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Hello Buddies! I have been reading this board continuously but haven't posted much as I've been busy busy, but I just wanted to jump in and relay some of my experiences post surgery if it might be helpful to those currently going through it or about to. I had my sleeve on Nov 9th. The one thing that I found that really helped me out of the gate is walking. From day 1 I made sure to make myself walk. Each day I increased my distance by an additional driveway until I was able to walk all the way around the block and then added even more. By 2 weeks post surgery I felt like I was 100% again. A friend of mine who had the same surgery 5 years ago by the same surgeon couldn't believe how quickly I recovered. I attribute it to the walking. So that's my advice on recovery. Unfortunately I did make some major mistakes because I was feeling good and due to a family emergency, 1 week post op I had to fly home to help care for my mother. I didn't want my parents burdened by worrying about my surgery so I kept the entire thing hidden from them. As such, I completely skipped the pureed food stage and just ate soft foods while chewing oh probably a hundred times before swallowing. I do not recommend skipping any food stages but I had to do what I had to do. I had a bad experience with solid food. I was running around and wasn't paying much attention to the fact that I hadn't eaten all day and when I got home I was ravenous. I cooked up some tofu chicken fingers (my vegan go to for a quick and dirty meal pre surgery). Well, um... lets just say it didn't go well. I had that lump in my chest that felt like the food was stuck. The saliva continued to pour up into my mouth. There was nothing I could do to make the pain in my chest go away or the saliva stop flowing. I literally thought I was going to die. I decided to go for a walk. The amount of spit that continued to flow from my mouth could probably keep a whale wet for a decade... it was awful! After about 20 minutes, the pain finally subsided and the constant flow of saliva finally dried up. It was an experience and a hard learned lesson to remember to chew chew chew! and wait wait wait before taking another bite! Rice, my favourite pre surgery meal is now a no go for me. It just doesn't sit well at all. Sad but I can deal with it, bigger picture and all that. Sugar. I was a sugar addict pre surgery, I'm a mostly plant based eater, I attribute all my weight gain to my sugar addiction. I have found that although I am still addicted to sugar, I can have that '1' piece of whatever it is and be satisfied instead of that '1 whole bag' and still not be satisfied as I was in the past. If I go past that '1' piece threshold not because I'm not satisfied but because I'm still a glutton I find myself in the washroom with a mild case of dumping syndrome. Another welcome reminder that '1 is enough'. I feel like I am losing weight fairly quickly but I'm not noticing any adverse side effects like hair loss or sagging skin but I do take collagen everyday so I'm thinking that might be helping with that. Today will be my first day back to the gym in 3 months. I am looking forward to getting back into running again without all that additional weight holding me back I hope you all are enjoying success and keep going! Happy Holidays!

kimason - don't be so hard on yourself - you were only banded in August. You are still healing until your first fill, and maybe even for months beyond that. It may take many more fills after that to achieve good restriction. All you need to focus on for now is making sure your primary diet is providing you enough nutirents and calories to ensure you have great healing and wellbeing. Don't sweat too much about how much or how often you are eating at this stage, but do try and keep it within reason. Don't compare yourself or your progress with others - this is destructive when you feel like you're not moving along as fast as you'd like. From what I understand, having restriction in your band helps immensely to deal with many of the snack and head hunger issues. (I hope it does, because it's a worry point for me too). My wt loss counsellor suggested to me that I need to learn a whole new way of thinking about life and food - to lose the diet mentality. Maybe you could join me as I take some time out to relearn the things that provide a sense of wellbeing and inner peace. Take time to sit in the sun, read a book, get a massage, do you hair / nails etc - whatever makes you feel positive. Try and make it a habit. You'll soon find yourself seeing everything in a whole new, more mangeable way. It's a challenge, but an enjoyable one, and I find it's helping with the food thing! Big hugs to you!:welldoneclap: :biggrin1:

Hello everyone, I've been reading ur posts for a while, my name is Cindy, and I live in Camdenton-near Lake of the Ozarks, so I'll just pipe n about the hair loss....i am a hairdresser and biotin is what i tell my clients to take for hair loss...also u can buy a hair/skin/nails combo. at wal-Mart or any drug store....Anyway I have been worrying about that issue myself...I have to say it does scare me alittle, I have VERY thick hair so I could afford to lose a little but dont want to.....So u guys think the key is protein??? Also I am being banded on April 8th in Mexico....Cindy

I got detoured between rooms...lap top will only allow 1 line posts... Janet, I was sad reading about your tears today...we did miss you so much, and with some planning we can and will make another date for the 4 of us, or perhaps more if others are available... Thank you for sharing the verse; very special and appreciated...I hope your spirits are better this evening. I did deliver the hugs you asked me to! Also sad to read of Evan's grandmother...you are correct, she had a long and fully successful life. Those we love remain with us in spirit and in our hearts. Evan was fortunate to have the love of his grandparents...and it made it possible for him to be the man he is today. That is something special to Celebrate, even at this time of loss and sorrow. Terri could not have chosen a better spot for our lunch...and I have to say that the 3 women from our special group are three of the most caring and inspiring individuals one could ever hope to meet. I know I feel blessed to have you in my life! And Janet...thank you for continuing to keep Seth remembered in your prayers. Seth did his best to calm my anxiety...but mothers are programmed to worry. The best tidbit of information is that there has never been an Army pharmacist injured or killed in the line of duty. I asked Seth about the risks of flying via helicopter to the different sites he will supervise, and he said that " he was the guy that the soldiers with the big guns stuffed in the middle of the helicopter and protected". That, and prayers is what I have to tide me over through the next year... It was a very long day...a wonderful one! Diane, enjoy every morsel of your decadent dessert...and don't you dare get stuck on it! Terri, safe travels home. Dawn, thank you again for your caring words... Dee...we missed you, too! Michelle and Nicole, CA girls...I hope all is well with you! Not feeling too well...it's going to be an early night. Wish me luck...tomorrow I let my prospective new stylist touch my hair... Hugs all around...sweet dreams.

Hi Everyone, I have been keeping up with all of your news but life has been a bit hectic so I haven't been posting much anywhere. Welcome Back Sarahjp, I hope 'Dr Grumpy' is as happy with your loss as you are? Congratulations on your determination to make this surgery work for you. I am still seeing him and I actually got a hug and a smile out of him at my last visit, when I showed him the pictures of me on the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge which I climbed on 5th October. Sueoco, I have never liked exercise and at 7 months post op, I still can't/don't want to make it part of my life. So, well done on joining the Gym. Merry, I know that lots of people lose their hair post op, however, I am 7 months post op and my hair is healthier, thicker and looking better than ever. So don't count on losing your hair because it may not happen. Misty, I am sorry that you are unwell after your surgery and I hope that the antibiotics do the trick before you travel back to India. I have now lost 30 kgs and have done something very impulsive, which I would never have done 7 months ago. I have booked myself a very quick trip to Sydney for the Sydney 500 V8 Supercars Final Round which is on over the weekend of 6,7,8 December. My favourite driver Craig Lowndes has a chance of winning the 2013 Championship and I have a Grandstand ticket at the finish line to see him win. I just a bit excited *in case you didn't already get that,lol*. I am a little anxious that I won't fit in the airplane seat, but I'll worry about that when I'm on the plane on Thursday. lol If there are any Sydneysiders who would like to get together for coffee or dinner over the weekend, I'd love to catch up. I'm staying in Parramatta and I won't have a car but I can do taxi's if necessary. Keep up the great work everyone and have a wonderful Thursday. Michele

While I don't wear a weave, I decided to chime in I was considering wearing a weave but chose to wear a wig instead. I found one for the immediate postop period so I wouldn't have to worry about my hair and love it so much I decided to wear it for 6 months postop (even though I don't plan on stopping wearing it). It's the hair I have in my pictures. As far as my own hair, when I wash it I definitely notice some shedding, but most definitely no significant loss or thinning, no bald spots or any loss of length (I'm bra strap length). Ive permed it once since surgery because my roots were out of control. I moisturize and seal and have it in 4 braids and could wear it in a braid out too but don't want to manipulate it too much. I don't wash it often right since it isn't hot. I don't think ill ever stop wearing this wig!!

Hello everyone I have been lurking around reading multiple post that have been EXTREMELY insightful. I have started taking notes in order to make sure I don't forget anything. I don't have a date for my sleeve as of yet but I am hoping around July or August. I CANT WAIT !!!! I am already buying clothes a lil to snug and calling them my TRANSFORMATION OUTFITS.......(yea I am a shopaholic).......... My biggest fear is the sagging loose skin that alot of people speak of. My doctor told me that it is a 50 -50 chance of having or not having it. I would hate to go this transformation and be unhappy with the end results because of my loose skin........ I have been reading a lot about hair loss and that doesn't worry me that much cause I am a true certified WIGGY !!! I was considering getting micros but after reading about the possible hair loss issues I may just stick with my wigs to avoid any other stress to my hair. I have started dabbling in drinking some protein shakes and still haven't found none that I really like. My nutritionist suggested EAS protein shakes and they are ok but I still be hungry afterwards. I thought I was doing good by drinking those Special K shakes but nutritionist nipped those in the bud real quick.( lol they were good too) I would love to know if there are any people in the Columbia SC area on here that i could buddy up with. Last question or issue for now.....I am a very social person that often go out and was wondering is drinking alcohol totally 100% off limits with the sleeve ???

Hello, my sistahs. Lord willing I will have my sleeve on September 23rd. Looking now for the best protein shakes that have over 30 grams of protein and is tolerably tasteful. The shots are an option but I guess I will have to try them for myself. I am already taking biotin because I too worry about hair loss. AND, I may purchase me some hair.

This thread is very informational. Thanks for that. I will be going to some kaiser informational in like a week. I hear the process here in California is different than other places as far as getting approved. My doctor said i shouldnt have any approval issues. So thats good. The whole hair loss thing i am worried about. I have really thick hair and like it the way it is lol. Anyone else have the southern california kaiser that can tell me the process etc? Thanks.

Is the honeymoon over? Okay folks, I need your help in dealing with this one... Things with the new BF are getting really really serious, he is wonderful, sexy and georgeous. He also really slim and fit and currently getting worried about putting on weight because he has crept over 155lb :cool2:. He is 5'8" and I am 5'3", which I thought was a pretty good match, however, all of his previous girlfriends/partners have been tiny slim women, he considers me tall! He has paid me some fabulous compliments, all of which have made me feel really good about myself - things such as "you have the sexiest mind of any woman I've met", "I love your eyes/smile/hair", "You are my every wet dream come true"... the one thing he hadn't ever said, however, was the basic "you're pretty/beautiful/etc". Foolishly, I was fishing for compliments last weekend and asked him flat out "Do you think I'm pretty?" erk... I should have known that I would get a totally honest answer... I got the dreaded "You have a very pretty face". Now as fatties, we all know what that means, don't we? What's more, it was followed up a while later with comments along the lines of "I'm really coming to realise that I've focussed way too much on the physical in the past and that what is really important to me is someone's mind, spirit, loving heart, that we are so compatible, etc, etc.." Double erk... Jeez, why didn't he just say "you have a great personality", which we all know is also code for "you're a big fatty". :cursing: Feeling sexy is such a matter of confidence. In the past, as a big fatty, I have made a point of going for men who specifically state that they are attracted to bigger women. With that knowledge, I'm usually happy to flaunt my curves and not too paranoid about the rolls. Now, however, even though I'm 80lb lighter, I'm getting paranoid about the sags and bags :tt2:. How do I deal with this? It is not his "fault" that he finds slim, fit women more physically attractive. Let's face it - they ARE. If they weren't, why would we so desperately want to be one of those women? I'm bisexual and I don't find my body physically attractive either, so why would he? He is wonderfully supportive about the weight loss and says he is happy to be patient about it, that what he cares about is that I am actively working to improve myself. He says he loves f***ing me - and we have the most amazingly mindblowing sex. However, I am less confident now about getting naked in front of him than I was before I so foolishly opened this can of worms. I love this man, I know he loves me, but my self-confidence took a beating with his honesty and I don't know how to recover it. Help!

Love this - wish I could've seen it and wish more would!!! People have NO manners anymore. luluc - how in God's name can a child break a window - much less two!?! I haven't seen anyone say but is the mother not worried about her child + broken glass? Is the mother on the drugs or something? I am shocked at this whole story - gah! HOLLA! A co-worker friend did the whole "treat your child like a friend" business and is living to rue (sp) the day. Her son is 16 and she has been through hell with that child for the last two years. I'm seeing jail time for the neighbor's DD! Jillian, LOL. Pls add my name to the finicky band list. My story is too long to type out (but it does include telling a doctor off-snaps)!!! A lot of folks don't believe in chiropractic care but my experience this year has been top notch. I jacked up my back for the first time ever and was in excruciating pain. Not no mo! :smile: I also stretch before I get out of bed and did the ice therapy when it first happened. As I have said ad nauseum, that ice ROCKED!!! I clicked multi-quote on this but really have nothing to say but HUH!?! I know your man would love to hear that, haha.:drool: Hey, yer the one that continually mentions "happy endings" so I'm thinkin' maybe you did get one...or twelve!!! Bow chicka bow bow! Stay strong, sistah! The lady that sits next to me at work is always bringing in candy and I wanna strangle her! Not only is it sitting there all.the.time. but people come by to tell her of her the temptation and I can hear it. GRR!!! Anddddd I'm the only big person in our dept of 12 and they always describe people by their size. I also wanna strangle them for that. Our VP has recently lost a good bit of weight (her DH is obese) so she's like a reformed smoker/drinker....all 'holier than thou'. I guess my weight issues are showing in this post, huh? Hee! After numerous band issues and my laziness(!), I'm finally back on the program, so to speak. A couple of people have noticed the additional weight loss so I'm happy. My big thing right now is learning to STOP TALKING while I'm eating. I start shoveling like I used to and get stuck. Ouch!!!!! Oh and just because it made me laugh so, I got hit on at Sonic today by a customer. (shut up, lulu!) I worked from home today which means I had the hair in a ponytail, no makeup, and blah clothes. He actually said the words, "well I think you look good." I said, "aren't you sweet!" and kept on going! This has been an interesting year.... Have a great rest of your weeks!

I just wanted to update - I have had a few stalls but have passed my surgeon's goal and I am 1 pound from my original personal goal. I have lowered my personal goal and hope to reach that by September (9/10/13 will be my one year!). I am hoping to have plastic surgery late July-August. I hate to exercise and have not really started - I do walk to work everyday and only use the stairs while at work. I would like to start exercising but it seems like I never have enough motivation to actually do it. I don't drink protein shakes - I don't even count my protein anymore. I usually end up getting all of my protein but I don't worry about the protein as much as I focus on not eating too many carbs or calories. I do count calories religiously and I use MFP. Essentially I think I have changed the way I eat and have really adapted my habits. I have experienced minimal hair loss - and I notice the thinning but since I had very thick hair it is barely noticeable to others.

Hello, I am 57, turning 58 in a few days, and I am in the process leading up to surgery, I would like to talk with someone who is about where I am, I have had my appt. with the surgeon and my appt. is scheduled with the therapist, I figure surgery will be in june sometime. I am not worried about the surgery itself, I worry about the long term effects of the band being in my body for years, I am not to concerned about the Hair Loss, I have my pretty wig in place , just in case I should need it. I am excited , nervous and scared , I am hoping I don't back out. My son-in-law had the banding feb 28 , and it hasn't been all smooth sailing. The after surgery depression also scares me. I am on wellbutrin and have been for a long time, and once in a while I have to take anxiety medicine, but not every day. I hope to hear from anyone . Good luck to everyone.