Hi Everyone!

I was just banded on 8/24/07, so it's very new to me. I'm still on liquids and I'm going a little crazy. I did break down and have ice cream one day, but other than that episode, it's been all liquids. Here's my issue, I can only bring myself to have 2 protein shakes a day. (I Hate the taste of them) I have broth or water for the rest of the day. I'm really starting to get nervous about losing my hair. I may be fat, but my hair is beautiful and I don't want to lose it. I'm scared and I need encouragement, I think. Or you guys can lie to me and tell me I won't lose any hair. Thanks for any help.:help:

Hi Lindsay, me again!!

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but there is no rhyme nor reason why some of us lose our hair and others do not. The Protein you are taking in, will help with your hunger, and your overall energy level, as well as speed your healing, it will not however save your hair.

I maintained high protein levels pre op, as well as post op, and had massive hair loss. It did stop, and is regrowing, so it is not permanant in most cases. Find a good shampoo and conditioner, many suggest Nioxin based ones. Be sure to chew a GOOD multi Vitamin each day when you are released to do so. Try to keep your calorie count up into the healthy range, your weight loss may be a bit slower, but some think it is the drastic diet changes that cause the hair loss. By best advice for the hair issue is to relax...if it is going to happen, it is going to happen, and stress will only make it worse! I had a massively stressful year, combined with a history of total hair loss due to chemo, so I believe that those things combined with bad diet habits for awhile (living on hospital vending machines for food), caused my hair loss to be severe. There are several threads out there already dealing with hair loss, you might gain some insight from some of them.

Hang in there, we all survived it!!!

Kat

I never could find a Protein drink I liked either....but then I finally did and you can buy it in the grocery or drug stores. It's called Boost Glucose Control (a bit lower carb) and I drink the chocolate. I think it's actually a 'nutritional supplement' type drink and it's better than anything else out there. Here's a link for the product info: Home

You could call your doctor and plead for permission to move to soft mushies. Sometimes they'll give in. :girl_hug:

yup nioxin hair care products are really good for thinning hair - have you tried a spoonful of peanutbutter in your shake? - little extra protein and makes it taste better too

I have been losing my hair for about a month and using Nioxin for about 5 months. So...the shampoo, condition, and scalp therapy and treatment hasn't really worked for me. I went yesterday and had my second fill. My doctor harped on protein. So...I'm downing two nasty drinks a day (totally 70 grams of protein) to see if that helps. I figure it's worth a try...GOOD LUCK!!!

re: hair - are you taking a multi-vitamin? - omega fatty acids and/or a fish oil supplement? - you can find a big jar of those at sam's club/costco

I am taking a multivitamin, Flinstones (is that any good, the nutritionist suggested it) I also take two os-cals (1200mg of calcium). I'll try your suggestions. What about b12 or a b complex? Do i need that too?

Oh yeah, Thanks to all of you who responded to my thread. This is so new to me and I'm so happy that I have a place to learn, vent and meet all of you. It means alot that we have each other to go through this experience with. !VIVA THE INTERNET!

nutritionist recommended a childrens vitamin? - just because it's chewable - if you can go to costco or sam's club they have a liquid vitamin that has way more in it than flintstones -called liquimax complete

My dietician also mentioned Flinstones Complete as an alternative. Being 7 days post-op I purchased them out of convinience. I haven't done a side by side check to see how they vary. I agree that the protein shakes can be a bore......I incorporated yogurt, cottage cheese and sf pudding mixed with an unflavored protein as well as the protien drinks. It seems with the unflavored protein you have by far more options for recipes. I do know one thing though.......I miss chewing. Hooray for sugar free gum!!

P.S.....keep in tough Lindsay, we're about on the same time line!

LINDSAY,

We are in the same boat, I hate the taste of those shakes and besides they give you a lot of gas. I ate some baked fish because my stomach was growling and I thought I was hungry! I had my surgery on the 24th also and what were you talking about when you said loosing hair, I have beautiful hair also and it was already shedding prior to surgery please don't tell me I'm going to loose my hair!

This is really hard! I went to a Patriots game yesterday with my husband and friends. We tail gated before the game, of course, and while everyone else had grilled steak sandwiches, I "ate" broth. I actually licked off the flavoring of a bunch of bbq chips, how pathetic! My 5th wedding anniversary is Saturday and I guess we won't be going out to eat like we normally do. This is so weird. I'm so happy I went through with the surgery, I know it was the right choice for me. But I'm still kinda bummed and I miss not thinking about what went in to my mouth. I hope this feeling passes. I've lost 10lbs. so far. I am happy about that. I would love to stay in touch with you guys that had surgery around the same time as me. I'm going shopping today for all the vitamins you all have recommended. Who wants to be skinny and bald? Not me!! Well Darknlovely3, I had no idea I was going to lose my hair until I began reading the different threads on the subject. I need to be proactive and do the best I can and hopefully it won't be that bad. All the best!!!

it gets better - the first few weeks are rough with the liquids and the whole not chewing - I was ornery as catshit the 1st week just ask my mrs. - but you gradually add foods back into your diet - just much smaller portions - we had a family birthday last week - had the whole bbq thing - had a burger (no bun) and a spoon of potato salad and no one is the wiser - this week is a different story, back on the liquid/mushie bland after having the ol gallbladder out - goodtimes

I'm with ya....SICK of Protein shakes, BORED with Soups and freaked cause I'd been told Lap-Band patients did NOT lose their hair!!!

**sigh**

Oh, well. I'm on the wagon NOW, may as well enjoy the ride!

I'm hearing that alot of people are getting their gallbladder removed. Is this common? Was it because of the weight loss?