Alex Brecher

Not positive by what you mean by "my text does not show up or the text in other posts" ? Is this our Droid or iOS version of the mobile app ? Have you attempted a full reboot of the phone ?

Leslie, You offered some terrible advice to a new member. I'm thankful one of our members jumped in to correct you. Mixing liquids with meat ?! (WTF?) Don't provide our members with (bad) advice that goes against everything we've been taught will harm our bands. Also, name calling will get you permanently banned. Please read out terms of service. If you have an issue with a post, REPORT it please. Do NOT respond.

I'd like to thank you all for your great responses. I posted this question while I was in a room with over 30 Bariatric professionals. It was really great to receive almost immediate feedback from our awesome members. Thanks!

I'd like to thank you all for your great responses. I posted this question while I was in a room with over 30 Bariatric professionals, including the creator of the Lap-band! It was really awesome to receive almost immediate feedback from our awesome members. Thanks!

Exactly 100 Lbs!

Why did YOU choose the Gastric Sleeve over other weight loss procedures ?

Why did YOU choose the Lap-Band over other weight loss procedures ?

Never been pregnant before - with or without the band I just read this post moments ago about successfully pregnancy and the Lap-Band.

I was banded @ NYU by Dr. Ren-Fielding (his wife.) I'm a huge fan of the entire practice. Dr. Fielding has filled/unfilled me. He's one of the most experienced bariatric surgeons - in the world. To top it off...he's a Lap-Band patient himself! You can't get better than that. I've also had the great pleasure of getting filled/unfilled by Dr. Schwack. He's a genuinely nice guy and a fantastic surgeon. I'd personally go with the Lap-band over the Realize band. Please keep us updated on your progress and make sure to send regards to Dr. Fielding for me

Great article Jean!

Social groups aren't accessible via our mobile app, yet. We hope to add support within the next few months. Until then, please use your desktop browser to access social groups.

The period of time after making the decision to get the lap-band is very exciting. You get to make decisions that will influence your weight loss journey and lap-band experience for years. The process of planning for your surgery also includes choosing a surgeon and location for your surgery and figuring out how you will pay for it. Some patients are turning to medical tourism for their lap-band procedures, and this might be an option for you. You will continue to learn more about the lap-band as you do more background research. Your primary care physician should be able to refer you to a bariatric surgeon who can help you. You can also find lap-band surgeons by going to the lap-band website and typing in your zip code. Many online resources are valuable sources of information. LapBandTalk.com is an online social community that serves as a primary source of information and support for thousands of lap-band patients and potential patients. The more you know about the surgery, the better prepared you be to make informed decisions. A weight loss surgery seminar about the lap-band is an option for reliable information. Getting Your Team Together Getting your team together is one of the most important steps you will take as you prepare for lap-band surgery. Your healthcare team prepares you for surgery and affects your success after surgery. The team members are your surgeon, dietitian, mental health professional and possibly a physical therapist. Choosing a Surgeon and Clinic Your surgeon is the leader of your team, preparing you for surgery, performing the procedure and directing your aftercare program. You can find lap-band surgeons in your area at lapband.com. Ask potential surgeons about their patients’ average weight loss, as well as how they help patients who are struggling to hit their goals. Also ask about complication rates; often, but not always, experienced surgeons have lower rates of complications. Find out whether the surgeon maintains a complete aftercare program that lasts for at least a year and includes follow-up appointments, medical testing, dietitian counseling and regular group support meetings. A small clinic may feel more welcoming and easier to navigate, but a larger hospital or bariatric center also has advantages. facilities for obese patients, e.g., wider chairs and larger hospital gowns more experience with lap-band patients, making it more likely that each procedure goes smoothly a more developed aftercare program to keep you on track more support staff on site so you can get all of your needs, such as laboratory tests and dietitian appointments, taken care of easily Of course, you might not have many choices of locations or surgeons if your health insurance plan is covering your lap-band procedure. Additional Team Members You can increase your chances of success when you surround yourself with healthcare team members who specialize in treating bariatric surgery patients. Dietitians are experts in meal planning to help you lose weight, get the nutrients you need and keep your menus varied and tasty. They help you find foods that you like and that you can tolerate well with the band. Mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists or clinical psychologists, give you psychiatric tests before surgery, to make sure you’re a good candidate, and help monitor for depression afterwards. If you’re lucky, you might get to meet with a physical therapist who will guide you in your exercise program and provide appropriate exercises to try. Financing the Lap-Band Yes, it’s expensive! Costs may range from $7,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on where you get the band and whether you need a hospital stay or have complications. Your options are getting it covered with your insurance plan or self-financing the procedure. Insurance HMOs and PPOs are the most common health insurance plans in the U.S. if you pay for your own insurance or get it through your employer. The first step whether you have an HMO or PPO is to get the list of benefits to see if bariatric surgery is covered. This can be tricky, and Chapter 5, “Planning Your Lap-Band Surgery,” in The BIG Book on the LAP-BAND has more details about steps to take when you’re not sure if the band is covered. Then you need to get pre-approval – in writing – from the insurance agent. You may need to send an appeals letter if you are denied coverage when you ask for the first time. Again, more details are in the chapter. Personal Financing The lap-band is expensive, and you need to weigh the cost of surgery versus the potential savings in food, obesity-related medical care and diet programs. Another factor to consider is the potential gain in quality of life when you lose a lot of weight. A credit card or Care Credit, a national medical care financing system, are options if you do not have cash on hand and want to borrow the money to pay for the lap-band. Medical Tourism Increasingly, lap-band patients are going to Mexico for their lap-band surgeries. This can be substantially cheaper, and the main sites are Tijuana, Cancun and Monterrey. Be sure that the surgeon is qualified and that the surgeon and staff speak English. There should be a plan in place for after the surgery; often you can participate in an aftercare program and get your adjustments done with a surgeon who lives near your home. Chapter 5, “Planning Your Lap-Band Surgery,” in The BIG Book on the LAP-BAND has advice on planning for your trip, such as getting your passport in order, what to bring, reducing your risk of foodborne illness and other considerations for medical tourism.

This thread is going off topic. If anyone has any further issues, please either create a new thread or contact me to discuss further.

We've been pretty laise fair over the last year or so and we've decided to take a more active stance on bullying. Please PM me if you'd like to discuss further.

Here's the Wikipedia definition of (internet) Trolling: "In Internet slang, a troll (pron.: /ˈtroʊl/, /ˈtrɒl/) is someone who posts inflammatory,[1] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as a forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into anemotional response[2] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.[3] The noun troll may also refer to the provocative message itself, as in: "That was an excellent troll you posted." While the word troll and its associated verb trolling are associated with Internet discourse, media attention in recent years has made such labels subjective, with trolling describing intentionally provocative actions and harassment outside of an online context. For example, mass media has used troll to describe "a person who defaces Internet tribute sites with the aim of causing grief to families."[4][5]" Members should REPORT posts if they feel they're from trolls. Don't respond or engage them. It'll make everyones life a lot simpler.

Thank you for your participation. We're sorry to see you go. I'd suggest re-reading the entire thread top to bottom. Let's have a play by play: sherytuta posts a topic at 9:58 AM this morning titled "Im not loosing any weight after VSG surgery". About 14 minutes after she initially signed up. The post contained the following message: It's been 16 months since my surgery I have lost 23 pounds ONLY can anyone help me Two minutes later you respond: Maybe... Have you spoken to your doctor or nutritionalist about this? Are you logging your food intake? Are you trolling? Instead of feigning indignation, take a little responsibility and maybe apologize to the OP. You set the tone of this entire thread by stating "Are you trolling?" Put yourself in her shoes for a split second......You feel like you're a failure and finally after ages and ages you've built up the courage to get help. You quickly post a cry for help on VST. You get a response which ends with...."Are you trolling?" WTF?! I almost fell off my chair when I read your response, as well as the two others. Don't claim to help someone and put them down in the same post. Stating something (like Are you trolling?) in a question form doesn't make it any less hurtful either. My goal wasn't to embarrass you or any other members. My apologies if it appeared this way. As of late, we've been seeing quite a bit of virtual bullying taking place within our community. I've posted notices, sent out emails and newsletters and have made it very clear that we have a ZERO TOLERANCE for ANY online bullying. We have a very clear terms of service all members agree to upon signup. We will make no exceptions.

PLEASE stop calling posters trolls. If you have an issue with any post, please REPORT it. I don't care how implausible or unbelievable the post is. Can you imagine being a failure for a long time and finally have the courage to come out about it, only to be called a troll ? This isn't how we welcome people on VST. Thanks in advance for your understanding.

Great video on your progress! I love seeing real people post real life videos after bariatric surgery. I moved it into it's own topic since it didn't really belong in the thread it was posted in. PS: Stay away from the Doritos!!

Hey, Bandsters! Time flies when you’re having fun. If you’re like those of us here at Celebrate Yourself This Valentine’s Day! Keep reading for more on each of these stories, and when you’re finished, come on over to LapBandTalk.com for more motivation and information. The conversations never stop! And, as always, please free to drop us a line if you have any comments. We love hearing from members! See you on the boards! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder LapBandTalk.com Please be Respectful on the Boards! We started LapBandTalk.com to help lap-band patients and people who may be interested in getting the lap-band. We are very proud of the array of resources on the site, and recognize that you, our members, are our most valuable assets. From the conversations on the boards and feedback we receive from members, we know LapBandTalk.com has been successful in reaching out to thousands of members and making a positive difference regardless of where you are in your weight loss journey. One of the most valuable features of LapBandTalk.com is its welcoming, respectful atmosphere. Because of some recent incidents on the board, we’d like to remind you that rudeness is not tolerated. Board etiquette is outlined in the dinner with wine. Before starting your weight loss journey, you may have celebrated by exchanging boxes of chocolate and eating too much fat and sugar at home and at work. On your pre-surgery diet and after surgery, these unhealthy choices are no longer for you. High-fat, high-sugar foods aren’t part of your weight loss surgery diet. Pasta and shrimp can cause problems with your lap-band and alcohol with dinner can make you lose your control and overeat. So what can you do to enjoy Valentine’s Day – with or without a special someone – while keeping your weight loss on track? We have a few ideas. Give your sweetheart flowers instead of candy. Opt for broiled lobster or chicken with vegetables instead of steak with creamy mushroom pasta. Skip the refined pasta at dinner. Instead, try a small amount of orzo or another whole grain – but only eat it after eating your Protein and vegetables. Choose strawberries for dessert instead of chocolate cake and ice cream. If you still have chocolate cravings after dinner, sip sugar-free hot chocolate instead of going for the chocolate truffles. There’s nothing more romantic than dancing. Burn a few extra calories with some slow dancing before watching a movie after dinner. Picking out a few slow songs to dance to with your sweetheart will show how much you care. Take a walk. A short after-dinner walk lets you and your valentine enjoy the fresh air and focus on each other. Don’t have a valentine? Call up one of your single friends and take a leisurely walk together. You’ll both benefit from the chance to chat. Make a Valentine’s Day card. Do you remember how good it felt to get them from your friends when you were in elementary school? Making one instead of buying one lets you put your own personal touches on it. These are just a few possibilities for enjoying your Valentine’s Day without interfering with your health. Everyone should be able to enjoy, not dread, this happy holiday, and we hope these suggestions are useful as you make your plans. Member Challenge: Be Your Own Valentine! The Member Challenge portion of the newsletter is an opportunity for you to try something new or discover tricks that’ll help you with your weight loss and health. It’s not a competitive challenge; it’s just a way to challenge yourself to achieve new goals. This month, we’re sticking to the theme of Valentine’s Day. Some people think that Valentine’s Day is only for couples, but we’re going to let you in on a little secret: anyone can celebrate Valentine’s Day, even if you’re by yourself. Take advantage of the occasion to show yourself how much you love and appreciate yourself – especially as you work toward becoming healthier. The challenge this month is to show yourself how much you care about yourself and appreciate your efforts to become healthier and happier. These are a few of our ideas to treat yourself without going off your weight loss surgery diet. Get a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure. Try a calorie-free chocolate treat, such as chocolate chapstick or chocolate-scented body lotion. Make or buy yourself a Valentine’s Day card. Frame a “before” and “after” picture – with or without your sweetheart – in a Valentine’s Day-themed frame. Try a dance class – you’ll burn a few calories and may meet a special someone! If you are dedicating February 14 to a special someone, take a few moments to treat yourself, too, or treat yourself on another day. Use one of the above ideas, or come up with your own way to celebrate Valentine’s Day without missing a beat in your weight loss journey. We’d love for you to tell us how it went in the Challenge Forum! Sharing your ideas and experiences gives you a sense of purpose and helps other bandsters hit their own challenge goals. Don’t forget that the archived Newsletter Forum is always there for you when you’re ready to try an old challenge. We’ll leave you with these thoughts of Valentine’s Day, hoping that they’re warm enough to carry you through the rest of the cold winter. Keep up the great work with your weight loss journey, and we’ll see you on the boards! Thanks as always for your support. 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 By Hey, RNYTalk Members!Time flies when you’re having fun. If you’re like those of us here at RNYTalk.com, you can hardly believe that January is already over! How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? If you’re still following them, great job! If not, that’s okay. It’s never too late to go back to following your resolutions or to make a few new ones to help you meet your goals for 2013. Whether you’re on track or need to get back on track, we hope this newsletter will provide inspiration and ideas to help you succeed. This is what we have for you this month! Please be Respectful on the Boards! Member Spotlight: Meet worm2872! Valentine’s Day: Show a Little Love the WLS Way! Bypass Challenge: Celebrate Yourself This Valentine’s Day! Keep reading for more on each of these stories, and when you’re finished, come on over to RNYTalk.com for more motivation and information. The conversations never stop! And, as always, please free to drop us a line if you have any comments. We love hearing from members! See you on the boards! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder RNYTalk.com Please be Respectful on the Boards! We started RNYTalk.com to help gastric bypass patients and people who may be interested in getting the bypass. We are very proud of the array of resources on the site, and recognize that you, our members, are our most valuable assets. From the conversations on the boards and feedback we receive from members, we know RNYTalk.com has been successful in reaching out to thousands of members and making a positive difference regardless of where you are in your weight loss journey. One of the most valuable features of RNYTalk.com is its welcoming, respectful atmosphere. Because of some recent incidents on the board, we’d like to remind you that rudeness is not tolerated. Board etiquette is outlined in the dinner with wine. Before starting your weight loss journey, you may have celebrated by exchanging boxes of chocolate and eating too much fat and sugar at home and at work. On your pre-surgery diet and after surgery, these unhealthy choices are no longer for you. High-fat, high-sugar foods aren’t part of your weight loss surgery diet. Chocolate truffles can give you dumping syndrome, and alcohol with dinner can make you lose your control and overeat. So what can you do to enjoy Valentine’s Day – with or without a special someone – while keeping your weight loss on track? We have a few ideas. Give your sweetheart flowers instead of candy. Opt for broiled lobster or chicken with vegetables instead of steak with creamy mushroom Pasta. Skip the refined pasta at dinner. Instead, try a small amount of orzo or another whole grain – but only eat it after eating your Protein and vegetables. Choose strawberries for dessert instead of chocolate cake and ice cream. If you still have chocolate cravings after dinner, sip sugar-free hot chocolate instead of going for the chocolate truffles. There’s nothing more romantic than dancing. Burn a few extra calories with some slow dancing before watching a movie after dinner. Picking out a few slow songs to dance to with your sweetheart will show how much you care. Take a walk. A short after-dinner walk lets you and your valentine enjoy the fresh air and focus on each other. Don’t have a valentine? Call up one of your single friends and take a leisurely walk together. You’ll both benefit from the chance to chat. Make a Valentine’s Day card. Do you remember how good it felt to get them from your friends when you were in elementary school? Making one instead of buying one lets you put your own personal touches on it. These are just a few possibilities for enjoying your Valentine’s Day without interfering with your health. Everyone should be able to enjoy, not dread, this happy holiday, and we hope these suggestions are useful as you make your plans. Member Challenge: Be Your Own Valentine! The Member Challenge portion of the newsletter is an opportunity for you to try something new or discover tricks that’ll help you with your weight loss and health. It’s not a competitive challenge; it’s just a way to challenge yourself to achieve new goals. This month, we’re sticking to the theme of Valentine’s Day. Some people think that Valentine’s Day is only for couples, but we’re going to let you in on a little secret: anyone can celebrate Valentine’s Day, even if you’re by yourself. Take advantage of the occasion to show yourself how much you love and appreciate yourself – especially as you work toward becoming healthier. The challenge this month is to show yourself how much you care about yourself and appreciate your efforts to become healthier and happier. These are a few of our ideas to treat yourself without going off your weight loss surgery diet. Get a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure. Try a calorie-free chocolate treat, such as chocolate chapstick or chocolate-scented body lotion. Make or buy yourself a Valentine’s Day card. Frame a “before” and “after” picture – with or without your sweetheart – in a Valentine’s Day-themed frame. Try a dance class – you’ll burn a few calories and may meet a special someone! If you are dedicating February 14 to a special someone, take a few moments to treat yourself, too, or treat yourself on another day. Use one of the above ideas, or come up with your own way to celebrate Valentine’s Day without missing a beat in your weight loss journey. We’d love for you to tell us how it went in the Challenge Forum! Sharing your ideas and experiences gives you a sense of purpose and helps other bypassers hit their own challenge goals. Don’t forget that the archived Newsletter Forum is always there for you when you’re ready to try an old challenge. We’ll leave you with these thoughts of Valentine’s Day, hoping that they’re warm enough to carry you through the rest of the cold winter. Keep up the great work with your weight loss journey, and we’ll see you on the boards! Thanks as always for your support. 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!Time flies when you’re having fun. If you’re like those of us here at VerticalSleeveTalk.com, you can hardly believe that January is already over! How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? If you’re still following them, great job! If not, that’s okay. It’s never too late to go back to following your resolutions or to make a few new ones to help you meet your goals for 2013. Whether you’re on track or need to get back on track, we hope this newsletter will provide inspiration and ideas to help you succeed. This is what we have for you this month! Please be Respectful on the Boards! Member Spotlight: Meet iegal! Valentine’s Day: Show a Little Love the WLS Way! Member Challenge: Celebrate Yourself This Valentine’s Day! Keep reading for more on each of these stories, and when you’re finished, come on over to VerticalSleeveTalk.com for more motivation and information. The conversations never stop! And, as always, please free to drop us a line if you have any comments. We love hearing from members! See you on the boards! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder VerticalSleeveTalk.com Please be Respectful on the Boards! We started VerticalSleeveTalk.com to help sleeve patients and people who may be interested in getting the gastric sleeve surgery. We are very proud of the array of resources on the site, and recognize that you, our members, are our most valuable assets. From the conversations on the boards and feedback we receive from members, we know VerticalSleeveTalk.com has been successful in reaching out to thousands of members and making a positive difference regardless of where you are in your weight loss journey. One of the most valuable features of VerticalSleeveTalk.com is its welcoming, respectful atmosphere. Because of some recent incidents on the board, we’d like to remind you that rudeness is not tolerated. Board etiquette is outlined in the terms of service, which you must agree to in order to use the boards. Please use private messaging to contact Alex Brecher, founder of VerticalSleeveTalk.com, if you have any concerns or if you feel that another member is violating the terms of service. We depend on members to keep VerticalSleeveTalk.com positive and welcoming so that all members can feel comfortable expressing their viewpoints. Thanks to the thousands of members who follow the forum rules and make this board the incredible community that it is! Member Spotlight: Meet iegal! We’re delighted to feature iegal from California in this newsletter! iegal decided to get the surgery after years of failing to lose weight permanently and after months of careful consideration and research. Her procedure was in September of 2010, and she has no regrets! Her highest weight was 221 pounds. Now, she’s down to 155 pounds and a healthy BMI of 22.7. “Living life more freely” has been one of iegal’s greatest changes since losing so much weight. She’s no longer held back by obesity or judged by people because of her weight. iegal has also developed the ability to “stop eating too much,” which of course helped her lose the weight and will help her maintain her weight loss long term. iegal says her best moment was reaching her goal weight! She also enjoys her confidence that this time the weight loss will be permanent. iegal also appreciates shopping for cute clothes and showing that her critics were wrong when they thought she couldn’t lose weight. The cost of the sleeve surgery was one of iegal’s first challenges. She justified it by realizing how much she’d spent on “TV promises, weight loss clinics, hypnosis, weight loss clubs, B12 shots, various personal trainers, gym memberships and more.” She also had trouble right after the surgery with “eating like a thin person.” Apparently she did a great job, since iegal reached and maintained goal weight! She gives VerticalSleeveTalk a lot of credit for her success. Members have been there for iegal to keep her on track, be honest and give her a kick in the rear when needed. She loves the way VerticalSleeveTalk members have touched her and changed her life. iegal also depends on VerticalSleeveTalk for information, both from new conversations and from old, archived discussions. iegal chooses to remain anonymous on the boards because she hasn’t told many people about getting the sleeve. She wanted to lose the weight quietly before talking much about the sleeve gastrectomy. Don’t let her anonymity fool you, though! iegal finds herself sharing her positive story with people who are “on the fence” about getting weight loss surgery. iegal’s tip for weight loss surgery patients is to be persistent. The sleeve provides the tool to restrict food intake and let people lose weight. She also reminds sleevers to stop comparing their own weight loss to others. As she says, you will lose the weight if you keep eating right. Even if you’re losing slowly, you’ll still get to your goal weight! iegal wanted to take this opportunity to thank those who challenged her during this journey and never doubted that she would succeed. We’re only too happy to pass the word along – a big thank-you from iegal to all those who have helped her! And we'd like to thank iegal for being in the member spotlight and sharing her story and wisdom. Congratulations on your success, and we can see why you have no regrets from the sleeve! If you want to be in the Member Spotlight, let us know in the Member Spotlight Forum! Also, you can nominate any member that you’d like to see in the spotlight! If you’re a little shy, just send Alex Brecher a private message. We want to hear from you! Valentine’s Day: Show a Little Love the WLS Way! Many WLS patients dread Valentine’s Day. For many people, the holiday is about candy, cupcakes and a rich dinner with wine. Before starting your weight loss journey, you may have celebrated by exchanging boxes of chocolate and eating too much fat and sugar at home and at work. On your pre-surgery diet and after surgery, these unhealthy choices are no longer for you. High-fat, high-sugar foods aren’t part of your weight loss surgery diet. Chocolate truffles can give you dumping syndrome and alcohol with dinner can make you lose your control and overeat. So what can you do to enjoy Valentine’s Day – with or without a special someone – while keeping your weight loss on track? We have a few ideas. Give your sweetheart flowers instead of candy. Opt for broiled lobster or chicken with vegetables instead of steak with creamy mushroom Pasta. Skip the refined pasta at dinner. Instead, try a small amount of orzo or another whole grain – but only eat it after eating your Protein and vegetables. Choose strawberries for dessert instead of chocolate cake and ice cream. If you still have chocolate cravings after dinner, sip sugar-free hot chocolate instead of going for the chocolate truffles. There’s nothing more romantic than dancing. Burn a few extra calories with some slow dancing before watching a movie after dinner. Picking out a few slow songs to dance to with your sweetheart will show how much you care. Take a walk. A short after-dinner walk lets you and your valentine enjoy the fresh air and focus on each other. Don’t have a valentine? Call up one of your single friends and take a leisurely walk together. You’ll both benefit from the chance to chat. Make a Valentine’s Day card. Do you remember how good it felt to get them from your friends when you were in elementary school? Making one instead of buying one lets you put your own personal touches on it. These are just a few possibilities for enjoying your Valentine’s Day without interfering with your health. Everyone should be able to enjoy, not dread, this happy holiday, and we hope these suggestions are useful as you make your plans. Member Challenge: Be Your Own Valentine! The Member Challenge portion of the newsletter is an opportunity for you to try something new or discover tricks that’ll help you with your weight loss and health. It’s not a competitive challenge; it’s just a way to challenge yourself to achieve new goals. This month, we’re sticking to the theme of Valentine’s Day. Some people think that Valentine’s Day is only for couples, but we’re going to let you in on a little secret: anyone can celebrate Valentine’s Day, even if you’re by yourself. Take advantage of the occasion to show yourself how much you love and appreciate yourself – especially as you work toward becoming healthier. The challenge this month is to show yourself how much you care about yourself and appreciate your efforts to become healthier and happier. These are a few of our ideas to treat yourself without going off your weight loss surgery diet. Get a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure. Try a calorie-free chocolate treat, such as chocolate chapstick or chocolate-scented body lotion. Make or buy yourself a Valentine’s Day card. Frame a “before” and “after” picture – with or without your sweetheart – in a Valentine’s Day-themed frame. Try a dance class – you’ll burn a few calories and may meet a special someone! If you are dedicating February 14 to a special someone, take a few moments to treat yourself, too, or treat yourself on another day. Use one of the above ideas, or come up with your own way to celebrate Valentine’s Day without missing a beat in your weight loss journey. We’d love for you to tell us how it went in the Challenge Forum! Sharing your ideas and experiences gives you a sense of purpose and helps other sleevers hit their own challenge goals. Don’t forget that the archived Newsletter Forum is always there for you when you’re ready to try an old challenge. We’ll leave you with these thoughts of Valentine’s Day, hoping that they’re warm enough to carry you through the rest of the cold winter. Keep up the great work with your weight loss journey, and we’ll see you on the boards! Thanks as always for your support. 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!Time flies when you’re having fun. If you’re like those of us here at SleevePlicationTalk.com, you can hardly believe that January is already over! How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? If you’re still following them, great job! If not, that’s okay. It’s never too late to go back to following your resolutions or to make a few new ones to help you meet your goals for 2013. Whether you’re on track or need to get back on track, we hope this newsletter will provide inspiration and ideas to help you succeed. This is what we have for you this month! Please be Respectful on the Boards! Valentine’s Day: Show a Little Love the WLS Way! Member Challenge: Celebrate Yourself This Valentine’s Day! Keep reading for more on each of these stories, and when you’re finished, come on over to SleevePlicationTalk.com for more motivation and information. The conversations never stop! And, as always, please free to drop us a line if you have any comments. We love hearing from members! See you on the boards! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder SleevePlicationTalk.com Please be Respectful on the Boards! We started SleevePlicationTalk.com to help sleeve plication patients and people who may be interested in getting the surgery We are very proud of the array of resources on the site, and recognize that you, our members, are our most valuable assets. From the conversations on the boards and feedback we receive from members, we know SleevePlicationTalk.com has been successful in reaching out to thousands of members and making a positive difference regardless of where you are in your weight loss journey. One of the most valuable features of SleevePlicationTalk.com is its welcoming, respectful atmosphere. Because of some recent incidents on the board, we’d like to remind you that rudeness is not tolerated. Board etiquette is outlined in the terms of service, which you must agree to in order to use the boards. Please use private messaging to contact Alex Brecher, founder of SleevePlicationTalk.com, if you have any concerns or if you feel that another member is violating the terms of service. We depend on members to keep SleevePlicationTalk.com positive and welcoming so that all members can feel comfortable expressing their viewpoints. Thanks to the thousands of members who follow the forum rules and make this board the incredible community that it is! Valentine’s Day: Show a Little Love the WLS Way! Many WLS patients dread Valentine’s Day. For many people, the holiday is about candy, cupcakes and a rich dinner with wine. Before starting your weight loss journey, you may have celebrated by exchanging boxes of chocolate and eating too much fat and sugar at home and at work. On your pre-surgery diet and after surgery, these unhealthy choices are no longer for you. High-fat, high-sugar foods aren’t part of your weight loss surgery diet. Chocolate truffles can give you dumping syndrome and alcohol with dinner can make you lose your control and overeat. So what can you do to enjoy Valentine’s Day – with or without a special someone – while keeping your weight loss on track? We have a few ideas. Give your sweetheart flowers instead of candy. Opt for broiled lobster or chicken with vegetables instead of steak with creamy mushroom Pasta. Skip the refined pasta at dinner. Instead, try a small amount of orzo or another whole grain – but only eat it after eating your Protein and vegetables. Choose strawberries for dessert instead of chocolate cake and ice cream. If you still have chocolate cravings after dinner, sip sugar-free hot chocolate instead of going for the chocolate truffles. There’s nothing more romantic than dancing. Burn a few extra calories with some slow dancing before watching a movie after dinner. Picking out a few slow songs to dance to with your sweetheart will show how much you care. Take a walk. A short after-dinner walk lets you and your valentine enjoy the fresh air and focus on each other. Don’t have a valentine? Call up one of your single friends and take a leisurely walk together. You’ll both benefit from the chance to chat. Make a Valentine’s Day card. Do you remember how good it felt to get them from your friends when you were in elementary school? Making one instead of buying one lets you put your own personal touches on it. These are just a few possibilities for enjoying your Valentine’s Day without interfering with your health. Everyone should be able to enjoy, not dread, this happy holiday, and we hope these suggestions are useful as you make your plans. Sleever Challenge: Be Your Own Valentine! The Member Challenge portion of the newsletter is an opportunity for you to try something new or discover tricks that’ll help you with your weight loss and health. It’s not a competitive challenge; it’s just a way to challenge yourself to achieve new goals. This month, we’re sticking to the theme of Valentine’s Day. Some people think that Valentine’s Day is only for couples, but we’re going to let you in on a little secret: anyone can celebrate Valentine’s Day, even if you’re by yourself. Take advantage of the occasion to show yourself how much you love and appreciate yourself – especially as you work toward becoming healthier. The challenge this month is to show yourself how much you care about yourself and appreciate your efforts to become healthier and happier. These are a few of our ideas to treat yourself without going off your weight loss surgery diet. Get a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure. Try a calorie-free chocolate treat, such as chocolate chapstick or chocolate-scented body lotion. Make or buy yourself a Valentine’s Day card. Frame a “before” and “after” picture – with or without your sweetheart – in a Valentine’s Day-themed frame. Try a dance class – you’ll burn a few calories and may meet a special someone! If you are dedicating February 14 to a special someone, take a few moments to treat yourself, too, or treat yourself on another day. Use one of the above ideas, or come up with your own way to celebrate Valentine’s Day without missing a beat in your weight loss journey. We’d love for you to tell us how it went in the Challenge Forum! Sharing your ideas and experiences gives you a sense of purpose and helps other sleevers hit their own challenge goals. Don’t forget that the archived Newsletter Forum is always there for you when you’re ready to try an old challenge. We’ll leave you with these thoughts of Valentine’s Day, hoping that they’re warm enough to carry you through the rest of the cold winter. Keep up the great work with your weight loss journey, and we’ll see you on the boards! Thanks as always for your support. 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}

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