GreginMI

I was told by someone on this forum to take Biotin to help with hair regrowth and I believe it's worked for me. I got it here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LUCNY4/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00

I had surgery on 06/06/11 and I'm down 120 lbs with 20 lbs to go to goal. It seems I've slipped into maintenance mode early and can't seem to lose that last 20. I've been stuck at 200 lbs for awhile. I feel good and look good though so I'm not complaining. I might be able to get to goal eventually. Overall I'm very happy with the surgery and would do it again in a heartbeat!

*raises his hand*. I can definitely drink like I used to. It varies from person to person so you have to test it out for yourself. Not everyone is the same and you can't apply hard and fast rules to everybody. I eat healthy but drink a lot of beer. It's my one vice.

I'm a year out and I drink everything. I drink beer a lot. Hasn't kept me from losing over 120 lbs in a year and maintaining. I have a sleeve of steel!

Been riding all my life. I now have a 2012 Harley Ultra Limited. Just got back from a trip to Sturgis a week before the rally starts. Stayed in Deadwood, rode the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Devils Tower. A total of 3,586 miles in a week. Loved it! After surgery I couldn't ride for 2 months by Doctor's orders. It almost killed me. It sure is a lot easier getting my leg over that bike with 120 lbs gone!

All I can tell you is it gets better, brother. A LOT better. Just hang in there. Time will heal you and the amount differs with each person.

It was a first time for me. I don't remember it going in and it felt weird coming out. No real problem. I wouldn't worry about it.

Ugh, that first month was such a b***h. I hated it! I couldn't stand pureed foods..they grossed me out. So I stuck to my protein shakes until I could get to solid food at 6 weeks and they started grossing me out, too. When I got to solid food, it made me nauseous. All I can say is thank god that's over!

Not morning wood, but oh boy has it gotten BIGGER after a 120 lb weight loss! It's like I took a couple donuts off it. My girlfriend acts like she hit the jackpot! lmao!

I handle the heat so much differently at 200 lbs vs 320 lbs. It's amazing how much cooler I stay!

Think of it this way. If your doctor told you that you had a heart problem, and you needed surgery to correct the problem or you'd die young, you wouldn't think twice about it, right? Well you need this surgery or you will die young. And worse than a sharp pain and falling over because your heart failed, it will be a long, agonizing death of diabetes, high blood pressure, joint problems, and yes, probably heart disease anyway. So don't think twice about it. It needs to be done to save your life.

We all had those same fears. But trust me, this is routine for these surgeons and you'll be fine. Look at your surgeon's complication rate and I'm sure it will put your mind at ease. My doctor's was under 1% complications. Just keep thinking, It's just a walk in the park.

That would be like wanting a picture of my ex to remind me of what my major problem in life was. No thanks! I don't miss that part of my stomach one bit!

I was nauseus a lot after surgery and didn't like a lot of things that I did before, but as time went on I got back to liking most of them again. I will say though, that when I got to 1 year post op, I decided to reward myself after losing 122 lbs with a Wendy's single that I used to LOVE, and well...It sucked. Was nothing like I remembered. That's part of how the sleeve breaks your food addiction. And I for one am glad!

Everyone loses weight differently and at different rates. I lost 50 lbs very fast after surgery and then it slowed to a crawl going weeks without the scale moving. Some of you slow losers might pick up speed later. Don't compare yourselves with others, just concentrate on what you're doing. It will all pay off for everyone in the long run.

I see Pdx man beat me to the punch. lol

I don't believe sleevers get dumping syndrome the same as people with gastric bypass. That has to do with the re-routing of their intestines. Our stomach is simply smaller so it's more of an intolerance to certain foods than actual dumping syndrome, from what I've read anyway. I can tolerate any food or drink and after a year out I occasionally partake in rice and bread, although it does fill me up fast. I also drink beer and other carbonated beverages without a problem, although it's not a good habit to get into if you want to succeed. Sweets don't bother me a bit, although I rarely eat them. I think it depends on each individuals stomach tolerance.

And the first three letters of n i g h t are also the beginning of an ethnic slur.

After more than a year since surgery, I can't believe how much I can eat now. You really do have to change your eating habits permanently if you want to succeed with the sleeve. With 20 lbs left to goal, I just gained back 5 lbs the last couple of weeks by snacking on things I know I shouldn't. It's back to basics for me this week. It really is just a tool, not a magic wand. I still wouldn't trade my sleeve for anything. Love it!

A friend of mine just went to see my surgeon after seeing my results. That's the kind of reason I've been telling people.

On another note, my drain turned out to be my worst scar of all the incisions.

Mine stung a little bit coming out after 7 days but not too bad. I agree with everyone about the weird sensation. I've never felt anything quite like that darn thing coming out of me.

Well said and spot on.

The hair DOES grow back. Taking Biotin helps with that, too. As for the mouthwash, I use Closys. My dentist recommended it.

I have a 122 lb weight loss in a year to back up my claim that the surgery breaks your food addiction!