shutterbug

I have significant hair loss as well I started losing it at about 3mths out and for a while it was horrifying and very scary... lost tons in shower.. tons more when I'd brush.. didn't want to wash hair it was so bad.. it's slowed way down now but not only do I notice the difference in how much hair I lost the quality of my hair has changed.. much thinner and fragile feeling... I use Mane and Tail shampoo/ conditioner (available at Walmart in the animal area)... and that has extra protein in it.. on days I use that my hair is much fuller and I notice the loss less....... I don't think there is ONE thing that works for everyone but I am hopeful for new growth since I read about that quite a bit on the forums...... I am like others.. a risk to take that comes along with all the other benefits of surgery.... I can tell you this.. I feel so much better about myself.. mentally and physically I think the good out-weighs the bad.. that being said... losing hair is emotional.... it's a journey this VSG life..before, and after.

Hi everyone! Ok.. here wondering if anyone has had a problem with low Iron. To my knowledge I have not had any problems but my Aunt who has has surgery about 6mths prior to me has warned me to watch out for low iron. Is this common with VSG and besides taking 2 multi-vitamins daily and trying to eat red meat a couple of times a week I do nothing for iron.. any advice out there?

I like Body Fortress Protein Powder... 1 scoop packs 26G protein. The chocolate is great with just Water... I sometimes add a packet of decaf coffee crystals to make it a "mocha"... the vanilla is OK.. great if you want to add fruit or anything like that and I get it at Walmart.. it's $16.00 per container and lasts a long time!

Hi everyone.. I have not been here to post in a long time but have been updating my weight and reading some great posts from others. I am 26 weeks out and have lost 92 pounds. The past 6 weeks or so I have been losing slowly, like a # a week or 2# a week but I have also been eating alot more and not paying too much attention to carbs or calories as long as the scale is moving and I'm "moving".. I feel pretty good. I am taking kickboxing, yoga and I work out at gym.. I try to work out 3-5x a week .. I also do some Water aerobics. I have gone from a tight size 26 to an 18 and can actually for the first time see a 14/16 being a possibility in my life.. WOW... NO WAY without sleeve this would've happened for me so I am thrilled!! I have a question regarding hair loss. Mine has been going on for about 3mths now.. pretty substantial..and I think it's slowing down.. BUT... I was wondering for all of you who have been through this... when do you/ did you see new growth.. so far I'm not seeing any of that so I'm getting concerned. I have lost enough hair that you can see my hearing aides .. I used to look like I had a wig.. so much hair.... I know this is part of the journey and I expected it..but would love to have a light at the end of the tunnel for possibility of re-growth and new hair returning eventually. :thumbup: Thanks for anyone who replies! ~Chandra/shutterbug:001_smile:

He suryfrer, Don't freak out. You are only a week out and your tummy is completely changed. Mine gurgled.. bubbled.. and did crazy things too. I would call your surgeon to describe the contraction like pain for reassurance from them that it's ok but as far as what you are eating some people don't even attempt yogurt that early. It sounds like you may want to make it thinner or stay on liquids. I remember being where you are and a week out I was feeling lost and unsure of my choice. It changes very fast. I am 13 weeks post op and can eat almost anything, just a very small amount. My tummy only disagrees with me if I eat too fast and then it's more of a full feeling up high. I still eat softer type of foods.. like if I cook chicken and it's too tough.. not fun to eat but if it's nice and juicy.. much better but no matter what there are reasons you did this surgery and the rewards are coming for you. I am down 66 lbs and amazed at how different life is becoming for me. I can't wait for you to get about a month out of surgery and start to eat more food and start seeing the world a new way. Never freak out.. your tummy will do crazy things at first but always call your doctor or surgeon, reassurance helps to ease our minds and be happy with where we are going. :lol0: ~Chandra/shutterbug

Diane and Rob... Congratulations to both of you for getting your dates. It IS hard to wait but your day is marked for you and it will come! Spend time here and check out the youtube weight loss community... lots of great people posting their stories there... also there is obesityhelp.com and they have great information as well. Keep watching all the progress of the people before you relating to their stories.. it is so inspiring and helps you to really feel part of a bigger world of weight loss struggles. Can't wait to find out how you both do and keep posting... this is a great site! :thumbup: ~Chandra/shutterbug

Ok..here I am again for some post op help. :frown1: I am almost 11 weeks out and I have some new issues that are both mentally challenging as well as physically challenging. I have some days where I can't eat very well. I just have NO appetite and I have to force food down..only that is not easy at all. I think it's anxiety related which leads me to my next issue.. I have increased stress in my life right now and have anxiety..I haven't been here much in the past two weeks due to crazy times.. I guess without my friend "food" to always be there with/for me I have no release. I'm not hungry or craving anything .. just still "miss" the comfort of having the food. I miss knowing I had it to look forward to.. if that makes sense. I am exercising 4x a week and I try to have down time and just relax but this has come up a couple of weeks ago and it's not much better. I have times when my tummy feels acidy or "sour" and I'm on prilosec already.. didn't have this problem early on so am wondering what is going on? I try pepto tablets, tums.. etc and that helps a little bit but it seems to be only temporary.... did anyone that has been sleeved a long time have anything like this happen and if so any recommendations. How do we get all our food in if our tummy is icky and will this go away.. current fear is this can't be permanent.. that would be a huge and horrible thing to have to deal with. I'm hoping someone will say.. yep that happened to me... was great.. had some changes.. got them under control and I'm back to being great! Hoping for some hope that this is temporary and that I'm not alone with this especially with anxiety being higher.... Thanks for reading and responses! ~Chandra/shutterbug

I am at week 9 and have lost 50#. I did not have a pre-surgery diet to follow so all of my weight loss is POST surgery. It's crazy that I have lost this much and I am exercising about 3-times a week but I do not get in all my water.. it's so hard to now. I do a huge variety of exercise... Yoga, zumba and a circuit training class.. just trying to keep it coming off and stay happy. :lol0:

Hi Lan, I take Fish Oil or (Omega 3), and try to get in 80g Protein.. that was what I was told to do to help with the hair loss but I am 8 weeks and not had any yet. From what I have read most people experience it at 3mths or so and it lasts a few months.. I am concerned because I have psoriasis and don't want thinner hair since people will be able to see my scalp more BUT in the end.. it was one of the things I decided even if that happens.. I will get more from losing weight. I don't know I hope that helps.. there are so many benefits.... from the surgery... I try to remind myself of that.. especially on hard days..

Hi Sandy, March will come before you know it and with you being here before hand you will already know so many good things. I also like going to youtube.com and typing in VSG or Vertical Sleeve and watching videos of people .. very inspirational and kept me holding on until my date came ture.. Keep us posted! ~Chandra/shutterbug

Thanks for the post Judy.. you have just inspired me to get more workouts in this week. I only got 3 in last week and while I am proud of my accomplishment I know I felt much better the days I worked out so THANK YOU for reminding me to keep moving!! ~Chandra/shutterbug

Congratulations Austin... I am 8 weeks out and I do the same.. get a shake in once a day with about 35g protein and try to get the rest from food... it's HARD some days.. I usually aim for 70-80.. haven't heard of needing 100g Protein a day before.. may try to up mine this week... see what results I have... Keep up the good work!!

Great Job!! Thank you for posting pictures..GORGEOUS!! .. You look so happy and congratulations on your upcoming wedding... what a great way to start a new life together for you to be feeling so wonderful!!

Good Luck Kai, Can't wait to hear your progress on the other side.

What a lovely day... My first meal out was tomato basil Soup as well. :crying: It was so soothing to me and I felt so different sitting there not gulping food and I noticed I looked around more and paid more attention to my friends instead of being so focused on "eating"... The burping bubbly feeling was big for me for about 4 weeks, but then as I gradually ate more solid food, it subsided and the full feeling is more like before surgery you just know you can't push it as far as before.. you know like Thanksgiving dinner when you are full but still push to finish your plate.. now you can't "do that extra push" and you are full with so much less food.....

Hi Stephanie, Welcome. I too, have PCOS.. amazing how many of us sleevers have it! I went on birth control for 6mths to get me to ovulate and be regular and was able to conceive my second child shortly after I stopped. There is hope... good luck with your journey and there are a growing number of doctors in the States that do the sleeve for about the same amount as going out of State. You will find one I'm certain and please keep us all posted with your progress! :crying:

Hi Amy, Well my story is a little different so far. I am 7 weeks out... sleeved on Nov 17th.. was 310 lbs, now 267 and I have had days where I feel pretty good/ even some sexy!! It is a very good feeling to feel more confidence and I don't worry quite as much as what everyone else thinks of me and that is liberating. There are days where I don't feel like I've changed.. but the days that I do are so amazing!! I have found that playing a little with make-up is now fun again because I dont' mind looking in the mirror quite as much and it's so much more fun to get "dressed" on a daily basis.... I am excited for the future and love the feeling that the weight is NOT coming back for the first time ever!! Good luck to you and keep us all updated!

Good Job.. Amazing.. keep up the good spirits and work!! Come here when you are down in the dumps and need to feel like you are part of something where everyone understands!!

Great Job.. I was just going to add that to try to eat a little more.. as long as it's Protein calories it may help. I think alot of people who hit stalls are low on their calorie intake, my research recommends upping your calories if you stall too long... sounds scary I know but seemed like it worked for you really well.. 15 lbs in 2 weeks is HUGE!! Congrats! :thumbup:

Hi guys.. I am 6 weeks out and am eating much more than I did the first 4 weeks. I have to actually remind myself to chew chew chew again and try to eat slower. It is funny, some foods fill me right up, meat is a 4-5 bite thing.. but other foods like I mix cottage cheese and yogurt I can eat a cup or more and I usually eat that in 10 minutes. I understand the fear of stretching out your sleeve because from the get go I have been able to eat more than a few bites when I read on here how some people are like 4 or 5 bites of anything and they are full. I hope to keep picking foods that actually fill me up faster for the most part. Just remembered another example.. earlier today ate 1/2 of a Met RX (large) Protein bar.. half is about 16G protein and 200 calories... was at a movie with a friend.. snuck it in for my "treat". About an HOUR later.. ate the rest no problem.. was full but was able to eat it. Tonight.. had about 5 bites of chicken and that was it... I have been stuffed since then and it's been 3 hours... so??? for ME definitely meat is the way to go...fills me up. Another favorite of mine is an egg with a slice of cheese.. I can eat the whole thing but am pretty satisfied. It's funny how we feel like we are over-eating etc. I try to remind myself that in comparison.. it's NOTHING like before.. Not sure if this post helps.. hopefully some of the longer in sleevers will answer as well. Hang in there everyone! :thumbup: and Happy New Year!! ~Chandra/shutterbug

That was great!

Hey guys, I just skipped the stall thing and gained a pound this week... rrggg.. frustrating.. but my guess is that I overindulged with Holiday stuff... working hard to get the sugar cravings out of my system again but HARD..... thanks for the posts about the stalling.. good to remind ourselves to measure!!

My experience is not only can I eat bread but it goes in really easy and doesn't fill me up like protein.. very dangerous... so I'm trying really hard to stay away from it.. and when I do indulge I'm trying to choose whole wheat or high grain... not easy.. the good ole white bread or french bread is what calls my name!!