mdlange

I was sleeved in February at 234 pounds. I have lost 84 pounds, and have just started the hair loss issue. I had super thick hair and have lost about 2/3 of it. No scalp showing yet, but definitely thinning out at the temples. I take Biotin every day and keep waiting for this to stop.

That being said, I WOULD DO THIS SURGERY AGAIN IN A HOT MINUTE!!!

Thinning hair is NOTHING compared to the torture the extra weight was!! The change is dramatic as far as my lifestyle is concerned. I am off all blood pressure meds. My pre-diabetic issues are GONE! I can enjoy my grandkids, and SEX has never been better! Yes, there is loose skin, but is is nothing compare to FAT ROLLS! VSG was the best decision I ever made. I have NEVER puked, can eat anything I want except tuna, it gets stuck every time I try it.

So, buy a wig, some scarves and hats, invest in some Spanx and DO THIS!

I'm 8 months post op VSG and am experiencing severe hair loss! I take lots of Biotin daily, Protein levels are high, feel fantastic otherwise with a 84 pound weight loss, at goal of 150 from 234. Is there anything else I can do to stop this Hair loss? Puddles of hair everywhere, on the pillow, in the bathroom. I had super thick hair to start with so no bald spots yet, but definite thinning at the temples and considerably shorter overall (started with mid back length, now up to shoulders). It is time to start addressing this issue more proactively! HELP!!

It works. I am a total sweets addict. chocolate, candy, ice-cream, cakes, Cookies, you name it! Totally addicted! And breads, do not even get me started! I had VSG Feb 4, 2015. Great surgery experience, zero issues afterward and, at 6 weeks out and 35 pounds lost, I have never puked! Winning! Here's the biggest surprise: I have NO APPETITE FOR SWEETS! Zero! My hubby is very fit, and he loves his Snacks. The house is always stocked with treats, and I haven't had a single one! Not one! I just don't even think about it. Even typing this, I have no urge. It's like a switch was flipped. I crave meat. eggs are my favorite treat, scrambled with low fat cheese. I can eat 1/2 of an egg at a sitting and it is like heaven! And I leave the table totally satisfied! I am actually having to track what I eat to make sure I am getting enough food in me. So, what I guess I am saying is this, IT WORKS. It has to. There is no room for junk food. There is no craving for junk food. Your body tells you what you need now. Add just a little activity and the pounds pour off! Do it. Do it for your future, fitter self. I promise, you will not regret it!

I am one month post-op VSG. What I miss most is bread. Sitting in a restaurant with the family and eating bread/chips before the meal. But guess what? That's pretty much the only thing I miss. I was a total sugar addict. candy everywhere, stashes in the cars, at my desk. It is all still there and I haven't touched a bite of it. I have zero desire to eat sweets. My surgery went very well, I had none of the nasty side-effects I was "so certain" I would have. I have lost 35 pounds since Jan. 18, ten on the pre op diet, the rest post op. I am wearing clothes I bought years ago! Down 3 sizes in jeans. Thank goodness I found a great resale shop! My husband noticed that the fat bulges on my back were gone. My old t-shirts are all too long since my fat shoulders aren't taking up so much room! So, I guess what I am saying is, I miss bread. But I don't miss it more than I love the way I feel now. Are there sacrifices? Sure. Are they worth it? TOTALLY! Do this for yourself. It's the best gift you will ever give you.

GENEPRO Protein powder saved my life! It is absolutely tasteless, textureless, and can be added to anything, hot or cold. I put it in everything! Soup, Water, gatorade, you name it. It lets you eat/drink whatever you can tolerate, but you get 23g of Protein in every scoop. $34 on Amazon. Get you some.

Well I'm in this club I have a March 31st appointment with Dr. Lopez and I too am excited! Can't wait to be on the loser bench and on the other side

I loved Dr. Lopez! Sandra was our coordinator and she is just the sweetest thing! You are in good hands! Try to fly in a day early if you can so you have a chance to sight-see. TJ is a fun town!

I had VSG On Feb 4. Ever since, I have been experiencing super bad pain right above my bra strap, across my entire back. Like a deep ache, straight line, across my back. It is so bad, it makes me stop my day and sit down with a chair vibrator going. I have tried tylenol and it doesn't touch the pain. I have never had any sort of back pain before. At first I thought it was trapped gas. But I am nearly 3 weeks out and it isn't going away. I am losing my whole afternoons and evenings to this, It kicks in around 11 am. Any ideas? Anyone else going thru this? Is it sorta like when you have your tubes tied and it aches in your right shoulder more that it does your abdomen? Is it connected by nerves to the VSG procedure? I need relief! This is the only stumbling block in an otherwise picture perfect surgery & recuperation.

Hi!

Everything is still scheduled for March 16th and I am very confident that everything will be great. I was able to contact Anakaren via email. As a matter of fact, I was having another email conversation with her again this evening regarding flights and my companions accommodations. This series of post has been very helpful and supportive! I've read the post you recommended from the lady who recently had the surgery and it helped calm my fears. Thanks again for initially responding to my post and for checking back with me!

You will do just fine! I remember being so anxious before hand, planning, packing, worrying! I SO wanted to just be on the other side of all this! Well, I am on the other side now, and am doing just fine! All of the worries about leaks, vomiting, unbearable pain were all for nothing. Yes, it is a rough 3 days. But, it is 3 days! And, it really isn't that rough. If you have had a c-section or hysterectomy, let me tell you, this is about 1/4 as bad as that. Really. And, I have lost 30 pounds. 30 POUNDS! When was the last time we said that? And, I know it is going to stay off. There is simply no way that it won't. And i am not hungry. Ever. Dr. Lopez and his team are fantastic. Vida is incredible. Tijuana is safe, fun! You got this, girl!

Adult liquid tylenol. It is on Amazon.

I had one pain shot in my IV, Tylenol w/codeine, and never needed anything else. It really isn't that bad. You will be sore, but not "screaming for pain meds" hurting. It is more of an ache, not searing pain. If you have had a kid, it is like very beginning labor. That kinda crampy, tensiony hurt. You can do it. If I did it, and I am the biggest baby out here, I know you can do it!

I MIX A COUPLE OF TABLESPOONS INTO MY FUZZY NAVEL Syntrax Protein Drink. IT TASTES JUST LIKE A DREAMSICLE!

@@SleevedNFree I work from home and can hop on this site whenever I see someone has posted, so this is probably the best way to reach me.

Also, DO NOT worry about Tijuana. I arrived a full day before my surgery and had the chance to wander around. It is a cool town! I never once felt threatened or unsafe. Cabs and buses abound, lots of english speaking folks, everyone is very friendly. My husband was able to sample a new restaurant every evening, the guys at the Marriott were great about references. He bought lights for our home, lots of souvenirs, and wandered around the Walmart with is between the hospital and the hotel. He said everyone was great!

Today is 1 week 1 day for me. I am having zero difficulty drinking my 64 ounces. I am adding GENEPRO powder to anything I drink so I am getting plenty of Protein. I had egg drop Soup yesterday and did just fine. I have had a few bites of chicken breast and had zero problems. I have never puked or even felt nauseous. I was so worried that everything about me would change, and so far, except for feeling tired in the afternoons, everything is normal. Except I don't devour every morsel of food I can see! I have not felt hungry even one time!

@@SleevedNFree , you have already made the best decision of your life! You will love Dr. Lopez and his staff. Vida is incredible. I spoke with a lady there who had VSG 11 years ago by Dr. Lopez and she had returned to him for a Tummy Tuck and boob job. She looked so fit! She said it was the best decision she ever made. If you have any questions, give me a holler.

@@mdlange, when you feel well enough can you give us an update?

Hi everybody! My VSG surgery was last Wednesday Feb 4. I used Dr. alejandro lopez with Specialized Bariatrics at Vida Hospital. Walking into the hospital was like walking into an Architectural Digest photo shoot! Absolutely beautiful, state of the art. My husband and I were treated so very well there by everyone we came into contact with. Every step was discussed, explained until we no longer had any questions. The surgery went very well, recovery was painful but tolerable. I was up and walking the next morning, trolling the halls. I was in a private room Thursday morning and it was super fancy! Silk quilts, infinity marble sinks. But super low toilets. They seriously need to get taller toilets! OK, so I start drinking, expecting the worse, and wow, no issues! I can drink Water, broth, gatorade, anything I want! And plenty of it! On Thursday I guess I slept a little too much and didn't get enough Fluid in and got a horrible headache. I sipped-sipped-sipped it away! No drugs needed, just more hydration. Released from hospital Friday, started running low grade fever Friday night. Sandra, our coordinator, came to the hotel, took my temp and called the Dr. He spoke with my husband on the phone and said this was not out of the ordinary but he wanted to stay on top of it. Sandra went out and picked up a prescription for me and brought it back to the hotel (that always happens in the US, right?!?). I ran a little temp on and off Fri-Sun. Never higher than 100. Fever free since Sunday evening. Trip home was easy-peasy. Drinking plenty of Protein shakes, broth, Water, ION drinks, and doing great! I do get weary in the afternoons, so I sit down for a while, sometimes nap. I have lost 10 pounds in this past week. I would do this all over again in a hot minute! I am eternally grateful to the veterans on this site like @ who guided me through this entire experience and kept me from freaking out. The only way I can repay their generosity is to pay it forward! I love being on the LOSERS BENCH!

Good job and great pics! It really helps us soon-to-be-sleevers to see actual results. May you continue to be a loser! Ha!

Hi All,

My surgery date is March 4th in Tijuana, Mexico with Dr. Lopez with Specialized Bariatrics. I too have done a great deal of research. Reading about others' experience, watching videos, and attending the seminars offered at the hospitals here in the states has been a huge help.

I started my pre-op today. Although I'm only required to do it for 14 days, I decided to get started early to make sure my body is ready for the procedure. I look forward to hearing from all of you as you prepare for the next step in this "change-for-the-better" journey.

I am having VSG done by Dr. Lopez this Wednesday morning. YIKES! I am going to the Vida hospital. I promise to give you a play by play as soon as I can type. These forums/friends have been a life saver for me and I am ready to be on the other side and help my fellow VSG'ers thru the process.

@@Eli Alexander , Thank you! I needed that pep talk!

GENEPRO is fantastic! No taste, ZERO! Add it to anything, hot or cold. It does not change the texture or flavor. No aftertaste, nothing!

@thetaxlayd

LOVE your pic! I will take one as soon as I can after. I think they will prove to be priceless to us in a few months! So glad to hear you are rocking' this thing! I am scheduled Feb. 4, send some of your praise my way please!

Thru this whole planning stage, only my husband and I knew about our plans. We have 4 sons, 3 daughter in laws, a huge extended family, tons of friends. I have done the research, found the Dr. and facility that I feel are best for me, lots of hours online, on the phone, networking with doctors & veterans. I am going to Tijuana. Yep. Let the S#*T storm begin! I did not want to bring any negativity into this plan. So, we told none. Well, as Feb 4 drew closer, I was feeling more and more anxious. Snipping at Michael, cross. Crying. SO not me! I am having my surgery on my birthday, a national holiday in my family! Everyone was calling, scheduling multiple celebrations, casino trips, shopping trips, parties. I had to decline them all using our cover story of "Michael is taking me out of town this year". Not a lie. Not the truth. So Saturday I told the boys, DIL's and my bestie. Questions, tears, pleas, more questions, cautions, but they know me and know I did the hard work to come to this decision. Like I told them all, I have a wonderful life with all of them, I am doing this so I can stay in their lives for as long as possible. It felt like a rebirth! I am going to Tijuana with a much lighter heart. Now, 'cmon lighter body!

I have 4 SONS. This site needs an edit button!

• Please Help! My surgery is Tuesday the 3rd and I need some support as I am becoming very anxious and nervous. I really want this this surgery and need some encouragement. I have MS and stress is my trigger and don't want to go into this with a ball of nerves. Please talk me back down and tell me its going to be alright as I really want to be healthier and join the losers bench.

@@Marge1927 , sweetie, you GOT THIS! I am going in Feb 4. Am I a little anxious? Yep. Am I scared? NOPE! I did all the research and I know I made the best decision for my self, my family. I want to be here to plan my grand daughter's weddings. I have 4 song and had to sit on the sidelines while the girls made the decisions. I can't wait to throw their weddings! I have been saving since they were born! But, along the way, I lost control of myself and gained a bunch of weight. High blood pressure, pre-diabetic. I have too much to live for! What are you looking forward to?

Good for you! I wish you continued good health and much LOSS!

Ha! This is us.....

I'm coming from Ontario Canada. Surgery 2/5 Dr Ortiz at the OCC.. Hopefully I will get to meet some of you

I will be there too! Denise Lange with my husband Michael.