MinaT

Sally's carries it and they carry the L'oreal Natural too, many beauty parlors like Super-cuts, Borics, etc. sell it too.

I was on full liquid for 5 weeks, so I understand what you are talking about and I'm 3 months out and sometimes three bites of my meat and I haven't even gotten a taste of my vegie yet and I'm done. I am learning not to get myself worked up though. I was never really a "foodie" or big into food, I ate fast, I didn't think about the food, I just shoveled it my mouth, went for seconds, and I'm learning to pace myself with a bite and chew and put my fork down. I try not to tempt myself with food that's not going to actually give me Protein or nutrition. I basically quit cooking carb food, potatoes, rice etc. and my family isn't missing it. I always made a meat, a starch, a vegetable, cottage cheese, apple sauce and a dessert, now I make meat, a vegetable and I still put cottage cheese on the table. I am learning to flavor my food more to get more mmm mmm deliciousness for each bite. Tonight, I made a small salad (which I didn't eat until I finished my meat). We grilled chicken and I made homemade Pesto with fresh basil. I ate 1/2 a piece of chicken breast with the presto on it and a few bites of my salad. It was not a lot of food that I ate, but each bite was delicious. Sometimes you have to take temptation out of your hands. I've tried food I really wanted and watched as others scarfed and 3 bites in, I felt like it wouldn't go past my esophagus and the pain was amazing. I am learning if you think you chewed enough, you didn't, chew it some more, if you think you are eating slow enough, you aren't. Flavor your food, take temptation out of the equation. My son and husband are both losing weight, without trying because of the way I am cooking now and the food is tasting better now. Food is now important to me, when at 330 it meant nothing to me. I scarfed, I didn't taste it and I would eat two large plates of food, without enjoying it. There is a way to enjoy it, but it starts with the way you approach it. Use prettier and smaller dishes for yourself, use fresher spices, fresh seasonings and make sure you give yourself a small enough portion that it looks larger on your plate and learn to trick yourself into realizing it's the normal amount. Spend more time socializing during dinner and focus on the taste of the food more while you are eating and it will eventually become the new normal and you won't feel so deprived. I know what you are going through but realizing that I someday WILL reach my goal and I will not yo-yo makes it all worth while in the end.

I hope you feel better soon. I am 3 months out and one small glass of wine about knocked me on my butt, but I'm not a big drinker and I used to only drink beer once in a great while, but now that's out. It definitely takes time to get accustomed to the new 'normal' but in the end it's worth it. I am sure your note will sink in with other people and prevent someone else from going through the terrible time you went through. Cut yourself some slack, and remember this is a long journey and we all learn from our mistakes.

Gastric Bypass causes more malnutrition and malnourishment than sleeve, the surgery, anesthesia and the trauma of surgery itself is usually the cause of hair loss issues. It takes a long time for lack of protein to cause the hair loss, I agree the thyroid problem is your most likely factor for your hair loss issues.

I'm three months out and I have not tried Popcorn and probably won't for a long time. I love popcorn more than any candy, cake, pie. It is my Achilles and I have easily eaten a jumbo popcorn at the movies, with butter & salt and wanted more. I know this is something I will have to stay away from, there is no nutritional benefit to it and it's something that would be dangerous to eat while your stomach is healing.

Regarding hair loss, it's still technically summer. If you are blow drying your hair, curling it, swimming and in the sun, you are bound to lose more hair. Woman also use a lot more hair gear like clips, ponytail holders, bands, etc. these can cause breakage. The summer and sun can be rough on your hair. As we move into fall, it's also a time of natural shedding, even animals get a change of their coat. The surgery will contribute to some hair loss, but remember all the other factors at work. I have fine hair to begin with, I have bleach blonde hair with the aid of color and to top it off I have Lupus. Lupus causes hair loss, medication associated with lupus can contribute to it. I was swimming daily and in the sun and before you know it, I started losing even more about a month ago. I started the Biotin before surgery. I do take steps to help though. Before getting into the pool I wet my hair first with the hose and I add a little bit of conditioner, I use L'O'real Naturals from Sally's. I rinse periodically while swimming and add a little more if I am in a long time. One time I didn't do this and I paid for it. I get my hair trimmed every 4-6 weeks now. I use a cap (or saran wrap) and once a week use Redken Extreme CAT Protein reconstructing treatment an use a blow dryer to warm up the cap. After about 1/2 hour with that, I add the L'Oreal Natural (you can use whatever you like best or Cholesterol) which is cheaper, put a bag, cap or I use saran wrap around the head, and blow dry the saran wrap (or sit under a dryer). This has made a remarkable difference. I am using the new Garnier Frutis Fall Fight shampoo, I use L'Oreal Naturals conditioner and then every day I add a dime amount of Redken CAT and I let my hair dry naturally and if I have to curl it, I wait until it's dry. At 3 months my hair is doing very well compared to what it was a few weeks ago. Remember there are always other things at work besides the surgery that adds to the hair loss or breakage and you will most likely need to take special precautions in the summer. Stop using clips, pony tail holders, be careful of the sun, chlorine and lower your blow dry usage. Once a week try a deep protein & then conditioner treatment and continue with the biotin treatment.

I had to pay $600.00 out of pocket. First $200.00 was due the third month for all the Group meetings that I can go to including a Christmas Party every year. The Group meetings have Psychologists, recipes, clothing exchanges and different subject once a month. This is for life. The 2nd $200.00 was to pay for the nutritionist. This includes Free Nurse Appointments, once a month weigh ins, and nutritionist....for life. The 3rd $200.00 was to pay for the 14 day supply of shakes for the preop time. I haven't received a bill since then, from the hospital or the doctor's yet and I'm almost 3 months out. I have bcbsil 90/10. Also, my room was a big private room almost like a hotel and I spent 5 days in the hospital. Each $200.00 was due during different times. I was approved before the last $200.00 was due.

Will be three months out September 4th and I still have an actual black stitch...that is too low to cut out as it's covered a bit by skin. A few of the clear dissolvable stitches are able to be felt too. Unfortunately, they would have to recut to get the black stitch out and that's not happening.

I've suffered since I was 5 years old with them, and I always used Ice, Excedrin, Carbonation. Things like Coke, Mountain Dew, helped and then when I got diabetes I used sparkling Water, for some reason the carbonation helped me to burp which released some pressure. I have a brain tumor so that doesn't help either. Without caffeine, excedrin & no pop or carbonation I thought it was going to be rough, but if you have good insurance, and you get a good neurologist, Botox has been my saving grace. I am allergic to all pain killers, including Imitrex. I used to get occipital nerve blocks & cervical injections (and still do once in a while) . When I started the botox it helped immensely. I'm almost 3 months out and I was finally given the go ahead to take 2 Excedrin Migraine, only in an extremely extreme migraine emergency. I can't take them more than once a month and I have to make sure I take PPI's twice a day during that and NO caffeine. During extreme Migraines, Ice pack on your neck and head, try Vicks Vapor Rub (on your forehead - don't get in eyes). Stay in a dark room and maybe try to rock in a rocking chair with the ice pack.

I would say continued to stare at the clock for the 1/2 hour or temper the spice a little bit. I love spicy food, I eat spicy food and I wait the 1/2 hour.

I can definitely see the difference, and I am excited and happy for you. Great job and of course, keep up the good work!

Saying prayers, good luck to you and I'm very happy for you too!

Thank you so much. I felt like I haven't lost a thing in so long that I was going to lose my mind. I went to my Nut & Dr. appointment all frowny face like and said I lost 27 inches since surgery and that's incredible. (They measure one leg, one arm, neck, upper chest, stomach and hips). I am gaining muscle and since it takes up less space it may slow my scale down a bit at first. I am staying the same weight for a week then I drop 2-3 pounds then I stay the same for a week drop 2 and it's really hard until you get the drop. It's frustrating, but I'll keep at it. I know the weight will have to give in before I do, because I'm not changing my ways, except I am going to try to find ways to confuse my body with exercise now.

Crafty I hope you are feeling better today. I felt so bad and didn't think I could handle it much longer and I went for a long walk and I got home and felt better. It almost felt like my food was between the opening of my stomach to my throat, like it was all piled up there, and yet my stomach was filled. I got home in the nick of time and went big potty and I felt so much better. I took the omaprazole, before bed and today I will be more careful chewing and watch what I eat.

I'm over 2 months out and I had one ounce of chicken rolled with spinach and I'm about ready to do the same along with an ounce of cottage cheese. Every time I open my mouth my throat and stomach makes weird dinosaur noises and I wish I could throw up because I feel so bad. I ate about an ounce of cottage cheese for lunch today and I was hungry and not sure if I ate too fast or it was the tomato sauce on the chicken. I hope you feel better soon.

I am sorry you are having this problem. I had this problem last year and it was horrible. It's probably the biggest nsv that I have had since losing weight. Nobody else noticed it but me and I was taking several showers a day, using summer's eve body wash, sprays, powders, and I wish you the best of luck.

I have been swimming since I was released to swim around 4th of July. It's my favorite form of exercise and always has been. I have a pool but fall is around the corner. It's been cool the last few days too so I am missing it. Before surgery I had to quit my health club because the $60.00 a month was just a bit too much, with surgery and everything else going on around here. Winter is going to be hard on me, maybe things will change and I will be able to rejoin in the winter.

Oh my gosh, so much you have no clue. I can get off the couch by myself, I can tie my own shoes, I can wear shoes that are not Crocs, I don't feel dirty, all the time, I don't feel like I smell, even after a shower, I don't spend my days worrying about personal hygiene. My bathroom Mirror has 3 sections, I can see my entire shoulders and arms and top in one mirror, I don't go off the sides. I don't have side boobs, I never sweat, I have bones, I can cross my legs, people don't make me move around them, people don't look at me like I have a third eye, people smile at me more. I am not afraid to sit in a lawn chair, I don't use a seat belt extender, my own parents don't look at my with pity as though they are worried I am going to have a stroke, my husband treats me with more respect, my son does too. Laying down I can breath, I am not being smothered by chest fat. I honestly thought I was getting ready to die so many times because it was hard to breath when I laid down. My son's friends told him I was hot now and he was so embarrassed and I think a little proud. It takes me less time to get ready to go out, because I am comfortable in my body & skin. I am not afraid to grocery shop during high traffic times or on weekends where I may run into someone that knows me, of course, now I never run into anyone lol Eating dinner is a time of discussion, that hasn't changed much. Fairs, bbq's is more about communicating and enjoy the company of others. I used to spend my time comparing how much I ate with other people. I always ate less, yet, I would gain weight eating what I ate. Now I am never worried about being the fattest person anywhere. I am going zip lining and to an amusement park next weekend. I can't eat whatever I want, whenever I eat, I sometimes wish I could eat my salad first because if I eat my meat, I have no room for salad right now. I'm newly out only 9 weeks though. I wish I wasn't attached to the stupid scale. If it doesn't move fast enough I get frustrated, but I now measure myself because for each stall, I actually shrink more in my measurements. I'm proud of myself and a lot of the pain I felt in my hips, knees are gone, and even in my hands and arms. I feel better about myself. I also notice some weird things, some people that I know, though I lost over 100 pounds so far, has not said ONE word to me about my weight loss. It's kind of weird. It would be different if they weren't related to me and they weren't suppose to actually love me, but they ignore it, completely. Everyone knows that I was doing high Protein, low carb and I started it in November, but now, there are people that are startled. I have lost 10 pounds a month before surgery and it seems to be stuck on the same 10 pounds a month routine, which is fine with me. Other's in my family and some of my friends have recently started dieting hard. It's very strange and of course there are people that would like to sabotage me and want to see me fail, but luckily I don't fall for the come on, a few chips won't hurt you. I wish I knew people that were getting rid of clothes, because I can't afford to buy clothes each time I go down a size, and pinning or belting clothes has been rough, buying new clothes a little at a time, but by the time I get around to wearing it, they are too big, is rough. It's been a heck of a ride and I hope it continues

You look amazing!!!! Congrats to you!

It's a great question to ask. I would do it again and I had a complication during surgery. My recovery was a bit slower than others. I have a question for you. What are your expectations with surgery? Do you know the ins and outs of what is expected of you before surgery and after surgery? I needed six months pre-approval monthly weigh ins and I had to turn in a food log, Water & exercise log, I had meetings I had to attend, nutritionist, we were told no more coffee, no drinking water with meals until 1/2 hour after meal). Eat meat first, vegetables second, lower carb intake 45-75, eat 80 grams of Protein a day and stay within 800-1000 calories a day. If you think you can work on some of your food issues, including "carb mourning" before surgery it will definitely help you afterwards. I worked hard before I had surgery so I had a head-start on losing and I worked out all my kinks. Learning to let go of caffeine, carbonated beverages etc. I learned to move more, so I wanted to exercise sooner after surgery. It's not a diet, it's a way of life or a lifestyle, because once you have the surgery, you can't undo it. There's no do-overs. Even someone like me, that followed the diet plan pre-surgery, still thinks, gosh I really want a big salad, and I make my little plate and I eat my meat and I get a little bummed because there is no room for a salad, I get in a cherry tomato and bite of lettuce and I'm done, there's no room for a second bite of lettuce or the small cucumber. I'm not hungry, but there is a feeling inside sometimes that ugh, I wanted just one more bite. I am pretty strict with following the rules too and even though I lost 70 pounds pre-surgery, I decided to go ahead with it. If you can realize this is a lifestyle, though some day if you want a taste of a cake, you could probably have a bite, it is restrictive by nature. I have heard people say things like "you can't stretch your sleeve". There are days I would like it stretched, just a little bit more, but I think again that has to do with a complication that I had and I'm almost 10 weeks out. Good luck with your decision, again it's worth it to me, and I know that some day I'll get that second bite of salad in

I'm so happy and proud of you!!! I'm also so proud of you for quitting smoking

Congrats to you, I got tears in my eyes because I am so happy for you! Great job and you are definitely an inspiration!

Don't forget to step up the Water, perhaps a poached egg or a boiled egg instead of oatmeal but maybe trying different shakes until you find one you like to get at least one in a day will help you out a bit. At lunch go for a 20 minute walk, if you take a train, stand on the train and do isometrics, squeeze the butt cheeks, stand on your tippy toes and back down again (preferably up against the wall). As you sit at the desk do isometrics, and make more excuses to go to the copy machine. If you have stairs in your building try taking one flight at a time. When I was younger and I lost a lot of weight on my own, this was something I did when my son was young, and I traveled to the loop. I admit, I don't like plain greek yogurt, I put a little bit of MIO in it, the orange, and it wasn't too bad. If you want the yogurt with the fruit or you want the oatmeal, pick and choose, don't do both in the same day. Charting your Protein, while a good thing is important but if you are getting in too many carbs it will slow your progress down. I'm moving slow and I am following all the rules. It really truly does depend on how much you have to lose, how fast your metabolism is, and the more muscle you have the faster metabolism you have. You can eat some carbs but be wise in the choices and how much you are getting. Not sure how well I would do nowadays since I am older with a young child at home and working full time, but you are at least reaching out and trying to find things that will work best for you. We are all a work in progress and as long as you keep asking question and trying to work on things it will eventually work for you. Best of luck to you and eventually this stall will pass.

To Albmb2 & Ljp How about trying to skip the oatmeal, get in a Protein shake for Breakfast. Is the Fage Yogurt plain (high protein) very very low carb? Your first issue may be you are not getting in your Water. You need to up your water to 64 ounces, which is only 4 normal size bottles of water. Are you having normal bm's or are you constipated? If constipated, I would lower your cheese consumption a bit. Instead of Oatmeal (which may be tasty but it is high in carbohydrates at only 4 weeks out, a Protein Shake is much better for you.) 400-600 calories is not a lot, but if you aren't using myfitnesspal.com or something else, you may see that you are squeaking in a lot more carbohydrates than you think you are, or a lot more sodium that you should be. The yogurt is fine, but that's if it is a plain greek yogurt, check the carbohydates on the other ones. Eggplant is not dense meat, oatmeal is not dense meat, and it seems like food that is mostly carbohydrates you can consume larger portions. I am positive I couldn't eat more than 3 ounces of meat, but I am willing to bet I could eat an entire bag of potato chips without getting that same filled up feeling. Many carbohydrates are slider foods. Oatmeal is always filling, but the feeling goes away pretty quick and you end up being hungry again. Try opting for more meat type products at first. How much walking are you doing a day? I was told to work myself up to 10,000 steps a day. The more you the move, the better. Not sure what your starting weight was before surgery, not sure how low/high your bmi was. If you lost weight prior to surgery, you will probably lose a little slower at first after surgery, because you lost the bulk/majority of your water weight. The less you weight before surgery, the slower you usually lose because you have less weight to lose. It's a natural process most of the time. I was on full liquids for the first 5 weeks after surgery, so you seem to be on full food at 4 - 6 weeks out. Speak to your nutritionist if you have one at your next appointment, but your best bet increase water and whatever you do chart your carbs, protein, calories and water and sodium on myfitnesspal.com (do not go by their chart) do a set-up on it. If you exercise do not think you need to eat what you exercised, because it may be a bit confusing. At first try staying 20-30 carbs max and as close to 80 grams of protein as you can and keep an eye on your sodium. Best of luck.

Congratulations. I think you are doing fantastically and losing at a nice rate. So proud of the June Sleevers! I'm also June 4th, I have lost 38 pounds and for those that are wondering why the big difference, same surgery, same day, I just have to caution people, not all people lose at the same rate, even two people that start at the same weight, same height, etc. lose at different speeds. I am a slow loser, but I exercise a lot and I lift weights, everyone has their own rate, and everyone has their own issues with stalls. Thank you for the uplifting update!