GreenEyedMamma

I love dried edemame. It is the perfect crunch I need when my brain is craving it. You can mix with some dried fruit for a great trail mix on the go.

The hair loss is because of the traumatic experience your body goes through during surgery. While under general anasthesia, your body basically goes into shock which can damage the hair follicles. I lost more hair after my knee surgery two years ago then I did after my sleeve. I have lost some hair after all of my surgeries where general anasthesia was used but the knee surgery was by far the most severe and I have no idea why.

Everyone is different. Some people who have never had surgery before WLS always blame the lack of Protein. I have proven this theory otherwise because my Protein increased dramatically after surgery and I still had breakage (which is not loss). People who think they see the regrowth are actually seeing the hairs that were broken. I had breakage at different lenghts (most near the scalp) but it wasn't enough to make me freak out. No one could see the difference except me and the only difference I noticed was in the thickness. The breakage started around three months after all my surgeries and stopped in my 9th month post op (a 6 month period). I shed for about 15 months after knee surgery.

Everyone has their own experience though. Good luck to you and I wish you all the best (and little to zero hairloss).

“Systemic anesthesia has a profound effect on the body. As you would expect, it pushes the individual into a state of unconsciousness and relaxes muscles. Anesthesia also affects hair follicles. Hair follicles contain cells that are some of the fastest dividing and developing cells of the body. They have to divide fast to maintain the growth of hair Fiber. Anesthesia blocks this rapid cell division. While the application of anesthesia to an individual may only be for a few hours, the hair follicles may be affected to such a degree that they shut down hair Fiber production and enter a telogen resting state. A telogen effluvium type of Hair loss is the result.” {Source: Desai SP, Roaf ER. Telogen effluvium after anesthesia and surgery. Anesth Analg. 1984 Jan;63(1):83-4.}

It's funny how our eyes can deceive us at times. Sometimes I look at myself in the mirror and don't see the drastic change that others say they see. I even put a slide show together for my 100 pound mark and didn't see it like this. It wasn't until I put these two pictures side-by-side when I realized just how much I have changed in the last 8 months. WOW!

Thank you EVERYONE for your kind words. Looks like we all inspire eachother. This has been an AMAZING journey...so far...

I was sleeved on February 24, 2011 and on October 17, 2011 I reached my first goal of losing 100 pounds (101 to be exact). Having this surgery has been such a blessing because I have learned so much about myself and have gained the self confidence needed to make this a lifelong success.You can watch my progress here: Butterfly in Training

I think the only reason I didn't get any flack about my surgery when I told friends and family is because of the way I told them. I was pretty firm and didn't leave room for questions or comments. It was more like "I made a decision, this is what is going to make my life more sustainable for me and my family and no one is going to change my mind about it. I was VERY open from the beginning. I think if I had approached it in a delicate way they would have thought i was second guessing myself.

I am sorry you are having to deal with the negativity. Good luck in your journey. Stay strong!!!

i live in ca how much did you pay thank you nancy

All in cost was $13,000. That included the hospital, surgeon, nutritionist, etc. I used my insurance for all of my pre-op testing because they didn't know what it was for. LOL.

I say BRONZE IT baby!!

HA!! Am considering this suggestion!!!

Amazing victory! Click - how sweet the sound. Right now I am sitting in another airport smiling at your story. Awww. So, let me tell you my favorite airport story victory of mine. In ALB I was stopped by TSA and asked to do a special screening. I was perplexed when a supervisor came over and then another looking at me and whispering in hushed tones. The problem? I no longer looked like my drivers license photo.

Congrats and anxiously awaiting more stories of victories of yours to come!

Love your story too! That is awesome!!!

Thanks everyone. It is such a great feeling. Almost like...freedom in a sense.

Congrats! That is a fabulous NSV- no more worries for you!

I haven't flown on a plane forever, but will be several times in the next year. My first flight will be in mid October. I hope to be around 250lbs by that time. I'm 5'7- do you think I will need to use one? I hope not! I have no idea at what weight people need one. I know it is probably different for everyone- but wondering if there is a ballpark number?

I am 260 right now and fit perfectly fine with extra room in the seatbelt. It also depends on how you carry your weight. I am bottom heavy so I carry my weight in my hips, thighs and butt.

Pickles have TONS of sodium (one can have well over 1,000 millegrams) so I avoid them at all cost and have done so since long before my surgery. The last thing I want is to retain Water or raise my blood pressure.

I have to travel quite a bit for work and for the last few trips that have been on the large jet planes, I have been pretty comfortable without a seatbelt extender. I celebrated my first flight without one in April but not all of my seven flights on that trip were as successful. On Tuesday this week, I had to fly to Orlando (yes, I know...I said, "had to"), and one of the segments of my trip on the way home was a short 30-minute flight on a teeny-tiny airplane that seats like 30 people. The seats and seatbelts on these planes are also teeny-tiny and when your butt is nowhere near teeny OR tiny an extender is required (or I would have to fake wearing the seatbelt because I was too embarrassed to ask for one). So, about 4 years ago, I "borrowed" a seatbelt extender from an airline for a regular plane and I brought it along with me every time I flew prior to surgery so I wouldn't have to humiliate myself by asking. I was almost a bit nervous about this flight because even though I was prepared by having it, I was secretly hoping I would not need it.

I got on the "plane", made my way to my seat, put my stuff under the seat in front of me, fidgeted around in my bag to put the extender near the top so I could quickly pick it up without anyone seeing in case I needed to use it, and then proceeded to attempt to buckle the actual seatbelt. I was waiting and then I heard...CLICK! I thought it was lying to me so I tried it again and...CLICK! What a GREAT sound.

Needless to say, I bid farewell to my seatbelt extender. I pushed it to the bottom of my bag. Now, I just need to decide on whether or not I give it back or if I keep it as a reminder of how far I have come.

I cannot take credit for any of the following (I copied and pasted from a few sites...):

Ketosis merely means that our bodies are using fat for energy. Ketones (also called ketone bodies) are molecules generated during fat metabolism, whether from the fat in the guacamole you just ate or fat you were carrying around your middle. When our bodies are breaking down fat for energy, most of the it gets converted more or less directly to ATP. (Remember high school biology? This is the "energy molecule.") But ketones are also produced as part of the process.

When people eat less carbohydrate, their bodies turn to fat for energy, so it makes sense that more ketones are generated. Some of those ketones (acetoacetate and ß-hydroxybutyrate) are used for energy; the heart muscle and kidneys, for example, prefer ketones to glucose. Most cells, including the brain cells, are able to use ketones for at least part of their energy. But there is one type of ketone molecule, called acetone, that cannot be used and is excreted as waste, mostly in the urine and breath. The description of the smell varies, but it is often described as "fruity" or like the smell of apples which are "past their prime" (or even downright rotten).

The good news is that keto-breath usually doesn't last forever. Most people find it dies down after a few weeks, or at the most a few months. The reason is unclear, but it seems our bodies adapt in some way. Children on a ketogenic diet for epilepsy have been shown to have less acetone in their breath as time goes on, for example. In the meantime, there are things you can do to minimize the impact of "keto-breath":

1. Drink more water: try 8 glasses per day to see if this helps, and then you can experiment from that point.
2. Natural breath fresheners to try include mint, parsley or other greens, cloves, cinnamon, and fennel seeds.
3. Some people swear by breath capsules, which are usually made from parsley oil (e.g. Mint Assure) for keto-breath. Others find they do not help.
4. sugar-free mints or gum can be tried, but watch the carbs in them.

Ammonia Breath from Protein

When the body metabolizes Protein, ammonia is produced. When people eat high-protein meals, there tends to be increased ammonia in their breath and/or urine. In large amounts, this can smell pretty bad.

It's important to remember that we don't need lots and lots of protein in our diets. Our bodies use protein to maintain and build muscles, to make enzymes, and for other structural and chemical needs. The body will convert excess protein to energy, which is where you will get the extra ammonia (this also happens during starvation or long exercise when the body begins to rely on breaking down muscles for energy if it runs out of sources of fats and/or carbohydrates).

Find Out How Much Protein Your Body Needs

Sometimes people load up on protein because they are afraid to eat more fat. This is one of the reasons why it is rarely a good idea to try to eat a diet that is low in both carbohydrates and fats. The solution to "ammonia breath" for people on a low-carb diet is often to increase fats in the diet, and cut back some on protein foods.

Above all, don't let problems with your breath derail you from staying with a diet that is improving your health. Instead, try to figure out the cause of the bad-smelling breath and tackle it.

Body Odor

There are a number of chemical changes that take place in your body when you're on a low-carb diet, some of which can cause a foul body odor. Ketone bodies have an odd odor to them; they're not unlike fingernail polish remover in their smell. Once you enter ketosis, it's common for others to smell ketone bodies on your breath and in your sweat, which can give you a foul, sickly-sweet odor.

To use an analogy most people understand think of a car that suddenly starts burning oil, it produces clouds of smoke, has reduced performance and may smell a little. In ketosis the body starts burning fat, which does not burn as cleanly as food energy, so you may be getting the film in the mouth, bad breath and perhaps a little stink because of it. It is normal and lessens with time.

Rootman - This is the perfect explanation. Thanks!!!!!

Welcome to the forum...from one BakoMom to another!!

I know I mentioned this last night but Dr. Irani was/is AWESOME. His PA, Kristen, is fabulous too. He is highly recommended by most bariatric departments in town and my primary care physican recommended him too. I had a pretty good experience at Mercy SW. His equirement for all the pre-op testing he does has to be done within 30 days of surgery (not more or they will make you redo the tests).

Best of luck to you and since we are in the same town, know that I am here to answer any questions. We must live fairly close to eachother if our kids go to the same school so we can even become walking buddies.

Welcome! I was a self-payer too and it was worth EVERY penny. I wasn't interested in gastric bypass either. I originally wanted lap band but my surgeon recommended VSG. I am SOOO glad he did as I LOVE my sleeve. I hope your insurace comes through for you but if it doesn't and you have the means to self pay then go for it.

Welcome to the forum! This is an excellent place to ask your questions and vent your frustrations. Everyone here is very helpful. You will be amazed at how similar our stories and experiences are.

Sending you hugs, prayers and best wishes for your surgery (and recovery). It is an AMAZING ride.

I was on a 14 day liquid diet. Protein shakes help a lot. I only had to do clear for one day and full liquid for 13.

The first four days were torture for me but something happened on day five and things got easier each day until surgery. Hang in there.

My family and I are Disney freaks and we go on rides all the time. I haven't had any issues with motion sickness since surgery (with the exception of right after). I don't eat right before I go on any ride (didn't before surgery either) because I always feared tossing my Cookies in public. LOL. You can always take a Dramamine about an hour before you get to the park.

Oh my goodness. I remember that feeling when I had my drain out. I hated that thing. It caused me so much discomfort. It felt VERY strange coming out (kind of feels like a snake is being pulled out of your belly) but it goes fast. As soon as it is out you will feel SOOOO much better. Good luck and I hope it all goes well.

This is a good article to read about stalls: http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html

I am tracking my calories, weighing my food, drinking protien shakes, eating just grilled chicken, excercising....and I have only lost 28lbs total! I have read about plateaus, but this is out of control? I feel like I have wasted my money - and dont know how to get this thing going? Everyone calls me 3 bites? Because that is all I can eat, but I am barely getting in the calories, I dont have any problems with food? I dont drink soda, rarely have any sweets? And still nothing -

Help?

Questions:

1. What was your starting weight?
2. How many calories are you consuming every day?
3. How many carbs are you consuming every day?
4. How much Water are you drinking every day?
5. Are you eating real food more than shakes?

How do I add my doc and surgery date to my profile. Thanks in advance for any help! Cathi

Most people add that information to their Signature (where your ticker is). You can click on "Signed in asCCinINdiana" and then click on My Settings. There are all kinds of things you can update once that page opens up including your profile and signature. I hope that helps.

Unfortunately, "that" will take some time. I am 5 months post-op and I still only go every other day (sometimes every two days). Sorry to be blunt but when you have little going in, you have little going out. When I feel like I need a little help, I take Benefiber. Stool softeners only help when there is "something" to soften.