After about a year of contemplating WLS (and 10+ years of battling with my weight) I'm now starting my journey of getting my life back and lightening my load in many areas of my life (pun intended). I have my first appointment with the surgeon and nutritionist on Thursday, 10/17/13 and I'm an emotional MESS! I'm scared and excited both at the same time, it's crazy! My niece (who is a hair stylist) had to talk me from the edge about an hour ago because my latest "thing" is what about hair loss? She said, "Auntie, you getting healthy and having you around for a long time is more important than you losing some hair. I can fix that, I can give you some hair and it will be beautiful, it's what I do, but I can't get another YOU and I need you! If you lose your hair, I'll cut mine too! Just pray on it and don't worry about stuff that hasn't happened." Well, after that I cried and laughed at the same time. Cried because it meant a lot coming from her (she's like the daughter I never had), and laughed because I could picture both of us with heads shaved looking like twins! lol Anybody else going through this roller coaster ride, or am I alone in my feelings???

Edited October 12, 201312 yr by SandeeD

Trust me the little tiny bit of hair you will lose temporarily will be worth all the weight loss and health benefits

I was just cleaning out my email inbox... yikes! there was stuff in there from 2006! I had signed up for information about the lapband way back then and had all this info stored away...

While I'm glad I didn't go that route it showed me how many years I've wasted being fat sick and miserable

Good luck to you,

Laura

Congrats on your decision to be healthy. Your niece sounds like a remarkable women, as well as loving and supportive with your decision . I am glad that she was there in your time of need. We are all here for, you do not be afraid to vent, or ask any questions , I have found this site to be so helpful, informative, as well as supportive. I am due to have my surgery in Jan 2014 but I am enjoying my time learning new things, gaining support on here as well as making important changes now in my life in prep for the new me. I look forward to reading your progress.

Edited October 12, 201312 yr by Cupcake

Thanks so much Laura and Cupcake, I appreciate your kind words:)

Your niece sounds like a wonderful person! I just had my first appointment with the surgeon and the nutritionist last week, so you and I are on the same boat.

Regarding the hair loss, I have heard that it's temporary, and Biotin and making sure we take our Multivitamins will help. I have also heard that not everyone goes through it. The nice thing about the sleeve is you will be able to absorb more nutrients than with the bypass (and I have never met anyone who has gone bald after WLS). Fingers crossed we'll be the lucky ones who keep all our hair! Except body and facial hair...I'd be happy losing that...

I digress.

Are you going through the 6 month nutrition counseling first? If you are, I'm willing to bet we will be getting sleeved right around the same time.

Thanks Nepagirl. I guess I'm extra worried because being a woman of a certain age (50) and going through menopause, my hair has already thinned on top and I'm worried that it will be completely gone:( But as my beautiful niece said, in the bigger picture, it's a little thing:) Yes, I think I'll have to do either 3 months or 6 months of nutrition counseling (I think it's 6 months), so it does look like we'll be sleeved around the same time...SLEEVE SISTAHS:)

SLEEVE SISTAHS:)

Yeah!

I'll let you know how my appointment goes:)

We have all gone on that roller coaster of emotions & focus on one issue or another. I think your niece said it perfectly!! It's much more important that YOU are here and healthy. The hair loss (if it happens) is minimal and temporary.

Congrats on your decision.. It's a big one.. We have all been in your shoes.. Listen to your niece.. Hair will grow back, there cNt be another you. Best of luck!

I'm still emotional and I'm doing the ground work... I have my first orientation mtg in 2 hours (3 rd appointment)... I'm so scared but then I look at my 2 year old abs 1 year old and I never want my weight to get in the way of their life...

Ok, so I had my first appointment with the surgeon and nurse today, and I'm on my way to getting sleeved! I'm super excited:) I actually weight 3 pounds less on their scale lol I have to do 3 months of a supervised program and I thought it was 6 months, so I was happy about that. Lots of stuff to do, appointments, etc., but it will be worth it the end! Yay me! lol

After about a year of contemplating WLS (and 10+ years of battling with my weight) I'm now starting my journey of getting my life back and lightening my load in many areas of my life (pun intended). I have my first appointment with the surgeon and nutritionist on Thursday' date=' 10/17/13 and I'm an emotional MESS! I'm scared and excited both at the same time, it's crazy! My niece (who is a hair stylist) had to talk me from the edge about an hour ago because my latest "thing" is what about hair loss? She said, "Auntie, you getting healthy and having you around for a long time is more important than you losing some hair. I can fix that, I can give you some hair and it will be beautiful, it's what I do, but I can't get another YOU and I need you! If you lose your hair, I'll cut mine too! Just pray on it and don't worry about stuff that hasn't happened." Well, after that I cried and laughed at the same time. Cried because it meant a lot coming from her (she's like the daughter I never had), and laughed because I could picture both of us with heads shaved looking like twins! lol Anybody else going through this roller coaster ride, or am I alone in my feelings???[/quote']

I'm a stylist too, she gave you great advise! She sounds wonderful. Good news is unlike a lot of people who struggle with hair loss, ours will be temporary. Also have your niece look into hair dreams micro line, very cool for our situation.

Congratulations on taking the first step!

I also had my appointment today with the surgeon. The homework list of appointments is overwhelming and scarey. Good luck with your journey.