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I understand not being the "social gym rat". I tried having a work out buddy. EPIC FAIL. She wanted to gab, and halfa$$ it during the lifting sessions. Anyways, I've been asked by my surgeon if I would come in and do testimonials during the pre-op informational seminar, and while I have considered it, I'm not sure that I want to stand up in front of a room full of strangers and tell them all my story. There's a lot to be said for the anonymity of the internet. I did pop into one of the seminars because my bowling partner is getting the sleeve after watching me for the last 6 months living this wonderful post-sleeve life. The other pre-ops kind of oogled me, and wanted to know which surgery I had, how much I had lost, how I did it, and I was bombarded with questions about excess skin, and hair loss. I told them if those were their biggest concerns then they didn't need to have any of the weight loss surgeries. It may be harsh, but it's true. I honestly believe that if you're more worried about a little excess skin and hair loss then surgery isn't for you. When someone is willing to focus on the positives, healthier life, longer life, better food choices then I'd be more open to discussing all the little crap we endure through this journey. Plus, I feel like I am far too biased to give a speech to a room full of people seeking VSG, RNY or the band. I would beg the RNY'ers to really think twice about it considering all the regain, and I would tell the pre-bandsters just how deplorable my quality of life I lived with my band. I couldn't talk bad about the sleeve, and that doesn't seem fair to bash the others that are offered. As for the smoking thing, I think what bothers me about shunning smokers, is that the exhaust off of most vehicles is more dangerous than the 2nd hand smoke that we're puffing away into the sky. LOL just kidding, I'm a smoker so y'all know I have to defend my one disgusting habit that I just can't seem to kick yet.

I asked a lot of stuff that was pretty much answered in the videos I had to watch (and take tests on) afterwards and in the binder that was sent to me. But these are some of the things I asked (some may seem silly but it was all new to me lol)............. Various types of surgery? Which is best for me? How long does it take? How many days in hospital? How many holes in stomach? Medication after surgery? How many have you performed? Mortality rate? What tests need to be done prior? What makes the surgery work when dieting and exercise never has? Will it fix my PCOS and Insulin Resistance? Does insurance cover all the pre-testing as well as the surgery? Time line of stuff to be done until we get to surgery? What does my Insurance require? Recovery questions: How worried do I need to be about the insides coming undone? Do the staples inside the stomach stay forever or does the stomach sort of mend itself together? OK to get future MRI w/staples (if they remain in the stomach)? How often do I need to worry about getting up and walking as to avoid blood clots? How long after surgery before you can exercise w/bike, swimming, weights, etc.? Hair loss? Will I continue taking my medication as usual? What pain meds, tylenol, etc can I take afterwards? How long after until you can have sex? Post Op What would be my goal weight? I am personally comfortable with ..... (I gave 180). How long will digestion take/how long does it take food to empty from stomach afterwards? What will my stomach capacity be short and long term? Supplements for life? Alcohol use after? Fears Fear of death. Fear of losing too much/looking older. Fear of problems down the road. Right now carbs and sugar stop me from losing weight and whenever I try lose I always know to avoid those foods. Once I have the surgery, will I be able to eat foods that I currently stay away from such as whole wheat, oatmeal, fruits, certain rice, beans, etc. Things that are normally a part of any other persons normal, healthy diet?

My hair loss started at about 2 months post-op, I am 4+ months out now and think that the hair loss is in a steady state, I am lucky that I have very thick hair - the huge wads of hair I pull from head every time I shampoo is quite alarming sometimes! But then I don't have any bald spots or thin areas (except for maybe a few spots right at my temples but that may be just panicking on my part). Recently, I warned my hairstylist not to freak out when she shampooed me and she told me "oh, this is nothing honey!, I have seen much worse!" So that made me feel better. I am looking forward to noticing a decline in the loss - but one thing has me nervous. The comment in the article about iron levels, I have a genetic disease called hemochromatosis or "iron overload" disease. It means that my body holds on to too much iron and it must be removed medically. So I have one goal from my Blood Doctor and another from my Weight Loss Surgeon when it comes to iron. If iron also impacts hair loss (and I have been diagnosed for several years before my sleeve and never noticed hair loss like this), I am worried that it might taked me longer to come out of the hair loss period. Here is to crossing my fingers, because I can't take iron supplements!! My blood doctor was thrilled when I told him about getting WLS - he said, that is perfect for you! It will impact your iron levels in a good way for you!

I had my sleeve done May 28, 2012 in Mexico. The best thing I have ever done!!!! My starting weight was 255lbs ( my heaviest in Jan 2012) I was down to 238 by surgery and now am at 180lbs!!!! So happy to be only 40lbs to my goal weight!!! I started wearing xxl shirts and size 40 jeans. Today I put on size 31 jeans and can wear Lg and some Med shirts!!! I am stoked still. Lol. I do worry about losing too much weight thou. I had originally hoped to be at 120lbs, but since my cloths are already smaller than I anticipated, I kind of think I would be too small at that weight. I had watched one utube video and the lady had met her goal and then kept losing. That freaked me out a bit, and am not sure how you can prevent that. I find that food does not taste the same anymore and I'm not interested in sweet food or greasy food anymore. Milk DOES NOT sit well at all and even though I feel like vomiting after eating any dairy, I can't throw anything up. My brother had the same surgery 3 days prior to mine, and he vomits a lot. I'm not sure if it is normal that I can't. ( I had the flu, and even though felt like I had to, I just couldn't). I also have had a lot of hair loss which bothers me like crazy. I find it hard to eat protein too, as it just doesn't taste good, and sits heavy:( so that may be the cause of that. I find I forget to eat until I start feeling light headed at the end of my day. I very rarely get hungry, but get heart burn ( acid reflux) all the time, which is made worse after I eat:/ I still have to take antacids to help with those symptoms. I can't wait to be able to get the extra skin removed. Lol but have been wrapping regularly to tighten the skin up. So far it is working amazingly!!! My problem area that seems to bug me the most is my inner thighs that reminds me of an extra " butt"... Lol. That is the only area that is not responding as well to the wraps:/

I read it as you’ll need to take the multi vitamin & also take the calcium (because of the plus sign) but you don’t need additional B12 as it is included in these meds (the recommended multi). The bad news is if you are one of those who will lose extra hair after surgery, you can’t do anything to stop it. Worrying about it will likely only make it worse - you don’t need additional stress. Remember we naturally regularly shed hair. After the stress of the surgery & the dramatic change to our diet, our natural hair loss cycle is accelerated. So the additional hair you lose was always going to be shed. Your new growth is still occurring but just at its usual rate. The hair on your head is dead & nothing can save that. All those vitamins & supplements that promise hair growth may do is help your new hair growth. Just like fertiliser won’t stop dead leaves falling off a plant but may help with new growth. Same with your nails. Once you get to your maintenance point & you’re eating larger portions & a more balanced diet, everything settles again. Even your face, which may look more drawn for a while, settles too. Your healthier diet will bring a lot of benefits to the quality of your skin, hair & nails in time too. Vitamins can be very expensive but it may be better to start with the higher quality recommended ones to begin while your diet is most restricted. My surgeon, dietician & pharmacist all told me that the vitamins kept behind the counter at the pharmacy are always the best quality in purity & quantity of ingredients. Apparently this applies to all over the counter meds. If they keep certain meds behind the counter buy those. All the best with your surgery & recovery.

Hi All, I, too, am worried about hair loss. I will be banded in 2 weeks. I will make protien a priority but fear it won't matter. My doctor says getting the protien in will prevent the hair loss, but my cousin was banded and lost a lot of hair. How thin is your hair getting, if you are losing hair? How many people overall are losing hair?

I have had a lot of hair loss. I am not balding, but I had a lot of hair to begin with. I have lost about 50% of my hair volume, and was very worried for a while. But while I started losing hair at 4.5 months, it stopped falling out rapidly by 6 months. Now it seems like just normal hair loss, and I am not freaked out.

i have had some hair loss. i already had very thin hair but girls at work the other day told me that they couldn't tell that i had lost any of my hair. i have been getting in my protein. taking biotin and using the hair growth shampoo from pretty much 2 months. i also am a hair stylist and found out about aeropur thicket. it is a product you put on wet hair and then blow dry it. ask your hair stylist to get you guys some. it has made all of the difference in my style and making my hair look thick and have volume... good luck and it will come back don't worry. that is the price we have to pay in order to be heathy...

I haven't had surgery yet, but am beginning to really worry about hair loss. I have seen women out in the community, and I don't know for a fact, but think they have had wls. I have seen their scalps through the sparse hair. Does this happen to everyone? :biggrin0:

I'm another one with Lupus...So glad to hear that some of you are feeling better since the surgery. For those who aren't, I'm sending you best wishes for glowing good health and soon! I'm set to have my surgery on July 2. I'm lucky because I have no major organ involvement with my Lupus. My only symptoms are sore joints and muscles (not even usually bad enough to take pain killers), a malar rash, lots of hair loss, and pretty hard-core fatigue. The fatigue is the worst. I sleep about 10 hours a day, plus naps, and can't keep up with a full-time job. I'm an elementary teacher, but I only work half time. Holding up my coffee cup is tiring! My parents are worried that the surgery will complicate the Lupus stuff. But I keep thinking that if nothing else, walking around 100 pounds lighter has got to help with the tiredness....I mean, if I was carrying around 100 pounds of potatoes and someone lifted them off me, I would be a whole new woman, right? By then I would be a bald woman, of course... But if that's the deal, I'll take it!

@@lachellove @@MoniqueMcCoy - anything is possible but why worry about what you cannot really control at this point? I felt the same way and the other concern was the hair loss. I am a little over three months post and I am down 70lbs from my HW about 6 months ago. Follow your doctors & NUTs instructions and breathe and try to relax. I can also tell you that you may feel buyers remorse for a couple of days post-op. Like WTH did I just do to myself???? I had it on day two, first full day home. I realized there was no going back (stomach was in a bio-hazard container somewhere headed to God knows where...). I really didn't have any post-op issues either - no nausea, gas pains, etc. I just grasped the whole idea that it was DONE. Funny thing is I realized within about a day that I NEEDED this surgery to LIVE the rest of my life without huffing & puffing, sweating & squeezing, getting bigger & bigger... NO REGRETS!!!

You looks fabulous, what an amazing transformation. Can I ask you about eating out. When do you start eating regular food. I am so worried I will become anti social and will never be able to go out to dinner with friends. And also worried about hair loss, how long before your hair goes back to normal?

I definitely dread the thought of losing my hair. Like others have stated about their hai, mine is down to my rear and is very shiny. That has been the one thing that I've gotten compliments on over the years. The thought of parting with it...well, it freaks me out. My hubby said he'd love me even if all my hair fell out. I just hope it wouldn't make me want to hide from the world again. Also, I had my nutritional class for soft foods stage this past Monday. I asked the dietitian if there was anything I could take or eat to keep it from happening and if making sure I get all my Protein in would ensure little to no hair loss. She said there is really nothing you could do. That the anthethesia would actually cause hair loss but that even though it would be noticeable to me, it probably wouldn't be to others. She also stated that if I start losing tons of hair where it is noticeable to others that that would be a sign that in the first few months, I didn't get enough protein. Well, I will enjoy my hair while I have it and try not to worry about it.

I do have PCOS and a lot of chin hair. I shave once a day. It is the easiest and cheapest removal. I know to others it's a joke, but I do worry about just how much it would grow, if I weren't able to shave for say a week or more. YIKES!!! I would be the bearded lady. I too am hoping this weight loss will help diminish the hair growth. At least that's what my doctor has always told me. I guess it's time to test that advice. Judging by these responses, I don't have much hope. Maybe my body will be so smoking hot that no one will notice my chin and lip hair.

Just about everyone gets pre surgery jitters. Try not to worry. Its not that bad for most people. a majority of sleeve patients don't really have much pain, especially if they get up and walk, walk walk. Walking as much as possible alleviates gas and bloating from the surgery which is the main cause for most post-op pain. Even on the plane, get up and walk the aisle at least once and hour or more. If you let people coddle you and bring you everything, you will pay for it with pain. Get up and get anything you need yourself. Also bring a pillow with you to hold against your belly while traveling. It will help during any turbulence or bumps. As far as the hair loss, I cant really give any advice as I have not let my hair grow out in years so I really dont know if I had any loss. But for the most part, keep your Protein and supplements up and it shouldn't be to much of a problem.

I'm not convinced it has anything to do with whether you had lap band, bypass, or whatever. In 2003 I started losing weight using weight watchers. I lost 93 lbs. My hair fell out. My doctor said that some people will lose hair when they lose weight rapidly. He said it grows back when the weight stabilizes. For me, that turned out to be exactly true. I did take (still do) biotin and I agree with making sure you get enough protein (which I didn't know about in my earlier weight loss). Even now though, since my lap-band, I'm losing hair again but not as much or as rapidly as before. My advice is to follow the advice you read here but then don't worry about it. Consider your hair loss a battle scar on your war against obesity. It will grow back when you've won that war. Oh, and you may want to get a screen or something in your bathtub or the hair will get stuck, what a mess. Good luck.

I had the band placed in Sept. and have been really worried about how much hair I have been losing. to the point where I would go 3 days without shampooing because I couldn't deal with the clogged drain and the hair that I pulled from my brush. And if I ran my hands through my hair I would get 10-20 strands each time, all day long. and my pillowcase would be covered when I woke up. I do have to say that it is slowing down. Yesterday when I washed it I only had 3 strands come out and about 20 in the brush. When I run my hands through now I get maybe 2, sometimes none, and no hair on my pillowcase for the past few nights. I have always gotten enough protein and the Dr said it might have been my gallbladder which could have caused some of the loss but since my surgery last week I see a great improvement. I always had thin hair, but alot of it, now I have 1/2 of what I had before and it is thinner. I don't see the new short growth yet but it's early. I do have to say, that no matter how many people on these boards reassured me that it would grow back, I was still not a believer and it really was worrisome.

I was scared of leaks, too, especially being self pay and knowing my insurance would not cover any costs of complications. I researched the heck out of ever possible complication scenario. I really wanted to know when I could stop worrying about every little twinge and rumble and "funny feeling" I had after surgery. It was 6 months before I finally let myself breath a sigh of relief. The funny thing is, I Was so worried about the complications that I never bothered to get stressed about the pre and postop diets, slow weight loss, stalls, constipation, diarrhea or hair loss.

Thanks everyone. I worry about the protien the most due to the hair loss. I went through that once and NEVER want to do it again. My post op diet (as of yesterday) is 3 small meals (cream of wheat, yogurt, fat free pudding made w/sk milk or low fat stained creamed soups) and 3 each 3 oz protien shakes which include skim milk. I am no where close to eating a fraction of this. Anyone know of any good protien water mixes...I cannot get the Special K20 in my area. Thanks again for the advice. My mind is just going crazy worrying about all of this stuff!

Hi! My surgery is scheduled for the same date. I'm going through most of the same things as you. I plan to have my brother check in on me every afternoon. If we're up walking around soon after like everyone says, I'm sure we can take care of ourselves at home pretty well. Not worried about hair loss. My hair is thick, and worst case, I don't think I'd look too weird shaved bald. Glad to be a guy. I told my boss because I needed the time off. Mistake. He brought it up in performance evaluation. On the other hand, our HR benefits person has been wonderful and helped me navigate our insurance plans to get the best coverage possible. I haven't done any support groups either. I've also been doing the no sugar / low-carb / high protein thing since October. My brain hates me. I would trade my right arm for a bowl of pasta right now, but I'm not actually hungry. I've only recently learned the difference. I also am grieving food. We're both weird, I guess. Good luck! I wish you lots of success.

One thing that has really surprised me with my weight loss are the responses from other people. I don't expect compliments from anyone, as a matter of fact I feel a little uncomfortable when all eyes are on me! However, I have noticed that when people have noticed you are losing weight they are one of 2 things: 1)They go OVERBOARD with compliments . 2)They say NOTHING AT ALL & kindof act uncomfortable around you. My hairstylist is a beautiful, large woman. I've been going to her for over 2 years. We have become good friends. When I originally told her I was having WLS, she seemed pretty supportive & asked lots of questions. However, as I've successfully lost the weight, she has been different. She's just kindof stand-of-ish. This last time I got my hair cut, a woman came up to me & went on & on about how much weight I'd lost & how "great" I looked.....etc. She said to my hairstylist - "Doesn't she look good?" My hair lady responded with a shrug & said- "Oh yeah, I noticed." When I went to the front to pay my bill, the front desk lady whispered to me - "I think she's a little jealous of you. I wouldn't worry about it." Now that I think back, I have had several people who have responded to me in a similar fashion. One of my sisters does not say a word about my weight loss while my other sister can't stop with the compliments. I teach piano lessons & see the students mothers once a week. Some of them hug me & tell me how proud they are of me & others are so quiet. These are all people that I knew very well & had good relationships with. What responses have you noticed from others?

I use to read posts about hair loss and didn't get to freaked out about it. As a precaution immediately after surgery and actually felt that I stopped losing hair and felt my hair was getting better than before surgery so I was EXCITED then........... I hit 3 months and OMG!!!!! It did start falling hey the handfuls. My lab and I were in competition. I was having to hair up everyday cuz u didn't want to use gel, blower, Iron or anything that would damage my very frail hair. I finally decided I needed help and went to salon. I colored hair (low lights, no bleach) and the stylist suggested a Brazilian blowout which is like a keratin treatment but a little better. The loss of hair has diminished GREATLY!!!! I continue to take Biotin and cut it short. It looks fuller and healthier. I say just prepare for the worst and hope for the best!!! When/If it gets bad I highly recommend a Keratin or Brazilian Blowout. Don't not have surgery because of this worry, it is temporary and although scary as they say, this to shall pass and I never heard anyone say it never grew back and your new body will be forever!!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

What would you say is the most important lesson or lessons you've learned about eating since you've been banded, and how has this contributed to your weight loss? Portion control, learning to weigh and measure my food and really find out what a portion is. American people eat way to much and expect way to much when served in a restaurant. I think what I have learned is if you want to be thin you have to think thin and realize that thin people do not over eat. * How are you sustaining your motivation to continue forward? A picture is worth a thousand words, I keep pictures of "FAT" me and "THIN" me side by side on my Fridge, on my mirror and on my bulletin board in my office. I do not want to ever forget how big I was because I do not intend to ever go back there. * If you've experienced any discouraging set back moments, how did you deal with them, how long did they take to pass-- and what sort of specific strategies might you suggest that could work? I did experience discouraging set backs, I was banded in October 2010, I lost very well for the first 6 months than I injured my knee during exercise and plateaued for 7-8 months. I had to have knee surgery and it took me 4 months to recover from that. How did I stay positive, I believed in my self, I never gained during that period. What helped me most was this web site, personal friends, family and attending support groups. I lived on this site in the early months. * Have you ever worried about being a complete failure at the band, and then gotten over that worry-- if so: did you tell yourself certain things that helped or do certain activities that reassured you? Yes to be honest I have worried about failing, but I hate to fail at anything and that same worry has helped me be successful. I used to talk to my self every morning in the shower, I also wrote an affirmation on my mirror that said, You are Beautiful, and you can do This! I wrote it in Hot Pink Lipstick! * What is the proudest accomplishment you've made relative to your band journey thus far? When I could do jumping jacks! When I first started working out I was so clumsy and could not even do a stinking jumping jack. I felt like such an idiot at the gym. * What are you looking forward to doing next in your journey? OK don't laugh, but I am trying not to lose any more weight and maintain my weight. Now I know that sounds really silly coming from a once fat girl but it is harder than you think. I am trying to balance my intake and my exercise so I don't get any thinner. If I lose any more weight I will not look good. I know Tiff problem to have, I hope you all can get to this point and understand where I am. * Where do you see yourself 1 year from now and how are you planning to get yourself there? I am working out and trying to prove that I can tighten up this tummy of mine, it looks so so, I do not want to have any more surgery and would just like to have my thighs look just a little bit better. Think I forgot to say vanity was one of my issues. lol * What sort of goal setting do you do in general, and how do you motivate yourself to keep going to wards those goals? I set mini goals along the way, I have been doing this for 2 years so i set size goals. I used to buy something that was to tight and try it on weekly until it fit. I also rewarded my self when I hit goals and no not with food but with shoes and jewelry and new hair color and new hair doos etc. * What is the most difficult thing about having the band and what makes it worth it anyway? Learning to chew my food, I have been a nurse for 33 years. I spent many of lunch and dinner times "hurry up and eat the patient needs you" and it was hard to break this habit. But learning to chew has helped me to enjoy food and the lose of weight is worth it. OK, now everyone knows way to much about me!

Your hair isn't falling off. It's breaking. It's very common and caused by a combination of rapid weight loss and protein deficiency. The good news is that it will grow back. I started losing mine about 6-7 months post op. It lasted for several months. I'm now 3 years into my journey and my hair is almost back to normal. Don't worry. It's just part of the process for most of us.

Hello everyone! I came across this website last night after attending my information session on weight loss surgery. My mom had the bypass last year and after doing research and being a nurse, I thought the sleeve would be a better option for me. I just made my initial visit with the surgeon for next week and am feeling very nervous about it. I am 25 years old, and I am at my highest weight which is 275. Crazy to think that just 7 years ago when I graduated high school that I was 168. I have tried dieting and I exercise and am just having no luck. I have borderline high blood pressure and cholesterol and my mom (before her surgery) had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and was prediabetic. I want to get my weight under control now before I start having major problems, cause as a nurse, I have seen the horrible complications of diabetes. I guess I am just looking for people's input on after surgery side effects. I am worried about nausea, which my surgeon said is common with the sleeve. I guess I am more worried about the vomiting that comes after nausea the most. Has anyone experienced this? And, my mom lost alot of her hair after her bypass, so this is another worry of mine, especially being a 25 and single. LOL. I know they say that you don't have the Vitamin deficiency with the sleeve, but I was wondering if anyone has experienced this as well. Any comments/suggestions/personal stories would be much appreciated!!!! I am looking forward to a life change, but it is super scary!!!!