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I was filled on August 4th and for the 1st time I have felt restriction! It is wonderful!! I am wondering when you are too tight , do you have trouble even with a big gulp of water? It seems to get stuck, I know if sounds crazy cause in the Drs. office the water went down just fine. I am wondering if I am too tight and what is the best way to handle it if that is the case. Should I go on liquids? Also, I worry I may not be eating enough, yes , can you believe it! Wow what a change! I take protien but worry about the hair loss. Any help you can give me is appreciated!:help:

:omg: I am a little worried. I was looking at the before and after picture forum. I noticed a lot of people in their signatures saying they had band removed and rebanneded for things like slippage and erosion. There was a lot of people! Is it that common? I thought you had a good chance of not needing all that if you ate the correct things and make sure to eat the prescribed diet while you heal. And I saw a discussion on hair loss! I am talking millions of people talking about major extreme hairloss- and they all were getting their Protein, taking Vitamins out the ying yang, special shampoos and conditioners, herbs, etc. A lot of them said nothing helped- they just had to wait it out and it could take up to 11 months. That really freaked me out siince my hair has already thinned over the last few years and now I know it was due to insulin resistance. And what is Biotin? Several people said they are taking that to help with hairloss. I also heard someone say Evening Primrose Oil helps too.

I had my first fill the other day - 4.5cc's (apparently, my band takes a total of ten). Now, that only leaves me with 5.5cc of expansion. Could this represent a problem? Should I be concerned? Thank you in advance, Andy B P.S. On the positive side, I notice one-or-two people are worried about hair loss. Personally, before the band, I had less hair than a shaved egg, and I'm fully expecting no change:)

I freak when I see these threads! I am just starting the Lap Band process and really worry about the hair loss thing if I get the surgery.

I'm losing hair rapidly, too. I'm 7 months post-op and have been losing hair for the past 4 months. My husband complains not about the fact that I have less hair but because he is constantly having to clear the hair out of the tub drain! My doctor said it will slow down, so I'm trusting him on that. I too take a multi-Vitamin and try to get as much Protein as possible, but I don't think I'm getting in all my protein. However, unlike some people, I'd take being bald over being fat! That being said, my kids have noticed my hair loss, and that sometimes has me worried. I feel so great, generally, that I try not to let the hair loss bother me.

I am also December 8th, 2015! Congrats and good luck!!!29 days to go!! 12/08/2015, here we come. Are you feeling ready @@lesley_vsg and @@tera1982 ?I am nervous(I've had surgery before, but anesthesia is always worrisome; I am only mildly worried about pain; concerned about my diabetes and how it's going to react to my new sleeve(I am a type-1 diabetic on an insulin pump); and also about hair loss as I already have fine, thinning hair although I hear as long as I get all of my Protein and fluids, it SHOULD be minimal-per my NUT). Other than that, lol, I am super excited and ready for the next stage of my life, hopefully a healthier, thinner stage!I'm worried about hair loss too, as I already have thin hair. I have started Biotin supplements already, since I heard they work best before the hair starts thinning. Hopefully it makes a difference. Plus all protein and fluids like you said! I did read about some shampoo that really helps with hair loss. I don't remember what it is but I will start hunting on this site. Btw I am looking on Groupn daily for hair extensions just in case it starts to get embarrassing. I know I'm vain but I just want to be really prepared!

Hi everyone, I am 20 days from surgery (4/18) and I am nervous and excited. I feel prepared but at the same time I feel like I don't know what I am doing. My hospital hasn't been the easiest to work with as far as providing information on what to expect so I have been doing a lot of my own research. It almost feels like my doctors put everyone in the same camp and don't take each person as an individual which is highly annoying for a "Type A"/Planner like myself. I start a full pre-op liquid diet on 4/4 to help shrink my liver and jump-start weight loss before surgery. I am fully stocked up on Fairlife protein shakes (every flavor except coffee) and have unflavored protein powder and collagen to add to soups. What other options should I explore or do you have any recommendations for protein shakes to try? I am fairly nervous about my hair thinning or losing my hair - does anyone have experience with this or prevented this from happening? I started taking collagen about 3 months ago and noticed it has helped strengthen my nails and added hair growth but I am worried this won't be enough in the long run. Any advice is appreciated! Does anyone have any advice on pregnancy after DS? I am mainly going through this process to increase my chances of having children - my husband and I have suffered two miscarriages and I am being told by my OB/GYN that there's nothing they will do for me until I am at a better weight. I am fully committed as I want to start a family but waiting an additional 12-18 months after waiting this long seems like a lifetime. I want to be as prepared as possible for any hurdles or issues we may encounter - thanks in advance! That's a little about me - tell me about you! I am excited to be part of this community and build each other up! Thanks so much for reading, K. Becker - Minneapolis, MN

I am 4 months post VSG tomorrow. I have been treated for hypothyroidism for nearly 15 years, under control with meds, most recently synthroid for past 18 months. I also have moderate sleep apnea and use a CPAP mask regularly. Pre surgery my TSH was 0.5 (normal range is 0.4 - 4.8). First post surgery blood test showed my TSH has skyrocketed to 25.5! As my doctor says - it's as if I stopped taking the meds, which I definitely have not! The rest of the tests were great - HBA1c 5.6, cholesterol and triglycerides all in normal range. My weight loss has slowed down to almost nothing, first two months 20 lb, since then only 6 lb, and after I received the test results, I realized that the symptoms I developed in the past few weeks, leg cramps, icy cold feet and hands, hair loss (which I attributed just to the surgery) are connected to the high TSH. I have seen some articles that VSG affects the absorption of synthroid because of the decreased stomach size and changes in PH, which is made worse by the PPI I was taking at the same time as the synthroid. I now separate them. Has this happened to anybody else, or have you heard about it? Besides being very tired and hard to focus and concentrate at work, I am really discouraged that it is basically stopping my weight loss. I know that I am in the time frame when it is easiest to lose, and am so worried about my lack of success.

I meant to post this on the 15th but I had trouble logging into the site that day (and several days after that) and I didn't think about it again until today. I blame my Kyrgyz dial up internet! In any case, I was one year on 15 July. In that year I've lost 92 pounds. I've gone from a very snug 18 or 20 pant into a very comfortable size 8 or M. Women's sizing is insane, so sometimes I'm a 6 and sometimes I'm a 10, but regardless of the number on my pants I'm very happy with the way I look in my clothes now, and I have a large wardrobe of things I love to wear. Almost as exciting as losing the pounds is losing the diabetes. I had only been diagnosed 2 years before my surgery (I started as gestational diabetes) so I went into this fully expecting my blood sugars to be normal afterward and I wasn't disappointed. I'm still high-normal on my A1C, but that was six months ago...I haven't been tested since then. I hope to have a full lab panel done once we're settled here in our new home. I haven't taken a pill since the day before surgery (though I did require insulin several times 48 hours post op) and I've gotten so used to being normal that I don't even test my sugars any more. I'm no role model, so newbies looking for advice should look to some of the more active posters here that stick to a program and actually exercise. I lived out suitcases in my in-law's house for the last nine months due to a PCS from hell, so my eating and exercise habits have been erratic. I've pretty much been living as if I'm in maintenance for the last six months. Don't get me wrong - I don't live on a junk food, carb crazy diet. But I eat more like a "normal" person. I'll have several days where I stick to Protein first and drink lots of Water, but then I'll also have days where I eat pretty much whatever I want (but in small portions). I have maintained a slow but steady loss the entire time I've been sleeved and I weigh every day. I'm always watching for my weight to bounce up, but it never does more than that one or two pounds of fluctuation I see daily. I'm between 149-151 and I expect to stay there for several weeks. My pattern has always been a sudden drop (lately around three to five pounds) followed by three weeks or so at the same weight. I can't tie my losses to my diet - and I don't consider myself "done" yet. I'm sure that over the next six months or so I'll continue to see a slow but steady loss. Plastic surgery is in my future. I probably have more loose skin than most people that have lost less than 100 pounds since surgery. I had twins in 2007 and weighed 280ish after they were born. My skin has pretty much melted and I look a mess underneath my clothes. Thank heavens for the various brands of shapewear I've purchased. I wear them under everything. I plan to have plastics when we're back in the states in 2013, so my hope is that I'll get some exercise into my routine and see a little bounce back from my skin. I don't expect much, though. It's really bad. Underneath all that excess skin (with the occasional stubborn fat deposit) is a genuinely thin woman. I'll be honest - I think my goal weight might be a little low. I went based on the BMI chart and chose the most I could weigh at my height and be "normal" on the chart. But underneath all this skin I am bones and I don't really know where the additional 15 pounds will come from - unless it's my upper arms and thighs. They don't seem to be as small as the rest of me yet! I'm worried that if I lose 15 more pounds and then have plastics, I'll look like a bony scarecrow. My husband is happier that I'm happier but he's not so happy with my thinner body. He likes heavier women and was far happier with my body about 20 pounds ago. I'm sure he'll adjust in time, but it is a real obstacle for some couples. His opinion is that I should scrap the goal weight and focus on getting in shape for plastics and take whatever number I wind up with after plastics as my final weight. However, this is the man that thought I was sexy and attractive 37 weeks pregnant with twins, so I understand that he's trying to make sure I don't wind up with a figure he finds totally unattractive. I'm glad we had a solid marriage before surgery, or this might have caused some real issues for us. My only "I wish I'd known that" issue with surgery is the lactose intolerance. I had no idea I would be so crippled by this - and now that I'm overseas I don't exactly have a local store with almond, coconut and soy milk around the corner. I can eat small portions of hard cheese but yogurt, cottage cheese, milk, ice cream, sour cream, cream cheese, most protein powders, etc. are all completely out for me. It's very limiting but I'm surviving. Luckily I'm living in the land of grilled meat, grilled vegetables and flatbread so it's less of an issue here. And as a note for those military spouses - consider that your VSG might make you EFMP for an overseas tour. I did not disclose mine to the doctor that cleared us to live overseas, and due to the typical shoddy Tricare record-keeping nobody realized I'd had it done. But I was specifically asked if I had a band or bypass, and I was able to honestly answer no to that. Tricare finds the oddest reasons to consider families EFMP - speech therapy, diabetes, allergies, etc., so I'd be sure to ask the necessary questions about this if it could affect you. My husband's job has kept us overseas 5 years out of the last 7, so for us it could turn out to be a real issue, especially with the remote assignments we take. I'm just putting that out there, though it's not likely to affect but a small percentage of the military posters here. Best of luck to everyone. I don't post much anymore because like so many I'm just out here living my life now. But I wanted to give an update because I loved reading the one year stories when I was researching. They gave me something to hope for and I feel that if I can lose more than 90 pounds in a year of not really taking this sleeve as seriously as I should have, than barring medical complications, you should be able to meet or exceed that goal with no problem. Pictures attached. The first two are from one month prior to surgery and the last one is from a week ago. Please excuse my messy hair and worn out expression - I'm jet lagged and our transformer blew so I'm without the luxury of a blow dryer or straightening iron! ~Cheri

Hi, I'm kinda new here and have been browsing around a bit, and stumbled on this topic because I'm worried about hair loss as well. So here is some info I learned yesterday from my first surgeon consult, regarding the subject. The in-house pharmacist also discussed this with me. They said that hair loss, if it happens, is typically seen averaging about 3 months out. This is due to inadequate Protein and B Vitamin intake pre- and immediate post-surgery. They said it takes the body about 3 months to "catch up" to a deficiency, and hair loss is a side effect of this. Which makes sense to me, because I've experienced a similar situation first hand with my son who just came out of a very long hospital stay. He had many wounds to heal and became extremely protein deficient because his wounds were just sucking the protein from the rest of his body. His skin was awful and his hair became horrible. He underwent a massive protein supplementation, and we kept getting discouraged by not seeing results right away... but then a few months later out of nowhere his protein levels went up through the roof and he started healing well and everything went back to normal. You might think you're getting enough protein on intake, but it may not be absorbing well. POUND, POUND, POUND the protein whenever you can, take your B's and Biotin. This will help your hair. I'm starting this now, with surgery expected in October. Proasis and Protica products are excellent protein supplements and are well absorbed. My son used these brands' products extensively for over a year and has had awesome results in wound healing. I myself take them on occasion but will be ramping up over the next few weeks. The little Sunkist shots are the most protein bang you can get in a small amount - 25 grams in only 2.5 ounces, and they taste like liquid Jolly Ranchers! I'm hoping those will be easily tolerated post-surgery because I'm stocking up now. Proasis and Protica products are recommended for medical and bariatric use. (Google!) A little expensive but so worth it. I swear by the stuff. (I don't work for them nor am I endorsing them, but when I know a product is good from personal experience, I like to let it be known) I hope this helps!

And hot on the trail of my BBF Bariatric Bud Forever @ proud grammy, I'll offer my friendship also. I have only been on BP 5 months, but they have been wonderful ones. I have learned so much from Kathy and all the other veterans on here. Decided to say Hi,because we might have a few overlapping items. I am pre surg but post classes and requirements, this puts me in an uncomfortable Weight loss position, 1st program, nicest thing I can say, we no longer fit each others plans. My somewhat rueful joke- it was a case of sickness, I made them sick. it's a lot longer story, don't worry , what happened to me was pretty darn rate. You will not have it. At any rate I am now in a new program,better and better for,my in the long run. Surgery could be,May, surely early summer. I will have a RnY bypass, better for,me, I have pretty bad GERD, bypass fixes , sleeve does not. I am 72 years old, yes old enough to be everybody's mamma if not grandma, I stand 5ft8in tall, 323 lbs, srawberry blond verging on red hair, still naural, never greyed, at this point it probably never will.Widowed 6 years, 3 children,2 living, younger son still lives with me, he wants to be with me as much as I want him there. Like everyone you will meet on this website, I'm in it to win it. No fears whatsoever of surgery, more scary to continue to live as I have than step forward into a surgical future.All thus old cowgirl can get the blues I am usually pretty upbeat about life. Life is full of ironies but I intend to,love mine and live mine to the best or,my abilities. Join me on this journey for the best is yet to be😛 "Leading others to happiness is the greatest Triumph"

Hi all! So Im four weeks post op today and have lost 28 lbs total. Im thrilled with that! But have some concerns regarding not getting my vegetables in for Fiber and other nutrition. By the time i eat my Protein, Im full and have no room for veggies. Im only suppose to eat three meals a day. Im on soft foods currently but am worried no getting veggies may contribute to hair loss down the road-or other issues. I am faithfully taking my Vitamins and meds. Any suggestions? Anyone else worry about this or am I just being weird?? Lol... Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm almost four months post op. I have thin hair and was worried about hair loss. I've been using Nioxin shampoo and conditioner since I had the surgery and have had no hair loss. Getting in protein helps too!

Oh my...I feel for you Sarah! I'm having the same problem. I had thinner hair to begin with so every time I shower and comb my hair and see those hundreds of strands of hair, I get worried. I'm trying to increase my Protein but it's hard. I'm going to look into Biotin (I'd also heard about that from someone else) and protein "bullets." ?? Off to do some Google research. Funny note - back when I did the Atkins diet - High Protein - I also had hair loss like this. So I'm not convinced it's b/c of lack of Protein. As I understood it it's a reaction to weight loss in general not a specific lack of nutrients. I'll have to read about it again. I need to do something - I really should be wearing a hair-net in my own kitchen - I'm shedding like crazy!

Please research Telogen Effluvium, but here's a link to things I've come across https://www.bariatricpal.com/search/?q=Worried about hair loss&type=forums_topic#

I understand that everyone has different reasons for needing weight loss surgery. We also all have very different problems and triggers. In my case, I am a very A Type personality who lives in a world of black and white. This surgery (and some therapy) is helping me find the grey areas. I am not saying it is easy. I struggle with lack of "perfection" in the things I do every day. However, I think I am doing this in the most healthy way possible. Some of the people that I have seen and spoken to scare me. I asked my NUT yesterday how our bodies respond any different than that of an anorexic. I have asked her this question 3 times and she doesn't like it because she cannot answer it. Yes, we do not have the same mental issues to deal with, but our bodies have been anatomically altered, not physiologically. Due to this, I find that it concerns me when people who can only get in 700-800 calories a day workout so hard that they are running in the negative. Again, I ask my NUT how this can be healthy. Our bodies need both nutrients and calories to function properly. While I understand that our bodies will force us to function at a deficit, how do you sit there and tell people that it is okay to have a daily net that is negative? Calories are how we get energy. I don't mean empty chocolatey calories, I am talking about making healthy choices. I do not understand how people can look me in the face and tell me that it won't have any effects. If someone was eating exactly how we are forced to without the surgery, people would tell them about hair loss, amenorrhea, lower cognitive functioning etc. Yet, people can look me straight in the face and tell me it is ok for me because I am anatomically different now. Can someone please explain this to me? No one else has been able to, and I just am trying to wrap my head around this. Don't get me wrong. I understand the definite need for exercise. Unfortunately, so many people take on this surgery and don't realize they are treating it as though it is yet another one of their DIET attempts to lose weight. I hear about perfection, perfection. I won't ever touch a candy bar, ice cream, cookie, white carb etc. etc again. I completely understand that everyone has a trigger that they may need to avoid permanently, for me it is soda (which I can never have again), but I am talking about every single thing that may not be perfect for your health, but you enjoy. Also, I have seen a lot of people that seem to start off telling themselves "I will work out for an hour a day 6 days a week for the rest of my life" and take no consideration for life happening around them. Not only does this sound like a recipe for disaster, but to me, it just sounds like another diet. I chose this surgery because it is not a diet. As previously mentioned, I struggle for moderation not an all or nothing attitude. I may not have lost 50 lbs in my first month, but I feel as though I am making permanent changes that will serve me (and eventually get me to weight) in the long run. If I did great all week and I want a cookie, I might eat half a cookie (truth be told, I used to be a cookie monster but I don't really like them anymore, but you get the point). If I decide to take my son out for frozen yogurt one Friday, I don't feel guilty as I have made a huge lifestyle change. The choice of frozen yogurt over Baskin Robins is a huge step and I don't feel jilted. I won't sit and eat 16 oz anymore. I might have 4 and I feel satisfied. I have made a lot of friends that have also had this surgery. It really worries me that they treat it like another diet, they never give themselves a break and begin to disturbingly obsess about every single calorie they ingest (again, not saying you don't need to pay attention, but if you accidentally go 10 calories over, so what??). I feel that little changes add up quickly. Walking your child to and from school instead of driving, using your bike to make a run to the corner store, playing outside with the kids, swimming a couple laps while you are out sunbathing on the beach. I feel like I am running a lifelong marathon, not running a sprint to goal weight. It can be frustrating sometimes, watching those around me that had the surgery about the same time lose weight faster. However, I have no extra skin to contend with and I am certain that I am losing a lot of body fat, not just body weight. My struggle is to keep telling myself this. My struggle is to find a lifelong change that isn't necessarily as quick as I may like, but teaches me the moderation that in 32 years I never learned.

“I want to lose weight and get healthy this year.” That’s what we all want, but that’s not a solid resolution. A resolution says what you will do and how you will do it. It is clear. It has purpose. Taken together, all of your resolutions can add up to losing (or maintaining) weight and getting healthy. Here are our picks for New Year’s resolutions and why. “I’ll Make the Call Now” Are you considering weight loss surgery? Are you worried about an odd feeling in your throat after getting the lap-band? Do you have a question about whether a certain protein powder is safe after gastric bypass? Get help – now! Too often, we have a tendency to delay. It may be phoning all the surgeons in town to gather WLS information, calling your nutritionist with a diet question, or being on hold with your health insurance provider to find out whether the gastric sleeve is covered. Whatever the call is, make it now. Don’t put it off. It’s a way of prioritizing your health, and the good habits will rub off in the rest of your journey. “I’ll Eat 5 Servings of Vegetables Each Day.” Does this one come as a surprise? Did you think we’d start with protein? Here are our reasons for including a veggies resolution near the top of the list. Most people don’t get enough veggies – but they do get enough protein. Even weight loss surgery patients tend to get enough protein after a few months, while they don’t get enough vegetables. Vegetables are low in calories and super filling. Long term, it’s veggies that will reduce hunger so you can keep losing weight and eventually prevent weight regain. Eating more vegetables is linked to lower risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis, some cancers, and even dementia. They’ll help keep you regular because of their fiber...and that’s a big benefit for weight loss surgery patients! Unless you’re on your pre-op or post-op liquid diet or you’re having trouble swallowing, there’s no reason not to aim for 5 servings of vegetables. You can have salads, raw veggies for snacks, and steamed veggies on the side. You can also sneak them in, whether you add pureed eggplant and grated carrots to turkey meatloaf, double up on tomato sauce when you have low-carb pasta, or whip pumpkin puree into protein pancakes. “I’ll Drink 10 Cups of Water Each Day.” That’s 80 ounces. The standard recommendation is at least 64 ounces, but we think more is better when it comes to water. It helps you recover faster after surgery. When you’re even a little bit dehydrated, you can get headaches, feel weak, and lose energy. Plus, your metabolism slows. Go for plain water or low-calorie, sugar-free alternatives. Have them available throughout the day, whether it’s a water bottle in your car, a mug of decaffeinated green tea on your desk at work, or a pitcher of water in the fridge at home. “I’ll Use the Tools I Have.” The sleeve, bypass, or band is one tool for weight loss, but are you using all the other possible ones? Here are a few that are at your disposal. Nutrition labels. Do you really know what’s in the food you eat? If you’re not reading labels, you might be very wrong about the ingredients, number of calories, and amount of sugar in your food. Tracking apps. Research shows tracking your food helps you lose weight and keep it off. It holds you accountable and helps you make better decisions. There are so many apps now that track calories, protein, fluid, and anything else you can think of, and it takes only minutes a day. Measuring cups and spoons and a kitchen scale. If you’re guessing about your portions, you’re probably guessing wrong. Don’t put in all the effort of losing weight, only to be disappointed by the scale if it turns out you were eating more than you thought you were. Measure your food. Smaller plates and bowls. Smaller dishes help you take smaller portions. Smaller spoons and forks. When each bite is smaller, you eat slower, and tend to eat less naturally. You don’t have to use them all at once, but you might as well give each of them at least one try. They may help you lose weight without much more effort. “I’ll Eat My Protein First.” Don’t worry, we weren’t going to skip the protein! It keeps you full for longer, helps you maintain your lean body mass, and lets your immune system stay strong. It’s also helpful in preventing hair loss after surgery. Think of protein first when you plan meals and snacks, and eat it first so you don’t fill up before you get to it. Go for lean proteins, such as skinless chicken breast, fat-free cottage cheese and Greek yogurt, canned tuna, fresh fish, tofu, and beans. Skip processed and fatty options, such as bacon, ribs, and sausage. “I Will Exercise Most Days.” It burns calories, reduces stress, and keeps you focused. It improves mood, lowers disease risk, and gives you confidence. What’s not to love? If you really don’t like exercising, keep trying! There are so many types to try, from boot camp and Zumba classes to walking around the neighborhood to exercise DVDs to rock climbing to sports leagues. If none of those appeal, hire a personal trainer to give you more ideas and match you up with something you love. We’re convinced these resolutions are do-able and useful. If you implement some of these, we’re sure you can make good progress towards your overall weight loss and health goals for 2016. Put them together with your own resolutions, and keep us posted on your progress this year!

I haven't visited the forums in a long time! But things have been great so I wanted toupdate all of you that helped me so much in the early part of my journey. And just a few questions for old-times sake! 1) I am 4 months post op TODAY! and I have lost 67lbs since surgery, and 72lbs since my highest weight. It's amazing!!!! I didn't think I would lose THIS much! now I'm dreaming of weighing 140lbs....I'm only 45lbs away from goal! it's insane! 2) I FINALLY started an exercise program. I bought one of those mini trampolines, and I've been doing "rebounding" it's great, and really fun, easy on your joints. I think everyone should do it!!!! 3) I am a size 14! 5) I don't count my carbs :-x I know everyone was so worried about the carbs. But I haven't been counting them and I do just fine. I make sensible food choices (yogurt, whole wheat Pasta, cheese, veggies, fruit, seafood etc) and it seems to work just fine for me. Lastly....I haven't lost my hair. AT ALL! Is it going to happen still? I keep waiting, and no sign of hair loss!

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!

I started loosing a bunch of hair about 5-6 months post-op. I went to the dermatologist, he assured me I wasn't going bald. He said the body goes into a kind of shock after rapid weight loss. The hairloss stopped about 3 months later. I didn't use biotin or anything else, just waited it out. Try not to worry!

H Pylori is either symptomatic or more commonly a-symptomatic. Half the world has it, but don't know it. The only reason I was picked up, was because I was one of the unfortunate few who was symptomatic.. and let me tell you.. it aint pretty. If you're worried about it, you could drop it casually into the conversation the next meeting you have with the GP... 'I heard of people who tested positive for HPylori after the surgery and then had to ingest a whole horrid cocktail of chemicals on their damaged stomachs. Do you test for that prior to surgery? Because I don't fancy having to do the treatment afterwards...' See what they say... That aside, try not to panic. Although there are linkages in the academic research, there is no way, given your medical history, symptoms and medications, that a doctor will overlook these factors when presented with them in consideration of your VSG. Particularly if you have an established Iron deficiency. I, too, had my gallbladder out in 2005. I recovered swimmingly from that and to be honest, if I were suffering symptoms from it, I wouldn't have known. Primarily, because my PCOS which was left undiagnosed until 2007, was royally kicking my butt both with my energy levels, hair loss on my scalp and too much growth on my body. Hair loss can be caused by a number of things, but fundamentally and with regards to this surgery, the loss of it is largely thought to be down to the shock of the surgery and low Protein levels. Although many people on here have had sufficient protein, hair loss has still occurred. Sadly, I think it's just one of those things we have to anticipate, try not to worry about and deal with if and when it happens. Try not to sweat it too much at this stage. Get your eggs in order with the quack first and foremost - ideally getting a diagnosis on why it is you feel like you've been run over by a bus every day and then take it from there. Better to go into the surgery match-fit, than go in already depleted of your levels. Best of luck for November. Let us know how you get on x

Now I'm worried. When one of these topics came up a couple of weeks ago, I looked into it and very well could have it. THEN, the post above associated Iron deciciency with H. Pylori. Well, I am on prescription iron and take 3 a day and am still low. I did some further researching and found study on the NIH.org website that confirmed the study above and linked iron deciency with H. pylori. Further articles discuss the tiredness and fatigue of iron deficiency. I kept telling my doc that I'm still tired on B12 shots and 3 iron a day. She said to have sleep study because I should not be tired. However, I have NO symptoms of sleep issues at all. So in my reading it discussed how general doctors don't usually associate fatigue with intestinal issues. Well, I have had physical intestinal issues for over a year, especially after my gallbladder was removed. Also, last night I was researching hair loss because I am PRE-sleeve and my hair is noticeably thinning since the last year at least. I have/had thick hair but now you can see my scalp in the front. In looking up reasons for hair loss, I also came up with iron deficiency! So, I was already worried about the hair loss after surgery but I'm having it now, 2 months BEFORE surgery! The bad thing is, my hubby got a new job and our new insurance doesn't kick in for another month, November 1. So, I have to wait another month to get tested and then do treatment and get an iron infusion and hope my hair starts growing again in time for it to start falling out after the surgery! I cut my hair really short in anticipation of the surgery and thinking it was so long, it was heavy. My hair is usually wavy/curly. However, I cut it and it didn't poof up like I thought it would (to cover the thinning) and it isn't even curling like it is supposed to. Yesterday's shower, gobs of hair. So not happy I have to wait a month. A bit frustrating (although from what I read, normal) that my doc couldn't link the two a while back! Just venting....

Hi all! I have yet to have the surgery but am definitely considering it. I've already set up my first meeting with the doctor but I have so many concerns about the long term. I've been reading lots of great and wonderful outcomes along side many struggles but have any of you had any problems with hair loss, vitamin deficiencies, or anything else that is less common? Are there any regrets? I'm really concerned that I will have all the wonderful results along side many new health issues brought on by the surgery itself. This is so hard ... everything in me wants this but at the same time, I'm so worried I will lose my hair, I won't be able to take in all the nutrients I need to be healthy, etc. This is so scary to me! Please anyone with advice, knowledge, or experience...help!!!

Hi all. I'm new to this forum. I'm in the begining stages of the approval process. I have extreme worries about hair loss and some worries about saggy skin. I'vr heard protein protein protein but its seem even the people talking protein are experiencing major hair loss. Can anyone eveyone please help me with their stores and what they did. I have pcos so I've already experience hair thinning so I dont want the LAPBAND SURGERY to completely make me bald. If needed I'm african american 30yrs old starting weight 320. Also how do I start my WEIGHT LOSS TICKER?

I worry about hair loss too.