Bluesea71

I hate to say it, but there isn't much you can do to prevent it from happening. I started taking biotin 2 months before surgery, always got plenty of protein and my hair still thinned. Good news is that is it TEMPORARY! It WILL grow back. I'm almost a year out and I think around the 8 month mark it starting growing back in. In the meantime, go to Amazon and buy a product called Toppik. It is spray on hair fibers that do an awesome job concealing a thinning scalp. A small bottle lasts a long time. Make sure to buy the optional pump applicator.

Good luck to all of you! I was sleeved almost one year ago on April 16, 2014. Best decision I ever made and easiest weight I've ever lost!!!! Good luck on your own journey! Xoxoxo

Enjoy! It's a great resource to read reviews on plastic surgeons too. You will have to create an account to be able to access the pictures.

The realself.com website is a great resource to see people's before/after plastic surgery photos. You can even post your own photos and have plastic surgeons comment on what they would recommend!

I will echo what others have already said. Don't compare yourself to others as your journey is your own. I found my weight loss slowed down the closer I got to my goal. 2-3 pounds per month sometimes. I started out at a relatively smaller BMI of 38 (226 day of surgery at 5'7") and hit my surgeon's goal of 160 at about 9 or 10 months out. My one year anniversary will be April 16th and today I am 150.4. I always said 140-145 was my personal goal, but I've switched my focus more to what I look like verses what the scale reports. I'm focusing more on toning at this point which actually may add some muscle weight and I'm okay with that.

Search this topic and you will find hundreds of posts on the subject. I'm still laying in bed with my morning coffee so a tad too sleepy to reply now. You can search what I've said in prior replies though! Genetics plays a huge role!

The answer to this question is an individual one based on the results you are seeking. What helped me was going on the realself website and looking at people's before and after photos. I realized I wouldn't be happy with the results I was seeking until I was as close to goal weight as possible. Even now I am at my goal weight of 150 (5'7") and I'm still focusing on loosing as much of the fat under my belly as I possibly can until its mostly skin. The more fat you can lose prior to surgery, the more skin can be stretched down and removed. For me, the surgery scars annoy me and just scream out I've had WLS. I've been told that of I can lose enough belly fat, they can stretch my skin down to remove the 2 biggest scars you can see just above my belly button. The others are faded. I personally won't bother to get a consult until I'm ready to get the surgery. I don't want to waste the surgeon's time and the consult is only good based on what they are seeing now, so I would just have to go back again when I was actually ready to have the procedure. I have also decided to wait until next summer to have any surgery. I have been amazed how much my skin has changed already and want to give it time to adjust on its own. On average, it takes 2-3 months for skin to adjust every time you lose. If you are still losing, I would recommend waiting until your weight has stabilized. Good look with whatever you decide!

Interesting article. The concept that comes to mind I feel the author is trying to get across with his interesting choice of f*** yes or no concept is - We take the the time for the people, places and things that are important to us. The message I heard loud and clear in the article is stop wasting your breathe pursuing relationships (both platonic and romantic) if that person is not equally pursuing you with as much energy and effort. Move on. We deserve better. There is someone out there in the world who thinks you are the bees knees. Stop wasting your time making excuses why so and so didn't call. I make time for the people, places and things that are important to me. Don't you?

BTW - not sure if I mentioned this in my earlier post. If you purchase your fitbit at REI, you get 10% back if you are a member (lifetime membership $20). They also have a no hassle 365 day no hassle return policy if you buy it and hate it. Most stores seem to be consistent with the pricing (I could be wrong...). Flex $99. charge $140. Charge HR $160. I wouldn't bother with the Surge. The thing is massive and uncomfortable to wear. If you want to map your walk/hike/run, run keeper is a great free app for your iPhone that utilizes GPS and you can sync it into your fitbit

Thought I'd give an update - I've had my fitbit HR for 3 weeks now. I've compared the mileage recorded on my fitbit to my runkeeper app on my phone (which uses a more accurate GPS) and they record the same distance. Regardless, I love my fitbit for the accountability and I haven't gone a day without reaching my step goal. Speaking of which, gotta run, I have 2,342 steps to complete before bed!

My favorite jeans pre-surgery were Old Navy Diva boot cut dark rinse. I started out in size 20 and when they were on sale for $19.99, I bought two pairs each in sizes 18, 16, 14, 12, 10 and 8. On average I lasted in each size about two months so I feel I got my money's worth. I used to stare at those size 8's and they seemed so tiny at the time. I couldn't imagine ever fitting into them. Now those size 8's are fitting me perfectly! My wardrobe has been quite limited the past year since surgery. I tend to live in jeans so those and a few shirts to swap out we're all I needed. Now that I'm at goal I'm investing more money in expensive pieces.

You know you've lost weight when... You ask to borrow your teenage daughter's size 6 lululemon workout pants and consider NOT covering your a** for the first time ever because it actually looks kinda hot for a middle aged woman! Lol. I crack myself up... ????

150.4

Regarding the other quest products, I would stay clear of them. Sounds like a bunch of crap full of carbs. I remember being warned about such food items in our nutrition classes. They are too similar to chips, cookies and other "red flag" food items I have never been able to have in my house because I will eat them until they are gone. For me, it's just better not to have snack food like that around. It doesn't have a place in my new lifestyle. If I'm hungry I will eat a piece of beef jerkey or other high protein snack which will actually fill me up. I would end up eating 8 bags of those quest chips in one sitting! 5 carbs doesn't seem bad, but 5 grams x 8 bags equals 40 grams of carbs!

Are you pre or post surgery? Be aware that your taste buds may completely change post surgery! Don't buy too much ahead of time or it may end up in your cubbord uneaten. I can't stand anything chocolate (except real chocolate, of course!) post surgery. So any quest bar with chocolate makes me want to gag. My favorite quest bar at the moment is the Apple pie flavor. Do you have a GNC near you? That's the easiest/cheapest way to try out single flavors you will like as the variety pack doesn't offer all that are available. If you purchase the GNC membership (($15/year $20/two years) their price per box is lower than amazon or anything I've been able to find online. You don't pay tax because its food and wont have to pay shipping costs.

I am a year out from surgery and had ZERO complications. Well, maybe a little nausea after waking up from surgery. No gas pain, no leaks, no heart burn (ever), no food aversions, no throwing up. I could have gone back to work a week after surgery. I think I went back 12 days later. While there is a chance of complications, the percentages are really low. It's good to educate yourself, but don't let the fear of something happening cripple you.

Casey235 - I'm almost a year out from surgery and one thing I wish I would have done differently is bought a Fitbit soon after. Similar to you, walking is really the only "exercise" that appealed to me. The fitbit motivates me on days I'm feeling lazy. If I look down and see I have completed 8,287 steps today, I'm likely to put my shoes on and go outside and complete the rest to reach my 10,000 step goal for the day! I have fitbit friends I compete with in daily and weekly challenges. It motivates me to be active when I see my friends are moving and I know they can see I'm NOT moving! I have always been active (I love to hike) but honesty I haven't exercised with much consistently since surgery. I was able to reach my goal weight with mostly diet modification alone but I also didn't have that much to lose compared to many on these boards. While it is quite possible to lose weight without exercising, it will be very difficult to maintain the weight loss long term without incorporating some type of exercise routine. The earlier on you can make this part of your lifestyle, the better. The key is to find something you love and stick with it. For me, I don't think I will ever be a gym rat. I have always loved walking. And lately my walking has turned into jogging. And maybe one day it will turn into running......

I'm glad you said this Kindle - I think it's important for all of us to remember that we are creating a new lifestyle that we need to continue for the rest of our lives. If you are continually depriving yourself of the things that you really want, will you finally snap and rebel one day and have them? I always hated the word "diet" because it implies one day you will be going off of your diet and going back to another way of eating. I know many people go into this process with serious food issues and need strict eating plans to succeed. There are ways to include those favorites (with a few moderations, of course!) so you don't have to give up everything you love! If you want pancakes, have them! I was never a fan of them in the first place. You need to find a balance that works for you. I have my own sinful treat I've had almost every week for the last 8 months. Am I willing to give it up anytime soon? Probably not. But I log it into my Lose It app on my phone. Account for the calories/fat/carbs and go on with my day. Don't ask what it is BTW. I have enough experience on these boards that I want to spare myself a lecture

Phillyfan are you pre or post surgery? I would suggest not buying too much of anything if you haven't had surgery yet. My tastes completely changed after surgery. I gag If I eat anything chocolate post surgery so my favorite quest bar is the apple pie flavor. I loved those wafer crisp bars someone mentioned above pre-surgery and now they just sit in my stomach like a rock. Buy a few sample flavors and then invest in a box once you find flavors you like! As an alternative, GNC has their own protein bar I like that has more of a dense cake texture. 30 grams of protein but a whopping 400 calories. I will only eat half of one of those and only on occasion. I like the cinnamon bun flavor.

I was a carb junkie before surgery. Now I find I just don't crave the same foods. I can have a bite of a pancake but the thought of eating a stack of them just makes me feel sick. I'm almost 1 year out and I typically have one of two things for breakfast. If I'm on the go I eat an apple pie quest bar. Yes, I'm that specific with which flavor I prefer! Can't stand anything chocolate post surgery! The other option is I warm up in the microwave one of the egg combos I made ahead of time from the freezer (which are egg, bacon, bell pepper, onion and cheese "muffins" I baked in muffin tins and freeze.)

I am almost one year out from surgery and have PCOS. In fact, PCOS was the only comorbidity that qualified me for surgery since my BMI was 38. WLS does not "cure" PCOS as it never fully goes away. It can help elevate some of the embarrassing and frustrating symptoms of PCOS. Excess hormones are stored in fat, so as you drop weight, your estrogen and testosterone levels typically become more balanced. I know I was worried how my PCOS would impact my ability to lose weight since it made losing/maintaining weight difficult before. While I was a somewhat slow loser compared to others on this board, I think most of that was due to starting at a lower BMI. I am 5'7" and was 241 at my highest. 226 the day of surgery and I weighed 150.7 this morning. Best thing I ever did!

I agree! It's been a busy day and I'm just getting around to reading everyone's replies. Thank you for sharing your story and your inspiring words. I want I want I want..... My husband would say that would be the perfect tattoo for *me*

Jamie - I've been reflecting on your post a lot today and thinking about what you said. I really do love 99% of my body. I love how tall I am. I love how long my legs are. I love that I have an athletic build that looks toned with little effort. I love the color of my hair and eyes. It really is my stomach that I'm obsessing over. The reality is, I have never liked my stomach. Even BEFORE I had children. It's never been toned. It's always been flabby. The love/hate relationship with my tummy has been going on for years.In my original post I was concerned that I would get obsessive and never be satisfied with the body I had. The more I thought about it, I don't think that would be the case. I live in a community where getting Botox and fillers injected into your face is the norm. I've never done that. I'm still debating if breast implants are something I would want if the husband magically changed his mind and was 100% behind me to get them. There are endless elective procedures I could of had up to this point if wanted to but never had. Why? I guess I just wasn't one to obsess over my looks that way. This is why this whole sudden obsession of mine around body image threw me for a loop. It suddenly wasn't good enough that I looked awesome in clothing. I wanted to look good NAKED. I really do think a tummy tuck may be all that is needed to put my mind at ease.... But I recognize there is some work I need to do on myself first. I have already decided that I would wait a year (summer 2016) to see how much my skin adjusts on its own and how much I can modify with exercise. That is the easy part. The harder part is tackling the body image stuff I wasn't prepared for post surgery. Peeling back another layer of that onion (oops, apple!)

I do have to give myself SOME credit, I guess. I'm a middle-aged woman in my 40's. my butt is flat and if I really wanted to get obsessive, a plastic surgeon MAY recommend a body lift vs. a tummy tuck if I ever went down the plastic surgery route. To me, the small amount of butt sag I have isn't worth a huge scar. I don't have the expectations to have the body of someone in their 20's. I just want to look "normal." Whatever that is! I guess it's all about the journey and about us learning to feel comfortable in the skin we are in no matter our size! There will be no Brazilian butt lift in my future. Although I see some plastic surgeons offer it free with a tummy tuck.... J/K.

I have a confession. I'm sure I'm not unique. I'm really tough on myself. I judge my body and its imperfections in a way that's often WAY worse than when I was overweight. I surpassed my surgeon's goal months ago. Why didn't I Celebrate? Because the body I saw NAKED in the mirror didn't reflect back to me the image I wanted to see. So I keep loosing weight. I hit 150 on the scale yesterday. At one point this would have been my goal weight. I still see a small percentage of fat underneath the skin around my belly so I have adjusted my goal. I worry I will keep doing this and I will never be satisfied. This behavior is new to me. I'm typically one to find pleasure even in the littlest of things. I can easily express gratitude for the things I have. I find lately I have become quite obsessive about the way I look. I spend hours looking at myself naked in the mirror. I love the new body being reflected back at me. I have gone from a size 20 to a size 8. My husband tells me I'm sexy. Some days I feel that way. Other days I obsess over the stretched out, puckered skin on my belly resulting from two huge pregnancies. I HATE the surgery scars on my belly that just cry out I've had WLS (although faded, you will always be able to see them.) My breasts are no longer full. My Husband is very anti-plastic surgery. He wants me to accept myself the way he does. Would plastic surgery even be the answer? Or would it start a vicious cycle of other surgeries to reach a level of perfectionism I will never reach? (Note: I'm not judging others choices here, I'm worried that my need for perfectionism is much deeper and wouldn't easily be "cured" by simply having surgery.). I also want to say that if I want plastic surgery bad enough I can easily convince him. He's probably the only man on the planet who doesn't care for breast implants! I came across an article online today (link posted below.) It's funny how things appear in our lives just when we are ready for them. It's about this mom who posted a picture of herself on the internet in a bikini with her belly full of stretch marks. My babies trashed my body when I was pregnant. I have to admit that I am one of the lucky ones. After an almost 90 pound weight loss, I have almost zero loose skin except what is on my belly. Yet that is all I focus on when I look in the mirror. The one area I can't stand. I get angry that I've lost all of this weight "and still can't wear a bikini." It's led to some plenty heated discussions between the spouse and I. I tell him he just doesn't get it. I tell him the only people who will understand are my Bariatric friends who have lost a significant amount of weight and are dealing with the same body image issues as me post weight-loss. Ugh. So the weight loss journey continues. It's like peeling an onion one layer at a time. This journey is so complex and never ending! http://m.today.com/parents/mom-flaunts-flab-stretch-marks-viral-bikini-photo-2D80567590?cid=sm_fbn