Stop Weighting, Start Doing!

Losing Weight and Gaining Life Through Bariatric Surgery

The Best Ways of Talking About Your Bariatric Surgery

Talking about your bariatric surgery can be a touchy subject. Some people are strongly against bariatric surgery and may view you differently for having it. Most of these people are either uninformed, scared, jealous or a combination of the three. It's a personal choice who you tell and don't tell, however, any conversation about your upcoming surgery should focus on the health benefits. At a minimum, your family doctor and spouse need to know. You may want to consider telling your children too, as they'll see you getting thinner and may worry something is wrong with you. Family, friends and co-workers can either know or not know, depending on how close you are. Talking about your bariatric ... read more

How to Make a Healthy Meal Plan For Weight Loss

Many bariatric programs require patients to lose weight before surgery because the less you weigh at surgery, the lower your risk of complications. My surgeon required me to lose 50 pounds, so I researched healthy meal plans for weight loss. I also learned about nutrition in my pre-op nutrition classes. What I learned is that a high-protein diet, full of vegetables, lean meats and healthy fats can help me lose weight before surgery. And it did - I lost 80 pounds before surgery. I've included some of my favorite meal idea to give you some ideas to generate your menu. A healthy meal plan for weight loss includes a variety of high-protein foods, vegetables and healthy fats. The Most ... read more

The Behind-the-Scenes Truth on Bariatric Surgery Myths

As you start to explore bariatric surgery, you may come across some information that is incorrect. Some uninformed people may give you their negative opinions about surgery. I'm ready to bust those bariatric surgery myths and drop some truth bombs! I've heard so many of these phrases as I went through my journey, so I am sure you will too. People will say things like weight loss surgery is only for the severely, morbidly obese, and bariatric patients lack willpower. They've never tried diet and exercise, and most become alcoholics. And the granddaddy of them all - weight loss surgery is the easy way out. Well strap in and get ready, because I'm about to blow up these bariatric surgery ... read more

How to Lose a Lot of Weight Fast – The Right Way!

How many flashing ads have we seen that shout, "Lose 10 pounds in Three Days!" or "The Magic Fruit that's Better than Bypass!"? With the obesity crisis in America, it's no wonder people are anxious to lose weight - and even more people are looking to make money from it by providing unhealthy and unrealistic ways of losing weight. The National Institute of Health states that bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity, so no magic fruit, pill, shake or 10-minute exercise is going to treat your weight issues as well as bariatric surgery. So, you may be wondering how to lose a lot of weight fast in a safe, non-gimmicky manner. Well, by following the basic tenants of a ... read more

What Happens at a Cardiac Clearance for Bariatric Surgery

For every pound of fat, there is a mile of blood vessels, according to Dr. Terry Simpson. All of these blood vessels mean the heart has to pump harder to get the blood flowing, putting more strain on the heart. For bariatric patients, this means we need to get a clearance from a cardiologist before surgery. Every program is different, and your program may not require cardiac clearance. You may want to get evaluated anyway, just in case of any underlying issues. They'll likely do an EKG in the office and discuss your medical history. The doctor may order further testing to evaluate your heart more thoroughly. The cardiac clearance for bariatric surgery includes an EKG, a review of your ... read more

How to Actually Stay Healthy Among the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has swept the entire world. Countries are shutting down. Schools are closing. Sports have been canceled. Events are being rescheduled. It's easy to start feeling panicked in situations like these. However, by following a few guidelines, you can protect yourself and your family as best as possible. As a bariatric patient, whether you're pre-op or post-op, it is more important now than ever to follow the basic habits of a bariatric lifestyle. Stay healthy among the COVID-19 pandemic by washing your hands, avoiding large crowds and disinfecting surfaces. Most of the information in this article is found from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. This ... read more

Weight Loss Coloring Chart: One of the Best Ways to Stay Motivated

How many times during your past diets have you lost motivation and gave up? Perhaps the scale didn't move as fast as you wanted it to, or you were sick of feeling deprived of your favorite foods, or for some other reason, you lost motivation and gave up. You returned to your normal eating patterns, feeling defeated and like nothing was ever going to change. I went through this cycle so many times, and when I decided to go through bariatric surgery, I knew something had to be different. I knew I had to stay motivated during those tough times, so I created a weight loss coloring chart. This chart has made all the difference in my weight loss, and even as my journey progressed, I still used ... read more

Why the BMI for Bariatric Surgery Needs to be Lowered

Weight Watchers. Atkins. Jenny Craig. Keto. How many different diets have you tried with no lasting results? For many people, weight loss surgery is the last straw, a final attempt to lose weight. However, many people on the lower end of the obesity scale may not even qualify for bariatric surgery, despite feeling the negative effects of obesity. Most insurance companies require a BMI of 35 with an obesity-related medical condition. Some companies are, rightfully so, advocating to lower the requirement, as the guideline is a little dated. These guidelines were established nearly 30 years ago and haven't taken into consideration the advancements and newer understandings of the procedure. Most ... read more

This is What Happens at the Halfway Visit for Bariatric Surgery

Halfway through my bariatric surgery journey, I met one-on-one with my surgeon for a second time. While researching information for this post, I didn't find evidence of a lot of programs doing this type of appointment. However, my program did require it, and it was sort of a mid-program evaluation. My surgeon wanted to see if I was taking the program seriously and putting in the work required. He checked my list of bariatric surgery requirements and reviewed my test results thus far. We discussed the remaining requirements and decided on a type of bariatric surgery. The halfway visit for bariatric surgery is a mid-progress check to see how well you're adhering to the program. The Need ... read more

Gastric Sleeve Before and After: Loving This Crazy Amazing Life

I've said it a thousand times on here - bariatric surgery will change your life. But how? What does that mean? Well, I'm going to break it down what it meant for me. From my relationships to my religion, medical issues to mental health, I've seen vast improvements in my life in so many areas. I can't wait to share with you and give you hope for your future. While I can't guarantee the same results, you can learn what may lie ahead for you. My life with gastric sleeve before and after has changed dramatically and all for the better. Gastric Sleeve Before and After: Relationships Losing so much weight changes the dynamics of a relationship. You may no longer be the fattest friend in ... read more