happy1957

It will stop and eventually I hope the hair is even better than before. It's like survival of the fittest. All the weak hair is what sheds .

Both my sister and I did not start losing hair until the 5th month after surgery. When it starts to fall, it's a lot and often in clumps. I counted hairs in one clump and it scared me. 27 hairs in one small clump on top of hundreds of single hairs. Each brushing of dry hair would be a brush full of hair the equivalent tof brushing a cat during shedding season. The shower would have an accumulation of hair enough to clog the drain screen I hope you are among the few who don't lose your hair. I also think I am a slow loser. I've never lost more than 2 lbs in any given week You have lost 40 lbs in less than three months, that is not slow. Congratulations to you!

Black Currant Oil is bought in a health food store or on line. I have read that the liquid filled caplets also called soft gels are best in both the Biotin and black currant oil. I have bought mine through Puritans Pride and http://www.vitaminsh...6&type=category and have always used the soft gels for better absorption. Here is some interesting reading. http://www.liveandfe...ck_currant.html

Good morning.. I could sense in your writings the desperation that you're feeling. I felt exactly the same way. I believe that the above actions surely helped me and will escalate the regrowth process. If all you do is buy the shampoo, it's a start. I am very pleased where I am right now and it will end if you do everything right. Protein Protein, Protein!

Yes, Walmart is where I got mine, even had 1.00 off coupons on the bottles. Again, it may be coincidental, but my hair loss stopped immediately. I have a sister who had this surgery and she had terrible hair loss which lasted 6 months. She did not take anything and her hair is growing so slow. I sincerely think this helps. Dr Oz was the one who suggested Black Currant for all kinds of women's issues. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/anti-aging-secrets-supermodels?page=2#copy or

Good morning.. I can relate to your concerns. I thought that I had done everything to avoid hair loss, but once it started, I thought I may go bald. It started falling out at about month 5 for me, huge losses each day. I had been taking Biotin and black currant for over a year in hopes of avoiding this. I made sure I got my Protein and Water requirements each day, but nothing helped. I came to this site because it didn't look like there would be any end and I was so discouraged. I received encouraging information from many advanced sleevers who had been through this and assured me that it would stop and my hair would come back. I was just starting month eight and one of the suggestions was to use a Biotin shampoo, so I purchased an expensive brand that was all natural. It was so harsh on my hair so I discontinued it after three weeks. My hair is or was full, but baby fine and highlighted, going bald is not a good combination. I then saw an ad and purchased Garnier's "Fall Fight" a new hair loss shampoo that you can buy right in a regular department store. I swear it started working immediately. Being just three weeks out from starting this regiment, I have no hair loss now at all with the exception of normal few hairs on the shower floor. I also invested in a shower comb because my hair is long I had read that combing your hair in the shower with the conditioner in helps get it to the ends, stops breakage and helps stimulate the scalp. Getting good blood supply to the hair follicle is important. You massage this shampoo and conditioner in and then let it sit a few minutes, it causes a slight tingle. Overall I am not sure what helped, maybe a combination of things or was it time to stop shedding? It was a concerning three plus months. I still take the biotin and black currant and have the strongest and longest nails I've ever had. My hair is growing back fast and furious. I have Long hair, but can run my fingers through my scalp and it feels like a porcupine in there. :-) I have heard some people say that their hair came back thicker and healthier. I'm sure mine will come back GRAY, I have very few gray hairs but at my age deserve to have more. Gray is better than "hard" hair. Thankfully the sleeve has no mal-absorption component so if you eat well, the body should produce hair. The downfall to using the biotin and black currant is hair will grow stronger EVERYWHERE, including the goat hairs you try so hard to keep at bay. (It has NOT increased hair growth where I didn't have hair.) I envisioned a gorilla after I sent this. I hope I'm not the only woman on this site that have a few stray coarse hair on my face. Just buy new pluckers.. :-) Good luck and know that it will get better. The weight loss journey has it's bumps but I would change nothing, I'm close to goal and about 9.5 months.

Good day... I have no experience with Nioxin, but had taken Biotin 7 months prior to surgery and although continued faithfully, I still started losing hair around month five and didn't stop until about 8 and half months. Nothing seemed to work until I started using "Fall Fight" shampoo and conditioner by Garnier. It has Biotin in it. I also bought some Natural Biotin shampoo but it was hard on my hair. I am not trying to sell you anything, it may even be coincidence, but my hair started slowing down with loss the very first week. I am about 4 weeks into the shampoo regiment and I can honestly say that I have normal hair loss now. Nothing more than I ever did. We all experience the loss, I read about it , yet the stalls and hair loss don't hit home until it happens to you. It too shall pass. I wish you the best of luck..

Good morning... At the beginning of my process my excitement let me get carried away and I told many, but soon after experiencing much negativity, I stopped telling people. It's not worth all the explaining. Now that I'm getting close to goal I hear many compliments and I can't believe it, but everyone asks "how did you do it". It's not worth the aggravation of explaining, many think you had a by-pass and are scared to death, some think it's the easy way out etc. I just say, "the old fashioned way, calories in-calories out and consistent exercise 5 days a week". People can be very rude. I work in the public and last week had a regular client ask "what happened to your boobs"? I just said I traded them for lower blood pressure. I really am amazed at how noisy people are and how uncouth they are about your weight loss. Everyone is looking for a magic answer. It is a personal choice, I wish I had not told so many. I had a tough time getting approved and the emotional roller coaster I was on let me spill the Beans to often. I wish you the best of luck.

I am nearly nine months out and have daily guilt. When I started the process my excitement over powered logic. I should have been more selective about who I told. After the negativity of a few people, I learned quickly to be selective. Now that I'm near goal, I feel guilt everyday. I work in a very busy medical practice. Every person who has not see me in months, will come right up to me and compliment but the next thing out of their mouth is same question. "How did you do it?" . Again, at first I started to answer with surgery included, but negative comments stopped me in my tracks. I now just say "the usual, calories in and calories out and lots of exercise." This is not a blatant lie, but a lie by omission. I just can't "defend" my decision over and over and have excepted the guilt that goes long with not being 100% honest. Maybe my Catholic upbringing has instilled the guilt? Good luck

I am not a victim of that scenario, but my sister was. The insurance company told her to go to her HR department and have that rule changed when the contract is renewed, she has to wait another year..

Congratulations..... getting approved was the toughest part of my journey thus far. I am nearly nine months out and enjoying the benefits of my struggle with the insurance company.. Life is good and was well worth the effort for this healthier, , happier life... Enjoy your rebirth on the 27th

Hello... I am not quite nine months out, but 9 lbs from goal and although I have some skin issues , most I can live with. My face looks hallowed out and I hav jowls that I hate. Can you explain what the surgeons reason was for Not wanting you to fix the jowl area? I am ok with my stomach and arms, but feel the face has aged dramatically. :-(

Eight months out, I am 55, post reduction (1996) and after nearly a 60 lbs loss, does "Giant Skin Tags" mean anything to you? LOL On the positive side, I am wearing clothes off the rack that fit this petite body either a 10 petite or 12, depending on style, I am off cholesterol, high blood pressure and antacid meds. I am more energetic most days, exercise 5 days a week and am still recovering from unexpected major neck surgery and wouldn't trade a couple boobs for the freedom and lifestyle I have. Give yourself a make over with hair, clothes and as those compliments come pouring at you the boob worry will be out of your mind. Of course there is always one asinine person who will come up to you and say, "where did your boobs go?" In fact this happened to me just yesterday, of course it was an acquaintance with a huge bust. I prefer to be remembered for my smile and kind words than my boobs.

I received a card as well, but have found that many restaurants, especially chain like Ruby Tuesday and Texas Roadhouse do not honor them. In fact I got rejected often enough I just don't bother and by an appetizer or don't eat .

I too had a story book surgery and healing, other than the hair loss I have NO complaints, can eat anything without a problem, have never been nauseous or vomited. I am 8 months post op. I have spells that I am hungry and like other authors, it's usually because I haven't had enough dense protein. Everything changes from day to day including your taste buds. Today I love cabbage rolls, tomorrow I hate them. Today I can eat 4 oz's of chicken, tomorrow 2. It's important that you not feel hungry and deprived. Eat a little trail mix (mostly nuts) when you're having a hunger spell and it's not really time to eat. It works for me. The dense solid protein hangs around for a long time. Yogurt protein does NOTHING for me. You'll find the right combination that works for you. My Dr told me to always measure my food, use a bread plate and I'll probably never gain any weight, unless I get used to slider foods. I wish you the best of luck.

I am only 8 months post op. I have been losing hair since the 5th month. Just over the last two weeks it seems to have slowed down some. I hope it comes back period, curly or straight, hair is hair. No grey would be nice too, asking to much?? :-)

I am 8 months out. My hair loss started at about the 5th month and was going strong until last week. I did all the preventative stuff. I took Biotin for 7 months prior to surgery and continued after. I also added "Black Current" to my regiment which was originally suggested by Dr Oz and members of VSG Talk. I get my protein and my fluids every day. I wrote here last week complaining and worried I may become bald. Most people haven't noticed any significant hair loss because I have a lot of hair, although fine. It was suggested to try "Fall Fight" shampoo and conditioner made by Garnier. It works. I have seen a significant slowing down especially when brushing dry hair. Is it the shampoo or is it just about the time it should stop falling out? I also had a thyroid problem during that time which can attribute to hair loss and is getting under control. I have no other complaints at all about this surgery. I was well away at my age that I would be swapping fat rolls for wrinkles, I can live with that. :-) Good luck, I hope you experience very little hair loss.

I think in general it's different for everyone. I would find an hour in your life that can be consistent. I personally can NOT exercise at night or after work. I actually get revived from my day when exercising and therefore can NOT sleep if I exercise late. I enjoy it first thing in the morning. I get up at 4:30 and work my way out the door by 5. Although in recent days I am in the pitch black outside and soon will be doing my workout inside. Morning exercise actually makes me have more energy all day. The most important thing is to find something you enjoy and a time that is consistently available to you. Starting now is good too since it will not only help you get accustomed to exercise, but may help you lose some weight pre-surgically. Remember, don't go into it full speed ahead. Start walking maybe 10-15 minutes the first day and then add 5 minutes a day until you reach your goal. Also keep in mind that it takes 3 weeks to make a habit and 3 days to break a habit, so set your goal to do this every day for 21 days before taking a day off. Good luck to you!

Hi, I am 8 months out and so far have experienced all the stalls my Dr had predicted. Three week followed by a three and Dix month stall. You'll see that things will move quickly during these stalls . She also predicts. 9 month stall too ( can't wait) as I am a slow loser to start with. Keep doing your job of getting fluids and protein and you will see success! Good luck!

Wow, unbelievable ! That is a lot of weight in a short period of time, fortunately you MEN lose it in all the right places. You look fabulous, keep up the good work, you don't even show any loose skin.

You will feel like every meal is a Thanksgiving dinner, promise!! :-) Liquids are "sliders" and once you eat some solid protein, you'l l be full and will almost have to set a timer to make sure you eat. I am 8 months out and actually get hungry at times. I try my best to eat 5-6 times a day, not much, but quality , nutritional foods. You'll be surprised how full you feel and how satisfied you';ll feel on a half a cheese stick. :-) I still sort of mentally measure my food. My Dr told me to always eat on a bread plate and I'd never gain my weight back, I haven't been able to fill a bread plate yet and I never do. I do strive to get my protein and fluids in every day. There is nothing like the feelings you get when you hear compliments all day, it is sure a motivator.

I am so happy that you posted. I love to see posts from anyone 3-4 years out. It looks like you're still successful. Everyone is absolutely correct. I am only 8 months out, but eat anything I want. I try to make good choices and always get my Protein first, even if it means a Protein Drink before a little less nutritional foods. I can not eat bread, not that it bothers me or upsets my tummy etc. First it just takes up to much room and I wouldn't be able to get my protein in. Second I have no desire for bread and Pasta the way I used to . My taste buds have changed and often can change from day to day. What I may like today may not taste as good tomorrow. As far as soda, it tastes "TOXIC" to me, I absolutely hate carbonation. On the other hand, I found a new love for something even worse, Iced coffee, usually with sugar and extra cream. So I don't allow myself that with the exception of a special occasion. I am just happy to say that so far my journey has been wonderful and I too was worried at first that I may never be able to eat spaghetti and it doesn't matter now, I don't want it. Good luck!

Congratulations Lisa, I too have been a follower of yours for many months, can't believe a whole year. I started my journey in Feb. last year but insurance was a problem and didn't succeed in getting my surgery done until 12/28/11. You have done wonderful!!! Be proud that you continued on your journey through all the tragedies that you have endured. You are a great inspiration to all.

I am 8 months out and barely remember six weeks. Have you tried a cheese omelette. That seemed to satisfy me a lot early on, I eventually added some pre-cooked bacon and it was something I looked forward to. I think tuna salad, chicken salad and anything that you can chew and make go down near liquefied would work. Be adventurous. There is nothing that I can't eat. I am so happy that I like everything. I live in Maine so I tend to eat a lot of seafood. Fish and scallops last night, and I just finished cleaning 5 lobsters for a few meals of lobster salad in my future. Good luck..