Jacks2009

I am 6 months out of surgery. Have lost about 49 pounds since my journey began. I don't have any side effects except for a major one. hair Loss

I am still losing hair and it does not look like it will stop any time soon. It is by the hand fulls all day every day. I am seeing bald spots, which is not good. I have always had extremly thick hair..

Could I be doing somethign wrong? This has me really upset..

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I want it to stop or at very least slow down. I will be shopping for wigs instead of new cloths!! lol :frown:

Jennifer, how did you lose so much weight so fast? Congratulations. I was banded 2/23/2009 and I am only done 49 pounds total. I feel great and still have another 49 pounds to go to meet my goal.

Can you share with us what is working for you?

I am extremly unhappy that I am still losing so much hair all day every day and now feel like I can see actualy bald spots.. I always had a lot of hair.. my nick name was mop head - that is how thick my hair was.. I can't make the Hair loss stop?

can anyone out there help me get some answers as to how to make the hair loss stop I am 6 months out of surgery and this should have stopped by now..

Thank you and congraulations to everyone for their weight loss..

Jackie

What can I do to stop this. I am 5 months post op and still losing a lot of hair.. I had extremly thick hair and not it is thin?

Will this stop? What can I do to make it stop?

Any help would be appreciated. I don't want to be bald...I would have rather stayed heavy then be skinny and bald...

Jackie:cursing:

Everyone's opionion is different. My opinion is to try everything and learn what you can and can't tolerate as it is different for everone.

I will enjoy my life and eat in moderation as when i give up foods I love - that is when I set myself up for long term failure.

When you deprive yourself - you will fail in the long run. Most anyway.

Good luck to everyone - we are all in the same boat and here to help and support one another.

Eating bread and pancakes after the lapband? Why did you get the lapband?

Did your Dr counsel you on what is proper to eat and what is not after the surgery?

I had to meet with a dietitician and learn what is and is not good. One thing that is bad in enriched flour.

It is folks that do not truly commit to this that make others who desire this surgery jump through hoops to get the insurance companies to pay for them.

Every doctor is different and so is every nutrionist. I was told to try everything and learn that way what I can and not tolerate. For me the lap band was to help me with Portion Control. Yes, food choice is important, but if we were all able to make the best food choices all the time we would not have needed to resort to the "assistance" of lap band. The band requires a lot of work as well and is not an easy way out. I will not deprive myself of anything. MY doctor said to keep trying and I will be able to figure out what I can and can not have.

The key is everything in moderation... at least that is what I was always told.

Good luck everyone. I for sure am glad you proceeded with the lap band even though you are eating bread...lol

I have found this Greek Yogurt called Chobani. They are 6oz and have anywhere from 14 to 18 grams of Protein per every 6oz container.

They taste good. the vanilla is great. The plain is ok but just sprinkle some cinnamon poweder on it and you are good to go.

The carbs are low as well. The fruite ones have a higher sugar and carb count, but still have about 14 grams of protein.

These have been a god send to me in getting all my protein in for the day as I was having a very hard time.

They are a little expenisve at $1.59 each but you can get them on sale for about a $1.00 - A&P currently has them on sale this week.

Stock up everyone and remember this is great to get in all your protein if you are tired of shakes.. two of these a day are about 200 calories total and any where from 30 to 40 grams of protein (for both snacks).

Let me know if anyone has tried them and what you think. Also let me know after you try them what you think.

I think we have a good find here with these Chobani Greek Yogurts!!!

Have a great day!!

I was just banded in February 09 and I already have 9cc in my band. How would the nurse know if 6cc was enough for you to feel the restriction that you should?

This does not make sense to me.

You need to call them back and talk about this. If you are able to eat large portions as you mentioned then you may not have the restriction that you need and this could be why you are not losing as you should be.

This is a slow process and it takes time, but I do not feel they should tell you that at 6cc - you are restricted enought.

everytime I leave my surgeons office they tell that If i still don't feel restricted to call them back and schedule another fill? or it is to much to call them back and they will remove some.

I feel we know our bodies better then anyone and you would know if you feel the restriction that you need.

can anyone recommend a Vitamin that will not get stuck. They are so big. i was banded on 2/23 and am having a hard time keeping Vitamins down. They get stuck and make me vomit yellow saliva..

Also, I can't get the required 60 to 80 grams of Protein in a day with food alone and am so sick of Protein shakes.. does anyone know if they make a pill or vitamin form of protein?

I know this is why i probably feel tired all the time, I keep trying but I can not eat that many grams of protein per day.

:thumbup:

Hi everyone. I was banded on 2/23 and am down a total of 30 lbs. I have had 3 fills and am scheduled for my next appointment on 6/5 but am not sure if I need one. I get full pretty fast.

I admit I am still not making the best food choices, but I can not eat any where remotely clost to 1500 or 1800 calories a day.

I also struggle with getting the 70 grams of Protein per day. But am trying.

Having some hair loss, but taking Vitamins. I need to start exercising. I have increased my activity by doing more and just getting out in the world and housework, but I know that is not enough. So I need to start that.

I find the weight loss to be ok - but not steady at all. I can go for weeks without losing a pound.

I got discouraged yesterday when my mother asked me why the "band" was not working for me.

I mean I am down 30 pounds. Went in at 257 and am now at 227. from size 22 to size 18 - I guess she thought it would be faster as well.

I know I need to exercise and really make better food choices, but sometimes I can't help it..

Good luck to everyone and we all need to keep in touch and keep seeing how we are doing...

Let me know if you think i am losing at a good rate?

Over the last several months I have noticed my nose and cheeks seems to flush much easier and I don't understand why. At the moment they are red hot and my nose actually looks red! I always prided myself in being the person who could be mortified with embarassment and the red would never show.

However I have increasingly noticed this happening to me. Sometimes it is after I eat. This morning it happened just ask I had breakfast (a quick snack of almonds while I worked). It also happened on Sunday but I was drinking a glass of wine so I attributed it to that. But even so, I have NEVER flushed from drinking before.

I guess I am dealing with all new circumstances these days with my body. Many years of worrying about eating too much and now I had to make sure to eat enough and the right things to keep myself going through workouts and a busy life.

Anyway just wondering if this is a symptom of something like a Vitamin deficiency, something else related to the band, or just something random. (please don't say peri-menopause, I am 35 and not ready for that!).

This may have something to do with the band, as I did a search and came up with this tread because the same exact thing has been happening to me ever since I was banded. Seems to happen right after or while I am eating. I never had this problem before...

My doc said that his standard is a 14 cc band - I hadn't heard of that - do others have this one?

Good morning. I have the 14cc band and right not I have 9 cc in the band and have good restriction. I am happy my dr went with the bigger band, but it did take a long time to feel restriction. I am just feeling now after being banded in February 09.

I was banded on February 23rd and am down about 12 pounds since 2/23. At this point I feel really good. Just a little over tired. I am only walking as exercise right now because I am afraid I will pull something.

As far as eating goes, I can pretty much eat anything, just not that much of it. I am due to get my first fill this Friday and I am hoping that will step up the weight loss because I have not lost a pound since the first two weeks after the surgery. So was getting alittle discrouraged. But at least not gaining.

have a great day and congrats to all

Hi everyone, I'm 5-days post op and wondering about the best way to take pills? My doctor says I will never be able to swallow pills whole again, and that they must be crushed. Even after 5 days it's becoming a hassle, and no matter what I take the crushed pills with (juice, applesauce), I still have that bitter taste in my mouth! Anyone else have this issue, or have any suggestions on how ot make this process not so irritating?

I was instructed no pills for two weeks post op. I have been able to take pills no problem. I am about 5 weeks post op. I actually took a pretty big prescption ib profin this morning because I can't turn my neck from sleeping in a bad position. It went down no problem. I do not belive you have to crush pills for the rest of your life. It went right down for me no issues at all...

All my paper work from the hospital also says after two weeks you can take your medicaltions - pills.

Each dr has different rules about so many things with this procedure. I wish they would all get on the same page and give us the accurate information.

I appreciate all the replies. I've been very frustrated. Most meals out involve one or two, (or three or four if I am particularly stubborn that day) trips to the restroom to dump the upper esophagus. Mostly, nothing that isn't purely liquid will go down.

And there are so many high calorie liquid things to consume, and I am often very hungry, even sitting in a restaurant, with a meal in front of me. My stomach is growling, and I cannot eat (or drink) after the first bite.

But...on the bright side, I have monitored my nutrients, and take Protein shots, (42 grams a day minimum) and other supplements in liquid form. They taste nasty. But that's not the problem. The problem is, I find myself prowling often, and drinking chocolate milk, eating chips, crackers, and candy. I make a lot of Soups. If I find that I can eat on a given day, I drink something with it, to keep it going as long as possible. I know ALL of that is defeating the purpose of the band, but I do it anyway.

I have lost down to where I am only 40 lbs from my goal. (62 lbs in all), but most of it was before my first fill, or immediately after.

So, all of this, (this whole thread), wasn't about gaining sympathy. But to hopefully help those who are new to the band to realize that tighter doesn't mean faster weightloss. I was so pushy about having it tight, that my fill doctor did it....now I can't undo it. (without surgery)

What caused the band to flip? Did you have any symptoms? Maybe it was not from the fill but because of the band flip that you could no longer eat? Can you advise of any symptoms you had.

Hello,

I was banded March 15, and something funny happened last night 6 days post op!. I was doing fine all day with my clear liqauids, then at night I had some chamomile tea and went in to my son's room and bent over to tuck him in, when I stood staight again, I felt that nasty feeling in my mouth (the one you get when you KNOW you will vomit) and then I vomitted pure liquid! Why does that happen? I have been fine all week. I thought liquid just rolls through the band?? . WHat happenes when I start drinking thicker shakes??

Also, back to the tile of the thread. I have a formal dinner to go to on thursday, and was wondering if any of you gals wore spanx/body shapers so soon after surgery? Can I squeeze myself in or will I do damage??

One more thing, still feeling weird when sleeping on side.. normal??

Danah

Hi Danah. I was able to wear spaks 7 days post op for my brothers wedding and I was able to wear it all day as I was in the wedding from 10am to 10pm once ten pm came I had to remove it becuase it was starting to bother me. But it was great. You don't want it to tight just the right size to smooth you out a bit.

I was banded on the 11th, and also have NO ENERGY. If i do the dishes, or a simple task, i also am worn out afterwards. I initially lost 17 lbs. in 2 weeks, (the week before and the week after surgery), but in this last week, i have only lost 1 lb. so i am getting discouraged. i'm barely eating at all, and i think that may be why i'm so tired, but i'm afraid if i try to eat more, i will definately not lose weight. so i'm frustrated. i'm just really tired, and i have walked on the treadmill a couple of times, but it makes my stomach so sore, i think i'm going to stop for now.

Dont get discouraged.. You did great as far as losing weight. At first the weight loss is almost instant but it can not keep up at that pace with the band. Mostly Water weight I would think is the initial loss. i was banded on 2/23 and am only down 10 pounds - but I feel ok with it. I am getting a fill on Friday so i hope that jump starts me again. I am able to eat pretty much anything at this point and nothing bothers me - but I am not eating as much as preband.

Just give it time, don't feel disappointed. Everything takes time. This is a lifetime change, commitment. You can and will do. Cut yourself some slack.

I also foudn the treadmill to hurt my stomach, but I am able to walk outside with a lot less pain, so I recommend that to you.

Good luck and keep in touch.

Have a great day. You are doing fantastic...

Hey! Who you calling fat? I'm not fat....I'm just "husky". At least that's what my mama tells me.

Plain how are you? Have you lost all that weight just in the time since you have been banded? I got banded on 2/23 and am only down about 10 pounds?

I only lost 3 pounds on my liquid diet - and my dr was fine with it. He told me not to worry that the surgery would take place. So don't worry to much about it. If they don't do it - they will really only delay it about a week, but for the most part they will do the surgery.

Keep us posted and good luck.

Hi I am also from NJ - Nice to meet you. I am about 2.5 weeks out of surgery and eating mushies still and some food but chewing everything until I can't chew it anymore just to be safe.

i do not feel restriction either at this point. From what I understand this time is called bandster hell and is for healing rather then losing weight. I think you get a first fill 4 or 5 weeks out of surgery so I still have a while.

The first week after surgery I lost about 14 pounds but nothing since and I understand this is normal to.

Just hang in their until your first fill but continue to make good food choices. Protein Shakes, puree food and any kind of healthy food you can keep chewing to a puree consistancy

thanks everyone for your impot I am going to try and not think about it so much, but i am just so excited i can't wait. I hope I can make it the next 4 weeks until I get my first fill!!

It was crazy of me to try the bread, but I chewed like a thousand times and it went right down, nothing seems to be giving me a problems - yet anyway!!

I will keep everyone posted.

Yesterday was two weeks since my surgery. I have no restriction at all? Is this normal? I am eating pureed food and also just chewing until I can't chew anymore with any food not pureed (which to me is almost the same).

I don't like not having any restriction at all? Is this normal? because I am driving myself nuts telling myself the band slipped.. even bread goes down no problem?

Should I be worried?

Hi everyone. Hope all are well today. I was wondering how long after the initial surgery until I get my first fill? I was banded on 2/23 - I have a follow up this Friday and was wondering if they will fill me at that time or if I still need more time to adjust to the band?

Thanks

Jackie

I had my surger exactly 2 weeks ago today. The first 1.5 weeks I lost 15 pounds, but nothing since then. I am eating a little food here and there because I can't do the puree and liquids any more. I was feeling light headed and really tired. I don't seem to have a problem getting some food down which is weird to me. No pain nothing. I have my appoint with dr this Friday i hope he can tell me when I can get my first fill...

How long until you get your first fill after the surgery?

Thanks guys for all these. I am having a hard time to with my preop - I have 2 weeks to go. I have to lose 15 to 20 pounds. I hope I can do it. I feel really determined but it is really hard. I am scared of not getting banded either after all the hard work I put into this. I am doing 3 low carb slim fast shakes a day along with 2 cups of coffee with spelda and half and half. I am down 8 pounds so far so I hope I can keep it up. the weekends are hard for me...because we went out to dinner every weekend!!Hang in there everyone and thanks for all the support and great informatin. I am so glad I am not alone in this...

I am still so confused. I have read so much that it takes so much longer to feel restriction with the Realize Band then with the Lap Band?Any assistance greatly appreicated. i am having such a hard time making the decision. i wish the dr would do it for me. I get once chance and want to make sure I make the best possible decision...