feelincheesy

There are a lot of methods like using rogaine and all that but really, you are losing your hair because of a stressful traumatic event in your life, and it WILL pass. All the Vitamins in the world probably won't prevent this so I wouldn't get too worked up over it. This is really common after surgery, huge losses, weight loss even without surgery, even life events like moving to a new area can induce Hair loss.
Just ride it out, try a new style maybe and go easy on heat tools and don't over wash it.

~~~I would rather be bald then to go back to 349 pounds!~~~

Good luck to you all getting sleeved tomorrow. I was sleeved this past thursday and here's some advice from my experience:
1. If you know you get nauseous from anesthesia or pain meds then ask for a patch or something to counter act it.
2. Get up and walk as soon as you can....the first time I walked it was about 5 hours after surgery. Only walked to the nurses station but it was a start.
3. I find it much easier to get into bed on your knees, then your not pulling on any of the stitches. I still do that now.
4. Bring that extra pillow to hold over your stomach when you are moving around...it really helps
5. Remember to take tiny sips when you can...when I saw that SF popsicle, I took too big of a bite and started salivating and dry heaving some.
6. I don't know if others do or not, but don't panic if you vomit and see a lot of brown stuff. It's the dry blood from surgery. This happened to me the first night at home. You will probably see some of it with your first BM also
7. First day at home, I found it helped me to take a tiny sip, walk around the house then come back and take another sip. It definitely gave time for the liquid to move through my tiny stomach to be able to accept more.

I am on the pre op diet and am also looking for ideas during those week times of the day. One thing that has worked for me is making a slurpee with crystal light in my bullet with crushed ice and Water blended until it's like a slurpee. It is a real treat but more importantly, I am getting my water in and by the time I finish it, usually I am past/over my weak moment.

I found that time of the day was hardest for me too!! I am fortunate enough that my daughter and husband helped me clean out the house so I no longer have the temptation. But what did help was eating more of my daily calories and huge Protein in meal 1. It makes me feel so full that I think about snacking but couldn't even if I wanted to lately. You will be ok and just hop back on the bandwagon. We just went on a cruise and those temptations were too much. So I did have a little but basically tasted and spit lol. Good luck and if my daughter (16) wants some of those foods she keeps them in her room or in basement where I don't have to see them.

My advise would be to get rid of all those tempting foods and other sliders from your cupboards. I know it sounds totally unhelpful - but in my experiece, whenever I feel that I dont have the will power to say no, I just try to avoid temptation.
Dont give up - this is a golden chance to improve our health and lifestyle. All the best!

I got around the head hunger by eating more Protein or low carb sweets like the Atkins bars. Also I told myself, "I'll eat the high Protein low carb stuff first, if I still want the ice cream, I'll have some." Most of the time, I didn't get around to eating the ice cream, other times I did. It got easier the more I did it.
And I did like vjslim suggested, remove the temptations from your house. If I really wanted something so bad, I'd have to get in the car and drive down to the store.
It worked really well, I have to really really want something to get dressed and drive to the store at 9 at night!
But I'm sure there is surveillance footage of me buying a cherry pie at Wal-Mart late at night.

On a serious note though. The "honeymoon" phase of a diet I know well!
It happened after being sleeved too. You know... you've lost some weight, feel good but want to fall of the wagon and eat something yummy! The difference now is the lack if capacity to eat much. And I know that what I eat has to count (protein, veg).
So though I do get pouty about it sometimes I have been able to get past that falling off the wagon part.
And the pre op diet?? Well you just have to muscle through it, because the surgeon needs you to do it ( various reasons)
Good luck to you!
Laura

Hi there! I'm new here to the site. My name is Kari and I'm 30 years old from Michigan.
I've been researching WLS for the last year and officially started this process this past January 2013.
Initially, I started out thinking I was going to have the Roux en Y Gastric Bypass, however after meeting my surgeon for the first time and going over my labs, it was discovered that I am very anemic and he felt that the RNY would not be a good option for me as in the long-term it will cause me more health problems than what it's worth. I completely trust his judgment, therefore I will be going with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy! (And in all honesty, I feel better about this choice for some reason).
Thankfully we have been blessed with great health insurance through my husband's employer, and they cover the surgery, no questions asked, no pre-approval. I just have to do everything my bariatric program requires, and I'm good to go.
Next week I do my psych evaluation, and the following week I will do my exercise consultation. Sometime after that I will meet with a cardiac doctor to get surgery clearance, and have another visit with my surgeon. On that day I will also get to schedule my surgery. I'm excited and nervous, and I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions along the way!
My highest weight ever was 320 lbs. My starting weight for this process was 311 and my current weight is 294.
I look forward to getting to know many of you here! Thanks for allowing me to introduce myself!
- Kari

Being afraid is healthy and normal. Honestly those who say "do it all right and it will be fine" are the people who will likely be a mess if they do have complications because they aren't prepared.
Use your fears to educate yourself. Write down each fear and then research what you can do about it. If it's a leak, look up symptoms so that if you have them you can be proactive and get help right away. Delay is what kills with leaks. It nearly killed me.
Don't trust your doctor to know what's wrong. If you have symptoms and they feel you're fine, insist on a barium swallow anyway. This could have saved me hundreds of thousands of dollars...but more importantly, saved me from intense pain...more than I can ever explain.
If you fear strictures than look up those symptoms...again know what they are and listen to your body. REport any concerns and insist they be checked out.
Check out your doctor and the hospital you will be at (and for gods sake do this at a hospital...I went to a day surgery center...COE and all...it was a mistake as they couldn't treat the bleeding properly). Know who your doctor is, your anesthesiologist, your nurses...ask about them all and their credentials.
As your doctor how they deal with a leak or a stricture. Ask for SPECIFICS and ask about early leaks and late leaks. Ask how many they have dealt with and the outcomes. A doctor who is good will be frank with you. I wish I'd have done this!
Have a network in place so that if you aren't a quick healer you can take the time you need to heal properly. Think about things...lifting a basket of laundry or vacuuming should be avoided for six weeks. Don't shop and carry heavy bags...don't over exercise and for gods sake after surgery follow your doctors orders! Be smart so you heal well
Fear complications. With this surgery they are BAD. It's normal and right to feel those fears, but use that fear to lead you down the path to a great recovery and worst case...know that leaks or strictures caught early on are not nearly as bad as those that are left too long. Those are what kill, or severely damage your life. Knowing about them...everything you can learn will help you move forward and face those concerns. Knowledge is always the key!

I came very close to talking myself out of the surgery! In fact, I started my "surgery" journey with the hope of having to do a 6 month diet but my insurance didn't require it so I took 6 months myself to try to lose the weight on my own but didn't get very far. I cried the day I got my surgery date and I'm not sure they were tears of happiness but more like tears of fears. The day of the surgery I was hooked up to the IVs and I started crying and aplogizing to my husband for having to resort to such drastic measures to lose weight. When my surgeon came in he asked me how I was feeling and I told him scared and nervous, he wanted to cancel the surgery until I felt more comfortable and that's when I realized that I was more scared not to go through with it. While I had a complication in surgery it was nothing compared to what I have gained now that I'm 8 months out and only 14 lbs from goal.

So I've done all the research (ok granted maybe a little too much) and I'm about 2 months out from my surgery date (April 15) and technically I'm still pending insurance approval but I'm taking all the steps and going through the process full steam ahead. I've definitely gone through a roller coaster of emotions since starting this journey, and I still get mixed emotions everyday. But I guess where im at now is the "fear" stage. I'm constantly thinking about complications, leaks, structure, infection, etc. I'm spending hours researching horror stories of things gone wrong and the aftermath of complications. I realize that with any surgery there are always risks and one must decide of the benefits will outweigh the risks. I guess that's the point I'm at now. I'm a lower bmi. I'm 31 years old, 238lbs and bmi of 37. I have a about 80lbs to lose to be considered at a healthy weight for my height. But I also have high blood pressure (for about 3 years controlled by medicine) and high cholesterol. My weight history has shown a consistent failure at conventional weight loss attempts and I progressively gain 8-10 lbs a year. So my fear is if I DON'T get the surgery I could end up weighting 50lbs more in 5 years. I know that this surgery is the answer (and I know it's not the "easy way out" and it takes work and the surgery is just a tool). I guess I'm just scared. Scared about the surgery itself and complications, leaks. AmI alone in this? Has anyone ever talked themselves out of the surgery before they hit the table? Is anyone else scared?

Oh oh oh!! "Dry fried tofu" is a good grab and go!
I cut my tofu into wedges then slowly fry them in a nonstick griddle to crisp them up and take out the liquid out, then you can season them. But I refrigerate them and eat them as is..

Not! Put the money away you would have splurged with and save it to buy new "little" girl pretty panties later...believe me you'll need'em in a smaller size soon!
Our whole lives up until surgery have been one food funeral after another.
Enjoy your new beginning

So my kids love their Cereal, as did I. One is still under 2 and the other is a thin 5 1/2 year old. My husband has not an ounce to lose.
Ok, there's the history.
We used to buy our milk at costco - 2 gallons of 1% and 2 gallons of whole milk. We'd eat Cereal with the 1% and the boys would eat cereal with the whole milk. Well, as I'm on the pre-pre op diet (not liquid), I'm cutting out a ton of crap - including my beloved Breakfast cereal. I was feeling especially weak this week and REALLY wanted a bowl of those alluring Lucky Charms. I WAS going to have a bowl...then I realized I had made a change I didn't even really realize...I only had whole milk in the house. I'm not drinking milk anymore so I stopped buying the 1% and all the guys eat/drink whole milk now. Although the Lucky Charms would have been great - there was NO WAY I was going to eat them with whole milk - I might as well eat a pound of butter - that stuff is so loaded in fat and calories AND I couldn't eat them dry - wouldn't have the same effect. And so, unbeknownst to myself, I set myself up for success. No milk = no cereal! :tongue2:

Hi All,
I've read through many of your posts and have found much inspiration from you all. I'm thrilled to be part of such a strong community! I'm new into the process, just started my pre-op (non-liquid) diet to get down to the goal weight the surgeon will give me tomorrow. I'm a little nervous to be honest. It's SUCH a big change and one I'm ready for. I think if I wasn't nervous, I am not being honest with myself - it's a BIG step - no question.
I can't help but think, "Oh Cookies, how I'll miss you"...etc but I read a great post saying you're not NEVER going to have them...just not for awhile and maybe when you can again, you won't want to....so I made a condolence card for myself. I googled a bunch of images and made a collage of them (Oreos, Doritos, French Toast, Cookies, Cake, Milkshakes, Panda Express, Mac and cheese and Pizza) and in the inside I wrote, "Sorry you're dead but better you than me!" I love it. I haven't figured out where to put it but it made me feel good to make it.
Anyway, thanks for your support and I hope to return the favor to you. Never been so happy to be a loser!

I went to the store this weekend to buy all my 'outside' aisle things (that's my new goal - to only shop on the outside isles, dairy/eggs, veggies and meat). The cute little devils outside were selling my FAVORITE girl scout Cookies. I didn't think it was fair for my husband who has NO struggles with weight to have to pay the price for my dieting ways (he's helping out so much already) so I bought him some Thin Mints and Tagalongs (both which I could do without). It took me a good 10 seconds to win the internal battle to NOT buy some Samoas (mind: "I can eat a couple and the kids can have the rest") but I DIDN'T buy them. I knew going in this would be one of my major pitfalls - I had already allowed myself to splurge on these but when the time came...I resisted! I'm so proud of myself. Next test...MiniEggs!

I went to the store this weekend to buy all my 'outside' aisle things (that's my new goal - to only shop on the outside isles, dairy/eggs, veggies and meat). The cute little devils outside were selling my FAVORITE girl scout Cookies. I didn't think it was fair for my husband who has NO struggles with weight to have to pay the price for my dieting ways (he's helping out so much already) so I bought him some Thin Mints and Tagalongs (both which I could do without). It took me a good 10 seconds to win the internal battle to NOT buy some Samoas (mind: "I can eat a couple and the kids can have the rest") but I DIDN'T buy them. I knew going in this would be one of my major pitfalls - I had already allowed myself to splurge on these but when the time came...I resisted! I'm so proud of myself. Next test...MiniEggs!

I went to the store this weekend to buy all my 'outside' aisle things (that's my new goal - to only shop on the outside isles, dairy/eggs, veggies and meat). The cute little devils outside were selling my FAVORITE girl scout Cookies. I didn't think it was fair for my husband who has NO struggles with weight to have to pay the price for my dieting ways (he's helping out so much already) so I bought him some Thin Mints and Tagalongs (both which I could do without). It took me a good 10 seconds to win the internal battle to NOT buy some Samoas (mind: "I can eat a couple and the kids can have the rest") but I DIDN'T buy them. I knew going in this would be one of my major pitfalls - I had already allowed myself to splurge on these but when the time came...I resisted! I'm so proud of myself. Next test...MiniEggs!

I told several people I was thinking about doing it. I wanted to hear feedback and support. I was also kinda hoping for somebody to say "What the heck - NO NO NO!". I didn't hear any negative feedback (I have a great and diverse group of friends and family). I thought my sister would be the 'doubter' but she was super supportive. She's been doing a lot of research and asks me questions - which helps us both - I know what I'm getting into and that helps calm her fears. I've challenged her to find something I haven't heard about or researched. I HATE the stigma attached to WLS. It's not a failure or a way to cheat weight loss - it's a tool and a good choice for me.
Will I post it to FB? Yes, probably after I get my date. If you're not in support of me, then you're not really my friend anyway. I don't want to lie (or hide the truth) - it's a journey, it's a lot of work and YAY ME!
I get why others are keeping it to themselves but that's not for me. Best of luck everybody!

Hi All,
I've read through many of your posts and have found much inspiration from you all. I'm thrilled to be part of such a strong community! I'm new into the process, just started my pre-op (non-liquid) diet to get down to the goal weight the surgeon will give me tomorrow. I'm a little nervous to be honest. It's SUCH a big change and one I'm ready for. I think if I wasn't nervous, I am not being honest with myself - it's a BIG step - no question.
I can't help but think, "Oh Cookies, how I'll miss you"...etc but I read a great post saying you're not NEVER going to have them...just not for awhile and maybe when you can again, you won't want to....so I made a condolence card for myself. I googled a bunch of images and made a collage of them (Oreos, Doritos, French Toast, Cookies, Cake, Milkshakes, Panda Express, Mac and cheese and Pizza) and in the inside I wrote, "Sorry you're dead but better you than me!" I love it. I haven't figured out where to put it but it made me feel good to make it.
Anyway, thanks for your support and I hope to return the favor to you. Never been so happy to be a loser!

Hi All,
I've read through many of your posts and have found much inspiration from you all. I'm thrilled to be part of such a strong community! I'm new into the process, just started my pre-op (non-liquid) diet to get down to the goal weight the surgeon will give me tomorrow. I'm a little nervous to be honest. It's SUCH a big change and one I'm ready for. I think if I wasn't nervous, I am not being honest with myself - it's a BIG step - no question.
I can't help but think, "Oh Cookies, how I'll miss you"...etc but I read a great post saying you're not NEVER going to have them...just not for awhile and maybe when you can again, you won't want to....so I made a condolence card for myself. I googled a bunch of images and made a collage of them (Oreos, Doritos, French Toast, Cookies, Cake, Milkshakes, Panda Express, Mac and cheese and Pizza) and in the inside I wrote, "Sorry you're dead but better you than me!" I love it. I haven't figured out where to put it but it made me feel good to make it.
Anyway, thanks for your support and I hope to return the favor to you. Never been so happy to be a loser!

I'll reply later in depth but I have a meeting to head to so I want to be quick.
Sannah....if your beautiful baby were a young lady and a doctor made her feel stupid what would you tell her to do? I would be surprised to read that you would let her sweat it out and torture herself over it...I think you'd say "darling, no one should make you feel stupid, especially with everything you are going through" wouldn't you?????
You're not my daughter (If you were you'd be dressed up in enough pink and purple tulle and ribbons to make yourself dizzy...but that's a mom of a son's imagination talking...) umm anyhoo, you aren't my daughter so I'll just smack you lightly upside the head and say "Girlfriend, I know you talk to bananas, but you're not stupid! You're just goofy and NO ONE should be talking to you as if you are, let alone actually tell you to your face that you are!!!!!!!" NO ONE!!!!
The best move I made was to fire my ever so nice doctor and move on to another doctor. Fresh eyes are so important when you go through such an all consuming medical disaster like this. I don't think you'll regret the move darling and you might just end up being very thankful, as I am, about making that kind of a move!
But don't call them on the banana....they're typically wire tapped

You my dear are without a doubt one of the most positive people on here. My thougjts and prayers are with you and your family. Like Laura said your daughter is very lucky to have such an amazing mom like you. It touches my heart when I hear the real love a mom has for their child or children. We are here for you if you ever need extra support :-)