Alex Brecher

Ha! Glad it was only that. Good to hear you're enjoying the new app.

Hi Shirley, Are you logged in to the app ?

I'm sorry but IMHO none of the heart rate monitor apps that use the light on the iPhone are REMOTELY accurate. I've tested every single one (while wearing a Polar chest strap and watch to compare results.) It's quite possible they're accurate when you're sitting and motionless but definitely not when I'm on a long run in Central park! It's also really really inconvenient and almost impossible to use these apps while doing most exercises. Correct me if I'm wrong please, I'd love to accurately monitor my heart rate without wearing an annoying chest strap.

I had and used the FitBit Force for over a year. They're no longer available due to a voluntary recall since some people were getting skin irritation from the rubber wrist band. I personally never had any issues and would highly recommend getting one via eBay or other online stores that still have them available. It was really cool tracking my steps and sleeping patterns. Sadly, I lost my Force a few weeks ago while I was rappelling My contact at FitBit was gracious enough to replace it but I received the Flex model instead I LOVED the digital screen on the Flex and stopped wearing the Flex the last few weeks. I gave it away to a neighbor that was in need. I'm waiting for the next gen tracker to come out before I splurge for another. I want a device that has a heart rate monitor and other more advanced features built in. Hoping Apple releases an iWatch with all these features in the near future.

I couldn't agree with you more! IMHO BariatricPal is the best social network for anything related to Weight Loss Surgery . We try to support people interested in WLS, regardless where they post. Maybe suggest she jump on over here for support. I can't personally do that since we don't solicit for members on social networks.

Nobody on Twitter here ?

Ditto! I measured, calculated and tracked all my calorie intake when I first had surgery. After 11 years of living with the Lap-band, I make the right choices and listen to my body and Band. I does help that I only stock my fridge, freezer and pantry with (mostly) healthy and nutritious items. I normally cut up fruits and veggies and have them readily available if I need to grab a quick snack.

Your diet is the most important factor in weight loss. The weight loss surgery diet includes about 65 to 80 grams of Protein per day, nutritious foods from different food groups, and a limited number of calories. When you're planning your diet, how do you make sure you're sticking to the plan? You count grams of protein and make sure to avoid high-fat, high-sugar foods. You count calories and don't worry about the rest. You stick to the meal plan your surgeon or nutritionist gave you and make sure to have the right number of servings at each meal. You choose one high-protein food and one or two servings of fruit, vegetables, or starch at each meal. You eat until you're full but don't worry about counting or measuring. Something else – let us know in the conversation! Mark your answer and explain it in the conversation below. We want to know how you make sure you're sticking to your diet!

We just released a new version of our Android App. The iOS version will be updated Monday or Tuesday this week and will resolve your messaging issue.

One of our twitter followers had the following question: " @@BariatricPal How does one beat meltdowns that come after #gastricsleeve surgery? Had a rough night, food was everywhere, tears were shed. " If you're on Twitter, PLEASE take a moment and respond to her tweet!

Merged your accounts and sent you an email.

My apologies, the team password is: BariatricPal

Doing a little happy dance at my computer!

Gracias!

Awesome! I'd really love to get a nice sized group representing BariatricPal at the event.

I've received some new and very disturbing info about Omar from multiple members over the last 24 hours. Does anyone know how we can reach Dr. Ilian directly ? It seems that Omar controls everything from his private email to cell phone. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

You can retrieve your password here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/index.php?app=core&module=global&section=lostpass

Twitter Are your friends and family helping you lose weight or standing in your way? Don’t let your social network hold you back! Facebook Your friends and family can affect whether you lose weight as quickly as you’d like. You are more likely to become obese if your sibling, spouse, or friend is obese, and more likely to want to lose weight if your friends want to. Ask your friends to join you in eating well and exercising so that you can all get healthy and enjoy life more together! If You Want to Lose Weight, Keep an Eye on Your Social Network One of the first things you learn about weight loss surgery is that you need a support system. The more friends and family you have around, the more likely you are to lose weight. At least, that’s what you’re told. It’s mostly true but it’s not completely right. The truth is that your friends and family don’t always help you lose weight. If you have anyone sabotaging your efforts, you already know that. But your friends and family may be dragging you down without trying to. You may not even realize it’s happening. Once you do, though, you can resist the bad influence. Effect of Friends and Family on Weight Take a look at your friends and family. Are they overweight? If they are, they may be getting in the way of your own weight loss. Part of it may be genetic. If one sibling gains weight, the other is 40 percent more likely to also gain weight, according to research described in the December 2011 edition of the Harvard Men’s Health Watch. You might point to genes to explain why you can predict people’s weight gain based on their siblings’ weight gain. That may be partly true, but consider this. Spouses are 37 percent more likely to become obese if their spouse does. Okay, live together, eat together, gain or lose weight together. That makes sense, right? But do you know whose weight is most closely related to yours? It’s not the weight of your siblings or spouse. It’s your friends’ weights! If you have a close friend who becomes obese, your risk of becoming obese increases by a scary 57 percent! And, if your friends want to lose weight, you’re more likely to want to lose weight. How Your Friends Affect Your Weight You don’t live with your friends, and you don’t share their genes. So why should their weight affect yours? Part of it is just from trying to be a good friend. Your friend’s job is to cheer you up and accept you for who you are. That’s great in most cases because we all need someone on our side. Unfortunately, it works against you when you tell your friend that you just ate a half a pizza because you had a bad day at work, your friend may just tell you that you deserved that pizza. Worse, she might invite you out so that the two of you can split another pizza. Also, your perception of what is normal and acceptable might shift towards what your friends do and think. If they are overweight or obese, you may not see yourself as unhealthily overweight even if you are. If they share a few boxes of doughnuts every Sunday, you might not see any problem with those extra hundreds of calories. But continuing to do what they do can get in the way of hitting your weight loss goals. Make New Friends… When you’re getting started on your weight loss journey, think about making a few new friends who are going to support your new commitment to health. Other weight loss surgery patients: they’re going through exactly the same things that you are. Exercise buddies: find them at the gym, in the park, or through craiglist.com or meetup.com. Don’t be shy about asking if you can join them for a workout or two. If they say no, ask someone else. You might end up making a few new friends that you can hang out at other times during the day. …And Keep the Old You don’t have to ditch your old friends and stay away from your siblings and parents if they’re overweight. Ideally, you can be open with them. Explain how hard you are working to get healthy, and let them know how they can help. If you’re lucky, they’ll be willing to change some of their behaviors to support your goals and get healthier themselves. Meet to go shopping or take a walk in the park instead of to eat at a restaurant. Order an egg white omelet instead of pancakes with butter, syrup, and sausage when you go out for breakfast. Meet your friends to do crafts or pack lunches for a homeless shelter instead of baking and eating cookies. If your old friends and your family are unwilling to change, you don’t need to avoid them. Even being aware of how friends and family can affect you can protect you from following their leadwhile you’re hanging out with them. Be on the lookout for unhealthy behaviors, and make your own healthy decisions. Skip the table’s appetizers and enjoy your glass of ice water. Order what you know is right, like chicken breast or fish and vegetables, while everyone else is ordering pasta or steak, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Savor coffee while everyone else is digging into dessert. Lean on them for sympathy when you’re struggling, but don’t use them as eating buddies anymore. Eventually, they may see how happy and successful you are, and they may be ready to ask you for help losing weight. Your friends and family are there to support you, but sometimes their love for you isn’t good for your weight loss journey. Ask them to help you out by setting a good example, and keep yourself from following their lead if you know they’re eating badly.

We're going to release a new version of our Android as well as our iOS app this week. Stay tuned......

Not that I'm aware. Are you using this link ?

Please see attached.

The double post was deleted shortly after you reported it, thanks.

We hope to have a new updated iPad app out shortly. Possibly next week.

Are you using the app, the full website or the mobile site via the browser on your iPad please ?

This feature isn't available via our app - yet. In the interim, please log on to http://Bariatricpal.com from a regular computer or laptop and update this info.