NMJG

Well, despite getting in all my Protein, I've got major hair loss. I do have thick hair so it is not as noticeable (yet) but I've lost half my hair at least. I'm thinking of cutting it short. What did you guys do for haircuts when your hair fell out? Should I leave it shoulder length and let the new hair just grow in and keep layers? Do a pixie cut?

Jane, I'm not single, but you are such a cool lady, I had to comment. And I love your new profile pic. I wouldn't bring it up unless it was getting into the very long term committed stage with someone. You aren't that obese person any longer and people who have not been obese just won't get it. It's not a topic you can throw out lightly and there will inevitably be conversation around it that could be very weird. I'd wait until you know that person is going to be around a long time. Just IMHO. If you were always thin and just got a boob job, would you tell every guy you dated? I think not

Every body is different. Lots of people stall frequently. It's feast or famine so to speak. I am now weighing once every three weeks with my trainer. Too frustrating to weigh even weekly right now.

You are so ambitious Good for you! I started walking 30 minutes a day a week or so after surgery. After a month I upped it to 60 minutes a day. At 4 1/2 months I started strength training with weights and a trainer. I don't know if this is typical or not, it's just what I ended up doing.

Thanks everyone, makes me feel better. Guess I'll just wait it out. I've heard about the Toppick, so I'll have a back up plan if the top gets too thin. I doubt it will get bad enough for a wig, but who knows. When I lost a ton of weight 10+ years ago I lost a lot of hair, too, but no one noticed but me back then.

Those mini eggs are crack, I agree. And the Cadbury filled chocolate eggs. They are out waaay too early in my opinion. We aren't even past Valentine's! I need to stay away myself. I'm an addict. For many months after surgery I didn't crave candy at all, but now I like it just fine LOL. At least I can't eat much. Must. Stay. Away.

You'll be fine, you can do more than you think you can. We had to do all sorts of home health stuff when my son had cancer. I bet there are some videos on Youtube that will show you, too, if you want to watch some today. Good luck on your recovery. I don't envy you, dear, you have a hard road the next two weeks. Come here for cheering up!

yay for you! let us know how it goes! We are cheering you on!

brrr, it's chilly out alright. I take a long hot shower. If I can, I drive an hour away to the hot springs in Truth or Consequences, NM. A nice soak in 107 degree Water will warm me right up! A nice cup of tea is probably my more common way to warm up though.

Greek yogurt fixed savory style is my new fave, like cucumber and dill. I've also been trying out a bunch of new thick yogurts like Icelandic and German - available at Whole Foods and other higher end markets. They all have high Protein like Greek. Just watch the sugars, like Alex says.

I've got some new Snacks. Saffron Road Falafel flavored chickpeas. Yum! I have around 3/4 of an ounce for a snack. My new favorite in the afternoon. Simply Protein chips Dry roasted edamame (I used to have Crunchamame brand but switched to Wasabi flavored from World Market - much better) Swiss Miss diet hot cocoa (25 calories a pack - less calories than the sugar free Swiss Miss) it's really good with an extra shot of sugar free Torani chocolate or mint or orange or caramel or hazelnut or other flavor. You can up the protein with 4 oz. of hot skim milk added to it, too. I like this in cold weather. Low carb quesadilla: I use a Carb Chopper low carb tortilla with an ounce of shredded cheese, maybe some salsa or jalapeno. Low carb pizza: I use a low carb tortilla or flatbread, add a smear of Pasta sauce, a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, an ounce of shredded mozzarella, and some sliced mushroom or pepperoni. Split it with a friend if it is too big. Tzatziki dip with veggies. I get the tzatziki from Trader Joe's but you can make it from greek yogurt very easily. I dip with veggie stix. Hummus dip with veggies. I get the individual packs from costco. I can only eat half a pack at a time so I save the other half for tomorrow's snack. Mini antipasto plate: a couple of roasted peppers, a thin slice of cheese, a thin slice of salami or deli meat, a couple of olives. Deviled eggs. I'm buying the pre-made hard boiled eggs at Costco now for convenience. I pop out the yolk and mash in a touch of greek yogurt and some Worcestershire sauce and then pile the mush back into the whites. I also buy pre-made deviled eggs at Whole Foods on occasion.

My doctor did require us to be caffeine free and I found it very helpful. If you research it, you will find that caffeine both increases acid and your appetite. It helped me to be caffeine free when I was losing most of my weight and I recommend it. At almost 6 months I have the occasional caffeine drink a couple of times a week, but generally stick with decaf. I used to drink 2 cups of coffee every morning. Now I drink a lot of herbal tea and sometimes diet hot cocoa (swiss miss). One good thing, if I really need a caffeine boost, 1 cup of real coffee works great now.

NUT is a good idea, but the OP may not have a NUT. I suggest you go online to Myfitnesspal.com and start a free account. You can set up your calories and play with the percentages of fats/protein/carbs and it will tell you how many grams it comes to.

Casserole of frozen Italian style meatballs, julienned zucchini and yellow squash (I used a Zeiss peeler - makes it like spaghetti noodles, or you can use spaghetti squash), sliced mushrooms, can of chopped tomatoes, pasta sauce (look for a low carb type), with shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Bake at 375 for 40 minutes. I can eat 3 meatballs (about 3 oz) and some of the vegs. Easy.

Jane, it's normal. It gets better. I did not like eating at all until 4 months out at least and even now I sometimes find it uncomfortable. Just hang in there and be patient.

Scooter, you and I are at the end of the honeymoon! I only lost one pound in January. You might talk to your nut about refiguring your recommended intake. After losing 65 lbs. your body has different needs now. My nut redid my numbers in December. Just some thoughts from my own experience if you are interested in trying it: Make Protein a priority, at least 60 g per day if not more. I shoot for 60-70 and make it 95% of the time. I believe it really makes a difference. I have protein Snacks every day which helps get the grams up (milk, Jerky, protein chips, soy nuts, edamame, nuts, cheese, etc.). You know you need to do it, so just chin up and go for it. Reduce calories to 900 - fill in with low cal veggies & salad (which we can eat now) Your exercise may be adding muscle (and increasing weight) - I'm doing strength exercises now and I've gone down a size but no weight lost. I'm *hoping* extra muscle will translate to higher metabolism at some point. Keep measurements of yourself. It helps when the scale isn't very nice to you.

I had morphine the first day, but then switched to Tylenol and never took any of the pain drugs sent home with me. Morphine, codeine, vicodine etc. will all give you horrible constipation. The pain of that after surgery is way worse IMHO. Every body is different, but you should know how the drugs affect you, and at least you will be prewarned. PS I'm a big baby too.

I agree, MChic. I'm pretty happy with where I am at now, 155 lbs. and size 10. I feel great and I think I look pretty good, especially compared to my presurgery XXL self. So 60% gone is awesome. But, I know I want to get to 125 lbs. Before menopause I got down to 140 lbs. and stayed there for a number of years. I was able to stay steady at 140-143 during that time, but I always wanted to lose another 15 lbs. To my surprise, I'm rather small boned. Who knew? These last 30 lbs. are going to be a b*tch. Only lost one pound in January but I did go down a size.

plain old nonfat cottage cheese is a great alternative to protein shakes. a real life saver for me when I couldn't stomach another nasty shake. very high protein for the calories.

I am also at a Center of Excellence. Their stats are 60% of excess weight lost and kept off - I don't remember for how long. I was worried about this because I didn't want to just lose 60%, I wanted to lose 100%. They said 60 was an average. Many people lose and keep off 100%, but some people don't lose it all or gain back (when they don't stick with the program and change their eating habits). Those who followed the recommended eating plans had the highest success. I believe the stats are very different for each type of WLS. I think the nuts everywhere don't get as nitty gritty with the data as we do (and the doctors do).

whey is the most common protein for sleevers. whey isolate is an excellent source and highly recommended by bariatric clinics.

Thanks, BK, it's good to hear another voice. I really appreciate it.

I'm in my 4th week working out with a trainer 3x week. Whew! Exhausting for an old broad! Looking for some support here because I'm in a stall on the scale. It's depressing. Have only lost 1 lb. in January. I know intellectually you can't put on muscle and lose on the scale simultaneously, but it's frustrating!!!!! Need to hear comforting things from other people! Have lost inches: after 3 weeks working out lost 1 1/2" in the waist and 1" in the hips. The trainer measures, takes pix, and weighs me every 3 weeks. Won't get another update for 2 more weeks. Lean Body Mass is now at 111 lbs. (before surgery was 100 lbs. LBM and first check up after surgery I was down to 96 lbs.). So it looks like I am actually gaining muscle and losing fat. Strength and energy levels are so much better than before. Clothes fitting well - losing sizes. I am just so used to measuring progress by the scale. I am a few weeks from my 6 month mark and it's just so frustrating to still be 30 lbs. away from goal. I was finding it hard to stick with 800 calories a day with the weight training, so this week I have increased it to 900 calories. Doing around 75-80 g of Protein a day. Have also switched up to higher fats (45 g) and lower carbs (45 g). Hope this doesn't sabotage me. Wah!

Oh yeah, that's me. Slow slow slow. At my best it was 2 lbs. a week. Been in a stall all of January. It comes off, just takes a lot longer than the power losers on here. Frustrating when you are eating 800 calories a day and doing your exercises and you see people who cheat and still lose 4 lbs. a week. Keep your chin up!

I don't wait after a protein shake. However, I don't usually want anything for a while after a protein shake, either, so it doesn't come up much.