AmberFL

14 hours ago, KarenLR75 said:

This July it will be 5 yrs out since my gastric bypass. Originally I wanted to put goal weight at 150 but even when I was 16 and on the swim team and burning calories like crazy, the lightest I ever was, was roughly 145.

As a teen I even did VERY UNHEALTHY things to try and get down to what at the time, according to the notorious insurance standards, was a medical goal weight of 114 -135 lbs for my height at the time. I never managed to get down to 114 despite going on under 600 calories a day (again, with no medical guidance..I was a teen and listened to peer pressure and society tell me what was 'ideal').

So to think that in my 50's that I need to even try for that kind of weight, I figured I'd just disappoint myself plus I'm older and my body has changed. I finally set my goal at 170.

Fast forward to THIS year (year 5) - I had consistently been tracking between 169-175 (and been THRILLED) and for some reason I hit a rough patch about 7 mos ago where I was hungry all the time, scary hungry considering I had been more at ease with my life and not feeling like I had to monitor anything. Things felt like there was a natural rhythm to hunger and how I addressed it. I didn't feel desire to overeat and my family said I still 'ate like a bird, but I realized I had let bad habits creep back in and it was more a boredom thing and honestly, extreme stress. What I was doing that let calories creep in was I was eating more frequently. You can overcome any 'restriction' at some point by eating frequently. I gave myself 'guard rail'/target weight zone instead at the end of my first year post surgery. If I'm in my 'zone', then I'm not actively trying to gain or lose, I'm content. If I get up towards the high end of my zone, I re-evaluate what I'm doing. I ended up in 1 month blowing past the high end of my zone to a weight spike that I had not had for 3 solid years. I had been consistent AND happy with where I was at.

Thankfully I've course corrected and with some help I'm at my lowest weight ever since I was...er...18? I'm 165 right now and as I am also considering plastics, I'm going to re-review the valuable info on the plastics forum/threads as I know I want weight 'stability' for sure. I knew when I did the surgery that I personally wanted to wait until a few years out because honestly, I was afraid I'd find some way to tank the surgery even though I waited 5 yrs before having the surgery to work on myself mentally/emotionally. I also knew I'd have to pay for it out of pocket so I would need YEARS to save so I figured I could lose the weight and tone what I could so the plastic surgeon, if I was fortunate enough to find one I could trust, would know what they had to work with.

I'll let them tell me if they also feel I'm ready. I have SO much loose skin that I honestly don't know with it removed if I'd weigh 5 lbs less than what the scale says. I also learned my watching my 1000 lb life that loose skin doesn't weigh as much as I THINK it should..LOL. That is why I'm only attributing 5 lbs to my loose skin

I think you are doing AWESOME! I'm glad you are keeping your goal where it is. Just settle into your 'new fantastic self' which is just another facet of the already awesome person you were! We can both spend time researching the plastics info while you are in this new chapter of your life and I'm hanging out at 5 years hoping I win the lottery or at least a big payoff scratch off so I can put some money 'down' with a plastic surgeon..LOL!

Thank you! I am going to take you advice, the consistency is going to be the main thing. I am fresh into my journey so I am trying to be realistic. I have some ppl telling me I am getting too thin, some ppl telling me I look great, and some ppl who dont even notice LOL

2 minutes ago, SleeveToBypass2023 said:

Thank you so much!!! A trick was to have the hair dresser do layers in my hair. Adds shape, depth, and fullness. And the shorter length really helps. I wash my hair twice per week. I blow dry it with a diffuser so the heat isn't directly on my scalp. I add leave in conditioner for curls and a tiny bit of curl defining mousse and then blow dry it. Once it's all set, I run my fingers through it a few times and that's literally it. Think about doing layers when you get it cut. It's hard to part with the length at first, but once you see your hair looking fuller and healthier, and it's a lot easier to manage, it takes the sting out pretty quick.

I have layers now they are just long layers, I am not sure if you can really tell in the pic but its the only pic I have on my computer lol but I am looking at medium hair cuts with choppy layers, I am going to stay blond and just chop it off I suppose. I know regardless its going to be a big change and when I meet with my hairdresser in Aug I am hoping the shedding has subsided so we can really figure out how to tackle my hair.

I do both everyday lol I walk outside on my lunch break then I do weight training at the gym or at home, Best of both worlds!

2 hours ago, SleeveToBypass2023 said:

My hair was down to the middle of my back. It really looked terrible. Split ends, super dry and brittle, no shape, emphasized my scalp and the general thinning. After my surgery, I was nervous to go too short so I went to juuuuust below my shoulders. Looked good for about 6-8 weeks and then started to show the thinning and my scalp again. This time around, I cut my hair just ABOVE my shoulders and decided to stop straightening it. My natural waves came back in full force, which helped A LOT. And it's easier to maintain and doesn't look thin at all.

I am thinking I will have to do the same, which I have stopped putting heat to my hair now, Might just do one blow dry after my wash a week. I agree your hair shorter looks healthier and fuller. You have a nice face shape for both so you are rockin the new do!

Call me vain but I am devastated about looking at short hair cuts LOL Thankfully my hair grows quickly so I am going to take collagen so my Hair growth comes in healthy and strong. You were right nothing I am doing is helping I brush my hair every morning and 15-20 strands of hair just come out *le Sigh*

18 hours ago, SleeveToBypass2023 said:

It happened to me with BOTH surgeries. Started around month 3 after my sleeve and my once really thick hair shed so much it thinned out to the point that I needed to cut my hair and change how I styled it so you couldn't see how much it thinned out. It finally stopped at 9 months, but then at 13 months out I had my revision, and it started again at 2 months out. Here I am 11 months out from the revision and it finally stopped. I got another hair cut and this time decided no more straightening my hair, and now the shorter length and the waves and curls really help hide the additional thinning. Honestly, Biotin doesn't promote Hair growth or prevent shedding. It just makes the existing hair soft, shiny, and somewhat healthier. The Protein is what makes the biggest difference since hair needs it but can't produce it. There really isn't anything that will prevent or lessen the shedding. It just is what it is and has to run its course. I would use volumizing hair care products, have a shorter hair length, possibly style it differently, and just wait it out. That's really all you can do.

I am looking at new hair cuts and go back to my hair lady in August. I am not her first bariatric client so she knows how to deal. Hoping I am not too fair gone where I have to go too short.

19 hours ago, NickelChip said:

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it will make no difference how much Protein you eat in terms of how much hair you lose. It's like trying to Water a rose in a vase and expecting it to start growing into a big rose bush. The hair follicles have already gone dormant. Now all you can do is wait for the hair to fall out so that the follicles can re-enter a growth phase. The hair strands that have stopped won't start again.

This usually happens naturally in cycles so gradual and staggered that we never notice it. But surgery makes a bunch of hair stop at once (which it already did, months ago), and it is very noticeable until it all starts back up again. What Protein and Vitamins will do for you now is make your regrowth strong and healthy. So definitely still take them.

Thats encouraging, I am doing all the things I can to keep it up. I go back to my hairstylist in August which would be at about 6months so by then (fingers crossed) the shedding slows down and we can we figure out a hair style that looks good. I am just not coping with it well. I will get over it and embrace it. Just right now I cant lol

I am 4months post off and I am going through the same. I work out hard, My weight is melting off, My hair is falling out which is devastating right now and I do get the occasional dizzy spells but other than that I feel really good! I am about 15lbs from my goal weight and I struggle to eat more than 1100 calories which I know I need to because I burn anywhere from 650 cal to 1000 calories a day (depending on the workouts) . I started much heavier than you but I am worried it wont stop and I will be a walking skeleton.

I am meeting with my dietician and surgeon on the 13th and need to do bloodwork as well.

1. Basics: GENDER, AGE, HEIGHT

F, 35, 5'9, SW 297

2. Total Weight lost in the 6 months BEFORE surgery (if any)

31lbs

3. Weight on DAY OF SURGERY.

266lbs

4. Weight at 1 MONTH POST surgery

236.6

5. Weight at 3 MONTHs POST surgery

205.2

I am at 4 months post op 185.8lbs

8. Type of Surgery (Sleeve, ByPass, etc...)

Gastric sleeve

30 minutes ago, Spinoza said:

You will get loads of sympathy here OP - for a woman (usually more than a man I think?) our hair is often tied into our identity more generally, for better or worse.

Massive weight loss causes our non-essential body functions like Hair growth to stall completely. Body thinks - no calories - what can I ditch? I know - hair! Once we get through the biggest rate of loss and our body is regrouping then the stalled follicles get pushed out by new growth.

I lost masses of hair in I think 3 distinct phases, about 3 months apart. It's truly properly shocking, that first hair fall. (And for me the second and third - I hope you don't get those too!) Please please be reassured that most of it grows back for most of us. It just takes a while and it's so worth it.

I am going to try and embrace it as much as possible since I chose this surgery but Im sure I will panic as much as I did last night lol. I am going to eat as much Protein as I can to try and slow it down which I am unsure of how much success i will have but I sure am gonna try

31 minutes ago, JennyBeez said:

My GP warned me that it'll happen to most patients, but won't be permanent -- just something we have to put up with for 6-12mo before it stops falling out and starts growing back properly. He kind of made me feel like keeping up on my multi-vitamins & supplements were the only thing that would have it eventually stabilize, and that most 'solutions' like Biotin Patches and special hair treatments were just going to be an expensive placebo for time & improved nutrition. It actually kind of depressed me, because I have thin straight hair to begin with -- I can't afford much Hair loss. I ended up shaving half my head (undercut only) months prior to my WLS just to be sure I could handle losing that much volume.

Would love to hear from anyone with a great personal experience with additional supplements / treatments that they feel worked? But if not, I'm happy to rock a short do for the next year or so.

I was warned too but I figured no way it would happen to me! I really keep up with the Protein and supplements, alas here we are I wish I had the confidence to rock a short do, I am pretty sad just looking up styles for when I get my hair done again in August. I know I am dramatic and pretty vain butttttt ya know LOL

My boyfriend tells me that when I'm sleeping at night I am performing a symphony. LOL

So my bestie who is in the process has medi-cal through partnership and her primary is Kaiser. Kaiser approved her sent all her info in. Their process is a goal weight, psych eval, blood work and meeting with dietician which she is almost done with the process and when its all said done it'll have been 2months ish. IDK if that is anything like medicaid.

3 minutes ago, FifiLux said:

I don't think you are going bald, just going through what so many of us have had to cope with.

I had long thick straight hair pre-op and thought I was doing really well when I got to month four with no Hair loss and then it was like a horror movie for two months. Clumps would come out if I washed my hair, I would cry in the shower when I saw what was in the drain and my hand after just a light touch wash. I kept my hair tied back and washed just once a week during the two months but you could tell where I had been by following the trail of fallen hair, I seriously shed more than my cat!

I was so self conscious about it as had bald Patches but thankfully others couldn't tell it was mostly underneath. I ended up cutting my hair up to chin length so it was not as obvious. After six months the Hair loss stopped and now it is about regrowth, it is nearly as annoying though not in anyway upsetting. I have been getting my hair cut every couple of months so that my existing hair is as close in length to the new hair (which is coming in with a curl) and I have to put mascara in my hair if I go out in public ass there are baby hairs sticking up all over the place, looks like static hair.

I took special bariatric Vitamins for hair for three months, no idea if it helped but I was prepared to try anything. I also got a couple of wigs but ended up not needed them. For washing my hair I used a really soft Shampoo made from oat milk.

Basically I just want to let you know that what you are going through is normal after the surgery, you couldn't have prevented it, it just happens to most patients as the body is coping with the weight loss and it will get better.

I thankfully have long thick hair too and it grows fairly fast so i am hoping I get the same results as you where there isn't bald Patches just might have to rock a shorter hair cut for awhile (which I am dreading!) Did you notice that using a more moisturizing Shampoo helped with how much came out? The oplalex doesn't make my hair soft it just keeps my blond looking blond.

I am thinking of taking a prenatal and collagen just because, but I really thought I was a lucky one ;(

I am 35 HW: 325 SW: 297 CW 189 Gastric Sleeve Surgery Date: 1/24

1. What was the best part of surgery for you?

Having a ton of energy! Not feeling groggy, my knees don't hurt when I wake up, working out and staying motivated, playing with my kids after a long day and still having the energy to cook dinner and pick up the house and sex life has improved,

2. What was the worst part of surgery for you?

The first week kinda sucked with how much gas pains and not being able to eat barely anything and I am dealing some Hair loss right now. Other than that I had a really smooth surgery.

3. Did you have any complications (minor or major) during or after your surgery?

I was lucky, mine has been smooth sailing

4. How has adjusting to your new life been for you?

Its different, I get more attention which is tough for me to get used to, I love exercising, I love shopping, I love getting ready everyday for work. I am the best version of myself, my boyfriend and kids deserve it and overall I deserve it!

5. How long did it take you to feel comfortable eating food?

I would say there are still things I don't want to eat but probably around 90day mark I felt good to eat just about anything within reason.

6. Is there anything you can’t eat anymore that you used to enjoy?

Honestly I don't have the same desire to eat what I did. I will enjoy a couple of fries if I have an open faced burger or something but its not something that was a must like it was before.

7. What was your recovery like? Any vomiting or dumping syndrome?

Recovery was great besides the gas pains. No vomiting or dumping syndrome.

8. How long did it take you to feel semi-normal after surgery?

I would say 2 weeks. I was walking 1-2miles after the first week. The first week I walked around the block to get the gas out. I also have a high pain tolerance so that might have helped. Like I had two c-sections and once the epidural wore off I was up walking my babies up and down the hall, the nurses had to tell me to rest but I am Type A so I am a little nutty.

9. Did you experience higher energy level post surgery?

HELL YES!!! I wake up start life, workout for an hour plus walk on my lunch break 5 days a week, I work full time and am a college student. I have 3 children and my partner. I have energy for everything and I am not dog tired at the end of the day.

10. Did surgery affect your mental health?

Yes, I struggle sometimes with the new body, how ppl treat me, and still see the 325lb woman in the mirror but I moreso I am in a better spot. I am not as anxious, stressed and I am able to take on tasks with a clearer mind (such as school)

11. Do you regret it? Would you recommend it?

My only regret is not getting it done sooner!

Let me preface by saying I wash my hair 1x a week, I do bleach my hair (have been for yearssss), I eat over 100g of Protein per day, take all my Vitamins daily even extra Biotin which has helped ( I think if not my lashes are longer) lol I did change my Shampoo to Oplalex 2months ago, which after I looked it up had a law suit from women saying the product caused Hair loss? My hair does shed and has since surgery but nothing crazy.

I had my surgery about 4 months ago, and yesterday a very alarming amount of hair come out yesterday! I had my hair up in a bun didn't brush it, pure laziness on my part, but when I took it down and brushed my hair a ton came out...figured okay probably because of not washing my hair yet and not brushing/ putting it in a bun. After I brushed my hair and braided it because I took the kids swimming. Came home and washed my hair and put a hair mask in my hair which I do every week. And HOLY ISH! So much more hair! I yelled for my boyfriend and he was even taken back with how much it was.

I am not sure if I need to prepare for the worst or if THAT WAS THE WORST. I brushed my this morning and the normal amount came out.

Am I going to go bald?!

ALWAYS!! I bought a swimsuit on Amazon. I opened the package and looked at the swimsuit and told myself this is way too small why did I buy this? Nope slipped it right on! For reference I went from a 2x (18/20) to a M bottoms and 2/3x to M top. So I struggle to see that I can fit certain things. I go to the store I immediately go to the plus size section and my BF tells me the same thing, "are you sure this will fit you? it looks too big"

Its a bizzare feeling!

I have been looking online and there are 3 so far that their work looks really good, one of them actually specialize in surgery for bariatric patients. So maybe I start at least visiting them and see if they also tell me I need to lose 20more pounds.

Just now, Rose perez said:

I love yogurt so much, just found out about frozen yogurt lol didn't know froyo existed

its sooooo good!!

You look great!!! Good job! Your hard work is paying off!

We have a bunch of a fro-yo places here that you can add your own toppings. So if we go get ice cream we get that. I will usually just nibble on the kids fro-yo because a few bites is enough for my cravings.

Okay, I am about 20lbs from my weight goal but really may never get to that goal, as I am weight lifting and working out. Honestly my boobs are so depressing and Idk if I can hold out 8 more months till I hit a year.

Do you all suggest I start my search now for surgeon and see what they say?

My boobies are skin sacs, I did not expect them to look like this- I figured that it would be less volume but oof! Anywho! I would love to do all things; boob job, bbl, Tummy Tuck, thigh lift, arm lift but in reality I do not want to spend that much money but I want a boob job for sure. I would settle for just that. Do I need to wait the full year to get boobs done?

Thank you all, I ended up drinking a ton more Water and it seemed to help!

Right now I say "OMG I AM?! NO WONDER I HAD TO BUY NEW CLOTHES" Anywho how are you doing? Life okay?

I have been getting this a lot so I understand

Thank you guys! I am trying to focus on how I feel, getting used to the new body, new clothes but its all very foreign. With all of your guys input I think I am going to keep my goal at 170. Might change once I approach that. But for now that is the goal!

Thank you to you all for the wonderful feedback! I am very fresh into my journey and I honestly thought it would’ve taken me the entire 12-18months to get to the point to where I am at. I notice that 1000 calories is easy to attain some days and harder to get to the others. I do workout hard and burn on my lowest days 650calories and my highest 1000cal. Which would completely make my calories for the day really low or at zero. But I feel really good, I wake up alert and am able to do 5am workouts, I eat pretty well I think, I try not to drink my calories but man do I miss a full fat mocha 😂.

I am trying to deter from the mindset that I need to weigh a certain number and like you all said I need to ride the ride and focus on how I feel. I do want plastics so I know my body is going to change even more which honestly is TERRIFYING!

Going off on a tangent, I have so many emotions about about this process and it happened way father than I anticipated.

Again, thank you all for your feedback it helped!