Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

New Here -- So many questions / concerns



Recommended Posts

Hi everyone,

First I'd like to say how happy I am to have found this forum. I just turned 50 and for more than 35 years I've been obese. There is not a day that goes by in which I don't think about diet, food and body issues.

I had considered both gastric bypass surgery and the lapband surgery. And I think lapband would be easier in the long run.

I have a lot of fears running rampant in my mind. Death, complications, emotional issues and of all things - hair loss. I've noticed that Hair loss seems to happen to a lot of patients. I'm really not that vain, but of all things I take pride in - my hair is probably the only physical attribute that I like about myself. I hope that doesn't sound too shallow.

How did you all finally make the decision to do the lapband? Are you happy you did it? Do you have any regrets? Would you go back and do anything differently?

I look forward to reading through all of these posts -- and hope I can hear *your* thoughts. Thanks for listening.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome!

hair loss can be an issue after any surgery. It's a nasty side effect of anesthetic. As far as weight loss related Hair loss, it's far less with the Band because there's no malabsorbtion issues like Gastric Bypass has. Your best bet is to eat healthy and get lots of Protein. I get a minimum of 60g Protein daily and take 5000mcg of Biotin daily and have no hair loss issues.

As for my decision to get the Band, I was actually originally scheduled for Gastric Bypass. I weighed over 400 pounds with a BMI of 72. I was told I'd never lose enough with the Band and that Gastric Bypass was my only option. At the last minute, I canceled the surgery. I just couldn't go through with it. I simply couldn't logically justify re-routing my healthy digestive system without trying something far less drastic and reversible first. I also didn't want to deal with dumping or malabsorbtion issues.

I then found a new surgeon and got the Lap Band. In the 19 months since I've had my Band, I've lost 227 pounds and I'm still losing. I couldn't be more thrilled with the band. I have zero regrets. The only thing I'd do differently is getting it a lot sooner.

Best wishes with whichever you decide is best for you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

  1. The hair grows back
  2. We all were scared
  3. So happy and never a regret!
  4. You can do it if you want it bad enough.
  5. It is hard work like anything worth having!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm actually in the throes of Hair loss right now but like Missy, I've upped my Protein, am taking Biotin and Iron and hoping for a reversal as has been promised to me. While hair loss is not fun, neither is being overweight or obese. I've lost 82 lbs. since the beginning of January and I love that. I'm wearing sizes I haven't worn in over 10 years and I'm experiencing 'normal' again. You know.... fitting into a booth in a restaurant, or a plane seat. All those things we got too heavy to do but can now do again...what a great feeling. good luck!.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I lost weight at a fast pace and had Hair loss. I told my surgeon and he and my nutritionist put me on a Vitamin regime for three months and it stopped falling out and grew back. I am at goal and have no problems. The head hunger is the hardest thing to deal with and learning that your taste buds change, you are no longer on a schedule to eat. You have to learn to only eat when you are truly hungry as now you are eating to fuel your body not your emotions! I was 51 when I was banded and was over weight my entire life. For the first time in my life, I am at a normal weight and BMI and I am now 52. It is exciting and really motivating to go through all of the changes during this journey.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome! I guess hairloss was not a major concern for me. My daughter had a lot of hairloss, and she has "skinny" hair anyway. I think that depending on your style, a good cut is essential. I had long hair, when I 1st started losing, and then had it cut into a bob, above my shoulders, which I have worn for the last 2 1/2 years. Best wishes, and once again, welcome to the site!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×