ShelPrice

The guidance I was given basically states that it happens due to the shock of surgery and weightloss, and that for those patients that experience the hairloss, 30-40% of it could fall out, several months after the shock occurred that put them into the "resting" phase. Guidance states that it's not likely due to nutrient deficiency and there's really no intervention necessary or particularly effective and that it will begin to grow back and you don't have to worry about whether or not to Shampoo or how vigorously to shampoo, because all that does is loosen the strands that were going to come out anyway. I think this is one of the side effects where "Suck it up, buttercup" applies, unfortunately. Might be a good time to develop a personal style that includes some cute hats...
Good luck!

Down 49 lbs.
Shel in Kansas - Sleeved 5/21/13

Hi Pink Dragoness! My NUT said that it a combination of anesthesia plus rapid weight loss that causes a high % of people to lose hair. Even folks who do not have WLS but lose lots of weight often lose their hair for a period of a few months. She also said that no Vitamins, supplements or regiments can prevent Hair loss if you are in the unlucky lot. My hair loss has been dramatic in the last couple of weeks and it definitely shows. I took Biotin, fish oil and mega vitamins for months before the WLS. Oh well, small price to pay, I say. I also have a friend who lost all of her hair and eyebrows due to chemotherapy treatments for cancer. How can I complain, right?

I am Dawn and I am a 34-year-old mother of one. I am a single parent and my father helps out with my daughter. I was an athlete. I hiked up mountains, won bike races, skiied and much more. I gained no weight in my pregnancy until the 7th month. In two months I gained over 80lbs. The day I left the hospital, after delivering my daughter, I had gained another 10 lbs. 8 years passed by and I continued to hike and swim and diet and no weight came off. I was then diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). I was told that if I took medications made for diabetes, I would lose the weight. Another 7 years has passed and I have lost nothing, but the odd drop in Water. I am tired of being told that I have a pretty face. It is what people say when they are avoiding discussing the rest of my appearance. I want to feel comfortable in an airline seat. I want to where normal clothes. I want to never have to worry about weight restrictions again because, "I'm obviously not that heavy". I want to be able to fit into the life jacket and the regular sized kayak so that I can go out on the Water with my daughter. I want to feel good about myself and go on dates again.
I have a love hate relationship with the idea of VS. I want to lose the weight and my vanity says that if I lose the weight there will be saggy skin, I will be ugly and no man would want to be with me. I won't be able to afford the skin removal right away so I will need to live with it for a while. I have a regular sized upper body and a very exaggerated derrier and thighs. What if I lose everything from my upper half and I am still out of proportion? PCOS creates something called floating androgens. These block the insulin that I produce and forces my body to turn whatever I eat into fat storage rather than energy. I can get more fat eating a salad without dressing. What if I do the vertical sleeve and my PCOS makes it impossible to lose the weight? I'll have gone through all of that and given up so much for nothing.
I probaly sound a little neurotic. I don't mean to be like that, but until I have better answers on PCOS and the sleeve, I need to hold on. I hope the news is good in regards to PCOS women losing weight with this surgery. I can't weight to start the rest of my life.

I almost wish I had the loose stools back . At 10 weeks out, I struggle more with Constipation.< /p>
Shel in Kansas - Sleeved 5/21/13

I'm 41, married for 6 years and mom to a wonderfully feisty 3 yr old girl. I work for Con-way Freight and am finally finishing my degree. I'll have my BSB with a concentration in Integrated Supply Chain and Operations Mgmt next September.
I have two younger sisters who are my best friends and love the closeness of our family. Family is everything.
My husband and I spend our free time watching the world through the eyes of a preschooler, but cherish our monthly date nights. This summer's date nights have been filled with baseball games...go Tigers!
I'm an 80's geek and could name any tune in an embarrassingly short amount of time.
That's pretty much me in a nutshell.
Great thread!

Hello!
My name is Jennifer and I am 29 years old. I work for a research base nutrition company as a lead customer service representative. I had my surgery July 8, 2103 and have lost 30lbs so far.
I have a big blended family (8 siblings biologicial, step, and half all mixed into one). Obesity runs in my family. I had always been the "skinny" one growing up. I was very active. I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer when I was 19. Gained over 100lbs within a year. I started to feel sorry for myself and ate my feelings like no tomorrow. My mom, sister, and brother all had the gastric bypass surgery. I told myself I wouldn't go that route because I won't get THAT heavy. I was 280lbs at my heaviest. I knew my life needed to change and I said, "I don't want to be like this anymore". I started going to the gym, eating better, not snacking as much. I was able to lose 40lbs on my own then plateaued. No matter what I did, I couldn't lose anymore. UGH! So, this past year and a half I went through the process of getting the surgery done. After dealing with insurance changes I was able to have my surgery July 8, 2013. I'm glad I made this decision. I'm starting slowly onto soft foods now. I've already learned not to do the "one more spoonful". OUCH!!! I still need to get into individual counseling to help with the emotional and mental cravings. I'm proud of you all for making that step and look forward to sharing this journey with everyone!

It's all good. Fast or slow just keep at it!!!

I'm 48, army brat, married (2005), no children and have 3 dogs and a cat. Love reading, traveling and going to the dog park (so many dogs, so little time ). Favorite comedians are Kathleen Madigan and Gabriel Englesias. Generally pretty liberal; have friends from all walks of life. Have a somewhere techy job; been with the same company for over 13 years and generally like it. I like food (duh)...Korean, Thai, Ethiopian, pretty much everything. Like to cook (my mom says I'm good at it lol). Think life should be an adventure.
Shel in Kansas - Sleeved 5/21/13

Greetings, everyone! I'm David, and I was "sleeved" on November 15, 2012, and this has been an incredible journey thus far. I, like many others, have been obese for a significant portion of my life, and in August 2012, I decided I was going to be proactive and do something about it. I made this decision when I was confronted with the stark reality that I weighed over 500 pounds. At my heaviest, in fact, I weighed 513.1 lbs. Though I knew I was extremely overweight, I avoided ever weighing myself until that point, but when I did, at that moment I decided to take my life into my hands.
I attended an introductory seminar learning about the various surgeries and opted to go with the sleeve, as I felt it was a little less invasive than the bypass. I scheduled my surgery for mid-November, and prior to surgery in the months leading up to it, I lost about 60 pounds.
Since surgery, I have not had any major hiccups and, for the most part, things have been going very well. I recently learned of this community and decided to join, share my story with others, and be inspired by the stories of others. Since I began this journey roughly one year ago, I have lost approximately 225 pounds; I still have a little way to go until I reach my ultimate goal between 200-225 pounds, but I am excited to have made it to this point.
With that being said, I look forward to reading of everyone's experiences!

Sleeved 5/22 down 59lbs! Feeling awesome! Love my sleeve!

40 down since surgery on 5/21...51 if you count pro-op diet.
Shel in Kansas - Sleeved 5/21/13

40 down since surgery on 5/21...51 if you count pro-op diet.
Shel in Kansas - Sleeved 5/21/13

Congratulations
Shel in Kansas - Sleeved 5/21/13

I had surgery on 7/30 and every time a nurse would check on me she would ask, have you farted yet. I was so embarrassed I kept saying I don't think so and they'd reply oh you'll know. Lol.
When I finally did, it was so loud and then my whole stomach started making noises. I felt like one of those old fashioned crank start engines. Ugh. And agreed- no truer advice has been spoken. Do not trust them! Lol

I almost wish I had the loose stools back . At 10 weeks out, I struggle more with Constipation.< /p>
Shel in Kansas - Sleeved 5/21/13

What is worse....saggy boobs or morbid obesity? I will take my saggy slinkies any day of the week! Yes, it's a bummer that I need a size "long" in bra now but with a bra and clothes on, if I say so myself, I look pretty cute and I feel great!
So don't let a down side stop you from what could be a huge upgrade in your quality of health and quality of living!

Nice thing about getting older, I don't give a crap what others think about having the surgery. That being said, I've told everyone I know and no one has been anything other than supportive.
Shel in Kansas / Sleeved 5/21/13

I'm doing great at 10 weeks post options. No complications, getting in all my Water and Protein. So far there's been nothing my stomach can't handle in small portions. I'm exercising most days and losing weight (in kind of a stair step pattern. ) I've lost 36 lbs since surgery and 77 lbs so far this year. Went from a size 28 to a size 20. I feel great.
Shel in Kansas - Sleeved 5/21/13

Nice thing about getting older, I don't give a crap what others think about having the surgery. That being said, I've told everyone I know and no one has been anything other than supportive.
Shel in Kansas / Sleeved 5/21/13

right? "gee i wish i could go back to eating enough food so that it will kill me, please." um, no.

Hello, my name is Ayesha. I am 42 with 3 children. I am a single parent with an associates degree in human services and currently taking my bachelors in psychology. I had my sleeve done July 9th 2013, and im 2 1/2 wks out and 30 lbs lighter. I love walks and being in the park, listening to music especially live in the park. I am moving to Atlanta next summer after my 1 yr checkup. I have been unhappy with my weight since i was 27 when i had my 3rd and last child. I am so happy to finally have the sleeve done and losing the weight i been struggling with.

Yes, they make turkey pepperoni. I've bought the Hormel brand at my local supermarket. I found it in the lunch meat case. It tastes very good.