SweetPeas

These are good lists and close to what I brought. The things I really used while in the hospital were: phone/charger, Chapstick, a couple of magazines, flip flops, comfortable clothes to wear home, and a hairbrush with rubber band.

I got my first B12 shot while in the hospital and take it monthly. All other vitamins I started upon returning home.

I also like to imagine certain foods taste awful or are super greasy and this seems to work. Avoiding the communal food table can be tricky.

Western Wisconsin here!

I thought your post was great and not at all offensive. It's been a long road for me to even begin seeing myself in a positive manner, and seeing that "reckless love" for self in others is inspiring. Mean people suck, but I hope you don't let that push you away from this community.

It is normal to feel scared. Surgery is a big deal and part of a complete lifestyle change. For a long time I was interested in having RNY but something (fear, shame) always kept me from approaching my doctor. Ten years passed and I had only succeeded in putting on more weight and adding elevated blood sugars and severe sleep apnea to the mix. I'm a newbie-just 5 months out- but can honestly say having the surgery was one of the best decisions I ever made. Yes, you still have to do a lot of hard work, eat right, exercise, commit to a total lifestyle overhaul- but for me the benefits have definitely been worth the risk.

They are 300mg pills.

My hair started coming out by the handful about a month ago. I got a trim with some layers to give it body and am hoping that it won't get patchy. My sister took me to check out some of the hair pieces/wigs but right now it isn't that bad. If it gets worse, I will revisit the wigs. Regarding the supplements everything I see on the boards seems hit and miss for whether they actually help.

I'm also on this medication (twice daily). The plan is to take it for six months. So far so good with no real issues. It is kind of pricey so thank goodness it's not a long term regimen.

At 9 days post op I was still on pureed foods. Soup is probably your best bet. Moving to a regular diet too quickly is probably going to make you feel pretty bad, and you could end up vomiting or having a food bolus that you can't pass. The advice of having some soup pureed would work, and most restaurants have a smaller cup portion vs. a large bowl that you can order.

I had a cut/color three weeks ago and it didn't seem to make any difference. The hair is still shedding, but at least my hair looks better- no split ends and no roots! I went a little bit shorter since so much is falling out, which kind of worked out since it is summer.

Carrots are definitely not to be trusted. I had a very bad experience with the little orange devils. <insert GI upset here>. Ugh- stay away!

I have been wearing spanx with work clothes/when going out but not so much at home/weekends. Clothes definitely look better/wear better when everything is smoother/controlled. Right now I'm going through an awkward stage and am between the plus/misses sizes so finding something to fit decently is a bit of a struggle. Spanx definitely helps.

I'm almost four months out and my hair recently started coming out in handfuls. Last week my hairdresser gave me a shorter haircut with some layers and it looks a lot better. We left a little length in case I need to go shorter. Everyone on this forum says it will come back so I'm trusting their collective experience, and it's worth it to have more energy/better health.

Give it some time and see if it doesn't get better. Some of the foods that I couldn't eat right after surgery are now ok for me. I would agree with the previous comments about not having to like something, just tolerate keeping it down. After lots of experimenting I have learned what kinds of Protein shakes I like (and yes, some of the powders that initially tasted not so great are now ok tasting, so just keep trying).

I am always cold. ALWAYS. We still have flannel sheets on the bed and I am using a small heater in my office. I have learned to bring a sweater or wrap with me everywhere. It's all about layers.

I'll be taking trips to Austria, the Czech Republic, and Chicago. My husband and I are also taking some 1/2 days on Fridays so that we can take the kids to the local children's museum and play. The rest of my free time will be spent either on the treadmill or walking the neighborhood.

I had my surgery at a different hospital and only told one person (my supervisor, who I trust very much) at work about my WLS. Lots of people have been digging for information on what i had done. I just said I was having some medical issues that necessitated surgery and left it at that because it really isn't their business and the questions eventually died down.

What about these people at the grocery store having a loooooong conversation on their phones, blocking the entire aisle. I suspect these are the same jerks that are literally crawling at a snail's pace through the mall because they are looking at their phones and running into people. Sit on a bench and check your email already!! I'm trying to get my shop on over here.

I have been overweight my entire adult life. While we were on vacation last year two things happened: 1) I saw a picture my Dad had taken of the family and I honestly didn't recognize myself and 2) I realized that I was missing out on everything with my family (playing on the beach, long walks, bike rides, etc). The week after we got back I made an appointment with my family doctor for a WLS referral.

It gets better! Give it some time (hang in there and allow your body to heal).