auntlucy

I've lost a lot of hair today. I nearly burst into tears this morning when I was washing and then brushing may hair. Multiple strands were coming out at once. While I love my best friend, I don't really feel like I can talk to her about it. When I first noticed the hair loss a couple of weeks ago, I was expressing my concern about it to her. I was obviously very upset. She looked at me and said, "I think you need to find something else that you like about yourself other than your hair." URRRRRR!!! I was ticked....I'm a very confident person and there are a lot of things I like about myself. I had a normal human emotion after all!

I wasn't hungry for about 10 days after surgery, but as I continued to heal, I did get hungry. By the time my 1st fill appointment came, I was ready for it. Now I'm definitely ready for my 2nd one which is next week. Right now, I don't feel like I have much restriction at all. My advice to you is to still follow the rules even when you are on solid foods and are hungry. I have really tried to limit my food to the portion sizes my doctor and nutritionist recommended. Good luck! You will do great!

I did have something similar...mine was a hemotoma. The doctor had me take ecotrin (otc anti-inflamatory) and put heat on it while keeping it elevated as much as possible. After a few days, mine was much better. But, you should ask your doctor. Good luck!

asnewme1, good luck with all of your preparation for getting the sleeve. I've heard really good things about it. It's actually my surgeon's preference, but it's not covered under insurance yet. Since my insurance covered the band, it was a good choice for me. We are glad to have you on the site as we're all in the same boat!

I'm glad it worked out for you. The second day I was on solid foods I had a work dinner at a very nice restaurant. I was so nervovus about what to order and looked at the menu online before I got there to determine what I should order. I took small bites and chewed very slowly. Aside from one guy sitting next to me who really wanted me to join him for dessert for some reason, nobody said anything. That was 3 months ago...last week, we were at another work dinner, and he came and asked if I was going to have dessert and proceeded to tell everyone around me that I didn't have dessert last time. Oh well! I just proudly and jokingly said, "why are you so interested in what I am not eating?!?"

Be pacient! In my experience, things happen for a reason...it will all work out, and it's not that much longer!

I've definitely had weeks where I've lost a little more and weeks when I've lost less or even gained. I try not to get frustrated with the gains b/c I know I'm doing everything right. I think it's just normal. Our bodies are very complex! I really need a fill right now...fortunately I'm scheduled for one Tuesday!

I have a whole lot of lunch meetings I have to deal with. I just started taking my own lunch...especially if I know there aren't good options for me on the "menu". Nobody really says anything to me about it other than, "wow...you're being really good." I was in one lunch meeting with the President of the Company. I brought in my own lunch and was as happy as a lark eating it. She looked at me and said, "You are being so good! I hate you." You would have to know her, but she was basically saying that she admired that I was eating a healthy lunch. If anyone asks, just let them know that you are making an effort to eat healthier. There's no need to tell them about the surgery if you're not comfortable doing that.

I'm so sorry you are having to deal with that. I do think you should sit down and have a conversation with her so you can both get your feelings about it out on the table. You would need to appraoch it in a loving way with a desire to make it better. I have noticed a few comments on this thread about how much easier the GB is than the band and how people with GB gain back the weight. I would just caution us all not to pass judgment on the people who choose GB. We all have to make choices and for some, that is a better option.

I'm almost 4 months in, and I've not experienced it yet. I am careful to chew chew chew, take small bites, and eat slowly. Hopefully I will never experience it, but if I do, it's a msall price to pay for weight loss in my opinion. I hope it's as easy for you as it's been for me so far!

Jorge, don't think of yourself as a failure! You are definitely not one! Go get your first fill, as that should start to give you some of the restriction that you need. Keep in mind that you may not have perfect restriction for a while, so start today to get back on track. While the band is a tool, it's up to you to make the changes necessary to make the tool work. Are you tracking your food intake? that really helps me. I use www.thedailyplate.com, and I find I do much better when I take the time to track it...makes me more conscious of what goes in my mouth. Also, really think about your food choices. On days when I seem hungrier, I let myself eat a little extra, but I choose to eat lean protein. I know it's hard to make these changes (we are all in this together). Hang in there and go get your fill! Be proud of yourself for taking the step to get the band...that is big accomplishment in and of itself!

Good luck southerngirl! I'm sure everything will go well! Let us know...

I bought sugar-free gum in just about every flavor...have a big bowl in my house and in my office at work. When I felt like eating, I just chewed a piece of gum. I haven't touched the gum now in weeks. I know I've seen some people on this site say that gum was a no-no, but my doctor/nutritionist never mentioned that. I'm just careful not to swallow it.

I get so tired of ordering salads, so I find myself ordering chicken fajitas at Mexican food restaurants. Last weekend I went to The Cheesecake Factory (known for enormous portions) and ordered the chicken avocado club sandwich. I asked for no bread and no french fries. It was quite yummy (even though the waiter looked at me kinda funny). Oh well, I enjoyed it! I'm actually not eating out nearly as much. I find that I have more optoins when I eat at home and I can make it now the way I like it.

Ebeth, I'm one of those serial rules followers! I've done everything by the book. The reason for the liquid stage is to allow your body to heal. Solid foods are harder to digest, which can impact the healing. So, I would encourage you to get back on the liquids. After all, you've gone through a lot to get the band...you might as well take the best care of it possible. Good luck!

I am so sorry for your loss! My dog is definitely a very important part of my family! So, I completely understand. I'm tearing up just thinking about losing him. You will be in my thoughts and prayers over the next few days.

I'm taking one 5 mg capsule of Biotin a day. I bought the smallest capsules they had, and I haven't had a problem swallowing it, but I'm also not very restricted yet. Biotin is in the B-vitamin family. A biotin deficiency can result in weak or brittle hair/nails as well as hair loss. Here is a link for you to learn more about biotin: Biotin Good luck everyone...this has been one of the hardest things to deal with for me. I know I shouldn't be so vain, but I've always loved my hair, and the thought of losing it is tough. We all have our things, and that is mine. I'm doing better with it now.

I started noticing it a couple of weeks ago myself, and I had a mini-meltdown. My hair has always been my thing. I have been getting about 70-90 grams of protein a day already, so I really don't think mine is a protein deficiency. I picked up some biotin at the health store, and that seems to be working. I'm planning to ask the doctor when I get my fill next week.

Don't get some of us wrong...I don't think we are lying about it by saying we are exercising and changing our eating habits. Those are both true. I tell people when I'm comfortable and if I think they need to know. If someone was struggling with a weight issue and they approached me, I would tell them. I would also ask that they keep it to themselves. I think it's important that we remember that the band isn't our magic wand that is waving away all of our bulk...it's just a tool and it's up to us to use that tool correctly.

I only told a handful of people, and I'm happy I've stuck to that. It's good to have a few people that you can talk to about it, but I just didn't want to deal with being watched like a hawk! Sure, people notice that I'm losing weight, and when they ask what I'm doing, I tell them that I'm eating small, healthy portions and exercising. All of that is true! They don't need to know that I also got a tool to help me! Go with your instincts....occasionally I feel guilty for not telling my grandparents, but then I remember how judgmental she can be (even thought I know she loves me).

Try adding crysral light to your water. My favorite is cherry pomegranite.

They should give you a list of what to eat (I mean drink)! The first few days for me was clear liquids...low calorie non-acidic fruit juice, broth, sugar-free jello, etc. Honestly, I wasn't hungry at all for the first several days, and I had to force myself to sip liquids. Good luck!

I would also ask the following: success rate/mortality rate pre-op diet required? type of band they use how much does the band hold how soon do they do first fill? type of support their office offers (do they have a support group, do they mind calls about your questions, etc.) More importantly, I would see what kind of rapport you develop with the surgeon and his staff. It is really important that you be able to comfortably talk with them about your concerns. Good luck!

Welcome slim1! I am glad that I was banded because I'm feeling better than I have for quite some time. I am proud of myself for getting the band, which is the tool taht I've needed for quite some time. It was hard for me to admit that I needed help. I felt like I should be able to do it on my own, but the bottom line is that I wasn't doing it on my own. I have a ways to go before I'm at "goal", but I have a hope that I will be able to achieve it!

Welcome Melissa! You have found the right place to get good information and support. Let us know what questions you have, and I'm sure we will all do our best to help.