Nina_S

I would say not to do weave while your hair is shedding/falling out, the weight of the weave makes the hair lose worse. If you really, can't stand how your hair looks, purchase a high quality lace front or full lace human hair wig to wear.

Thank you. That just may be my only option.

Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

April Lace Wigs (http://www.aprillacewigs.com/) and RPGShow (http://www.rpgshow.com/) have great affordable wigs. You can find reviews on YouTube for some of their units.

I purchased this glueless unit (http://www.aprillacewigs.com/glueless-full-lace-wigs/134-italian-yaki-silk-top-bleached-knots-all-around-bw0080.html) from April Lace and I love the texture. It is comparable to relaxed African American hair.

I feel your pain. Hopefully your will come back soon. A lot of people's hair comes back after their weight loss stabilizes and their body readjusts.

How much Protein to you get in each day? A lot of people have had good luck with increasing their Protein and or taking Biotin.

I was one of the less fortunate ones who despite taking in about 100 grams of protein, high dose Biotin, Vitamins and having normal labs my Hair loss continued. Even when my weight loss stopped and I was in maintenance it still continued. It was also dry, brittle, and broke off.

What helped me the most was I started taking a powdered marine collagen (ordered from Amazon) and I mixed it in my Water each day. That stopped about half of the loss. I then added a cup of bamboo tea each day (it is high in silica) and that helped the texture. It is much softer and not as dry.

Hang in there, yours may spring back. It still looks like you have some beautiful hair- even in the after picture!!

Glitter Eyes,

Thanks for suggesting collagen - this makes sense. I ran out and bought Neocell Super Collagen (powder). Hopefully it will help with my skin as well.

N~

Hi all I haven't been in the place in a while. I have managed to keep about 60lbs off but still not at my goal. At a doctor's (primary care) visit last week, he told me that I had gained 10 lbs over 2 years. That didn't surprise me - I had allowed other life matters get me off of workout schedule, drink more wine and I definitely noticed the difference in my clothes. I immediately got back to the gym (even bought a weighted hula hoop) but the glass of wine after work is still kinda habit/addiction. I go through spurts of eating well and spurts of eating junk.

I haven't had much,if any, trouble with my band. I don't visit the doctor often but I am contemplating another fill, given the weight gain.

This is life's work fa real!

R~

Hello everyone! I'm glad to see some are still losing! I had made it to 296 (from 327 on OR day, 367 at a high), and am now back up at 336. I know I'm not at all perfect with my eating, but even my husband says I easily east half of what I ate before the band was placed (I eat occasional sweet stuff, but generally stick to the healthier foods, I simply feel better when I eat better), and yet I continue to gain.

So I saw an Endocrinologist in June of this year. I've only had a couple of fills and am at 6 in an 11cc band. I do have reflux from time to time and a lot of days it feels like when I swallow the food doesn't want to move down my esophagus, so I hesitate to go higher.

She did lab after lab and an upper GI. The UGI showed that my band is in good placement and that it is pretty open, the contrast flowed through readily. No enlargening of the pouch above the band, either (that was my fear).

So I don't know. I know I need to step up my exercise, but it is kinda frustrating to think that I have gained weight back, though I should be glad I'm not more than ten pounds higher than my banding weight, so I guess it is doing something! If I hadn't had it I'd likely have simply continued to gain and gain. In that sense it has been a lifesaver.

Would I do it again? Absolutely! Would I choose bypass over this, considering my lack of loss? No way. I have had friend after friend who have had bypass and have had nothing but problems. Yep, they're thinner, but...

Nice to check in with you all and hope everyone keep with it! I'm going to go back to basics and see what happens. Perhaps I'll try starting from the beginning and doing the diet from banding day one.

Faithmd,

I am right there with you. I am kinda frustrated and dissapointed especially when I go to the dr. and he's looking at me like "you're not doing what you're suppose to do":mad2:.

I've realized that this is a journey - highs and lows. As Captain Danbo said, sometimes I feel it's working sometimes not. I have no regrets, but am actually grateful for the experience, even if I don't lose another pound. I have learned to LIVE!

You have the right attitude - don't give up!

N~

Curves Information - Home Page

I just got Band (Realize Band), 12/08/08. My boyfriend was very supportive the 1st 6 days. When I start to eat soft foods he had the nerve to ask me if I wanted some ice cream. WTF!!! Granted we use to buy Walmart's Butter Peacan Ice cream, but he not only bought 1 box, but he bought 2 BOXES!!! He even bought 2 packages of Cookies, and we haven't had cookies in the house for the last month and 1/2.

He was telling me that he didn't think that I should get the surgery at all. He asked me why and WHO I was getting it for. CRAZY!!! He even "joked" that he may have it get a tracking device to put on my car. Yes he does have issues!!!

Has anyone else had issues with their men?Also we have been dating for over 9 years. He wants to get married but I'm not quite sure, no I know, that he doesn't have the Player out of him.

T

Hi Tktilly!

Congrats on your band!! I wish you much success!

The only advice I have is to make you #1 and that means making decisions that are best for you - be it food and anything else that effects you directly. I also agree with LastOptionAtty. You have been with him for a while and you feel like you know him. The question to ask yourself is if you can live with who he is today, with or without your band? You want to be with someone that TOTALLY supportive and on the journey with you. RIDE OR DIE! He is acting out of fear - you are testing his comfort zone. Love you!!

I found that with the weight loss my esteem grew and that challenged a few relationships - to my surprise.

He ain't ready for you to get FINE! But he betta get ready.

Good luck!!

N~

I think that I meant for this thread to allow for an exchange where we can share our own struggle weight or whatever pertains to it while commending Oprah for her move and being hopeful for the positive effects it will have. (Oh, but I did ask for thoughts, huh? :wink2:)

In regards to Oprah, fan or not, I am not in "respect of person" but of the work that she does - rich or poor (they are both a mindset). The key word is intention. I firmly believe that her intention when she airs her shows or publishes her works is to uplift and educate. We all have our own demons and deal with them in different ways. As it stands, intention sets the mark.

At 37 years old, I have changed my mind one hundred thousand times over about one hundred thousand things. And yeah, I have said NEVA...a couple of times. It is a women's perogative to change her mind, for if we didn't.... :crying: I think that is call growth. You learn to accept people and be patient with how they resolve things allowing for their growth in their time without applying judgement.

I stand in defense of Oprah and every other woman (or man) that has overcome, be it adversity or a mistake, and consciously decide to take their lessons and pay it forward. We all have a gift, spread the love!!

Then she lets Gayle go on talking about those damn Sprinkles cupcakes....that Oprah Winfrey!!!

P.S. Leave it up to me to come in & stir things up...

i really don't watch oprah that often - but i get her magazine monthly.

i commend her open & honest candor about her weight regain - i'm sure many here can relate. my only issue with her, is her lack of understanding or empathy for those that have gone down the WLS route.

she's had too many shows where she has shown disdain for those who have elected to have weight loss surgery & for that i find unfortunate.

Hi Luluc!

You are right that is unfortunate. I know that for myself I have found a number of people that have "disdain" in regards to WLS before and after they learn that I have had it. IMO, I feel that we must focus on our own personal well being, whatever the route.

Looing at your siggy ....you have done the thang :wink:!

R~

I am so grateful to Oprah for being so open with her weight issues. I hope that it can lead many people to look at their habits and how it affects their health.

When I first saw this on TV I was like,"Stop reading my mind, get out of my head!" Many of us (especially here) have gone through this more than once, at that. The embarrassment & shame along with the not having the "right" image. (Yeah, who dictates the "right" image - that's my next thread...) But for her to live this out in front of gazillions of people and still be able to face it for what it is speaks volumes about her character.

I know for myself, especially with the band, I found moments in the beginning where it was all eyes on me. The questions about how much have you lost, what size do you wear, etc. etc. I refused give in to the "gotta lose this weight fast" pressure. I have still had to ask to some hard questions - why do you eat like you eat, how do you use food, why do you want to lose the weight & for who? Sometimes the answers change :wink:. I'm done with "weight" and image issues. The issues that concern me are health and well-being and how I care for me FIRST then all of the other people in my life.

I commend Oprah (once again) she remains to be "on purpose".

Here is a letter Deborah King (Huffington Post) wrote to Oprah in her column that I love...Deborah King: Dear Oprah

I'd love to hear your thoughts...

R~

P.S. Word for today...

Wow! I saw the "Unsung" story of Debarge. It was very sad! My heart goes out to them and there struggles. Oh my goodness! It made me realize you can be beautiful, skinny, successful, with fame and money and still not be happy. I pray that all of them find peace and happiness. You truly have to love yourself inside and out.

You are so right Melolo!! They were such a talented family & had great drive. Loving yourself is where it all begins. What is it to have "everything" and not the one "right thing". They had so many (or one great) ghost - the abuse they suffered at the hand of their father and in turn their mother neglecting to acknowledge it or even seek help.

I touch and agree with you on their success and deliverance. There are blessings in tragedy.

R~

Anything Debarge!

I am with you on that one! Especially after seeing DeBarge on Unsung...ahhhh...so many memories:rolleyes2:

You ladies "pulled out" some good ones

R~

Hello everyone!!Hope everyone is sweating ok. I'm just checking in. I went to the gym mon and stayed on the elipitical for 50 whole minutes!! Yay me! I burned 903 cals!! Tues i spent 35min and burned 678 cals and stayed on the treadmill for 20min and burned 108 cals! Oh soooo excited. The thing is im not sore!! Not even from last week! I almost didn't go because it was my bday but i had to! Do u think i ought to change my routine! Maybe my mistake, but I feel like if im not sore, im not workin out good. I sweat like a pig and im tired while im doing it but by the time i make it home im already rejuvenated!! WTH???

You go Ms. Trina!

I suggest you mix it up a little, your body acclimates to one routine and you don't get the same results. Maybe try the ellipticl MON-WED-FRI (for example) and the the treadmill (walk/jog) on TUE-THURS. Also try throwing in some weights in there - muscle helps you burn more calories.

I really like Vince Delmonte's workouts - I alternate with my cardio. I started slow & added as I went along.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55yW3aVn4HM]YouTube - Female Figure Athlete 6 Week Diet And Workout Plan[/ame]

You can also search YouTube for some good videos.

R~

OMG!!!!

It is ssssssoooooo good to hear/see you again!!!! When I saw the rock--I had to scroll up to look at see "Nina"...I am so glad to see you back!!! How has the weight loss gone for you? Please let us know...You were such an encouragement to me when I first got the band!!!1

(((Hey Big"not-so-big"Baby!!)))

How are you?! I am great! I have seen your pic and you look FA-BU-LOUS!!! I am glad to see that you are doing so well.

This journey has been great, I would not change a thing - the good and not so good. The weightloss has only been on part of it. I am still not at my goal weight (i try not to focus on weight so much but how I look) but I feel great. I'd like to lose about 20 more lbs. I lift heavy so I am sure that's why the scale doesn't move much.

Oh my!! I haven't been here in soooo long. So much has changed - I love it!

My name is Riechelle and I live in Houston (born & raised)

Hello ladies :whatchutalkingabout

Nina,

Thanks for the post, you are very kind!

I have my wife in a medication / couseling regimen for 5 years now ,with two hospitalizations over the period. I understand ( a necessity!) the role of enabler and must constantly be conscious of the tendency to be "drawn in" to the problem, even through an act of love as strange as that sounds.

Your very correct about the stones, you must learn to love even when it is not reciprocated. Early on I did think love could make it alright and conquer all. I have since learned that while I still believe this true I now know it can take a lifetime, but still worth the effort.

I am commited to protecting my children and must , even against their own mother many times (i.e. Mommie Dearest). However, I hope that my choice to remain will teach the value of family, however dysfunctional

Thanks for the kind words regarding vows....but I made a promise not only to my but some even larger that us.. with his help we'll stay the course

Take care,

Agnot

Banded 11/19/07:)

Agnot,

I can't say enough that your are a outstanding man!! I will continue to pray for you and your family. God is present and constant help! Keep up the fight & speak VICTORY!!

Much Love,

Nina

My heart goes out to you guys. I am a man who has been married to the love of his life for 25 years (since age 19).

Unfortunately my wife was abused as a child and has developed a plethera of emotional/ physchological problems because of it. There is virtually no intimacy in our marriage. My wife has been unfaithful on multiple occasions and mostly unresponsive or perpentually angry to me and our children.

While I have accepted that this is an outgrowth from the emotional / physchological problems she has, and take my vows "in sickness and health" and "till death" seriously, I am faced with a new dilemma I need your help with, please.

Since my lapbanding on 11/19/07 ( I have lost 35 LBS since the process began in September!! WOOHOO!! Thank You God!!) I am now facing a new problem with my wife constantly asking am I going to leave now, will I love her now, etc..

I have never cheated on my wife, and understanding her root problems of fear of abandonment I am very sensitive to these feelings.

However, the abhorent behaviour is increasing as well my increased feelings of isolation and loneliness...

Can anyone Help?

((Agnot))

First of all I want to congratulate you on your banding and the weightloss - that's is fantastic! As easy as it may be for me to tell you reassure your wife that she has, which you have built, a "safe haven" in your love - that wouldn't resolve it all. I think that first your wife has seek some sort of counseling/therapy onher own accord. Not to "keep" you but for her own personal healing and well-being, that seems to have been neglected. Agnot, you are a great guy, you have hung in there through all of this and probably some other things as well, but you have to recognize your role as the enabler. Your goal was to build a family yet you have allowed your wife to alter that with her "outgrowth" from her past. Hold off on the stones, I know that you can't control others or there past or destine their lives. I am sure that at some point you felt like your love was enough to "make everything alright". I guess at this point I would like to see you protect yourself and your children and help your wife preserve herself. She may need seek help alone and then you and children can join her as a family - you all need healing.

Agnot, I admire you for honoring your vows - you deserve the best!

N~

Finallythin,

You have got some great advice - breakfast with Protein, more Water & try switching up your workout. Try doing something different, adjusting the intensity or adding more weights - I'm not sure what you are currently doing. Most importantly, don't be discouraged you'll be back on the "losing" side soon.

Nina

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Last night I had dinner with a business associate whom I hadn't seen in almost a year. He just raved about how good I look and asked me what I've been doing. I usually just tell casual acquaintances that I finally got motivated to stick to my diet, but for some reason I decided to tell this guy the truth. Some people are judgmental about it, so I usually lie, but this business associate is a very good hearted and open minded person, so I told him the truth. And am I ever glad I did. He told me his mother weighs over 350 lbs and he's been very worried about her mental state. He said she just feel helpless and has given up. After our dinner, he called her immediately and told her all about me and the band. He's now trying to get her to come to the U.S. (she's in Pakistan), have the surgery, and stay with him for a few months to recover. By telling the truth, I may have helped this woman reclaim her life.

Enterprise01,

Isn't that a great feeling!!! That is what makes it so worth it to tell people. In the beginning I was aprehensive about telling people because of the criticism but I noticed that I had more people with questions and looking for answers to their own weight problems.

Nina

How long would you say to wait on attending the spinning class after surgery since it's intense? I haven't had surgery yet (Dec.) but working on planning my new schedule once I have it. The Y has it twice a week where I live. The nutritionist told me if I don't exercise I won't lose the 2lbs a week I want to lose and it's important to tone while losing. I'm so excited I wish I was being banded tomorrow!

Thundandlight,

I am no expert but I would say see how you feel after the surgery and give yourself at least two weeks. You may have to "adjust" the intensity for a few classes. Good luck with your banding and happy spinning!!

Nina

OMG! I love spin class!! I am so happy to see that so many other people do too. For those that are hurting try getting a gel seat cover (it just fitsd right over the bike seat) and/or some padded bike shorts. You can these at your local sporting goods store. Schwinn has a seat cover for like $12 - you can also get one from Amazon.< /p>

Schwinn Adult Double Gel Bicycle Seat Cover

Hi Junies!

Like BigBaby, I also had support group meeting last night & it was helpful. The therapist brought some products for us to sample by Kays Naturals (I'm not sure if anyone has posted about these before). They offer Protein chips and cereals. I couldn't try any because I had a fill yesterday but the others in the group said they were good.

existing_products_3.54

Texans, stay dry!!!

Nina

Here the Glomour Mag article...

"I'm ready to open up": Health: glamour.com

Nina

Thanks Suzzzie! I am determined to do it, partner or none. I walk the AIDS Walk alone. It's really not that bad, you meet alot of nice people so by the time it's over you're not alone.

Nina

Is anyone here running the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Houston on October 6th (Saturday)? I am a beginning runner and would like to partner with somone who is also a beginner or an experienced runner who would be willing to help me train. My plan is to do a 8-week program.

Nina