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Yep you read that right. Four protein flavors. Two post-ops. In one hour. (Spoiler: We both survived!) In this episode, we taste test ALL the flavors of BariatricPal's new Protein One, the all-in-one protein/vitamin/fiber supplement. We may have also gotten a little "punch drunk." (protein drunk?) Check it out to see what we thought of the Chocolate Fudge, Creamy French Vanilla, Unflavored Natural and Cinnamon Roll flavors on this episode of Bariatric Foodie Live! And be sure to check out Protein One in the BariatricPal store, https://store.bariatricpal.com

You would think that bariatric surgeons would get a lot more nutrition classes!

Hi there, a couple of thoughts - 1) I think you should be looking at something other than walking for exercise. Something in the Water, if at all possible. Maybe chair aerobics. There are DVDs and probably YouTube vids you can use. Maybe just some resistance bands. And stretching. 2) Personally, I haven't "worked out" in about 9 months. I was diagnosed with Lyme disease and babesiosis, both of which just zap your energy levels. I'm on about 900 different meds including three by IV. My surgeon wants me to exercise of course (and so does insurance) but my lyme dr and my primary want me to concentrate on getting well. I am trying to do things (like what I mentioned above) to stay in the game until I do feel well enough to exercise, but the point I'm hoping to make is that one woman's workout is another woman's death sentence. If you haven't already, talk to your bariatric office about what options you might have.

Holiday celebrations are all about food, right? Save up every year, to overeat and not keep yourself in check. It’s a losing mindset from the get-go. The end of the year is really about memories, gratitude and those who we care for in life, not just the Thanksgiving feast or the Christmas Day buffet. What makes a holiday special also makes it filled with emotions and triggers that enable our unhealthy excessive eating behaviors to be acceptable at this time of year. A few things that may sound familiar and affect many of us during the holiday season are: Family traditions and ethnic backgrounds with food memories that have followed us through life. Trauma, hardships or losses that make holiday cheer tough to enjoy or even tolerate on some levels. Falling back on a diet mindset and thinking it’s ok to eat recreate old habits from October 31-January 2. Awareness of mental and emotional struggles feeling more acute during the holiday season. For bariatric patients, an immediate fear presents itself: “How can I survive all the parties and family celebrations while embracing my post-surgery food choices so I don’t lose control with holiday eating and drinking this year?” The practical answer: Prepare for it, just as if the surgery was ahead of you. Think and plan for success with the least amount of guilt and destruction possible. Holiday foods are not “rewards” or “treats” or a reason to fall off the mindful thinking that you use every day. We all have family and cultural traditions of holiday foods, and the meanings behind them; that often follow us into adulthood. The connection is to people, not food itself. Holiday time often intensifies many people’s mental and emotional struggle with life issues. Food can often be an immediate distraction and way to receive immediate gratification in tough times. The trouble is, the stresses and issues remain after the food is consumed. Often, alcohol consumption increases at holiday time as well, so mindset is altered by allowing more uninhibited behavior to prevail. Using good judgment often decreases as well. So, if we can use the model of being prepared and accountable for ourselves, what would it look like? Think of the season on your terms. Where can you plan and take the lead on making good choices for yourself while still feeling the holiday spirit? Find control where you can make food to bring to others parties or meals. Host at your home to take pressure off of yourself. Be honest and ask to be considered when food is being prepared and served so that you can also taste but be flooded by the excessive choices and behaviors all around us. Find ways to relax and refresh so you are not overwhelmed or drained by the holiday madness. Keep a journal of your thoughts, fears, successes and challenges to remind you of the proud journey you are on now. Use meditative activities to bring a more even and peaceful attitude to the business of the season and the potential for burnout and self-destruction. Give of yourself to others that need to be uplifted. Find a community, group hobby or counselor if the season is troubling of extremely unmanageable. Many times the holiday triggers are too hard to handle alone. Ask for help and know that you are being proactive (helping yourself) instead of reactive (always behind and at the mercy of others decisions and actions). The key is to stay connected to the resources, the people, places and things that bring successful experiences to us, and avoid harmful or undermining circumstances that reinforce low self-esteem and bad, and often destructive, behaviors. As a bariatric patient, being accountable is helping yourself stay focused on a positive and productive mindset with help provide a fulfilling and peaceful holiday season each and every year. Yes, this is you, enjoying your life during the holidays.

Yes, check with your surgeon. Liquid or Chewables only. After trying Bariatric Advantage and Celebrate Chewables, I settled on NutraMetrix isotonic vitamins. It's a powder that you mix with 2 oz. of water. They also have a calcium supplement. They taste like an orange drink. Again, check with your surgeon.

I went to a bariatric support group meeting a few months ago. I've been determined to let go of an incident that happened but another thread just brought all my feelings to the surface again. Please forgive me for using this forum to vent. I'm a band patient who didn't get restriction right away from fills. It took over a year of working with my surgeon to get me to the right place. Needless to say, I didn't lose weight like some others have reported. At times I've been discouraged but somehow, I've managed to stay mostly optimistic and keep working at it, which is finally paying off. At the support group meeting, two women asked me when I was banded and how much weight I had lost. The way they looked me up and down with obvious disgust/disapproval made me feel like a failure and want to crawl into a hole. When I thought about it later it just made me mad. This was not my first experience with judgement and comparison. In the surgeon's waiting room I met another woman who'd had surgery around the same time as me. We talked about our weight loss and she'd lost a whole lot more than me. The smug, judgemental air that came off her really hurt. Of all the people in the world who should be supporting another heavy person I would think it would be other people who have actually walked in fat shoes. I don't understand the competition and the judgement.

I am in the same boat as it relates to band and weight. I am going to use Dr.Carlos Altamirano in Mexico through BariatricPal eventually. I am having to save up. My insurance does not cover Bariatrics either.

I know that there are a lot of posts about surgeons in Mexico, and even about Dr. Aceves, however I'm hoping to get in contact with anyone who had their surgery with Dr. Aceves of Mexicali Bariatric within the past year, and to ask what your thoughts are about the experience. I was banded back in 2009 and am going for a band to sleeve revision. I have done lots of research and believe that Dr. Aceves is the way to go for surgery in Mexico. I'm about to go ahead and book my surgery and flights, etc. But, I would LOVE to hear from anyone who has gone down their more recently to see if the standards are still the same, how they felt, etc. Also, if there is anyone who had the band-to-sleeve revision with Dr. A, would particularly love to hear from you! Very excited and nervous, but mostly excited! :-)

I would...I have actually been having problems I am almost 3 yrs out but I can still say today that I would do it over again if I had to. Everyone is so different when it comes to the band. I really think it's how your body reacts to things. I work at a bariatric clinic and I see some that reach goals quickly and others that take longer. So hang in there and you will get there....at least you are lossing again.

Hi All, Someone posted this website on our Bariatric forum, so I thought I'd introduce myself. My name is Viki and I had the lapband in January 2006. I've only lost 50 lbs since then, but it's 50 lbs I'm happy with. Now I've got to lose some more, but an at a plateau and can't get out. I exercise 3-5 days a week in the summer and 6 days a week in the winter. I'm going this Friday to have my band refilled and will probably get it tighter. How tight is everyone's bands????? how many cc's does everyone have???? Maybe mine isn't tight enough yet.

Hey there- I’m a lower BMI patient and do not meet my insurance criteria for coverage. Have decided to self pay at blossom Bariatrics. I have such fear over complications and my normal insurance not covering them bc they would be the result of an uncovered surgery. Does anyone know of any supplemental insurance coverage you can buy for this type of elective procedure?

Just as a reminder, please put on your calendar the August meeting of the Bariatric Pal Local Support Group. The date is August 20, 2015 @ 5:30 PM in the Simpson Community Center (6 North Main Street Camden, DE This on the corner of North Main Street and Route 10) and we will meet there. Please fill free to invite anyone Pre- and Post-surgery or family member who is seeking weight loss support. Text me if you need more info 302-632-8111. Thanks, Doyle

Just as a reminder, please put on your calendar the Fifth meeting of the Bariatric Pal Local Support Group. Is today May 21, 2015 @ 5:30 PM @Whatcoat United Methodist Church (18 North Main Street Camden, DE). The Community Center is now available and we will meet there for their tonight. I will try to watch for some folks still trying to go to the church. Please fill free to invite anyone Pre- or Post-surgery who is seeking support. Text me if you need more info 302-632-8111.

Just as a reminder, please put on your calendar the Third meeting of the Bariatric Pal Local Support Group. The date is March 19, 2015 @ 5:30 PM @Whatcoat United Methodist Church (18 North Main Street Camden, DE). The meeting will be on Second Floor in the Adult Sunday School Room (middle section of office section of the church) for now. I hope the Community Center will be available soon. Please fill free to invite anyone Pre- or Post-surgery who is seeking support. Text me if you need more info 302-632-8111.

Hey everyone! Haven't been around in while.. but I wanted to share... I was sleeved 4/24 and am down 84 lbs since starting my journey. I wanted to share some pics with you.... the first was taken 2 years ago at my company xmas party with my best friend (we both work in the same hospital, different departments tho) and the second was last night... The 3rd pic was taken the day of surgery in April, and the last one was taken last week at a holiday party where I ran into my surgeon! He didn't know it was me at first! He told me how amazing it is to be able to see his patients look and most importantly FEEL so much better about themselves and their health. What I love MOST about my sleeve? I was still able to eat the food at the party, had a piece of this and a piece of that (no Pasta or rice, still can't tolerate it) and I was full and satisfied and guilt free! I even saw another surgeon who has been following my success (I work on a surgical unit, so I see alot of them.. except my bariatric surgeon because I work nights and he rarely comes around when I'm there) and he saw me eating a chocolate covered strawberry (my weakness) and he cheered me on because he knew I could eat just one and be satisfied with that! I hope everyone has an amazing holiday!

Thanks for the replies. I thought it might be the dehydrating factor. I also think the acid on the tummy could be a problem. I read on the website for Northwestern Bariatric Surgery, to just limit yourself to 4 oz. a day. I think that was after 4-6 months. I'm 6 wks out and ready to fix me a cuppa java. ( : I miss my caffiene!

This. Get rid of the junk. See if there is a bariatric support group nearby and consider talking to a counselor or therapist. Even though you had your surgery in Mexico, that doesn't mean you can't create your own support team.

Hello all. I'm 34 and just starting my journey. I've looked into the surgery for about 7 years but never had the insurance or the money to cover it. My husband finally got a new job with killer UHC benefits that cover the surgery and I couldn't be more excited. I go to my consultation on August 11th but the nurse said she knows she can get me in earlier thru cancellations. I have to go through the clinics three month program and see all kind of specialists. The bariatric nurse said she loves working with UHC because they are the easiest to get approved through. She said at earliest I should get my surgery by end of year but at latest February. Seems like an eternity away, but what's a few more months after waiting years already. So I guess my question is? How do you mentally prepare yourself for what is about to come? And has anyone worked with UHC choice plus Ohio and how was the approval process? I think my BMI is 44 so I fit the criteria. Also will I have to quit smoking? That is part off journey to quit but will I have to do that before surgery? Thanks????????

Wow! Congrats!! And a scary and awesome problem to have all at the same time! Hey so describe your food routine like how many times a day do you eat? How big are your servings? Do you eat meat/veg/fruit/grain together in 1 meal? Do you eat compound meals that are comforty/casserole/stewy stuff or do you concentrate on eating protein (lean grilled) + everything is separate? If it were me, I'd maybe look at getting a functional RD or trainer who understands bariatrics. I'd want to make darn sure that the weight I put back on was muscle which means strength building. I've no idea how to do that! But we have some fitness gurus who do!!! @Healthy_life and @BigViffer among others who might be able to shed some light. Sounds like you're a lucky one who gets to have more calories than you're taking in right now!!! Wooohoooo!

I think it's interesting you put it this way because a few years ago I had a similar epiphany about dieting. If my dieting, losing weight but then gaining it all back and then some, was instead a "bad boy" boyfriend that I kept leaving and going back to, all my friend would be lecturing me and begging me to cut out this destructive behavior. But whenever you go on a diet, people get all excited for you and give you all kind of "atta boys". That is how ingrained it is in our society that fat people have brought their problems on themselves through their own bad behavior and all they have to do to not be fat is have a little bit of self-discipline. The idea that there is a biological component to our condition is rejected outright and us bringing it up is seen as "making excuses" and "not taking responsibility" for our actions. That's also why bariatric surgery is seen as "cheating" instead of a tool to break the destructive cycle of failed dieting.

First, I'd start tracking calories for at least a couple weeks. Most who don't track calories are shocked at how much they're actually consuming when they do start tracking them. Keep in mind the band isn't supposed to make you feel full. It supposed to make you feel satisfied, or no longer physically hungry, on less food for longer time periods. Don't expect that same full feeling we had before surgery- that is not what you're supposed to strive for. Have you been to a nutritionist? If not, that would be another smart step to take. A nutritionist who deals with bariatric patients can help you set up realistic food guidelines for optimal weight loss. It's possible you don't have adequate Fluid in your band yet, but if you want to lose weight I'd still stick to a cup or less of food per meal and count calories in the meantime.

Reposting this sound advice......The struggle you're in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow... In the end we only regret the chances we didn't take, relationships we were too afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make... The cost of not following your heart, is spending the rest of your life wishing you had... Get free daily bariatric success email @ MyBariatricLife.org

For what it's worth I use Bariatric Fusion chew-able vitamins. They were designed for patients that have undergone weight loss surgery. You can buy them on-line.

Medical professionals : why do you do the work you do? Why did choose to work with Bariatric patients? OMGOSH, the responses have been amazing. From family and personal experiences you learn so much. I met nurse, who attended an Ivy League school, who has been practicing for two years and loves work with people. On two occasions, she grew her hair and donated the hair to organizations that make wigs for children. So, I challenge you in the midst of your discomfort, to focus on people around you - so they see understand that Bariatric patients are individuals who want to live, love, dance in the rain, and focusing on this experience to share with others. Man, could we focus on the bad things but I am focusing on the great things awaiting me on the other side! Thank you Lord!

The bariatric nurse in my doc's practice suggested only weighing in once a month at the doctor's office. This worked for me, especially since the scales I could get for home couldn't weigh me. It was difficult but it was a good hting because rather than seeing 1/2 pound at a time I got to see bigger nmbers which were very motivating and I used my clothes and how I felt the rest of the time. I must say for a while at 3 months or so out I did weigh once a week at the doctor's office, but that got old so I went to once a month. As you get down there - you may want to weigh a little more often if it helps "keep you honest" It really is a personal decision.