Dr-Patient

I had no unusual hair loss until this month--11 months after my VSG!! [My VSG was Dec. 4, 2013]. It's coming out by the handful. I am so bummed. My hair has thinned terribly, and its length broken off. You can see 'through' my hair to my scalp. Every time I just comb my hair, there are so many strands of hair. Hmmm. Fortunately, it's fall/winter; the temp is cold, and I love hats. Maybe I'll don them most of the winter as I hope my hair will grow back. Does Biotin really work for folks? Some say yes, others say no. Any advice? Thanks in advance; and happy thanksgiving to all.

Oh. I didn't notice that. But your profile says you weighed 410, lost "35" and now weigh 375. Your new numbers will be great to see!

Congrats. Hope you update your stats to document current weight, etc! Great job.

You look great. Good job. Rock on! FYI...your post title says "16 months," not "6," like in the post itself. Just an observation. SiX is even better! Congrats!

If I may ask, how did your sleeve 'fail'? Post-op complications--stricture/leaks? You weren't losing any weight? Did you lose any weight? How long did you have it? Do you know what size bougie was used? Did it initially "work" and then "failed" or...? Did it stretch out? Also, your sleeve failed, and now you say after the "mini-bypass," you can still get in this or that. Was all this per the same surgeon? Have you followed up with your surgeon? Are you pushing stuff through too soon? If you choose not to share, that's fine. Just curious (from a medical perspective). Thank you...and good luck. But definitely measure what you're ingesting and discuss it with the surgical/nutritional team. For sure, one of these two usually successful surgeries should help get you the results you need. Again, good luck.

HI, all. I received a link from UNJURY with their "Thanksgiving Recipes 2014." I haven't tried any, but just an FYI/sharing, if interested: http://unjury.msgfocus.com/files/amf_prosynthesis_laboratories/workspace_1/downloads/unjury_2014_tg_recipes.pdf

I also have issues with milk. You'd think it'd just go down like Water, but nope. it kinda' just doesn't. One thing I've somehow learned to do (with all liquids), is a "preemptive" belch: As I swallow, or just after I swallow [whatever], I will force a little belch. That way, any gas bubble that might be sitting there will be out of the way to make a wee bit more room for the more viscous milk/whatever. As one with periodic night sweats, I don't mind any cooler temps; oddly, I actually love cold weather anyway, tho my friends think I'm crazy to do so. Oh well. :-)

Greetings. What a stormy day here today! A tornado touched down 2 miles from my home, but all is well here, thank God. Anyway... Dec. 4th will be my 1st year anniversary/surgiversary. YEAH!!!! Having the VSG has been the BEST thing I've done for myself physically and for sure, psychologically. Send good vibes this way, please. Vets, any suggestions? Also, any others approaching your 1st anniversary? How are you feeling about everything? My path has been... POST-OP: My VSG path has been great. I had no complications during, or after, surgery. The worst part was 1) the drain x 1 week. I almost pulled it out myself by day 3 or 4. But I knew it was important, so I dealt with it; and 2) not being able to drink/guzzle Water at first. That annoyed me to the hilt, but the swelling had to go down, etc., and now I can drink a few good ounces at a time; then a few minutes more, more ounces. So that's all good. food: I can eat what I want; I just can't have much of it; and mostly I abide by a hi-Protein agenda. TRACKING: I don't count carbs/calories, etc. Never did with this. [just being honest] STATS: [oh... I'm 5'5"; now 59 y.o. was wearing a size 22/2X; now wearing a 12-14/Medium (maybe a large to give the boobs some room)] Overall: my highest weight: 271.2 in early 2013. Surgical weight: 257.2 [Dec. 4, 2013]. Today, I am 184. [10 months post-op] Mind you, I could weigh less, but I am not an exerciser. Also, I had ~ 3 months of carbohydrate sins, with potato chips and ice cream. I do have a Lay's potato chip thing...still. But only a few when I do eat them. I'm trying to not buy them.] SO, NET WEIGHT LOSS: from my maximum weight of 271.2:... 87.2 pounds; since surgery Dec. 4, 2013:.................. 73.2 pounds. Humbly-submitted (but I think you'll understand, and allow me to say)... I am looking damn good, confident, smiling, making eye contact; don't mind having my picture taken with folks. I am free! I've always been able to meet my goals, but the weight battle had been my nemesis for years!! I felt so defeated and, despite all else, I felt I was a failure. I am so glad I did the VSG, so I must finish this leg of the journey; bring it on home! As I approach my 1-year 'surgiversary' [i have a special name for that day which I'll share later], I want to make it to 170. I KNOW I can do it--lose just 14 pounds--IF I get back to a strong regimen of protein and lay off the carbs--all of them. Oh, and finally get serious about regular exercise. My initial goal was 150 lbs., but I think my face will be too thin. 15-20 lbs. less than now will be good for me, I think. My goal is really a solid size 10-12. Not that the jounrey is over, but any suggestions for the 1 year homestretch?

@@erp Your suggestion makes great sense. Thank you. I'm the one putting that pressure on me to reach a certain weight by my 1st surgiversary, but to have lost almost 80 pounds, without really exercising, not counting, etc...? With the help of this wonderful VSG, I'm doing well. Thank you for your advice.

@@finediva Thank you! I need to start posting more. I want to at least get to 180 before I do. 3.5 pounds before that. Then the 170's!!! Almost!

@@missbrown30 Thank you so much for sending strength and good vibes my way. Three pounds down this week; trying to stay focused for this 1-year homestretch. But, dang, those Lay's!! Lawd Help! Didn't buy any this week.

If I may add one non-JD voice, if you were going to TAKE the Bar so soon after surgery, I'd suggest not to; but to "begin studying" for a test? Should be fine. It'll keep your mind busy, etc, and not focusing on every little stomach twitch and gurgle. Good luck.

Egg salad-whites/yolks, with the mayo and relish--gets me through many snack times.

As a single woman, I have a brief synopisis of my medical info in two places: 1) in my wallet--in the first clear plastic 'wallet photo' thing someone would see when they open my wallet; and 2) in my car--in the glove compartment, taped to the back wall of it; and also taped inside the lid of the middle console compartment. These two are bigger and have a bit more info--like friends to call, and my neighbor's contact info. Also, the hospital where I'm on staff. On it, I have my name, blood type, NKA [no known allergies]; a short list of any surgery, medical conditions; meds; two emergency contact names, and a doctor's name/number. You might want to just do that, instead of wearing a bracelet. Personal choice. Granted, my placements won't help me when away from my wallet or my car; so a bracelet may be your choice.

I am late to the 'hair loss' party [or, memorial!]. Tomorrow will mark 11 months post-op VSG and I really didn't have much hair loss...until last week. Holy freakin' cow!! GROAN. Hair, hair just coming out in clumps. omg. I threw some in the bathroom trash, but scooped it up to see a cumulative stash of it in just the past 3 days. Yikes. I am not one to take a lot of supplements for this or that [just being honest]; but I might need to get on this Biotin thing. After I vote tomorrow, I will pull out some wigs [i used to model sometimes], or buy some clip-ins or something. For those of you who've lost a lot of hair...I'm feelin' ya.

I'm on my tablet and, since the 'new app,' I can't see info as before. Sorry. So I ask... What surgery did you have, and how much have you lost? Are you being too hard on yourself? Have they noticed and aren't sure how you'll react if they comment? Are you dressing differently (in smaller clothes?) Do YOU notice your weight loss? You're probably better off than you think. Be encouraged.

You had surgery exactly one week after I did (12/4/13); and though I've done well, I admittedly got comfortable after I hit Onederland. YOUR post inspires me to hunker down for the 1-year homestretch. You look FABULOUS. CONGRATULATIONS! Rock on!

'Dg...,' Glad you mentioned that, and I meant to ask the OP, because yes, certain meds--even OTCs--can thin blood, cause low platelets, etc. But I'm not on any of those things and still have the discolorations, though they are now faded. Wondering about other possible medical conditions (hope not!)

Wow. I have that, too!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hmmm. I was wondering if something was wrong with my blood counts or something, and was going to get some blood work done soon (my white count had been running a bit low, but my platelets, etc., had been fine). Intersting that someone else has it, too, post-wls. I'll check into this. PS: And no, it's not because I've been doing to much exercise. I wish.

First, you've ddone a GREAT job: 344 to 214/even 230. The good thing is you're recognizing what has happened--and why. Return to the basics and you'll likely get back on track. This reminds me of a gent I know from the DFC--Duke Diet & Fitness Center. He'd done so well there, with diet/exercise. Lost over 140 pounds. But then later regained 100 lbs. I asked him about it and he didn't want to come back to the DFC when he saw he'd regained 30, 45, 60... pounds ["I was embarrassed that I'd regained"]...and then, he had more than twice that to lose again. You're catching it early. Make good use of the VSG tool and you should do fine. As I try to refocus (in the homestretch toward my 1st surgiversary), your story is a lesson to me (and likely all of us): The VSG/WLS is only a tool, not a free pass to absolute food freedom. We all have to honor it, and use it, wisely. Thank you.

Years ago, my favorite song to exercise to was "She's a Bad Mama Jama," (even though I didn't then own the words for myself). Now, from the song "Blurred Lines," I love/embrace the words when they say, "You're the hottest bitch in this place!" and "...swag on, even when casual; it's almost unbearable." [A great NSV since surgery is being able to just grab and go when it comes to clothes, so it's easy to do that now]. I agree with jessi...wearing a dress isn't 'trying too hard.' A dress/skit is a normal feminine thing to do...and with less fat, better curves, hey! But do what you'll feel works for you and you won't be self-conscious. If you don't usually wear dresses/skirts (maybe because of the then-weight), it might feel unusual; but I say go for it: a dress and heels. Maybe put on a dress and heels, play some music with a good beat, and dance around your house to see how you feel. In any case, have a good one; and have fun.

Girl, wear a dress or skirt that will show your legs! Not a hoochie dress, but one that hits at or just above your knee, and a top that shows a little cleavage. Not a lot; just a hint. Classy. Sexy. Feminine. Approachable. Walk in. Smile. Head up. Eye contact. And when you cross your legs--'cuz you can do that now!!--those legs, calves and your knee will show. Hot stuff. Go for it...in a dress or skirt.

Uh...I'd see another doctor. Stat. He is obviously ignorant about the medical benefits of wls; and the sleeve is the least dramatic of them all, with no re-routing, no foreign bodies in your body, etc. By the raw numbers, you don't have a lot of weight to lose, but of the conditions you have, losing weight will help with the DM, the sleep apnea, etc. [Do you mind stating your age?] Ask your bariatric surgeon what cardiologist does he know/respect/work with and go see that person. PS: I have others, but here...links I received this week from ASMBS about wls and health benefits. Scroll: http://connect.asmbs.org/stories-of-the-week-10-13-14.html

YES! Thanks for mentioning that! I forgot to put that in my post [to which I'd appreciate any advice]: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/321814-homestretch-to-1st-year-vsg-anniversary-must-focus/ With so little fat there now, my tail and hip bones are right there, so the nerves that course deep to the muscle get the pressure. Hurts sometimes [especially with a past injury to my "SIJ" there], but I'll deal with it. To feel those bones I hadn't felt in a long time!! Wow. Also, when lying in bed on my side, and my knees are right next to each other...no fat is there to cushion them. Funny. Oh well!

I was wondering if Aretha had wls, in particular, the VSG. But ReRe hasn't said, so...? But good for her, whatever she did.