glitter eyes

I think it varies from person to person. Mine didn't start until about month six. It just recently stopped and I am 16 months post op. Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones. I will say losing the hair was so worth the weight loss and a new lease on life!!

I agree with OutsideMatchInside. The collagen has been the only thing that helped my hair loss. It finally stopped falling out!!! My shower drain looked like a small rat had died in it every time I washed my hair. I tried so many things. The collagen has been great.

Great job!!! You look amazing.

My dinner tonight was simple because I had to work today. I have grilled salmon and about 1/4 sweet potato. @@Elode I am jealous of those beets... Roasted beets are my favorite. I will have to make some this week. I am also going to try that tasty looking marinade.

@@OutsideMatchInside I will have to try that brand when I am done with my current one. I am now a true believer in this collagen stuff!!

@@OutsideMatchInside I think it is helping my skin!! I am hopeful that one of my forehead wrinkles is slowing disappearing. Also, I am afraid to think its real- but my inner thigh skin seems to be tightening up??

@CowgirlJane. You are so right I would exchange every hair on my head for this wonderful weight loss. I could always wear a wig, but this surgery has given me a new lease on life!!!

So I have been one of the unlucky ones who has had significant hair loss. I probably have lost about 2/3 of my hair. Thank goodness it was thick to begin with. I am almost a year and a half post op and nothing has helped... I have tried it all. Lots of protein, biotin, various shampoos, lab work has been fine, tried various oils, castor oil, emu oil, coconut oil, essential oils and nothing helped. It was a constant science experiment. I then added liquid silica to my water once a day( got it from Amazon) and that slowed the loss down but it was still falling out. Then I ordered a marine collagen called Vitaglow and began taking that. All I can say is finally something worked!!! After four weeks my hair has quit shedding and is thickening up. A bonus is my nails are strong and growing like weeds. After I ran out of the Vitaglow brand (it was a little pricey) I switched to a brand called VEDApure and it seems to be working just as well. Also, my hair is a lot softer and doesn't look as fried/dry. Hair success!!! Just thought I would share if anyone needs help with their hair woes.

@@Elode let us know how they taste. I have eaten the Pure protein ones and they taste ok and didn't upset my stomach. That sugar cookie flavored one looks like it would taste good. Yum.... Sugar cookie!!

Early post op I got pain in my chest too when I drank. I experimented with different kinds and temperatures of fluids. What worked for me was very cold propel water. Some people do better with warm. I also put my fluids in a medicine cup and made each one last for three tiny tiny sips and that helped with the pain. I still can't drink plain water and I am almost a year and half post op. Best of luck to you

I felt like that too. Heck I didn't even wear pants for the first three weeks because the waistband irritated my incisions. I couldn't drive for three weeks because it made me very car sick. I just made sure I focused on me during that time. I rested and napped when my body needed it and focused on staying hydrated. It does get better. Hang in there you can do this. This time next year it will be a distant memory as you will be so much thinner, healthier, and energetic!! Good luck

I had issue like that too early post op. What worked for me was adding a PPI like Priolsec and I soon realized I was unable to drink plain water- it hurt so bad. With lots of trial and error I was finally able to drink very cold propel water. Also, in the beginning I thought I was taking tiny sips, but it still hurt. So I poured my fluids in a medicine cup and made each one last for three sips- now those were some tiny sips and that helped a lot!! Hang in there it gets easier with each passing day and week!!

My feet went from a size 7 to a bony size 6. I needed all new shoes!!

Good job- and it counts!!

You look amazing!! Congrats

@elode- I had a birthday email from those stores. Got a free bare minerals eyeliner, a free lipgloss, and a nars lip pencil. But those stores are money sucking pits... Of course I had to slip I some eyeshadow and more nail polish in too. Had to pay for those. I am a product junkie. LOL

I am a RN and I took four weeks. I probably felt well enough to go back at week three, but I enjoyed the extra week. It gave me time to heal, learn to eat and drink again, and feel rested. But everyone is different.

I went zip-lining today and loved it!! It was a blast. There was also an ariel obstacle course which was super challenging but fun too!! It is so amazing to do things now without all my weight holding me back. I have been setting mini non weight related goals and zip lining was one of mine!! Every time I do something out of my comfort zone I am amazed at the freedom this surgery has given me!!! Then to top the day off I had a wonderful dinner with friends and family, then a trip to Ulta, Sephora, and Bare Minerals- scored some free stuff!! It was my birthday and it was oh so happy!! What else has everyone else done that they never thought they would do prior to surgery?

I agree with the others- explain things to your surgeon. One of my friends only had enough time saved up for two weeks off (she is a nurse and the surgeon usually has people with strenuous jobs take off four weeks) he let her go back after two.

I am right there with you!! I have to find very skinny jeans so they fit my legs and butt. I have to get a size 6 for my stomach, but the rest of me is a four. I need a small shirt for my shoulders, but have to get a medium for my tummy. It kinda stinks. I have gotten a few of my nicer pieces tailored and that helps a lot. I am very active and exercise has not really helped it- I think I just need a tummy tuck. It's just not in the financial cards right now. Had to remodel our pool this year. Maybe next year. I have always been heavier in my belly region so it stands to reason that's all that is left of me.

I think you have done amazing. Your body had to recover from the weight loss surgery and then from a heart attack AND you still lost weight!!! It does get harder as you have less to lose. Sometimes when I have had a week of eating poorly or feel old habits creep in, I do a day or two of liquids/shakes to help reset then a few days of protein only. That seems to help me with the cravings. Also, sometimes it takes a while for your body to start losing again. I was at 155 for months on end- I was happy there so didn't stress out. Then over the course of two weeks I dropped ten pounds. The human body is a mystery. LOL You can get back on track. It sounds like you are a survivor!! Good luck

If you are thinking about having the wedding approximately a year to a year and a half after your surgery you will be fine!! By that time most of your weight loss will have occurred and your stomach healed so you can partake of some of your yummy wedding food. One of my best friends just got married last weekend and she is 15 months post op!! Congratulations!!

So very happy for you both. Praise God- what an answer to prayers!

Glad your surgery went well!!!

Highest weight: 271 Surgery weight: 267/ June 23, 2014 Current weight: 145