Alex Brecher

You started off at 318 and hit your "goal" weight of 170 on 9/17. Didn't you reach your goal weight ? What date should it be stating ?

SleevePlicationTalk Newsletter Hey Sleevers!The lull of summer is ending, and autumn is just around the corner. How did you do in meeting your goals this summer? We hope you met your weight loss and health goals, but if not, don’t worry. It’s the perfect time to get back into your weight loss routine if you got sidetracked during a summer vacation. Pick yourself up, return to your bariatric surgery diet and, of course, let us help! Here is what you’ll find in this month’s newsletter. Sleever Poll: How Did You Find Out About SleevePlicationTalk.com? Your Sleeve Plication lunch – Packing Your food for a Busy Day Keep the Forums Positive! Take a look at the newsletter and then join us at SleevePlicationTalk.com! We’re always looking for more participation, and we welcome your feedback, so drop us a line whenever you want! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder SleevePlicationTalk.com Sleever Poll: How Did You Find Out About SleevePlicationTalk.com? A. Search engine (e.g., Google, Yahoo!, Bing, etc…please tell us which one) B. Friend or family member C. Your surgeon D. Your primary care physician (PCP) E. An offline support group F. Your nutritionist or dietitian G. Someone else from your doctor’s or surgeon’s office (e.g., a nurse or receptionist) H. App store (e.g., iTunes, Google Apps Marketplace) I. Another way. Mark your answer and discuss it in the forums! Your Sleeve Plication Lunch – Packing Your Food for a Busy Day By mid-September, many of us are back into regular routines. If you have children who take their lunches to school, you make sure their lunches are appetizing and healthy. Your own lunch deserves just as much care. These tips can help you create easy sleeve-friendly sack lunches to take to work. Have these helpful items on hand: An insulated lunch bag A small spoon, fork and knife A set of small containers with tight-fitting lids Plastic baggies An insulated beverage container (unless you stick to Water bottles) Once a week: Figure out how many days you will need to take a lunch to work in the coming week. Plan your lunch menus, make a shopping list and get the groceries you need The night before: What can you do so that packing your lunch is easier in the morning? Measure your chicken breast Pack a serving of leftovers from dinner in a small container with a tight-fitting lid Wash and cut some fruit and vegetables Pack your utensils and a bottle of water Count your crackers Portable protein: Just as it does when you’re at home, Protein comes first when you’re on the go. These are some ideas for brown baggers. Tuna or chicken in cans or pouches Hard-boiled eggs (If you have a fridge at work): cottage cheese Fat-free canned refried Beans or low-sodium pinto, black or garbanzo beans Low-fat string cheese or light Laughing Cow cheese Lean ham or turkey breast Leftover grilled chicken or fish Peanut Butter If you’re still in the pureed foods stage, try lentil Soup, Protein shakes, hummus and Greek yogurt. Nutritious combinations: Combine your protein with vegetables, fruits and whole grains for their Fiber and other nutrients Dip and raw vegetables, such as carrot and celery sticks, grape tomatoes and cauliflower florets salad with chicken or tuna and shredded low-fat cheese Peanut butter on whole grain crackers or with apple slices Ham and low-fat cheese rolled up in a small whole-grain tortilla Greek yogurt with high-fiber Cereal or melon One-half small whole-wheat bagel with fat-free cream cheese and canned salmon If you’re post-op and not at the solid foods stage yet, try fat-free cottage cheese with pureed canned peaches, fat-free refried beans with low-fat shredded cheddar cheese and instant oatmeal with skim milk and Protein powder. Have extras on hand. You might get stuck working late or unable to make your planned lunch-time trip to a grocery store. Stash protein-containing Snacks at work for those occasions. Protein Bars and powder, canned tuna and chicken, roasted soybeans and almonds provide protein and do not need refrigeration, so you can keep them at work or in the car. Lunch after weight loss surgery can be a disaster if you opt for fast food or whatever’s in the vending machine, plan, but you can easily pack a healthy lunch that fits into your diet. Plan ahead, have the containers and utensils you need and focus on lean protein and other nutritious choices so that your lunch supports weight loss. Keep the Forums Positive! You come to SleevePlicationTalk.com for information and support. Unlike many other online forums, SleevePlicationTalk.com maintains a positive atmosphere and has zero tolerance for rudeness. We welcome anyone who is interested in weight loss surgery, regardless of their personal beliefs about it. When you see a post that is inappropriate or offensive, please report it using the “report post” link located at the bottom of the post. We realize and appreciate that nearly all members try hard to be welcoming, helpful and polite. These are a few tips to help you avoid avoid accidentally saying something that can be hurtful to another member. Say, “my surgeon told me…,” not, “the only right way is…” Say, “I think I would choose …,” not, “You made the wrong choice.” Say, “Have you considered…?,” not, “You’re not ready for your weight loss journey.” Say, “I have found that …,” not, “The right way is …” Each of these statements let you give your own opinion and advice without accusing other members of doing something wrong. Thank you for keeping the boards positive! That’s what we have for this month’s newsletter. Thank you for reading it and for your contributions to the board! You can always check out the old newsletters in the archive section. Take care of yourself and each other! Sincerely, Alex ==============================================================If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: {unsubscribe}

RNYTalk Newsletter Hey RNYTalk Members!The lull of summer is ending, and autumn is just around the corner. How did you do in meeting your goals this summer? We hope you met your weight loss and health goals, but if not, don’t worry. It’s the perfect time to get back into your weight loss routine if you got sidetracked during a summer vacation. Pick yourself up, return to your bariatric surgery diet and, of course, let us help! Here is what you’ll find in this month’s newsletter. Member Poll: How Did You Find Out About RNYTalk.com? Member Spotlight – Meet life_after_gastric_bypass! Your Gastric Bypass lunch – Packing Your food for a Busy Day Keep the Forums Positive! Take a look at the newsletter and then join us at RNYTalk.com! We’re always looking for more participation, and we welcome your feedback, so drop us a line whenever you want! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder RNYTalk.com Member Poll: How Did You Find Out About RNYTalk.com? A. Search engine (e.g., Google, Yahoo!, Bing, etc…please tell us which one) B. Friend or family member C. Your surgeon D. Your primary care physician (PCP) E. An offline support group F. Your nutritionist or dietitian G. Someone else from your doctor’s or surgeon’s office (e.g., a nurse or receptionist) H. App store (e.g., iTunes, Google Apps Marketplace) I. Another way. Mark your answer and discuss it in the forums! Member Spotlight – Meet life_after_gastric_bypass! This month, we are happy to introduce you to life_after_gastric_bypass, a 40-year-old New Yorker. life_after_gastric_bypass decided on gastric bypass surgery to help her lose weight because the diets she tried did not work for her, and she had no energy or motivation for the gym. Her weight climbed to a high of 301 pounds, including several pounds that she put on in 2012 because of some comfort eating after a serious brain aneurysm. life_after_gastric_bypass got the surgery in January of this year. Since then, she has already lost 113 pounds. Her goal is 160 pounds. Since surgery, life_after_gastric_bypass says her quality of life has improved. She has more energy and loves playing with her kids. She looks and feels better, and is “no longer trapped in a body” that she hates. She can feel her collar bone, shop in regular stores and enjoy taking photographs! Her health has also improved. She is no longer borderline diabetic, do not have sleep apnea or the need for the CPAP machine, and her asthma is controlled. Some of the early challenges that life_after_gastric_bypass faced were getting used to the emotional ups and downs of surgery and getting used to her new stomach and diet. Another challenge is accepting changes in her relationships with food and people, and seeing changes in herself. RNYTalk.com helps life_after_gastric_bypass surgery daily because of the support she gets. She does not have much support in real life, and depends on members here. She appreciates the non-judgmental, positive conversations and recipes that she finds in the forums. life_after_gastric_bypass has several pen pals from the forums that she considers true friends. She uses the site from her computer, smartphone and iPad, and tells other patients about the site whenever she visits her doctor. life_after_gastric_bypass has some advice for other RNYTalk.com members. First, do your research before getting surgery, and do not listen to others who are negative without reason. When you do get surgery, understand that you are changing your life. It is not the easy way out, and your diet and lifestyle will have to change. Thanks for sharing your story, giving good advice and telling others about RNYTalk.com! Congratulations on your dramatic weight loss so far! If you want to be featured in the Member Spotlight section of our newsletter, let us know in the Member Spotlight forum! You can also nominate another member. If you’re shy, just send a private message to Alex Brecher. Your Gastric Bypass Lunch – Packing Your Food for a Busy Day By mid-September, many of us are back into regular routines. If you have children who take their lunches to school, you make sure their lunches are appetizing and healthy. Your own lunch deserves just as much care. These tips can help you create easy bypass-friendly sack lunches to take to work. Have these helpful items on hand: An insulated lunch bag A small spoon, fork and knife A set of small containers with tight-fitting lids Plastic baggies An insulated beverage container (unless you stick to Water bottles) Once a week: Figure out how many days you will need to take a lunch to work in the coming week. Plan your lunch menus, make a shopping list and get the groceries you need The night before: What can you do so that packing your lunch is easier in the morning? Measure your chicken breast Pack a serving of leftovers from dinner in a small container with a tight-fitting lid Wash and cut some fruit and vegetables Pack your utensils and a bottle of water Count your crackers Portable protein: Just as it does when you’re at home, Protein comes first when you’re on the go. These are some ideas for brown baggers. Tuna or chicken in cans or pouches Hard-boiled eggs (If you have a fridge at work): cottage cheese Fat-free canned refried Beans or low-sodium pinto, black or garbanzo beans Low-fat string cheese or light Laughing Cow cheese Lean ham or turkey breast Leftover grilled chicken or fish Peanut Butter If you’re still in the pureed foods stage, try lentil Soup, Protein shakes, hummus and Greek yogurt. Nutritious combinations: Combine your protein with vegetables, fruits and whole grains for their Fiber and other nutrients Dip and raw vegetables, such as carrot and celery sticks, grape tomatoes and cauliflower florets salad with chicken or tuna and shredded low-fat cheese Peanut butter on whole grain crackers or with apple slices Ham and low-fat cheese rolled up in a small whole-grain tortilla Greek yogurt with high-fiber Cereal or melon One-half small whole-wheat bagel with fat-free cream cheese and canned salmon If you’re post-op and not at the solid foods stage yet, try fat-free cottage cheese with pureed canned peaches, fat-free refried beans with low-fat shredded cheddar cheese and instant oatmeal with skim milk and Protein powder. Have extras on hand. You might get stuck working late or unable to make your planned lunch-time trip to a grocery store. Stash protein-containing Snacks at work for those occasions. Protein Bars and powder, canned tuna and chicken, roasted soybeans and almonds provide protein and do not need refrigeration, so you can keep them at work or in the car. Lunch after weight loss surgery can be a disaster if you opt for fast food or whatever’s in the vending machine, plan, but you can easily pack a healthy lunch that fits into your diet. Plan ahead, have the containers and utensils you need and focus on lean protein and other nutritious choices so that your lunch supports weight loss. Keep the Forums Positive! You come to RNYTalk.com for information and support. Unlike many other online forums, RNYTalk.com maintains a positive atmosphere and has zero tolerance for rudeness. We welcome anyone who is interested in weight loss surgery, regardless of their personal beliefs about it. When you see a post that is inappropriate or offensive, please report it using the “report post” link located at the bottom of the post. We realize and appreciate that nearly all members try hard to be welcoming, helpful and polite. These are a few tips to help you avoid avoid accidentally saying something that can be hurtful to another member. Say, “my surgeon told me…,” not, “the only right way is…” Say, “I think I would choose …,” not, “You made the wrong choice.” Say, “Have you considered…?,” not, “You’re not ready for your weight loss journey.” Say, “I have found that …,” not, “The right way is …” Each of these statements let you give your own opinion and advice without accusing other members of doing something wrong. Thank you for keeping the boards positive! That’s what we have for this month’s newsletter. Thank you for reading it and for your contributions to the board! You can always check out the old newsletters in the archive section. Take care of yourself and each other! Sincerely, Alex ==============================================================If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: {unsubscribe}

VerticalSleeveTalk Newsletter Hey Sleevers!The lull of summer is ending, and autumn is just around the corner. How did you do in meeting your goals this summer? We hope you met your weight loss and health goals, but if not, don’t worry. It’s the perfect time to get back into your weight loss routine if you got sidetracked during a summer vacation. Pick yourself up, return to your bariatric surgery diet and, of course, let us help! Here is what you’ll find in this month’s newsletter. Sleever Poll: How Did You Find Out About VerticalSleeveTalk.com? Member Spotlight – Meet ShrinkingMama! Your Sleeve Gastrectomy lunch – Packing Your food for a Busy Day Keep the Forums Positive! Take a look at the newsletter and then join us at VerticalSleeveTalk.com! We’re always looking for more participation, and we welcome your feedback, so drop us a line whenever you want! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder VerticalSleeveTalk.com Sleever Poll: How Did You Find Out About VerticalSleeveTalk.com? A. Search engine (e.g., Google, Yahoo!, Bing, etc…please tell us which one) B. Friend or family member C. Your surgeon D. Your primary care physician (PCP) E. An offline support group F. Your nutritionist or dietitian G. Someone else from your doctor’s or surgeon’s office (e.g., a nurse or receptionist) H. App store (e.g., iTunes, Google Apps Marketplace) I. Another way. Mark your answer and discuss it in the forums! Member Spotlight – Meet ShrinkingMama! In this month’s newsletter, we’re happy to introduce ShrinkingMama, a 28-year-old wife of a police officer and stay-at-home mother of a 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. Her family is her world and the reason for her surgery. ShrinkingMama came from an Italian family, which revolved around food, but she weighed only 140 pounds throughout high school. She began to gain weight during an abusive relationship, and did not lose much even when using Weight Watchers. She met her husband in 2007, continued to gain weight and was 200 pounds by the time she was pregnant with her daughter. As she says, she “did what any other pregnant woman does: eat!” She was on strict bed rest for her third trimester and weighed 240 pounds. She lost 20, gained it back during her second pregnancy and could not lose much with Weight Watchers, diet pills, Jenny Craig, Overeaters Anonymous, hypnosis or SlimFast. The straw that broke the camel’s back for her was last summer, when her weight prevented her from taking her son on a certain ride. She loved the third surgeon she met, and changed her mind from getting the lap-band to getting vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Her pre-operative preparation went smoothly, and surgery was December 2012. Her first week was rough, but she recovered well and began “dropping weight like crazy.” ShrinkingMama now weighs 147 pounds and is nearly at goal weight of 140 pounds. She has been on a gluten-free diet for about a year because of celiac disease. She is very proud of herself for making this decision and following through. Her husband has been completely supportive, and her parents have come around, for the most part. ShrinkingMama is looking forward to skin removal surgery when she is at goal weight. ShrinkingMama is completely happy with her surgery, and she offers this advice. Listen to your surgeon and nutritionist. Do not compare yourself or your weight loss to others’. Talk to other patients to learn. Be patient! ShrinkingMama, thank you for sharing your story and especially your enthusiasm with us! Congratulations on your weight loss and your new chance at life! If you want to be featured in the Member Spotlight section of our newsletter, let us know in the Member Spotlight forum! You can also nominate another member. If you’re shy, just send a private message to Alex Brecher. Your Sleeve Gastrectomy Lunch – Packing Your Food for a Busy Day By mid-September, many of us are back into regular routines. If you have children who take their lunches to school, you make sure their lunches are appetizing and healthy. Your own lunch deserves just as much care. These tips can help you create easy gastric sleeve-friendly sack lunches to take to work. Have these helpful items on hand: An insulated lunch bag A small spoon, fork and knife A set of small containers with tight-fitting lids Plastic baggies An insulated beverage container (unless you stick to Water bottles) Once a week: Figure out how many days you will need to take a lunch to work in the coming week. Plan your lunch menus, make a shopping list and get the groceries you need The night before: What can you do so that packing your lunch is easier in the morning? Measure your chicken breast Pack a serving of leftovers from dinner in a small container with a tight-fitting lid Wash and cut some fruit and vegetables Pack your utensils and a bottle of water Count your crackers Portable protein: Just as it does when you’re at home, Protein comes first when you’re on the go. These are some ideas for brown baggers. Tuna or chicken in cans or pouches Hard-boiled eggs (If you have a fridge at work): cottage cheese Fat-free canned refried Beans or low-sodium pinto, black or garbanzo beans Low-fat string cheese or light Laughing Cow cheese Lean ham or turkey breast Leftover grilled chicken or fish Peanut Butter If you’re still in the pureed foods stage, try lentil Soup, Protein shakes, hummus and Greek yogurt. Nutritious combinations: Combine your protein with vegetables, fruits and whole grains for their Fiber and other nutrients Dip and raw vegetables, such as carrot and celery sticks, grape tomatoes and cauliflower florets salad with chicken or tuna and shredded low-fat cheese Peanut butter on whole grain crackers or with apple slices Ham and low-fat cheese rolled up in a small whole-grain tortilla Greek yogurt with high-fiber Cereal or melon One-half small whole-wheat bagel with fat-free cream cheese and canned salmon If you’re post-op and not at the solid foods stage yet, try fat-free cottage cheese with pureed canned peaches, fat-free refried beans with low-fat shredded cheddar cheese and instant oatmeal with skim milk and Protein powder. Have extras on hand. You might get stuck working late or unable to make your planned lunch-time trip to a grocery store. Stash protein-containing Snacks at work for those occasions. Protein Bars and powder, canned tuna and chicken, roasted soybeans and almonds provide protein and do not need refrigeration, so you can keep them at work or in the car. Lunch after weight loss surgery can be a disaster if you opt for fast food or whatever’s in the vending machine, plan, but you can easily pack a healthy lunch that fits into your diet. Plan ahead, have the containers and utensils you need and focus on lean protein and other nutritious choices so that your lunch supports weight loss. Keep the Forums Positive! You come to VerticalSleeveTalk.com for information and support. Unlike many other online forums, VerticalSleeveTalk.com maintains a positive atmosphere and has zero tolerance for rudeness. We welcome anyone who is interested in weight loss surgery, regardless of their personal beliefs about it. When you see a post that is inappropriate or offensive, please report it using the “report post” link located at the bottom of the post. We realize and appreciate that nearly all members try hard to be welcoming, helpful and polite. These are a few tips to help you avoid avoid accidentally saying something that can be hurtful to another member. Say, “my surgeon told me…,” not, “the only right way is…” Say, “I think I would choose …,” not, “You made the wrong choice.” Say, “Have you considered…?,” not, “You’re not ready for your weight loss journey.” Say, “I have found that …,” not, “The right way is …” Each of these statements let you give your own opinion and advice without accusing other members of doing something wrong. Thank you for keeping the boards positive! That’s what we have for this month’s newsletter. You can always check out the old newsletters in the archive section. Thank you for reading it and for your contributions to the board! Take care of yourself and each other! Sincerely, Alex ============================================================== If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: {unsubscribe}

Hey Bandsters!The lull of summer is ending, and autumn is just around the corner. How did you do in meeting your goals this summer? We hope you met your weight loss and health goals, but if not, don’t worry. It’s the perfect time to get back into your weight loss routine if you got sidetracked during a summer vacation. Pick yourself up, return to your bariatric surgery diet and, of course, let us help! Here is what you’ll find in this month’s newsletter. Bandster Poll: How Did You Find Out About LapBandTalk.com? Member Spotlight – Meet Carol285! Your Lap-Band lunch – Packing Your food for a Busy Day Keep the Forums Positive! Take a look at the newsletter and then join us at LapBandTalk.com! We’re always looking for more participation, and we welcome your feedback, so drop us a line whenever you want! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder LapBandTalk.com Bandster Poll: How Did You Find Out About LapBandTalk.com? A. Search engine (e.g., Google, Yahoo!, Bing, etc…please tell us which one) B. Friend or family member C. Your surgeon D. Your primary care physician (PCP) E. An offline support group F. Your nutritionist or dietitian G. Someone else from your doctor’s or surgeon’s office (e.g., a nurse or receptionist) H. App store (e.g., iTunes, Google Apps Marketplace) I. Another way. Mark your answer and discuss it in the forums! Member Spotlight – Meet Carol285! Our September spotlight is on Carol285, a 49-year-old substitute and mother from from New York. She’s a veteran bandster whose surgery was in October 2010. She got the surgery because she always gained back the weight she lost after each diet, and felt that the lap-band would be the extra tool she needed for ongoing success. Carol’s top weight was 285 pounds, but she’s down to 190 pounds now! Since surgery, Carol has more energy and better health. More important are her new self-confidence and realization that she is worth the effort! She has enjoyed her shrinking body and fitting into smaller clothes. She has also found that she can walk without pain – and she loves it! Carol has overcome her share of challenges. She cares for her 16-year-old son with autism, and for her husband who had a heart attack before her surgery and who is still unable to work. Carol was able to get continue with her lap-band surgery because a friend helped her at home. Her next challenge was sorting out insurance – and in the process, she had to delay getting to the proper fill level for six more months! During that period, she gained some weight back. Carol uses LapBandTalk.com most days for support and information. She also likes to support others – what a great feeling! As a tip for members who are struggling with their weight loss, she says to remember that mistakes and doubting are normal, but it is not okay to give up on yourself. If you’re having trouble, she says, reach out to the site! “While are journeys are all a bit different there are many more similarities so take advantage of that.” Thanks, Carol, for your tips and for being in the Member Spotlight! You have overcome a lot of challenges, and we are proud to see your success! If you want to be featured in the Member Spotlight section of our newsletter, let us know in the Member Spotlight forum! You can also nominate another member. If you’re shy, just send a private message to Alex Brecher. Your Lap-Band Lunch – Packing Your Food for a Busy Day By mid-September, many of us are back into regular routines. If you have children who take their lunches to school, you make sure their lunches are appetizing and healthy. Your own lunch deserves just as much care. These tips can help you create easy lap-band-friendly sack lunches to take to work. Have these helpful items on hand: An insulated lunch bag A small spoon, fork and knife A set of small containers with tight-fitting lids Plastic baggies An insulated beverage container (unless you stick to Water bottles) Once a week: Figure out how many days you will need to take a lunch to work in the coming week. Plan your lunch menus, make a shopping list and get the groceries you need The night before: What can you do so that packing your lunch is easier in the morning? Measure your chicken breast Pack a serving of leftovers from dinner in a small container with a tight-fitting lid Wash and cut some fruit and vegetables Pack your utensils and a bottle of water Count your crackers Portable protein: Just as it does when you’re at home, Protein comes first when you’re on the go. These are some ideas for brown baggers. Tuna or chicken in cans or pouches Hard-boiled eggs (If you have a fridge at work): cottage cheese Fat-free canned refried Beans or low-sodium pinto, black or garbanzo beans Low-fat string cheese or light Laughing Cow cheese Lean ham or turkey breast Leftover grilled chicken or fish Peanut Butter If you’re still in the pureed foods stage, try lentil Soup, Protein shakes, hummus and Greek yogurt. Nutritious combinations: Combine your protein with vegetables, fruits and whole grains for their Fiber and other nutrients Dip and raw vegetables, such as carrot and celery sticks, grape tomatoes and cauliflower florets salad with chicken or tuna and shredded low-fat cheese Peanut butter on whole grain crackers or with apple slices Ham and low-fat cheese rolled up in a small whole-grain tortilla Greek yogurt with high-fiber Cereal or melon One-half small whole-wheat bagel with fat-free cream cheese and canned salmon If you’re post-op and not at the solid foods stage yet, try fat-free cottage cheese with pureed canned peaches, fat-free refried beans with low-fat shredded cheddar cheese and instant oatmeal with skim milk and Protein powder. Have extras on hand. You might get stuck working late or unable to make your planned lunch-time trip to a grocery store. Stash protein-containing Snacks at work for those occasions. Protein Bars and powder, canned tuna and chicken, roasted soybeans and almonds provide protein and do not need refrigeration, so you can keep them at work or in the car. Lunch after weight loss surgery can be a disaster if you opt for fast food or whatever’s in the vending machine, plan, but you can easily pack a healthy lunch that fits into your diet. Plan ahead, have the containers and utensils you need and focus on lean protein and other nutritious choices so that your lunch supports weight loss. Keep the Forums Positive! You come to LapBandTalk.com for information and support. Unlike many other online forums, LapBandTalk.com maintains a positive atmosphere and has zero tolerance for rudeness. We welcome anyone who is interested in weight loss surgery, regardless of their personal beliefs about it. When you see a post that is inappropriate or offensive, please report it using the “report post” link located at the bottom of the post. We realize and appreciate that nearly all members try hard to be welcoming, helpful and polite. These are a few tips to help you avoid avoid accidentally saying something that can be hurtful to another member. Say, “my surgeon told me…,” not, “the only right way is…” Say, “I think I would choose …,” not, “You made the wrong choice.” Say, “Have you considered…?,” not, “You’re not ready for your weight loss journey.” Say, “I have found that …,” not, “The right way is …” Each of these statements let you give your own opinion and advice without accusing other members of doing something wrong. Thank you for keeping the boards positive! That’s what we have for this month’s newsletter. Thank you for reading it and for your contributions to the board! You can always check out the old newsletters in the archive section. Take care of yourself and each other! Sincerely, Alex ============================================================== If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: {unsubscribe}

Good point!!!

Sounds like you're using our Mobile App. The signature setting should be in: More - Settings - Forum Posting Options.

Do you know which browser your using to access our web site ? I'd suggest logging out of RNYTalk. Delete your Cookies and cache. Log back in.

It's only accessible from a desktop computer. This will change once we launch our new site, September 29th.

Not yet. We plan on launching our new site September 29th. Please connect with me after that point and I'll get it set up asap.

I figured out your specific issue.... We never had Dr. Jennifer M. Perkins listed in our database to begin with. I've added some very basic info about her to our database and you should be able to select her as your bariatric surgeon. PM me if you have her office or personal email address so I can provide her with info on how to complete her profile.

This is obviously an issue for some of our members and would appreciate a little info in order to resolve this problem. When you are trying to select your surgeon, what, exactly if you don't mind, are you doing? Step by step please. Are you completely typing the surgeons name? Does your browser auto complete his name? Do you click on his name once our system delivers it as a suggestion? What type of device are you using (computer, smartphone, tablet etc.)

How Did You Find Out About RNYTalk.com? Please mark your answer and discuss it below!

How Did You Find Out About VerticalSleeveTalk.com? Please mark your answer and discuss it below!

How Did You Find Out About LapBandTalk.com? Please mark your answer and discuss it below!

Reading will never be restricted.

They're not accessible from our mobile skin or app. If you go to our site via Safari on your browser, you'll see a link at the bottom called Full Version. Click on that link and you'l be taken to our full web site where you'll be able to view and edit these items.

Very good suggestion. I'd love to have a little more feedback on your suggestion from other members and vets. We can easily enforce a rule like this once we make the changes that are coming shortly.

I spoke with her today. You'll be hearing from her shortly.

Which coordinator are you dealing with ?

I'm going to figure out something that's a bit easier to follow. It's a real pita at the moment.

My birthday status's are getting in the way and I plan on stopping them over the next few days. You can go to http://www.lapbandtalk.com/statuses/friends/ to view your friend's statuses and http://www.lapbandtalk.com/statuses/all/ to see them all.

I've been contemplating adding a Duodenal Switch (DS) community for quite some time. Exciting new changes are coming to all our WLS communities. You'll receive further info via an announcement within the next week or so. We plan on adding DS forums once these changes are rolled out.

VerticalSleeveTalk Newsletter Hey Sleevers! It’s hard to believe that summer’s almost over! We hope you get some time to enjoy the weather, your family and friends and your pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. If you’ve fallen off course a little bit, VerticalSleeveTalk.com is a great source of inspiration to get you back on track. If you’re going strong, log onto the forums and give a weight loss buddy a helping hand. That’s what the boards are for! Here’s what we have for you in this month’s newsletter. Sleever Poll – Which Dietary supplements Do You Take? Member Spotlight – Meet Curvy Girl! Staying Nourished After Weight Loss Surgery – Which Bariatric Dietary Supplements Do You Need? Tips for Better Boarding – Be Considerate! So read through the newsletter, answer the Dietary Supplement Poll and stick around on VerticalSleeveTalk.com. We can’t wait to see you there! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder VerticalSleeveTalk.com Sleever Poll – Which Dietary Supplements Do You Take? Vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements are important for staying healthy when you’re a bariatric surgery patient. Not every patient receives the same advice and some patients don’t know the best options. This forum is a great place to let everyone know which bariatric supplements YOU take. Can you please take a few minutes to share which dietary supplements you take? Thanks for spreading the word! 1. Do you take a bariatric daily multivitamin/mineral supplement? Which brand and formulation specifically? For example, you might take Centrum for Women or One a Day Women’s Active Metabolism. 2. Which bariatric vitamins and minerals do you take each day? What is the brand and formulation of each? For example, you might take Puritan’s Pride Calcium Magnesium Vitamin D or Nature Made Iron 65 mg (ferrous sulfate). 3. Which other supplements (including herbals) do you take, and what brands are they? For example, you might take Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omegas fish oil. Answer these questions and see what other VerticalSleeveTalk.com members have to say about their dietary supplements by using this link! Member Spotlight – Meet Curvy Girl! This month’s member spotlight is on Curvy Girl from San Antonio, Texas. She lost 100 lbs with Weight Watchers, but gained it back when she was pregnant with her twins. Since then, she gained and lost the same 30 pounds over and over. She felt as though the weight loss surgery was her last chance. Her highest weight was 348 pounds. She got the surgery done in August of 2012, and now, at her one-year anniversary, has lost about 100 lbs! Curvy Girl says there are so many differences in her life. She doesn’t have to worry about whether she’ll be able to fit into a chair. She’s a regular gym-goer, and she’s eating healthily and drinking Water. She’s confident in her decisions, and knows to eat her Proteins first and veggies second – with no sodas or beer! Curvy Girl says she doesn’t stick out like she used to. Some of her greatest moments have been buying an extra large bathing suit, buying a shirt in a regular store and being able to fit into a regular airplane set! Also, she’s comfortable taking photos with her children! Of course, there have been challenges. On vacation, there have been times when Curvy Girl wishes she could eat, but she knows that she’s been successful exactly because she couldn’t eat! VerticalSleeveTalk.com has helped Curvy Girl from the beginning of her weight loss surgery journey, and she still loves reading posts from beginners and veteran members. The boards let her see how far she’s come and give her a chance to inspire others. Her tips for others are to follow the rules, to focus on water and Protein and to be happy with your progress. Curvy Girl, you really have reason to be happy with your progress! Congratulations on your one-year sleeve anniversary, and thanks for being in our member spotlight! If you want to nominate yourself or someone else to be in our Member Spotlight, please do so in the Spotlight forum! You can nominate yourself or someone else anonymously by sending a private message to Alex Brecher. Thanks! Staying Nourished After Weight Loss Surgery – Which Bariatric Dietary Supplements Do You Need? You get weight loss surgery as a tool to help you eat less so that you can lose weight. You eat a low-calorie diet, you drink plenty of water and you hit your protein goals every day. You’re losing weight and think everything’s under control, but there’s something else you should be thinking about. Ironically enough, you might be malnourished. Why are weight loss surgery patients at high risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies? You’re not eating very much. You’re limiting certain food groups. Your body is trying to recover from surgery or sustain weight loss. Right after surgery, you may need liquid or powdered forms of supplements. Later, chewable or even gel supplements may be tolerable. Many weight loss surgery patients take a daily Multivitamin and mineral supplement to get a range of nutrients to make up for possible deficiencies in your diet. Ask your surgeon or a nutritionist which one might be best for you. You might also need to take a few single vitamin or mineral supplements in addition to your daily multivitamin and mineral supplement. Which additional supplements might you need? These are some of the common ones, but there are more that you may need. Iron – needed to prevent anemia and keep your immune system strong Vitamin D – supports bone health to prevent osteoporosis and fractures Calcium – supports bone health to prevent osteoporosis and fractures Vitamin B12 – helps prevent anemia For recommendations from our members, visit this month’s poll on VerticalSleeveTalk.com! When you’re there, please share your own supplements! As with any advice, a doctor or dietitian should provide the final word. Tips for Better Boarding – Be Considerate! We’ll end the newsletter with a brief reminder. VerticalSleeveTalk.com is a source of information. It’s also a community. Our members depend on VerticalSleeveTalk.com to be encouraging and supportive. For some of our members, VerticalSleeveTalk.com is the only source of social support they have for their surgeries and weight loss journeys. Please remember this and respect all members’ rights to a warm and welcoming atmosphere! People may have different viewpoints, but every member deserves respect and courtesy. Thank you for keeping our boards a safe haven for all weight loss surgery patients! Thanks for reading the newsletter and for your continued support! Don’t forget to check out the old newsletters in on VerticalSleeveTalk.com. It is always a pleasure to hear from members, so please feel free to contact us anytime with feedback. Thanks! Take care of yourself and each other. Sincerely, Alex ============================================================== If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: {unsubscribe}

RNYTalk Newsletter Hey RNYTalk Members! It’s hard to believe that summer’s almost over! We hope you get some time to enjoy the weather, your family and friends and your pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. If you’ve fallen off course a little bit, RNYTalk.com is a great source of inspiration to get you back on track. If you’re going strong, log onto the forums and give a weight loss buddy a helping hand. That’s what the boards are for! Here’s what we have for you in this month’s newsletter. Member Poll – Which Dietary supplements Do You Take? Member Spotlight – Meet deaddemamma! Staying Nourished After Weight Loss Surgery – Which Bariatric Dietary Supplements Do You Need? Tips for Better Boarding – Be Considerate! So read through the newsletter, answer the Dietary Supplement Poll and stick around on RNYTalk.com. We can’t wait to see you there! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder RNYTalk.com Poll – Which Dietary Supplements Do You Take? Vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements are important for staying healthy when you’re a bariatric surgery patient. Not every patient receives the same advice and some patients don’t know the best options. This forum is a great place to let everyone know which bariatric supplements YOU take. Can you please take a few minutes to share which dietary supplements you take? Thanks for spreading the word! 1. Do you take a bariatric daily multivitamin/mineral supplement? Which brand and formulation specifically? For example, you might take Centrum for Women or One a Day Women’s Active Metabolism. 2. Which bariatric vitamins and minerals do you take each day? What is the brand and formulation of each? For example, you might take Puritan’s Pride Calcium Magnesium Vitamin D or Nature Made Iron 65 mg (ferrous sulfate). 3. Which other supplements (including herbals) do you take, and what brands are they? For example, you might take Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omegas fish oil. Answer these questions and see what other RNYTalk.com members have to say about their dietary supplements by using this link! Member Spotlight – Meet deaddemamma! This month, we’re happy to feature deaddemamma in the member spotlight! She’s a 48-year-old teacher from Wisconsin who has a 17-year marriage and three sons. She says that she was always heavy as a child. At the age of 30, she “quit smoking, had another child and had a series of life-threatening health issues.” She was in constant pain, and after 12 years of overeating, she was at 297 pounds. She got her surgery in April of this year and has already lost 68 lbs en route to a goal of 160 lbs! Deaddemamma says she decided to get weight loss surgery because she “was tired of feeling like I was carrying an elephant around.” She hopes her weight loss will help reduce her chronic pain. Since surgery, her attitude about food has changed – now, food is fuel to her. In fact, deaddemamma says her biggest challenge is eating enough! She has to remind herself to eat three times a day. Deaddemamma uses RNYTalk.com “to make new friends, lend support and get support.” So far, her main advice is to follow the instructions from your surgeon and nutritionist. Also, eat Protein first, then fruits and vegetables. Deaddemamma, thank you so much for being in our member spotlight! Congratulations on your weight loss so far, and we look forward to watching you achieve your goals! If you want to nominate yourself or someone else to be in our Member Spotlight, please do so in the Spotlight forum! You can nominate yourself or someone else anonymously by sending a private message to Alex Brecher. Thanks! Staying Nourished After Weight Loss Surgery – Which Bariatric Dietary Supplements Do You Need? You get weight loss surgery as a tool to help you eat less so that you can lose weight. You eat a low-calorie diet, you drink plenty of Water and you hit your protein goals every day. You’re losing weight and think everything’s under control, but there’s something else you should be thinking about. Ironically enough, you can get malnourished after gastric bypass surgery. Why are weight loss surgery patients at high risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies? You’re not eating very much. You’re limiting certain food groups. Your body is trying to recover from surgery or sustain weight loss. You’re eating less fat, so you have more trouble absorbing fat-soluble vitamins. Right after surgery, you may need liquid or powdered forms of supplements. Later, chewable or even gel supplements may be tolerable. Many weight loss surgery patients take a daily Multivitamin and mineral supplement to get a range of nutrients to make up for possible deficiencies in your diet. Ask your surgeon or a nutritionist which one might be best for you. You might also need to take a few single vitamin or mineral supplements in addition to your daily multivitamin and mineral supplement. Which additional supplements might you need? These are some of the common ones, but there are more that you may need. Iron – needed to prevent anemia and keep your immune system strong Vitamin D – supports bone health to prevent osteoporosis and fractures Calcium – supports bone health to prevent osteoporosis and fractures Vitamin B12 – helps prevent anemia Vitamin A – needed to keep your eyes health and your immune system strong Vitamin K – needed for proper blood clotting and bone health Vitamin E – a heart-healthy antioxidant For recommendations from our members, visit this month’s poll on RNYTalk.com! When you’re there, please share your own supplements! As with any advice, a doctor or dietitian should provide the final word. Tips for Better Boarding – Be Considerate! We’ll end the newsletter with a brief reminder. RNYTalk.com is a source of information. It’s also a community. Our members depend on RNYTalk.com to be encouraging and supportive. For some of our members, RNYTalk.com is the only source of social support they have for their surgeries and weight loss journeys. Please remember this and respect all members’ rights to a warm and welcoming atmosphere! People may have different viewpoints, but every member deserves respect and courtesy. Thank you for keeping our boards a safe haven for all weight loss surgery patients! Thanks for reading the newsletter and for your continued support! Don’t forget that you can always check out the old newsletters at RNYTalk.com. It is always a pleasure to hear from members, so please feel free to contact us anytime with feedback. Thanks! Take care of yourself and each other. Sincerely, Alex ==============================================================If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: {unsubscribe}