Indigo1991

Sorry to tell everyone but the hair loss is a side effect of the surgery, your body's response to major surgery. So shampoos, Protein, vits improve the quality of ur hair and help with re growth but nothing stops the Hair loss. If there was a way to avoid it, we would all be given the cure! And there would be a lot less guys with shaved heads :-))))
Am currently losing mine but as I said in another post, once it stops and re grows, I will still be healthy and looking great - it's a small price to pay for such a huge change in my life.

Andy810
I am 18 months out and have never had a shake. Ever.
I decided at the outset that I needed to be able to eat "normal" food as I have a life where eating out is a regular thing. Drinking shakes felt like being on a diet whereas I wanted to acknowledge that I had a new "normal" in relation to food - I didn't want a food substitute, I wanted to make good food choices in the real world. I also saw some people who seemed to rely on shakes way past when they should have done and then struggled to wean themselves off them.
I fortified milk (added skimmed milk powder to skimmed milk) to add significantly to my Protein intake without adding carbs. I also added skimmed milk or the powder to Soups in the first few weeks, which gave me additional Protein with little effort.
Worked for me. Reached my target in about 8 months and I can eat pretty much anything now - just smaller amounts :-)))) But each to their own, I just knew shakes were not for me....
Good luck!

Yup know that feeling! Cosmetic surgeon looked at me with my clothes on when I went for a consult for breast reduction and lift and raised his eyebrows, indicating that he didn't think I needed much done.
Took off my bra and he instantly said it would be the most extensive lift he'd done!!!!
Can't wait for the day that, when I take my bra off, my boobs stay where they are and don't unravel like a sock with an orange in the bottom

I eat out three or four times a week and have done since I was around 3 months out. I always try to eat "on plan" in the sense that I eat Protein first, with some veggies and a bit of carb if I feel like it. I eat for the social side but I still enjoy my food, no matter how little of it there is!
It's not a problem eating out. I look small to normal so no one questions the amount I eat - they think I eat less cos I am little rather than I am little cos I eat less :-))))
I don't do doggie bags... When I have finished with my meal, I don't want to take it home and eat it for a few more meals. So I usually ask for the smallest pice of fish, steak or chicken and more often than not, get a portion that I can eat most of - but I am a year out.
I suppose the eating out thing for me is about not letting food dictate to me any more. It feels like it in its place, which means I can eat out and enjoy the experience, friends and food in equal measure. I don't go out to stuff myself or for the pudding any more ... and there's a great sense of relief that the pressure is now off!

Had my surgery in April 2013 and my life is unrecognisable from then until now. My mind is unrecognisable never mind my body, lol. I am happy and nothing in life is a problem...
Luckily for me that's what keeps me smiling when an acquaintance repeatedly tells mutual friends she is just waiting for me to "pile the weight back on".
Hell will be freezing over before I give her the satisfaction of seeing me gain a pound. But what a sad life she must have if taking pleasure in waiting for someone to fail is the highlight of her life.
The old me would have fretted about whether she might have a point. The new me says "feck her". And if she ever says it to my face, that's the gist of what I will say to her. Not very sophisticated - but I think it would be very effective in shutting her up once and for all!

So, I unexpectedly bump into my dietician in the supermarket, six months after my final appointment with him.
I was really touched at how pleased he was to see me saying "you look amazing" and "you have done so well".
What did I say in return? "Do you want to look at what's in my shopping basket?"
WTF???? Lol!

Nope, not too old.
Anyway, that's your age - what's the number in your head? Mine is 19, an age I seem to have reverted back to since I lost weight
Good luck to you.

Had my surgery in April 2013 and my life is unrecognisable from then until now. My mind is unrecognisable never mind my body, lol. I am happy and nothing in life is a problem...
Luckily for me that's what keeps me smiling when an acquaintance repeatedly tells mutual friends she is just waiting for me to "pile the weight back on".
Hell will be freezing over before I give her the satisfaction of seeing me gain a pound. But what a sad life she must have if taking pleasure in waiting for someone to fail is the highlight of her life.
The old me would have fretted about whether she might have a point. The new me says "feck her". And if she ever says it to my face, that's the gist of what I will say to her. Not very sophisticated - but I think it would be very effective in shutting her up once and for all!

Hi all, thought I would give you a wee update on my post...
The Naked Hottie is no more but that's ok. He still has a very important place in my new post-sleeve life...
I have been out on a few dates since, but yet to find someone special. But the big news is that I have increasingly become like catnip to younger men! Yes, I am now normal sized, so I dress better. And I like myself, so there's a positive vibe coming from me.
But apparently, according to the one who's pursued me for the last few months (ex model cutie), it's my attitude that's doing it - I am fun, interesting and full of life. Who'd have thought it ha ha ha!!! Flattering as it is, I am still resisting as there's younger than me -and there's waaaaaaaay too young.
But the smile on my face says it all.... :-))))))

Well, after 3 years on my own following the break up of a 30 year relationship, at the weekend I finally got naked with someone I have lusted after for years....
He didn't run away screaming at my wrinkly, saggy bits. I took my clothes off - ALL OF THEM!!!! And the world didn't end, he didn't laugh and I didn't die of embarrassment.
Something for me to add to my list when people ask how my sleeve has changed my life - I can do naked :-)))))))
Sorry if is is tmi, but I actually never thought at 52 that I could throw my clothes off with such abandon and without stressing -oh how I love my sleeve!

Well, after 3 years on my own following the break up of a 30 year relationship, at the weekend I finally got naked with someone I have lusted after for years....
He didn't run away screaming at my wrinkly, saggy bits. I took my clothes off - ALL OF THEM!!!! And the world didn't end, he didn't laugh and I didn't die of embarrassment.
Something for me to add to my list when people ask how my sleeve has changed my life - I can do naked :-)))))))
Sorry if is is tmi, but I actually never thought at 52 that I could throw my clothes off with such abandon and without stressing -oh how I love my sleeve!

Feedyoureye is so right! Even when you stop losing weight, your body seems to keep doing its thing and continues changing, tightening and moving.
I have had the turkey neck thing, but that's settled down. My Shar pei bottom isn't quite so wrinkly. I have saggy sock boobs to my knees (tmi???) - but cosmetics will fix that, along with a Tummy Tuck to get rid of the excess skin.
But none of that changes my mind - no regrets re surgery, not a single one. Being fat was like an anchor on my life but nothing holds me back now.

It's ok, you are not the first person to vent about this and you won't be the last!
People get used to us, how we look and where we fit into their lives when we are overweight. When we change that, it brings up all sorts of emotions for them that we don't necessarily see or understand.
For me, most of my closest friends and family have yet to say "too skinny". That's because they know where I am going with this and they remember me last time I was a wee thing. So they are enjoying my size and my happier outlook rather then having an issue with it. But I know if I go too far, they'll let me know sharpish :-)
However, I have other friends who have started sucking their teeth and frowning before telling me in a pseudo concerned way that I surely must have lost enough by now. Have to say the worst comment at Christmas was a friend who said "enough, you are going to look so old if you go any further". Wow! But when I thought about it, it's the first time I have ever been smaller than her - and now it's very noticeable...
So, what do I do? I smile and let the enquirer know I am under medical supervision that I trust, then I move the conversation on. Sometimes you have to be direct if they don't take a hint. Did that to another friend recently when she said - again - that I mustn't get too skinny through little disapproving lips. I immediately said thanks for the unhelpful comment and that her comments were getting me down. She was shocked because, in her way, she thought she was showing concern and was embarrassed that that wasnt how it was coming across. But it has stopped and she has gone back to being supportive. You just got to say it as it is, nicely but firmly because some people have no idea the impact they are having.
But it's not a problem I EVER thought I would be complaining about, lol!

Oh, Vogue, have a big hug from me. Understand exactly what you are saying and no, it makes no sense - but for me, it's like grieving for what was and who you were.
When I looked at my before clothes and pics of me wearing them, I cried for a day. I cried for the memories and misery that came flooding back, for the unhappy person I was when I wore the clothes, I cried slightly with fear that I would ever go back and some of it with relief that I will work hard to never be that size again.
You're having a moment and you are allowed to after how successful you've been. Think about doing the after pic and post before/after, it will help draw a line.
Ramble away, you are not alone :-) x

Well, after 3 years on my own following the break up of a 30 year relationship, at the weekend I finally got naked with someone I have lusted after for years....
He didn't run away screaming at my wrinkly, saggy bits. I took my clothes off - ALL OF THEM!!!! And the world didn't end, he didn't laugh and I didn't die of embarrassment.
Something for me to add to my list when people ask how my sleeve has changed my life - I can do naked :-)))))))
Sorry if is is tmi, but I actually never thought at 52 that I could throw my clothes off with such abandon and without stressing -oh how I love my sleeve!

Had my surgery in April 2013 and my life is unrecognisable from then until now. My mind is unrecognisable never mind my body, lol. I am happy and nothing in life is a problem...
Luckily for me that's what keeps me smiling when an acquaintance repeatedly tells mutual friends she is just waiting for me to "pile the weight back on".
Hell will be freezing over before I give her the satisfaction of seeing me gain a pound. But what a sad life she must have if taking pleasure in waiting for someone to fail is the highlight of her life.
The old me would have fretted about whether she might have a point. The new me says "feck her". And if she ever says it to my face, that's the gist of what I will say to her. Not very sophisticated - but I think it would be very effective in shutting her up once and for all!

Thanks RJ, you're not so bad yourself
Strange thing is that the longer I have been at my goal weight, the less I care about any bitchy comments. But reality is, they are few and far between. Most people now seem comfortable and accepting of what I look like and what I weigh... Which is great. Because initially, it was all people wanted to talk about!
Being happy with myself seems to have given me a waterproof coating where cr*p just slides of me!!!

Hey, Miss Mac! I would love to do that - but there's probably more fun to be had with her saying what she's saying as everyone knows I had the surgery -except her :-)))) She will eventually be very confused...
Jenn1, good for you, using your IL's bad attitude to drive you on to do a good, positive thing is perfect. Good luck in the race!
Lipstick, revenge is a dish best served cold - enjoy....

Had my surgery in April 2013 and my life is unrecognisable from then until now. My mind is unrecognisable never mind my body, lol. I am happy and nothing in life is a problem...
Luckily for me that's what keeps me smiling when an acquaintance repeatedly tells mutual friends she is just waiting for me to "pile the weight back on".
Hell will be freezing over before I give her the satisfaction of seeing me gain a pound. But what a sad life she must have if taking pleasure in waiting for someone to fail is the highlight of her life.
The old me would have fretted about whether she might have a point. The new me says "feck her". And if she ever says it to my face, that's the gist of what I will say to her. Not very sophisticated - but I think it would be very effective in shutting her up once and for all!

Had my surgery in April 2013 and my life is unrecognisable from then until now. My mind is unrecognisable never mind my body, lol. I am happy and nothing in life is a problem...
Luckily for me that's what keeps me smiling when an acquaintance repeatedly tells mutual friends she is just waiting for me to "pile the weight back on".
Hell will be freezing over before I give her the satisfaction of seeing me gain a pound. But what a sad life she must have if taking pleasure in waiting for someone to fail is the highlight of her life.
The old me would have fretted about whether she might have a point. The new me says "feck her". And if she ever says it to my face, that's the gist of what I will say to her. Not very sophisticated - but I think it would be very effective in shutting her up once and for all!

Had my surgery in April 2013 and my life is unrecognisable from then until now. My mind is unrecognisable never mind my body, lol. I am happy and nothing in life is a problem...
Luckily for me that's what keeps me smiling when an acquaintance repeatedly tells mutual friends she is just waiting for me to "pile the weight back on".
Hell will be freezing over before I give her the satisfaction of seeing me gain a pound. But what a sad life she must have if taking pleasure in waiting for someone to fail is the highlight of her life.
The old me would have fretted about whether she might have a point. The new me says "feck her". And if she ever says it to my face, that's the gist of what I will say to her. Not very sophisticated - but I think it would be very effective in shutting her up once and for all!

Well, after 3 years on my own following the break up of a 30 year relationship, at the weekend I finally got naked with someone I have lusted after for years....
He didn't run away screaming at my wrinkly, saggy bits. I took my clothes off - ALL OF THEM!!!! And the world didn't end, he didn't laugh and I didn't die of embarrassment.
Something for me to add to my list when people ask how my sleeve has changed my life - I can do naked :-)))))))
Sorry if is is tmi, but I actually never thought at 52 that I could throw my clothes off with such abandon and without stressing -oh how I love my sleeve!

So, I unexpectedly bump into my dietician in the supermarket, six months after my final appointment with him.
I was really touched at how pleased he was to see me saying "you look amazing" and "you have done so well".
What did I say in return? "Do you want to look at what's in my shopping basket?"
WTF???? Lol!

Thanks RJ, you're not so bad yourself
Strange thing is that the longer I have been at my goal weight, the less I care about any bitchy comments. But reality is, they are few and far between. Most people now seem comfortable and accepting of what I look like and what I weigh... Which is great. Because initially, it was all people wanted to talk about!
Being happy with myself seems to have given me a waterproof coating where cr*p just slides of me!!!

Haaaaaaa!! Great answer!!