On the Road: Sticking to a Bariatric Diet While Traveling

November 19, 2025

Bottom half of man pulling a suitcase at train station next to travel partner Travel can challenge even the most disciplined eating patterns. Flights, hotels, restaurants, family gatherings, and unfamiliar schedules can all make it tempting to stray from the habits you’ve worked so hard to establish.

With a bit of foresight, planning, and self-compassion, you can maintain your progress while still enjoying the adventure.

Continue reading

Can I Still Eat Desserts After Bariatric Surgery?

November 6, 2025

Food is fuel, but it also connects us to culture, tradition, celebration, and memory. Can I still eat desserts after bariatric surgery? is a fair question.

Even though the short answer is yes, it’s within the context of new eating patterns. Bariatric surgery changes the gut, the brain, hunger signals, and even how sweetness feels on the tongue.

Continue reading

Is There a “Wrong” BMI for Bariatric Surgery?

October 16, 2025

Woman stepping on bathroom scale with right foot Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatments for people with severe obesity and its related health risks. But when it comes to eligibility, there can be some confusion around a key number: body mass index (BMI).

Updates in 2022 to professional guidelines show that the answer isn’t as simple as it once was. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) have expanded their recommendations, reflecting a more individualized and medically nuanced approach.1

Continue reading

After Bariatric Surgery Protein: Plant vs Animal

October 1, 2025

Close-up of protein packed meal
Protein is protein, right? Not exactly.

As a macronutrient, protein is the building block of bones, muscles, skin, hair, nails, and organs. It fuels muscle repair, supports immune function, participates in metabolic reactions, and even serves as an energy source when calories are tight. Healthy adults typically need about 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, making up 10-35% of daily calories, in order for these functions to occur.

Continue reading

Carbonated Beverages and Beer Are a No-No

September 24, 2025

Man sitting on couch, putting hands up to refuse a beer being offered to him
From the fizz of soda to the frothy head of a cold beer, carbonated beverages are woven into modern culture as part of our social and dietary habits. They’re marketed as refreshing, celebratory, and relaxing. But there’s more to it beneath the bubbles.

Carbonated drinks, and especially beer, for a post-surgery bariatric patient could carry digestive and metabolic drawbacks that are easy to overlook. It may be wise to step back from the bubbles and consider healthier alternatives.

Continue reading

The Food Rainbow: Packing a Colorful (and Healthy!) Plate

September 9, 2025

Woman holding bowl of colorful foods

Scroll through social media, and the most eye-catching dishes often have one thing in common – color. A pop of red from ripe tomatoes, deep purple berries, crisp green herbs, or bright orange squash is attention-grabbing.

Visually, color signals freshness, texture, and appeal. But beyond aesthetics, those vibrant hues reflect a nutritional backstory: variety in color equals variety in health-promoting compounds. Each pigment corresponds to a unique profile of phytochemicals with distinct protective effects on the body.

When dietary advice recommends eating a variety of colors, it refers to the edible spectrum of bioactive benefits, not just aesthetically pleasing plates.

Continue reading

One Foot In Front of the Other: Pre- and Post-Surgery Exercise

August 6, 2025

Woman reaching for toes while exercising at home on floor mat

Your body may be one of the best tools you have for supporting weight loss. How so? By putting one foot in front of the other.

Bariatric surgery kickstarts a major health transformation, but how you move your body helps keep the momentum going. Low-impact movement tailored to your current ability might not seem like much, but small, consistent increases in activity help manage weight, boost mood, and improve energy while building stamina and mobility.

The more consistently you integrate exercise before and after surgery, the more benefits you’re likely to see.

Continue reading

Why Do I Have Gallstones & Does It Matter?

July 23, 2025

Diagram of illustrated Gallbladder containing gallstones

The human body is complex. Really complex. With remarkable complexity comes the occasional “glitch.” According to NIH’s Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), gallstones affect 10-15% of the U.S. population – that’s roughly 25 million people. So why are so many bodies making gallstones?

Continue reading

Removing a Lipoma and Other Cysts

July 2, 2025

Patient with bump on wrist being inspected by doctor in blue gloves

Lumps, Bumps, and Removal

Finding a lump is scary. Even the coolest cucumbers have a hard time with the emotions that come up. Just recently, a well-known TV personality opened up about discovering a lump, navigating the stress of imaging, and ultimately choosing to have it operated on. But not every lump spells bad news.

Her story, like so many others, reminds us that while the experience can be unsettling, the outcome isn’t always dire. Many lumps turn out to be completely harmless and can be easily surgically removed. Hopefully, the following few paragraphs will help you stay calm if you find one, and give you some peace of mind on tackling them.

Continue reading

How Do PPI’s Work Differently From Antacids?

June 18, 2025

woman holding antacid tablet and glass of water
Antacids, H2-blockers, and PPIs: There is a Difference

Three different medicine families for the same condition? Well, yes, for several reasons, actually – mechanism of action, tolerance, and patient variability, and stage or severity of the condition are some of the main ones. Before we dive into the differences, let’s backtrack just a bit.

Continue reading

Older Posts