Alex Brecher

We do mention the DS at the end of our General Weight Loss Surgery Forum description "Also contains the Duodenal Switch and Gastric Plication Surgery Forums." I'm a big proponent of the DS and it's the best procedure, for some individuals. The reality of the situation is that only 1% of all weight loss surgeries performed in the US each year are the Duodenal Switch. We have a limited amount of screen space on our home page. I'll move them as soon as they become a bit more active.

Never noticed this, thanks! Should be corrected at some point today.

Not sure what you're referring to? http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1018-duodenal-switch-surgery-forum-new/

I thought we featured her a while back, but I was mistaken. We're going to feature her shortly. Thanks!

Hey, BariatricPal Members! It’s that time again…the time when we get to connect with you, BariatricPal members, via our newsletter. We hope that the coming of spring is inspiring you to take another look at your weight loss and health. With warmer weather, longer days, and fresh seasonal produce coming in, staying active and eating nutritiously is easier than it was in winter. To keep you motivated and focused, here is what we have for you in this letter. Member Poll: How Do You Plan Your Meals? Member Spotlight: Meet ajtexas! From Spring into Summer! Hidden Gem? Check Out BariatricPal’s Weight Loss Surgery Library! Ready to get started? Take a look at the newsletter, go enjoy a walk in the fresh air, and then log on to BariatricPal and talk about the newsletter and anything else that you’ve been thinking about. Thanks for your support! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Member Poll: How Do You Plan Your Meals? Meal planning can be an important factor in success after weight loss surgery. You need to get enough Protein and other nutrients and limit your calories while you stick to the allowed food choices on your weight loss surgery diet. Meal planning can be challenging, though. How do you plan your meals? I meet regularly with a nutritionist or dietitian to plan my menus. I sit down on the weekends and plan my meals for the upcoming week. Each morning or evening, Ifigure out what I will eat in the coming day. I don’t plan specific meals. I just make sure to have plenty of protein and fill in the rest with vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. I don’t plan, but I know I should. I just eat what looks healthiest at the time. Other – Read my answer in the discussion! Go to BariatricPal to select the answer that best describes you, and then tell us about it in the discussion! Exciting News – We're welcoming Member Spotlight forum or send Alex Brecher a PM. From Spring into Summer! Spring is a time for growth and renewal. Signs of spring can be all around us in the form of melting snow, muddy fields, new leaves, and singing birds. Let these energizing signs inspire your own revitalization. Whether you are just thinking about surgery or are already at goal weight, there is always something that you can work on to lose more weight or be healthier. Now that spring has begun, it’s time to set some new goals to keep you focused or get you back on track if you slipped up during the winter. Summer is a few months away, so why not base your goals on being able to have more fun this summer? These are some sample goals for each phase of weight loss surgery. You can reach them by the time summer starts. If you are pre-surgery: Aim to finalize your research on weight loss surgery. Once you are sure you want surgery, figure out which type and choose a surgeon. Set a date for your procedure. If you are shortly post-surgery: Aim to hit the ground running when it is time to focus on weight loss. That means carefully following the post-surgery diet progression to speed recovery from surgery, and also learning all you can about the solid foods diet you will be eating for the long term. If you are in the middle of losing weight steadily: Aim to lose a certain amount of weight or fit into a certain goal outfit. If you are at goal weight: Aim to participate in a challenging summer activity, such as a kayaking trip or a 5K road race. These require serious training and healthy eating. Follow these tips when you are setting your goals. Keep them realistic. If you have averaged a loss of 2 pounds per week (8 pounds per month), a goal of losing 24 pounds in three months is realistic. A goal of 50 pounds is not realistic! Make an action plan. If your goal is to go on an overnight hiking trip, you not only need to keep eating well, but also need to train for it. Map out a training plan that includes walking during the week and hiking on the weekends when you have more time. Make your goal specific. If you have a vague goal, you won’t know whether you are making progress toward it or whether you achieve it. Instead of vowing to lose weight, get into shape, and eat better, specify goals such as losing 20 pounds, running 2 miles without stopping, or meeting your protein needs each day. Take advantage of spring to give yourself a new start. Regardless of where you are in your weight loss journey, some hard work and dedication can help you can achieve remarkable goals by the time summer comes! Hidden Gem? Check Out BariatricPal’s Weight Loss Surgery Library! You already know that BariatricPal is the world’s top online weight loss surgery community. Did you also know that BariatricPal has an entire section filled with credible information on weight loss surgery? These science-based facts can help you plan your weight loss surgery, lose more weight, and adjust to life after weight loss surgery. Information on the major types of weight loss surgery, including the lap-band, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, sleeve plication, and duodenal switch. The post-surgery diet progression from liquid to solid foods All about the weight loss surgery diet, from food lists to meal plans and beyond Strategies for succeeding after surgery And much more! You already log in for the tips and encouragement on the boards. Next time you’re on BariatricPal, stop by our information center. You never know what you might discover! That is all we have for this month’s newsletter. Thanks for reading it, and we’ll see you on the boards!

WOW! Insane accomplishment!!

I use Stevia or Nectresse (Monk Fruit) to sweeten my drinks.

Awesome! Really made me Although, this is a typical day in NYC. I pass a guy on a 10 foot unicycle as well as another girl (running!) on stilts almost daily when hit the track in the park.

Please post the link you received. You can't view some forums if they're from a protected group and you're not a member of this group.

Weight loss surgery is difficult, to say the least. The operation takes place after years or a lifetime of being obese and after months of research and preparation. Recovery can be anywhere from “not too bad” to riddled with complications. Nearly every aspect of your lifestyle changes, from your diet to the way you look to your relationships to your mental state. The entire experience is long and challenging, no matter how rewarding. BariatricPal recognizes the challenges of being in the weight loss surgery community. You need every bit of support and information you can get to choose the best surgery for yourself, prepare for surgery, lose weight, and get healthy for the long term. The peer-to-peer support that BariatricPal members provide can be among the most powerful tools you have to help you achieve your goals. So please, help build the community up instead of tearing it down. Potential for a Powerful, Unified Community Our weight loss surgery communities began as WLSBoards, with four separate forums: LapBandTalk, VerticalSleeveTalk, RNYTalk, and SleevePlicationTalk. Each forum was dedicated to a single type of weight loss surgery. Members could discuss surgeons, diets, complications, and anything else related to weight loss surgery in general or the specific type of weight loss surgery in particular. Then we merged the four WLSBoards to create BariatricPal, which is geared toward all types of weight loss surgery. This decision was based on the following beliefs. We are all in this together. We have the same goal of fighting obesity through weight loss surgery. The surgery types share many common characteristics and BariatricPal members can therefore benefit from having more input on topics such as the post-surgery diet progression, choosing a surgeon, ways to get more protein, and dealing with head hunger. As a single community, we have greater potential to be a unified and strong voice for weight loss surgery than we did as separate communities. Some topics are surgery-specific, and there is a need for surgery-specific subforums for certain topics such as fills for lap-band patients, experience with protein shakes for sleeve patients who may not be able to eat enough on a regular basis, and dumping syndrome for gastric bypass patients. Has BariatricPal Become a Divisive Arena? Unfortunately, BariatricPal members have had some regrettable experiences that contradict these principles. Rather than being supported, encouraged, and assisted, some members have felt attacked or belittled by other members who do not believe in their choices, whether in regards to type of surgery, food choices, or other lifestyle choices. Rude behavior, while unacceptable in any circumstance, is especially damaging in our community. It weakens our collective voice. It prevents some weight loss surgery patients and potential patients from getting the information they need. It discourages WLS patients from pursuing their healthy lifestyles. Avoid Destructive Posts Most BariatricPal members are polite, helpful, and encourage. Occasionally, though, members post inappropriate and potentially hurtful posts that put down one type of weight loss surgery or another individual’s choice. In general, a poor post is one that makes a person feel bad and does not offer any useful information. These are examples of unacceptable posts. “I didn’t even know they offered the lap-band surgery anymore because it’s so dangerous.” “Weight loss is easy with the gastric bypass surgery. The rest of us have to work harder.” “You shouldn’t be asking if you can eat that. If you even are thinking about it, you shouldn’t have gotten WLS.” It’s okay to offer your opinion, but do it kindly. If you’re not sure if your post is okay, think about it before your post. The rule of thumb is to always err on the side of caution. Think how you would act if you were face-to-face with a good friend who had an opinion with which you disagree. You would listen to his or her position, then acknowledge the reasoning for that opinion. Then you would state your opinion and explain why you feel that way. Remember that feelings are harder to convey in written online conversations, and gentle words of advice can be interpreted harshly. What We Have to Gain (or Lose) When we all support each other, regardless of type of weight loss surgery, we have a lot to gain. Positive atmosphere where everyone feels welcome, so those who need it feel comfortable to come and ask questions Unbelievable wealth of experience and knowledge…among people who are kind enough to share it A place where open discussions can lead to brainstorming and generation of ideas and strategies for success A sense of pride that we are all here, with the same goal through the same means. Let us celebrate! When rudeness and disrespect take over, we have just as much to lose. Just think about what would happen if you had a question, asked it, and got told that your question is dumb or that you are doing something wrong in your weight loss journey. Maybe you would leave BariatricPal or, worse, you would be afraid to ask your question anywhere else because you didn’t feel comfortable anymore. Nobody deserves to be treated like that. Take a moment when you are on BariatricPal to appreciate the warm community, and think about what it means to you. The next time you post, ask yourself: are you helping to build a stronger weight loss surgery community, or are you tearing it down?

Meal planning can be an important factor in success after weight loss surgery. You need to get enough Protein and other nutrients and limit your calories while you stick to the allowed food choices on your weight loss surgery diet. Meal planning can be challenging, though. How do you plan your meals? Select the answer that best describes you, and tell us about it in the discussion below!

Where and what do you press to post w/o using the quote from another entry? You can reply without quoting by using the reply box found at the bottom of each topic.

Thanks for the suggestion! It's not feasible or practical for multiple reasons. I understand your dilemma and we're looking at some other ways to address it.

I should have more info on how we're going to organize BariatricPal Local Chapters shortly. Please stay tuned....

Nuked that guy, thanks!

The REPORT button isn't working at the moment for Private Messages. It should be fixed in a few days. You can post their username here and I'll deal with them until this is resolved.

Click here to edit your display name.

Hey, BariatricPal Members! Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and happy Spring Break! Even if you don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or you are not planning an official spring vacation, spring is still a joyous time of year. What better way to celebrate than with a BariatricPal newsletter? Here’s what we have for you: Are You Ready for Spring Break? St. Patrick’s Day – Give Yourself Something to Celebrate! March Madness: Are You Ready? Keep working towards your goals, whether or not you are Irish and whether or not you have a trip planned this spring. You can reach BariatricPal from anywhere in the world, so come on by and celebrate the season with the other members! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Are You Ready for Spring Break? You need to plan extra carefully whenever you travel after weight loss surgery. Your preparation should begin now if you are planning a trip this spring or summer so that you can make sure that your needs are met. First, consider where you will be in your weight loss journey and what medical needs you are likely to have. If you have not yet had surgery, you probably will not need exceptional medical care, and finding out what to do in emergencies should be sufficiency. If you already had weight loss surgery, find out the location of the nearest surgeon who can help you if you have trouble. Be sure the surgeon is an expert in the type of surgery that you have. Lap-band patients in particular should know where they can go for emergency fills or un-fills. Since WLS is hard on the body, give yourself ample time after surgery to recover before you travel. You can easily need six or more weeks after surgery before you are recovered. Next, start assembling a packing list. You may need these items addition to your regular belongings. Dietary supplements: multivitamins, calcium, Vitamin D, Iron, and any other dietary supplements that you take. Prescription medications (make sure you have enough to get through your trip) and prescriptions in case you need a refill Protein powder, protein bars, beef Jerky or unsalted nuts just in case you need some protein and are not near a supermarket or trusted restaurant Phone numbers and email addresses of bariatric specialists, including your surgeon, a nutritionist, and an emergency contact Workout clothes (will this be the first vacation when you worked out?) List of high-protein foods as well as foods that you can and cannot eat. This is especially important right after WLS as you progress from a liquid to solid diet. Non-prescription medications, such as aspirin or Tylenol, and laxatives to reduce constipation Finally, do what you can to “scout out” the area. Is there a supermarket near your hotel? Are the restaurants known for being accommodating to guests’ special orders so that you can get the high-protein, low-calorie meals you need? Is there a walking route or a fitness center near your hotel? You will not be able to find the answers to all of these questions before you arrive at your destination, but you can hit the ground running if you do a little background research beforehand. St. Patrick’s Day – Give Yourself Something to Celebrate! Monday, March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. The holiday can be a day of bar-hopping, green cupcakes, and corned beef, but it can also be an opportunity to enjoy yourself in healthy ways. Make yourself proud by celebrating St. Patrick’s Day using some of these tips. Don’t drink. You’ll consume too many calories from alcohol and lose inhibition so you consume too many calories Enjoy the greenery by making a special effort to get to a park or nearby nature center. Have fun with your children by making a treasure hunt for them to search for a 4-leaf clover. Wear green…and if you have lost weight since the last time you wore green, get yourself a new green outfit to celebrate! Find naturally green food and skip the artificial dyes and unnecessary calories in decorated cupcakes, shamrock Cookies and green beer. Instead, add spinach to your scrambled eggs, snack on edamame (green soybeans) or kale chips, and make cabbage soup. Instead of corned beef stew with potatoes, roast some lean beef and turnips. This healthier dish is less watery, so it is better for WLS patients who should not drink fluids at meals, and it is lower in calories, carbohydrates and fat. Participate in local events, such as watching a St. Patrick’s Day parade or completing a Shamrock Run 5k. If you are not yet up to a road race, consider volunteering and cheering on the runners and walkers. Take these suggestions instead of drinking alcohol and eating high-calorie foods, and, Irish or not, you really will have something to celebrate this St. Patrick’s Day! March Madness – Are You Ready for the Tourney? You may think you’re all ready for the NCAA basketball tournament to start on March 18. You’ve studied the teams, filled out your brackets, and placed your bets. There’s one more thing to consider before you are truly ready for the tournament, aka March Madness. What will you eat? Watching sports on TV can lead to serious overeating, and it is worse when the tournament includes dozens of games, as does the NCAA tournament. Chowing down on pizza, fried chicken, chips and dip, and cookies can quickly stall your weight loss and throw off your blood sugar levels, not to mention make you feel extra sick because of your weight loss surgery. Instead of choosing junk, try these WLS-friendly ideas for your March Madness parties to have fun and stay healthy. Line muffin cups with turkey or ham slices and fill them with a mixture of spinach, ricotta, egg whites and garlic powder. Bake. Play up the basketball theme by serving spherical food, such as meatballs made with lean ground turkey, mozzarella balls served with tomato sauce, and cantaloupe balls. Lettuce cups filled with lean ground turkey and served with salsa. Substitute cooked peas, broccoli, zucchini or cauliflower for half of the avocados when you make guacamole. Serve it with cut veggies yourself, and tortilla chips for your guests Place slices of non-fat American cheese on turkey breast slices. Cut them into circular shapes using an upside-down glass. With a clean brush or toothpick, draw designs on the cheese so that it looks like a basketball. Of course, playing basketball can help your waistline, too. Why not start a tradition of shooting hoops or practicing your dribbling skills for a few minutes before each game? If you eat well and exercise, you will be a true winner during the NCAA tourney regardless of whether your team comes out on top. Spring is a joyous time of growth and renewal. We hope that this spring finds you making progress toward and renewing motivation for your own goals. If you need some inspiration or have some to share, or you just want to hang out, come by BariatricPal! See you on the boards!

Please consider supporting Dr. Arya M. Sharma's daughter's anti-fat bullying children's book campaign. Anti-fat bullying is a cause I hold dear to my heart. If enough of us get behind it, we can make 'Pom Pom - A Flightless Bully Tale' happen! Please feel free to share this link with your colleagues, family, and friends: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/669903/emal/6741271 Thank you for your support!

Doesn't seem to be case sensitive.

It doesn't work if you @ yourself. Keep the feedback coming @@Band2Sleever and we'll update this option accordingly.

I believe it works either way @@PdxMan, this is a test.

It's a bit nitpicky....you need to type out the username exactly as it appears on the site. So @AlexBrecher wouldn't work.

It sure did @@LipstickLady ! Have an awesome weekend!

We're happy to announce a new feature called @Mentions. This feature allows users to receive a notification when they are mentioned in a post. Just add the @ symbol before any member name, and they'll receive a notice that they were mentioned in your post or status update. Example: @@Ken S.