BunnyJean

Clementine, you are correct, those topical products do not work. I've tried them all over the course of 4 years. I have hormonal Hair loss. I've been diagnosed Estrogen Dominance. I probably have been for years, but not until I went through menopause did it rear it's ugly head in a huge fashion. Among a host of very unpleasant side effects, hair loss is one of those. I've probably lost 1/2 my hair in the 4 years. Hence trying anything I can. I have not tried the rogaine type products because those are for life and I think hair falls out if you stop using it. Not sure on this last one, but added anything like that to my messed up body was not for me. I use thickening shampoos (haha) and products for lift. Nothing really works.As you've discovered. What does work: I use a dry Shampoo with my color (Batiste colors) to give a lift and to "color" my scalp more or less. Just a bit here and there. Also, for those big part lines, I use Eclipse Hair Fibers in a color close to my natural. Not dark or lighter. They also sell this spray to "keep them in place". You don't need it. I've used Eclipse Hair Fibers for years and my hairdresser has recommended to her ladies that are thinning because she's very pleased with how it covers and looks. You can get at beauty supply store. I just get mine online at Amazon. Sorry you are going through that. Female hair loss really sucks. Good luck to you on all measures.

I'm going to ask my hairdresser about this. Since I've already lost half my hair...I cannot imagine losing more and since I probably WILL, I feel I will need a wig. Thank you for this suggestion.

Clementine, you are correct, those topical products do not work. I've tried them all over the course of 4 years. I have hormonal Hair loss. I've been diagnosed Estrogen Dominance. I probably have been for years, but not until I went through menopause did it rear it's ugly head in a huge fashion. Among a host of very unpleasant side effects, hair loss is one of those. I've probably lost 1/2 my hair in the 4 years. Hence trying anything I can. I have not tried the rogaine type products because those are for life and I think hair falls out if you stop using it. Not sure on this last one, but added anything like that to my messed up body was not for me. I use thickening shampoos (haha) and products for lift. Nothing really works.As you've discovered. What does work: I use a dry Shampoo with my color (Batiste colors) to give a lift and to "color" my scalp more or less. Just a bit here and there. Also, for those big part lines, I use Eclipse Hair Fibers in a color close to my natural. Not dark or lighter. They also sell this spray to "keep them in place". You don't need it. I've used Eclipse Hair Fibers for years and my hairdresser has recommended to her ladies that are thinning because she's very pleased with how it covers and looks. You can get at beauty supply store. I just get mine online at Amazon. Sorry you are going through that. Female hair loss really sucks. Good luck to you on all measures.

My surgical nurse said that yes anesthesia can help cause it but it's mostly caused by your body's reaction to low calorie intake. You body is a wonderful machine that was built to withstand famine. No one doing WLS is in famine status, but after WLS, your body thinks OH NO WE ARE GOING TO STARVE. And shuts down non-essentials. hair is non-essential. Your body sends hair into "resting" phase. Next comes "shedding" phase. And regrowth doesn't start until your body "realizes" it's not going to starve that this is the new normal, and then tells hair...hey dude you can start growing again! If you look up hair growth/shedding phase, there are technical terms to what I've stated. Yes get in all your Vitamins, extra Biotin, make sure your zinc and Iron levels are good, get your Protein in and I agree, when you can eat real food vs a Protein Drink, do it. Exceed your protein levels. Most who have battled the hair seem to feel that at least 80 grams protein a day. Of course, this is going to ease and stop as a natural progression of your body coming to terms with the new limits. So do these things (biotin, extra protein) etc work? who knows. Even the surgeons and nurses are not 100% sure. They can't HURT that's for sure. Normal start to shed seems to be anywhere from 3-7 months out with most about the 4 month mark. And most stop before the 1st year mark. I'm pre-surgery and this is actually a huge concern of mine because I have 4 yrs of hormonal Hair loss. I've already lost 1/2 my hair. May need to look into a wig for myself. SO, not only have I asked any dr or nurse I can get ahold of, I've trolled the living heck out of these boards trying to find an answer or help. I was just on another thread and she suggested human hair lace wig styled by your hairdresser etc. I'm going to discuss this with my hairdresser as I feel sure my self-esteem will need this. If your part is getting bigger and you have "white" spaces that are larger, you can use Batiste dry Shampoo, they make colors, so use a color close to your hair color. Practice before you go out. This makes hair just a tad fluffier. Also, for the big parts/white spaces, I use Eclipse hair fibers in a color close to my natural. I order eclipse at Amazon. Not sure if you can get it at Ulta etc. Batiste you can get in Walmart etc. Ulta may have more colors. I got mine at Amazon for the color. Just a couple items to make it easier to deal with. Good luck

I asked my surgeon whether he uses absorbable sutures to reinforce the staple line (he did).
You could ask what the staples are made of, and how long it takes for scar tissue to form on the stomach (preventing leaks).
You could ask whether you can expect to have a drain.
Ask what percentage of excess weight you should expect to lose.
Get a copy of the pre and post op diet plans.

My surgical nurse said that yes anesthesia can help cause it but it's mostly caused by your body's reaction to low calorie intake. You body is a wonderful machine that was built to withstand famine. No one doing WLS is in famine status, but after WLS, your body thinks OH NO WE ARE GOING TO STARVE. And shuts down non-essentials. hair is non-essential. Your body sends hair into "resting" phase. Next comes "shedding" phase. And regrowth doesn't start until your body "realizes" it's not going to starve that this is the new normal, and then tells hair...hey dude you can start growing again! If you look up hair growth/shedding phase, there are technical terms to what I've stated. Yes get in all your Vitamins, extra Biotin, make sure your zinc and Iron levels are good, get your Protein in and I agree, when you can eat real food vs a Protein Drink, do it. Exceed your protein levels. Most who have battled the hair seem to feel that at least 80 grams protein a day. Of course, this is going to ease and stop as a natural progression of your body coming to terms with the new limits. So do these things (biotin, extra protein) etc work? who knows. Even the surgeons and nurses are not 100% sure. They can't HURT that's for sure. Normal start to shed seems to be anywhere from 3-7 months out with most about the 4 month mark. And most stop before the 1st year mark. I'm pre-surgery and this is actually a huge concern of mine because I have 4 yrs of hormonal Hair loss. I've already lost 1/2 my hair. May need to look into a wig for myself. SO, not only have I asked any dr or nurse I can get ahold of, I've trolled the living heck out of these boards trying to find an answer or help. I was just on another thread and she suggested human hair lace wig styled by your hairdresser etc. I'm going to discuss this with my hairdresser as I feel sure my self-esteem will need this. If your part is getting bigger and you have "white" spaces that are larger, you can use Batiste dry Shampoo, they make colors, so use a color close to your hair color. Practice before you go out. This makes hair just a tad fluffier. Also, for the big parts/white spaces, I use Eclipse hair fibers in a color close to my natural. I order eclipse at Amazon. Not sure if you can get it at Ulta etc. Batiste you can get in Walmart etc. Ulta may have more colors. I got mine at Amazon for the color. Just a couple items to make it easier to deal with. Good luck

Purchase a human hair lace wig. Have it customized by a stylist, cut to frame your face, and the hairline plucked. I wear wigs and you can't tell.

I would double check your iron/ferritin level. What is considered to be an adequate level can still result in Hair loss.
Here's an article to check out: And I quoted the applicable part.
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/news/20060516/hair-loss-may-be-iron-deficiency#1
All you have to do is call your doctor to ask what the result was last time. Nothing new needs to be done at the moment.

Thats just great. The high prize of good health is worth it. 👌👍🏼

This is great. You gut doesnt have to be abused and neither do you.

Four years out. I've always used fake sweeteners. In my coffee, Protein Shakes, Protein Bars and Greek yogurt mostly.

Now that I'm at goal I don't avoid real sugar as much.... still isn't a regular part of my diet but I have it weekly or so.

I am 2.5 years out and use Stevia even though it is not my sweetener of choice. I prefer Equal (aspartame) and Sweet-N-Low (saccharin), the two much-maligned artificial sweeteners.
I do not avoid sugar, although I do not purposely seek it out, either. Most of my sugar consumption is in the form of hidden sugars in Pasta Sauce, Salad Dressing, Peanut Butter, etc.

I strictly avoid processed sugars. I have a sweet tooth and that is one of the major causes that contributed to my weight gain over my lifetime. I limit myself to artificial sweeteners (such as Splenda and sugar alcohols), to natural low calorie sweeteners (such as Stevia) and to the natural sugars found in fruits and milk. I had diabetes. That went into remission when I left the hospital two days after surgery and I have not taken any diabetic medicine ever since and my blood sugar levels are good. I test my blood sugar levels periodically. I read the labels of all food that I consume. I look at the grams of sugar per serving. If it is above 5 grams, I look at the ingredients. The ingredients are listed in order by highest percentage, and if the first 5 ingredients contain processed sugar (in any of its many forms), then I avoid this food, like a plague.

I have been using Stevia for a couple years. Research is starting to show that fake sugar still effects your blood sugar. The chemical laden ones (sweet n low, Splenda, equal) definitely effect brain chemistry. As far as I know, stevia doesn't effect brain health. Not sure if it messes with blood sugar in a research environment. For me, I can definitely feel my cravings get triggered with the chemical sweeteners, but I do not with Stevia. I don't feel any blood sugar issues when I use Stevia. I think long term it depends on what your poison has been. I plan on eating sugar, continuing to use Stevia in my coffee. Sugar and sweets for me were never my issue. Yeah I love them, but they weren't what caused me to keep my weight on. For me it was fast food. So that I have to avoid like the plague. I believe the more we deprive oursleves and the longer our list of "no-nos" gets, the more it messes with us psychologically and we perpetuate our unhealthy relationship with food. We pretty much all know what we should and shouldn't eat. The problem is in our heads. So the solution needs to be in our heads. I plan to focus on being mindful, listening the my brain-body connection, stopping when I'm full and being kind to my body, eat when my stomach is hungry, not my brain. I know my tastes have and will continue to change and I'll go with that. For me, I have dieted and restricted foods for 25 years and it got me no where. I need to try a different approach besides hard lines and a long list of banned food. (Of course, this is all within the parameter of Protein first, veggies next, carbs if there's room.)

I'm a week out and my interest in food is almost nonexistent. I made my husband and son french onion grilled cheese sandwiches with potato salad last night. Very wonderful smells. My husband asked if I was tempted and I told him not in the least. I could have cared less. I was more enjoying the prepping of the food. What a concept!!! I got finished and sat down and had a cold Vitamin Water and THAT hit the spot. Right now, Tomato Soup is heavenlyLOL

I am going to go ahead and get a month's worth and then decided. I have enough pills to eat. lol

Fluffy....I just want you to know that although you have not had surgery yet....You are a huge inspiration to us all. I know in my heart that you are going to be super successful in your journey, because you've got it together. An excellent outlook on life. A positive mindset. Thanks for the post, and keep em' coming!

I agree with that easy way out comment. This will be the hardest thing I have done to help myself in my life. With the exception of getting out of an abusive home when I was much much much (too) young.
I don't know if you are on Clear Liquids or not but I have to tell you, this Protein Drink fills me the heck right up and it's so tasty that I'm not missing anything, even my sweets!! I put in my Ninja blender, Water, Fairfield 2% or lower milk, scoop Muscle Milk vanilla creme Protein Powder, serv size of PB2 (2 tablespoons!!! yum) and 1/2 a banana. The taste is AMAZING and the Protein is there, lower calories, low sugar...most sugar is in that 1/2 banana. I mix that sucker good...then add a good cup or more of ice, blend again. It's soooo frothy and good! I serve it to myself out of my favorite canning jar glass. It's like a party to me. I'm sipping on one right now. This is my Breakfast and it will take me right through lunch. I'm pre-sleeve....just practicing! I hope my tastes don't change where I don't like this anymore because seriously, I'm floating on cloud 9 drinking it. Give it a try. Hope it helps with the cravings? If it's the chewing, leave some ice not quite finished in it for some chewing. This is thick enough and tasty enough, might just do the trick for you. Good luck!!!

Unjury makes a great chicken broth flavored mix with 21 grams of Protein. It comes already seasoned, you just mix it with hot water. Their unflavored mix is also a life saver!! You can go to their website and get individual packages to try before you buy a whole big container.

Sent from my Pixel XL using BariatricPal mobile app

I drank the Isopure everyday when I was on the liquid diet. During the soft stage enjoyed bariatricpal's chocolate Protein pudding. Just a packet I added fairlife milk too and gave me tons of protein. Now that I'm about a month post op I drink one Atkins mocha latte shake as a replacement for morning coffee (which I can get on Amazon's subscribe & save which makes it affordable).
As far as trying different Proteins, Quest has sample single packs you can buy from their website. I picked one or two each and had them sent to my house and I think they were about $2 each. Plus Quest does protein chips and Protein Bars which are tasty and worth a look. AND later when you are having cravings their Cheat Clean cookbook has tons of ideas for high protein amd low sugar options. Best of luck!

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I think we all need to renew our minds. Dont let negative or tempting thoughts rule us. We need to change or die. You can actually die frim the health problems that obesity causes. Please stop and let that sink in as you listen to your heart beat and your breath continue to flow. Just imagine what you will be able to do with better health. Overweight people like me are trapped on a cycle that cannot be broken. God is giving us help with this. Lets not go back to the old life. Its time to renew. Find hobbies. Get busy. Be the person that helps and not the person that needs help. Be grateful you have a second chance. Quit thinking about what you cant have and seek what yiu can. Be grateful be postive. Smile. Wake up and get busy. From my heart. ❤️

If you are constantly getting some type of Protein in, and Fiber as well, you should not experience hunger. I made sure that every 2 hours or so, I was eating or drinking something. I never got hungry. Before cooking meals, I had a Protein Shake. I then would not be hungry when dinner or breakfast (on weekends) was ready.
I did a 2 week liquid diet even though I only had to do 1 week. I lost 25 pounds during this time, because I was determined to make it work. My advice would be to get your mind right. This is for you, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You've just got to look for it. We've tried and failed at every diet we've ever tried our entire lives. This tool is worth the trouble and hardships, because it tips the balance in our favor.
It may sound crazy, but self-talk works wonders. Everyday, wake up and look into the mirror. Tell yourself that you are beautiful...That you will work hard to achieve your goals that day.....That you are worth happiness.....That you are going to SUCCEED!
It will happen for you. Good luck on your journey!!

Your diet is way better than mine was.
3 cups of skim milk mixed with 3 scoops of Protein Powder. For the day. For 4 weeks.
Yeah. It sucked.
6 months postop and I've lost 90lbs. Couldn't be happier. Preop misery is a distant memory...

It got better for me at day 5. The first 4 days, I thought I was going to eat my children !!!

Outside knows what long term is. I always like her truthful posts.
It is so personal what foods work for one. And may not work for another. Time also can change tastes and compatibility.
After a decade, I find only a few off limits-never work food for me and my ancient band.
Soda.... won't try again.... I think it is addicting and has no nutritional value and doesn't sit well ..I just won't try. Very occasionally I'll let a seltzer Water fizz out by shaking and releasing several times to have a sip
Pastas... boy my Italian family has a hard time with this one. It just won't work for me or my stomach. Comes right back up. Sorry tmi
Steaks. Never worked for me. No problem as I don't care for them
Fried rice. A tiny white rice works. But never fried rice or noodles so I'm no fun at Chinese restaurants. ( chicken and snow peas works)
Those are the main categories... everyone has to find their own dos and donts
Refried Beans saved me by working all the time!
Good luck to all finding their new list of good foods for their body!
( and a single cocktail now and then is fabulous ....)