missmachine

I have been in the same boat and feeling really bad about it. I definitely needed to hear this too. Gotta get back in the game and stay motivated. This is only a tool, and although an excellent tool, we are the ones controlling it and we need to do so properly in order to succeed. This is really hard work, and I still have a long way to go, so it almost seems like there really isn't a light at the end of the tunnel. It was easy for me to feel like I would never get there and just get comfortable where I'm at now. I've been having quite a bit of hair loss, which also scared me into eating more.

So, mine has been pretty bad lately. I am 3.5 months out and down 50 lbs. It started at around 2 months but has been getting worse. I have shoulder length layered hair and it (was) pretty thick. I have even been eating a bit more than I should (about 1200 cals a day) for the past month. My hair comes out in clumps every day when I take a shower, and is constantly shedding if I brush or run my fingers through it. I've been taking biotin since day 1. I'm just afraid it's not going to stop and I'm going to end up bald soon. We will never be able to eat the same way so I don't see how it will ever stop. Any advice? What can I do?

I'm not too sure about home buying, suffice to say that I know the market is not doing so well so the prices are decent. We live in an apartment community called Lake Carlton Arms. I love it. I'm also down for a get together.

Congrats! Keep us posted!

Yeah, they knew I had asthma. I had a lot of breathing treatments actually. They didn't act worried I should say; they said that it's a common occurrence after surgeries. I had my inhaler but it didn't help. I wasn't having any coughing fits or attacks, it was more like I just had to take short breaths because it hurt to breathe, I couldn't breathe deeply, and I was wheezing. It sucked, but all in all, I would do it again.

You would love it here then! It's hot as heck here in the middle of December! We do have a some cold days/nights, but they are sporadic, usually followed by a warmer day or two. I would just love to experience an Autumn. We don't have those here. When do you think you will move?.

Yes, Wesley Chapel is a nice area too. Again I mean nice for Tampa anyway. It's not really that colorful in FL. I really want to move up north to New England where they actually have seasons. The only seasons we get here are Summer and Hurricane. The heat is humid and sticky. I live in Lutz. I like it and the schools are excellent. It's close to Carrollwood and Wesley Chapel. What kind of work does hubby do?

I am biased because I hate FL. It's way too hot and miserable! But, if you already live in the desert then it's not much different. And FL has one of the highest unemployment rates, so I would only move if it is indeed serious. As far as suburban life, Tampa is funny...you can be in a nice area and in then in the slums within a mile of each other. Carrollwood is a good middle class area that is close to everything. Lutz is nice too.

Generally my asthma isn't too bad but I had been having problems breathing deeply for a few months prior to surgery. I was using my inhaler a lot. I definitely hated life as soon as I woke up, I could not breathe. They weren't worried. When I got home they told me to blow up balloons. It took me a few weeks before I felt better.

For those of you who are interested in wigs, www.voguewigs.com has a lot of cute realistic looking ones. My favorite are from the "Forever Young" line. I am a hairdresser and even before my wls I wore wigs a lot because I like to change my hair style, I think it's fun! One day I'd be blonde and curly, and another day I'd be dark and sleek. The hair loss sucks but you can make the best of it. No one has noticed on me yet, I do have pretty thick hair but it's not that long and it's super layered and textured, so I'm afraid if it keeps falling out it will be noticeable. It's all in how you look at it, consider wigs and have some fun with it!

I also share the same sleeve date as the two of you, June 11. Down 50 lbs since the pre-op diet I started on June 1. Lost 6 of it pre-op.

I know how you feel. I definitely went through a mourning period with food, and I still do at times. Food was such a source of comfort for me, even though we had a love/hate relationship. Occasionally I still make 'not so great' choices... However, it does get better. I am 3 months out. I don't miss food nearly as much as I used to. Eventually food will lose it's power over you. Once you start seeing the weight coming off steadily, you will be so happy that you won't want to do anything to jeopardize that. And even if you do mess up, which you will at some point, just remember that it's nowhere near as bad as it would have been without your new sleeve. It's also easy to jump right back on track. You have an amazing support group here, be sure to frequent the forum.

Lots of good advice too, thank you all... My worst fear though, would be that I am stretching out my new belly. I hope I have not done much damage. I know I can definitely eat more now (obviously) than I used to at the very beginning.

I have never heard of these shirataki noodles...What else are they good in/with?

As the title says, I've had a bad week. For the entire week I feel like I've slipped into old habits. I've eaten 1500-2000 calories per day every day this week, and it seems like I have been pushing my sleeve to eat more, and I feels like I can't stop. I am vowing to get back on track tomorrow (Monday) and start a new week, however, I hadn't wanted to screw up this whole week to begin with either, so I feel like I am losing my willpower and I am afraid I won't be able to get back on track. I have been pretty successful, losing 50 lbs in 3 months, with only a "bad" day here and there, but I gained 3 1/2 lbs back just this week by screwing up. I've still got such a long way to go in this journey, and it seems like I'll never get there if I'm getting off track already. I'm feeling like a failure. I need help.

So is this true for all protein shots or just this specific brand? Are there any worthy protein shots?

I understand, I may find it strange but if it helps people feel better about it then more power to them. I'm sorry if I offended you.

I find this idea off-putting and slightly creepy. Why would you want to name your sleeve? It's not new, it's not a special friend or a cute fluffy pet, and it's certainly not a seperate entity. I hate when men name their d^cks and women name their boobs. It's still part of us. It's our stomach, it's just smaller and more normal sized now. What we had before was an endless abyss inside of us, or a monster that was always hungry. Surgery helped us out in desperation and made it so that we don't overeat. It's not cute. I find it embarrassing that I had no willpower before surgery; I hate the fact that my eating habits were so bad that I had to resort to this. I am very thankful that my stomach is now much smaller, but I won't be talking to it or petting it.

Hi there! Congrats! I was also sleeved on June 11th, and my starting weight was 250 as well! I am down 47lbs, kind of been stuck at 203 for about 2 weeks... but will hopefully be there soon! Enjoy the 100's...you will never see a 2 in front of your weight again! That alone is enough to make me happy I have the sleeve! Can't wait to join you!

Thanks for all your kind words everyone!!

Before/after Progress Pic @ 3 Months & -47 Lbs First time in a while that I feel slightly ok with getting in front of the camera, so I don't really have a good before body picture. 5ft 3in SW 250 / CW 203 VSG 6/11/12 Before Before/side profile After (During)/side profile After (During)

Excited for you! I'll be there myself within days and I can't wait!

Great job! What was your starting weight?

You guys were right... I went to Target today and bought some new jeans, two sizes smaller than I was pre surgery. I could definitely see a difference when I was wearing them, and it cheered me up a little. It's crazy how wearing the same clothes will keep you from seeing the changes! I didn't want to buy any new stuff until absolutely necessary, because I really don't have much money. That was great though

Thanks for all the encouragement! You guys are awesome... This is really helpful to hear.