overboard

Most women lose their hair and there is almost nothing you can do about it. I bought the Nioxin and the Biotin. Neither worked. My hair just kept falling out and falling out. But, thankfully it stopped after a few months of it falling out. My surgeon told us it is our hormones that cause the hair loss. He said it rarely happens to the men in his practice. They think it is actually our body shedding the hormones stored in our fat cells. He compared it to post pregnancy. A lot of women lose their hair after having a baby due to a hormonal change. You can try the Nioxin and Biotin. I think I wasted my money. I do take Biotin now to help with the regrowth though. I do notice a difference in my nails, they are stronger.

I am a teacher as well and had sleeve surgery over the summer. While I am pretty open with people who comment about my weight loss and the whole school staff knows, I didn't get a lot of comments either .I am positive my students (2nd grade) didn't notice me melting away right in front of their eyes. Very few parents commented. A few did. I I have lost 78 pounds in the past year and I am just a few pounds from my goal. Now more people are commenting. Just enjoy your weight loss! Soon, people will notice how great you are looking. I remember thinking I wish I realized how little people noticed my body before I lost weight. I was sure everyone noticed every pound I gained. I was obsessed worrying what people were thinking about me! I am sure you are looking better and better each day! Enjoy your weight loss!

I have a glass or two of wine on the weekends starting about 6 months after surgery. I am a lightweight, I get tipsy very quickly so I never drive when I drink. I have never been much of a hard liquor drinker, so I haven't tried it post surgery. I have had beer on a few occasions and it also went down smoothly. I think you can add it back into your life after some time in moderation with low calorie mixers.

I understand your reluctance. I was very uncomfortable telling people prior to my surgery.Mostly, because I guess I was embarrassed that I was so fat I needed WLS! I only told my family and a few close friends that I was considering it. But, once I made my date for surgery I told my friends and family as I saw them. I knew I didn't want to be Starr Jones and hide it when it will be obvious to anyone really paying attention to me. I didn't want people gossiping about me. Losing a drastic amount in a short time is a clear indication you have had weight loss surgery. I have heard more than a few conversations about people who are suspected of having weight loss surgery. It is usually quite obvious even if you don't tell people. Then they are left to wonder why it is such a big secret. So knowing this, despite being slightly uncomfortable I went ahead and told people. I don't like attention so that was hard too. I have been a teacher at the same school for over 10 years. I knew people would notice and ask questions so I have been open with parents when they ask. People have been very respectful and supportive. The more weight I have lost and the more comfortable I am with myself the easier it is to tell people. I am not reluctant to share it with anyone now. Good luck to you!

I still have my boobs. They are pretty saggy, but they are there. I was wearing a 42DDD before surgery. I was just fitted at Nordstrom. Since, my boobs are still very big, my size changed depending on the brand. I bought three bras with the help of a fitter. (All at once) I was a 34 FFFF, a 36 G and a 36 H depending on the brand. So, I still have a large bust, I had one before I gained the weight. They just don't look as good as they once did but not as bad as I predicted! I am also 40 years old, so gravity is setting in. If you are younger, they might look perkier.

I woke up throwing up. I continued to throw up post op for a few hours. I barely remember this. Then they wheeled me into my room. I continued to throw up for all night. I couldn't drink anything. I finally started to be able to get decaf tea down the second night in the hospital. Honestly, it wasn't that bad and the pain medication worked. I felt pretty good. But, I have a very sensitive stomach and I wasn't surprised that surgery medication would make me naseous. They stopped my vomiting in post-op with medication but it began again in my room. They finally put me back on the strongest medication to stop vomiting (I think it was called phlegren?) on day 2. Even though it sounds bad, it wasn't that bad. I just wish I spoke up to my idiot nurse the first night. She left me vomiting all night and even laughed at me when the vomit was coming out of my nose. She was not helpful at all. When she left and the new nurse came on duty everything got better. I wanted to ask for a new nurse or to see someone else, but I didn't want to be a pain. My advice is to speak up! Even though I stayed an extra night in the hospital, I too was at the local fair one week later walking around. It is surprising how quick you recover. Good luck to you!

I had the same issue. My surgeon told me it was not OK if I hadn't gone in a week. I called and he advised me to Milk of Magnesia. It worked. It if didn't work, they wanted me to contact them again.

I teach 2nd grade. I had WLS over the summer. Not one kid in my class has noticed the weight loss. I am open with everyone else. But, didn't want to discuss it with the kids. They know I eat healthy food and don't drink coffee and soda.

I am so sorry you are having a hard time with the cravings for food. I also was depressed after my surgery for a few weeks. I think I was really mourning food.I was sad I couldn't just quit the hideous diet! I also HATED the shakes. I never have liked sweets either. I can't remember that I did anything about it, but I got through it. This is a very tough phase emotionally. It was for me at least. But, the only thing I have to tell you is it will get better, you will get off the shakes fairly soon, and life gets a lot easier and more enjoyable when you can eat soft foods. Good luck to you! Pretty soon you will be able to try some other food. I didn't have anything but unsweetened passion iced tea from starbucks and those protein drinks. The day I no longer had to do the protein drinks, was a glorious day! I had one again. I do think I had keifer milk. It isn't sweet and was something different. I liked that for a while. If it is too plain you can add some of those Mio drops in the keifer milk, but if you don't like sweets you might not need that. Good luck to you, it will get better.

I am a second grade teacher. I was sleeved over the summer and school started four weeks after surgery. I was definitely ready to work after four weeks off. I actually felt I needed to work because I was a little anxious sitting at home thinking about what I couldn't eat. I was happy to be back in my routine and that I had something to think about besides the surgery! Being a kindergarten teacher, I think I might take three weeks off. I felt great after three weeks physically. Just no heavy lifting. The only problem was I was forgetful and a little airheaded for a couple of months after surgery. I told my principal I had weight loss surgery after I had it. She was very supportive. I also shared it with everyone on my staff. For me, I didn't tell anyone at work I was thinking of the surgery, but once I scheduled surgery I told people as I saw them. I was a little uncomfortable telling people but I would much rather be honest and open than have people whispering and gossiping later. Also, I was a little ashamed presurgery having to acknowledge that I was so fat I needed weight loss surgery. That was hard for me to admit, so when I told people I felt a little exposed. But, every single person I have told at school from parents to staff have all been very supportive.It is also nice because I don't get any candy or chocolates for presents anymore! I only tell parents if they comment on my weight loss and ask how I have lost, but the word has obviously spread around in the parent group. Some parents even bring me my favorite post surgery passion iced tea from Starbucks! Overwhelming support is all I received. But, I did tell most coworkers after the fact. The funny thing is I don't think any of my students have noticed that their teacher has been shrinking and shrinking all year!! You do have every right not to share why you are on leave. So, do what you are comfortable with. Just wanted you to know that my experience of being open and honest has been great. I also like that I don't have to keep up with vauge reasons for my absence or my weight loss. Good luck to you! I am so happy for you! And don't wait until summer, get the surgery now and feel great this summer! I am so happy with this change, this sleeve has made me such a happier and healthier person! I love life post-sleeve! I hope you do as well. Good luck to you!

I was very airheaded for the first few months after surgery. I forgot everything. I even pumped gas into my gas tank and drove away with it still attached! But, my mind has come back. I have no idea why I was so airheaded, but I was. I also felt tingling in my hands and legs. That also went away.

It seems as if we have all learned something different about the hair loss.This is what I learned from my surgeon. He says that hairloss is completely hormonal. Therefore, it really doesn't happen to men. He said that Drs. used to think it was Protein, or trauma from surgery, etc. He says the new thinking is that is a hormonal change in your body causing you to lose hair, much like a woman does after she gives birth. He says that hormones are stored in fat cells. As we lose weight our horomnes change. He also believes this to be true because he has performed the surgery over 1,000 times and it is mostly women that lose their hair. So, if you are a man I wouldn't worry too much. Any hair loss would probably just be regular male patterend baldness that would have happened if you had the surgery or not. As a side note, I was very worried about losing my hair. I have VERY thin hair. I didn't think my head could stand to lose hair, I started obsessing over it before surgery. It happened, my hair started massively falling out around three months. It is slowing down now. I don't regret the surgery at all. I got a new hairstyle that masks the hair loss a bit. But being skinny with pretty thin hair is WAY better than being fat with more hair. Good luck to you!

We had a plastic surgeon come to our Bariatric Support Group meeting. He said that people shouldn't have plastic surgery for at least about 18 months after surgery, just to be sure you have lost most of your weight. Then he said breast lifts and reductions are quite common and may be covered by some insurances. He said most people don't need implants to get a lift, they can acheive the lift by cutting away skin.

I did everything under the sun to keep my hair from falling out and the hair keeps just falling out. Nioxin, biotin, etc. I was told by my doctor that it was really a hormonal thing and there wasn't much I could do to prevent it. He also told me it doesn't really happen to men. But since I was so upset I started trying evverything. My advice, save your money. It is going to fall out no matter what. I am 6 months out and I am not losing as much hair as I once was. So, I think it is growing back. I have thin hair to begin with, so I really noticed the hair loss. My hairdresser was great at giving me a new hairstyle and teaching me how to style it to mask the hair loss. That was worth the money. The shampoos, vitamins, etc. were just a massive waste of money. Good luck. I just keep thinking it will grow back soon.

My favorite drink by far is Starbucks Passion Iced Tea. If you order it unsweetened it is calorie free/ caffeine free. I can't get enough of it. Delicious.

I couldn't tolerate any liquids for a couple of days. I survived on sugar free popsicles. They are a great way to get your liquid in. I talked to my surgeon and he said that water is actually one of the more difficult liquids to digest because there are not any enzymes in it to help your stomach break it down. He told me decaf tea is the easiest thing for your stomach to take after surgery. Sounds like you are already doing it. I too loved water before surgery. I am 6 months out and I am finally able to handle it better. I always find I can drink more if it is warm too.

I think it is totally normal to be anxious before making such a big change and undergoing surgery. I didn't think I felt anxious either, but now I realize I was nervous and overprepared. I went out shopping and bought everything I could think of to be prepared for life after surgery. Popsciles, Protein shakes, Vitamins, etc. I didn't use half the things. I think it was a way of calming my nerves even thought I didn't think I was nervous. The night before surgery I suddnely got paranoid about a catheder. Were they going to use one? (They didn't.) I think it is a big change and it is normal be not completely aware of your nervousness because you know you are making a good decision and are also excited. Good luck to you! I had my surgery 6 months ago and it was the best thing I have ever done! Greatest decision ever! I am so much happier, lighter, I feel so much healthier. I wish you the best!

I skipped pureed foods because I would gag. They were just too disgusting for me. But, I didn't skip ahead to soft foods. I stayed on liquids a few extra weeks and then moved to soft foods. It worked for me and my nutritionist as long as I took the soft foods very gently.

Hi, I worked with a nutritionist after my sleeve. I always had trouble with vitamins before the surgery and found that Flinstones were the only vitamins I could take without it upsetting my stomach. After my surgery (July 2011) I still couldn't tolerate the Celebrate or Bariatric Advantage vitamins. I have huge unopened bottles of them. What a waste of money! My nutritionist OK'ed the use of Flinstones. I take one in the morning and one at night. My advice would be to talk to your surgeon or nutritionist. If you are having trouble with them or not taking them at all, they might advise taking Flinestones as an alternative.

Thanks! I am glad to know it isn't just me. Thanks for the advice on the iron pills. I haven't taken them yet. I will get them because I need them anyway. I knew my hair would fall out, I am just sad it is falling out. I didn't have much to start with. I just noticed the cold feeling and hair falling out happened at the same time. Thanks guys!

I am 3.5 months post surgery and overall I am doing well. I have lost 53 pounds so far. I am FREEZING most of the time. When I get cold, I feel cold from the inside of my body out. I go to bed shivering but as I sleep I become very warm. Do other people have this? When does it go away? It seemed to get really bad about a month ago when my hair started falling out. What do you do to stay warm? A warm shower is usually the only thing that will warm me up. Any thoughts?

I had the hardest time in the beginning watching people eat. It was hard for me to watch people getting so much pleasure from food. I missed eating! But, that got MUCH easier when I could eat food, I would say at 6 weeks I was happy and fully adjusted to my sleeve life. I had a really hard time until I could eat a regular foods. Now I rarely have a problem watching other people enjoy foods I can't eat. I am satisfied with the food I can eat. Good luck to you!

Two nights. Most people go home after one night with my surgeon but I was vomiting from the surgery and the medications.

I know I am in the minority here, and I know little about the Mexican surgery process, but I would really consider why a BMI of 29 makes you not a candidate for VSG surgery here. Perhaps it isn't the best option for you right now? I heard that lap-bands are now being recommended for people with a BMI of 30 or above. That might be something worth looking into. I understand your weight loss frustration. I looked into a gastric bypass about 5 years ago where my BMI was 32 and I was told "No doctor in America would ethically perform surgery on you, even if you self paid". But, I did end up putting on more weight putting my BMI at 37, qualifying me for surgery. I didn't do it on purpose, but it happened! So, I understand why you would want this surgery done now, instead of waiting to get fatter and more unhappy! I dieted and dieted. I understand just wanting a permanent solution! Admittedly, I never looked into Mexico as an option and I don't know much about it. Before going to Mexico for major surgery I would fully research the process. Here, my medical center is becoming a "Center of Excellence" for Weight Loss. During my pre-op visits, They found I had stomach polyps that needed to be removed and biopsied to see if they were cancerous. I had many meetings with nutritionists over the course of a year, I attend information seminars, psych. eval, primary care evaluations, had heart tests, an upper GI, etc. Some of these tests did uncover medical conditions I didn't know about. Do they have that level of pre-op care in Mexico? Maybe they do, as I said I am completely unfamiliar with the process there. Also, following the surgery I continue to meet with a nutritionist for a year, meet with my surgeon regularly and in addition I am assigned a post-op surgery doctor who I will meet with once a year to monitor my health as it relates to the surgery. I felt confident that I have an excellent medical team looking out for me. Do they have that level of post-op care? Mexico may have that as well. I never researched it. You are very young, not morbidly obese and you aren't far from a healthy BMI. It doesn't sound like you have any pressing health issues either right now. My suggestion is to take a step back and really reflect on what you want. This is a major surgery and lifestyle change. I am very pleased now and I think it was worth it and I had an excellent medical team. There were days before and after the surgery where I was really depressed and really questioning myself. Why did I do this to myself? Knowing my family history, my dieting history and my medical needs I am now confident that I did the right thing.I just want you to feel confident in your decision because the road isn't always easy.

I didn't have a drain and have only heard about them on these boards. It never came up during all the info sessions and support groups I went to before the surgery, I don't think they are used by the surgeons in my medical group. Are these drains used with lapro. surgery or open surgery? My surgeon uses lapro. surgery and I didn't have a drain.