KathieMae52

Have a friend who has lost 50% of her hair since her surgery in July of 2013. I have read that silica will help.

One week post op. Feeling better every day. Weight loss is 3 lbs since surgery. total weight loss including the liquid diet prior to surgery. 13 lbs. I begin my thickened soups and puréed cooked veggiess and continue with protein drinks this week. Still have to constantly remember to sip and only small bites. I sure feel it if I forget. Doing better every say. Acid reflux is still a problem but I take Prilosec as directed and have it pretty much in control.

My name is Kathy and I live in Louisiana . I am 61 years old I will be 62 in April. I have been battling eating problem since I got married at age 19. My main problem is that I over eat when I am sad or something bad happens that is difficult to handle and people call that emotional eating but I Call it bingeing. I have two sisters one has passed away but all of us were overweight in our adult years. my father was probably in the 300 lb range. I have chosen not to go to Mexico because I'm not comfortable with going there but that being said I know many people who have gone there have been successful with no problems or regrets. it is just my personal decision that I am making to stay here in Louisiana. I am 5'4" and I weigh over 200 pounds. I have tried and failed to lose weight more times than I can count. And each time I get bigger and bigger. This is not a decision that I came to overnight.I have researched it for the past 6 years. the past two years has been extremely difficult. I have tried walking 2 miles every day trying to diet and consistently failing. I am basically healthy at this point. I do have restless leg syndrome and I also have acid reflux which I believe is attributed to the weight gain. I also have depression which is associated with many things but certainly the weight problem contributes to my self-esteem. I also feel that as I age other things can happen such as high blood pressure and diabetes so I really don't want to go there. I have my lab work done and I have a consultation on January 20, 2014. I am in hopes that I will have my surgery on February 5th 2014. I am confident that this is the right thing for me and I'm looking forward to it as I see it as the end of a long time struggle. I have heard that people will lose their hair after the surgery and for this I have checked into supplements and other things that you can do to prevent or to make it so that you don't loose so much or any at all. Also getting the proper nutrition, protein and iron as well as other things is vital not Only because it would help to not lose your hair but it'll help you to be healthier and heal faster. I will update as I go forward.

Thanks for all the great information.

Thank you, that is excellent! I am doing that now.

Thank you. I am now 5 days post op and took a short walk outside today. Just trying to always keep in mind to take small sips . I sure know it when I don't. Getting all my supplements in and the pain is all gone except acid reflux when I don't eat slow. Looking forward to the thicker liquids next week.....I am hungry all the time. Will weigh myself in a few days.

I am now 3 days post op. I can't seem to get much down without discomfort. I get hungry too. I try to drink my protein shake but unable to get as much down as needed. My upper abdominal still hurts but with each day I am hoping to find relief. Just trying to stay hydrated. When I swallow there is a painful a gurgling sound. Coughing is painful. Introducing my supplements a little at a time. That is al for now.

Monday February 3rd. Liquid diet today. Two cocktails (mag citrate) starting at 4 pm. Surgery Tomorrow at 7 am. Not nervous yet. Still feeling very positive but I do have a headache lol

Good luck to you on your surgery date. At 72 you look great! The weight loss will make you feel like a spring chicken. lol take care!

You look great! I am scheduled for my sleeve on February 4th. How long do I wait to start some exercise? I am 61 and I usually walk 1 mile 4 to 5 days a week now.

I have researched this and they recommend taking an antacids prior to each meal to avoid acid reflux.

I am scheduled for my sleeve on February 4th 7 am. Looking forward to a new and better life.

Hoping to schedule a February 5th 2014 surgery date with dr. Borland in new Iberia. Consultation will be January 20th. I am cash paying since insurance will not cover it.

I am scheduled for my sleeve surgery on February 4th 2014 at 7 am. I am not nervous yet but looking forward to being a normal weight and not hiding away in my home.

We are having to use some of our retirement savings to pay for the surgery. I am going to dr. Borland in new Iberia, Louisiana. He is well recommended and cost is $9800. We just cannot qualify for a loan so sorry but if your doctor offers financing then try the company he recommends . Usually it is called creditcare. Dental offices use them as well. Hope this helps in some way.

I am expecting to have a date for gastric sleeve on February 5th. I am going to Dr. Borland in new Iberia, Louisiana. Anyone else using this doctor? I also am wondering if ensure is a good liquid protein drink for after surgery? I am 61 soon to be 62 in April.

I had my lab work done and results sent to the doctor for review. On Monday we leave for new Iberia! Louisiana to meet with the doctor for the consultation. If all goes well we expect to schedule surgery for February 5th 2014. We will stay in a hotel for two days since does it as an outpatient surgery where as he comes to see you both days. I expect to be released Friday morning and return home. Will update as I go along.

Hi Layla Thank you for writing to me. My husband works at the same hospital with Dr. Zizzi and I checked with him but my BMI is just under 35 and I don't have other related problems so he won't do me. And my insurance will not cover it so I must pay cash. I am going to Dr. Borland in New Iberia. His cost is $9800. My neighbors friend went to him 5 months ago and she is doing fantastic. It is a long drive but worth it so I don't have to go to Mexico. my husband is going with me. I live in the frenchman's bend area of monroe. I wish you well and if you need anything let me know. Kathie

Hi, I am 5'4" tall. I Live in Monroe, Louisiana but no one will do this for me here because my BMI is just barely under 35 so I am going to New Iberia where my neighbors friend went to have hers done. I have to pay cash but I have suffered so long that I will do any thing to loose weight.

Hi Cathy, OMG I would love to hear how you are doing a you progress through the month. I wish you well. By the way. My son lives in michigan too. Right now he is living in hazel park but looking for a new place in farmington hills where he works. Looking forward to hearing from you again. Kathie

Thank you all so much for the encouragement. What a wonderful way to think. "Eating to live" instead of living to eat! I also appreciate that you mentioned that the diets failed me as Everyone feels like failures when they do no succeed in loosing weight and therefore you eat because you feel like a failure...at least I do. I am tired of living like that. I wish this surgery was available to my father when he was alive. He struggled and went on every diet you can imagine and finally lost weight but died a few months later at age 65. In my family food was given as comfort. As something that made you feel better and made you happy. As a reward and etc. so instead of drugs or alcohol I choose what comforted me in times of sadness and despair. The refrigerator became my best friend. I have lived in Louisiana only two years and came here from California under difficult circumstances. Because of that and my weight I rarely go anywhere and I do not have any friends. My only support is my husband of 42 years. But now the tides are turning and I have new friends.....all of you...I am so thankful to you all.

Thank you for your very kind words and support. And I certainly do need to work on behavior and control. I appreciate any advice and will post my journey. Thank you again so very kindly????

Here is the research I have found. spent hours this morning researching silica. There is a 50/50 chance that it really works based on only reviews from people who have used it. That being said there is nothing harmful in taking it. It's a supplement. It is all so confusing but we have read it is best to get bamboo extract not horsetail. And taking the right amount of mil a day is essential. I came across a lady on a blog that her hair started growing back at 7 mos but everyone is different and keep in mind to make sure u are getting plenty if Iron, folic and zinc in your diet or as a supplement. But silica has some of these in them. These are essential to your hair. We are thinking that the capsules might be the best as you can open the capsule and mix it with food because you need at least 70 mil a day and the capsules are 100 mil. You only need one a day. I decided to order from the Vitamin shop online. They will come from Canada and prices are good even with the 26.95 shipping to USA. So I ordered all of the supplements I needed from them. It's really cheap capered to American stores. I got 6 mos supply for only $25.98. The shipping cost is the same no matter how much u buy.. I have a friend who has lost 50% of her hair since gastric sleeve 5 months ago. She takes Biotin so my take on all of this is getting enough Protein and nutrients in your diet as well. She is going to try the silica so I have ordered her some along with my order. We will keep you posted. I am in the beginning stages and am scheduled for surgery in feb. 2014. I hope this helps. I will update as I go along. Sent from Kathie's iPad