My Bariatric Life

There are many options when it comes to affording bariatric surgery and getting FREE or reduced-cost weight loss surgery is possible. There are many options when it comes to paying for bariatric surgery. Let's explore them. Click on each hyperlink to learn more on the topic. Having health insurance does not mean that weight-loss surgery is covered in your policy. About one quarter of people seeking weight-loss surgery will be denied three times before they receive weight-loss surgery insurance approval. If you have insurance coverage for bariatric surgery and are denied, you have the right to contest the decision and write a bariatric surgery insurance appeal letter. Since many health insurance plans exclude weight loss surgery, this leaves people faced with the decision to self-pay for bariatric surgery or to forgo what could very well be a life-saving procedure given the devastating effects of obesity and obesity-related diseases on health. An option is to take out a medical loan for weight-loss surgery. However, bariatric surgery is expensive if health insurance will not cover the surgery. And many people seek bariatric surgery outside the U.S. and engage in the process of weight loss surgery medical tourism. Thousands of individuals head to Mexico for Bariatric Surgery to realize excellent quality care, fast wait times, and attractive prices. With the question of safety of weight loss surgery in Mexico being being top of mind, I turned to Alex Brecher founder of BariatricPal Hospital MX for further exploration. Alex Brecher opened the BariatricPal Hospital MX in 2017 after having run a Mexico medical tourism business for 10 years. As far as free bariatric surgery in the US, while it will no doubt be a challenge, free weight-loss surgery is within the realm of possibility. Free or reduced cost WLS grants and charity care are available. There also are bariatric surgery clinical trials for surgical weight-loss candidates. Use our Match to Clinical Trials in 60-seconds widget on the bottom right column of MyBariatricLife.org to locate a trial near you.

Thank you for your inspiring words and for showing us how to "get it done" in the real world. When we realize how truly powerful we are in directing our thoughts and emotions to serve us rather than harm us, then we truly are in the driver's seat on our path to permanent weight loss. GOOD FOR YOU!!!

Thank you for your inspiring words and for showing us how to "get it done" in the real world. When we realize how truly powerful we are in directing our thoughts and emotions to serve us rather than harm us, then we truly are in the driver's seat on our path to permanent weight loss. GOOD FOR YOU!!!

Thank you for your inspiring words and for showing us how to "get it done" in the real world. When we realize how truly powerful we are in directing our thoughts and emotions to serve us rather than harm us, then we truly are in the driver's seat on our path to permanent weight loss. GOOD FOR YOU!!!

How wonderful that you and your husband have been able to incorporate your healthy lifestyle into the marriage and find activities like running and weight training that bring you closer together. You are setting yourselves up for long term success! Keep up the great work! I had my gastric bypass in 2003. Permanent weight loss is a reality.

You are very welcome. Much luck to you on this amazing journey. It was the best decision that I have ever made for my health. I am certain it saved my life.

Thank you for your amazingly kind words! I am glad that the article helped you on this momentous journey you are embarking upon. Congratulations and wishing you the highest and the best!!!

What makes it so easy to gain weight even after bariatric surgery? Let’s commit to zero weight regain in 2017. You can put these good habits into action right away! Zero Weight Regain 2017 What are your long-term weight loss goals? Likely you have a positive, upbeat vision of a thin and healthy you. Bariatric surgery might be an option you are considering. Or you may have already undergone one of these weight loss procedures. Given your dreams and all the hard work you are going through to achieve them, would it be a shock to hear: Many studies show that in the five-years following surgery, patients often gain back most or more of the weight that they had lost. What makes it so easy to gain weight even after bariatric surgery Unfortunately, any bariatric surgery fails in the long-term when not married to a maintenance plan. Let’s commit to zero weight regain in 2017. Are you with me? Who’s all in? Then let’s get started with some required reading. The following are good habits you can put into action right away! Eat Healthy The ball is down, Times Square is back to business as usual, and January 1st is bloated with stroke of midnight promises. As we close on January, the month of the year when the most traditional date for personal improvement offers itself up, it’s a good time to check the progress you are making on your resolutions. Among those promises made is the pledge to get fit by eating healthy. If you are among those who share this intention, here are 10 healthy eating resolutions to get you started! Read, “10 Healthy Eating Resolutions.” Build a Support Network Patients voice concerns about the difficulty of establishing a bariatric support network. And they struggle to find the balance needed to address their personal recovery needs in the post-weight loss surgery world. Such concerns are well-founded and not unusual. But many bariatric patients meet that challenge and successfully build a viable, multi-dimensional bariatric support network. There is no reason why any person who has had weight loss surgery cannot construct a reliable and useful post-bariatric support network. Read, “How to Build a Bariatric Support Network.” STOP Stress Eating Knowing what we need to do can be quickly overturned by what we want to do. Stress demands relief. Harmful and unhealthy choices are often exercised to relieve stress because they are familiar. Emotional eating can provide that relief, but it is a short-lived solution that can have the side effects of overweight or obesity. And if you have had bariatric surgery, you are setting yourself up to regain weight that you have lost. Read, “What to Do about Emotional Eating! Step-up to Permanent Weight Loss So, you’ve had bariatric surgery and think never again will food be a problem. Right? Well, its not quite that simple. Bariatric surgery is a powerful tool that helps you lose weight, but it is not a cure-all. Permanent weight loss requires more than a bariatric surgery. Permanent weight loss requires that we forever change the way we feel, think, and act around food. Follow our steps to turn “bad habits” in “healthy habits.” They’ll set you on a straight course toward permanent weight loss. Read, “10 Easy Steps to Permanent Weight Loss!” Be Committed! Stay on your path to weight loss. It takes dedication. So be dedicated. It takes perseverance. So persevere. The surgery is not a means to an end. It is only the beginning. Living larger than ever, My Bariatric Life http://www.mybariatriclife.org

Our discipline to diet and health will be tested time and again across the holidays. And so you should implement a holiday plan for success if you are sincere about maintaining your current weight through the tangle of holiday temptations. The holidays are here. And you may be feeling a little nervous about the challenges of upcoming celebrations if your weight loss surgery was recent. Then again, you may be over confident and think that weight loss surgery is all you need to protect against weight regain. In either case, some holiday survival tips are in order. Our discipline to diet and health will be tested time and again across the holidays. And so you should implement a holiday plan for success if you are sincere about maintaining your current weight through the tangle of holiday temptations. Gain Support from Family and Friends Be social and use your allies. Talk to them in advance about not pressuring you to eat foods that will sabotage your diet, if need be. And if you are feeling pressured, make them aware and ask for their support. If all else fails, politely excuse yourself and go somewhere for a 5-minute break (the bathroom if you must). When you return, the conversation focus likely will have moved onto another topic. Learn more “Post Weight Loss Surgery Holiday Survival Tips.” Similarly at these gatherings you may have to handle harsh or inappropriate comments about your bariatric surgery. People make inappropriate remarks for a few different reasons. Some have poor filters while others may think they are being helpful. Some have poor boundaries and others may be passive aggressive. Too much to drink is always a possibility. People can be rude and that includes family members. Learning to cope in a healthy way is the best choice, so here are some suggestions about what to do if an inappropriate comment is passed: Read, “Coping Skills after Weight Loss Surgery.” Practical Tips for Controlling Portion Sizes A moderate, healthy snack just before a celebration can help to control hunger and thus begin the afternoon or evening with a more reasonable appetite. Remember when making your plate that small portions of favorite foods are a better choice than tasting a little bit of every dish. And by all means do not sit by the serving tables. Mingle away from where the food is displayed. Controlling portion sizes is a vital addition to your plan! Get more tips, read, “Controlling Portion Sizes at the Holidays.” Weight Gain at the Holidays Isn't Just About Food Some people overeat at the holidays because there are seduced by rich holiday foods. Others have different motivations. They use food to relieve the holiday stress that inevitably creeps in for so many. Celebration and pressure often accompany one another. Some people overcompensate for the pending New Year’s diet resolution and eat with abandon through the holidays. Other people succumb to unrestrained eating because of a single episode of overindulgence. A breach of discipline can open the floodgates to weight gain at the holidays. Continue reading, “The Skinny on Weight Gain at the Holidays.” It’s Not All about Eating Healthy at Parties It is important to take the focus off of eating and instead turn your attention to the friendships and conversations around you. This is a time to give your attention to someone rather than some food thing. Before my gastric bypass, all I could think about was the food and drink being served. I was oblivious to what was happening around me! That has long ago changed for me… the reverence and importance of the gathering of friends and family is most important. For me it is a time of gaiety. And that is the richest experience of all. Respect yourself and your weight loss this holiday season. Living larger than ever, My Bariatric Life

@@PorkChopExpress good for you for taking control of your health and your life. I had gastric bypass in 2003 and it saved my life. I was in my thirties, on ~9 prescription medications mostly for comorbid conditions of obesity, and 285 pounds. I know that I would not be here today if I had not had the surgery. My life is completely different today. It is a life well-lived rather than a life half-lived, as it had been in the past. I always had the love of my family surrounding me unconditionally and for that I am eternally grateful. It made me strong -- and we have to be strong to get through this journey in the long haul.

@@Rosey posey have you had weight loss surgery, my love? I was premature and a tiny baby, 5 pounds and 5 ounces or something like that. By second grade I was very large. It was anxiety-related, of this I am sure. I used to have nightmares and wake up crying from a sound sleep filled with terror of going up the basement stairs of my grammar school, where the kindergarten and 1st grade classes were held, to the first floor where the second and third grades were held. I do not know why that certified me, but to this say I clearly see the vision of that dark stairwell.

What a courageous post. Thank you for sharing and I am so sorry that you experienced this. I think your story is the story of many women. I experienced much if not all that you have stated. I always thank G-d that my family was full of unconditional love, where I was always accepted and appreciated. My mother and father, G-d bless them, created a wonderful home and life for my brother and me. xxx ooo I miss them so very much.

A few years ago I posed a question to the BariatricPal community. I asked how it was that people with no history of obesity eventually became obese. What had happened? The answers I got were both accurate and astute. Here’s what people had to say. Perhaps you were obese for as far back as you can remember. Or perhaps you were healthy and fit and turned obese over time. The result is the same in either case — and many of the reasons for why we become obese are also the same. Why We Were Obese A few years ago I posed a question to the BariatricPal community. I asked how it was that people with no history of obesity eventually became obese. What had happened? The answers I got were both accurate and astute. Here’s what people had to say. “…I changed to a career which didn’t naturally burn thousands of calories/day.” The most simple formula for weight loss or weight gain is the balance between calories consumed and calories burned. If you burn more calories than you consume you will lose weight. If you burn less calories than you consume you will gain weight. Read, “Bad Eating Habits that Cause Weight Gain.” “I was sedentary for a long time and gained another fifty pounds.” Sedentary behavior (particularly watching television) can lead to sedentary snacking. Eating food while watching TV causes people to eat more calories, especially calories from fat. “…it became much easier to grab a quick ‘something’ instead of sitting down to a proper/healthy meal.” Time pressures from school, work, and other obligations can cause people to eat on the run or not get enough sleep. Both have been shown to contribute to weight gain. Read, “Healthy Chain Restaurant Meals.” “Low self-esteem. Possibly some depression…” Not only can depression contribute to obesity, but some medications for treating depression can cause weight gain as well. SSRIs often promote weight loss initially, but within six months of treatment many people report weight gain. Read all of the community responses on BariatricPal. Learn what Science shows are the reasons we become obese. The answers will surprise you! Continue reading this article on MyBariatricLife. Weigh-in with your thoughts. What is it that you do to prevent excess weight gain from ever happening to you again? If you have experienced weight regain after your bariatric surgery, what is it that you did to overcome it?

More carbs! Wow, I did not know that... they're even worse than I thought. It is a shame how misled we are about food. A friend the other day told me that he was diagnosed with diabetes and now he has to go gluten-free. I told him that unless he was diagnosed with celiac that he did not have to go gluten-free. Beyond that, I have celiac and I have eliminated grains rather than eat unhealthy over-priced gluten-free products. Thanks for your comment!!

Our number one priority is to lose weight. In search of a new healthy lifestyle, we often self sabotage our well-intended efforts by investing in diet myths and misinformation about weight loss. Don’t fall into the trap! Check out these 8 Diet Myths. 8 Diet Myths Debunked! Our number one priority is to lose weight. In search of a new healthy lifestyle, we often self sabotage our well-intended efforts by investing in diet myths and misinformation about weight loss. Don’t fall into the trap! Check out these 8 Diet Myths. 1 Negative-calorie foods Some high fiber foods like celery and citrus fruits are claimed to be negative calorie foods. The presumption is that it takes more energy for the body to digest these foods, and thus burns more calories than the calories in the food itself. The truth is that the amount of calories it takes the body to digest food are minuscule compared to the calories in the food. Read a counter-viewpoint and decide what is true for you, “Eating Foods that Burn More Calories.” 2. Muscle weighs more than fat Don’t fool yourself. A pound of muscle and a pound of fat weight the same — 1-pound! However, because muscle is more dense than fat, having more muscle on your frame will make you look leaner. Also, 1-pound of muscle burns 50 calories a day whereas 1-pound of fat burns only 2 calories — so muscle increases your metabolic rate. Learn about “Metabolic Syndrome and Weight Loss.” 3. A diet is the best way to lose weight In the short-term “dieting,” that is following a prescriptive plan of eating fewer calories for a period of time, results in weight loss. But the weight loss is only temporary and weight is regained when former eating habits are resumed. Instead, find a way to eat healthy forever. That’s the way to lose weight and keep it off. More articles on Eating Healthy after weight loss surgery! 4. An entree salad is the low-cal choice on the menu Salads can be a very healthy choice — or a very unhealthy choice! A general rule of thumb might be the yummier that you make a salad the less healthy it becomes. Watch those toppings: cheeses, candied walnuts, dressing — yikes! Panera Bread’s Fuji Apple Chicken Salad has 580 calories, and 30 grams fat, 7 grams saturated fat. Compare that to a McDonald’s double cheeseburger with 440 calories, and 23 grams fat, 11 grams saturated fat. More Unhealthy Foods we think are healthy! 5. Skipping meals speeds up weight loss Not eating actually slows down metabolism. So to keep your metabolism going eat a healthy breakfast, followed by healthy lunch and dinner, several hours apart. Not eating also can cause ravenous hunger later in the day, which may drive you to overindulge. Check out this Healthy Lunch Solution after Bariatrics! 6. “Light” foods are better Light foods may contain fewer calories or fat, but not without increasing sodium, sugar, chemical additives, or artificial sweeteners. A serving of fat-free cream cheese is only 15-calories less than the real, full-fate version. But the sodium content is 11 milligrams more. Sodium is a major cause of bloating. Add to that, when people perceive a food as light they tend to eat more of it, sometimes consuming more calories than if they had eaten the real version. Read “The Bitter Truth about Aspartame” 7. A gluten-free diet will help you lose weight A gluten-free diet is assumed to be a no-carb diet. That is not true. A gluten-free product replaces gluten-containing grains like wheat flour with non-gluten-containing grains like rice flour. Both wheat flour and rice flour are high in carbohydrates — and gluten-free pastries are high in calories. A gluten-free diet was designed for people with Celiac Disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the small intestine cannot digest gluten. Read “Gluten-Free is Unhealthy and Expensive” 8. Over-the-counter diet pills help weight loss The Federal Trade Commission charged four weight loss companies with fraud. The companies charged with deceptive marketing practices include diet products we’ve all seen nationally-advertised: HCG Diet Direct, Sensa Products, LeanSpa, and L’Occitane. Talk to your doctor about your options for safe and effective medications for weight loss, combined with dietary and physical activity improvements. Learn about Getting Active after weight loss. This information was sourced from authoritative sources and is shared for informational purposes only. Use your best judgement and consult with your trusted healthcare provider before changing your diet and exercise habits. Living larger than ever, My Bariatric Life

It is commonly a recommended practice, but only for the mature pouch.

Yes! I was told 45 after eating to drink Water, take sips, eat slowly at meals, limit veggies in the beginning Smh many differences. I'm looking for the articles I read that support the new gold standards. Dawnie_doo I think the difference is that you are describing guidelines for eating early after the surgery. For example, while drinking water rapidly cannot be tolerated in the beginning, water loading as it is called, is widely recommended. I would love to see any guidelines that you can find.

Meat at every meal (so the article says is recommended) seems a bit excessive, even if it's still less than the "average American" consumes. However, to each their own. In the end nobody is forced to eat that much meat (or animal protein in general). Ah, gotcha. I am curious now why Dr. Mason finds "meat" superior to these other protein sources. My guess -- and this is completely my opinion -- is that because it stays in the pouch longer (he seems to emphasize delayed emptying of the pouch in his rules) as well, perhaps the higher Iron content.

Well, the prescribed 2-4 oz of meat is hardly an obsession when the average American is probably eating 8 oz of animal Protein at a meal. I am 13-years out from gastric bypass and have not eaten red meat for so many years that I have lost count at this point. But the validity of bariatric surgeons telling us to eat animal protein is apparent to me, based on my personal experience. And my experience has been that, I eat wild caught fish and organic raised on pasture eggs and supplement with vegan Protein powder (of which most brands are crap) and collagen. Sometimes I will eat organic free range poultry. I also take lots of supplements including a heavy dose of Iron. All this personal history is given just so that I can tell you that given these high dietary standards, I still struggle with iron deficiency and anemia from time to time. So, I will say that there is legitimacy to the prescribed "up your animal (red meat) protein intake." Dr. E. E. Mason wrote these gold standards several decades ago and there is a lot of value in them. They are not nutritional guidelines per se and so they don't include things like phytonutrients -- that's my take on it anyway. That said, given what we are now seeing as far as nutritional deficiencies and digestive disorders in long-term bariatric patients, perhaps the ASMBS will publish more comprehensive nutritional guidelines for micronutrients and (one could only hope) phytonutrients. There is some detailed information on the ASMBS website regarding micronutrients, and a European bariatric surgeon that I spoke with recently said this was a big area of discussion at their annual meeting. When I had my gastric bypass surgery in 2003, I was told that I needed to take one Multivitamin, one Calcium, and one iron tablet a day. That turned out to be a complete fallacy. The quantity of supplements that I take is extreme. GSleeve822, rather than try to degrade ops with name calling -- ops, who I might add, take precious time out of their busy lives to write articles such as this purely to help bariatric patients -- why not add to the conversation with information from authoritative sources that support your point of view rather than issue complaints that show your lack of gratitude and decorum in a public forum? As always, my information is cited from the authoritative sources from which they are taken, and shared here for informational purposes. You should always check with your healthcare provider, as well as trust your gut instinct... if something doesn't feel right to you then by all means exercise your right to not believe it.

Allow me to introduce to those of you who are not familiar with, what I consider to be, the gold standards of weight loss surgery success habits. These are success habits developed by people way smarter than me who have defined the keys to achieving permanent weight loss with bariatric surgery. Allow me to introduce to those of you who are not familiar with, what I consider to be, the gold standards of weight loss surgery success habits. These are success habits developed by people way smarter than me who have defined the keys to achieving permanent weight loss with bariatric surgery. I feel these must be read and memorized by every bariatric surgery patient. My trinity of owner’s manuals for the bariatric surgery are: The Bariatric Diet developed by Dr. E. E. Mason (the father of obesity surgery) The Pouch Rules for Dummies adopted from Dr. E. E. Mason The Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients by Colleen Cook, based on research with patients successful with bariatric surgery Here is a high-level of the success habits found in each text. You’ll need to read the full texts in order to reap the benefit. Just click through the links above. The Bariatric Diet The following is the gist of the bariatric diet developed by Dr. Edward E. Mason. Dr. Mason is an Iowa bariatric surgeon who is considered the “father of obesity surgery” and the bariatric diet is the gold standard for weight loss surgery patients to follow. The ideal meal for weight loss is: • Fill one-half of your plate with two to four ounces of animal source, low-fat protein. • Fill one-quarter of your plate with lightly-cooked or raw low starch vegetables. • Fill the remaining quarter of your plate with fresh raw fruit. These food choices are coarse, solid foods that should be cut finely and chewed well in order to be tolerated. They are likely to stay in the pouch longer and offer good nutritional value. Read How Does the Bariatric Diet Work for further details. The Pouch Rules The following is an overview of the pouch rules developed by Dr. Edward E. Mason. Read The Pouch Rules for Dummies for the complete instructions. • Eat solid foods. Take very small bites of low-fat meats, crisp or raw vegetables, and solid fruits like apples or pears. • Eat at least two ounces of meat with each meal. • Try to finish your meal within 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure you still chew your food thoroughly. Don’t rush through the meal, but don’t linger at the table either. • Avoid drinking with meals and for two hours afterwards. • Start drinking when the feelings of hunger return to avoid thirst and minimize hunger between meals. Start with smaller sips, and increase the volume until you feel full again. • Drink 8 to 12 ounces of water rapidly over 20 seconds, then top off with sips until you feel comfortably full. Do this whenever you feel hungry. This will keep the pouch distended and minimize hunger. • Drink a full glass of water 15 minutes prior to eating. By drinking a lot of water before the meal, you shouldn’t need to drink during the meal or afterward. • Avoid snacking since snacks usually do not eliminate hunger. They also are filled with empty calories. • Minimize caloric liquids and softer foods. These foods are not off limits, but when you make exceptions you will likely get hungry sooner and have to deal with the consequences. The Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients Colleen Cook had gastric bypass surgery in 1995 and went on to author the The Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients. It is based on research conducted with patients who have been successful with bariatric surgery. I have found that I maintain my weight loss when I follow the success habits. When I slip up and stop using the habits, I gain weight fairly quickly. And I take off that weight when I return to the Success Principals: Success principal #1: Personal accountability (this is fundamental – you must “get” this principal before you can work the other principals into your new life) Success principal #2: Portion control Success principal #3: Nutrition Success principal #4: Fluid intake Success principal #5: Regular exercise Success principal #6: Vitamins and supplements I find the chapter “Back on Track” particularly helpful. It’s for weight loss surgery patients who have regained weight. Colleen Cook shares an approach that has helped many patients turn it around, get back on track, lose the weight and keep it off by following these principals. Weight-loss surgery is a big part of the solution, but it is not a cure-all. If you follow these success habits you will increase the amount of weight you lose as well as ensure a healthy weight for the rest of your life. Living larger than ever, My Bariatric Life

Thank you, Alex. You raise and excellent point! We end this phase of our lives, true, but there is a whole sea of possibilities for the new life we can create together with our spouse. It can be an exciting time for the relationship. But the couple has to prepare themselves for it mentally and emotionally. A therapist can help the couple navigate through this. There are lots of good self help books that can help, as well.

Any drastic change that takes place in one spouse affects both partners. Relationship issues after bariatric surgery are a common but couples counseling beforehand helps both partners manage the change together. Counseling Before and After Bariatric Surgery Helps Couples Manage Change Relationship issues after bariatric surgery are a common topic discussed during the orientation class prior to surgery. Any drastic change that takes place in one spouse affects both of the partners. In fact, bariatric surgery will impact the lifestyle of the entire family. In a prior post, the high rate of divorce after bariatric surgery was explored. Relationship Issues after Bariatric Surgery There are two leading causes of relationship issues after bariatric surgery. Perhaps the relationship was poor before the bariatric surgery. The new more confident bariatric surgery partner now finds the esteem and courage to end a bad situation. Bariatric surgery can have a positive effect on a solid marriage but it can tear apart a marriage that is already on the rocks. Sometimes the partners can no longer find a common ground where interests are shared. The partner who had bariatric surgery has been energized and is no longer attracted to a sedentary lifestyle centered around eating. Whereas the remaining partner is comfortable with the lifestyle that existed prior to the bariatric surgery. It is this latter relationship dynamic that I wish to explore. Specifically, what can be done to resolve these sorts of relationship issues after bariatric surgery? Resolving Relationship Issues after Bariatric Surgery Dramatic change comes with bariatric surgery. Food shopping, mealtime, and the activities engaged in for enjoyment must shift to accommodate healthier habits if the bariatric surgery is to succeed. The loss of familiarity with “what was” calls for adjustment. And change, whether positive or negative, can be charged with emotions that promote stress. Stress will in turn grate patience, especially if the partner who did not have bariatric surgery is unenthused about the changes taking place. If common ground cannot be found then you have to be ready to turn the page and end that chapter of your life. In the lifespan of a relationship sometimes a couple becomes incompatible. It is better to be alone and understand the power of aloneness than to be in a dysfunctional or incompatible relationship. But let it not go unspoken that a divorce after bariatric surgery is a decision that should come after an honest effort has been made to find solutions to the problems inherent in a marriage. Why abandon a relationship that may be able to weather the winds of change? If after bariatric surgery your relationship becomes strained then counseling might help to resolve your issues. The purpose of relationship counseling is for a therapist to assist in moving the couple from conflict to resolution. Resolving Relationship Issues before Bariatric Surgery We are a society that was raised on a false notion of romantic love. We think that true love means “happily ever after” and not having to work at compatibility. That’s just a fairy tale we were told as children. Perhaps, then, a deep exploration of feelings and the solidarity of the relationship should be undertaken sooner rather than later. Read, “True Love after Weight Loss.” Resolving relationship issues after bariatric surgery may not be the ideal time to seek counseling. With the extremely high divorce rate after bariatric surgery, it makes sense to play the odds and resolve relationship issues before bariatric surgery. Pre-marriage counseling is often done to help couples address differences prior to taking their marital vows. Likewise, relationship counseling for bariatric surgery can be undertaken. Even couples in healthy relationships can attend couples counseling to further strengthen their already strong unions. In either case, relationship counseling before bariatric surgery will prepare and strengthen the couple to better withstand the changes that will come. What to Expect from Relationship Counseling Relationship counseling is a type of psychotherapy and is usually practiced by licensed professionals such as a marriage and family therapist. Counseling is usually short, and both partners should participate. The benefit is that couples counseling avoids the victim or “poor me” attitude that can be a by-product of individual therapy, which encourages people to dig deeper into their own world view. Each spouse’s job in couples therapy is to focus on his or her own learning and growth, not to try to get the other person to change. Couples therapy will involve discovering the strengths and weaknesses in a relationship, improving communication, and developing problem-solving skills. Partners work on understanding their spouse’s feelings and viewpoint, negotiating the differences that can be negotiated or accepting those differences that cannot. Sessions can be animated, argumentative, or pass in stony silence. The therapist must be able to guide all sessions regardless of the climate. Couples need not be married to participate, and a couple can be heterosexual or homosexual. As is stated, another term for relationship counseling is couples counseling and marriage is not a prerequisite. A couple sharing a relationship will suffice. When selecting a counselor some of the more pertinent questions might be about the counselor’s level of education, general availability, number of sessions per week, length of therapy, fees and coverage through health insurance. You may find a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in your area through TherapistLocator. If additional but separate problems surface then the therapist should involve other mental health counselors that specialize in those areas of need. If the sessions lead to the discovery that the marriage is beyond repair then it could very well in the best interest of both partners to terminate the relationship. Although such decisions can be emotionally difficult, such difficulty is probably preferable to remaining in a hopeless relationship. Sometimes relationship issues only can be resolved by dissolution of the marriage. Living larger than ever, My Bariatric Life

Thank you, Alex. I love patient success stories. It is so inspiring to see ordinary people doing extraordinary things! It is also worth noting that between these success stories, all of the different weight loss surgeries are covered. Sandi is a wonderful example of massive weight loss with the Lap-Band. Jassira was successful with the duodenal switch. Jen and Fabiola had gastric sleeve. Mikimi had the gastric bypass. And I tip my hat to each and every one of them, all living life fully now, and so very happy!!!

In honor of Mother's Day, I'm celebrating 5 women with unique stories on how they defeated obesity and went on to lead lives they love. After failed attempts at diet and exercise, bariatric surgery can sometimes offset the effects of obesity and help people take back their lives. Discover how five ordinary women used different surgeries to overcome their health challenges. Come join the celebration and add your success story in the comments! Sandi's Decade-Long 250-Pound Weight Loss Sandi says, "I expected no miracle from my obesity surgery, just the relief of my constant physical hunger. I did the rest of the work in changing my lifestyle habits." Indeed, Sandi is a WINNER. Learn how Sandi achieved permanent weight loss through changes in body, mind, and spirit after her Lap-Band. READ MORE. Fabiola Lost Weight by Never Losing Faith Fabiola Apollon is familiar with the setbacks and success of weight loss. She was not a first time winner, nor a second or third, for that matter. However, she is a woman of great spirit, and her determination finally won the battle with a gastric sleeve revision, spirituality, and dedication. Since the gastric sleeve surgery, Fabiola’s dress size has dropped to a size 8/10, from the size 22 that she used to wear. READ MORE. Jen Found True Love after Weight Loss Before Jen could love another person she first had to find the love within that she had for herself. Jen did not engage in dating when she was morbidly obese. Since being "sleeved" Jen’s life has changed dramatically! Finding self acceptance after weight loss can be one of the most empowering benefits of bariatric surgery. And, Jen married the man of her dreams on October 17, 2015. READ NOW. Mikimi Got Plastic Surgery Paid by Insurance Mikimi’s journey through body contouring after massive weight loss is one of triumph over challenges: From battling *** insurance approval for plastic surgery after gastric bypass, to enduring wound healing issues, to again fighting for *** insurance coverage for plastic surgery revisions — and winning! READ NOW. Jassira Beat Obesity Infertility to Become a Mom Jassira Espaillat-Batista had been together with her husband, Juan, for 6-years without using birth control. At 340 pounds and unable to ovulate, obesity infertility made it impossible for her to conceive a baby naturally. The duodenal switch helped her to realize her dreams of motherhood. But it was a difficult journey that almost cost her life. Today she is mom to two beautiful boys! READ NOW.

VSGAnn2014 I would raise an eyebrow to any claim of absolute truth. I am sharing information that I find credible and useful. As you note well, what works for one person may not work for another. It is up to each of us to decide for ourselves if claims made by authoritative sources, be it the FDA that approves GMO Foods or Dr. Mercola who promotes his supplements or Dr. Oz who promotes the latest weight loss miracle, is "good for me or not." We would be naive to believe that all parties have the highest good intended, as sadly money can corrupt morals. That said, there are institutions full of gurus (teachers) who take your money. That does not make them a cult. That makes them a university. Its a sad fact that the old adage is very true: Let the buyer beware. As well as: Follow the money. I never anticipated that an article on sugar would raise such an interesting philosophical discussion. I appreciate everyone's point-of-view. BTW in my research over the years, I have found so many causes (or at least correlations and contributing factors) for obesity cited by credible resources, from birth order to pollution. PS many years ago I was in France. The amount of people smoking, drinking wine, and eating bread by the loaves was mind-blowing. And everyone was thin... just about no where was an overweight person to be found.