MissMay

Hi. I'm dealing with the same issue. I actually had to go to my Primary Care doctor and the hair loss specialist (your Dermatologist) - I was diagnosed last month with Telogen Effluvium (http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/effluviums). I've lost almost ALL my hair and have huge bald spots on my head. My band doctor kept dismissing my claims of hair loss and I along with seeing the Dermatologist (who is the specialist in this field) - I have to get steroid shots in my head once a month along with using Mens Rogaine twice a day. I also take Biotin (5000 mcg a day) along with my multi-vitamins, B-complex AND I get about 120 grams of Protein in a day. I actually am in the process of purchasing a wig and have a costume wig (I call it my "test drive" wig) that I wear now because I am tired of caps and head scarves every day. I am sad. Telogen Effluvium is caused by severe stress or trauma to the body which puts your hair in a dormant (non-growing) stage. It is reversible but it could be up to a year before it starts to grow back in, if it does grow back in. I also start acupuncture this weekend and will go every two weeks to get my body to "unstress" if this is the cause. I had my surgery in July 2011 and I've lost about 30 lbs. I keep trying to justify that it's only hair and at least I don't have cancer or something but I tell you that I am humiliated and sad. Not only am I dealing with the issues all of us have regarding eating and lapband but now I have to deal with hair loss. OY! It's only hair. The lapband journey and issues will continue and I am glad I had the surgery. I just have to take one day at a time and know that it will all work out as it will for you. Best of luck. May

Hi Sammatha - Just like you, my palette gets bored! My lapband was "installed" in July 2011 and I have tried MANY Protein powders. I am a Crystal Light drinker because Water even is boring for me so here's what I drink, unjury Protein - chocolate (even with water it tastes like Chocolate Milk - better with Almond Milk) - $29 with shipping will last a month Unjury Protein - strawberry (I drink this EVERYDAY - I mix in Crystal Light - the best ones to mix in are the Pomegranite Cherry or any of the lemonades - when mixed in with the protein powder, the taste is just like fruit punch) - $29 with shipping will last a month Profect Blue Raspberry Bullets - OK with a little bit of Crystal Light to bump up the taste - $14 for a six pack on Amazon's Subscribe & Save Best of luck. I know I have to really make a conscious decision to get protein in and I do two - three Protein drinks a day (one for Breakfast, one for a snack and one sometimes with dinner) May

Congratulations! I was banded in July 2011 as well but no where near my goal weight...yet. I have a little less than half of my total loss goal to go (32 lost and 26 to go). I am trying to be realistic and would love to see me get to goal weight by July 2012 but gave myself until December 2012. Congratulations on your great success, keep up the great work (as I head to the gym tonight - yay). May

Hi GLove. First of all, sorry for the horrible spelling errors in my last post (I think I cleaned it up). I have definitely been able to eat salads (a Souplanation visit at least once a month) and side salads for dinner with no issues. Becuase of this last fill (on Monday) which puts me now at 8 1/2 ccs full, I won't know if I'll be able to eat salads like I have been able to but like you, I will look to juicing because I hate to think I'm missing out on veggie nutrients. My doctor on the other hand, thinks veggies are overrated and thinks the body just needs Protein. May

Sorry to hear all of us are in the same boat. The Lap Band Support group therapist I went to actually just started a group last week (16 week class) that was covered by my insurance (as group counseling) to deal with Emotional Eating. We're obviously all battling our food demons and emotional stress and having to "restart" mentally. It's hard but if we take it day-by-day and look at the small wins (the big one making the decsion to live longer by having this surgery) then we'll be OK. I was banded in July 2011 and was down as low (high) as 40 lbs but because I haven't felt any restriction and haven't learned how to deal with my food issues, the weight started creeping back up. I'm now 30 lbs down but my goal is to make my goal weight by the end of this year. I know it will be a struggle - I'll probably even sabotage my success but all I have to do is look at my kids (and my fat driver's license photo) to remind myself of where I've been and where I want to be - - alive to see my kids get married and have families of their own. Best of luck to all of us. We're already winning - we're looking to each other for support and we're trying hard to deal with our issues. May GLove: hope you have a date scheduled soon. Best of luck. The recovery is hard the first couple months after surgery but then you'll feel fantastic. P.S. I am a SoCal person as well.

I just had my 3rd fill yesterday for my 11cc band - 1 cc to bring me up to 8.5 cc. I was feeling no restriction at all. I started gaining weight back. I had surgery in July of 2011. I haven't eaten yet - tomorrow is my eating day (although I'm STARVING). I'm hoping third time is the charm. I'll know tomorrow. I will have to remember to eat slow! I know a lot of it is psychological and having to retrain your eyes and stomach that it only needs a little bit of food to feel OK. I'm definitely struggling and wanting to fall back to old habits and it's easy to do when you are not feeling full. Good luck with your fill. May Surgery Fill (07/22/11): 1 mL 1st Fill (11/09/11): 3.5 mL(total 4.5mL) 2nd Fill (1/18/12): 3 mL (total 7.5 mL) 3rd Fill (2/20/12): 1 mL (total 8.5 mL)

Toasting you with my Nectar Fuzzy Navel Protein lunch! Congratulations!

Still chugging along. I only wish my caboose was burning more calories!!! Name, real or screen~ MissMay Age~ 41 Goal weight for January 29th~ 160 Weight on January 22nd ~ 167.2 Weight on January 15th~ 168 Weight on January 8th ~ 169 Weight on January 1st~ 169 Dietary goal for January~ More Liquid Protein! Less snacking. Exercise goal for January~ 4-5 times a week of my new YMCA membership. Personal goal for January~ Make more time for myself. Date banded~ July 22, 2011 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 29 pounds What is your goal weight for the coming year~ Meeting my goal weight of 140!

Sorry for checking in late this week - I forgot. Very frustrating AGAIN. I worked out really hard at the gym. NO CHANGE. Back to the gym tomorrow! I did get a fill yesterday at my 6 month check up. I am up muscle weight (Yay) but also up fat weight (Boo!). I will continue fighting this battle!!!! May Name, real or screen~ MissMay Age~ 41 Goal weight for January 29th~ 160 Weight on January 15th ~ 169 Weight on January 8th ~ 169 Weight on January 1st~ 169 Dietary goal for January~ More Liquid Protein! Less snacking. Exercise goal for January~ 4-5 times a week of my new YMCA membership. Personal goal for January~ Make more time for myself. Date banded~ July 22, 2011 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 29 pounds What is your goal weight for the coming year~ Meeting my goal weight of 140!

I was obsessively weighing in every morning before and after surgery (July 22, 2011) because right after surgery I was losing an average of a pound a day and it was fantastic. I didn't weigh myself during Christmas vacation (2 weeks) over the holidays and poof - 7 pounds up. I know weight fluctuates but I try to weigh in now every other day to give me a gage of how I'm doing.

Very frustrating. I worked my patooty off this week at the gym. NO CHANGE. Back to the gym tomorrow! Great job to all! Let's keep up the good fight. May Name, real or screen~ MissMay Age~ 41 Goal weight for January 29th~ 160 Weight on January 8th ~ 169 Weight on January 1st~ 169 Dietary goal for January~ More liquid Protein! Less snacking. Exercise goal for January~ 4-5 times a week of my new YMCA membership. Personal goal for January~ Make more time for myself. Date banded~ July 22, 2011 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 29 pounds What is your goal weight for the coming year~ Meeting my goal weight of 140!

Glad to hear I wasn't alone in losing the Holiday Battle of the bulge. I was banded on July 22nd and have stayed a constant weight for about three months but the two weeks during the holiday when I was off of work and with the kids at home I gained...7 lbs! ARRRRGGGHHHH. I do admit that I was being lazy, not tracking my food, not getting enough liquid Protein in and definitely wasn't exercising. I wrote in my blog (I use it as my journal for this lapband journey) that I am getting back on track and I even have a fitness trainer session tonight. I am determined to meet my goal weight this year and be in control of this band...and me! I'm also going to beg for a fill on my 6th month bandiversary appointment with the doctor in a couple of weeks. Glad to see you're staying positive as well! Best of luck! May

Name, real or screen~ MissMay Age~ 41 Goal weight for January 29th~ 160 Weight on January 1st~ 169 Dietary goal for January~ More Liquid Protein! Less snacking. Exercise goal for January~ 4-5 times a week of my new YMCA membership. Personal goal for January~ Make more time for myself. Date banded~ July 22, 2011 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 29 pounds What is your goal weight for the coming year~ Meeting my goal weight of 140!

Down a pound. I'll take it! Name, real or screen~ Merry Christmas May Age~ 41 Weight on December 1st~ 162.8 Weight on December 8th~ 161.8 Goal weight for December 29th~ 155 Dietary goal for December~ More Protein. Less Snacking. Exercise goal for December~ More Exercise!!! Personal goal for December~ Relax. Enjoy the Season. Date banded~ July 22, 2011 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 37 lbs. One thing that has improved with your health since banding~Self Confidence.

Wow I thought I was alone. I asked my doctor at my appointment last month as well. I have been burping like crazy and it is very loud. I disgust myself! Like "ProudMommyof3BayBeez," my doctor said it was the air in my stomach from not chewing properly. I excuse the "loud sounds" from my stomach as "old lady noises." The worst is when it happens in small meeting rooms. Best of luck all. May

I am in the exact same situation. I am so stressed with a project at work that I am not sleeping (mostly working every night until 2 or 3 a.m.) and snacking and eating everything in sight - even with my first fill last month. I was hoping to lose at least 6 pounds and I lost four the first week and yo-yo'd all month. Like you, I know the band is not the culprit, it's up to us but I do feel exactly like you do. I can eat pasta, bread and so on but why do I do this? I can't believe I'm sabotaging my weight loss. I'm here for you! Best of luck. May

I am ready for The Holiday Challenge. This has been tough during the holidays. I have been busy with work but I am going to log in more and visit with the best support system I have...YOU! Name, real or screen~ Merry Christmas May Age~ 41 Weight on December 1st~ 162.8 Goal weight for December 29th~ 155 Dietary goal for December~ More Protein. Less Snacking. Exercise goal for December~ More Exercise!!! Personal goal for December~ Relax. Enjoy the Season. Date banded~ July 22, 2011 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 37 lbs. One thing that has improved with your health since banding~Breathing.

OK Turkey Banders -It's almost Test Time with Thanksgiving this week. Best of luck to all. I'm down so I'm at 158.8! Mashed Potatoes and Gravy May Name, real or screen~Mashed Potatoes and Gravy MAY Age~ 41 Weight on November 22nd ~ 158.8 Weight on November 15th~ 160.4 Weight on November 8th~ 162.0 Weight on November 1st~ 160.8 Goal Weight for November 29th~155 Exercise Goal for November~Lots of cardio (doing the November 60 mile challenge) along with getting more weight training in Dietary Goal for November~More Liquid Protein. Less snacking! Personal Goal for November~Get the Halloween decor down and packed and Christmas decorations sorted and up BEFORE Thanksgiving. Date Banded~July 22, 2011 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 39 pounds

Had my first fill and I'm heading in the right direction for Turkey Day! Weighing in at 160.4! Name, real or screen~Mashed Potatoes and Gravy MAY Age~ 41 Weight on November 15th ~ 160.4 Weight on November 8th~ 162.0 Weight on November 1st~ 160.8 Goal Weight for November 29th~155 Exercise Goal for November~Lots of cardio (doing the November 60 mile challenge) along with getting more weight training in Dietary Goal for November~More liquid protein. Less snacking! Personal Goal for November~Get the Halloween decor down and packed and Christmas decorations sorted and up BEFORE Thanksgiving. Date Banded~July 22, 2011 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 36 pounds

I had my first fill today 3.5 mL. I have a Realize Band which holds 11mL. I thought mine was empty but my doctor said I had 1 mL in it from surgery. I had gained two pounds since my appointment last month and my doctor could tell I was struggling emotionally by not being able to start back in to lazy eating habits. So 48 hours of liquids (liquid protein) only. I'm looking forward to the next month to see if the fill works. My goal is to go back to my next doctor's appointment on Dec. 7th with 4-6 more pounds off this body. When was your surgery date? Mine was July 22, 2011.

Great to hear you guys are regaining control. Wow - I'm glad I'm not the only one. Unfortunately for us, it was "big candy bar" year at our house so along with the "fun size" goodies, I've also had to wrangle with the temptation of full size M&Ms. I've been averaging three pieces a day. My thought is to bring them all to work tomorrow. Darn will power (of which there is none). Hang in there! We're all in this together! May

Not doing great - up 2! Wrong Way!!!! Not discouraged - will definitely make it up! Name, real or screen~Mashed Potatoes and Gravy MAY Age~ 41 Weight on November 8th~ 162.0 Weight on November 1st~ 160.8 Goal Weight for November 29th~155 Exercise Goal for November~Lots of cardio (doing the November 60 mile challenge) along with getting more weight training in Dietary Goal for November~More Liquid Protein. Less snacking! Personal Goal for November~Get the Halloween decor down and packed and Christmas decorations sorted and up BEFORE Thanksgiving. Date Banded~July 22, 2011 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 36 pounds

Thanks for starting another challenge, Joan! I am motivated to get this Turkey butt moving and shaking! May Name, real or screen~Mashed Potatoes and Gravy MAY Age~ 41 Weight on November 1st~ 160.8 Goal Weight for November 29th~155 Exercise Goal for November~Lots of cardio (doing the November 60 mile challenge) along with getting more weight training in Dietary Goal for November~More liquid protein. Less snacking! Personal Goal for November~Get the Halloween decor down and packed and Christmas decorations sorted and up BEFORE Thanksgiving. Date Banded~July 22, 2011 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 37 pounds