Thought we could all convene here after our Feb sx so we could stay in touch....

Does anyone else have lots of hair loss. Sometimes I'm afraid to brush my hair. I lose alot with every shower I take

That is me right now...i have lost so much hair....it's horrible!

My hair loss started at 3.5 months out, and now at about 5 months and 1 week post op, it seems to be slowing down a bit. I was taking Biotin but it didn't seem to help, so I stopped. I am using Nioxin shampoo/conditioner--may not have decreased hair loss, but may be encouraging new growth. My hair had also gotten a little dull and some of the shine seems to be coming back. Have gotten plenty of protein throughout, including the first 2 weeks. Your hair is weakest when it is wet, so if you can minimize the number of times you shampoo per week and how much styling you do while it's wet, that can help, too.

Does anyone else have lots of hair loss. Sometimes I'm afraid to brush my hair. I lose alot with every shower I take

I have lost a ton of hair. My surgeon & NUT told me that you lose for 2 reasons, the first is a shock to your system with the surgery. The second is because of lack of protein. It takes about 3 months to start to show, so what we are losing now is because of 3 months ago. I have been taking biotin, it encourages new hair growth. I cut my hair, it was long and is now a little above my shoulders. I only wash my hair every 3-4 days. I think it has begun to slow down now...I hope!

Yes, mine started in at 3-1/2 mos and comes out in the fistfuls. It's really bad in the shower or after brushing. Luckily I have lots of hair. Hope it slows down soon! It's been interesting. If it would fall out of my armpits or legs I'd be happy haha but just coming off my head

I have lost a ton of hair. My surgeon & NUT told me that you lose for 2 reasons, the first is a shock to your system with the surgery. The second is because of lack of Protein. It takes about 3 months to start to show, so what we are losing now is because of 3 months ago. I have been taking Biotin, it encourages new hair growth. I cut my hair, it was long and is now a little above my shoulders. I only wash my hair every 3-4 days. I think it has begun to slow down now...I hope!

I have lost a ton of hair. My surgeon & NUT told me that you lose for 2 reasons, the first is a shock to your system with the surgery. The second is because of lack of protein. It takes about 3 months to start to show, so what we are losing now is because of 3 months ago. I have been taking biotin, it encourages new hair growth. I cut my hair, it was long and is now a little above my shoulders. I only wash my hair every 3-4 days. I think it has begun to slow down now...I hope!

I don't know how I feel about the not enough protein thing--I am eating probably triple the amount of protein that I did before surgery, including immediately post op (I was lucky and never had a problem getting protein shakes down). My surgeon says the same thing though.

Don't forget there is only so much protein your body can absorb at a time. I looked around online and it seems to be about 20-30 g protein at a time depending on who you believe.....then several hours later your body can take in more. So I use that as my rule of thumb, if something has more then 25 g of protein i don't eat/drink all of it at one sitting.

I don't know how I feel about the not enough protein thing--I am eating probably triple the amount of protein that I did before surgery, including immediately post op (I was lucky and never had a problem getting protein shakes down). My surgeon says the same thing though.

I haven't lost a lot of hair, thus far. Hoping that I skip that side-effect of the surgery. I am wondering is it is because I seem to be eating more calories, 1200 approx., compared to many.

pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2

I have been having a lot of hip pain. I went to the dr, and he said it's my herniated disc in my lower back. Put me on prednisone, tramadol, & baclafen...I hope this doesn't really affect my weight loss

Don't forget there is only so much protein your body can absorb at a time. I looked around online and it seems to be about 20-30 g protein at a time depending on who you believe.....then several hours later your body can take in more. So I use that as my rule of thumb, if something has more then 25 g of protein i don't eat/drink all of it at one sitting.

Yes, I am for 20 g of protein at each meal and then if I have a snack, it is also high protein (usually Greek yogurt with protein powder added for at least another 20 g). That theory about how much protein your body can absorb at one meal is controversial, but I like spreading it out anyhow bc it's more palatable.

I also have upped my fat intake a little bit, which I think helps with hair loss. I focus on good fats like nuts, occasionally a little olive oil, and avocado. It makes me feel more satiated too and I'm consuming only about 100 calories more.

I have been having a lot of hip pain. I went to the dr, and he said it's my herniated disc in my lower back. Put me on prednisone, tramadol, & baclafen...I hope this doesn't really affect my weight loss

no more drugs for me! I took one dose of each pill...dizzy, nauseous, sweating-even though I was sitting in the AC with a fan blowing on me, headache...I have to say my hip feels better, so I am not taking that stuff anymore!!!

Glad your hip feels better. Have you had any PT for you back? Just curious because I have stenosis and some other low back issues and arthritis in my left hip and both knees. Jeesh, I'm falling apart! But I digress, I have worked with a great chiropractor and done a lot of PT for my back and it really helped me but you have to be very diligent and patient. It took about a year. I only use arthritis strength Tylenol at night. Also some I sometimes use topical pain rubs, Sombra and there is a Epsom Salt cream which you can find at Walmart or online. I also find ice packs and just resting can help and when things are acting up.

pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2

Glad your hip feels better. Have you had any PT for you back? Just curious because I have stenosis and some other low back issues and arthritis in my left hip and both knees. Jeesh, I'm falling apart! But I digress, I have worked with a great chiropractor and done a lot of PT for my back and it really helped me but you have to be very diligent and patient. It took about a year. I only use arthritis strength Tylenol at night. Also some I sometimes use topical pain rubs, Sombra and there is a Epsom Salt cream which you can find at Walmart or online. I also find ice packs and just resting can help and when things are acting up.

pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2

I have gone through PT several times, but it never really helps. I have a TENS unit, which helps sometimes. I use sombra, and other things like that, but never tried epsom salt cream. I have a chiropractor and he can help sometimes but not always. I have a herniated disc which I have had since I was 20 (I'm 45 now) and also have a congenital narrowing at the same point so I was told if I have surgery to fix it, I will have relief for only a short time because scar tissue will build up and cause problems again so I have decided to just live with the pain.

I have learned what usually helps, this time I didn't think it was my back...your body can play tricks though!!

I had hip pain for decades. Finally recently went to a chiropractor. Changed my life. I had 3 treatments and am now pain free. As a nurse I had always poo pooed it but it does work. And I got a massage there too. Wonderful.

2/28 surgery...size 18 pant and 2x top. Today size 10 and medium top.

Going to gym daily and doing 5 k training..I never thought I would love exercise! Haven't notice much hair loss phew! 235lbs to 168lbs!

UPDATE:

Well so far so good! Still dropping in size..size 10 or junior 30 inch jeans getting big. Buying medium tops still. Only down 3lbs in almost a month but this is due to going to gym in morning 7 days a week 30 min cardio and 45 min strength training plus walking 5 days a week on lunch and golf at night. Addicted! The look of my body completely transforming and getting defined. For every 5lbs lean muscle mass you gain, you burn 1700 more calories a week I read.

But...now I am losing hair which is due to calories and shock of surgery and lucky me had kidney stone surgery in Dec..weight loss in Feb and 5 days ago had #3 to have ovary removed **growths came back beneign **

I only took pain pills first two days. I actually walked slowly a mile day 3 and 2.5 miles day 4. The hardest part is taking antibiotics and 3 other meds, all my vitamins then not eating due to being full from h2o to get them down. I also get insomnia with anethesia so once again sleeping 1-2 hrs a night.

It is hard not to sit and chill. I just want to keep busy so I lay in the sun with weight training/fitness/receipe books lol. Cannot return to work for 14 days!

Is anyone having problem with back? I feel like I have a tight band around back of rib cage (not gallbladder since already had that removed too). I am hoping not my kidneys again.