BlondePatriotInCDA

I'm wondering if the way you handle your anxiety now opposed to how you might have handled it before is what is actually different and why you're noticing it as more extreme, did you use food to self sooth? Perhaps this is why you're noticing it more is because you can't/don't have that option anymore and the lack of soothing with food ramps up the anxiety? I don't know if that's what you used to do in anxious situations which is why I'm asking.. But if so its my guess opposed to it being something else. Plus, you've gone through a lot with surgery and your grandmother passing (sorry for your loss). Life can be riddled with anxiety inducing situations unfortunately. From reading your posts, you're a strong woman and I have no doubts that you will tackle this head on and come out on top! Perhaps talking to a mental heath professional may help, I've never personally been a huge fan and haven't found them worthwhile, but for a lot of ppl it does help! You've got this, just continue on being your strong self!

The shoe size really surprised me, all my old shoes flop around on my feet now 😢 cute shoes too! Trust me don't wear them, I not realizing this was a thing wore my most comfy shoes (Sketchers sherpa lined clogs) on a trip and I ended up with major blisters just walking in the airport! 3 pairs of socks and bandaids and hobbling along the entire trip. Take it from me - just donate them and buy some new cute shoes!

I concur ..you shouldn't feel nauseated all the time. I'd contact your prescribing doctor and let them know! I've been on Wegovy for 6 months and never feel nauseated, it just removed the constant food drumbeat in my head. You don't want to risk potential stomach issues!

Yet....😈

I appreciate your post, its an opportunity to understand human nature and the constant struggles we have fighting the basic life requirement to eat. That being said, I would like to ask fellow forum members the following questions if they too have had/have their other half going down the same paths... seeing your wife having weight/health issues and what others do/say/handle that situation. My husband eats like a 12 year old boy. He knows it, he told his doctor the same thing (his doctor laughed and said he eats the same way). His BMI (I know its not a great metric but its the easiest and most ppl understand it) is 29.98. I've explained obese is 30.00. He says he gets "plenty of exercise" because he walks 12 miles a day, which he does (mail carrier). I say that's moving NOT exercise since its nothing more than a long stroll, not getting his heart rate up. So, my question like what Spartan says how do you help someone see the light? Yes, I realize its like everything else each person has to come to the realization on their own, but how can we help the process along, after all time doesn't stand still and no one is getting younger. I try to get him to eat the meals I prepare, but its not what he "likes": cereals, processed foods i.e. hot dogs, fast food, candy and soda. He has tried dieting, it lasts less than a day or he only "eats a half bowl of sugary cereal until I point out that a serving is 1/4 cup and his half a bowl is 4 servings...etc. What have you tried, done said etc., on your journey to bring your other half kicking and screaming into a healthier lifestyle that worked? I don't want anger or alienate my husband, but do you just stand back and continue to let someone you love keep pulling the trigger?

"Good news is that I am now 1/4 way through my 30 day supply of these bovine collagen tablets…on day 2. This afternoon I snorted at the neighbors dog and stamped my hoof….didn’t charge, though. Prolly will after a few more days at this intake." Trust me you're at the easy stage...just wait until your horns break through...painful!!!!

Congratulations, you are winning the battle day by day!

Thank you Ms. Pretty! I appreciate you.

A quick post on a long journey: Win; Starting size 2X 20 months later... Current size 4. Shock when buying jeans!

As Spartan stated it could be different lab values. A good portion of my lab values come back "abnormal" but that's as my doctor told me very subjective. IF its just a point or two in either direction its most likely "normal" and could just be "normal" for you or different labs different "normals." Were you told that you're showing symptoms for dehydration? If your values continue to change, are more than a few points in the "abnormal" range and are trending in those directions over a period of time then perhaps its a reason for concern but until then I wouldn't worry. Remember, if its concerning to you ASK your doctor at the very least your doctor should go over it with you to alleviate your concerns.

I'm just checking in with all my August 2023 fellow surgery patients! I hope everyone is doing well and has been genuinely happy at 19+ months PO! I finally conceded that I'm probably not going to get to my "goal" since I've been stuck here for months now. I also like to think that if I were to have skin removal on all the places I need it (stomach, arms legs and butt) it would take me to goal. This puts me at where I was weight wise most of my adult life before I started gaining weight ten years ago. So, I'm happy with the wls results physically health wise, lol just not looks wise. I knew what to expect...but its still difficult to actually seeing it. Plus all the new aches and pains from past stress on the body and shifting lose joints is .... Great 😉 Again, I hope everyone is doing well and has adjusted to their new healthy life!

I agree with SpartanMaker that you can try all the supplements people suggest but; ..I recently went to my dermatologist for hair loss and I worked in a dermatology clinic for years so not only did I ask my personal dermatologist, but I went back and asked my former employers about supplements/treatments. My personal dermatologist said studies/research shows that they really don't work including biotin shampoos etc. Biotin coats the hair shaft to fluff it i.e. make it stand up a bit giving the appearance of being fuller and working, but its coating hair that's already dead so its not treating hair loss. So until your hair stops shedding it can help with appearances. Collagen can't hurt, but most likely won't help. All the dermatologists at my old clinic (6 separate doctors) all agreed that hair supplements aren't worth the money since they really don't work, but if it made me "feel better" taking them and I didn't mind "wasting money" they couldn't hurt. They all agreed that making sure I got all my protein in each day and taking my multivitamin so I wasn't deficient was the best route to take. I was told that in general after a major surgery if people continued to "shed" after 12 - 18 months to be sure to make an appointment as there could be more going on but until then it was completely normal. Needless to say I continued to shed past 18 months and made an appointment. I'm now being treated for possible LPP which could have been brought on by the stress of surgery - its difficult to determine as its idiopathic. Luckily for me its really early and doctor feels I won't get bald patches. Whew! So, unless its major shedding (clumps), you notice bald spots, itching, sores, redness, scaling etc, or you've gone past the 18 months timeline its a "normal" reaction to the stress of surgery there isn't anything to be done other than wait it out. All else fails to assure you, make an appointment with your dermatologist to alleviate your concerns.

Did you go in to the clinic and did your doctor do a full physical? If not I would consider a second opinion especially being 9 weeks out. At 9 weeks you should be on solid foods unless you were advised to do liquid/puree for longer and you didn't? A second opinion can never hurt. You said mentally food makes you want to "gag"and you find food " disgusting ", perhaps not only having a complete physical but talking to the dietician or a mental health professional would also help... Also, you never stated what your average meal menus consist of...and quantity..other than low fat meats and protein drinks. Are you getting enough fiber to assist with those " accidents"? I'd at the bare minimum set up an appointment with the dietician. Good luck hope you start doing better soon!

I agree with the other two posts, contact your surgical team, what you're experiencing in is not "normal." Don't risk your health further.

I told him that's ok..I wouldn't want my sexy time with Thor interrupted anyway!

I agree!!! It was a backhanded "compliment"!

I would say based on your responses you hope that they never have to go to the doctor for colds, pain, broken bones...etc...after all those are all medical interventions for things you/your body can handle overtime and with enough brain power over it! After all, you wouldn't want them to take "the easy way out." I'd go on to say doctors don't prescribe surgical procedures for the easy way out, nor do insurance companies approve and pay for surgeries for the same reason. Lastly, I'd add if they don't have anything nice to say you don't want to hear it - you're doing what you feel is right for you and you don't need negative comments on your journey to better health.

Lol I said pretty much the same thing but it was Chris Hemsworth AND Mamoa! 😝 I showed this to my husband and told him your and my responses...he said he first thought "his wife" which sounds great...but he wouldn't go up those stairs for me..now I need to contemplate his answer! 🤔

Just tell them you've made a life choice to be and eat healthier to lose weight and wine has empty calories for you, so as its a wine "tasting" you'll taste it but not drink it all down. Explain you want to enjoy the flavor and time spent with good friends but don't want to sabotage your health plan!

Finasteride is usually for male pattern baldness...its not usually prescribed for women (I'm assuming OP is female). I concur lighter hair color works for pale skin hair loss and darker for darker skin tones.

Congratulations, you've done great! That 100 pound achievement is a great feeling.

Thank you, I'll take all the luck I can get! I have just the "normal" shedding most complain about after major surgeries, except it has continued past when it should have stopped or gotten better 12 month - 16 months. Sometimes its a brush full sometimes lots of hair fall. I don't have any bald spots as of yet <fingers crossed>🙏 I just happened to go in for my yearly skin check and mentioned it to my dermatologist (surfer, scuba diver, life guard, sailing ) so lots of sun in my past). My doctor said she saw a few small scars and thought to just be on the safe side decided to do two punch biopsies. She has me on antibiotics and then in 10 days I go in for follow-up diagnosis (I diagnosed myself based on pathology slides - I'm a pathology lab director) and treatment options. I just wanted to put it out there for people so if they were losing hair to not wait to long jic. There is a cut off that can be blamed on typical bariatric surgery for hair shedding, but if it continues the sooner you get treatment the better outcomes.

Its not a physical thing, but the most important thing to have is patience. Patience with yourself and patience in the process. Trust the program/process and follow your doctors guidelines. Lastly, give yourself some grace, the weight didn't come on overnight and it won't come off overnight. You will have doubts and mistakes - don't be too hard on yourself, just take it a step at a time and get back up and on the program again. Other than that, there have been numerous forum posts covering your question. You will find tons of advice on actual items etc., if you put in a search for your answers! Congrats on your upcoming surgery and welcome to the forums and a healthier way of life!

Very well said!

I would definitely schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. Mine continued to "shed" even with all the right macros and supplements etc. My hair loss slowed quite a bit at one year - but then started again so I talked to my dermatologist, she did a punch biopsy and found out I have LPP (lichen planopilaris) which started/triggered after surgery. Luckily I didn't ignore it just thinking its the standard shedding after bariatric surgery ppl discuss on these forums. My doctor said if it had been, it should have slowed down and stopped by a year -16 months following surgery especially with eating properly. Luckily I caught it early and I'm hoping it won't get bad. At the very least if you set an appointment with your dermatologist you will have peace of mind with a doctor looking you over and confirming its just the stress from surgery causing it. Unfortunately, sometimes the stress from surgeries can set things off in our bodies. Good luck!