y recibir consejos y ánimo entres pares. Usted puede establecer su cuenta para miembros, seguir su pérdida de peso, y manejar a sus amigos y sus mensajes privados. El sitio también tiene un directorio de cirujanos con críticas y clasificaciones de otros miembros para que Usted pueda encontrar a un cirujano de confianza en su región. Cirujanos bariatrica y otros profesionales de salud son bienvenidos también. En juntarse a BariatricPal, Usted ganen publicidad instantáneamente a nuestros cienes de miles de miembros. Muchos de ellos hablan español y están buscando un cirujano u otro profesional bariatrica. Contáctenos para más información sobre membresía gratis y mejorada. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BariatricPal is now in Spanish! The world’s largest weight loss surgery community is at BariatricPal.es for Spanish speakers in the U.S. and world. You can also get to the Spanish site by going to BariatricPal.com and clicking on BariatricPal en Español. Obesity is an epidemic in the Spanish-speaking community in the U.S. and worldwide. In the U.S., Mexican-Americans and other Hispanics have higher obesity rates than non-Hispanic whites and Asian Americans. Mexico, Spain, Chile, and Argentina are just a few of the countries with dangerously high – and increasing – obesity rates. One out of three adults in these countries is obese. About 27 million Mexicans are obese, as are 6 million Spaniards. Morbid obesity and bariatric surgery are also common in Spain, Mexico, and Central and South America. BariatricPal is reaching out to these communities through its Spanish site. BariatricPal is a free resource for the entire weight loss surgery community. Our members use the forums daily to give and receive peer-to-peer encouragement and advice. You can set up your member profile, track your weight loss progress, and manage your friends and messages. BariatricPal also has a surgeon directory with member ratings and reviews to help you find a trusted professional in your area. Bariatric surgeons and integrated health professionals are welcome, too. By joining BariatricPal, you gain instant exposure to hundreds of thousands of pre-op and post-op weight loss surgery patients – many of whom speak Spanish and are looking for a surgeon or another bariatric professional. Contact us for more information on free and enhanced memberships and other opportunities.

Hi! I hope you are doing well and are making progress towards your weight loss surgery goals, whether they are to get surgery, hit your goal weight, or maintain your new healthy habits. As you know, support is crucial to your success in this journey. BariatricPal is one of the places you can go for support. In-person support groups can be another important factor in your success. When you meet people every week or month, you can look for the following benefits. A greater sense of camaraderie – you’re not in this alone! Accountability – seeing other members in person can be more motivating. Personal growth – opening up in person is much harder and more rewarding than staying anonymous over the internet. Deep friendships – the people you meet in support groups may be the people you call to go walking or just hang out. Most surgeons recognize the value of support groups and many require or ask their patients to attend. Still, not all bariatric surgery patients get enough in-person support. Thousands of pre-op and post-op bariatric surgery patients use BariatricPal’s online forums every day. Now, BariatricPal is providing another way for you to build your support system. BariatricPal Local Chapters is trying to bring face-to-face support groups to your area! Members are the same members of BariatricPal who are there for each other day after day online. Now, you can extend that support into your real life. When Meetings run by your peers in a friendly and helpful atmosphere. In-person support to supplement support from other groups. Members whom you can talk to any time between meetings online at BariatricPal. The same values you get online at BariatricPal. Go to BariatricPal’s Local Chapters page to look for a group in your area. If there is not yet one that is near you and convenient, don’t worry! You can suggest one or start one in the Local Chapters Forum. BariatricPal has plenty of support for anyone who wants to become a Local Chapters Leader – no experience necessary! I hope you will consider joining or starting a BariatricPal Local Chapters group. Please post on the forums or send me a private message to get started. I can’t wait to see what this Local Chapters program can do for our members. Thank you for your support of BariatricPal.

Cheryl Ann Borne hit a high weight of 285 pounds, and got the gastric bypass surgery in 2003. She maintained her weight loss, but the extra skin didn’t go away on its own. In 2013 she began a series of plastic surgeries including a tummy tuck, total body contouring, and facial surgery, and is now a size 2. Cheryl is an obesity health activist who writes as My Bariatric Life on Health Central and PM360 Online. She recently launched her new site, My Bariatric Life, and you can follow her on social media, including on Twitter @MyBariatricLife and on Google+. Weight Gain, Gastric Bypass Surgery, and Lasting Weight Loss Cheryl was an active teen, but she went from “fit to fat” as she turned to processed food. At 5’7”, she got up to a weight of 285 pounds and a size 24W. Cheryl got the gastric bypass surgery in 2003. She had diabetes, celiac disease, depression, acid reflux, asthma, and hypertension. She lost over 100 pounds, managed to get off of 9 of her 10 prescription drugs, and does not have chronic back pain anymore. You can see before and after pictures documenting her transformation by watching this video. A Typical Day in Cheryl’s Life As proof that you can follow a diet without red meat and stick to a high-protein weight loss surgery diet, here is a sample day’s diet in Cheryl’s life. The following day has 1,789 calories, 165 grams of protein, and 79 grams of carbohydrates. Breakfast 2-egg omelet with homemade creamed spinach (dairy-free) and turkey bacon Snack Coffee with coconut milk, roasted coconut juice, and egg white protein powder Mineral water Vitamins/supplements Scivation Xtend intraworkout drink with branched chain amino acids Lunch Tuna salad Baby spring mix and grape tomatoes with lemon vinaigrette Terra Real vegetable chips Dinner Smoked turkey leg, no skin 1 cup turnip greens Snack Egg white protein powder in water Getting Rid of the Traces of Obesity After losing over 100 pounds after the gastric bypass surgery in 2003, Cheryl had a lot of extra skin. In 2006, she met a plastic surgeon whom she really liked. In 2013, she decided to get a tummy tuck. The extra skin hadn’t gone away after weight loss surgery, and she wanted to get rid of it. As she describes below, she was delighted with her surgeon and the results of the tummy tuck, and decided to go further. I went from a size 14 jeans being tight to a perfect size 8 in just 4-months. I was so thrilled with the transformation that I decided to do "all of me." In October 2013, Dr. Joseph F. Capella revised the tummy tuck to a lower body lift, and performed a medial thigh lift, extended arm lift, and breast lift. Dr. Capella removed 11 pounds of skin and one liter of fat, and this enabled me to get active in ways that I was unable to with my hanging pannis and inner thighs that rubbed together. I ran my first 3k with my daughter and granddaughter and eventually I was running 5k. What's more, the muscle plication from the tummy tuck placed renewed constriction on my pouch so I am full with less food, as well, I tightened up on my diet by doing Whole30 [a strict 30-day low-carb diet] and going Paleo. In total, I lost 50 inches and 50 pounds after my body contouring plastic surgery. Today I am a size 2, down from a 24W before my gastric bypass surgery. You can go to HealthCentral to read about Cheryl’s decision to get total body contouring after her tummy tuck. She describes the emotional rollercoaster of the experience, the surgery, and her long road to recovery. She is still dealing with complications from her brachioplasty, but stresses the end goal and her luck in finding a fantastic surgeon who cares about her. She didn’t stop there, and instead decided “to reach for the stars” and see a facial plastic surgeon. In one surgery, Dr. Catherine Winslow took about 15 years off my face, restoring the once pretty face that I had when I was thin. I had a total of 10 procedures: deep plane face lift, neck lift, upper eye lid lift, SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system) to tear troughs and lips, lip lift, chin implant, 35% TCA peel, Botox and filler. I go back from time to time to Nurse Triste at Dr. Winslow's practice for filler and Botox. I look at this maintenance routine along the same vein as maintaining my hair cut and color. Destined to Be a Healer Do you believe in fate? When Cheryl visited Guatemala in May of 2011, a Mayan shaman told her her Mayan symbols showed she was a healer. She could, he said, heal herself and others. As Cheryl tells it below, she wasn’t so sure at first. Then she figured it out. I visited a Mayan Shaman when I was in Guatemala back in May 2011. He said my Mayan symbols told that I am a healer. I can heal myself and I can heal others. He said that I needed to heal others, to not keep this gift to myself, or else I would experience sickness or pain and that this was the only way to cure my chronic back pain, which I had suffered with for years. The Shaman said that I need to realize my true self. The Shaman also said the symbols revealed that I am creative — that I knew for sure, but I wondered was he right about me being a healer? So I tried to heal my beloved mother who was stricken with a rare disease. And I tried to heal my beloved boxer dog, Cindi Lu, who was stricken with an aggressive cancer. But I could not save them and felt that I had failed my destiny. Then in 2012 during a personal development training, I discussed this matter with the instructor. And he replied that maybe I was meant to heal people with my words. I did not give much thought to it after that until one night in 2013, I bolted up from my bed and realized that both the shaman and the instructor were right! Healing with Words Cheryl’s work has exploded. She describes the growth of her writing and advocacy career since finding her voice. I began writing as My Bariatric Life for the HealthCentral Obesity vertical in March 2011, nearly eight years after my gastric bypass. I started out writing just a few articles per month as a health guide -- a patient who would share her real world experience in defeating obesity, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and GERD. My work grew legs. I now write 18 articles and develop two recipes per month for HealthCentral where I have a following of roughly 75,000 unique monthly readers. I also write a quarterly patient advocacy column for PM360 Magazine under my name, Cheryl Ann Borne, and I am a long-standing member of their editorial advisory board. Cheryl also makes her voice heard by posting as My Bariatric Life on social media, including Flickr, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest. She is active on BariatricPal and a site for cosmetic procedure patients called RealSelf. Her goal is to provide fair and trustworthy reviews. And this month I will begin writing a monthly opinion piece as My Bariatric Life for BariatricPal. I also am exploring opportunities with the Obesity Action Coalition, and in the past have partnered with Obesity PPM and the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). ! Daring Move to a New Career as a Digital Health Strategy Consultant Cheryl has been in the health industry since before her surgery. She explains her career as a digital health strategy consultant. My career has been as a promotions strategist, writer, and designer in the healthcare space with the last 12-yrs in digital marketing. I’ve worked with pharmaceutical and biotech companies and digital health ad agencies and non-CME medical education agencies. I help them to understand the evolving digital health ecosystem and, based on their unique market circumstances, specifically how to communicate with patients and physicians in meaningful ways via digital channels and to ultimately achieve better health outcomes. Cheryl is determined to help people improve their lives. Transforming healthcare is important to me. It's is all about the patient. I want to make a difference; I want to help people live healthier lives. When her company cut her position in 2013, she took a positive approach and decided to focus her energy on fighting obesity. She developed a business plan as a digital health strategy consultant with an emphasis on growing My Bariatric Life, her obesity health activist brand. Paleo Follower and Recipe Developer Cheryl believes in the benefits of the Paleolithic Diet. It is a high-protein diet that you can follow after weight loss surgery. It emphasizes meat, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, eggs, nuts, seeds, and oils. It forbids grains, processed foods, dairy products, and potatoes. She plans to help others follow this way of eating. One aspect of my business plan is to launch the brand Borne Appétit in order to teach healthy eating habits and show busy families/couples/singles that it is easy to prepare real food, real simple, and break the cycle of time starvation and over reliance on convenience/processed foods and obesity. To truly understand what it means to eat healthy and break this cycle was something I had to achieve in my own life, and I want to share with people what I have learned through years of experience and experiment. I find the Paleolitihic Diet works best for me…and I enjoy the art of creating delicious recipes within those constraints. I also eat no red meat, only fish and fowl, so this adds an extra level of complexity, which I find stimulating to develop recipes that are not mundane or repetitious. Valuable Life Lessons You can be sure Cheryl has learned a lot of valuable lessons from her weight loss surgery and plastic surgery experiences. She knows the value of maintaining her results, living life fully, and challenging herself to live a life she loves. She also recognizes she has gained freedom and an ability to grow. Beyond the physical transformation are (very unexpected) emotional and spiritual transformations. I’ve returned to some of my roots: ideals and philosophies around the nature of existence that I had walled off (or perhaps ate to insulate myself against) when the emotional pain became too much for my sensitive nature. Plastic surgery was very freeing for me; it freed my jailed spirit. I’ve never been a wallflower but when it came to my body I was timid because I lacked body confidence. And this trickled over into other areas of my life. There were parts of my life that I hid, or situations in which I could not share my feelings, because I was inhibited by the fear of being rejected or judged. And that’s no longer true. I am now able to be my true self, comfortable in my nakedness both physically and emotionally. I am still learning and growing in these areas, particularly in understanding soul relationships and the expression of real love. We are here to play and experience as much as we possibly can. We are here to grow. Often it is through times of adversity that we grow the most because these times force us to get out of our comfort zones. I have come to understand that there are only two emotions. We are either acting out of love or we are acting out of fear, which is the opposite of love. All other emotions are a derivative of love (compassion, forgiveness, self-sacrifice) or a derivative of fear (selfishness, retaliation, deceit). From now on I choose always to act out of love. Do I let go of control and trust my intuition and follow my heart even when it defies my rational faculties or can’t be proven? If I am to act out of love, then yes. Otherwise I return to acting out of fear. As well, I have learned that I need to protect myself from the negative energies of toxic people — those emotional vampires who can turn my love into fear. An Exciting Year to Come Cheryl is expecting a big 2015 in addition to growing her presence as My Bariatric Life and working on Borne Appétit. At the Pharma Marketing Summit in Palm Beach in May, she will be presenting as My Bariatric Life and sharing her story of defeating obesity and its co-morbidities. Also new for this year, I'll finally launch my websites, a dream I've had for a couple of years. I've already launched MyBariatricLife.org for transformative information on defeating obesity and co-morbid diseases. I'll also launch my healthy recipe site BorneAppetit.com and my eating healthy on-the-road travel site BorneVoyage.com. These sites will help a lot of people. It definitely looks as though the Mayan shaman was right when he said Cheryl is a healer. She has come a long way toward healing herself through weight loss surgery, plastic surgery, and healthy living, and she is dedicated to helping others become healthier. Don’t forget to follow Cheryl on social media and through her channel on HealthCentral, and watch for her new monthly opinion piece to be published on BariatricPal! Please click here to read My Bariatric Life's articles in BariatricPal's Weight Loss Surgery Magazine.

Happy New Year! It’s a time for a fresh start. What will 2015 mean for you? Will it be the year you get weight loss surgery, lose significant weight, or maybe maintain your major weight loss for the first time in your life? The New Year gives you a chance to start over, but what exactly can you do to take advantage? Here are some tips for making resolutions that keep you moving forward, plus advice for preparing your home to help you lose weight and stay healthy. Make Your Resolutions It’s hard to think about the New Year without thinking about New Year’s resolutions. But did you really keep your resolutions in 2014? This year, make resolutions that actually help you hit your goals. Make them realistic. “I resolve to run a marathon by the end of the year” is definitely a challenging and motivating goal, but it’s not very realistic if you’re currently walking a few miles a day. A more realistic resolution is, “I resolve to continue exercising for as long as I currently am and to add some running into my walks.” Make them specific. “I resolve to eat right this year” sounds great, but what does it really mean? How do you know if you’re “eating right?” More specific resolutions are, “I resolve to stick to my weight loss surgery diet plan” and “I resolve to eat at least 70 grams of protein and average no more than 1,500 calories a day.” Make them controllable. “I resolve to lose 100 pounds this year” is specific and realistic, if you still have a lot of weight to lose, but it’s not necessarily under your control. You might do everything right and lose “just” 75 pounds, or you might have trouble with your lap-band and see your weight loss stall. A more controllable resolution might be, “I resolve to choose protein first at breakfast and lunch, and to measure and log my food.” You can carry out this kind of resolution regardless of circumstances outside of your control. Clear Out Your Kitchen… After the holidays, your kitchen may have turned into a disaster area. Baked goods and holiday leftovers tend to pile up on the counter, in the fridge, and in the pantry. Some household seem to attract boxes of chocolate and other edible gifts. They need to go – now. If they stick around, they’re inevitably going to find themselves in your stomach (or sleeve, or pouch). If you have been doing a lot of holiday baking and cooking, take a look at your ingredients. Are they likely to cause trouble? Brownie mixes that you used to make holiday cookies are just a few quick minutes away from being a pan of delicious brownies in a moment of weakness, and the butter you stored to use for baking can easily hop into a pan next time you’re making a batch of eggs. If the ingredients aren’t in the house, they can’t be eaten. …And Stock It Back Up If your kitchen is depleted of healthy items, it’s time to stock back up. Your healthy grocery list should be the same as it was just a couple of months ago, before the holiday season struck. Lean proteins: chicken and turkey breast, ground turkey, canned tuna Reduced-fat dairy: non-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese. Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. Whole grain pasta, brown rice, oatmeal, and high-fiber bread. Also make sure all of your measuring spoons and cups are accounted for and your kitchen scale is working. If you’re going to eat cleanly, you need to be able to measure all of your food precisely. Do you have enough containers to store food, and some reusable water bottles to carry with you? Do a Little Troubleshooting Was there anything that kept you from achieving your goals last year? Maybe you were too busy to plan and cook healthy meals. Or you kept nibbling between meals or while preparing them in the kitchen. Or when you came home late after work, you let down your guard and ate too much. These little problems can get in the way of your weight loss. Try to identify any patterns that got in your way last year, and figure out what you will do this year to avoid them. For example: Suck on a sugar-free breath mint while cooking dinner so you don’t nibble. Cook bigger batches of healthy food on weekends so you’re not caught without healthy meals during the week. Plan something fun for the evening, like watching a movie with your spouse, so you don’t turn to food. Go to bed a little earlier so it’s easier to get up to work out in the morning. You don’t need to overhaul your whole life. A few small changes can be enough to get you on the right track this year. Make the most of your good intentions at the beginning of the New Year, and hit the ground running!

When you start thinking about New Year, New You, you might start thinking about all kinds of changes you could make to hit your health and weight loss goals in 2015. Since all of these changes can get overwhelming, it’s helpful to pinpoint a single change to focus on. Which one change can you make to help you reach your goals? Eat more Protein. I’ll make sure to choose it first at most meals. Log my food – every bite! Stop munching and nibbling – eat only at meals and Snacks that I’ve planned. Get rid of the junk food that has crept back in my diet since I first got weight loss surgery and followed the weight loss surgery diet. Exercise more consistently. Drink more Water (or other calorie-free beverages). Other – read my answer in the discussion below! Select your answer, then tell us about it in the discussion below. We want to know how you’re going to reach your goals this year!

Thank you all for your very kind words. Makes my heart feel all warm and fuzzy

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Dear BariatricPal Members, Happy New Year! May 2015 be filled with health, happiness, and weight loss surgery success for you and your family! There’s no doubt that weight loss surgery is on your mind as you Celebrate the end of 2014 and get ready to welcome 2015. So, here’s what you’ll find in this newsletter to close out the Old Year and start the New Year strong. Last Party of the Year: A Chance for WLS Success A New Year: Which Small Changes Will You Make? Your New Year’s Day Game Plan BariatricPal looks forward to our own growth and lots of new projects in 2015. We also can’t wait to see how your year goes. Thanks for making us a part of your weight loss journey, and thanks for helping each other become healthier. Happy New Year! Sincerely, Alex Last Party of the Year: A Chance for WLS Success The holiday season is long. By the time New Year’s hits, you might have had a Thanksgiving celebration, a few holiday parties at work and with friends, and a Hanukah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa party. Needless to say, the events make weight loss almost impossible. The good news for weight loss is that the season’s almost over! Whether you’ve been remarkably self-restrained since Thanksgiving, or you’ve given in to the temptations, life’s about to get back to normal. That can’t be a bad thing. For most people, there’s one more big party: New Year’s Eve. It may seem like just another barrier to losing weight, but it doesn’t have to be. It can actually be a neat opportunity! How’s that? Gather Some Momentum You may not have much momentum going if you feel like you’ve knocked over one hurdle after another this season. Turn it around this New Year’s Eve. When you eat right on December 31, you’ll prove to yourself that you can do it, no matter how hard it is. Carry that confidence with you right into the New Year, and there’s no telling how far your confidence can take you. Your Party Plan Maybe you’ve been using the tried-and-true tips, or maybe you haven’t had a chance yet this year. These tips can get you through the party feeling nourished but not stuffed or sick. Give them a try. Eat Right Is that even possible? Yes, it is. The only thing you need to eat right is the right food, and you can easily take charge of that. Serve some healthy dishes if you are hosting the party, or bring a few to share if you are a guest. Here are a few nutritious finger foods to consider. Cut bell peppers, cauliflower or broccoli florets, baby carrots, or celery sticks with hummus. Deviled eggs made with low-fat Greek yogurt instead of mayo. Teriyaki skewers with cubed tofu, grilled red peppers, and mushrooms with teriyaki sauce. Mini pizzas on hollowed baby portabellos. Stick to your safe foods, or you can also allow yourself a bite or two of certain favorite treats. Keep track of every bite you eat in your head or on your smartphone to keep yourself from accidentally overdoing it. Stay Away from Alcohol Say no to alcohol. Liquor and mixed drinks are high in calories. A 4-ounce (half-cup) glass of champagne has 78 calories, and an apple martini has 235 calories. Plus, alcohol lowers your inhibition – so you’re less likely to be able to pass up high-calorie foods. And finally, everyone knows you shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach, but every weight loss surgery patient knows you shouldn’t drink while you’re eating. Alcohol and weight loss surgery just don’t mix! Grab a glass of Water, and enjoy it. It’s calorie-free, and it’ll keep you sober. It’ll also keep you busy so you don’t go for the food. If you’re tired of water, try some hot coffee or tea. Enjoy the Party What does this have to do with weight loss and weight loss surgery? You may be surprised… What do you love about parties? The food? Not anymore. The real reason for parties is to celebrate people. Once you embrace that idea, you may just find that parties are a whole lot more fun than when you’re focused only on piling your plate. This year, enjoy the people and the decorations. Soak in the party atmosphere, and see how much more you love the party. Carry that lesson with you the rest of the year, too – life is about people and events, not about food. A New Year: Which Small Changes Will You Make? What Can 2015 Mean to You? Maybe it’ll be the year you get weight loss surgery to finally take control of your life. Maybe it’ll be a year of colossal weight loss following weight loss surgery. Maybe it’ll be a year of gaining confidence that you can maintain your weight loss for life. Whichever you choose, 2015 can be the best year yet. What you make of 2015 is up to you. What a Difference a Year Can Make Take a second to think back over 2014. Did you really try your best every day? What would be different now if you had made a few changes consistently? If you’d… Gone to the gym an extra two times each week and burned 500 calories each time, you could be down another 15 pounds by now. Phoned local surgeons to schedule consultations for weight loss surgery, maybe your surgery would be scheduled – or over – by now. Brought a 400-calorie lunch instead of ordered at the restaurant when the gang went out for lunch on Fridays, you could be down another 10 or 15 pounds by now. Skipped the pre-dinner tastes while cooking dinner, you could be down 30 pounds. Tiny changes like these can really add up. Thinking about what a difference a year can make can get you motivated to start off right. Which changes can you make in 2015 to get the results you want by 2016? Your New Year’s Day Game Plan You’re gung-ho and ready to go. You just know 2015 is going to be your year. So what are you planning to do when New Year’s Day finally gets here? Here are a few ideas to start the year off right. Clean the house. Okay, it may not be the most glamorous-sounded idea, but it is a nice symbolic gesture. Plus, it burns calories. Get rid of the junk food. If you can’t face cleaning the entire house, at least you can get rid of the extra calories so you don’t end up eating them. Say goodbye to the Christmas Cookies, candy canes, and everything else that you know shouldn’t be there. Don’t forget to restock your kitchen with lean Proteins and other essentials next time you go grocery shopping. Get active with or without the family. If you can recruit the kids, your spouse, or a neighbor, great. If not, enjoy a peaceful walk to clear your head and get your mindset back where it needs to be – on your health. Plan a few meals. Things get busy as soon as New Year’s is over. Plan a few high-Protein meals and, if you’re inclined, look for some new weight loss surgery-friendly menus. Choose a fitness challenge. Find a 5k or another challenge that takes place in a month or two. That’ll motivate you to get moving. Long onto BariatricPal. See what other members are doing to start the year off right, and share your own goals. You’ll be amazed at how a bit of momentum can build into serious results. A few good actions on New Year’s Day can give you the start you need to have the 2015 you want. Thanks for being part of BariatricPal in 2014, and we can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store for the community and for you. Stop by as often as you can to read and post in the forums, and don’t be shy about contacting us. Happy New Year!