Alex Brecher

Who is your surgeon please ? We will add not covered as an insurance outcome, thanks.

Hey, BariatricPal Members! Happy Father’s Day! Whether you’re a father, grandfather, son, or someone who has a father in the house, today is your chance to honor the dads in your life. With the tips in this letter, you can Celebrate Father’s Day properly while staying on track. We bet you can even finish the day stronger than you started! Here’s what we have in this newsletter. Renew Your Commitment by Thinking about Dad Today Father’s Day Celebration – Bariatric Style! Is It Time for…”The Talk?” Eat Healthy at the Ballpark! We hope the newsletter gives you a chance to think about the dads in your life, and helps you figure out how you can work to keep everyone healthier together. When you have finished reading the newsletter and you’ve gotten in plenty of high-quality family time, come on over to visit your other “family” at BariatricPal. Happy Father’s Day! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Renew Your Commitment by Thinking about Dad Today It’s easy to get lost in the regular pattern of daily life. Your actions can almost become automatic as you go through your day. Over time, you might start to lose focus and let some poorer choices slip in. You might eyeball instead of measure your food, let a few bites sneak in without recording them, or go for a little more starch than you know you should. It is normal to become a little less focused on your weight loss surgery after a while if you do not occasionally stop to reconsider your motivations. Father’s Day provides a good opportunity for you to renew your commitment to your weight loss journey. Think about your own father, or a father figure in your life, who gave or gives you unconditional love. How proud would your father be if you set this goal of losing weight and you were able to achieve it? How relieved would your father be to see his son or daughter gain back health and energy? If you are a father – or a parent, or a father figure to anyone – think about the children that you influence. Every day you strive to be the best role model that you can be, and these efforts really pay off! Also consider how your relationships have the potential to become even stronger throughout your weight loss journey. You might have more energy to play with your children. You can teach them healthy habits for life by modeling them. Your children do not need to worry about your health. Dedicating the next stage of your weight loss journey to the fathers and children in your life can help spur you on. Father’s Day Celebration – BariatricPal Style! Father’s Day can be disastrous if it includes a big lunch at a restaurant followed by some down time as you watch television and snack. You’re not doing your dad or yourself any favors by celebrating that way, and you can make the day just as special by making a few healthy changes. Keep Lunch Simple If you want to go out for lunch, skip the buffet. Just order a salad with tuna or grilled chicken, or grilled chicken breast or broiled fish with steamed vegetables on the side. A fruit plate with cottage cheese or yogurt is another option. If a buffet is a Father’s Day tradition in your family, remember that you are not obligated to overeat to get your money’s worth. It is worth far more to enjoy one plate of healthy food and feel proud of yourself for the rest of the day. If you’re eating at home, make sure there is plenty of lean Protein around. Grill chicken breast, turkey burger, or shrimp and serve it with a tossed green salad and some fruit. You don’t need to dig into the bread, coleslaw, and cake as long as you have your own healthy options. Burn a Few Calories Keep the party going by getting moving. Toss around a football, bump a volleyball, or kick around a soccer ball. It doesn’t matter if you’re clumsy. The point is to have fun and remember what it’s like to get moving with your family. The games can inspire you to resolve to lose more weight so that you can enjoy many more moments like this in the future. Is It Time for…”The Talk?” Father’s Day is about relationships. You might want to take some time to strengthen your relationship with your father if he is not yet completely up-to-date on your surgery. Weight loss surgery is a huge part of your life, and today, you can consider having a serious conversation with your father to help him understand a bit more about it. You might talk about the following items, depending on what he already knows and how he feels about your surgery. Why you felt that surgery was best for you. How surgery helps you lose weight, and what you need to do to make sure it works. How your dad can help, whether that means being a sympathetic ear on the telephone or looking after your children for an hour on weekends so that you can work out with your spouse. If you are a parent and are on the weight loss surgery journey, talk to your child about the surgery in terms he or she can understand. You can address the same points as above, but keep them simpler. You might explain that you are trying to get healthy and make sure that your child grows up strong and healthy, and that sometimes you may need your child to help with the chores if you are a little tired. Eat Healthy at the Ballpark “Take me out to the ballgame, Take me out to the crowd. Buy me some peanuts (510 calories) and Cracker Jack (480 calories). I don’t care if I get way off track!” Oh, wait. Yes, I do care! So what can you eat when you go to the game? Most of the traditional options are high-calorie and fatty, sugary or starchy. If you munch on them for nine innings, you can take in thousands of calories and will likely feel sick. Avoid these choices. Nachos and cheese pretzels with or without cheese Ice cream Buttered popcorn pizza Hot dogs, corn dogs French fries Many stadiums now offer healthier options than they used to. Check online before you leave home to see if you can plan a healthy meal or snack at the stadium. Green salads with chicken Hummus with vegetables Veggie burgers or hot dogs (skip the bun) Fresh fruit cup Vegetables with dip If your ballpark doesn’t have many healthy choices, you can still get away by modifying some of the traditional choices. Just stick to your weight loss surgery diet rules of choosing protein first and watching your portion sizes. Order a burger and just eat the beef, grilled chicken, or veggie patty, not the bun. Ask for a cup of shaved ice without snow cone syrup. It gives you something to do. Get a bag of peanuts, count out one serving, and put the rest away. Whether you go to a baseball game, another sporting event, or a show, the goals are to enjoy the event and the company. Focus on the great things about the day instead of worrying about the food that you used to eat. If you plan ahead and go in with a positive attitude, you might find that you have even more fun than you used to! No matter how you choose to spend your Father’s Day, consider how you can make it a healthy holiday that is fun for everyone. We hope this newsletter gave you some good ideas and inspiration!

WOW! What a professionally organized event! I really enjoyed meeting everyone. Thank you Lisa and Liz for organizing everything. Can't wait to see everyone at the next support group.

Click here to edit this information.

Added!

Thanks....updated!

Added, thanks!

I just checked her Wikipedia page and you're correct. Updated. Thanks!

America has an interesting fascination with celebrity. We build up certain people to be larger than life and then follow their every move and decision. The United States, as a country, also struggles with obesity and weight loss. Many celebrities also struggle with weight issues and the famous people on this list have all undergone weight loss surgery to help start their weight loss journey. Sharon Osbourne: LAP-BAND in 1999 Randy Jackson: Gastric bypass in 2003 Brian Dennehy: LAP-BAND in the early 2000s Roseanne Barr: Gastric bypass in 1998 John Popper: Gastric bypass in 1999 Star Jones: Gastric bypass in 2003 Al Roker: Gastric bypass 2002 Anne Rice: Gastric bypass in 2003 Carnie Wilson: Gastric bypass in 1999, Lap-Band in 2012 Ralphie May: Gastric bypass in 2003 Patti Austin: Gastric bypass in 2004 Graham Elliot: Sleeve gastrectomy in 2013 Lisa Lampanelli: Sleeve gastrectomy in 2012 Rex Ryan: LAP-BAND in 2010 Chris Christie: LAP-BAND in 2013 Adam Goldstein: Gastic bypass in 2003 Ann Wilson: LAP-BAND in 2002 Diego Maradona: Gastric bypass in 2005 Paul Wall: Gastric sleeve in 2010 Charlie Weis: Gastric bypass in 2002 William Moody: Gastric bypass in 2003 Etta James: Gastric bypass in 2001 Jesse Jackson, Jr.: Duodenal Switch in 2004 Jennifer Holliday: Gastric bypass in 1990 Deborah Voigt: Gastric bypass in 2004 John Daly: LAP-BAND in 2008 Khaliah Ali: LAP-BAND in 2008 Anne Diamond: LAP-BAND in 2005 Joseph R. Gannascoli: LAP-BAND 2003 Caitlin Van Zandt: LAP-BAND in 2008 David Lange: Gastric bypass in 1982 Fern Britton: LAP-BAND in 2006 Jineane Ford: LAP-BAND in 2007 Benedict Francis: LAP-BAND in 2009 Mikey Robbins: LAP-BAND in 2006 Lauren Manzo: LAP-BAND in 2011 Corey Harrison: LAP-BAND in 2010 Jo Marie Payton: Gastric bypass in 1985 Rosie O'Donnell: Gastric Sleeve in 2013 Ron Lester: Duodenal Switch in 2001 E.J. Johnson: Gastric Sleeve in 2013 Elvis Duran: Gastric Sleeve in 2014 Paul Wall: Gastric Bypass in 2010 Lavell Crawford: Gastric Sleeve in 2016 Mariah Carey: Gastric Sleeve in 2017 Please let me know if you're aware of any other celebrities that have undergone Weight Loss Surgery!

So Monday or Tuesday is looking okay for a few of us. Trouble is I have no experience "leading" a support group. Anyone want to be a leader? Maybe we don't need a leader though. Also, we need a space to meet. I live in Cloverdale. Any thoughts on where in Santa Rosa to meet? The Dr Woodbury group I believe is for anyone in any stage of the journey, I don't think you need to be a patient. If that's true, that might be the answer. They are established, etc.. They meet monthly at Wells Fargo Center on the second Saturday after (or maybe before?) the monthly WLS seminars for those seeking info for surgery, which is a prerequisite for those just starting on the path. These are peer-peer support groups. You don't need to know how to lead a group....we'll train you if you're interested. PM me if you'd like to lead please.

We'll provide the winner with an actual copy, as well as access to the eBook versions.

We posted this announcement a bit prematurely It should be available directly from this site, as well as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks etc. We hope to have it published and available for sale within the next week.

You're officially co-host, thanks

It would be very beneficial to have a group leader and co-leader!

Hi everyone! Welcome to the weight loss medications forum! This is the place to talk about anything related to weight loss medications if you are thinking about using them, are on them, or have used them in the past. Many different weight loss surgery drugs are on the market or are being considered for approval. Orlistat: brand names are Xenical (prescription) and Alli (over-the-counter) Lorcaserin: Belviq Phentermine: Adipex-P, Oby-Cap, Suprenza, T-Diet, and Zantryl Phentermine-topimarate: Qsymia Beloranib Liraglutide: Victoza Lipovarin (bitter orange/synephrine) Naltrexone-bupropion: Contrave The idea behind weight loss drugs is that if you use them as well as follow a calorie-restricted diet, they can help fight obesity by reducing hunger and speeding up metabolism. So far, the ideal weight loss drug has not come along. The ones available today can have harmful side effects, may not be approved for long-term use, or might not lead to much weight loss. I know that many BariatricPal members have used or considered weight loss surgery drugs. In these forums, I invite you to share your experiences and ask questions about weight loss medications and how to use them, their side effects, what kind of weight loss they lead to, how to talk to your doctor about them, and anything else that is related.

We plan on adding this option in the near future. Thanks for your feedback.

You mention only 2 cups of hot or iced tea. Why? I brew my own decaf iced tea and drink around 8-12 cups a day. I have told my doctor and he never said anything. I hate flavored drinks. Thank you Arlene Compounds in tea called tannins can act as chelators, binding to minerals and inhibiting the body’s ability to absorb them. This can reduce a person’s levels of iron. You're ok since you have approval! I personally drink quite a bit of caffeine free tea daily as well and my iron levels are great.

PM me for more info on how to get a group started please.

Sending you PM.

I'll PM you with more info.

I plan on attending. Can't wait to meet everyone in person!!

You're all very very welcome! Our members and awesome community are what motivate me on a minute by minute basis. THANK YOU!!!

The West has already seen scorching weather, with temperatures reaching the triple digits, and the rest of the country is sure to see some heat waves soon. In summer, dehydration can sneak up on you fast, leading to headaches, fatigue, and confusion. Dehydration can also stall weight loss because water helps reduce hunger. When you need to drink more water, your body can mistake thirst for hunger, causing you to eat more than you need. Basic Guidelines for Meeting Fluid Needs after Weight Loss Surgery On a normal day, you need at least 64 ounces, or 8 8-ounce cups, of fluid per day. When the weather is hot, dry, or windy, you need more. Meeting your requirements can be challenging after weight loss surgery because you should drink fluids between meals, not with them. You need to stop drinking fluids at least 30 minutes before a meal or snack, and you should not start drinking fluids again for another 30 minutes after you finish your food. This is a sample daily schedule that can allow you to get all of the fluid you need without interfering with your meal plan. 7:00 a.m. 1 cup decaffeinated coffee 8:00 a.m. breakfast 9:00 a.m. 12 ounces (1.5 cups) water 10:00 a.m. morning snack 11:00 a.m. 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth Noon lunch 1:00 p.m. 1 cup flavored water 2:00 p.m. 1 cup water 3:00 p.m. afternoon snack 4:00 p.m. 12 ounces (1.5 cups) unsweetened, decaffeinated iced tea 5:00 p.m. dinner 7:00 p.m. 1 cup water If your meal plan includes only three meals a day and does not include snacks, getting your fluid needs is easier because you do not need to work in the extra snacks around your beverages. Do Not Drink Your Calories! You only get a certain limited number of calories per day if you want to lose weight. Your calories should come from nutritious foods, such as lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, and a small amount of starches and unsaturated fats. These healthy foods can help reduce hunger as you lose weight. Choosing to get your calories from liquids instead is called “drinking your calories.” It is a problem because liquid calories are not very filling compared to solid foods, and you can easily take in more calories than you realize if you drink your calories. For the number of calories in a 20-ounce bottle of soda, you could have a 3-ounce portion of chicken breast, a half-cup of cooked pasta, and a half-cup of steamed vegetables. You should really only get substantial amounts of calories from liquids right after weight loss surgery, when you are on a liquid or pureed foods diet and cannot meet your nutrient requirements from foods. Otherwise, if you drink beverages with calories, you can gain weight or stop losing weight in a hurry. The following beverages have about 100 or more calories per 1-cup (8-ounce) serving). Milk Fruit juice Regular soft drinks and fruit drinks Energy drinks Sweetened iced tea Milk-based coffee beverages or coffee beverages with flavor syrups What About Milk and Juice? Milk and juice are both nutritious, but they do not belong in your regular weight loss surgery diet. Fortified milk provides 9 grams of protein per cup and is a great source of calcium and vitamin D, but it contains 90 calories per cup. Fat-free yogurt and low-fat cheese are better choices for your protein and calcium because they are solid foods. Milk is only a good regular choice when you are recovering from surgery and are on your liquid or pureed foods diet. 100 percent fruit juice can be high in potassium and vitamin C, but it is protein-free and high in sugars. Because of its sugar content, juice can lead to dumping syndrome. Shortly after surgery, your surgeon may allow a half-cup of juice diluted with water, but when you get to the solid foods stage of your weight loss surgery diet, juice is not allowed. I Can’t Tolerate Water! One of the common side effects of weight loss surgery is that your tastes change. Unfortunately, sometimes that means that you no longer enjoy drinking water. If you are having trouble getting down your water, these suggestions may help. Drink ice water instead of cool water – this can really make a difference. Place a slice of lemon or lime on the rim of your water glass. Squeeze lemon or lime juice into your water and add a packet of calorie-free sweetener. Try a calorie-free, non-carbonated flavored water. Place some leaves of mint in boiling hot water and let them steep. Drink your mint tea hot or put it in the fridge so you can have refreshingly cold mint tea later. Keep trying. In all likelihood, you will eventually be able to tolerate water again. What about Coffee and Tea? Some coffee and tea beverages are clearly out of the question, unless you’re ready to spend 200 or more calories on a sweetened coffee drink or tea. The caffeine is also a problem for weight loss surgery patients, since it can irritate the stomach. Finally, too much coffee or tea can interfere with the absorption of certain key nutrients, such as iron. If you do drink coffee and tea, limit yourself to 2 cups of decaffeinated coffee or tea per day. Skip the Alcohol Alcoholic beverages can be some of your biggest saboteurs after weight loss surgery. It is not just that alcohol helps to dehydrate you. Alcoholic beverages can be frighteningly high in calories. For example, a 5-ounce glass of red wine has 127 calories, a 12-ounce can or bottle of beer has 145 calories, and a 1.5-ounce shot of rum has 96 calories, and a 3.3-ounce margarita has 153 calories. The damage goes beyond the calories in your drinks, though. Alcohol relaxes you. When you drink, you tend to lower your inhibitions. That means that you are less likely to measure your foods, stick to small portions, and pass up the high-calorie temptations. You're more likely to overeat, and regret your alcohol and food intake later. Have a great summer and stay hydrated, safe, and healthy!

If only!

Hi! We have an exciting announcement to make! BariatricPal is starting an in-person support group program called BariatricPal Local Chapters! That’s right – BariatricPal is no longer going to be just online. Members can now participate in in-person support group meetings nearby where you live! This post is dedicated to explaining BariatricPal Local Chapters. Why Is BariatricPal Local Chapters Starting? How BariatricPal Local Chapters Works List of Scheduled Meetings – One May Be in Your Area! Be a Local Chapters Leader! Spread the Word About BariatricPal! I want to reassure you that the online part of BariatricPal will all stay the same, so you do not need to worry about losing any of the support that you depend on and love. There is plenty more information on BariatricPal in the Local Chapters discussion forum. Check it out! I am very exciting about this new stage in BariatricPal’s history, and I hope you are, too! Thank you for making it possible, since without the unbelievable support of BariatricPal members, projects like this would be unimaginable. Why Is BariatricPal Local Chapters Starting? To support your efforts at following a healthy lifestyle! You are more likely to achieve your weight loss goal when you have enough support. The online forums at BariatricPal can play a significant role in supporting you through your journey. Thousands of you visit the site daily. You depend on each other for information and encouragement, and have made some close friendships. As BariatricPal continues to grow, I am starting BariatricPal Local Chapters to better serve our weight loss surgery community. Local Chapters groups will meet in-person several times a year to increase the amount of weight loss surgery support that you can receive. The groups provide BariatricPal members with the chance to meet members who live nearby. Having this extra support can propel your weight loss! How BariatricPal Local Chapters Works Each BariatricPal Local Chapter is led by a Leader and includes BariatricPal members who live nearby and want to attend meetings. Leaders are BariatricPal members who volunteer to organize and direct meetings. Meetings are held several times a year, with the exact times and locations determined by the Leader with input from members. Each meeting includes time for questions and discussion, as well as a main activity, which can be one of the following: Guided discussion on an important topic such as nutrition, support from family and friends, weight loss surgery complications, and choosing a surgeon Cooking demonstration or recipe sharing Hands-on activities such as meal planning and tracking Clothing swaps Grocery store tours or group walks Presentation by a guest speaker, such as a bariatric surgeon, nutritionist, or skin removal surgeon The meeting atmosphere is positive and supportive. All members of the weight loss surgery community are welcome, whether you are first considering weight loss surgery or are already a veteran. Come to make friends, ask questions, and share advice. Just like on BariatricPal, courtesy and respect are mandatory at Local Chapters meetings. Don't forget that you can get more information on Local Chapters at BariatricPal. Coming Soon…A Meeting Near You? The first seven Local Chapters groups have already scheduled their first meetings! See whether you can make it to any of these meetings. PM the group Leader or post to the appropriate local chapter forum for more information if you think you might be interested in joining the group. We have another 15-20 local chapters currently working out logistics. Check our Local Chapters forum for updates. Be a Local Chapters Leader! If you want to attend BariatricPal Local Chapters meetings but do not see a meeting in your area, consider becoming a Leader and starting your own BariatricPal Local Chapters group! You do not need to be an expert on weight loss surgery or have any experience in leading group meetings. If you have the following characteristics, you might have what it takes to be a great leader! Enthusiasm and passion for weight loss surgery as a tool to fight obesity Love to help others and make them feel comfortable Friendly and inclusive Willing to keep discussion on topic Able to commit to leading regular meetings at which members depend on you A good organizer and communicator BariatricPal will provide the support you need to be a Leader, including training and certification, materials necessary to get started, and suggested meeting agendas for you to follow. Please contact us if you're interested. Spread the Word About BariatricPal! Finally, I would like to personally ask you to do me a favor. I have spoken with many weight loss surgery patients, surgeons and staff over the years, and found that many of them are not aware of our community! One bariatric surgeon recently suggested that we create fliers to be distributed in a number of ways. Clinic waiting rooms and exam rooms Pre-surgery and post-surgery informational packets Handouts at support group meetings The next time you have an appointment scheduled with your weight loss surgeon or physician, please consider leaving one or several fliers in the office so that they can be hung up on a bulletin board or handed out to patients. The fliers are already designed, so all you have to do is go to BariatricPal to print them. By spreading the word about BariatricPal, you can give back and help others. Thank you in advance for your help. I cannot wait to watch the growth of BariatricPal Local Chapters. This is a wonderful opportunity for even better support on your weight loss journey, and I thank you for making it possible!