Alex Brecher

As we go into the New Year, a lot of us are making resolutions for 2016. We have hopes and dreams, and a few expectations based on reality, too! So, what do you see for yourself in the coming year of 2016? Do you see yourself getting weight loss surgery? Maybe hitting goal weight? Maybe accomplishing a few fitness goals? And in the non-weight loss and non-health arena, what do you see in 2016? Maybe some new career opportunities? Family relationships growing stronger? In my year, I see a few pounds coming off to get back to goal weight, and maybe increasing my running once winter ends and it’s a lot more pleasant to get back on the streets. I see leading a busy year for BariatricPal and following a lot of your successes! What’s in your future in 2016?

Looks like we have some good ones. It’s great to see how many have “goal weight” in the forecast for 2016! Good luck getting there, and keep sharing your progress on the forums! I agree somewhat about the silliness of January 1 being a day to make resolutions and start healthy behaviors. Of course we can (and should) start whenever we can. On the other hand…having that day as a semi official day to spur us on can be a good thing, because many of us – certainly myself included – tend to put things off for another day, another week...so January 1 forces me to start NOW! Good luck to all, and Happy New Year! Let us all be part of the gym crowd that sticks around past February!

sarasleeve, Welcome to the forums. It is so nice to meet you. Thank you for introducing yourself! Your story is so similar to so many weight loss surgery patients’ stories, and I hope the surgery works for you like it has for so many. Your list of anxieties shows you’re thinking ahead – that’s great! It’s good you realize that you need to keep the big picture in mind and not get down on yourself, because there WILL be setbacks. I suggest taking “before” pictures. If you hate them later, you don’t have to look at them. But you may want them to keep you motivated as you lose weight and hit goal weight so you can remember where you came from. I am so glad surgery went well for both sarasleeve and Chandi83! Both of you, keep us posted on your progress!

dansacha, Okay, you cheated. That’s bad. That doesn’t mean you need to cheat again. It doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It doesn’t mean you’re the only person who’s ever cheated. If nothing got stuck in your staples, consider yourself lucky and move on. And don’t even worry about whether you “can do it” for the rest of your life. You don’t have a choice, since surgery’s done. And, you don’t have to think about your life. Think about today. Then tomorrow. One day at a time. It may sound cliché, but it’s so true! And about that “stall?” Don’t even start to worry about it unless it’s longer than a month. Seriously! It seems like almost everyone hits a stall around week 3, and you can expect a big one because you lost SO MUCH (27 pounds!) weight in the first two weeks. So…you’re doing fine! Head up and keep going!

Ilovecats1985, Sorry you (and so many other WLS patients) have to deal with this. You’re trying to get healthy, it sounds like you’re doing everything right, and apparently your family-in-law can’t handle it. At least when your in-laws announce that you can’t have cake (or whatever) because of surgery, it gives you an easy way to say “No, thanks.” But of course it’s unfair that your secret is out and can never be taken back. I have to say, I am SO glad your husband is supportive, even if not super assertive. That makes all the difference, and that’s all you need. Let him know what you’re willing to stand for, whether it’s one day a year with your in-laws or flat-out no time at all because they’re so rude. You don’t need to take anything from them. Good luck, and congratulations on your surgery, your weight loss, and your determination.

Mrs A Train, This sounds like it’s not so much second thoughts about surgery, but rather second thoughts about whom you’re choosing to spend your time with! It would be one thing if this were it – if you only had to get through these two weeks (at your family’s house or with him), but this isn’t it. What happens after surgery? Will he suddenly change and stop having you cook unhealthy dinners for him and your daughter? I sure hope so, but I doubt it. On the other hand, I realize how hard it is to just leave, especially when you need to consider your daughter’s well-being. What does he say about the post-op situation? Will he be supportive? Does he want you to get healthy? No matter what, your health needs to come first. It needs to come even before your daughter, because she needs you. If you’re afraid to tell your family, you really need some support from somewhere so you can have a safe place to be and positive people to help you out. Good luck finding it! Good luck with your decision.

kingdavid757, Congratulations on getting close to goal and approaching the 100 lb lost mark! I think sweet potatoes are a wonderful choice to add if you’re looking for a few extra calories to slow weight loss (or even if you’re not looking for “extra” calories – they’re worth fitting into your meal plan). They’re super high in beta-carotene (Vitamin A in an antioxidant form). They also have dietary Fiber and Vitamin C. They also have potassium, which helps balance sodium and lower blood pressure. They do have some sugar, but not too much. A small sweet potato has 6 grams of natural sugars. That’s less than the amount of natural sugars in a serving of plain yogurt. So to me, if you’re looking to add some carbs, sweet potatoes are a great choice!

vsgSarah3, Thanks for taking this on! Good luck to everyone! Can’t wait to see the numbers drop!

Great way to start off the new year. Cheers to feeling!

Thank you, everyone! We have some great things planned for 2016!!

style="margin:0;padding:0;background-color:#d8dde8;color:#5a5a5a;font:normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif;position:relative;"> Hey BariatricPal Members! Happy New Year! BariatricPal wishes each of our members a happy and healthy year. We hope 2016 is a year you meet all your goals, whether they include getting weight loss surgery, hitting goal weight, or maintaining your loss. Here’s what we have in this newsletter to get you motivated and ready to go. A New Year’s Message from BariatricPal Time to Buckle Down: Here’s How Make Those Resolutions Last All Year! So take a look through the newsletter, then spend a few minutes to set your resolutions. It may help to come to the forums to talk about your goals and whatever else is on your mind! Then you may want to head out the door for a quick walk for a great start to the New Year. Happy New Year! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal A New Year’s Message from BariatricPal We want to wish all our members a happy and healthy New Year! We hope 2016 will be a year that sees you come closer to achieving your dreams. We hope BariatricPal will be an important part of your weight loss surgery support system as you work towards your goals, whether they are to look into weight loss surgery, lose weight, or maintain goal weight. A Quick Look Back at 2015 2015 was a busy year for BariatricPal! The forums have been blossoming. We have a weekly VIP Member Challenge going on. As a community, we hit a total weight loss of 3 million pounds! We also opened The BariatricPal Store! This had been in the works for a while, and it is a thrill to be able to support the weight loss surgery community through supplying healthy foods and supplements. Check the store often to see what’s on sale, and see our blog for the latest store news, recipes, and discounts. More to Come in 2016! We always have more projects up our sleeve. We expect 2016 to be filled with growth and exciting new developments for BariatricPal, so stay tuned! We know none of this is possible without your support, so a huge Thank You to all our members! Insure Nutrition We are always thrilled to welcome a new newsletter sponsor into the BariatricPal family, and this month, Insure Nutrition is giving us the pleasure of doing just that. Our latest sponsor, Insure Nutrition, is an online company that specializes in getting health insurance coverage for nutritional supplements. Its Post-Bariatric Surgery Nutrition products includes Premier Protein shakes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors and OptiSource High Protein drinks in caramel and strawberry flavors. Checking if you are eligible is easy. Insure Nutrition encourages you to use its online form to find out if you qualify. Our sponsors help make BariatricPal newsletters and other services possible. We encourage you show your thanks by considering them first for your bariatric needs. Unjury and Opurity BariatricPal is proud and excited to announce two new sponsors for our newsletters. The new sponsors are Unjury, a supplier of wonderful tasting, highest quality protein supplements, and Opurity (from the makers of UNJURY), highest purity vitamin supplements for bariatric surgery patients. Their support lets us keep BariatricPal newsletters coming to you each month. Unjury was founded by a master’s degree dietitian who has been helping patients since 1974. It is committed your health. You know the importance of getting enough protein after weight loss surgery, but you also know that meeting your protein goals can be challenging. Unjury makes your task not just easier but actually enjoyable. Product flavors include Chocolate Splendor, Chocolate Classic, Vanilla, Strawberry Sorbet, Chicken Soup Flavor, and Unflavored. These ready-to-use protein powders come in single-serve and multi-serve containers, and contain high-quality whey protein to keep you full and nourished. Launched in 2007, Opurity is dedicated to using the purest ingredients in its supplements. Opurity Bariatric Multivitamins have two unique big advantages: First, each multivitamin requires only one tablet per day*. Second, Opurity is so dedicated to quality that it is unique in using no ingredients from China. Choose from chewable orange-berry multivitamins for gastric bypass and gastric sleeve patients or for lap-band patients.Opurity also sells chewable calcium, vitamin D and folic acid/vitamin B-12 chewables. All supplements come with a 100% satisfaction guaranteed. They return policy is: “Yes you can return it.” Support from Unjury and Opurity helps us continue to bring you the services you enjoy on BariatricPal, so please support these two brands! When looking for your bariatric surgery supplements, first visit Unjury.com and Opurity.com. Purchasing from these companies helps support BariatricPal. Thanks to Unjury and Opurity for your generous sponsorship, and thanks to BariatricPal members who support our partnership! *You still need calcium and sublingual B-12. Time to Buckle Down: Here’s How It’s the New Year! That means the parties stop, the holiday treats disappear, and the stores advertise healthy foods for weight loss. Breathe a sigh of relief as the holiday food goes away! Easier to Focus There’s a good chance you slipped up a little during the holidays and need to get back on track. Even if you were perfectly disciplined, you may appreciate going back to your regular life. It’s easier stick to your everyday routine when there aren’t as many distractions. Go with a Sensible Plan For most WLS patients, a detox or fad diet isn’t the way to go. The most effective is to go back to the basics, cliché as that sounds. Focus on lean proteins and fill up on vegetables. Drink a lot of water. Eat slowly. Plan ahead. Measure your portions and log every bite. Make a Few Resolutions Remember to make them controllable, feasible, and clear. Here are some examples of better and less good resolutions. Controllable: “I will log every bite of food and stick to my 1,200 calories a day.” Not controllable: “I will lose 2 pounds every week.” You can’t control what the scale says, but you can control what and how much you eat. Feasible: “I will work out 5 days a week, leaving myself 2 days to recharge.” Not feasible: “I will work out every day.” What happens if you get sick, need a little extra sleep, or need to take a friend to the doctor? Did you fail at your resolution? Clear: “I will have fish three times a week.” Not clear: “I will eat more fish.” How do you know if you’re following your resolution if your goal is to eat “more” fish? How much is “more?” Set the Stage for Success Regardless of your specific resolutions, you’ll make more progress in your weight loss surgery journey if you set up your environment to help you succeed. Clear out your kitchen – pumpkin pie, egg nog, and Christmas cookies should be nowhere to be found. Restock it with nutritious foods you need. It should be packed with lean proteins, such as chicken, fat-free dairy products, tuna, eggs, and beans. There should be fresh vegetables and fruit, plus frozen and canned ones to do in a pinch. Round it out with some whole grains such as oatmeal, and healthy fats such as nuts and olive oil. Get your kitchen scale and measuring cups out of storage and put them in a prominent place. Check the gym schedule, get out your workout clothes, and lace up your walking shoes so you’re ready to get out the door for some exercise. There are some extra steps you can take to make progress easier this year. For example, if you’re still gathering information on weight loss surgery and trying to choose a surgeon, make a list of surgeons’ phone numbers and questions so you’re ready at a moment’s notice to make the necessary calls. Make Those Resolutions Last All Year! This year, make it easier to keep your New Year’s Resolutions with a subscription to your weight loss products from The BariatricPal Store. Choose your favorite protein bars, shakes, and smoothies, bariatric vitamins, instant meals, and great-tasting snacks. You’ll be reminded to focus on your goals every time you receive a delicious delivery from The BariatricPal Store! Just select “Subscribe and Save” on eligible products. Receive your products every 1, 2, or 3 months (your choice). Choose the quantity you want to receive. Get an automatic 10% discount on your subscription items. When your healthy meals are delivered year-round, there’s no need to go off your meal plan. You save time and can be confident of being nourished while you lose weight. That’s what we have for this newsletter. We wish you the best in your weight loss surgery journey in 2016, and hope you’ll keep sharing your goals and progress with us on the forums. Again, Happy New Year!

Please see http://www.bariatricpal.com/index.php?app=core&module=usercp&tab=core&area=displayname

I know it’s a few days early and you may still have a party or two left to attend, but…I thought I’d ask anyway. That way, we can get help from each other on making great resolutions that are inspirational and doable. So far, my weight loss resolution is to take a few seconds before I eat to ask myself if I am really following the basic rules of eating when I’m hungry and making healthy choices. I would like to lose a couple of pounds and I think this is the way to do it without making dramatic changes that won’t last for a long time. My non weight loss resolution is to keep working hard to make BariatricPal as supportive as it can be for EVERYONE in the weight loss surgery community, from pre-op to post-op and beyond. This year has been phenomenal with the forums growing, the launch of The BariatricPal Store, and growth in our Surgery Deals in Mexico to allow people to get surgery if they can’t afford it in the U.S. So, what are your New Year’s Resolutions?

New Year’s is a time for parties, and that means you need to be extra careful with your diet. Most party food is pretty bad for your waistline if not outright forbidden on the weight loss surgery diet: think cocktail franks, cheese dip with crackers, and bacon wrapped onion rings. Still, there are plenty of healthier options…and after WLS, you’ve probably explored a lot of them! They can be simple, like fruit and veggie trays or skewers with cheese and veggies, but you may have explored some more gourmet – but still healthy – options. The trick is to keep it healthy – for you – while making it delicious for everyone else. So, when you go to a party or host one, what is your favorite dish to bring?

Some good ideas here, and a lot of breakfast eaters! Looks like eggs and Greek yogurt are staples for many of us. Bars and shakes are great, too, especially on busy weekdays. I love the idea of seasoned pre-cooked chicken breast because it’s so easy – perfect for the morning! – and also sometimes it’s hard to get chicken breast to be tasty. Thanks for the answers, and keep them coming!

rosemary79, Sorry to hear about it! Definitely keep your eating on track during this tough time because this is when things can spiral out of control, but only if you let them. Rest and ice your knee, and do whatever your doctor says, and know that you CAN keep losing weight even without exercising, but only if you stay strong and positive. Good luck!

tbeek, Why would you be doomed? You’re only doomed if you think you are and, more importantly, if you act like you are! Everyone messes up. Just think about how bad it feels, and also think about what led you to take those extra bites. Maybe you thought you wouldn’t feel guilty, maybe you weren’t thinking. Next time, you’ll know – you’ll feel bad if you “nibble,” and it’s just not worth it. And by the way, 2.5 ounces of bad stuff isn’t that bad! If it gets you to learn your lesson, it’s an awfully cheap lesson!

scottyd1264, Haha, so true…everyone’s a doctor! Not to mention a nutritionist, life coach, and fortune teller (they can see into the future and know when you’ll fail at the diet…). I’ve never figured out a way to deal with it besides lose the weight and keep it off…so I’m looking forward to you sharing your journey with us!

TerraB, Congratulations on everything going so well. I am so glad to hear it! My advice is to work super hard on hitting your Protein and Fluid goals, because that will help you keep feeling good. Eventually you’ll stop feeling good if you keep falling short. The swelling in your midsection can also be a sign of dehydration. Good luck!

Fatty McFatster, Support 100%! Let’s see… - No steak and baked potato or pizza for dinner. – Ground turkey burgers and mashed sweet potato? Pizza with a portabello mushroom or lengthwise slice of eggplant (for a base) topped with sauce, low-fat mozzarella cheese, and Canadian bacon? -No buttered popcorn and coke at a movie. – A sugar-free lollipop? Enjoying the movie more? Roasted edamame? Protein chips? -No cake and ice cream after the gifts. – Why not? Like Miss Mac said, find your own fun recipe or use something like a high-protein, low-sugar option like these cakes. Or make “ice cream” with pureed bananas and flavor it with sugar-free chocolate syrup. Be creative! So definitely wallow in your self-pity, because it is a super hard thing to give up those special treats. But at the same time, figure out how you can gain wonderful things from your new lifestyle, including new recipes plus things like enjoying the movie and gifts more than the popcorn and cake. And happy birthday!

I am so sorry. I agree with Babbs – you’re hanging out with the wrong crowd! I know, just kidding, you can’t help which mean people happen to be at the restaurant with you or anything like that. People are amazingly rude, and what is almost as amazing is how much their comments can hurt us, even though we know darn well that anyone that rude is not worth listening too! (Besides the fact that they’re dead wrong – you can keep the weight off). I always wonder…why do people feel the need to say nasty things? I think sometimes they’re honestly just ignorant; they are completely unable to see or figure out how hurtful they are. And they may think somehow they’re entitled to say those things. Other times, I think people consciously or subconsciously hurt others because they themselves are hurting. Take the old ugly woman you spoke to, for example. She probably knows she’s old and ugly, and needed to feel superior to someone. You were handy! I LOVE Pinkgirl1234’s point – at the rate you’re losing, you won’t hear comments like that much longer. Keep the weight off, and you’ll never hear them again. That’s good motivation!

Inner Surfer Girl and everyone else who had a similar NSV…congratulations! Being able to do those “normal” things that other people don’t even think about is just so wonderful. It makes life so much sweeter. And I bet you all look and feel fantastic in those smaller, more fashionable clothes! Dub, Congratulations to you, too. As much as I love being smaller, though, I have to say I’ve never learned to love shopping. Enjoy it, though! You deserve it!

I'd like to personally apologize for the unacceptable delay with many orders that were received over the last few weeks. As some of you are aware, we moved warehouses from New York to Michigan. It's taken us (much) longer than we expected to get organized and unpacked. The holidays and many other factors didn't help us either. Our new facility is almost completely automated. This will help us eliminate wrong product shipping errors. This also means that we need to weigh, measure and barcode every single product we moved. We're about 80% done with this process. We should have notified customers that there might be a delay with their order. My sincerest apologies! We plan on making things up to customers that received delayed orders. You'll receive an email from us in the near future with further details. Once we are settled in completely, all orders will ship out same or next business day, guaranteed. Please email store@BariatricPal.com for any specific order inquiries. Looking forward to a great 2016!

It’s a busy time of year. You’re shopping for gifts. You’re figuring out child care arrangements for when your children are on winter break. You’re rushing to finish end-of-year projects at work. You’re planning and attending holiday parties and family dinners. Who has time to eat healthy? You do! Pre-op or post-op, you can have something healthy on hand for any occasion. There’s no reason you can’t hit your protein and calories. There’s no reason to turn to junk. Here’s what you can do to prepare to get you through the usual holiday dilemmas with flying colors. Start off Right The problem: Breakfast can be a challenge when you’re scrambling to get yourself and the rest of your household ready for the day. You could end up skipping breakfast, grabbing a sugary toaster pastry, or stopping at the coffee shop for a quick coffee latte and bagel with cream cheese…for 800 calories and 100 grams of carbs! The solution: Plan instant, single-portioned breakfasts and plan to eat them at home or at work. Try Protein Oatmeal, pack last night’s leftover chicken and veggies in a small container to take with you, or scramble some egg whites, serve them with a slice of avocado, and soak the pan in the sink so you can wash it later. Keep Away from the Food Courts The problem: You may be spending a lot of time at the mall looking for that perfect gift. You’re going to get hungry after a few hours of shopping. You don’t want to leave the mall, but some choices at the food court can cost you 100’s or over 1,000 calories, enough sodium for a day, and enough sugar for a week. The solution: Take easy snacks or tiny meals with you. Along with protein bars, you can also carry wholesome snacks such as almonds, grape tomatoes, and cheese sticks. Ward off the temptation to go for unhealthy snacks by carrying your own. For example, try Protein Pretzels instead of butter-dipped soft pretzels, a Crispy Cinnamon Protein Bar instead of a cinnamon bun, or a Triple Chocolate Protein Bar instead of an iced brownie. Keep on Sipping The problem: You’re so busy you forget to stay hydrated. That leads to a more dangerous surgery if you’re pre-op, and keeps you from recovering as fast if you’re shortly post-op. If you’re a little further along, mild dehydration can leave you exhausted and with a headache, not to mention a big stall on the scale. The solution: Drink! Carry water bottles with you at all times. If you’re so busy you cannot remember to drink, set alarms on your smartphone to remind you. Don’t forget you can also carry water flavoring drops or powders with you to make the water taste better. If you’re on a liquid diet and you’re on the go, carry your protein powder with you so it’s always handy. A Ready to Shake Protein Shake bottle can make your job easier. Bring Enough to Share The problem: You go to holiday parties and there’s nothing for you to eat! The food is a combination of fatty, sugary, starchy, or high-calorie. You could end up getting dumping syndrome, eating way too much, or not eating anything at all – all bad options! The solution: Bring something you can eat, but bring enough for everyone. Show up with a veggie tray with bean dip and guacamole, a cheese plate with fruit, or a colorful salad with spinach, purple cauliflower, garbanzo beans, and cherry tomatoes. Then fill your plate with your food and have only bites of the rest. If the party is a little more formal or a mixer, and you do not think it would be appropriate to bring a dish, just bring something for yourself. Hard-boiled eggs, protein bars, and all-natural turkey jerky are easy finger foods you can munch on without others noticing. Cook Some Protein The problem: You’re too busy. You’re too busy to cook, to clean, to shop, or to plan your meals. The result can be ordering in pizza or Chinese food, going out to eat, or whipping up a box of mac and cheese to serve with garlic bread. Not a good idea! The solution: Cook and freeze enough servings of lean protein for the week. You could make chicken breast, lean ground turkey fish, or even your own veggie burgers, for example. Then take them out and serve them with steamed vegetables on the side or make simple dishes such as taco salad, stir fry, and fajitas without the tortilla. You’ll have dinner within minutes. If you don’t have time even for one recipe a week or if you want a little variety, single-serve instant entrees like Vegetable Chili and Sloppy Joe may be for you. Even when you’re busy, you can still eat well. Depend on high-protein, low-calorie options to get you through. Think about where you’ll be so you can be prepared, and don’t be afraid to use convenient help like bars and pre-packaged snacks and meals. You can stay on track this holiday season and come out proud on the other end!

Love your list! Never heard of the Bod Pod before. Think I'm gonna get it done as well!! I use the Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale. It's not the most accurate at measuring body fat. Then again, I haven't found any home-based devices that are really accurate at measuring body fat. Really neat that you're helping your mom through the process. Merry Christmas!