Alex Brecher

Hey Bandsters! 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, LapBandTalk.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. Poll – Which Dietary supplements Do You Take? Member Spotlight – Meet dylanmiles23! 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 LapBandTalk.com. We can’t wait to see you there! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder LapBandTalk.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 LapBandTalk.com members have to say about their dietary supplements by using this link! Member Spotlight – Meet dylanmiles23! Our August member spotlight is on dylanmiles23, aka Arlene, from Massachusetts. This 62-year-old mother and grandmother loves spending time with her family, and can enjoy her family time much more since getting the lap-band! At 5 feet 5 inches tall, Arlene’s highest weight was 268 pounds. She had been treated for asthma and COPD because of her coughing for several years, but the tests never showed problems in her lungs. Finally, her doctor discovered that she had a hernia. Her lung doctor is the one who recommended weight loss surgery and the band for her. She doesn’t tell many people about the surgery. Except on LapBandTalk.com, she also doesn’t tell many people how much weight she has lost because she is ashamed of having been so big! Arlene is lucky to be able to state that she hasn’t had many challenges. She does warn that wrinkles appear when you get surgery at an older age, but that “wrinkles look better than fat.” Since getting the lap-band, Arlene is down to 190 pounds! She can fit into a restaurant booth, wear clothes from the Misses instead of the Plus department and enjoy shopping instead of becoming exhausted from it. She’s joined a gym – and isn’t the largest one there – and can walk all three flights of stairs in her townhouse without resting. She says she loves “getting full when eating a small amount.” This foodie now knows how to stop at a single serving of pizza instead of eating half of it in one sitting! Arlene loves LapBandTalk because she can “share and listen and learn from everyone.” Unlike most doctors and nurses, LapBandTalk.com members actually have personal experience with what you are going through with the lap-band. Also, the anonymity allows for people to provide more personal advice. If you are struggling, she suggests calling your doctor or dietitian, since everyone’s health care team has its own own specific procedures and recommendations. She also says not to “deprive yourself or you will go completely off with your eating.” Thanks, Arlene, for being in our Member Spotlight! Congratulations on your success so far, and we’ll keep following your journey on LapBandTalk.com! 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 B complex – allows for energy metabolism Vitamin A – needed for healthy vision and a strong immune system For recommendations from our members, visit this month’s poll on LapBandTalk.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. LapBandTalk.com is a source of information. It’s also a community. Our members depend on LapBandTalk.com to be encouraging and supportive. For some of our members, LapBandTalk.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 if you missed any. 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}

SleevePlicationTalk 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, SleevePlicationTalk.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? 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 SleevePlicationTalk.com. We can’t wait to see you there! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder SleevePlicationTalk.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! 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 SleevePlicationTalk.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. SleevePlicationTalk.com is a source of information. It’s also a community. Our members depend on SleevePlicationTalk.com to be encouraging and supportive. For some of our members, SleevePlicationTalk.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 old newsletters if you missed any. 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}

You just posted successfully ? Can you be a bit more specific please ?

Please PM me to discuss these types of issues. Thanks in advance for your splendid cooperation

It's impossible for us to read every post. If you feel a post goes against our terms of service, please use the REPORT button found next to the post and provide the reason you're reporting it. We review every single post that's reported and take action if required.

Sending you a PM with reset instructions.

You're trying to access the NJ "Group" forum. Groups and their forums aren't accessible from mobile devices as of yet. You'll need to view them from a desktop computer. We plan on changing this within the next month or so.

This is a great suggestion! We're definitely going to implement it once we launch the new community.

Thanks Laura! Please leave a review for us on Kindle if you're able

We hope this announcement finds you well. As the world’s largest online community dedicated to the gastric bypass BariatricPal.com can provide valuable support and information along your weight loss journey. We’d like to take this opportunity to tell you that BariatricPal.com has another exciting way to help out our members pursue weight loss and health. It’s our very own Big Book on the Gastric Bypass! The Big Book on the Gastric Bypass! That’s right! BariatricPal.com is not only a social network, but now also the source of the complete book called “The BIG Book on the Gastric Bypass: Everything You Need To Know To Lose Weight and Live Well with the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery.” Author Alex Brecher is the founder of BariatricPal.com. He is a weight loss surgery patient who has successfully lost and kept off over 100 pounds, and he is committed to helping other weight loss surgery patients experience the same success. Co-author Natalie Stein is a nutritionist and weight loss specialist who provides expertise on the Bypass diet. A Complete Guide to Life after the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery This unique book is one of the very few that are dedicated completely to the gastric bypass. As the title says, it’s a big book that covers everything about the bypass! It is a guide that you can use from before surgery to after you have reached your goal weight. These are just a few topics that are covered in the book. How obesity can harm you and millions of others Why it’s so tough to lose weight without surgery The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass procedure How the gastric bypass works to help you lose weight Risks and benefits to decide whether the gastric bypass is for you Choosing a surgeon and preparing for surgery. The postoperative follow-up care program The postoperative diet progression from liquids to solid foods. The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass diet: healthy eating and weight control for life Starting and continuing an exercise program. Physical and psychological changes to expect as you lose weight How to build a can’t-fail support system BariatricPal.com and other resources for support and information. How Can You Get Your Copy? The BIG Book on the Gastric Bypass: Everything You Need To Know To Lose Weight and Live Well with the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery is available direct from BariatricPal.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks and Kobo. You can get a hard copy or download an electronic version for Kindle, Nook, iOS or Kobo. Check it out and spread the word! BariatricPal.com Members Tell Their Stories in the Book! The book doesn’t just have complete, understandable information about the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. It’s also a compilation of real-life member stories told in their own words. The book features BariatricPal.com members who were kind enough to share their stories with us and now with you! These members are some of BariatricPal.com’s most active ones, and you’ll probably meet them on the boards soon if you haven’t already! Do You Want to Be in the Next Book? If you didn’t get involved this time around but you might like to be featured in another book, contact Alex Brecher via BariatricPal.com’s private messaging system. We’d love to hear from you and give you the scoop! We’d love to hear your thoughts about the book! Let us know what you think when you check it out! We’re always delighted to hear from BariatricPal.com members and we want to know what we can do to help you along your journey. Thanks for your support up through now, and enjoy The Big Book on the Gastric Bypass!

In the future please (please please) use the REPORT button as soon as you receive spam PM's. It's the only way we can eliminate them.

The dots or pips are based on the number of posts you have. Here's a list of our Member Titles/Ranks: We've been crystal clear that we do not allow topics created with the purpose to Rant and Rave about members. What exactly is so difficult to understand about this concept ? Susan isn't picking on anyone whatsoever and I'm getting a little tired with all the whining as of late I would allow a total free for all in the R&R forum or across the entire forum for that matter....if we were an automobile forum. We happen to be a forum for people where a majority of them have been bullied, physically abused or sexually abused. I'm sorry but we're not going to help perpetuate the name calling, nastiness and hate.

I've been contacted by a few concerned members about this patients death. I have no information and can't substantiate these rumors at this time. There seems to have been some confusion amongst the individuals that reached out to me. I'd like to clarify that these rumors are referring to Mexico Bariatric Center (MBC) and not Mexicali Bariatric Center (Dr. Aceves.)

Argh! Please DO NOT discuss moderation issues within this or any thread. Please contact us directly if you have any issues with mods, moderation etc.

I just cleaned up (AKA edited) and merged the (duplicate) threads.

I believe this topic has run it's course. It's now locked (click.)

In the interest of full disclosure.... I've been running WLSBoards (VST/LBT/RNYTalk) for quite some time now (10 years next month.) Most of you don't know my background. You can check me out on LinkedIn to learn more. Until quite recently, running VST/LBT/RNYTalk was my favorite hobby and a way for me to give back to the WLS community. I've (pretty much) exited the tech sector and have decided to devote a large portion of my time to my favorite hobby. This might come as a shock to many but even with all the sponsorships and ads we run on the site, there hasn't been a year where VST/LBT/RNYTalk made a profit. I've personally made up the difference each year. I've never asked and don't ever plan on asking for donations . MSO was created as another way to drive revenue and pay for expenses. It was also created with the intent to bring some honesty, openness, and transparency to the process of having surgery in Mexico. We've never hidden our connection and I'm proud to stand behind it 100%.

The unsolicited PM's you've sent speak for themselves. (For privacy reasons, I'm going to skip any PM's that were solicited) A few of your most recent sent messages: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PM Title: Dr Kelly Info If you want to chat I will call you personally about Kelly. we just got back a few days ago. I have been to TJ 12 times so I know a thing or two. I just dont have the patients to type and type and type. Give me a contact number or you can call my husband or me at 2506754657 Its the best decision you will ever make but choosing a doctor and facilatator - each package is so so different... but I will tell you all about that. Ciao George / Kate ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PM Title: Great Price Before I post I want to know a few more details. Can I call you or you call me. Its not just the surgeon... but the procedure, the type of staples, the sewing, the gluing, the hospital... the hotel. It all comes into play and affects the price. I just got back and can probably answer ant questions you may have but I dont want to type for an hour. Easier to talk or talk with my hubby. Hes been there 12 times Kate 2506754657 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PM Title: Mexico Bariatric Centre Yes... keep doing research but some of the crap you read on these forums can screw you up. Dr V and Dr Kelly are both very qualified. Dr. K's procedure is a bit different though. Im glad you are open minded when it comes to some OP's. I am so thrilled with Kelly so yes... I do promote him. Here a few more things that I have not said openly... 1. NO DEPOSIT... they trust you! His asst Lora will just verify your flights and boom... its booked. 2. NO DRAIN... yup, that stupid pain inthe ass drain is gone. He uses it only when he has to. One out of 50 3. His asst works with him 2 weeks a month... usually the 2 and 3rd week of each month. 4. Im not 100% positive but I think he just started performing surgery with another surgeon in the OR with him. I think he is training another bariatrics guy... his way. Ask him! 5. way better xray than what MBC pays for... I better stop. and as far as MBC... they are just a wholesaler, and yes they really pissed us off when they switched hospitals the morning of the surgery. The wholesalers are like Mary K reps... all over the USA and Canada. Yes they get back to you cause many of them have nothing else to do. they are not sitting in an office but on a couch doing something else. Its a home based business. My two coordinators (sales people) told me all about Dr. V and Kelly... and when I asked both docs... have you even met them... they both laughed.. no. Whom ever you book with... try to cut out the middle man. If you feel the coordinator makes you feel better.. then ok... thats your decision. They are not there to check on you in MX. They are there to take your deposit. And lastly... you get better care when you book direct. The Dr. puts your package together... not the wholesaler. Damn... I could go on and on... If you need more info call me 2506754657 Just sitting on the couch eatting bon bons. lol! Kate and Terry (hubby has been to TJ 12 times) very knowledgable! Good luck and sorry about burning off your ear! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PM Title: Dr Kelly I can comment on Dr. kelly out of three and four of the five hospitals. it would take me an hour to type so if your serious... either call us at 2506754657 or give us your number. Its just not doctors taht you should be considering. Hope to hear from you ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PM Title: Help I see your getting some replied now. Service companies can be a real pain in the ass. I also see you have Kelly's office number... almost always a recording. my husband has a relationship with Dr. Kelly and a private number. He can give it out but if you give me your name and date... he will call him and make sure its all set. Only if you feel comfortable with that. My husband is a dear and has been there (TJ) 12 times. His surgery was 3 years ago with a butcher... but thats another story. Our our number is 2506754657 Give him a call... TR ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PM Title: Poor communications Have you made a deposit? And may I ask what service you have used. My husband has a few direct lines to some of the people down there. im sure he can help. Pm me Thanks ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PM Title: Kelly I might be able to shed some light on things that have happened recently. Actually my husband can. He has been to TJ 12 times over the last few years. He knows Kelly quite well and can arrange for you to talk to him directly if your ready to book. In regards to hospital privledges, coordinators... Terry knows it all.... first hand Give hime a call if you want. 2506754657 I had surgery with him a few weeks ago. Hubby had surgery 3 years ago... at a chop shop... real bad! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PM Title: You should speak with me... I want to discuss your surgery in person. I do not want to put my thoughts in print form. I promiss I will make you reconsider Almanza, Bentencourt and JClinic. I have been to TJ 12 times. Trust me... I know what Im talking about. If your health is important... you will call. Talk to a real person Terry 2506754657 What do you have to loose... LOTS! Not trying to scare you but you should know all the facts. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The above messages sound like they're being sent by a desperate coordinator for Dr. Kelly. They don't read like they were sent from a pair of benevolent retirees. I don't think I need to say much more....

We plan on putting this into play but it's going to be 2-3 months before it's actually in place. Until that time, we ask our members to try their best to follow our rules and guidelines when posting within these forums.

These forums are still being managed by the person that launched them. It's our 10 year anniversary next month.

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.

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.

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.

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.

RNYTalk Newsletter Hey RNYTalk Members!It’s hard to believe, but summer is halfway over! We hope you’re keeping cool and getting a bit of rest and relaxation during these long summer days. Of course, we also hope you’re staying on track with your weight loss goals, too! To keep you motivated, here’s what you’ll find in this month’s newsletter. Member Poll: What’s the Best Part about Weight Loss Surgery? Member Spotlight: Meet Jess! Weight Loss Surgery in the News: More Possible Benefits of Surgery! Summer Reading: May We Suggest The Big Book? After reading the newsletter, log in to the forums and talk about it or anything else that’s on your mind. Our weight loss surgery community is friendly and welcoming, so don’t be shy! Thanks for being a member and for your continued support. Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder RNYTalk.com Member Poll: What’s the Best Part about Weight Loss Surgery? Poll: Besides weight loss, what has been the biggest benefit since getting surgery? If you haven’t had surgery yet or if you just got it, what are you most looking forward to? Better health, with fewer medications and better reports from the doctor. More energy to do my favorite activities and keep up with friends and family. Clothes shopping! (Enough said). Self-confidence and pride in myself. food doesn’t rule my life any more! Something else – see my answer! Mark your answer and tell us about it in the forums! We know that many of you have multiple answers, and we want to hear all of them! Member Spotlight: Meet Jess! This month, our member spotlight is on Jess! She’s a 24-year-old from Melbourne, Australia, who’s already been through a lot in her life. She says she was “always the fat kid” and was the fattest of her family, friends and peers. She used food as a comfort and reward, and binged regularly. At the age of 19, she got the lap-band and lost over 60 pounds, but was looking at it like a quick fix. She figured out how to “cheat” with it. Then, the band eroded and had to be removed. Jess gained weight up to her heaviest ever at 364 pounds. Her surgeon in Australia offered to do the bypass for her for free because the lap-band didn’t work, and she credits him with saving her life. She got the bypass in September of 2012, and has already lost 121 pounds to her current weight of 242 pounds and more than halfway to her goal of 145 pounds. Before surgery, Jess always had to “consider everything I did on a daily basis to make sure it would accommodate my weight.” Life wasn’t fun and care-free! Now, though, she doesn’t mind walking a little further, and doesn’t have to take the closes possible parking spot. She’s motivated to keep losing weight! One of her best moments since surgery has been getting engaged on a plane! She says she wouldn’t have been able to fit on the plane before surgery. Jess also has realized that she’s beautiful. Even though she doesn’t yet love exercising, she’s learning that it makes her feel good to know she’s doing the right thing for her body. Some of her biggest challenges have been losing friends because she’s no longer their “fat” friend, and having people judge her for the weight loss surgery. She has had some recent mental hurdles, with doubts such as thinking she hasn’t done enough. Also, Jess still has “head hunger,” but she tries to stick to the right diet. Her biggest challenge has been losing her hair, especially between three and seven months after surgery. Jess loves RNYTalk.com for its information, advice and friendship. She says it’s a great support network. Her advice for other members is to remember that weight loss surgery is not a quick fix. It’s a long process physically and mentally. She also recommends that member focus on Protein. Jess, congratulations on your success so far! Thanks for being in our member spotlight and sharing your tips! Do you like learning more about our members? We can’t do it without you! We need you to nominate members that you want to see featured in the newsletter. Nominate someone else or yourself in the Member Spotlight forum. If you prefer to stay anonymous, just send Alex Brecher a private message saying that you want to be in the spotlight. Thanks! Weight Loss Surgery in the News: More Possible Benefits of Surgery With Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, your surgeon creates a small stomach pouch out of your original large pouch so that it fills up before you have eaten as much as you did before. RYGB is also known for its impressive – and fast – benefits for blood sugar sugar control. Within days of surgery, many RYGB patients with high blood sugar levels or type 2 diabetes see their blood sugar levels drop. Plus, chewing your food slowly and measuring portion sizes helps you lose weight and improve your health. Researchers are still investigating what other possible effects weight loss surgery can have. Recently, a study published by Juleen Zierath and colleagues in the scientific journal Cell Press described changes in the way your genes act after weight loss surgery. These researchers, studying roux-en-Y gastric bypass, found that six months after surgery, patients had lost on average 70 pounds and their metabolism was more like that of normal-weight individuals. That is, they had better fat metabolism and blood sugar control. Changes like these can help you lose weight and be healthier. Losing weight and keeping it off is easier when you’re breaking fat down instead of storing it up. Also, the metabolic changes make you less likely to develop heart disease and diabetes. Finally, if you’re planning to become a parent, these changes can make your child healthier. Summer Reading: May We Suggest The Big Book? If you’re looking for something to read – or even if you’re not – why not try “The Big Book on the Gastric Bypass: Everything You Need to Lose Weight and Live Well with the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery?” We admit that we’re biased about the book – after all, the author, Alex Brecher, is the founder of RNYTalk.com! But that’s not the only reason why you should read this book! It’s packed with the information you need to know before and after weight loss surgery. It has step by step guidance, explanations of the surgical procedure and bypass-friendly meal plans for losing weight. The book will be out within a month, and you’ll be able to order your copy from Amazon or RNYTalk.com! Stay tuned! That’s all we have for this newsletter. We hope you enjoyed it and it inspires you to keep pursuing your summer goals. As always, feel free to contact us at any time. See you on the forums! 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}