Alex Brecher

This topic and discussion is partially to blame for what's holding back Bariatric surgery from being widely accepted. Sadly, our members mirror the feelings and voices of Bariatric surgeons. I recently wrote an article on this divisive topic "Unchecked fighting amongst ourselves does a disservice to the field of bariatric surgery and to bariatric surgery patients and candidates. It weakens our collective voice, making us less influential. An inability to present a unified front harms the very patients that we are trying to protect." "Sleeve, Bypass, or Band? A perennial question in the field of bariatric surgery is which bariatric procedure to perform on a given patient. The answer to this question should be based solely on the interests of the patient, but this does not always seem to be the case. The respective prevalence of the difference procedures seems to come in waves. This is justifiable for some reasons, since increased knowledge and improved techniques make some options obsolete while giving us new viable choices. However, far too much of the decision seems to be based on current popularity than on the patient’s interest. The adjustable gastric band was all the rage about a decade ago. Since then, many surgeons have soured on it and are more likely to encourage the vertical gastric sleeve. Neither type of surgery is the single “right” solution. Disadvantages of the band include risk of slippage, obstruction, and erosion, while the sleeve in turn is irreversible and can carry risks of staple line leakage. The gastric bypass remains a popular option, but has its own drawbacks, including greater risk for malnutrition, dumping syndrome, and bowel obstruction. The band, bypass, and sleeve all have the potential to lead to weight loss as long as the patient sticks to the required diet. When it comes to weight loss and maintenance, none of the surgery types is fail-proof, although the gastric bypass may have a slight edge. Weight regain is almost certain if patients remove the band without getting another procedure. And, inappropriate eating habits will lead to weight regain regardless of whether the patient has the band, bypass, or sleeve." I'd like to take this opportunity to remind our members of the forum rules everyone has agreed to abide by: Forum Rules and Guidelines Welcome to BariatricPal! A warm welcome from the entire BariatricPal team! Forum registration is free. Our community includes members from all kinds of different backgrounds and regions of the world, but we all share the goal of leading healthier lives. To keep BariatricPal a friendly and helpful place for the entire community, we have developed the following rules and policies. We ask all member to follow these guidelines, and members who do not follow them may have their posts removed or accounts suspended or terminated. Your use of BariatricPal is your agreement that you accept all forum policies. Forum Moderation and Community Standards Full-time BariatricPal administrators moderate the forums. All posts must follow the posting guidelines outlined below. To maintain BariatricPal’s high standards, we reserve the right to remove, modify or move any post or thread at our discretion and without explanation. Please contact us if you do not understand any of the rules, guidelines or policies outlined below. BariatricPal administrators and moderators attempt to prevent or remove all objectionable messages. To help us, please use the “Report Post” link to let us know when you see a post that violates the forum guidelines. A moderator will look into the matter. BariatricPal.com reserves the right to accept or dismiss user complaints at its sole discretion. Disrespectful and Hurtful Posts are Forbidden All posts must fit within BariatricPal’s guidelines for acceptable posts. Posts must be consistent with BariatricPal’s core beliefs. Weight loss surgery can be an effective tool to fight obesity. Our common goal is to fight obesity through a unified voice. No weight loss surgery is inherently better or worse than any other. Each has advantages, and each has disadvantages. Some individuals are good candidates for one kind of surgery, and other individuals are better candidates for another kind of surgery. No individual is more or less deserving of weight loss and health because of a decision to get or not get weight loss surgery, or because of which type of weight loss surgery he or she chooses. BariatricPal serves as a place where anyone can ask questions about weight loss surgery without fear of ridicule. BariatricPal serves as a forum for open discussion and polite disagreement so that everyone can benefit. Weight loss surgery “bashing” is absolutely prohibited. This include, but is not limited to, statements that a specific type of weight loss surgery is: Bad or wrong Easier than another type of weight loss surgery or “cheating” when someone is trying to lose weight Out of date or obsolete Doomed to failure In addition, “bashing” of individuals is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, statements that a person is: Lazy for choosing one type of weight loss surgery over another Unprepared for or undeserving of weight loss surgery because of Deserving of complications or disappointing weight loss because of their choice of weight loss surgery Violations of these rules and consequences will be determined at the sole discretion of BariatricPal and based on individual situations. They may include, but are not limited to, the following: Editing or removal of the offensive post(s) Warning from BariatricPal staff or Forum Hosts to avoid such posts in the future Temporary suspension of membership Permanent removal of the member’s account These guidelines do NOT forbid disagreement and candid discussions on BariatricPal. Members may discuss and defend their points of view in respectful manners. Please feel free to contact BariatricPal with any questions about these guidelines. Remember that written communication is different from face-to-face communication. When you post a message on the discussion forum, send someone a text message, email, or private message, or meet in a chat room, a lot of the message is lost. When you are face-to-face with someone, you can use tone of voice, gestures, and expressions to help get your point across. These aids are lost when you communicate online. Your message can accidentally come across as harsh or rude. A good way to reduce accidental misunderstandings is to read your own message before posting it to see if there is any way that a reader could mistake its meaning in a negative way. Additional BariatricPal Posting Guidelines Be polite. Rudeness is not tolerated and can lead to post removal or account suspension. All members have the right to express their opinions and are encouraged to do so while maintaining a courteous tone. Posts that are forbidden include, but are not limited to, the following: Rude posts Obscenity, pornography and profanity. The following are examples of unacceptable content in photos: nudity underwear, thongs, g-strings, or banana hammocks excessive cleavage close-up shots of cleavage, butt, breasts or crotch in any state of dress hateful or violent imagery images containing profanity. Posts that are disrespectful or include personal attacks. If another user attacks you, do not reciprocate. Instead, use the Report Post link and an administrator will handle the problem ​Any abuse towards our staff and/or management in any form Posts that contain derogatory references to sex, gender, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation, or endorsement of violence against any person or group, even if couched in humor. Use common sense. Don’t break the law Don’t use others’ experiences as medical advice. Do not use the forums to share private contact information, such as telephone numbers, email addresses, mailing address, instant messenger IDs, etc. Use PM or email for personal discussions. Never post an email or PM from another BariatricPal user or administrator. BariatricPal forbids commercial activity on the forums. No advertising, self-promotion, fund-raising, direct marketing or selling on the forums. You may not post any links or mentions of other services, websites, or businesses from which you or an associate might benefit financially or otherwise. You also may not solicit off-Forum contact from which you might benefit. Examples of forbidden activity include "Message me for more info" and "I can get you free samples." Members may use their signatures to indicate a commercial affiliation by including a single link to a web site of their choice, with no more than one line of explanation in addition. This signature text is not to exceed the default font size of forum posts (size=2). Requests or solicitations for donations are prohibited. This includes requesting contributions to "pooled fund" competitions, requests for votes in any venue (e.g., online contests) and requests for charitable contributions. Posts and messages to members promoting websites that compete with BariatricPal are prohibited. Recommendations or reviews of surgeons, hospitals and other bariatric products and services are welcome only if based on the reviewer's personal experience. The reviewer must have no financial interest in the subject being reviewed. Violations will result in the posts being removed and a possible permanent ban of membership. BariatricPal allows one account per member and one member per account. If you are unable to log in, please contact us. Cross-posting is prohibited on BariatricPal. Cross-posting refers to posting new duplicate threads or posts, or the linking to threads or posts already started by the member with the intention of gaining exposure. Posting the same message to multiple boards or multiple groups is a form of spam. Please note that this is NOT a guideline against inadvertently posting a question another member has asked before. We explicitly allow members to post questions that have been asked previously by other members. If you see a member post a topic that you think has been asked before by another member, please respond politely or simply move on. However, the same member cannot ask the same question or post the same topic more than once. Do not hi-jack topics. Please stay on-topic within a forum topic.

Welcome to the Mini Gastric Bypass (Omega Loop) Surgery Forum! This is the place for you if you have the mini gastric bypass, if you're thinking about getting it, or if you just want to learn a little bit about it. Come talk about: The mini gastric bypass diet. Risks and complications. Amount of weight you can expect to lose. The procedure. Nutritional deficiencies. The mini gastric bypass surgery has been around for a while, but it’s been getting more attention recently. The procedure and amount of weight people lose are similar to the roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery procedure, but the omega loop procedure is quicker. You may be a little less likely to have complications from it, too. Enjoy the Mini Gastric Bypass (Omega Loop) Surgery Forum!

Click here to view the recipe.

I asked and I was told that there will be multiple Mexican surgeons attending this event.

A lot of us have slightly different habits during the summer compared to the rest of the year. We often have a little bit more time in the summer, and the extra time, sunny days, and long evenings give us the chance to do things we can't always do year-round. Some of your healthy summer habits might be swimming, walking around town with your friends, or playing with your children at the park. Unfortunately, not all summer traditions are healthy. Before weight loss surgery, you may have depended on frozen treats to help beat the heat and have fun. Ice cream cones, bars, and sandwiches, popsicles, smoothies, and slushies are cold choices, but they do not belong on your weight loss surgery diet. They can be high in calories, so your weight loss can stall. They can be high in sugar, so you can get dumping syndrome, especially if you are a gastric bypass patient. They can be low in nutrients, so you are less likely to meet your daily needs. They can be high in saturated fat, which is bad for your heart. They’re low in protein. So what can you do when you want something cold and refreshing but don’t want to throw your weight loss off track? There are plenty of options for cold summer treats to buy or make while sticking to your diet. Avoid the Bad Choices There’s no doubt that ice cream tastes good, so you may need a little extra help gathering the willpower to resist it. The following scary statistics should be enough to make you think twice before indulging. An ice cream sandwich can have 360 calories and 10 grams of saturated fat (more than half the maximum you should have in a day). A cup of Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream (half of a pint) has 600 calories and 20 grams of saturated fat. That’s like having two meals and only getting 8 grams of protein! A brownie sundae from Baskin Robbins has 920 calories and 97 grams of sugars. Eat one of those, and you’ll be near your calorie limit for the day. A fruit smoothie can seem innocent, but an original Mega Mango smoothie from Jamba Juice has 340 calories and 78 grams of sugars. You’re likely to feel pretty sick from all that sugar and hardly any protein. The best way to arm yourself against these diet disasters is to have your own alternatives at the ready. Try These Healthy Options Fruit is high in fiber and low in calories, and is a great choice for frozen snacks. Add protein to your treat by using Greek yogurt or a small portion of nuts or peanuts. Try these ideas, or create your own variations. Roll a banana in chopped peanuts and freeze it. Mix the peanuts with cinnamon before rolling, if you want. Freeze melon or watermelon balls or grapes. Make raspberry lemonade pops by blending raspberries – or your choice of berries – and light lemonade. Pour into paper cups, stick popsicle sticks in the centers, and freeze them. Blend mango, peach, or another soft fruit with Greek yogurt, keeping it chunky. Freeze. Dip strawberries, peach slices, or cherries into light Greek vanilla yogurt. Put the fruit on wax paper on a cookie sheet, and freeze your treats. Check the Ice Cream Aisle The ice cream aisle has some options that are good for occasional treats. Sugar-free popsicles have 15 calories each. No sugar added fudge pops have 40 calories each. A small no sugar added ice cream sandwich has 100 calories. A half-cup of no sugar added vanilla frozen yogurt or ice cream has 90 calories. Don't Get Tricked! Never assume anything is healthy or low-calorie. Always read the nutrition facts panel and list of ingredients. Then make your own decision about whether the food belongs on your weight loss surgery diet. Low-fat and fat-free products can be high in sugar and calories. “Light” can mean light in color, light in calories, or light in something else. Low-carb and low-sugar products can be high-calorie and high-fat. Fat-free toppings, such as caramel or chocolate topping, can be high in sugar and contain 50 calories per tablespoon (that’s not a big serving size!). Frozen Treats and Your Weight Loss Surgery Diet Rules: Solids and Liquids After weight loss surgery, you are supposed to drink liquids separately from when you eat solid foods. This is true whether you have the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, lap-band, sleeve plication, or another kind of surgery. The reason is that solid foods stay in your stomach, pouch, or sleeve for a while, while liquids flow through more quickly and leave your stomach empty. When you eat ice cream or ice pops, they melt in your stomach, sleeve, or pouch. This means that you do not stay full for as long as you would if you ate the same number of calories in solid foods. This does not mean that you can never have frozen treats, but it does mean that you should be aware of the extra calories you are taking in when you eat them. If possible, eat them with solid foods, such as fruit or nuts, to stay full. Frozen Treats and Your Weight Loss Surgery Diet Rules: Portion Control Another weight loss surgery diet rule is to use portion control. An innocent 90-calorie half-cup serving of non-fat frozen yogurt becomes a 360-calorie mistake if you sit down with the pint or fill up a regular-sized bowl with frozen yogurt. Always measure your portions. Treats for the Liquid and Pureed Foods Stages Ice cream and fresh fruit are off limits during the liquid post-op stage, and you can only eat selected fresh fruit on the pureed foods diet. You can still enjoy healthy, refreshing treats this summer. For example, you can enjoy frozen juice pops or make a fruit slushie without the added sugars. Freeze one or more kinds of juice in ice cube trays. Mix and match flavor combinations, such as apple and grape, a citrus blend with grapefruit, tangerine, and orange juices, or a tropical mixture using pineapple and raspberry lemonade juices. Be sure to choose 100 percent juice instead sugar-sweetened juice drinks. When you are ready for your treat, grind the cubes in the blender until they are more like chips. If your surgeon has suggested that you avoid orange juice because of its acidity, look for a low-acid brand in your supermarket.

Two of them were available last year on Kindle, thanks!

I wrote 4 books on weight loss surgery. Please click here for more info.

Join us at the WLSFA meet and greet in Cali next year and I'd be more than happy to sign it!

You'll be able to view more info on this event in the coming weeks at http://wlsfacaliforniadreaminfundr2015.sched.org/ as well as http://www.wlsfa.org/meetgreet/ . Please make sure to use the BariatricPal group link to order your event tickets! You'll receive discounted rates as well as special perks at the WLSFA event.

I'm not certain they're going to have Bariatric surgeons at the event. They will have plastic surgeons attending and exhibiting.

URGENT SUPPORT NEEDED: Representatives Johnson (D-TX) and Blumenauer (D-OR) are circulating a letter for members of Congress to support state health exchange plans providing equal and fair coverage for obesity treatment tools. The OAC is always advocating for better access to obesity treatment options, and they need YOUR help to explain why this is so important! It takes only 30 seconds! You can make a difference – ask your representatives to sign-on in support of covering obesity treatments in state health exchanges by clicking here. Please also help spread the word – we have only a short time to influence this issue!

No excuses We have members traveling from Australia!

Thanks! It's been corrected.

Hey, BariatricPal Members! Another month has gone by, and we’re deep into summer. We hope you have been taking advantage of the season to drink plenty of Water, try a few new fruits and vegetables, and enjoy some time outdoors with your family. We’ve been working hard over at BariatricPal, and we’ll give you a taste of what we’ve been up to in this newsletter. Here is what you will find in the newsletter. Member Poll: What Do You Do When a Craving Hits? Member Spotlight: Meet Carolinagirl! BariatricPal Updates: Stay in the Loop! Enjoy the newsletter, then head on over to the boards for some inspiration and fun. Thanks as always for your support! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Member Poll: What Do You Do When a Craving Hits? Everyone has a craving sometime. It might be for pizza, ice cream, tacos, Pasta, or any of the other foods that you used to eat – or overeat – before weight loss surgery. What do you do when a craving hits? Wait until it passes, even if it’s a few days. Wait a day, and then give in if the craving is still there. Make a healthy substitute, such as sugar-free hot chocolate instead of brownies or light popcorn as a salty, crunchy substitute for potato chips. Have a bit or two of the real thing, since that is the only thing that will satisfy you. Give in. Enjoy your treat, and worry about the consequences tomorrow. Choose your answer, and explain it in the conversation on BariatricPal. Share your tips for dealing with cravings, and include any recipe swaps that you use to deal with your cravings in a healthy way! Member Spotlight: Meet Carolinagirl! We are very glad to feature Carolinagirl in this month’s newsletter! She is from Raleigh, North Carolina. With a height of 5’2”, her highest weight was 335 pounds. At the time, she was classified as super morbid obese. She could barely walk and had trouble taking care of herself. Her wakeup call came when her son told her that she was going to be a grandmother and she realized that she couldn’t even push a baby stroller around the block. Her surgeon suggested the gastric bypass, but she chose the sleeve plication with the lap-band. She told him she would prove him wrong. Her surgeon made sure that she knew that it was up to her, not the surgery, to change her eating and exercise habits. She did. She has lost 170 pounds – more than half of her body weight! – and weighs 165 pounds now. She is almost at her goal weight of 155 pounds and a BMI of 30. So much of her life has changed since getting her surgery and losing the weight. She can keep herself clean, put on socks, and feel alive! Being able to walk has let her get her freedom back, and she loves it. One of her great moments, after hitting a high of size 30 pants, was fitting into a size 12. It hasn’t all been easy. Carolinagirl needed to face her inner doubts head on to find the strength to make the right choices. She points out that she needed to take responsibility for her choices and actions. Also, she knows that it is not about being thin, but about being healthy. She first came to BariatricPal to meet others like her. Few had as high of a starting BMI as Carolinagirl, whose highest BMI was 61.4. She now considers the members who welcomed her to be good friends. She tries to offer support on the boards, and is constantly receiving PMs (private messages) from other weight loss surgery patients with questions. Carolinagirl gives good advice and honest answers without sugar coating them. She says that the forum keeps her going forward in her own journey. Carolinagirl has some advice for members who are struggling with their weight loss. Be honest with yourself. You know if you are eating right and exercising. Measure inches lost in addition to weighing yourself. Don’t get on the scale too often. If you eat or drink more than you burn off, you will gain weight. Thank you, Carolinagirl, for being in the spotlight and for being a being a great community member. You are very much appreciated on the boards. Congratulations on your phenomenal and hard-earned weight loss! Do you want to be in the member spotlight? Is there a BariatricPal that you would like to see in the newsletter? Let us know in the Member Spotlight forum! We love getting nominations! BariatricPal Updates: Stay in the Loop! It has been a busy few months at BariatricPal. Here’s what’s been going on. The Big Book! In early July, we published The BIG Book on Bariatric Surgery: Living Your Best Life After Weight Loss Surgery. It’s a guidebook for losing weight and keeping it off in the months and years after weight loss surgery. You’re in this for the long haul! You can see chapter summaries and get more information here. If the title sounds familiar, it’s because this Big Book is the fourth in our series. The first three were on the different kinds of weight loss surgery. They are great for weight loss surgery beginners and anyone losing weight after weight loss surgery. The Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve: Everything You Need To Know To Lose Weight and Live Well with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy The Big Book on the Gastric Bypass: Everything You Need to Lose Weight and Live Well with the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery The Big Book on the Lap-Band: Everything You Need To Know To Lose Weight and Live Well with the Adjustable Gastric Band BariatricPal Local Chapters We’ve been rolling out a new program called BariatricPal Local Chapters. It’s in-person support group meetings in your local area run by BariatricPal members for BariatricPal members. So far, we have seen a lot of interest, and are excited about continuing to grow the program. These local meetings are a great chance to meet BariatricPal members in person and to get tips for losing weight. Check the Local Chapters forum to see whether there is already a group in your area or to start a new group. Happy Surgiversary to Alex! On July 18, Alex Brecher officially celebrated his 11-year anniversary of the lap-band surgery. 11 years ago, Alex came home from the hospital after getting the lap-band. He started LapBandTalk.com to support other patients, and then VerticalSleeveTalk.com, SleevePlicationTalk.com, and RNYTalk.com. The rest is history. 11 years later, Alex is down 100 pounds. The four original boards joined together and are now BariatricPal, with hundreds of thousands of members. Congratulations, Alex, and thanks for giving us BariatricPal! Come on over to BariatricPal and join the action! Ask your own questions, browse the conversations that are already going on, or weigh in on the hot conversations on topics such as weight gain after sleeve surgery, finding a bypass buddy to motivate you, recipes for the liquid stage after surgery, or getting over a stall. See you on the boards!

Yup!

Do you know which browser and version ? It happens all the time or intermittently for you ? I'd like to test on my end to see if I can replicate your issue.

Is this on your iPad ? On our full skin or mobile site ?

I'm attending!

Hundreds of thousands of weight loss surgery patients are writing their stories each day. Each story has its own unique twists and turns, and each is filled with battles, triumphs, and setbacks. Some stories are so remarkable that they need to be told, and Jim Blackburn’s story is one of those. Like so many others, Jim was morbidly obese and faced the health problems and daily struggles that are so familiar to overweight people. He got the roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery, and lost over 200 pounds. That is already quite an accomplishment in itself, but Jim did not stop there. He continually gives back to the weight loss surgery community by volunteering and sharing his story with thousands of people. Jim was generous enough to share his story with BariatricPal. Following are his story and interview answers. From a Husky Child to a Seriously Overweight Man Like so many weight loss surgery patients, Jim remembers himself as being “husky” as a child in Georgia. His peers picked on him, the “fat kid,” as he grew up on generous and fattening Southern cooking. As a high school football player, his body became more athletic and the teasing stopped. When he went into IT in 1984, though, Jim was not only starting a new life that grew to include a successful career and wonderful family. He was setting off on a path to morbid obesity. These are Jim’s weights and life events through the years. 17 to 19 years old: 275-280 pounds as an offensive lineman in high school. 20 to 21 years old: 205 pounds: in college. 23 to 24 years old: 250-260 pounds during his first marriage. Late 20’s through 40 years old: weight cycling, with each cycle adding more weight, as he worked hard, enjoyed his new marriage, and raised his children. By age 35, Jim hit 300 pounds, and it didn’t stop there. The yo-yo dieting continued for years, and he topped out at 420 pounds. BariatricPal (BP): Why do you think you became obese? Are others in your family overweight? Did you learn poor habits as a child? Did you gain weight later in life as the result of some life event? Jim Blackburn (JB): At a very early age I was tagged with the label "husky" and from that point I endured a lot of bullying in elementary and high school because I was the fat kid that everyone seemed to enjoy picking on. My father was tall and slim and my mother was short and considerably overweight. My family – sister, brother-in-law, cousins, aunts, uncles – were for the most part big and the one common thread among everyone was the joy of eating - and eating in massive quantities. I was part of the clean-your-plate generation and butter, Crisco, grease, and fat all went into making the food taste delicious - delicious to the point where you just could not eat enough. A typical southern breakfast for me was eggs, biscuits, sausage, gravy, streak-o-lean, and milk. I can remember eating four to six biscuits and gravy in one sitting as a child - keeping up with my parents and meeting their demands to clean my plate and eat good - because eating made everyone feel good. As I grew older I became more active. My mother owned a southern cooking restaurant that she used as a means to pay for my private school. She worked hard and fed me well. Since I was a lot bigger and a lot stronger the bullying stopped and I became a football player where the activity helped me to slim down but the eating - and push to eat a lot - was even more prevalent. Through high school and into college I ate huge amounts of food, but fortunately the activity - football - helped me to maintain. And then football ended and my life started. I began to work in a field that required a lot of chair time (and screen time) and little did I know that in 1984 I was getting ready to ride, for the next 30 years, the information technology revolution. This, along with marriage, raising a family, and the ups and downs of relationships and finances all contributed to my lack of activity and binge type eating habits. The Decision to Get Weight Loss Surgery Jim’s wake-up call came when he had to go to the doctor for an ECG. Ironically, doctors were concerned about his heart because of the diet pills he had been taking. He also had hypertension, sleep apnea, a fatty liver, the beginning stages of diabetes, and chronic joint pain. He carefully researched weight loss surgery and thought about whether he would be able to use it as an effective tool for weight loss. Then, he settled on the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass at Emory Bariatric Center. BP: Did you consider other types of surgery? Why did you choose the roux-en-Y? JB: I was the last of four family members to have gastric bypass over the course of two years - same bariatric center, same doctor and surgical team. Collectively we did our research and after seeing the results from those who went before me and close consultation with my surgeon and primary care physician, I decided the roux-en-Y was the best option for me. There was some consideration for Lap-Band but again, seeing the results from my other family members made me want to go with roux-en-Y. I felt I was going to only get one shot at success so I took it. The First Year Post-Surgery Jim stayed focused and lost an admirable 174 pounds in the first year after his surgery on April 5, 2010. He did it by following his weight loss surgery diet very carefully. He also used the support of his wife and two children to stay on track. BP: You have named your wife and children as being supportive during your weight loss journey. What were their roles? JB: My wife was my toughest supporter. She took no crap from me and had studied, over and over, the pre-op and post-op program and knew exactly when, what, and how much I was supposed to be putting in my mouth. If I regressed or lost focus she was there to correct me and together we did it. Along with my loss, she lost amost 80 pounds which was weight she had gained since we were married by adopting my eating habits. My wife was is Brazilian and the eating culture there during her childhood was much different. She recalls coming to the U.S. to live and being amazed at how we ate and how much we ate. Along with my wife, my son and daughter were with me every step of the way and as a family we endured good and bad times during my first year post-op but in the end we all have become a lot closer and my family has been with me at every major milestone (and finish line) showing their love and support. I consider myself very fortunate to have had this support and my success is directly attributed to my wife, son, and daughter’s love and support. BP: Did you face people who thought your surgery was the wrong decision or who tried to sabotage you? How did you (and do you) handle it? JB: Yes. Yes. Yes. The proverbial "eye-roll" from people who wanted to pre-judge my decision to have weight loss surgery. Fortunately I made my decision to have the surgery privately and once committed I was very open with everyone many months before - I did not try to hide the fact I was having surgery and was quick to politely "shutdown" the naysayers and critics many of which instantly became experts on the topic of weight loss and my history, co-morbidities, and my level of will power to be able to lose weight without such drastic intervention. I put my trust in my medical team, my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, and my deep-rooted desire to live a healthier and longer life. Transformation to an Athlete Jim began lifting light weights and walking on the treadmill towards the end of his first year after surgery. He eventually began to run, and a new world opened up to him. Running helped him relieve stress and control his eating. Now, he describes himself as a passionate runner, and he has lost over 200 pounds. Jim’s list of completed road races is growing. He has run the prestigious Atlantic Journal Constitution Peachtree 10K (6.2 miles) three years in a row. This year, he finished in 53 minutes and 50 seconds over the 10K (6.2-mile) course. That’s less than 9 minutes for each mile, or nearly 7 mph if you’re a treadmill runner. He participated in his first marathon this February, completing the 26.2-mile course in 5 hours 7 minutes. Jim is now planning to run the 2014 Marine Corps marathon as part of the Push America challenge this autumn in Washington DC to raise money for athletes with disabilities. BP: You have become a respected athlete in some circles and are now training for another marathon. How do you keep yourself motivated to get out the door and work out each day? JB: The accountability that comes with setting goals and staying on track with my fitness is the motivation I need to get me out the door. Some days are harder than others and I have not been perfect, especially when factoring in injury, soreness, or the day-to-day stresses that come with life. I remain focused and use my success to be an example to others and to try an help others to find their way on this very complex journey. We are all entitled to freedom of speech, but whoever said that weight loss surgery is the easy way out needs to really take the time to become educated with the hundreds of thousands of people who struggle with their weight daily and who are at the end of their life, at a young age, because they have tried every possible avenue to lose weight and failed for one reason or another. Obesity is a disease and surgical intervention is a viable solution that works if the recipient is willing to make the necessary changes and take personal responsibility. Surgery as a Tool for Weight Loss From the start, Jim looked at weight loss surgery as a tool, not as a cure. The surgery, and maybe his new eating habits, helped him lose his taste for fattening foods, and gain a taste for vegetables. Still, it is up to him to eat right and plan his time. He makes exercise a priority, getting up for 5:00 a.m. workouts and checking out the hotel gyms as soon as he arrives. BP: You have said that you lost your taste for some of the high-calorie junk foods that you used to eat before surgery, but are you ever tempted to go off of your diet? How do you handle cravings and other temptations? If you give in sometimes, how do you get back on track? JB: Honestly, at this point in my post-op life I do not diet and yes, I do eat the occasional donut or candy bar. I am limited in quantity of intake but I am blessed with being able to tolerate 95% of all foods. My tastes do continue to change so some things are totally off the table. I believe the tool given to me with the roux-en-Y and my commitment to daily exercise has paved a path for me to maintain my weight while staying within the quantity limits of my stomach pouch. Currently I am training for a marathon and my training week consisted of 30 miles of running, 80 miles of biking, and 7,600 yards of swimming. The calories burned during these daily workouts put me off the charts when it comes to maintaining a 1,200 to 1,500 daily calorie diet and my intake far exceeds this in order for me to keep my energy levels up. Helping Others Among the most admirable parts of Jim’s story is his desire to give back to the weight loss surgery community. He gives public speeches, maintains a podcast, and is happy to answer questions via email or Twitter. He is a board member of the non-profit organization WLSFA (Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America). WLSFA advocates for weight loss surgery and helps provide funds to those who cannot afford it. Jim was named the Bariathlete of the Year at the 2014 WLSFA Meet and Greet in Tampa, FL. Jim is a class act, and BariatricPal is very grateful for the interview and for all that he does for the weight loss surgery community.

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Come for your chance to meet other BariatricPal members and Carnie Wilson in person April 10, 2015! We will be meeting as a group in San Diego, California, within the annual meet and greet sponsored by the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America (WLSFA). All BariatricPal members are welcome. About WLSFA The WLSFA is a non-profit organization that supports the weight loss surgery community. Its mission is to create a “National Network of Care” that provides grants so that needy patients can have access to weight loss surgery. The WLSFA fights obesity by: Funding weight loss surgery and follow-up care for individuals. Supporting obesity research. Raise awareness about weight loss surgery. Mark Your Calendar for the Meet and Greet! The WLSFA holds an annual Meet and Greet that also serve as a fundraiser. The 2015 event is the WLSFA California Dreamin’ 5th Anniversary Fundraiser. It features an expo, receptions, demonstrations & speakers on a variety of topics to motivate, inspire and educate. WLSFA National Ambassador of Hope Singer Carnie Wilson will lead Judges Table at a fun filled WLS Friendly CHOPPED Competition! It’s also a great opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. The Meet and Greet starts at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2015, and goes until noon on Sunday, April 12. The headquarters are at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. Registration is necessary, but we’ll walk you through that if you let us know that you are planning to attend! Details about accommodations and transportation are available at the event website. Be Part of the BariatricPal Group! BariatricPal is planning to be at the San Diego Meet and Greet, and we want to meet you! We will be exhibiting at the expo, and hope that you will stop by! Visit our booth on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday to introduce yourself and meet yours truly in person. You'll also get to meet all of the other BariatricPal members who show up in person. JOIN US NOW! Use Coupon Code "BariatricPal" during checkout for an additional 10% off! Let us know that you are planning to attend by posting on this thread! See you in San Diego! PS: Please use the following password If you're required to enter a password to join our group during registration: BariatricPal

I should be there as well.

Great article Jennifer!

AUSTIN, Texas-- Apollo Endosurgery, Inc., a leader in minimally invasive endoscopic surgical products for bariatric and gastrointestinal procedures, today announced the company has partnered with American Healthcare Lending to offer affordable financing for the LAP-BAND® System to increase patient access to the weight loss solution. The patient financing service is part of Apollo Endosurgery’s ongoing efforts to provide physicians and patients with high quality services and support beyond the LAP-BAND® procedure. The LAP-BAND® System is FDA approved for weight reduction for people with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40 kg/m2 and is the only FDA approved device for weight reduction for people with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater and one or more weight-related health problem. “There are millions of people struggling to lose 30 or more pounds on their own who are eligible for the LAP-BAND® System but do not qualify for healthcare insurance coverage for weight loss treatments due to their BMI,” said Dennis McWilliams, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Apollo Endosurgery. “Weight loss with the LAP-BAND® System is about more than just a procedure. This is why we are working with innovative companies, like American Healthcare Lending, to provide the best services and support to our physicians and patients throughout the weight loss journey.” “Studies show that obese patients spend significantly more money on healthcare costs each year than non-obese patients as well as have an increased chance of developing other conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, that can impact their quality of life” “Studies show that obese patients spend significantly more money on healthcare costs each year than non-obese patients as well as have an increased chance of developing other conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, that can impact their quality of life,” said Vafa Shayani, MD, FACS, FASMBS, Chairman of Surgery, Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital and Vice President of the Illinois Association of Bariatric Surgeons. “Patients with a lower BMI are often not covered for any weight loss treatment options, despite the health and economic benefits. By investing in their health with the LAP-BAND® System, patients have the opportunity to finally achieve their weight loss goals, allowing them to live a healthier life by avoiding potential health concerns as well as reduce their healthcare costs associated with obesity.” The Apollo Endosurgery and American Healthcare Lending partnership was designed to offer a financing service that is beneficial to both physicians and patients. American Healthcare Lending has assisted over 300,000 individuals in obtaining over $5 billion in loans. In partnership with Apollo Endosurgery, American Healthcare Lending is now offering patients low monthly payment plans to cover the cost of LAP-BAND® System procedures and aftercare, including deductibles, self-pays, and co-pays. Patients can be pre-qualified for a loan in two minutes or less by visiting www.lapband.com or www.americanhealthcarelending.com/lapbandloan/. Once a patient is pre-qualified for a loan through American Healthcare Lending, the program also provides assistance in finding a physician offering the procedure that is engaged with the financing service. Physicians who are enrolled in the LAP-BAND® financing program benefit by having only one low annual fee of $2,990, regardless of how many of their patients utilize the financing service, rather than paying a merchant fee of up to 8% per loan, which is standard with other financing programs.