Hi everyone who is having surgery in October 2014. We can start a new topic for those of us who have had surgery already.

This is the spot were we will all end up, were we'll share our stories and recovery. It will be a new dawn for so many of us. Let's stay close as united we will conquer anything that comes our way!

BEST WISHES GLADIATORS

I found some pictures of me on my parents computer today, back from 2010. I was so much bigger then than I was last yr before surgery. I think in this one, I was about 295. It's funny because I happen to still have the outfit I was wearing, which was clearly very tight on me. So I put it on and did a side by side. I showed my bf, and he was like, that was you???

You look amazing!! Way to go.

Beni I have been losing a healthy chunk of hair daily with my shower for the past couple of months. I wear my hair up mostly these days and pray that I'm not bald anytime soon.

Update on the hair loss thing: Looks like it has arrived, I am losing hair at an alarming rate and I have thin Patches at the temples showing. I am also developing dandruff, which I have not suffered from in so many years I had forgotten it even existed. I am thinking time for a pixie haircut. I do take Biotin and zinc (since month 2) but nope, it's not helping. I think this is supposed to be temporary but right now it's a little worrisome.

How is everyone's hair doing?

My hair loss never got to the point where it was noticeable to anyone but me. It lasted about a month and once I increased my Protein significantly it really slowed down alot.

@@Beni keep that chin up, it will come off, keep doin what you do. Working at the beach this weekend, had to get a suit, got two not sure why it turns my pictures sideways.

@@Luna222 Great progress!

@@Beni, I was having a significant problem, even with Biotin. The person who put me on the right path was the GNC guy! he said I needed 1/2 my weight in Protein after surgery to be able to keep up with hair production requirements. I was getting what the doctor recommended, but by his estimation, I was about 20 grams short. Appears he was right. I upped my protein and have seen a dramatic decrease in my hair loss since I upped the protein, but boy, getting that much protein in has been tough!

@@Glyndalin

Yes, getting all the Protein is hard. First I am not hungry, except when I have not eaten in hours and I get a bit of the shakes (low blood sugar, I think) and have to eat something pronto. The early signs are that I start dropping things. Like yesterday, I dropped the car keys 3 times in a row. Butter fingers!

What are you doing to get all the needed protein?

@@smiley922

Working on your tan in style!

@@misstvb

I feel your pain, I too wonder if I am going to go bald. I am glad I have a lot of hair to start with but I would say given the size of my pony tail, I have about 1/2 as much hair as I used to. I had been growing my hair out since last summer's pixie cut but I think am going to have to go back. I had noticed it was falling but this last week has been crazy. After coming out of the shower while applying product on my hair, my hands were full. Now I'm afraid to touch it.

@@misstvb

I feel your pain, I too wonder if I am going to go bald. I am glad I have a lot of hair to start with but I would say given the size of my pony tail, I have about 1/2 as much hair as I used to. I had been growing my hair out since last summer's pixie cut but I think am going to have to go back. I had noticed it was falling but this last week has been crazy. After coming out of the shower while applying product on my hair, my hands were full. Now I'm afraid to touch it.

I have taken to washing my hair every other day. It took a while for my hair to adjust to the new schedule but it did.

I know I need more Protein and I've decided that if something doesn't have substantial protein it's not going in my mouth. This may also help me with energy levels. My doctor seems to think so anyways.

@@Beni First thing in the morning, I have my coffee with a packet of Bariwise Hot chocolate and a Quest bar. That sets me up with 37 grams of Protein to start the day, if I eat the whole bar (which I normally don't). For lunch, I either have a fish dish of some sort (17-30 grams of protein), or Greek yogurt with Bare Naked Granola Protein (28 grams of protein for the combo). By the way, I tried Starbucks Doubleshot with Protein yesterday, and it was pretty good too. Ended up with 41 grams to start the morning that way, but I think I'll stick with the Bariwise because of the sugar content.

For my "snack," I have a Bariwise fruit drink (lemonade and grape are my favorites). That's another 15. And if I'm really hungry, I'll eat a bag of protein chips (Bariwise barbecue is my favorite). That's 10.

That means by dinner, I have around 80 grams of protein already in (with no chips). But I still focus on protein at dinner. I either eat whatever meat my sister cooks for herself and some veggies, or I have a bowl of Special K Protein plus 1/2 cup of almond milk and some fruit (berries of some sort). Either way, I'll be closer to 100 grams.

I was getting about 60-70 grams previously. This has definitely helped.

OMG @@Bronxmerci Looking amazing!!! I hope you feel as good as you're looking. :-)

@Glydalin

Thanks for sharing your daily meal. I'll check out the Bariwise. I have been eating some Quest bars but I must say the novelty is wearing off. I have about 1/2 a bar for Breakfast with an egg. But surprisingly an egg only has 6 gr of Protein and beef only 7 gr per ounce. If all I can eat is a couple ounces it ends up grossly inadequate. 3 meals, even if protein based are not enough. Lately I have been having about 3 to 4 ounces which helps. I also have the yogurt which is 12 gr. To make a long story short, I get about 50 gr per day most days.

Hey ladies I had my 6 month appointment yesterday in Denver. I am down 115 pounds. My NP & office staff was very impressed. My BMI was 53 before surgery it is now 35. I went to my firsr support group last night. It was awesome!!!! I met some of the most wonderful peiple. We laughed & talked just opened up. I was able to get questions answered. My nutrtionist class helped me so much I took notes. I look forward to losing 52 more pounds to get to my goal weight. We are not alone we have great support we can all be successful. :)

Well my biggest concern has come to reality....moving. I'm very terrified to be leaving my surgeons area. I'm hoping nothing ever happens where I need him after I move. The fun part is I'm moving to Hawaii and I'll be comfortable in a bathing suit after so many years of being heavy.

My weight loss is virtually non existent now. Doing what I'm supposed to but I continuously fluctuate the same 5 lbs. I knew it was a possibility to stop before goal but you know what ? I'm so happy being 169 that it doesn't bother me. Toning up is my goal now and maybe I'll lose again. Glad everyone is still moving forward ❤️

@Glyndalin--Thanks for sharing your food plan! Do you order the Bariwise stuff on line or are you able to get it at a store?

I wonder how "processed" the Bariwise items are considered? I try and stay away from as much processed foods as I can, but I don't know that it's considered processed?

My scale dropped another 3 pounds, yay! 77 pounds gone, 12 to go! Holy buckets, I can't even believe it! And my work pants I just got a few weeks ago are already too big. Gleeps! Too big to even use a belt with. I checked the consignment shops while we were there unloading my fat clothes, but didn't see anything I cared for.

My shoes are needing to be replaced too. I'm curious if some of my back/hip issues are from walking weird, trying to hold my shoes on my feet because they're too big, LOL! I hate buying shoes. I need comfort, but just hate to spend money on shoes!