auntjanny

I've always had fine, thin hair (its naturally curly, but as you can see I flat Iron the curl out to within in inch of its life). I have not experienced any significant loss. And I did NOTHING special. I took my Vitamins. I generally got at least 60 g of Protein each day, and mostly got my Water. But I was not particularly hardcore about things if I was only 57 g of protein on one day. Hair loss is how your body reacts to trauma like surgery, and anesthesia. So if you are following the rules and eating correctly you still might lose hair depending on how your body is going to react to things.
Rock a wig. Get creative with hats and scarves. Know that hair will grow back.

I agree completely with Rogofulm! I think I have that switch too. I have realized that over the Holidays I did not drink as much as I should. Now that I have addressed that issue, it is a lot easier. I also realized, like you, that even getting off the path had limits. Instead of a whole plate of food, I just had a spoonful or so of the things I really wanted. The wonderful thing about the sleeve is that even if you do slide a bit, you will not go over the cliff! I think that is why my holiday gain was only three pounds. I am happy to say that one of those pounds is already history!
I have a friend who kept me calm through this. She is a veteran bypass patient. We spent much time together with the kids over the holiday. She was so calm and matter of fact about the choice she made, even to have an occasional cookie, that I realized that the beauty of the sleeve is that it helps you with control. However, that does not mean you cannot have an occasional treat. (not habitual, mind you) We are seeking normality in our relationship with food. Even normal weight people have an occasional Christmas cookie! The difference is, we have to be mindful of our addiction and the sleeve helps us limit ourselves like normal people.
Yeah Normal!!!!

I would run, not walk, to look seriously into this surgery. I think it is a wonderful TOOL. I am still and wil always struggle with emotional eating but this process has given me hope and success. I had a BMI around 37. I think it is now 29.8. I am 5 feet tall, older, and a slow loser. I have no regrets.
You can reclaim your life and look forward to amazing years with future children.
I would suggest doing your research and medical appointments without involving your mom or anyone who may not get it. It is often a long enough process that you as the patient get the chance to decide if this way of life is for you.
I wish you great success and enjoyment of the whole process!

Protein, hydration, and Vitamins is all you can do. Biotin does not and will not stop or slow hair loss; it will help with regrowth once the Hair loss cycle stops.
My advice: expect hair loss, buy a cute wig and or decide on a cute haircut for if / when it occurs. Do your best to meet Protein and Water goals early on after surgery. The cause of the hair loss happens months before you actually see your hair falling out.

I find that if my "good choices" switch is turned on, I"m fine. But if it gets flipped off, I could be in trouble. So far I've been able to keep it flipped on for 7 months. May I suggest that you turn your switch back on immediately? Every time there's a choice, make the right one for your program. It's hard, but each time you do it you'll be stronger. Eventually they are no longer choices, they are habits. And drink TONS of fluids. That way your stomach stays full all day and you are less susceptible to temptation. I drink almost 2 quarts of Crystal Light Decaf iced tea every day and it really helps. Oh, and join a challenge. There's a Valentine's Challenge going on right now that started on Monday. Don't know if you can still get in, but here's the link. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/328319-valentines-challenge/?hl=%20valentine
Good luck!

It's good to hear I wasn't the only one who had slips during the Holidays. Something funny that happened to me over Christmas was, I didn't even realize it, but I had served myself a plate of a little of everything and when I sat down to eat, I was like Holy Moly what did I do? Needless to say, I was full after a few bites and thought to myself, wow before I would have finished this plate and gotten up for seconds. It is definitely a whole mindset change. I keep having to remind myself!

It is going to be fine. Just get back on the wagon. I too slid over the holidays. Family get togethers, baking the annual cookie offering to my neighbors, gingerbread houses with the kids, etc. etc.. I decided to relax and not worry too much about it. I had the mindset that once the Holidays were over, it was back to work. I gained three pounds. ( I was shocked it wasn't more.) I have been rather surprised how easy it is to get back into the good habits. (Usually good habits aren't the ones that stick.)
You can do this, just get back to basics. Return to fitbit and myfitness pal if you have used them. They are great! Good luck

Catharine Gray...good for you for your persistence. Holidays are rough on everyone! Lots of stuff gets overlooked!

Good for you Kim. I am from mid Michigan and have been awed and praying for those out searching in this challenging weather.

I just want to tell everyone you can do it! I've been very down on myself but I need to look at the positive. I've been feeling like my old 259lbs self and not realizing that it'll be fine.
I told myself last week I'd try to go to the gym 6 times this week. I did not want to do my body pump (weight trianing) class today because I went Sunday and monday and I'm still sore and I did zumba tuesday. Then I said why not check out the zumba class before my body pump class? Then I said no I don't want to do both.
Guess what I did both.
Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be a gym person. But after I was done complaining about not wanting to go and both classes were done I felt great!
So yes you can do it! You may not be loosing as fast as you want but it'll come and it takes hard work and dedication
YOU CAN DO IT!

I dump when I eat anything really rich like whole cream Soups, really high quality ice cream, frosting, fudge...
Either I vomit it right back up or I have instant poop Soup.
I'm glad there's no remedy or cure except avoidance. Keeps me on task. Nineteen months out, here.

Very motivating! You are beautiful!

150.5

Very motivating! You are beautiful!

I just received a book that is such an information explosion, I thought 'd share:
"Ultimate Gastric Sleeve Success" by Dr. Duc C. Vuong (a surgeon)
Got it on Amazon.com, about $20.
SOOO much about the surgery itself, what we should know prior to and after, and man, this guy quizzes like crazy! I feel like I just might be able to do the surgery myself when I get done reading it! Tells all about WLS eating, why we are the way we are, "stuck", "dumping"...just a plethora of info. The more I find out about this stuff, the more I want to know. I think it may just help me be successful. Hooray!!!

You have lost 5 pounds more than I did at that time... Not that we should compare but, sometimes it feels good!! I went to dr today for my 3 month. I have lost 27 pounds since day of surgery. Not sure what I list pre op. I could not make eye contact with the scale!
Dr and nurse were pleased with the loss although I was concerned that I had ruined my stomach also...be kind to yourself. Don't give up. Eat your protein!

For this challenge we lost a total of 1160.8 pounds. Congratulations to everyone.
28 people made their goals
shmeyers had the most percentage loss 13.46%
<3 Carolina Girl <3 lost 32.4 pound.

Hey you all!! Do you know we lost OVER 1000 lb during this challenge!! Whether you made goal or not Yay Us!!!!

nprcowboy shows online right now. so my guess is that he is ok

151.

Glad I found this group. My BMI is 35. I am 44 years old, 5'2" and weigh 197. I do have sleep apnea and gerd. My surgery date is 12/11 - I start my pre-op diet on Fri - would love to keep in contact with you all!

I've been wanting to post a picture here for a year and a half!

Had my follow up on Monday - down 47lbs but more exciting is that my BMI is now down to 33! Such a huge jump I couldn't be more happier. Still having issues with reflux, my doctor put me back on omeprazole for 3 more months. If is doesn't subside I'll need another endoscopy.

Mine started at 8-10 weeks and it is significant. I am 3.5 months out.

Current weight 150.5
Goal weight 143