Alex Brecher

All of us use the internet to information on weight loss surgery – case in point: you’re on BariatricPal! You may be an information junkie who’s eagerly looking for all the details and tips you can find, or maybe you’ve narrowed it down to BariatricPal and a few favorite sites. My question is: which weight loss surgery blogs do you read, whether it’s for recipe ideas or other WLS advice? Thanks for your answers!

What do you think a reasonable price per bottle is, including shipping?

Munecagirl, This is normal! So many sleeve and other WLS patients have super fast weight loss their first week or two, and then a week or two or more with a stall. It’s just your body trying to adjust. The first 20 lbs. are such a HUGE amount for your body to lose, and it takes a while for your body to catch up and be ready to lose again. You can help your body catch up by treating it right. Get a lot of Protein, and get a TON of Water. Don’t cut back on your calories or be afraid of pureed foods (if you’re ready for them and your surgeon says to have them). Your body will eventually be ready, and you will lose weight again. The only way you won’t lose weight is if you don’t follow your post-op instructions and diet! I know it’s frustrating. Believe me, we ALL wish those 20 lbs would come off evenly in 3 weeks and not all at once in the first week if weeks 2 and 3 are just a stall! But we don’t get to choose! Good luck.

AggieSleever, That is so NORMAL that I’d be surprised if it weren’t the case! Your body is so shocked by the stress of surgery plus the stress of losing all that weight, that it’s just not yet ready to lose any more right now. It will when it’s ready i you The tips everyone gave you are good ones. Get enough Protein – about 60 or 70 or more grams of protein a day. I’m not sure if you’re drinking shakes, but those are a good way to up your protein and calories. 1,000 or more calories is a good goal. Then, there’s Water. At least 8 cups a day! That’s a lot, but it lets your body relax and lose some weight. Now, I know it’s super hard to get consolation from this, but remember that you can’t control the scale or your body’s reactions all the time. You can only control what you do, which should be getting your protein, staying hydrated, etc. Your body and the scale will follow in time.

@@Mom26, Thinking of you and your son and wishing you the very best. I wish there were something I could do.

KindaFamiliar, I wholeheartedly agree with MichiganChic! It’s only a bad thing if you let it be one. I have a friend who, like LipstickLady, weighs herself several times a day and uses it for information. She likes to know if she’s dehydrated and by weighing herself many times, she’s learned her body’s patterns. The key to success is whatever works for you. I personally don’t weigh often because it drives me crazy, but I do realize the powers that be say you “should” weigh daily, like MichiganChic says. Anyway, enjoy your new habit.

Thanks for all of your answers and ideas! It looks like you have it down pat! For me, the doggie bag is a huge one. I love finishing whatever’s on my plate, whether it’s a reasonable amount or way too much. Packing up half of my meal first, before I start eating, is key for me. It’s such an easy way of keeping my meal reasonable while getting all the satisfaction of eating everything let on the plate. Some other great ones: going bunless or breadless (or crustless or tortilla-less) and eating only the burger, turkey, cheese, or Beans is a simple trick especially for fast food restaurants. I love the idea of choosing restaurants that serve Breakfast all day and ordering an omelet! From this thread, it sounds like there’s no reason to fear eating out. Just be smart about it!

Thanks for sharing! I agree with your takes! Definitely life and the holidays are less about food and more about people post-op compared to pre-op like Sophie74656 said, and jane13 said it – “moderation!” Cowgirljane, my approach is similar to yours – I also try to eat lightly if I overdid it or know I’m going to overdo it for a meal or a day. 2goldengirl, that’s a really smart strategy. It gives you your pleasure but puts limits on quantity. I also love that it puts you in control because you get to decide what’s worthy of being eaten. Cancer91vsg…great job losing weight during the holidays! Not many people do.

We were thinking about adding Torani to the BP Store. Where do you buy your Torani and how much do you normally pay?

You can change your display name here.

BariatricPal Newsletter#subject#> body,div,dl,dt,dd,ul,ol,li,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6,pre,form,fieldset,input,textarea,p,blockquote,th,td { margin:0; padding:0; } table { border-collapse:collapse; border-spacing:0; } fieldset,img { border:0; } address,caption,cite,code,dfn,th,var { font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; } caption,th { text-align:left; } h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { font-size:100%; font-weight:normal; } q:before,q:after { content:''; } abbr,acronym { border:0; } address{ display: inline; } html, body { background-color: #d8dde8; color: #5a5a5a; } body { font: normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif; position: relative; } h3, strong { font-weight: bold; } em { font-style: italic; } img, .input_check, .input_radio { vertical-align: middle; } legend { display: none; } table { width: 100%; } td { padding: 3px; } a { color: #225985; text-decoration: none; } a:hover { color: #328586; } div.outer { margin: 0 auto; padding: 14px; } table.wrap { max-width: 800px; margin: 0 auto; } td.logo { background-color: #0f3854; padding: 8px; } td.content { background-color: #fff; font-size: 14px !important; color: black !important; line-height: 150% !important; padding: 8px; } ul { margin-left: 25px; } Hey BariatricPal Members! The holidays are nearly upon us, and that can mean hectic times with family, shopping, and cooking. But before all that happens, we still have a few days. That’s a good time to take a deep breath and refocus on health and weight loss. Here’s what to look forward to in this month’s newsletter to keep you grounded. The BariatricPal Store and Other BariatricPal News Member Spotlight: Meet MichiganChic! Notice: The Holidays Are Coming! Sit back, relax, take a few deep breaths, and enjoy the newsletter. Then come talk about it on BariatricPal before dashing off to the busyness of the season! Thanks for all your support. Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal The BariatricPal Store and Other BariatricPal News We’re still excited about the launch of The BariatricPal Store. More importantly, so were you! We are thrilled with the success we’ve had in just the first few weeks since the store opened. Elsewhere in the BariatricPal world, BariatricPal was at Obesity Week in Los Angeles in early November. The BariatricPal Store: Your Nutritional Needs We’ve got you covered with the bariatric nutritional supplements and meals you need at the lowest guaranteed prices. Be sure to stop by for: -Protein powders, bars, and shakes -high-protein, low-carb Snacks -high-protein, low-calorie hot and cold breakfasts and Entrees -bariatric Vitamins Check out the store blog for the latest store news plus the occasional coupons and recipes. You can also save money by earning points through BariatricPal Rewards. Come by the store if you haven’t already. We hope you’ll be a regular customer and let us keep supporting your weight loss surgery journey success. Obesity Week: The Front Line of the Fight Against Obesity Obesity Week took place November 2-7 in Los Angeles, California, and BariatricPal was there! The conference is jointly sponsored by the Obesity Society and ASMBS. The purpose is to discuss new research on causes of obesity and obesity solutions, including presenting the latest research on bariatric surgery techniques, follow-up care, and other guidelines. BariatricPal had a booth at the Exhibit. We were able to reconnect with surgeons and other leaders in bariatric surgery, and meet new ones. We got caught up on the latest in weight loss surgery, and came away with a ton of new ideas…keep watching for improvements on BariatricPal! 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. Back on the Boards… Meanwhile, back on the boards, there’s always a lot going on! BariatricPal members have been asking about getting back on track, going back to work post-op, and the pre-op diet. If you’re looking for some motivation, consider joining an Exercise Challenge or a Holiday Challenge. And, for a little light reading, why not check out the WLS Magazine with recent articles on Lap-Band Myths and The Good Towels? Get involved – it may even help you lose more weight. (That’s science talking, not us). Member Spotlight: Meet MichiganChic! This month’s spotlight is on MichiganChic. MichiganChic had been overweight most of her whole life, and morbidly obese for 27 years. At 5’4” and 325 lbs., she could feel the threat of health issues. Her blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol were all creeping up. As a registered nurse, she knew what was coming, and didn’t want it. She also wanted to “fit in” – whether into a chair or into a group of people. She was sick of standing out in a crowd, and found it embarrassing. She dreaded social situations, knowing she’d be the one to be noticed. She got the gastric sleeve in December of 2012, and is thrilled with her choice. No wonder – she’s lost 144 lbs. and is down to 162 lbs. and a BMI of 27. Now, she can look forward to social situations, not dread them. Her life does not revolve around food; instead, food is something to nourish and to be enjoyed – but not as the “main event.” It hasn’t been a completely smooth journey. These are a few of the challenges MichiganChic experienced. -a surgical infection that took seven weeks to heal. -the struggle coming to grips with the fact that the lifelong change is…for LIFE. -getting over an “all-or-nothing” mentality when it comes to weight and eating. -accepting her body at a healthy weight, even if over a BMI of 25. The highs have outweighed the lows, though. The feeling of freedom overrides everything. She can do what she wants, without her weight holding her back. And beneath that is the knowledge that she earned that freedom for herself. One instance that stands out for her is her job offer from 2 years ago. She would not have even considered responding to the recruiter at her high weight…but 100 lbs. lighter, she interviewed and got the job! She’s also proud of her completing her first 5k recently. MichiganChic uses the BariatricPal forums every day to stay focused by talking to like-minded members. She doesn’t want life to “get in the way of success.” She knows that there’s sure to be others who are thinking about the same things she is, and she loves interacting with “people from all walks of life, and varied experiences and opinions.” For members who are struggling with their weight loss, MichiganChic reminds you to be honest with yourself. It’s hard to break years of habits like overeating and mindless eating. For herself, she knows she needs to track every bite of food. At the same time, it’s important to forgive and forget when necessary: nobody’s perfect. MichiganChic, congratulations on your weight loss surgery success. You have really earned the freedom and happiness you now have. Thanks for sharing your story and journey with us. If there’s anyone you want to see in our member spotlight, please let us know in the Member Spotlight Forum! You can also PM Alex Brecher with your nomination – just put “Member Spotlight” in the subject line. Don’t forget you can nominate yourself, too. A Little Soup…Because You Deserve It When the weather gets chilly, there’s nothing like a warm bowl of soup to warm you up inside and out. If you’re not careful, a bowl of soup can turn into a bariatric nightmare. A bowl of full-fat broccoli and cheese soup with a breadstick, clam chowder served in a bread bowl, and cream of tomato soup with grilled cheese can have hundreds if not thousands of calories. That can leave you feeling guilty and worse than before you had the soup. Instead, go for a soup that’s just as satisfying, but healthy at the same time. That way, you’ll feel warm from the soup and from your pride at nourishing your body. Here are a few easy ideas. -Vegetarian chili with Beans, diced onion, tomatoes, bell peppers, and celery, and chili seasoning from a packet. Optional: lean ground turkey or soy crumbles, with shredded low-fat cheddar melted on top. -“Asian” inspired soup with chicken broth, ginger, soy sauce, and garlic, plus tofu, napa cabbage, Water chestnuts, broccoli, green onions, and mushrooms. -Squash or pumpkin soup with cooked pumpkin or butternut squash, black beans, cilantro, chili powder, and vegetable broth. Puree it for a good meal on the Pureed/Mushies Post-Op Diet. Thanks for reading the newsletter and for all of your support. BariatricPal is continually getting bigger and better, and that wouldn’t be possible without our members. A sincere thanks for your inspiration and for all you do to keep us going!

Just sent you a PM. You're already a member if you're able to post here.

Thank you for letting us know about this. I can't replicate your issue. Please assist by providing the following info: What page did you visit when you received this error? Are you using a mobile or desktop device? Which browser? We received many many orders today and this is the first we've heard about this specific issue. it happens off and on, when I try to switch pages/products. I'm using a chromebook....have ordered from the store before from this machine no problem. I believe this a cookie issue. You can resolve this by clearing your cache and cookies.

Thank you for letting us know about this. I can't replicate your issue. Please assist by providing the following info: What page did you visit when you received this error? Are you using a mobile or desktop device? Which browser? We received many many orders today and this is the first we've heard about this specific issue. it happens off and on, when I try to switch pages/products. I'm using a chromebook....have ordered from the store before from this machine no problem. Thanks! We're looking into this now.

Thank you for letting us know about this. I can't replicate your issue. Please assist by providing the following info: What page did you visit when you received this error? Are you using a mobile or desktop device? Which browser? We received many many orders today and this is the first we've heard about this specific issue.

We've received and are still receiving orders from individuals that are using CM2015. Are you sure there isn't a space?

You're very welcome, glad you're enjoying.

Cyber Monday at The BariatricPal Store! It’s our biggest blow-out ever! We’re offering 25% off everything, plus free shipping! No minimum purchase required. And wait…there’s more! We’re giving you triple Rewards points! Use coupon code CM2015 upon checkout. Keep reading to find out about The BariatricPal Store’s biggest sale ever. It’s a great place to spend your Cyber Monday, because our products will help you get back on track after Thanksgiving weekend! The More You Buy, the More You Save! It’s so true. Hurry, though. These deals are for Cyber Monday only! Once they’re gone, they’re gone! Triple Rewards Points Today Only In addition to great discounts off your order and free shipping, we’re tripling your Rewards Points in honor of Cyber Monday. For every dollar you spend, you get three rewards points! Save up those points, and you can redeem them for cash discounts on future purchases. You’re automatically enrolled in our Rewards program when you create a store account. A Few Suggestions for Your List We’re not a supermarket, so maybe you didn’t make a grocery list. Here are a few items that may jog your memory as you browse The BariatricPal Store. Multivitamins and other Vitamins for the pre-op and post-op phases. cold Cereal and hot oatmeal, pancakes, and omelets for quick, perfectly portioned breakfasts. instant low-calorie Soups, chilis, and other Entrees with a Protein punch. low-carb, high-protein pretzels and chips for when you get the munchies. delicious guilt-free cheesecake and chocolate Desserts. Free Shipping on All Orders! Oops! Realize you forget something? No problem! Just order it on Cyber Monday, and you get it shipped free, no matter the size of your order! The Right Time to Stock Up From now through the end of the year, losing weight will be tougher. With holiday parties, food gifts, and family get-togethers, your best weapon is to be prepared. That’s why it’s a great time to stock up on the healthy Snacks and meals that let you resist temptations nearly everywhere you turn. Thanks for spending Cyber Monday with The BariatricPal Store! It’s a thrill to offer you our best deals ever, and we hope you take advantage. Don’t forget to use coupon code CM2015 at checkout to get your discount. Alex Brecher CEO & Founder of BariatricPal

Okay, we’re not supposed to go out much after weight loss surgery…but let’s be serious. Most of us do, either regularly or occasionally, and either by choice or because friends, family, or work demands it. So how do you get by? Please share your restaurant secret – either tell us which menu item you order at which restaurant, or give a general tip! Here’s my go-to trick. Don’t limit yourself to the menu! Most restaurants are happy to serve whatever you ask for, whether it’s a side of veggies instead of fries, or a bowl of cottage cheese that’s not listed in print on the menu. Whatever you want, there’s no harm in asking for it! What are your tricks and tips?

It’s no secret. The holidays are tough when you’re trying to lose weight or maintain weight loss! There’s more food, and often less time to exercise. Some people try to power through and keep their same routine and goals as the rest of the year. Some people figure they’ll get back on track after New Year’s. Others try to compromise with a middle route – maybe having a goal of maintaining instead of losing, or allowing themselves an extra cheat day every so often. What is your attitude toward weight loss during the holidays? What are your strategies for sticking to the plan or getting back on track?

daveintx, First, congratulations on your weight loss. That is a huge, huge accomplishment and it shows your commitment! My first question is whether you have mentioned your thoughts to your wife. Is it possible she is for some reason thinking about this as “your journey” instead of “our new life?” Have you invited her explicitly to join you in a healthy lifestyle – in a non-threatening way that tells her you love her, and not in a way that says you’re now better than she is? In a way that lets her know you’ll support her and be patient as she starts to act a little healthier? And – maybe a lot harder – have you let her know that it’s not really optional for her to help you get healthy, and in the process, get herself healthy? That you NEED her to help you because you just can’t be around someone who isn’t helpful? Good luck. It’s a really hard thing when one of the two in the couple wants to get healthy, and the other doesn’t.

Sorry, have to laugh! I think we've all been there, done that with Protein shakes! The tastes of Protein shakes and powders are so subjective, like BLERDgirl said! Sometimes I recommend various ones to people, but I also include a warning that my tastes might be different than theirs…and also that their tastes may change after surgery so don’t stock up too much when you’re still pre-op! The only real strategy is to keep trying. Do your best to try to get samples and to buy small amounts so you don’t end up wasting too much!

M&S, There can be a few reasons why people say the sleeve “failed” even if it hasn’t. One is unreasonable or failed expectations – like smcbee79 said, you can still be hungry after it even if you were hoping the sleeve would get rid of your hunger. Another possible disappointment might be expecting that the sleeve would make you not like junk food anymore, and then finding that you still have a taste for sweets or fatty foods. Yes, a lot of patients wonder if their sleeve didn’t work because of stalls, but they’re part of the journey! Stalls will happen, no matter what. It’s really hard to take a long-term perspective, even if you’ve told yourself you’re going to be patient and this will take years. In the moment, when the scale doesn’t go down for a few days or weeks, it is easy to start to wonder if the sleeve “failed.” You’re actually at one of the hardest parts of the journey – at two weeks out, you haven’t eaten much so you’re not feeling great. This is also when a lot of patients get their first “stall,” and it can be a brutal one because a lot of patients have lost SO MUCH weight in the past couple weeks that the body needs time to catch up – and hence the scale doesn’t move. The only thing you can do post-op is look forward – ask yourself what you can do today to make yourself healthier and to see the scale move down when it’s ready. You can only control your own behaviors now – the sleeve is a done deal!

These are fantastic! Keep them coming, and I hope you all ate as well and healthily as these recipes imply!

Kirbykendall6, It is so good that you are asking these tough questions now instead of jumping into surgery without being sure! Slvarltx has a good point – a lot of the successful sleevers with no horror stories aren’t around the internet sharing horror stories! On the other hand, if you’re one of the unlucky ones, you might have your own horror story – unlikely based on the statistics, but it does happen to a few people. Like dappljr said, it can be a great thing to do this so young. I did in my mid-20’s, and I am so glad I was able to enjoy these past several years instead of just letting the situation get worse. On the other hand, you want to be sure you really need it – for example, (since you’re so young) – have you already tried moving out from your parents’ home and setting up your own healthy living situation? Some sleevers do have trouble increasing their calories and they rely on Protein Shakes for longer than just the few weeks of the liquid diet. Another super important consideration (as you mentioned) is the long-term implications. You MUST follow a calorie-controlled, healthy diet if you want to keep the weight off. Anyone can eventually “eat around” their weight loss surgery if they choose to, for example by snacking too much or eating high-calorie foods or drinking their calories. If you get the sleeve now, are you ready to eat right next year, and when you’re 30, and when you’re 40, and when you’re 70 years old? Good luck to you as you research all your options and figure out the best choice for you, whether it’s surgery and whether it’s the sleeve. Keep asking questions and let us know how we can help!