Alex Brecher

http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1018-duodenal-switch-surgery-forum/

Don't care for em so it's all good!!

We love sharing good news. This morning Staten Island Live did a feature story on NYC Marathoner and LAP-BAND Patient, Michelle Stiglitz. Click here to view the article. Michelle has lost 130 lbs. since her LAP-BAND procedure and states, “My weight loss journey has truly changed my life and I am so proud to now call myself a runner. Soon to be a marathoner!” Like so many WLS patients, Michelle is paying it forward by running with the Leukemia and Lymphoma's Team in Training. She has also become a personal trainer and fitness instructor "in hopes to help others live a more healthy life." Her story has appeared countless times over the past year in major news outlets like these below: http://abc7ny.com/553678/ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3015117/Woman-gained-120lbs-hormonal-disorder-drops-HALF-body-weight-completes-two-half-marathons.html http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/a50113/the-extreme-thing-i-never-thought-id-do-after-i-gained-back-120-pounds/ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/news/a37670/how-this-woman-lost-135-pounds/ http://www.glamourpage.com/youll-never-guess-how-this-woman-lost-135-pounds/ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a31849/extreme-weight-gain/?src=spr_FBPAGE&spr_id=1443_161265505 Please join us in congratulating her on her accomplishments!

Are you partying? Trick-or-treating? Staying at home to answer the door for trick-or-treaters? Whatever it is, you’re better off with a plan to stay away from the candy, cider, candy, doughnuts, and candy that’ll be EVERYWHERE this week and weekend. What’s your fail-proof plan to keep that candy from entering your body?

No matter how much you want to get your nutrients from “real foods,” you may not be able to, especially if you get the gastric sleeve or bypass. There may be a few days pre-op and several days or a few weeks post-op when you depend on Protein powders and shakes to hit your protein numbers. There are a million different low-sugar, high-protein powders and shakes out there, but your choices are way more limited if you’re vegan. You may go for pea or hemp or soy Protein powder, but there aren’t that many choices. My question for you is: which brand(s) and flavor(s) do you use, and where do (or did) you buy them?

Dr. A is awesome. If I ever needed a revision, I'd go with Dr. A hands down. He has fantastic bedside manners and a great sense of humor. Once you meet him you'll understand. He's a meticulous surgeon and LOVES changing people's lives and really cares about his patients.

Where are you getting these notices from? What are the notices saying exactly, please? I'm not sure what exactly your problem is? Did you forget your password and can't get it reset?

I have great news for our Jewish members who keep Kosher. We just got many of our products in the new BariatricPal Store certified Kosher. I'm attaching our newly issued Kosher certification for specific BariatricPal products. We have other Kosher Bariatric products that aren't covered by this certification as well. BariatricPal Kosher Certification.PDF

Thanks for reporting this issue. We will have it resolved shortly.

Dear BariatricPal Members, I have exciting news! The BariatricPal Store is open for business at http://Store.Bariatricpal.com! My goal is for it to be your source for all your bariatric needs: Protein supplements, high-protein meals and Snacks, bariatric Vitamins, and health supplements. The BariatricPal Store: a Trustworthy Source for Your Bariatric Needs BariatricPal wants to support you in every way possible during your pre-op and post-op weight loss surgery journey. You already know we provide the forums to help with social support and information. With The BariatricPal Store, you now have a trusted source for bariatric meals, snacks, and supplements. One-Stop Shopping for Weight Loss and Health The BariatricPal Store stocks the products that can make it easier for you to stick to your weight loss surgery diet while you stay nourished and healthy. We have high quality, great tasting, and easy meals and snacks. High-protein, low-carb hot and cold breakfasts, and lunch and dinner Entrees. Protein snacks, including Cookies, chips, pretzels, and puddings. Protein Bars, shakes, and powders. Bariatric vitamins and health supplements for all weight loss surgery types. More Reasons to Visit The BariatricPal Store I’m determined to make The BariatricPal Store your first choice for all your weight loss surgery needs. Here are a few more reasons to come by the store! A free sample with every order. Free expedited shipping on orders over $59 The option to sign up for Subscribe and Save with 5-10% discounts, and the comfort in knowing you won’t run out. Guaranteed highest quality and lowest prices on the web. Frequent discounts and specials. I want to make sure The BariatricPal Store has what you need for your pre-op and post-op diets, maintenance, general health, and back-on-track weight loss diets. I invite you to go shopping at store.bariatricpal.com and share your comments! Use the following coupon code for %10 off the entire site: IHEARTBPSTORE Thanks, Alex Brecher CEO & Founder of BariatricPal

I know everyone’s different in the amount of involvement they have in their own health decisions. Some people take everything their doctor says without question, while others like to look into every aspect of the process, from deciding on the type of surgery to researching each Vitamin on the post-op diet. Where do you fall on the spectrum of the surgeon-self split? And, who else has a lot of influence on your weight loss surgery choices and journey, whether it’s your nutritionist, your parents, or your significant other?

There’s always that moment when you have to decide: to eat or not to eat the tempting food, whether it’s at home or work or elsewhere. We all know the theoretical strategies for making better choices. Take a walk, phone a friend, eat something healthier. Do those work for you? For me, sometimes they work. Sometimes they don’t. I find my best strategy to be the delay tactic. I try to tell myself I can have whatever it is, but I have to wait a few minutes. Then I try to get busy with something else. Sometimes it works! What do you do when you’re actually in the decision-making moment?

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch Laurie I think a new spanish speaking board was started a while back am i correct @@Alex Brecher any spanish post should go there by accident, this post might have slipped in the wrong area nice of you to be concerned about others that's what we're all here for isn't it?? you are aces kathy Thanks, moved post.

Awwww! Thanks. We already ordered more. Should be back in stock later this week.

Welcome! In general, I’d say have a little more Protein and veggies to fill up on fewer calories. 1. Breakfast: Maybe have a smaller serving of bagel and have some protein, like a hard-boiled egg white or some cottage cheese. Or have a little less Cereal and mix it with yogurt. Depending on how hungry you are, you could have some fruit, too, because it’s filling and not too high-calorie, and can tide you over. 2. Lunch: For eating out, a green salad is usually safe. You can get the dressing on the side and have grilled chicken (protein) on top, and try to order it without fatty extras like salami and mounds of cheese (a little is okay). You can also go for chicken breast and a side of veggies. 3. Snack: Protein Bars (if you like them) keep in the car. Almonds are good, as long as you keep the serving small. You could also go for pouches of tuna or canned sardines or macerel. 4: Dinner: It’s a pretty safe bet to go with a protein and a cooked veggie or side salad, plus a starch if you need more. For example, chicken, fish, or a veggie or turkey burger, plus broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, etc., plus a small amount of sweet potato or winter squash or brown rice. If you’re willing to cook a little, you can do chili or stir fry – a mixture of protein and veggies. 5. Snack: Yogurt, cottage cheese, protein pudding, fruit. Good luck!

CanyonBaby, Oh my goodness! Congratulations!! This really makes my day!

Like the others said, I’d think first about a lack of carbs. If you’re down below about 25 grams per day, which is very likely after the sleeve, your brain can get a little fuzzy. That’s because your brain uses sugar for energy, and you’re not giving enough carbs. A nutrient deficiency is possible, too. Are you taking all the recommended supplements your surgeon gave you? And finally…what about dehydration? I think they suggest 64 ounces minimum, but more is better. Good luck!

esmii2015, Way to go thinking carefully about surgery and letting all of your doubts surface now instead of when it is too late. The best thing to do is to keep being honest with yourself. How hard have you tried to lose weight and prevent regain? What do you think the sleeve will do for you that you’re not getting now? Have you thought about the complications and risks, versus the potential benefits? How will you feel in 2, 10, and 40 years when you’re not losing weight anymore, but still can’t eat some of the foods you ate before surgery? Regardless of how your other thoughts go about whether you need it, whether the sleeve is best for you, etc., what should NOT be an issue is what other people think and whether you should feel guilty about needing it. If you need it, you need it. If you don’t, you don’t. No other people are involved, and no shame should be involved. Good luck with your decision. Take your time, and ask plenty of questions: here, and to potential surgeons, and to everyone you trust.

Annie67, As for the question about whether the surgeon is legit and your response that it’s the program that decides: in some ways, yes. The program decides about financial aspects; that is, whether to pay for the surgery. The surgeon, though, has every right and responsibility to refuse to accep the money and the patient if the surgeon feels the patient is not a good candidate. It’s a really individual decision. Some people at the height and weight you mentioned should not get surgery, for example, if they just need diet guidance. Others, though, may have already tried every diet under the sun, and still are gaining weight, and maybe just don’t want to wait until they’re way heavier just to “prove” to everyone that they need it. Since the surgeon did lie on the paperwork, I would be extra sure to bring that up the day of surgery. Often, once numbers get “into the system,” it’s nearly impossible to override them. You don’t want the med team to glance at the fudged numbers without double checking the correct ones, so it’s probably best to remind them.

Elode, Don’t worry – I sure wouldn’t judge someone who’s lost over 100 lbs in 11 months! I love lox! Smoked salmon is great in terms of convenience and taste, plus Protein and healthy fats. I worry about the sodium, since a serving can have your entire sodium quota for the day. I also worry about nitrites, which are used as a preservative just like in processed meats (like ham and turkey breast and other deli meats). They’re carcinogenic. But I still love lox, especially with fat-free cream cheese. Let’s see, my go-to for breakfast is probably Greek yogurt and blueberries. It’s easy, and healthy, and high-protein. I can grab it on the way out the door, and if I use frozen blueberries, I don’t need to go shopping for it too often. I can pick up what I need in a regular shopping trip. I also love oatmeal. It’s so easy and healthy, considering how filling and delicious it is. If I feel the need, I can have a hard-boiled egg white for some protein. Egg whites and liquid egg substitute are great – you can make them in minutes and add whatever you want, like cheese or turkey or vegetables, and call it a breakfast scramble. Proudgrammy…I remember those dozen donut days!

Sorry to hear about your experience. I think one of the most frustrating things about weight loss surgery is needing to find Protein supplements that taste okay! It’s so frustrating because what works for someone else may not work for you; what you like before surgery might taste terrible post-op; and as you search for a powder that works, it’s hard to forget about all that money you’re throwing away! Some of the members have given suggestions about mixing it with other drinks like G2 (or Powerade Zero or any sugar-free drink). To avoid wasting money, you can try buying your shakes and other supplements online at a store with a good refund or exchange policy. Some stores let you return or exchange products if you’ve only tried a single serving. WLSResources/Clothing Exch: the sleeve is a completely different surgery than the band. Protein Shakes or powder are unavoidable since patients can’t eat food until at least 2 weeks post-op. After that, they can only eat a little at a time, and most need shakes for weeks or months after to meet their needs.

ASUGrad, It’s great that you’re doing your homework and asking these questions! From the little I’ve read, it sounds like a 26F bougie is very small. According to Bariatric News, a consensus panel of surgeons published their best practice recommendations to keep the bougie between 32 and 36. As you know, larger is less likely to be effective long-term because it doesn’t give as much restriction. Smaller than 32 sounds like a risk factor for more complications, including leaks and strictures. These aren’t things to take lightly! If I were you, I would get a second opinion. I mean, in addition to the 600 second opinions you’ve gotten on this thread! Also, maybe you’re already thinking along the lines, but the most important thing is your long-term health. Maybe a 26F bougie will get you to goal weight faster, but at what cost? It could cost your health, and it’s important to remember the sleeve is permanent, so you can’t “undo” it. Good luck!

Absolutely!

My personal top three faves are: 1. All the bars in http://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-bars/products/bariatricpal-variety-high-protein-bars-7-bars-per-box . 2. I also love the Protein shakes in http://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/variety-packs/products/bariatricpal-variety-shake-pudding-7-packets-per-box . 3. Since the weather got a bit chilly, I started having these Soups daily http://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/variety-packs/products/bariatricpal-variety-soup-7-packets-per-box .

Hey Everyone, I got weight loss surgery to try to get my life back. I knew the journey would be hard, but I was desperate. I had struggled with weight for years, and my high weight was 255 lbs. I just wanted to lose weight and get healthy. You Need Healthy food I learned that success on the weight loss surgery diet is all about having the right food. It needs to be high-Protein, low-calorie, and low-carb. It needs to be convenient, quick, and affordable. And it needs to be delicious! The BariatricPal Store Works for You I took what I learned from my own journey and created The BariatricPal Store. It’s your one-stop shop for your bariatric needs. Delicious high-protein breakfasts, lunches, dinners that are ready in minutes. Ready to eat high-protein creamy, crunchy, and great-tasting Snacks. Bariatric Vitamins and health supplements for gastric band, gastric sleeve, and gastric bypass patients. meal plans for every stage of the weight loss surgery and maintenance diets. I promise the best customer service and lowest prices anywhere on the web. I know what it’s like to be in your shoes, and I will do whatever I can to make your journey a success story. Use the following coupon code for %15 off the entire site: GETMESOMEBP. Just go to Store.BariatricPal.com and enter it upon checkout. Sincerely, Alex Brecher CEO & Founder of BariatricPal