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Hello – I am new here so would like to introduce myself, give some history and ask a few questions. I have been overweight as long as I can remember. I have taken prescription weight loss medications (two), used slim fast, participated in weight watchers, counted calories, pretty must everything you can think of. I have been successful losing weight on numerous occasions, but like many others cannot keep it off. The last time I dieted, I lost 50 pounds and gained back 71, which puts me at my highest weight ever – 228! The first of the year, I decided it was time to take some serious action. I have some minor medical conditions, but most importantly a family history of heart disease (my father passed away when I was 25, he was just 49) and diabetes and would like to be alive and healthy to raise my family. So, I started the process in January and am scheduled to have Roux-en-Y bypass on June 9th. I am ready for this; nervous, excited, anxious, happy, prepared, eager, and overjoyed all at the same time! I have done a ton of research and feel prepared, but would like to ask a couple questions.

How many of you came home with your drain tube in? My doctor says about 90% of his patients get them taken out before they are discharged.

What did you take besides Biotin and Ionic Silica for hair loss? This is what freaks me out most about the entire surgery! I have a fair amount of thick hair and I fear losing it.

I look forward to meeting new people and sharing our successes and obstacles!

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I didn't come home with a drain (my surgery was 5/1 and I came home 5/3) and I've had no issues since.

I'd love to know about hair loss too. Mine is starting! Eeek.

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My surgeon didn't use a drain. So, I can't answer that question.

As far as hair loss, I too have very thick hair so probably wouldn't miss much if I did lose a lot. I think that you will inevitably lose some hair due to the trauma of surgery and anesthesia. The only thing I would recommend (based on my research) is to make sure you get enough Protein post surgery. It's important not only for your hair and nails but for your overall recovery and weight loss.

Best of luck with your surgery.

Edited: due to stupid autocorrect.

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The supplement Biotin and you can also use regain or vivid cal to,promote growing.

Not vivid cal. Viviscal

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Your story sounds like mines, just tried of being tried. I just finished 3-4 months of behavior health and healthy eating classes. waiting for final approval and then I can make an appointment with my surgeon and get a date, can hardly wait. Will keep in touch and compare progress reports, if that's okay with you.

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Hi Spicy! Glad to hear you made a good decision for you and your life. I know its scary at first but, it will all be OK! As to the drain, I got mine out on day two in the hospital. really almost nobody I have spoken to has gone home with the drain but, it's not hard to empty if you do, or they wouldn't let us go home! lol As to the hair loss, you will loose less than when you had your babies for sure! The key is GET YOUR PROTEIN! Take all the Vitamins your doctor tells you, and get your Fluid and your Hair loss should be really minimal. We all worry about that but, honestly...how well were we eating and being nourished before surgery, right? A lot of obese people actually have malnutrition! At first all of it seem just overwhelming, like all big life changes do, like the first time you take a newborn home or when you first learned to manage being diabetic but now your an old pro! Soon, this will be old hat too, just trust in yourself and the team you choose and in the process and take it all one step at a time. You won't believe you ever worried like this a year from now! Keep in touch and good luck!

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
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    • 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. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • 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.
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