simplejaxgirl

Hey DeeDee I remember starting this journey close together when we were 'newbies' Congrats on your amazing loss! You are looking fan.tas.tic!!!! Keep up the great work! I still feel like a newbie sometimes getting fluids and Protein in, but its slowly over time becoming a lifestyle change! Best of Luck! -Cassie

YOU. GO. GIRL.!!!!!!!!!! You look great!

Oh dear Judy <<<HUGS>>> This was one of the most challenging times for me also fighting the battle with head hunger rearing its ugly HEAD! This WILL get better, but it WILL take time. Avoiding these triggers is a great option for now. :-) Today I had a conversation with my NUT and asked how long I would have to battle the 'head hunger' and/or food fight...and she said FOREVER, imagine my mouth drop... I keep telling myself that they only did surgery on my STOMACH not my brain/thoughts.... Keep your chin up! Here on VST we are rooting for you! Best of Luck! -Cassie

I am just over 6 months out and have my hair processed (colored/highlights) every 6-8 weeks. Hair loss for me started at 3-3.5 months and stopped about 5 months. Getting hair colored/processed had no effects on the falling out process... And I just lost fullness/thickness not chunks of hair...only I could tell when brushing/washing/styling etc...it's now got the short 'whispys' where hair re growth is happening. Keep open communication with your stylist as he/she should have experience in hair loss and can give you tips and recommendations for styling to minimize the look of hair loss, products and Vitamins to help etc. Good luck and don't worry too much! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Great job kristie, how are you feeling? Sent from my iPhone using VST

Thanks Sent from my iPhone using VST

6 months update: First/2nd pic: 1st pic is day before surgery, second is today Face pic is march (3months out) vs today )) Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm just over 4 months out and between 1000-1200 calories right now. Seems high but when I was at 700-900 I stalled upped it an have lost steadily for over a month. I don't focus on any particular food just eat when hungry and drink 70+ oz of fluids... Sent from my iPhone using VST

I believe you can dehydrate with a regular oven it just takes a bit longer. Google search dehydrate in oven. No extra cost :-P This appeals to me for the lower sodium content I love jerky but the sodium is sooo high in some... Sent from my iPhone using VST

Thanks, I think I'm doing alright. Seems that most of us dec's are at the 40-60 lbs lost range. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I record in MFP daily the ups and downs. It helps me see long term. My long term actually looks kinda like a staircase. Loose stall, stall loose. I've almost gotten used to the pattern and try not to focus on it too much. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Heyyyyy Missi, 12-5-12 here down 50 lbs. doing pretty good, starting to shed hair, which I expected...other than that eating most anything. I get in a lot of fluids (70-90 oz per day) Sounds like you are doing great!!!!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

I find that it's hard to tolerate the 'preservatives' that they put in things...and that I'm craving freshly made food vs pre packaged...weird..I was not big on sodas before surgery and lately I find most things like crystal light have such a funny taste, so I've been mostly sticking to plain Water. Sent from my iPhone using VST

They are by nature made called vita melts, come in French vanilla flavor and I got them at cvs. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Interesting. This sort of explains why someone only a week or month out from surgery and only a loss of 10-30 lbs of excess weight can come off of diabetes, blood pressure and other medications? Would be nice if they put a bit more research into it Nice find.

Hi KJ, Congrats on making the decision to change your life and choose to get healthy. I think that it is perfectly normal to have these fears and to feel extremely overwhelmed before surgery. I was a mess before surgery with all the fears, and anxiety. Do you take anything for that? I also think its very normal to have a 'food funeral' and many people on here do eat many of their favorite things before their surgery, I myself did! I would like to offer a personal perspective on this...I had this mindset before surgery that everything would go wrong, nothing would work (thoughts after many years of failed dieting etc), surgery complications etc. I think for me at least that this surgery means that once I am able I will choose things in moderation. I find that if I am craving something, I have a bite or two, and am completely satisfied with that. I do struggle with head hunger, and I also think thats fairly normal. I had no complications, I am down 50 lbs, and CAN basically eat anything at 3.5 months out, with that being said, most of the time (90%) I choose to eat the healthy things. As far as career, I think that once you get through the initial few weeks you will be just fine. Good luck in your journey! Wishing you much success in the future! I know its hard, but try not to worry so much! (This coming from an extreme worrier!) -Cassie

yayyyyyy for fitting! Sounds like a ton of fun. Glad you had a good time

Hi Canada, First off, you are very courageous and brave for telling your story here. I am so sorry that you had to go through the trauma of the first surgery and feeling like a failure when it truly was not fault of your own. Good for you for being your own health advocate, getting a second opinion as well as continuing your care and getting re-sleeved. I know that your posting here will help others. I wish you continued success on your weight loss journey, and if you need to talk feel free to reach out! -Cassie

Flinstone Complete Chewable 2x daily PPI - Prilosec 1x day Iron Biotin Sublingual B Complex Vitamin D Sublingual Vitamin B12 Sublingual Calcium Citrate 2x daily

Great Job!!!! ) You are doing wonderful!

Best nsv! Good for you for getting out even if it wasn't the best way. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I was cleared for any foods at 8 wks post op, however with the caution that as i tolerated it. So I'd say if you eat slowly and see how you feel, and you feel ok, then go for it! I'm 3.5 months out and some raw veggies, lettuce and dry meats type stuff don't always sit well. Sent from my iPhone using VST

You look fabulous and so very slim!!!! Sent from my iPhone using VST