Satchel

January 11th was my one year anniversary. I am down 109 lbs. with 36 lbs. to go. Slowly, but surely. A tummy tuck should take a few pounds off, as well! lol

This will be my 11th month post surgery. So happy I had the procedure. I have two non-important questions, but they have been on my mind, nonetheless. Will there come a point where we can use a straw, and secondly, will we ever be able to eat popcorn? I know the reasons for not using or having either one in the beginning, but what about a year later? I will ask my surgeon the next time I see him, too.

I can identify with the hair loss, as I went through that myself. After several months, getting more Protein, and using Biotin, my hair seemed to grow in thicker and wavier. I am not complaining, though.

Thank you all for your responses. They were very helpful.

I agree with ItsMe2033. I would not text him back, however, if he calls you, I would be direct and to the point. Tell him, "Thanks for the invitation, but I am not interested, as we really have nothing more in common." The less said, the better.

You may need the opening to your stomach widened. I am not sure if I am describing it correctly, but that happened to me and my surgeon went back and slightly widened the opening, I believe. It really did help. Do not give up. It will get better.

I take vitamin D3-2000 and Centrum vitamins for adults over 50 which has 400 IUs of vitamin D. I recently purchased Caltrate 600 with Vitamin D3, 1600 IUs per day. Is this a toxic amount of vitamin D? Or, should I ditch the Vitamin D3-2000, taking the Caltrate 600-D and Centrum vitamins only?

Thank you!

I have heard many people say they wish they had had gastric sleeve surgery sooner, and I am one of them. I gained the majority of my weight after I got married and after childbirth and never took the weight off. After occasional attempts to lose weight without success, I researched the lapband and with my husband, daughter, and surgeon, eventually decided upon the gastric sleeve surgery. At age 55, it was the best decision I have ever made other than marrying my husband! At first, you do wonder what the heck you were thinking, but after a short period of time, that goes away when you begin to see and feel the results! I am 105 pounds down and 40 more to go. The weight loss is taking longer now, but I am feeling so much better. My surgeon and nutritionist are very helpful and supportive, as well. He says to me at the end of my every three month check-up, "I hope to see less of you!" At 33, and feeling the way you do, this is the best time to follow through on your decision. God bless.

That is pretty clever. Now for some recipes? :-)

I have had that experience several times and still do. Getting nervous, I would tap on the area of the chest where it felt stuck. Not that that helped, but it was a reaction on my part and I always think it helps. The main thing is not to panic. I was going to tell you to try a GasX strip, but you have already tried Pepsid. The previous poster said hot tea. That is good, too, and small sips of water. Walk around. It will pass, but if you feel overly anxious, call your surgeon or nutritionist.

These are the names of the cookbooks referenced in my surgeon's "Patient's Education Booklet." 1. recipes for Life After Weight-Loss Surgery, by Margaret M. Furtado 2. Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery, by Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray 3. Before and After - Living and Eating Well After Weight-Loss Surgery, by Susan Maria Leach This cookbook I ran across on amazon.com when ordering the other cookbooks: 4. Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook for Dummies, by Brian K. Davidson 5. Cooking with Kaye: Methods to Meals Protein First Recipes You Will Love, by Kaye Bailey She also has a pocket diet journal on her website. She is also on Pinterest.

You look great! I was also sleeved on January 11th. Am down 95 lbs, but have stalled. Will keep working at losing my last 50 lbs.

I'm a high school special education teacher in Michigan. I had my surgery in January, however, had a few issues with protein and dehydration. Was out from school until Easter. Everyone was very supportive of me when I returned to work and they could not believe how different I looked. I had a few teachers tell me they were considering the same procedure.

Congratulations! That is the goal my doctor and I have set for me, as well. Cannot wait to get there!

Sleeved on 1/11/13. Started at 290, now at 195. Down 95 pounds with 50 more to go. Much slower process now, but I feel so much better, and taking one day at a time.

Thank you for the article.

My hair loss also became noticeable at four months. I am at six months now, and still have some hair loss, but I am thinking positive that it will subside at some point. The above replies give me hope.

I cried the first time in the fitting room when I could shop in the regular ladies' size section!

It really does not last long, although it feels as though it may last forever. It doesn't. The only time now that I get foam where I have to spit it out, is when I over-eat (my nose runs, too), or I did not chew my food long enough. I find when I am drinking more water or fluids I have less foam, as well.