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BariatricPal Meet and Greet Opportunity in San Diego Come for your chance to meet other BariatricPal members and Carnie Wilson in person April 10, 2015! We will be meeting as a group in San Diego, California, within the annual meet and greet sponsored by the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America (WLSFA). All BariatricPal members are welcome. About WLSFA The WLSFA is a non-profit organization that supports the weight loss surgery community. Its mission is to create a “National Network of Care” that provides grants so that needy patients can have access to weight loss surgery. The WLSFA fights obesity by: join us now Funding weight loss surgery and follow-up care for individuals. Supporting obesity research. Raise awareness about weight loss surgery. Mark Your Calendar for the Meet and Greet! The WLSFA holds an annual Meet and Greet that also serves as a fundraiser. The 2015 event is the WLSFA California Dreamin’ 5th Anniversary Fundraiser. It features an expo, receptions, demonstrations & speakers on a variety of topics to motivate, inspire and educate. WLSFA National Ambassador of Hope Singer Carnie Wilson will lead Judges Table at a fun filled WLS Friendly CHOPPED Competition! It’s also a great opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. From: April 10, 2015 Friday - 10:00 AM To: April 12, 2015 Sunday- noon The Meet and Greet starts at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2015, and goes until noon on Sunday, April 12. The headquarters are at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. Registration is necessary, but we’ll walk you through that if you let us know that you are planning to attend! Details about accommodations and transportation are available at the event website. Use Coupon Code "BariatricPal" during checkout for an additional 10% off!! Be Part of the BariatricPal Group! BariatricPal is planning to be at the San Diego Meet and Greet, and we want to meet you! We will be exhibiting at the expo, and hope that you will stop by! Visit our booth on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday to introduce yourself and meet BariatricPal founder Alex Brecher in person. You’ll also get to meet all of the other BariatricPal members who show up in person. Let us know that you are planning to attend by posting on this thread! Use Coupon Code "BariatricPal" during checkout for an additional 10% off!! See you in San Diego! Alex Brecher is the director of BariatricPal.com. He founded the original LapBandTalk.com and the other boards within WLSBoards.com before guiding their transition to BariatricPal.com. join us now

Black Friday Special! Hey Everyone, This is a first peek at one of our Black Friday Specials. From today through Friday at 6PM any surgery that is booked and has been confirmed through a deposit is eligible to be entered into our $500 deposit rebate raffle! You can reserve your surgery for up to 1 year in advance at the current promotion pricing. * Promotion only applies to new deposits. BariatricPal Deals BariatricPal is pleased to announce BariatricPal Deals! This exclusive new program offers unbelievable deals for weight loss surgery with the top weight loss surgeons and best service in Tijuana, Mexico. All-inclusive packages start at only $3899! We cut out the middleman and pass the savings on to you! We guarantee our prices and are willing to beat ANY advertised prices for Dr. Carlos Altamirano, Dr. Jaime Ponce de Leon, Dr. Jesus Martin Lopez Dominguez and Dr. Juan Francisco Zavalza. Financing Options are available to help patients pay for the program. All applications and questionnaires are reviewed by our Internal Medicine Doctor on staff. Following the review of your questionnaire you will be entitled to a free surgeon consultation via phone or Skype (Exclusive to BariatricPal Deals Applicants). Want to discuss BariatricPal Deals or find out more detailed information about the surgeons and services we offer? Head on over to the BariatricPal Deals Forum. We now offer FREE Skype Consultations with our weight loss surgeons! Please complete this form and mention in the comments that you'd like to schedule your free Skype consultation. Call us toll free at 844-WLS-DEAL or at 844-957-3325 for more details. These are the weight loss surgeries and surgeons that are offered. You will receive additional information about the program, including a 24-hour phone number and direct contact information for your patient liaison after you complete the short form. Completing the form does not commit you to anything! Complete the form Dr. Altamirano Dr. Ponce de Leon Dr. Verboonen Dr. Lopez Dr. Zavalza Dr. Camelo Ramos Dr. Corvala Gastric Sleeve Surgery $4199* $4999 $4499 $4199* $4250 $3899 $5999 Gastric Plication Surgery n/a $4999 $4399 $3899 n/a n/a Call Us Gastric Sleeve Revision Surgery $5199 $5799 $5499 $5199 $5299 $4999 Call Us Mini-Gastric Bypass Surgery $5199 $5799 $7499 $5199 $5299 $4999 Call Us Gastric Bypass Surgery $5499 $5799 $5799 $5499 $5599 $5299 Call Us Gastric Bypass Revision n/a $6799 $6799 $5499 $5599 $5299 Call Us * hernia repair is included for free if needed. Check out some of our current Specials below. Dr. Altamirano Dr. Ponce de Leon Dr. Lopez Dr. Corvala Gastric Sleeve (Including Meds and Follow Up) n/a $5399 n/a n/a Angeles Hospital Gastric Sleeve Package n/a n/a n/a $5999 How Can BariatricPal Deals Really Be Possible? How can we offer such good deals on weight loss surgery in Tijuana, Mexico while being so confident in the quality of the care you receive? This is one of the most commonly asked questions when interested members like yourself come across these fantastic deals on weight loss surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. The truth is, it's quite simple! With such a large number of potential weight loss surgery patients, we were able to negotiate the best deals possible on your behalf. Take a look at some of the steps we took to make this happen. We cut out the middle manBariatricPal works directly with each participating surgeon instead of paying a third party to act as a go-between. Without paying a middleman, each surgery instantly costs $1,000 to $5,000 less, and we pass the savings to our members. We receive the wholesale rateBariatricPal has so many potential weight loss surgery patients that surgeons are able to provide deep discounts to the BariatricPal Deals program compared to the prices they need to charge for individuals who walk in off the street. We only invite selected weight loss surgeons to participateWe approach only those weight loss surgeons who we are confident provide a safe and positive experience in a caring environment. Some of the ways to do this include knowing the weight loss surgeons personally, inspecting their facilities, looking at their patient outcomes, or checking their weight loss surgery credentials and licensure. Top Weight Loss Surgery Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico You will have your weight loss surgery performed at the only hospital with an official medical tourism certificate issued by the state of Baja California, Mexico. The hospital is among the top weight loss surgery centers in the world, having performed over 20,000 procedures. The hospital's credentials and experience can give you peace of mind as you get ready for weight loss surgery in Mexico. The price you get through BariatricPal Deals is all-inclusive. It covers the following: Personal Transportation All Medical Fees Included All Surgical Fees Included Two Nights with full care in our Hospital Luxury Recovery Condo for you and a guest 24 hour personal valet service Free Long Distance Calling to Family and Loved Ones When you arrive, the hospital staff provides the best service and is the friendliest you'll ever meet. They will put you at ease during your entire stay. The hospital also provides the following services for your convenience and comfort: Bilingual staff Transportation to and from the U.S. Direct phone calls to and from the U.S. Wireless internet Cable television in English and Spanish Personal nursing staff 24-hour security and video surveillance Fill out the short form below to get more information or reserve your weight loss surgery date. When you complete and submit the form, you will instantly gain access to important information including videos, diagrams, more information about the hospital, surgeons, and surgery types, patient testimonials, and pictures. complete the form Dr. Carlos AltamiranoIs an expert in General Surgery and Advanced Laparoscopic Weight Loss Surgery. Dr. Altamirano completed his formation as a surgeon in Dr. Valentín Gómez Farías Hospital (one of the most renowned hospitals in Mexico). He trained in basic and advanced laparoscopic procedures like cholecystectomy, inguinal and post incisional hernia repair, Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication and bariatric procedures like Gastric Sleeve and bypass. He also has experience in the management of emergency and critically ill patients, is certified in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS certification of the American College of Surgeons) and Advanced Cardiovascular life Support (ACLS certification of the American Heart Association). He was a Red Cross volunteer for a year and has worked for multiple Non-Profit organizations. read more Dr. Jaime Ponce de LeonChief Weight Loss Surgeon at INT Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico Dr. Jaime Ponce de Leon has the official endorsement of the Baja California Board of Tourism. The board recommended his services after a thorough review of his credentials and reputation. Dr. de Leon has 19 years of experience as a surgeon, including extensive experience as a laparoscopic surgeon, and is recognized as a top weight loss surgeon in Mexico. He received his M.D. as a general surgeon from Saint Nicholas University in Hidalgo, Mexico, and completed his residency in Tijuana’s. read more Dr. Sergio VerboonenA Leading Weight Loss Surgeon in Tijuana, Mexico Dr. Sergio Verboonen, a Certified Bariatric Laparoscopic Surgeon, is one of the first three bariatric surgeons to pioneer Bariatric Surgery in Mexico. Dr. Verboonen received his M.D. from Universidad Nacional Autonomy de Mexico (UNAM) in 1990 and completed his residency in 1994 at Hospital General de Tijuana. With 19+ years of experience, Dr. Verboonen has performed more than 10,000 bariatric laparoscopic procedures and continues to be recognized as one of the most experienced bariatric surgeons worldwide. read more Dr. Jesus Martin Lopez DominguezA Certified Bariatric Surgeon with over a decade of experience. Dr. Lopez has 10 years of surgical experience and is bilingual. Dr. Jesus Martin Lopez is one of the leading medical practitioners in Tijuana dedicated to change lives for people with weight related problems. read more Dr. Juan Francisco ZavalzaTrusted bariatric surgeon & backed up by thousands of successfully performed weight loss surgeries. Dr. Zavalza has 5 years of surgical experience, is bilingual and was proctored by Dr. Jaime Ponce de Leon. Dr. Francisco Zavalza has performed and assisted more than 3000 bariatric surgeries. Dr. Zavalza continues communicating with his patients years after surgery, providing extensive follow up care, to insure long term and successful outcomes. read more Dr. Mario Camelo RamosCertified Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Mario Camelo Ramos is an accomplished weight-loss surgeon, who practices in Tijuana, Mexico. He has trained under one the world’s top bariatric surgeons and has performed over 6,500 bariatric surgeries. Dr. Camelo Ramos Performs Surgery at Florence Hospital. read more Dr. Juan Antonio Lopez CorvalaCertified Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Juan Antonio Lopez Corvala MD FACS has over 30 years of experience, more than 10,000 laparoscopic surgeries, and more than 6,000 bariatric surgeries. Dr. Juan A. Lopez Corvala is one of the 10 most renowned bariatric surgeons worldwide, a true expert, member of C.A.B. (Council of Advance Bariatrics). read more Fill out the form below to get more information or reserve your weight loss surgery date. {block="bp_surgery_deal_form"}

The BIG Book On The Gastric Bypass Everything You Need to Know to Lose Weight and Live Well with the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery View Preview Paperback Price: $24.99 BUY NOW Kindle Price: $9.99 BUY NOW eBook Price: $9.99 BUY NOW PDF Price: $9.99 BUY NOW About — The Big Book on the Gastric Bypass Are you sick and tired of struggling with obesity? If you've been obese for years and have tried every weight loss diet without lasting success, weight loss surgery may be the right choice for you. "The Big Book on the Gastric Bypass: Everything You Need to Lose Weight and Live Well with the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass" is your complete guide to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Like so many other patients who have struggled with obesity for many years, you may find that the gastric bypass is the tool you need to eat well and finally lose weight for good. The Big Book guides you through each step of the journey, from deciding to get RYGB, finding a surgeon and paying for surgery, to recovering from surgery, following the bypass diet and losing weight and keeping it off for life. "The Big Book on the Gastric Bypass: Everything You Need to Lose Weight and Live Well with the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass" treats you with the respect you deserve and provides facts and analysis in simple language. It discusses everything related to obesity, weight loss, the gastric bypass and the weight loss surgery diet so that you can make the best decisions for yourself. The book further helps you by being a source of advice and motivation. It contains stories from real-life bypass patients, told in their words. When you're ready to learn all about losing weight and living well with the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, grab your copy of the book and get reading! Read more about the authorsAbout the book's authors: Alex Brecher Founder and CEO of WLSBoards.com Natalie Stein Vice President of Health and Nutrition With every page of "The BIG Book on the Gastric Bypass" you will learn important details such as: The options for surgical weight loss and what is involved with the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. How to make your decision and what questions to ask before surgery What your diet and exercise will look like following the procedure How to adjust to your incredible new body And so much more {block="gastric_bypass_about"} {block="gastric_bypass_table_of_contents"}

The BIG Book On The Gastric Sleeve Everything You Need To Know To Lose Weight and Live Well with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy View Preview Paperback Price: $24.99 BUY NOW Kindle Price: $9.99 BUY NOW eBook Price: $9.99 BUY NOW PDF Price: $9.99 BUY NOW About — The Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve Are you sick and tired of struggling with obesity? If you've been obese for years and have tried every weight loss diet without lasting success, weight loss surgery may be the right choice for you. "The Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve: Everything You Need to Lose Weight and Live Well with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy" is your complete guide to the vertical sleeve gastric, or gastric sleeve. Like so many other patients who have struggled with obesity for many years, you may find that the gastric sleeve is the tool you need to eat well and finally lose weight for good. The Big Book guides you through each step of the journey, from deciding to get the sleeve, finding a surgeon and paying for surgery, to recovering from surgery, following the sleeve diet and losing weight and maintaining your weight loss for life. "The Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve: Everything You Need to Lose Weight and Live Well with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy" treats you with the respect you deserve and provides facts and analysis in simple language. It discusses everything related to obesity, weight loss, the gastric sleeve and the sleeve diet so that you can make the best decisions for yourself. The book further helps you by being a source of advice and motivation, too. The book contains stories from real-life sleeve patients, told in their words. When you're ready to learn all about losing weight and living well with the vertical sleeve gastrectomy, grab your copy of the book and get reading! Read more about the authorsAbout the book's authors: Alex Brecher Founder and CEO of WLSBoards.com Natalie Stein Vice President of Health and Nutrition With every page of "The BIG Book on the Gastric Sleeve" you will learn important details such as: The options for surgical weight loss and what is involved with the Gastric Sleeve. How to make your decision and what questions to ask before surgery What your diet and exercise will look like following the procedure How to adjust to your incredible new body And so much more {block="gastric_sleeve_about"} {block="gastric_sleeve_table_of_contents"}

{{$title = \IPS\Output::i()->title;}} {$title} Patient success requires your expert care before, during and after surgery. As a bariatric surgeon or other bariatric surgery allied health professional, you know that ongoing support outside the hospital is another important factor in patient success. As much as you might like to, you can't be there for your patients at every minute. BariatricPal.com can. This social network acts as an additional peer support resource for weight loss surgery patients. Joining the BariatricPal.com network allows you to show your support of this community. Patients turn to each other every day for peer-to-peer support, including tips on diet and exercise, pre-surgery expectations and post-surgery encouragement. BariatricPal.com complements your efforts to promote patient health.

{{$title = \IPS\Output::i()->title;}} {$title} Getting medical procedures done in another country is known as medical tourism. Why would you choose to go abroad for surgery? Weight loss surgery is expensive in the U.S., and you may be able to get the procedure done for a lower cost in another country. High-quality foreign facilities can be just as safe as those in the U.S. Mexico, India and Venezuela are common destinations for weight loss surgery patients from more expensive places, such as the U.S., Canada, many European nations and Australia.

{{$title = \IPS\Output::i()->title;}} {$title} Weight loss surgery is quite expensive. As you gather estimates and figure out the costs, you might start to wonder whether you can afford it. When you consider the expense of weight loss surgery, weigh it against the costs of being obese. High cost of food from eating a lot, especially eating out or getting convenience foods Cost of diet plans: how much money have you spent on diet programs that haven't worked for you? Cost of diet food: bars, meal replacements, supplements and special foods all add up Cost of yo-yo dieting: how many times have you replaced your wardrobe as your weight goes up or down? Healthcare: even if you have good insurance, you may have extra copays for frequent doctor visits and prescription medications Life's not just about money. What about the non-financial "costs" of obesity? Lower quality of life—more difficulty moving, working and participating in activities Missed days of work from being sick, and fewer vacation days because you used them for sick days Embarrassment at work, at home, with your friends Missed activities because you can't keep up with your friends and family

{{$title = \IPS\Output::i()->title;}} {$title} Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most common type of gastric bypass weight loss surgery.1 It is usually laparoscopic. It is reversible if necessary, but is designed to be permanent. The surgeon first divides your stomach, leaving a smaller upper portion and stitching shut the larger remainder of your stomach so that it can't be used any more.2 Normally, food in your stomach empties to the upper portion of the small intestine. In RYGB, the surgeon attaches the small stomach pouch to a place lower down on the small intestine, thus "bypassing" the majority of your stomach, the duodenum (upper portion of your small intestine) and at least part of the jejunum (middle portion of your small intestine). A long-limb RYGB procedure bypasses more of your intestine; in this case, the surgeon attaches your newly formed small stomach pouch to a place even lower on your small intestine. The long-limbed RYGB procedure can lead to faster weight loss because of greater nutrient malabsorption (fewer nutrients absorbed). Why is the procedure called "Roux-en-Y?" The gastric pouch is called the "roux limb," and the "Y" shape is formed by the three arms coming together at a junction. The three parts are: The small stomach pouch that holds food The large stomach pouch that secretes digestive juices The far portion of the small intestine that the two portions of the stomach are connected to Buchwald H. ASBS 2004 consensus conference statement: bariatric surgery for morbid obesity: health implications for patients, health professionals and third-party payers. Surgery for obesity and related diseases, 2005;371-381 Ibid. Advantages and Disadvantages of the Gastric Bypass Advantages of the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass No bands, staples or other foreign objects in your body An established procedure with more research on safety and effectiveness than the vertical sleeve gastrectomy and sleeve plication More weight loss in the first year than the gastric sleeve and the adjustable gastric band (lap-band)1 Reversible if necessary (but not easily) Can be revised to a longer-limb Roux-en-Y gastric bypass if an initial short-limb procedure does not lead to expected weight loss. Quick improvements in your health, especially in your blood sugar control with better insulin resistance, lower blood sugar levels and possible resolution of diabetes May be a good choice for individuals with a sweet tooth because sweet foods are not typically tolerated Jackson TD, Hutter MM. Morbidity and effectiveness of laporscopic sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric band and gastric bypass for morbid obesity. Advances in Surgery, 2012;46:255-68. Disadvantages of the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Higher risk of nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorption than the lap-band, sleeve plication and vertical gastric sleeve Weight regain can occur after a couple of years if appetite levels increase and/or the stomach pouch is stretched High-sugar and high-fat foods can cause dumping syndrome, with symptoms of shakiness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea Stomach pouch can be stretched if patient overeats, leading to less restriction and less effectiveness Complications are less frequent, but are more likely to be serious Possible Complications/Risks of the Gastric Bypass Intolerance to certain foods Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, with severe heartburn Nutritional deficiencies due to low food intake and nutrient malabsorption Dumping syndrome Staple line leaks from the stomach and intestines where they were cut and stitched during the procedure Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea Strictures Weight Loss and the Roux-en-Y (RYGB) Rapid weight loss in first 6 to 12 months About 65 to 70% of excess weight loss (EWL) within 2 years Often more than 100 pounds lost Many RYGB patients regain about 20 or more pounds after the first two years of weight loss The RYGB is restrictive and malabsorptive and it affects your appetite hormones. Restrictive: Right after surgery, the top portion can hold only about one ounce, or two tablespoons, of food. This forces you to have smaller meals you fill up faster Malabsorptive: With RYGB, food doesn't go into your duodenum, which is where a lot of nutrient absorption usually occurs. Absorbing less protein, fat and carbohydrate leads to fewer calories and faster weight loss. Hormonal:1 2 changes in your hormones after RYGB can decrease hunger. Ghrelin: a hormone that causes hunger and whose levels decrease after RYGB PYY: (neuropeptide YY) a hormone that reduces hunger and whose levels increase after RYGB GLP-1: (glucagon-like peptide 1) a hormone that reduces hunger and whose levels increase after RYGB Mechanick MD, Kushner RF…Dixon J. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, The Obesity Society, and American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery medical guidelines for clinical practice for the perioperative nutritional, metabolic, and nonsurgical support of the bariatric surgery patient. Obesity, 2009;17(S1):S3-72. Morinigo R, Moize V, Musri M, Lacy AM, Navarro S, Marin JL…Vidal J. Glucagon-like peptide-1, peptide YY, hunger and satiety after gastric bypass surgery for morbid obese subjects. JCEM, 2006;91(5):1735.

{{$title = \IPS\Output::i()->title;}} {$title} Several types of weight loss surgeries are commonly performed and can lead to successful weight loss. How do you choose the one that is right for you? Patient needs to consider and discuss their individual situations with their surgeons before deciding on the procedure that they feel is best for them. This page has some of the factors to consider when you're deciding on which weight loss surgery to get. You'll notice that Cost is not on this list. It should not affect this life-changing decision about your health! Speed of Weight Loss: The gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) have the fastest initial weight loss. Some patients can lose 5 to 7 pounds per week shortly after surgery. That can be good for patients who are in severe discomfort from joint pain. Fast initial weight loss may also be easier mentally for patients who need to see results quickly to stay motivated. Starting Weight and Health: The adjustable gastric band (lap-band or Realize band) is a more common choice for patients who have a lower starting BMI. The vertical sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve) is an increasingly common choice for higher BMI patients. The gastric bypass is known for improving blood sugar control quickly, and many patients with type 2 diabetes choose this procedure. Long-Term Results: The gastric bypass and lap-band have been used for years and are well established. The gastric sleeve and sleeve plication are newer procedures. Clinical trials are still gathering scientific data on their long-term results and complications, although it looks so far as though weight loss from those surgeries is similar to that of lap-band or gastric bypass. The gastric sleeve can be converted to a BPD-DS if weight loss isn't satisfactory, but it cannot be reversed. The gastric bypass can be redone or a band can be added ("band over bypass"). The gastric band is reversible if necessary, so any of the other weight loss surgeries can be tried if the band doesn't work. Adjustability: The adjustable gastric band is the only option that's easily adjustable. Filling the band increases restriction to help speed weight loss, and decreasing the fill volume of the band reduces restriction to let your esophagus heal if you get esophagitis or to let you increase your nutrient intake when needed, such as during pregnancy or when you're sick. The other surgeries are not adjustable. Maintenance: The adjustable gastric band requires more attention. You need to visit your surgeon each time you want an adjustment (fill or unfill). This can happen several times in the first year. If you have trouble getting time off work to see your surgeon, the lap-band may not be for you. Fear of Needles: Adjustments require your surgeon to stick a needle in your access port near your belly button. You might feel a small prick or have topical local anesthesia applied so you don't feel anything. However, if you have a fear of needles, the gastric band may not be for you. Fear of Implanted Medical Devices: The gastric band, connection tubing and access port are all permanently inside of you if you get the lap-band. The gastric sleeve or gastric bypass don't require permanent medical devices, and may be better choices if you worry about malfunctioning parts. Restriction and Malabsorption: All of the surgeries are restrictive; they reduce your stomach size so you fill up faster and can't eat as much. The gastric bypass and BPD-DS are also malabsorptive. They reduce the calories that you absorb from food to help you lose weight faster. They also prevent you from eating sweets because high-sugar foods can cause shakiness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea from dumping syndrome after these surgeries. If your sweet tooth caused your obesity, gastric bypass and BPD-DS might be better choices for you.

{{$title = \IPS\Output::i()->title;}} {$title} Side effects and complications more specific to bariatric surgery may appear soon after surgery or months after surgery. These are some of the common ones. Nausea and/or vomiting Diarrhea and/or constipation Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Leakage from stomach staple or suture lines (RYGB, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, sleeve plication, BPD-DS) Leakage from gastric band or connection tubing (lap-band) Band slippage or erosion (lap-band) Bowel obstruction Infection at the access port site (lap-band) Hernia Ulcers Weight regain Nutrient deficiencies Osteoporosis (low bone mineral density and increased risk for fractures) Anemia Gallstones from rapid weight loss Dumping syndrome Psychological concerns, such as addiction swapping or depression Many of the above complications are caused or made worse by going off of the proper diet. Choosing the appropriate foods for your stage of weight loss during the postoperative recovery diet progression or longer-term weight loss diet, chewing slowly, separating fluids from solids and taking nutritional supplements as recommended can prevent or reduce many of these complications.

{{$title = \IPS\Output::i()->title;}} {$title} Alex Brecher Founder / CEO Alex Brecher is the director of BariatricPal.com. He founded the original LapBandTalk.com and the other boards within WLSBoards.com before guiding their transition to BariatricPal.com. He is the strategic leader and day-to-day decision maker in business, communications and development opportunities. Alex actively travels around the nation and internationally to conferences and workshops to meet new people and get new ideas for continuing to connect with and serve the weight loss surgery community. Alex supports many professional organizations for weight loss surgery, including the American Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO ) and the Association for the Study of Obesity. Alex's expertise in web design, forum hosting, technology and management stems from years of experience in the technology industry. He has founded multiple technology companies and currently sits on the boards of numerous private and public sector corporations. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park. Alex's tireless dedication to the weight loss surgery community comes from his own personal history. He struggled with his weight his entire life before finding out about the laparoscopic adjustable band (lap-band) from a friend. The lap-band and his new commitment allowed him to lose—and keep off—more than 100 pounds. Today, he leads an active, healthy lifestyle, but hasn't forgotten what it was like to fight obesity every day for years. That's why he remains devoted to BaratricPal.com. Alex lives in New York with his family and loves to run, bike and cook. The rest of the crew behind BariatricPal: Ken Sandell Vice President of Operations Ken keeps things running smoothly at BariatricPal. He's an expert in business management, web programming and systems administration, and he's a self-professed geek. He has years of experience working in business and technology and takes pride in his ability to fix bugs, troubleshoot technical problems and develop innovative business and technical solutions. In his free time, Ken loves to spend time with his wife. His hobbies include learning new computer skills, cooking, entertaining and cheering for his favorite football teams on Sundays. Natalie Stein Vice President of Health and Nutrition Natalie is in charge of the regular newsletters that we send to keep our members informed about the latest happenings on the boards. She provides well-researched informational content for BariatricPal.com. She also works with Alex on special projects, such as the BariatricPal books. Natalie's education includes a Master's of Public Health (MPH) and a Master's of Science (MS) in Nutrition. She loves to run, bike, dance, study Spanish, listen to music and help others with nutrition and health to match their own lifestyles and goals. Katie Allen Customer Service Manager Katie ensures that the needs of BariatricPal's customers are being satisfied. Her aim is to provide excellent customer service and to promote this idea throughout the team she manages. Katie has years of experience in the health food industry as well as experience in public health, communications and product development. She is also a certified Zumba instructor and can be found dancing at her desk when she's not assisting our members and customers. Hana Rothschild Web Design & Development Hana Rothschild oversees the team responsible for developing and maintaining BariatricPal.com core web services. Prior to joining BariatricPal, she was the Lead Web Developer at Stanford University and the Web Services Coordinator at California State University. Hana has over ten years of experience designing and implementing database-driven web applications. She brings business acumen and a real-world sensibility around priorities to BariatricPal.com projects. A broad background of systems deployments and strong ability with our application development tools enable Hana to understand whole projects quickly and accurately. She has excellent communications and interpersonal skills which enable her to communicate design and development issues to everyone from the most seasoned programmer to the least technical user. When Hana is not striving to write perfect code, she enjoys hiking, gardening and cooking. Vlad Waletzko Mobile App Design & Development Vlad Waletzko oversees the team responsible for developing and maintaining BariatricPal mobile applications and services. He has over 15 years of experience in software, with roles involving implementation, design, support, and management. He has spent the past several years in mobile applications, working across text messaging platforms, mobile web development, mobile advertising, and managing mobile applications. Vlad has a passion for technology and provides vision and strategy to the company, partners and members. Prior to joining BariatricPal, he received his Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems at Northeastern University.