snowblue

I have the same worry and have been told the same about the protien. I have also been told that taking Biotin helps... I've also been told that it takes 2-4 months for nutritional deficits to manifest as hair loss, and that it really doesn't matter what you do, you will lose hair... Any other thoughts?

Dear superbariatricbabe:

I too have been in 6 mo of psychotherapy w someone who specializes in eating disorders. She gave me a list of about 200 feeling words (cheesy, but it really worked) that I carry around with me all the time. If I feel the need to emotionally eat, I write down what my feelings are at the time-- just to clarify, she didn't tell me not to binge eat if I felt I needed to. She just wanted me to write down my feelings and what I ate, so we could talk about them at our next appointment.

This has really helped me go from binging nearly everyday to about once a month at this point. I have lost more than 20lbs in the 6 months, and all that has changed is this identification of my feelings.

I have my appointment with the surgeon next Thursday, in order to get a surgery date. I had everything done and ready to go 6 months ago, but my psychiatrist said he wanted me to have the therapy first. I was REALLY pissed at the time, but he was right-- so glad I have begun to work on my hideiously messed up relatioship with food before I had this drastic surgery. I feel like I have a MUCH better chance of success now.

When I went to the initial meetings with other bariatric patients and the nutritionist, I was a little shocked at some of the answers I heard. I was in this group of prospective surgery patients, and I was the only one of us who said "Yes, I eat more than I should." Nearly everyone else said "No, I do not over eat, binge eat, or emotionally eat."----Let's face it, unless someone has a severe endocrine disorder (which would be apparent with pre-op bloodwork), he or she does not become 300 pounds by having a normal, healthy relationship with food. I think once we admit this we can start to address the problem. Good for you for taking a proactive approach!

Most of my unhealthy emotional eating had to do with anger. I now have a punching bag in my living room-- if I get mad, I go hit the bag for 5 minutes. I feel better, I don't binge eat, and I am exercising!

Good luck to you! Best Wishes!

<p>Finally got word that I do have medical clearance and confirmation that everything required by insurance has been submitted. Now I just wait. </p>

I too am concerned about stopping caffeine--I work night shift as a nurse--I have to be mentally sharp! What do I do? I only drink half of a can of diet coke a night, but geez louise... what do I do? Any suggestions? Other than staying properly hydrated, which I am working on daily

I have been in the process of making this surgery happen for an entire year... thought I had all my ducks in a row twice (once around Thanksgiving 2013 and once around March 1st 2014), both of which did not happen for various reasons. Needless to say I was pretty sad when it didn't happen, but I kept doing what I was supposed to and here I am with an appointment to see my surgeon on 9-11-14, at which time I have been told he will give me a surgery date. I'm afraid to get excited, because I have been let down twice before... This is the second time I have quit smoking to have this surgery (and this time is the last ). I firmly believe that we are tested on a regular basis, and everything happens for a reason and when it is supposed to...