Hi all- I'm pre-op(nov4) and I have a few questions for you vets out there...

1) what products have you found that have been saving graces that I must have? (For any stage)

2) do you do any sort of trick or regimen to keep the excess skin firm?

3) what has been the best way to stave off hair loss?

4) how did you explain this to your young children? I have a 6 yr old daughter who is an obsessive thinker.

I know it's a lot but I didn't want to inundate you with different threads. Thanks so much for any insight!

1) what products have you found that have been saving graces that I must have? (For any stage) - The best thing I purchased was a USB coffee mug warmer. It was very helpful in the early days when it took me forever to eat. A variety of Water bottles and shaker bottles.

2) do you do any sort of trick or regimen to keep the excess skin firm? - It's a crap shoot based on many variables: Genetics, age, how much weight you have to lose, etc... There are no guarantees but drinking plenty of water, moisturizing and light weight lifting (in the hopes of replacing fat w/ muscle mass) can help.

3) what has been the best way to stave off hair loss? It's a crap shoot based on many variables: Genetics, age, how fast you lose, etc... Some have had sucess taking Biotin supplements. For those who do experience hair loss it usually returns once your weight loss stabilizes.

4) how did you explain this to your young children? I have a 6 yr old daughter who is an obsessive thinker. - I don't have children but I am a former Certified Child Life Specialist. I have found the easiest way to tell children about any medical procedure is to give a simple, but honest response. Something like "Mommy had something wrong with her tummy and the doctor is going to fix it" should be sufficient. Nothing too detailed, nothing that can set her up for self hate like " mommy ate too much and the doctor's going to stop that". Just your going to the doctor who's going to help you and you'll be back in a day or 2.

ETA: Search the forums. I'm sure there are similar threads that may answer some of these questions.

1) what products have you found that have been saving graces that I must have? (For any stage)

Digital food scale, immersion blender, Bubba Keg, heating pad

2) do you do any sort of trick or regimen to keep the excess skin firm?

Moisturizing and lifting weights isn't going to hurt in terms of how your skin looks. If there were an actual trick to avoid excess skin, everyone would be doing it and no one would ever need or want plastic surgery after weight loss. Don't waste your money on expensive creams or wraps or supplements. Save your $$$ for plastic surgery instead if excess skin is going to bother you very much.

3) what has been the best way to stave off hair loss?

You can't stave off hair loss. It either will happen or it won't, and all the biotin in the world won't change that. You'll probably have better results if you just do a bunch of good deeds for people and hope that the resulting good karma keeps the hair on your head. It's about as effective as any special shampoo or supplement, and at least you won't be throwing your money away.

4) how did you explain this to your young children? I have a 6 yr old daughter who is an obsessive thinker.

I don't have children, but all the young children in my family were told that Auntie is having surgery to fix some problems with her stomach so that she can be healthier. The older children (teenagers) were given the specifics by their parents and even the option to watch a sample sleeve surgery on Youtube -- which they all did and loved! Disclaimer -- there are multiple health care professionals in my family and the children are used to medical stuff not being sugarcoated.

Re: children. I have a 2 and a 4 year old. My 2 year old just knew mommy was away a couple nights (hospital stay). My 4 year old son, very attached to me, seemed very concerned. I just let him know mommy was getting a new belly so I could be healthier and be able to play with him more. I told him I would probably be getting smaller, and that meant I could do more things like go on rides and play with him on the floor etc. He has been super supportive and excited about mommy's new belly!

For hair loss I highly recommend that you start taking a high quality prenatal vitamin (try whole foods not the drugstore). I am taking the liquid BodSmith prenatal. I get it online from Amazon. It has 100% of usrda of biotin and about 67% of zinc. In addition to this also order Natures way biotin supplements (they have a dissolvable lozenge) and also try a zinc supplement. I recently ordered an additional zinc supplement from Bariatric advantage. Start taking these ASAP. With your final meal before surgery also take all three supplements. Also keep in mind that all supplements are NOT created equal. Many of the vitamins you will find at Walmart and Target barely have any vitamins in them. Supplements are NOT regulated by the FDA because technically they are not food and not drugs. The first week post op I could barely even get down the liquid vitamins. I just started with one teaspoon per day Ina 20oz vitamin water zero, and worked my way up to the full Tablespoon in about two weeks. I also started using Nioxin shampoo and conditioner plus scalp serum About two weeks before surgery. It may not help but it can't hurt. I got a large bottle of each on amazon for only $30 total which is a really good price. How do I know this stuff works? I'm only about 7 weeks out but my hair is growing thicker than it has in years. And not just the hair on my head but also on my legs my upper lip etc. Hair does grow in cycles though of about three months so who knows ... About 12 weeks out I might start shedding but I'm certain that even if this does happen, that it won't be as bad as it otherwise might have. Also I quit using permanent color on my hair. I am only using Demi- or semi-permanent hair color since about two months prior to surgery until I am about a year out.

I spoke with my dermatologist about hair loss. She said with the rapid weight loss biotin really won't make a difference although it will help with your nails. She confirmed what my bariatric program said, once the rapid weight loss stabilizes so should the hair loss.

Thank you all so much for your in depth answers!

I truly appreciate it.