Kelly Gonzalez

I'm 4 weeks post, and yes. Everything is too sweet, and I noticed it almost immediatly that medication that I have been on for years, now as soon as I put them in my mouth, I taste them, this was not the case before, but it's really great to know that people who experience the change tend to lose more weight, I'm all for that, haha..

I'm 4 weeks post, and yes. Everything is too sweet, and I noticed it almost immediatly that medication that I have been on for years, now as soon as I put them in my mouth, I taste them, this was not the case before, but it's really great to know that people who experience the change tend to lose more weight, I'm all for that, haha..

I'm 4 weeks post, and yes. Everything is too sweet, and I noticed it almost immediatly that medication that I have been on for years, now as soon as I put them in my mouth, I taste them, this was not the case before, but it's really great to know that people who experience the change tend to lose more weight, I'm all for that, haha..

I'm 4 weeks post, and yes. Everything is too sweet, and I noticed it almost immediatly that medication that I have been on for years, now as soon as I put them in my mouth, I taste them, this was not the case before, but it's really great to know that people who experience the change tend to lose more weight, I'm all for that, haha..

On my first visit he gave me all the paperwork, and told me I had to see the "nut" I'm about 1 1/2 hrs from Livingston, so I asked if I could navigate out of St Barnabus, he told me that was fine ( just remember to get scripts, if you do this, he will give you a paper, but he will still need to give a script} If you navigate within the hospital, expect to spend the day there. I navigated for cat scan, pulmonary, sleep apnea, cardiac, some bloodwork. I always made the "nut' appointment for the same day as I was seeing the surgeon, and she was accomadating.Most people have to lose a reccomende weight loss prior to surgery (insurance) so they weigh in each time you go, and they look at the scale. It's basically each time you go, you will be given things to do, and when all is done then they will set your surgery date.Also if you navigate out, they usually fax the results, always ask for a copy of anything, St. Barnabus was very good at losing everything, because f high clientel. You will have to get a psych clearence. He actually red flagged me for only being off of cigarettes for 3 months, but doc still cleared me, so I'm not too sure why they send you to see a psych. My "nut" told me that the psych's usually red flag most people, so if that happens don't worry. If you smoke "stop" they do a urine test, usually 2 weeks prior to surgery, and it can tell them if you have smoked I think up to 6 weeks before.(which has to be done at the hospital that you will have the surgery} That's about it for pre-op. It's a lot of work prior I spent the night at the hospital, and was sent home the next day. Hope this helped. My doc was/is Dr.Prakash Paragi. St. Barnabus isn't far from you,What hospital in Springfield are you going to? I only know of St Barnabus in your area. I'm familiar with Springfield. I used to live in Plainfield, and have family in Cranford. Good luck, MsJoy!

Happy fathers day Alex!

Happy fathers day Alex!

Just bring yourself, and a phone,and toiletries, that's basically all you need. I brought a change of clothes, new nightie, ended up staying in the hospital gown, you won't feel up to much for the first few days anyway, and I didn't even feel much like talking, just took the meds, and slept, did what I had to do, and went home. Good luck, and bless you!

Just bring yourself, and a phone,and toiletries, that's basically all you need. I brought a change of clothes, new nightie, ended up staying in the hospital gown, you won't feel up to much for the first few days anyway, and I didn't even feel much like talking, just took the meds, and slept, did what I had to do, and went home. Good luck, and bless you!

Hey, BariatricPal Members!
Happy Father’s Day! Whether you’re a father, grandfather, son, or someone who has a father in the house, today is your chance to honor the dads in your life. With the tips in this letter, you can Celebrate Father’s Day properly while staying on track. We bet you can even finish the day stronger than you started! Here’s what we have in this newsletter.

Renew Your Commitment by Thinking about Dad Today Father’s Day Celebration – Bariatric Style! Is It Time for…”The Talk?” Eat Healthy at the Ballpark!
We hope the newsletter gives you a chance to think about the dads in your life, and helps you figure out how you can work to keep everyone healthier together. When you have finished reading the newsletter and you’ve gotten in plenty of high-quality family time, come on over to visit your other “family” at BariatricPal. Happy Father’s Day!

Sincerely,
Alex Brecher
Founder, BariatricPal

Renew Your Commitment by Thinking about Dad Today
It’s easy to get lost in the regular pattern of daily life. Your actions can almost become automatic as you go through your day. Over time, you might start to lose focus and let some poorer choices slip in. You might eyeball instead of measure your food, let a few bites sneak in without recording them, or go for a little more starch than you know you should.

It is normal to become a little less focused on your weight loss surgery after a while if you do not occasionally stop to reconsider your motivations. Father’s Day provides a good opportunity for you to renew your commitment to your weight loss journey.

Think about your own father, or a father figure in your life, who gave or gives you unconditional love. How proud would your father be if you set this goal of losing weight and you were able to achieve it? How relieved would your father be to see his son or daughter gain back health and energy?

If you are a father – or a parent, or a father figure to anyone – think about the children that you influence. Every day you strive to be the best role model that you can be, and these efforts really pay off! Also consider how your relationships have the potential to become even stronger throughout your weight loss journey.

You might have more energy to play with your children. You can teach them healthy habits for life by modeling them. Your children do not need to worry about your health.
Dedicating the next stage of your weight loss journey to the fathers and children in your life can help spur you on.

Father’s Day Celebration – BariatricPal Style!
Father’s Day can be disastrous if it includes a big lunch at a restaurant followed by some down time as you watch television and snack. You’re not doing your dad or yourself any favors by celebrating that way, and you can make the day just as special by making a few healthy changes.

Keep lunch Simple
If you want to go out for lunch, skip the buffet. Just order a salad with tuna or grilled chicken, or grilled chicken breast or broiled fish with steamed vegetables on the side. A fruit plate with cottage cheese or yogurt is another option.

If a buffet is a Father’s Day tradition in your family, remember that you are not obligated to overeat to get your money’s worth. It is worth far more to enjoy one plate of healthy food and feel proud of yourself for the rest of the day.

If you’re eating at home, make sure there is plenty of lean Protein around. Grill chicken breast, turkey burger, or shrimp and serve it with a tossed green salad and some fruit. You don’t need to dig into the bread, coleslaw, and cake as long as you have your own healthy options.

Burn a Few Calories
Keep the party going by getting moving. Toss around a football, bump a volleyball, or kick around a soccer ball. It doesn’t matter if you’re clumsy. The point is to have fun and remember what it’s like to get moving with your family. The games can inspire you to resolve to lose more weight so that you can enjoy many more moments like this in the future.

Is It Time for…”The Talk?”
Father’s Day is about relationships. You might want to take some time to strengthen your relationship with your father if he is not yet completely up-to-date on your surgery. Weight loss surgery is a huge part of your life, and today, you can consider having a serious conversation with your father to help him understand a bit more about it. You might talk about the following items, depending on what he already knows and how he feels about your surgery.

Why you felt that surgery was best for you. How surgery helps you lose weight, and what you need to do to make sure it works. How your dad can help, whether that means being a sympathetic ear on the telephone or looking after your children for an hour on weekends so that you can work out with your spouse.
If you are a parent and are on the weight loss surgery journey, talk to your child about the surgery in terms he or she can understand. You can address the same points as above, but keep them simpler. You might explain that you are trying to get healthy and make sure that your child grows up strong and healthy, and that sometimes you may need your child to help with the chores if you are a little tired.

Eat Healthy at the Ballpark
“Take me out to the ballgame,
Take me out to the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts (510 calories) and Cracker Jack (480 calories).
I don’t care if I get way off track!”

Oh, wait. Yes, I do care! So what can you eat when you go to the game? Most of the traditional options are high-calorie and fatty, sugary or starchy. If you munch on them for nine innings, you can take in thousands of calories and will likely feel sick.

Avoid these choices.

Nachos and cheese pretzels with or without cheese Ice cream Buttered popcorn pizza Hot dogs, corn dogs French fries
Many stadiums now offer healthier options than they used to. Check online before you leave home to see if you can plan a healthy meal or snack at the stadium.

Green salads with chicken Hummus with vegetables Veggie burgers or hot dogs (skip the bun) Fresh fruit cup Vegetables with dip
If your ballpark doesn’t have many healthy choices, you can still get away by modifying some of the traditional choices. Just stick to your weight loss surgery diet rules of choosing Protein first and watching your portion sizes.

Order a burger and just eat the beef, grilled chicken, or veggie patty, not the bun. Ask for a cup of shaved ice without snow cone Syrup. It gives you something to do. Get a bag of peanuts, count out one serving, and put the rest away.
Whether you go to a baseball game, another sporting event, or a show, the goals are to enjoy the event and the company. Focus on the great things about the day instead of worrying about the food that you used to eat. If you plan ahead and go in with a positive attitude, you might find that you have even more fun than you used to!

No matter how you choose to spend your Father’s Day, consider how you can make it a healthy holiday that is fun for everyone. We hope this newsletter gave you some good ideas and inspiration!

Loved the reading, and made me chuckle. I'm sure we will all have times where we will go through the similar. You had me wondering "will she, no not in the middle of the airport, but wait it should be right on top, and who would know if she walks away with it, and opens some where else. So does she? Ah, she didn't, good for her." Lol. Thanks!

I know some doctors fix the hernia during the surgery, mine wouldn't because my bowels, and intestines broke through my stomach lining, and ripped my stomach muscle in half, causing my bowels, and intestines to just keep growing. He will fix the hernia when I reach the plateau of 18 months, so he can put everything into a mesh bag. I guess it depends on how bad the hernia is. Good luck!

Yes, so I hear it all the time, "I'm having this surgery because I want to lose weight and gain my health back"... but what I really want to know is, where is that person inside you that is doing it so you can be more attractive? I won't lie, I hated being fat. I did not feel pretty and I do feel a million times better being smaller. I even float across the floor better if that makes sense. I fit my clothes better, I can find a lot cuter clothes and I like shopping and doing make-up. They don't call me "diva" for nothing. I like taking pictures and I like having pretty hair and nails and lots of bright outfits. I love it when my husband tells me I'm beautiful. I personally don't think there's anything wrong with that, because on the inside I am kind, considerate and loving. I will never berate anyone and will always put my hand out to help anyone up, without question.
When it comes down to it, it will always be how you treat yourself as well as others, and sometimes looking our best helps us feel better about treating others and ourselves better. As long as you have a good heart and always remain respectful then who cares if you like to look good.
Anyone else out there willing to admit they have a bit of a narcissistic side?

Just to let you Bariatric Bullies know--when someone posts a question here it is because they truly don't know or want constructive criticism! Not to be laughed at or made fun of or be answered condisendingly! Some of us know more than others and that's why we are here! You are not supposed to be a BULLY about it! I for one have been talked down to and literally laughed at for my question about protein!! I was new an knew very little about it and thought I was safe to ask anything here! BOY WAS I WRONG!!! There a quite a few Bariatric Bullies here! Grow up and be an adult already! I wondered why children bully and now I see its adults as well! =

I'm 4 weeks post, and yes. Everything is too sweet, and I noticed it almost immediatly that medication that I have been on for years, now as soon as I put them in my mouth, I taste them, this was not the case before, but it's really great to know that people who experience the change tend to lose more weight, I'm all for that, haha..

Oh YEA, more so then ever. It's like getting pleasure just by looking, haha.

So I'm a night shifter. On my days off, I am still awake at night! The only thing on that I find entertaining to watch is the food network. Sometimes it's super torturous but I still don't want to stray away from diet (I'm low carbing and I know how annoying it is to get back into ketosis). Does anyone else have this issue or indulge in the guilty pleasure of watching food network even though it can sometimes be torture!?

I have one cup a day. Then, drink a bottle of Water. After the water, I wait 15-30 min. and eat Breakfast. After breakfast, I take my Vitamins. (Chewables). I also take Calcium after dinner as well. All has been good for me. No problems with the coffee. They say it is an appetite enhancer as well. Your Dr is probably just eliminating anything that is a risk for you right now. I don't have any problems with my one cup a morning.

It's like the "Kardashian" thing. Why do you click on it? Why do you care? Leave people be. Is it a freaking full moon somewhere? Maybe people want to hear what someone says to "THEM" Maybe for once they feel a part of something. Nobody's pushing at your fingers. Get a grip!

Don't let them get to you, they can kiss my ass. Nobody has said anything to my face, and they had better not. Until you have experienced something, you really have no room to talk. There is absolutely nothing easy about this, and some have it very hard. As "Endless" said, I didn't risk my life for nothing, and my surgery was at the advice of 4 specialists in different fields, as a lot of people have the surgery for. Good luck, and good health for the future

Don't let them get to you, they can kiss my ass. Nobody has said anything to my face, and they had better not. Until you have experienced something, you really have no room to talk. There is absolutely nothing easy about this, and some have it very hard. As "Endless" said, I didn't risk my life for nothing, and my surgery was at the advice of 4 specialists in different fields, as a lot of people have the surgery for. Good luck, and good health for the future

Don't let them get to you, they can kiss my ass. Nobody has said anything to my face, and they had better not. Until you have experienced something, you really have no room to talk. There is absolutely nothing easy about this, and some have it very hard. As "Endless" said, I didn't risk my life for nothing, and my surgery was at the advice of 4 specialists in different fields, as a lot of people have the surgery for. Good luck, and good health for the future

It's like the "Kardashian" thing. Why do you click on it? Why do you care? Leave people be. Is it a freaking full moon somewhere? Maybe people want to hear what someone says to "THEM" Maybe for once they feel a part of something. Nobody's pushing at your fingers. Get a grip!

OMG ! I totally understand what your going thru! I had my surgery Dec 9th 2013. The first 5 days are the hardest but trust me it does get better ! Just try to keep yourself busy. Congrats on your surgery and just hang in there . <3

It's like the "Kardashian" thing. Why do you click on it? Why do you care? Leave people be. Is it a freaking full moon somewhere? Maybe people want to hear what someone says to "THEM" Maybe for once they feel a part of something. Nobody's pushing at your fingers. Get a grip!