Kookeygirl

I was losing hair like crazy up to a couple of weeks ago. It was probably due to a summer of poor eating and 2 rounds of fasting for 2 weeks in the fall.

I'm taking Biosil, Biotin and silica and using the Nioxin system. In the last week or so the Hair loss has stopped.

I was losing a ton of hair up to about a week ago. 3 weeks ago I started taking Biotin and silica. Last week I had a Nioxin treatment at the hair salon and bought the Shampoo, conditioner, and treatment. Now I am hardly losing anything.

I think my Hair loss was due to a really really poor diet over the summer and in the fall I fasted for 2 weeks -- twice.

The supplements seem to be working for me, but I can swallow anything right now, so size is not an issue.

Good luck.

check out this thread under exercise. I am doing a challenge there.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/113615-workout-challenge-and-chat-thread/page__st__80__p__1550806__fromsearch__1#entry1550806

When were you banded? I have started walking and even though it's ccccold outside I am feeling good about getting moving again.

my doc says no gym till Jan 3rd

but I would love to do a challenge go to the gym 3x;s a week starting jan mon wed and sat is my Water workout classes and I will throw in walk 1 mile one day I dont have class......

I'm in. I have to get back to being active again. I'm joining my old gym later this week. I have 2 snowboarding trips later this winter and if I don't start now, I'll be paying for it on the slopes! Last year I went to Whistler, during the Olympics, and I was like a sausage in my ski suit. I could barely move. So depressing! There I am at the most best ski resort in the world (according to ski magazines....... and me!) and I was miserable!

So my goal is to go the gym 3x a weight and do 45 mins of weight lifting and 40 mins. of cardio. Cardio will consist of a few minutes of rowing and then biking or treadmill. Last summer I was doing 40 mins. of rowing. It's such a good workout, but I have to work up to that. Once I'm a bit more fit I will go back to spin classes, but I'd DIE if I tried one now.

On 3 other days I will walk or snowshoe.

Too bad there wasn't a ticker tape or a motivational way of displaying our exercising successes! I'm excited about the sense of accomplishment that comes from a good workout.

Good luck everyone!

I guess it would depend on whether you were used to exercising at that pace before surgery. It seems like quite a bit to begin with if you're carrying extra weight. I have started walking 30 mins. 2x a day, unless it's below -15 C. I too want to get back to the gym, but worry about the pressure of lifting weights this early as it still hurts when I sneeze. However, I have 2 snowboarding trips later this winter and if I don't start working out, I'll be sorry when I hit the slopes.

I think we should listen to our bodies and push ourselves a little. My doctor said I could go horseback riding (i don't ride) within a week, but that I wouldn't want to. I guess that means it's going to hurt a little even though we're not doing any damage.

I would love to start an exercise challenge with December bandsters. Set a realistic goal and then push ourselves to meet it. My goal would be to go to the gym 3x a week and walk/snowshoe another 2 days a week. If I could do that..... AWESOME!

Question: when did the early December bandsters start exercising?

My doc wants me to exercise 45 minutes a day at a heart rate of 120, but he didn't say when to start that and I was too ready to be out of the hospital to ask. I have an elliptical machine but don't know when I should hit it at a full pace.

What did y'all do?

As soon as mine heal a little more I'm going to start using manuka honey. It's known for its healing properties. You can buy it at health food stores. Great stuff.

http://www.vitaminstohealth.com/minimizing-scar-tissue-vitamin-e.html

I had my surgery with Dr. Miller. I felt I was in good hands. I got a good vibe from him, so I didn't call or consult with any other doctor or centre. It was 16,000.00...... highway robbery, but I that appears to be the going rate. I did get a free Spa Diva robe though! hahahhaaaaa!

The process was also very quick. Had my surgery one month after initial consult.

I'll be seeing him for my first fill in mid January and then seeing something local for further fills.

I wish I had restriction!!!! I have none! I can eat anything and that's what I'm doing! I was on liquids for 4 days and then moved to soft food but am eating pretty much everything but meat right now. So, as soon as my boys head back to Vancouver and I don't have all this FOOD around I guess I'm on my own until my first fill. I hope that as long as I'm feeling ok, I'm not doing any damage. I was just so damn hungry. shakes weren't doing it. The hunger pains were awful.

My port is also right in the middle. It's still a little sore. I hesitate to go back to the gym to start lifting weights again because it hurts when I sneeze. I'm going to give it another few days.

Like some of you I still have a little pain in my left shoulder but it's not really in my arm.

Hmmmm....... I wonder why some of us have restriction right after surgery and some of us don't. I guess I got the short straw.

Maybe you can find a support group to join, like overeaters anonymous or something similar. Somebody should be able to direct to you to one. Are you sure you're not eating enough? What about eating all the wrong stuff? Studies have shown that we consistently underestimate how much we eat. For instance, we don't always count what we eat when we're grazing. I would think that if you have a medical condition that was the causing weight gain, there would be other symptoms as well. I'm on thyroid med for an underactive thyroid. It makes a it harder to lose weight, but the truth is, I eat too much and I tend to love food that is not good for me. Just a thought...... afterall, introspection is key to your weight loss journey.

Good luck and try and stay positive.

I looked at the Hopkins Bariatric Surgery Center a couple of nights ago, and viewed an information session. I've decided to fill out the required information package that they want, but one thing worries me greatly in that one of their requirements is that I have a "support network", i.e., family and friends. I do not have any family left that can help me, and very few social contacts due to my depression/mental illness. I feel very discouraged now about even applying, because once they find out that I don't really have anyone but myself... they may deny me on this basis (I'm not really sure of why that is - I may not have any visible source of support, but it also means that I don't have anyone to tell me it's the wrong thing to do, either, and that has to count for something).

I did take and pass a required quiz about the procedure and the correct reasons why I should be doing it, so maybe there's some possibility that this might work for me. Time will tell.

In any case, I've taken the first step. <gulp>

I had my surgery in Dec. 16 and I was hungry from the minute I woke up! I am eating everything but meat right now. I have no restriction at all. I did liquids for the first 4 days then went to soft food. It's been hard over the holidays. My boys are home for xmas and I have a lot of food around the house I wouldn't typically have.

I've been forcing myself out of the house for 30 min. walks once or twice a day even though it's been pretty cold. I plan on rejoining my gym and doing getting back into weight lifting, spinning and rowing later this week. Right now my stomach still hurts when I sneeze or bend, so I'm thinking that the pressure from weight lifting might not be good for it right now.

Good luck on your journey. I can't wait for my first fill. I need restriction!!!!!!!

Hello all,

My name is Ieshea and I am 33 yrs old. I was recently banded Dec 21, 2010 at a Center of Excellence in Plano, TX (Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital). My dr was Dr. Cribbins. The surgery went well (I guess); my only complain would be that I have sooooooo many questions and no one to answer them. Now maybe it's that I got it done the WEEK of Christmas so no one is accessible but when you are going through something like this someone else's day's off mean nothing to you lol.

Either way, I had no idea of what to expect. I wasn't started on my pre-surgery diet until 4 days prior to my surgery and no one warned me how it would be after surgery (the recovery process nor the length of the post surgery diet) so I'm a bit overwhelmed right now. I honestly thought I'd be nibbling on holiday Snacks by now ... NO idea that I'd not be eating for 6 WHOLE weeks. I mean if not eating "real" food was not an issue for me I would NOT have needed the lapband, right? RIght.

I've been faithful to my liquid diet in fear of messing something up but it's so difficult knowing what is and is not acceptable to eat. I know that I have not been drinking the right amounts bc I do feel hungry and I get heart burn from all the gas built up from me not eating; however, when I do drink something I feel "funny" not quite nauseous but not well either. Anyone else experiencing that?

I start the full liquid diet tomorrow and I was sooooo very excited until I see more confusing information (my biggest frustration with this whole ordeal has been the lack of information provided to me). What is full liquid diet acceptable?? Some say I can have oatmeal and grits, etc but some say I can't have that for another 2 wks. So I'm on shakes & yogurts & Clear Liquids for 2 more weeks????

Additionally, since my surgery I have had pain but refuse to take pain meds (I hate them) but noticed today that I have bruising on my stomach where I believe I must be hurting myself at night lying on my stomach and turning and pulling unconsciously. Is this common?

Anyway, didn't mean to say that much; I look forward to meeting wonderful people in this group.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

I was banded on the 15th and have gas like crazy!> I am so uncomfortable, I cant sleep.. The pain is in my left shoulder and in my neck. Lawd! I keep telling myself this will past

Yikes. Are you taking anything for the gas? I didn't the first day because I didn't think it work. It does! Mine's almost gone, I think. I'm not a great sleeper at the best of time, so I've been taking sleeping pills since the second night. I'd rather take a sleeping pill than the RX pain killer I was given--too many side effects.

Feel better.

What about alcohol during pre op diet? I know the big issue would be the sugars in the drinks but my big 30th birthday party is about 9 days before surgery. I am skipping Christmas dinner (2 days before) and not having cake on my birthday (13 days before) but I figured a drink or two as long as it's not beer (carbs) or some super sugary drink may be okay...? Just need some opinions...

I thought the most important thing about the pre-op diet was to eliminate fat so that the liver isn't in the way. I was on a five day pre-op diet because my bmi was low to begin with. I don't think they really cared that I lost 6 pounds, but the idea was to have a fat free liver.

I say "bottoms up"!

Maybe try to stick to lower cal, less sugary drinks.< /p>

Since surgery I have been noticing that my lips have been really dry.. and in the last month they have been getting worse...they have been swollen and super dry, the corners crack and they just hurt... I was complaining to my boyfriend last night and he said I needed more protien. I thought he was joking but this morning I looked it up and sure enough servere dry lips are a sign of protien deficiency, along with Iron and B2.

I thought I was doing good with my protien intake, before surgery I wouldn't even eat meat and now I crave it so I thought I was even getting more protien then I was before. Has anyone else gone through this? I take flintstones chewables but I take it thats not enough.. any ideas on a really good Vitamin?

This product works really well.

http://kissmyfacewebstore.com/detail/KMF+3500081

There's no petroleum in it.

I found this on the web re cracked and dry lips.

supplements.org/vitamin-B2-riboflavin.php" rel="external nofollow">Vitamin B2 is needed to process amino acids and fats, activate Vitamin B6 and folic acid, and help convert carbohydrates into the fuel the body runs on adenosine triphosphate (ATP). A deficiency of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) may result in bloodshot eyes, abnormal sensitivity to light, itching and burning of the eyes, inflammation in the mouth, a sore and burning tongue, and cracks on the lips and in the corners of the mouth.

You gotta get that under control before your wedding day!!!!!

Good luck!

Hi There! I was banded on December 16th also! I am feeling ok. The gas pains are not that bad. However I am starting to get hungry already! I don't know how I am going to last the rest of the week on this liquid diet. I am already sick of the broths...What all are you guys including in your liquid diets this week?

My surgeon told me I could have anything that would go through a straw, so I'm having chocolate muscle milk Protein shakes. I'm having 3 or four a day plus pureed Soup. (vegetarian) He said that after a few days, if I'm hungry I can switch the next stage of small food. My stomach was growling while I was in the freaking recovery room!

I'm glad to hear that someone else is hungry too, because I thought there was something wrong with me!

I had surgery on Dec 14 and I was so uncomfortable with the gas pain, for a moment I regretted having the surgery. But it will pass, I promise it gets so much better. By friday I went to work for half a day and the day after i got home from the hospital, I drove my kids to school. Just walk as much as possible cause it really does help. Hope you feel better soon

I had mine on the 16th too. The pain in my left shoulder radiating up behind my left ear was so bad had some regrets too. I've read some posts on here about shoulder pain lasting for a year or more post-surgery. Today I started taking simethicone and it has helped. Pain has subsided. I'm outing myself tonight on some imovane..... best sleeping pill ever. zero side effects.

Tomorrow will be one day closer to feeling like myself again!!!!!

Good luck to you!

My problem is that when I crush my pills into my food, all I taste are the pills, yuck. I tried with

cream of wheat, pudding, applesauce but can't stand the flavor. Can't wait til I don't have to

crush pills anymore.

I have the opposite problem. I am 2 days post-op and I can swallow anything! I haven't tried an Omega capsule yet or a Calcium but the Advil liquid gel capsules I was taking were pretty big and so were the Biotin and I had no problem swallowing them. It makes me wonder what's up.

C.

Hi - I had my surgery on Thursday and today I am having serious pain in my lower right side (not at incision site) also terrible gas - has anyone else had this experience.

Lower right side? It must be gas. I had my surgery on Thursday as well. I had pain at the port site and on the top of my left shoulder, radiating up behind my ear. It is beginning to subside. I tired simethicone for gas and I think it has helped. I've been fairly mobile, although yesterday I think I overdid it. If I hadn't been distracted by shopping, I would have pooped out a lot earlier. Today I've been taking it easy. I went for a walk in the snow for 15 mins. and pushed some snow around my driveway. The beautiful sunny weather lifted my spirits. I'm back on the couch now.

What I don't get is how hungry I am. I can suck back a 250 ml (8 oz) Protein shake in 10 mins. What is up with that. I'm drinking 4 a day. I can also swallow fairly large Vitamins. So much for all the liquid and chewable vitamins I bought to replace all my big fatties.

Good luck with your pain.

C.

I was banded yesterday. I'm in pain too. I left the clinic after about 2 hours and spent the night in a hotel with a friend. Had a restless night with throbbing on my left side and general discomfort. I'm taking a sleeping pill tonight because the meds I picked up for pain have too many side effects. I'd rather just knock myself out.

I walked around this morning and shopped. The shopping in Montreal is fabulous. Montreal women are so chic. I will be going back in 6 months or so for a new wardrobe!!!

If I walked too quickly I had stomach pad or maybe it was nausea. not sure.

But man! My stomach has been growling since the minute I came out of surgery. I've been drinking Boost Protein shakes. I'm not sure why I'm so hungry! WTF?

Great care at Les Cours Medical Centre with Dr. Miller in Montreal.

I am being banded tomorrow as well. I didn't sleep well last night so I'm taking a sleeping pill tonight. My doctor found a lump in my breast on Monday and I am having a mammogram on Dec. 30. I've had them before and they're no big whoop, but I hope it's not more difficult post-surgery. So I've got THAT on my mind too. Merry Freaking Christmas!

Good luck to you.

So excited for this day !!!!any advice that anyone can give me for that day ?

I signed up for 3 training sessions at the gym just to teach me how to use the equipment and to correctly show me the exercises I should be doing to tone up. Started this week - OMG I am sore. These may be stupid questions, I probably should ask the trainer - but am I always going to be sore after I do these workouts? Am I gradually going to get used to this? Once I am working out and no longer feeling sore afterwards, do I start to increase the weights or reps? The trainer mentioned alternating my workouts between weights & cardio - today should be a weight day, my arms and abs are still sore, I just dont see myself doing the weights today..maybe I am just being a wimp and need to suck it up.

You should always be a little sore after a work out. (though maybe not as sore as you are at the beginning) Apparently the soreness after weight lifting is from little tiny tears in the muscle fibres. The muscles have to tear so they can grow. This is a good thing. I had a trainer for about 6 months about 10 years ago and have done weights and the gym thing up until a year ago. My routine was either

a) legs, back, biceps and cardio on day 1

chest, shoulder, triceps and cardio on day 2

day 3 - day off

then repeat

or

full body weights work out and cardio on day 1

day 2 - day off

Some people advocate taking 2 days off between weights, but of course, cardio can be done every day.

You should also vary your weights workouts. Some days you should do heavy weights with fewer reps. Some days lower weights with more reps and some days in between. Mix it up so your muscles don't get used to it.

Hope that helps.