i1Linda

Well.....I'm not sure. My hairstylist swears is due to low fat diet and rapid weight loss. She says she saw similar issues in the 80's with the Low Fat diet craze. Because we don't eat much and most is protein, we don't really eat a lot of FAT anymore. I started taking Fish Oil/Flax seed oil combo and it seemed to help. I don't know if it was just coincidental or not. I've heard biotin and fish oil. I did both. My hair is really thick so I didn't mind some of it coming out. My hair loss started to "slow down" about a month after my weight loss slowed downed at 6-7 months post-op. I hope you are doing well. How's the weight loss?

All I can say is.....what a difference 11 months makes. Enough said.

Hi Barb,

I would LOVE to meet you for lunch on the 23rd. Let me check my work schedule, but I think it should be fine. Maybe some where in Plano??

Linda

Good luck with your upcoming surgery. Thanks you for the sweet compliments on my current photos. I am 5'6".

Sheryl

How are you feeling now? Just wanted to check on you today. I hope all is well. Take care.

Linda

Yeah! Congratulations Sheryl and welcome to the Sleeve-side. You will love it - well....once you are healed, you will love it!

Just remember: sip, sip, sip, walk, walk, walk, repeat. :001_tongue:

Thank you so much Sheryl !!

How are you??

Hi Rob!

Congratulations on your surgery. I know it is tough these first few weeks post-op, but let me tell you, it gets great!!! Fortunately/unfortunately I can eat anything I want. Not always a good thing. Now that I am 9 months out - I really have to watch the slider foods (crackers/chips). Probably why I can't reach goal. Oh well, I will keep at it and keep busting my butt at the gym. I will get there, slow and steady. Linda

Dr. Nick had me on the pre-op diet for 2 weeks.

Hi!

I'm doing great. Horribly busy, rarely on VSG anymore - just don't have the time lately. Just a few pounds from goal, working out hard at the gym, but not making great food choices so probably why I'm not AT goal. Most importantly, I'm living life the way I want, and still slowly losing weight. Now more interestingly, how are you managing post-op? How much weight loss so far? Are you handling "real" food okay? Are you lovin' your sleeve?

Linda

Hi Sheryl -

Sorry for the late reply. I've been out of town for work all week. Yes, I stayed overnight for one night (optional 2nd night if I was having problems). I had my surgery in the morning on a Tuesday and was discharged in the late afternoon the following day. Hopefully, I can make the meeting this month. Look forward to meeting you!

Hi Sheryl!

Congratulations on your surgery date. I'm hoping to make the April meeting (I had to miss March) - I hope you can make it too, however, I wouldn't count on it if you're one day post-op. I love my sleeve and my progress, albeit my loss has slowed down considerably at 6 months - but I haven't been as careful either. Please feel free to fire questions at me whenever you have them. Everyone here has been so supportive. Talk to you soon!

I'm in!!! See you then!!!!

Hi Melissa!

Congratulations on your surgery. How is everything going? Sorry I've been AWOL for awhile. Work has been crazy, home has been crazier. We leave for Disneyworld this Thursday, I need a break. I currently use MyPlate (livestrong.com). Another good one is Myfitnesspal.com. I think Tiffany uses that one as do others. The new version of myplate and myfitnesspal are pretty similar.

Happy 6th Month Surgiversary!!!!

I can't believe it has already been 6 months. Seems like just yesterday. Congratulations on your success!!!

Linda

Hi!

I was consumed with my surgery from the moment I made my decision to a couple months post op. I think it is completely normal. I was excited, nervous, anxious, determined, scared...every emotion combined somehow created a kind of obsession in my head about my surgery.

As for my diet, I am still being really careful at most meals (I cheat sometimes, but only in choices NOT volume). I still love food, love to try new things (went to an awesome new Italian restaurant last night) and know this is a marathon and not a sprint. I have 24 pounds still to go and am very determined to get there. Good luck on your journey and keep in touch

cont...

I always have dessert. Typically a Bariwise protein bar. They are really yummy - like candy bars, I swear. Peanut butter and Caramel Crunch are my two favorites.

I would recommend tracking what you're eating. For me it just keep me accountable for my choices. I'm not really dieting, just tracking. Even my martinis get tracked (FYI - that's why I drink martinis, easier to track and less mixer calories). Even though I want flexibility and enjoyment with my diet, having to track it keeps me eating just 2-3 hershey's kisses instead of 15-20. I use livestrong-myplate. I hope this info helps. Take care.

Barb -

I went in and tracked what you were eating (I guessed at some quantites). It looks to me like you might be a little bit high on carbs (65-70) but only from two items (grits and possibly the yogurt - not sure what brand of yogurt and carb count on that). Once you start soft foods and then solids, you can easily just sub those out for more protein dense foods (chicken salad, tuna, etc). This will keep you full longer and boost your protein with basically no carbs. For me, I am pretty protein heavy the first part of the day: I drink a protein hot chocolate with my coffee every morning for breakfast, for lunch I usually have deli meat rollups (w/ lt cream cheese, or spinach artichoke spread) or baked/grilled chicken breast (2-3oz). For snack, I usually have more chicken or protein shake. Dinner - I just have what I'm cooking for the family. Whatever it is. I eat protein first and salad, and then a bite or two of the sides (veggies, fruit, pasta, rolls).

cont...

cont...

Looking at your current diet, are you losing weight? Are you tracking it on any tracker (daily plate, myfitnesspal, etc ?

Hi Barbara -

I don't really count carbs (I had pizza tonight if that says anything- not much mind you - had a few bites and then just at the topping off a tiny piece). I try to limit my white carbs but don't completely avoid them. I try to eat my protein first and am usually too full to have more than a bite or two of my sides (veggie, fruit, starch, whatever) at dinner. I probably eat between 40-60 carbs a day - sometimes less, sometimes more. I have been losing weight steadily doing it "my way". I believe some people do have issues with insulin resistance and may need to be more aggressive, but not me. To me, it's all simple physics - eat less than you burn and you will lose weight. I'm in this for the long term and want to enjoy myself in the process. FYI - I started drinking alcohol again (martini's) at 10 weeks post-op (don't tell Dr. Nick) and I like an occasional piece of chocolate and wheat thins are my weakness.

Did not know this. THANK YOU!!!

I went to The GAP the other day, I was able to SQUEEZE into a size 10 in their jeans. I didn't buy them, not yet, but was excited about the 10.

lfurr - My stomach skin is really wrinkley - I wouldn't look good at the moment in a two piece. But it is shrinking up better than I thought. I will take the wrinkled skin over the fat ANY day.

Shontel -

Are you feeling better now? I hope so. I was worried about you with that darn abcess. Take care of yourself.

Linda

How's it going today Barbara? Just wondering about you and checking on your recovery. You start full liquids Tuesday?

I glad to hear you a feeling better today. I think day 3 was the worst (it was also the worst for my knee surgery). Something about getting all the anesthesia and hospital pain killers our of your system, the swelling is at its worst and your body just generally feels assaulted. But it gets better, then it gets GREAT!