My Bariatric Life

THANK YOU. Thank you. Thank you.

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

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

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!!!

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I know a little about FMT. We included it in an article that we wrote on gut bacteria and weight gain http://www.mybariatriclife.org/trust-your-gut-bacteria-and-weight-gain-2/. At the time of the writing it was considered experimental and not covered by insurance. That may have changed by now. So I need to look into it. Thanks again for your support. It is awful to experience the pain and inflammation and bloating. Add to that the myriad of problems presented when I am in a public place, at the office, church, someone's home...

@@TXJess I developed celiac disease and lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome and candida in the years after my RNY. I have eaten a Paleo diet for years, no red meat. I take a lot of expensive supplements recommended by my clinical nutritionist, and follow a very limited diet to kill off the bad bacteria and promote the good, while also removing a potential biofilm that may be covering and protecting the bad bacteria. How long did it take you to get well? Are you able to eat normally now?

I am glad that recovery is going well for you!!!

I had the brachioplasty done along with inner thigh lift, butt lift, breast lift, and some skin tightening on a previous tummy tuck. That was in 2013 and I have had multiple problems with the brachioplasty ever since. It has gotten much better over time and with lots of treatments but my arms will never be "normal." You can see photos and my review on real self -- just too much to retell here -- https://www.realself.com/review/ramsey-nj-arm-lift-flankplasty-breast-lift-body-lift-medial-thigh-lift I would not discourage anyone from getting the brachioplasty. But to be aware that complications can and do happen, so be prepared for that possibility... go into this without rose colored glasses. Good luck with your surgery!

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

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

This is a true story of a patient that was horribly disfigured by her plastic surgeon. She successfully sued him for malpractice, which is a very difficult thing to do since the law is on the surgeon's side owing to heavy lobbyists and the unequivocal power of insurance companies to litigate, as well as the bias of juries that plastic surgery is elective and therefore you get what you deserve. Here is her story on RealSelf, with photos https://www.realself.com/review/desplanes-il-butt-lift-disaster-surgery-performed-dr-vincent-makhalouf#comment-4469039 Here is the story on her attorney's blog http://www.sandberglaw.com/blog/2015/11/12/jury-awards-200000-for-botched-cosmetic-surgery/

@@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.

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?

@@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.

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?

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

I've had my entire body contoured and the scars on the breast are the very lightest of all... really they are not noticeable. As for getting implants because you won't get cancer??? You might want to Google this to read about women whom have had explants because their implants made them very ill... and I am not just talking about the old silicon implants of yesterday... even saline implants have caused women to get seriously ill.

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

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!!

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

Thirteen years ago, bariatric angel Kristin S. waited with me in the hospital room the day of my bariatric surgery: August 27, 2003. Kristin stayed with me up until the last moment when the nurses brought the gurney to deliver me into my new life. Today I Celebrate 13-years of defeating obesity and it's related diseases of diabetes and hypertension and asthma and GERD. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. To all those who have helped me along the way, to those I help along their way, to my family and to G-d for always loving me, and to my self for doing this! I am grateful for my health and my life. Full disclosure: I had plastic surgery after weight loss in 2013. The gastric bypass weight loss undoubtedly saved my life, but the aesthetic results you see in the "after" photos are not typical of bariatric surgery alone.