Matt Z

Interesting reads https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-steps-for-preventing-kidney-stones-201310046721 https://www.livestrong.com/article/508577-can-whey-protein-cause-kidney-stones/

Fluctuations are going to happen. Are you tracking fat % as well? A good way to minimize fluctuations is to weigh yourself at the same time, after doing the same things every time, you are looking for a level of consistency to reduce potential environmental causes for the weight variations. For me, I wake up, get my coffee, hit the rest room, then weigh in after doing my morning stretches. I measure daily, so M-F is pretty consistent overall. The weekends have some swing to them typically, but the M-F numbers are pretty consistent.

*she* but agreed none-the-less.

To be fair, this person hasn't liked me since the second I walked into this office almost 4 years ago.

As I've stated. When all the medical professionals are telling me that they are working and my levels are good because of what I'm using, that's what I'm going to go with. Your personal feelings about the subject aside... my test results are showing they are working, not sure why you feel me telling folks the truth of what I'm personally dealing with is "misleading". I've never said they work when they aren't, I never misrepresented any of what I'm posting. Everything I'm posting is exactly what I'm doing, dealing with and what's being reported to me by several medical professionals. If I had any reason to believe otherwise, you can bet that I'd be skeptical. And I was skeptical going into the patches... but 6 months post op, 7 months from starting the patches, and not having any additional vitamin supplementation happening before my revision... not sure why you refuse to believe the truth of my situation.

I'm a huge fan of Dr. Ryder and the rest of the Lifespan Baratric team over at the Collyer and Dudley street offices. Been going to her for almost 10 years now, they did my band in 2011, my revision to bypass this past March. Just a great group of folks! Glad to see so many great doctors in such a small area!

I've noticed the same exact thing! To the point where I'm not sure if it's them, me, or a combination of both. I mean, I feel better, wearing things that fit better, carrying myself better, so I know I'm putting off a different vibe. I have noticed that people that would typically ignore me in the halls, don't anymore. I've gotten some shy laugh/giggles with the brushing the hair away from the ear from a few ladies in passing which I was surprised to see happen. All of our friends are amazed, the feeling from them is different as well. And not being the fatest of the group has changed the dynamic as well. For the positive for the most part. I think someone at work hates me more now because I'm way thinner than I was...

Ok, so this might be a little odd since pretty much all the posts about "hair" are about hair loss, so far, a few weeks shy of 6 months and I haven't had any hair loss. I have noticed *MORE* Hair or at least the appearance if more hair... body hair. Has anyone else noticed that their body hair appears to have increased? I read that it might be pore density, which sounds plausible at least, the whole, same amount of hair folicles/pores that are now closure together due to the weight loss. Anyone else have any thoughts, insight, comments, experiences with the appearance of more body hair?

Congrats!

That's another potential! Reductions in estrogen from fat loss will cause the ratio of estrogen to testosterone to change.

Updating as promised Had my 6 month labs drawn and they **ALL** Came back within the normal ranges, nothing was low this go round.

I've been using Patch MD patches since before my surgery. I just had my 3 month check up yesterday. And yes, for the most part, they work. The 1 vitamin that I'm still having issues with, even with the patch, weekly doses as well as daily chewables, is vitamin D. I'm deficient (Tested at 19, minimum was listed as 30). So, every other tested level was within the "good" ranges, just that Vitamin D was low. I'm currently using the following vitamins: Patch MD MultiVitamin Plus - Daily Patch MD B12 Engergy Plus - Daily Patch MD Vitamin D3 - Daily Essential Stacks Vitamin D3 K2 "Sunshine Fuel" - Daily Biotin - Daily 50,000 IU Vitamin D2 - Once a week I've been cleared to stop everything else since my levels were good. So, for my situation, these patches have covered all but 1 of my required vitamin needs. I'm placing them on the outside of my shoulders, alternating each day. I would have liked to have some PatchMD information to go along with this review/post, but PatchMD refuses to talk to me, I've been reaching out to them every few weeks for several months and I've gotten everything from zero replies to told that management was going to reply (they never do), to that group is new, that group was on vacation, etc etc. (I was actually banned from their facebook page for some reason that they couldn't properly explain other than, "it must have been the new hire") All excuses, zero follow through. So Bottom Line. The patches do seem to work well enough, not as completely as they advertise, but well enough to justify continued use. PatchMD Customer support however... sucks.

Updating because I said I would. Just had my 6 month labs drawn and everything is still in the "normal" range. My D is back up thanks to additional supplementation, a few other minimal changes, but nothing more than a few points up or down. Interpret that as you wish.

Just had my 6 month labs drawn and everything is still in the "normal" range. My D is back up thanks to additional supplementation, a few other minimal changes, but nothing more than a few points up or down. Interpret that as you wish.

Your body will bottom out at some point, and that's when the "rebound" tends to happen. Pay attention to your BMR and daily burn and how much you are eating, if burn = intake, then the net result should be 0 weight loss.

Congrats! (and I do believe at this point you should be sleeved)

I took full body shots from the front, both sides and rear, with either just shorts or sweatpants on, glad I did too, because the changes are much more noticeable in those types of photos than in ones where the clothing is hiding or smoothing out stuff.

Pre-op sucks, no 2 ways about it sadly. It does get a bit easier the more you deal with it, and it really does make post-op that much easier. Stay strong, you got this.

Good Luck! Congrats! And here's to a smooth surgery and an easy recovery!

The app doesn't have the same features or functions as the webpage. And even though folks have requested that the app be fixed/ updated (myself included) nothing's been done about it.

It'll last as long as your body needs it to. Just keep doing what you are supposed to be doing and it will break.

Congrats! It is amazing how different people react to the surgery!

I don't actually pay attention to sizes, weights or volumes. To be honest, I don't even count calories. I just make or take small portions and eat slowly being sure to stop early if I feel "full".

No offense, but I'm going to follow the advice and instructions provided to me by surgeon and other medical professionals. And my 6 month labs showed within normal ranges again, my Vitamin D is back to normal levels, which you stated was impossible to see in such a short time, yet... my D went from being low, to being smack in the middle of the normal range. There were other level increases as well. So, for those that are interested and following, my 6 month labs all came back normal.

https://www.today.com/health/how-lose-body-fat-follow-time-restricted-diet-t136562