Sleevestriss

Hi everyone! This is simply another post about hair loss! Before I had my surgery I read thread after thread about the hair loss that almost everyone has post operatively. I thought I was prepared and could handle some hair loss....afterall the benefits of the weight loss far out weigh a little bit of hair loss. However, I was not prepared for how much hair loss I would actually have...its been depressing. I started losing my hair around 3-4 weeks post op. not alot at that time but it was noticeable. I'm currently 18 weeks post-op. I've lost 42 lbs...the weight is coming off very slowly and the hair loss has been massive. It worsened at 3 months and has been getting worse each week. Before my surgery my hair was average thickness I could loop my ponytail holder 2 times, now I'm looping it 4 times. I'm going to attempt to post pictures of my hair loss over the last two days. I've increased my protein and water intake I get 80-100 grams of protein daily (I recently started using New Whey Protein shots just to see if they would help) and I've been taking biotin 10,000 daily, my multivitamin, B12 sublingual tabs and I've almost finished the bottle Shen Wen Hair Regrowth formula. Nothing has helped it's only gotten worse. My hairstylist told me hair grows in 3 month cycles and it would grow back so I'm keeping the faith but I'm afraid I'm going to be totally bald by the time I hit 6 months post op. I'm sharing this with others because I want those considering or prepping surgery to be aware... I would still have the surgery over again. I'm not trying to discourage anyone from changing their minds about the surgery my goal is awareness.

Thanks everyone I appreciate your encouraging responses. I'm feeling better! I am going to try washing it every other day instead of every day for awhile and see if that helps. It seems worse when I shampoo we shall see. Thanks again!!!!

Does anyone know if the New Whey Liquid Protein shots (or any other protein shots) are beneficial? They're 3.8 oz, 180 cal, no carbs, sugar free, caffeine free, lactose free, gluten free and they have 42 grams of protein. Has anyone else tried them? They don't taste very well...in fact the taste is rather gross. But I managed to choke 1/2 of one down tonight. I had surgery May 6, 2013 and I've slowly lost 40 lbs thus far since day of surgery but I'm still struggling to get my protein in. Thought I would try these shots. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks everyone!

Keea, Im sorry to hear about your "break" with your guy, I really am! But....its his loss girl. You deserve better. If he's basing his feelings on how you look and losing too much weight, he's not the guy for you. Don't waste your tears or time on him... You have struggled this far and gone through major surgery for yourself...to give yourself a better healthier life. If he can't accept the new healthier, happier you...it's his loss!!!! Eating is a crutch and we will hobble along on the crutch as long as we let ourselves. Redirect your thoughts and your energy into something that makes you feel good or happy. A mani/pedi always works for me...treating myself to something thats just for me is my reward. When I start feeling the blues hit...I go out and wash my car or pull weeds in my flower bed or take a walk or exercise. Yesterday it was raining so I cleaned out my closet and found joy in the clothes I could get rid of and later I pulled out a jigsaw puzzle to keep my mind from thinking about food. It helped. I also search youtube and watch gastric sleeve videos...they are always encouraging too. Be Good to yourself YOU DESERVE IT!

I get the 20 oz gladiator with 2 fruits and a Multivitamin added and my total is usually $7.50+/-

According to the veterans on here most of them say it grows back. I'm certainly hoping so. My hair stylist told me....hair grows in 3 month cycles. He said shock to the body from the surgery and the nutritional deficiency starts affecting our hair at approx 3 months out and it can last for appox 3 months and then will start growing back in as our body adjusts and gets better nutrition/vitamins. Hopefully I won't be totally bald by then! We shall see.

Thanks FRED.. Yes I go to smoothie king almost daily during the week and I will pass along what I have learned about smoothie king. The 20 oz Gladiator smoothie is made with 2 scoops of Gladiator powder which is 45 gms of protein. I actually called the smoothie king 1-800 number on their website and discussed "fruits" they use. Most of the "fruits" used at smoothie king are sitting in sugary syrup or pureed with sugar. If you have these "sugary fruits/syrups" mixed in your smoothie it can be a 400-600 20 oz smoothie. The smoothie king rep told me when I go into a store to ask for their fresh fruit (each store should have a few fresh fruits daily) not fruit in syrup or if they have fruit soaking in syrup you can ask them to rinse it. I usually get the gladiator smoothie with rinsed strawberries and pineapple (the pineapple is usually fresh daily) with strawberry gladiator powder. (the powder comes in choc, vanilla and strawberry). Its good with the vanilla powder too. The nutritional value according to my fitness pal (I calculated 1/2 cup of fresh pineapple and 1/2 cup of strawberries, I figure this is close enough if theyve been rinsed): Cal 252, Protein 45.9, Carbs 17.6, Fiber 2.6, Sugars 11.1. I also have them add a Multivitamin to my smoothie. In addition I have bought my own gladiator powder and I make them at home on the weekends. I use 2 scoops powder 1 whole cup fresh fruit approx 1/2-1 cup ice, approx 6-8 oz Water and 1 tsp sugar free torani syrup they taste almost the same as the store! (the container says to use 16 oz water but this makes a large watery smoothie) I like mine the consistency of a milk shake.

Thanks for the responses everyone!!! I will ask my NUT but won't be seeing her until I'm 6 months out. I previously tried them for a day or two when I was a few weeks out and they did give me diarrhea at that time. This time.... 4 months out...so far so good! I purchased mine at HEB, a grocery chain in Texas but I have seen different flavored ones at WalMart. I've seen grape and acai flavors. Tonight I tried the fruit punch flavor yuck!!! But I need to get more protein, my hair is falling out by the handfulls. I had to clean my comb 3 times after washing my hair tonight and I have some bald spots developing. It's depressing but I keep looking at the prize....weight loss.

Now that made me LOL hysterically Lipstick Lady!!!!

I tried 2 different brands of whey protein shots and neither of them looked like that! I kept them in the fridge, they tasted better cold and I mixed them with sips of vitamin water to choke them down...they had a very overpowering flavor. However, I only took them a few times because they gave me serious watery diarrhea....so beware. Hopefully you will have better luck with them.

I am post op 5 1/2 weeks, had my band for 11 years. When I was first sleeved, I did not feel fullness, had no nausea, had no aversion to food, even asked my surgeon "are you sure you sleeved me?". I could gulp ice chips, water, fluids etc the day after my surgery without issue and still can. I never felt full with clear liquids, never felt full with full liquids, never felt full with mushies... I was wondering if my tummy was just too scarred and numb from having a lap band and all those complications for 11 years!!! I didn't feel fullness until this past week when I progressed to eggs, tuna, chicken, cheeses and soft vegetables after proteins. But, now I feel fullness after 1/2 of one of those little tuna trays that comes with relish and mayo I also add boiled egg to it (no crackers) and I feel full after 2-3 oz of chicken. My full sensation feels different, sometimes I get a couple hiccups, sometimes I just feel full, sometimes I feel like something isn't going down and its in the back of my throat. I ate my first protein bar (no nuts) yesterday and felt full, almost uncomfortable for hours. I hope this helps someone else because I was upset and cried for a couple days about it. At first I was dissapointed but I'm keeping the faith in myself and my sleeve!!!! Best of luck on your journey!!!!!

Due to multiple complications, my band was unfilled for a couple years prior to having my sleeve. I asked the Dr to please fill it a little prior to surgery so I wouldn't gain more weight before surgery. I explained to him that I knew me and my bad habits and knew that I would be having several "last suppers" prior to my surgery and wanted a fill to prevent me from doing that. He said "thats a great idea....however, I prefer to keep your band unfilled until surgery to help reduce post operative swelling and nausea...your recovery may be more comfortable if we just leave it unfilled" so....we left it unfilled and my recovery was uneventful. Thank God!

Hi Sooz, I am 5 1/2 weeks post op ( I was a same day band to sleeve revision) and my situation was very similar to yours. I didn't feel restriction at all when I was on clear liquids or full liquids and never felt full on mushies. I even asked my Dr if I had really been sleeved because I wasn't reaching the feeling of fullness. I never had an aversion to food, nor did I ever have nausea, I still had cravings etc.. I could gulp ice, water or liquids the day after my surgery the same as I did prior to surgery and still can. I was deeply disappointed, afraid I would be a failure at this and I knew that I couldnt rely on my will power again...it never worked before!!! I was so scared and concerned, stressed myself over it...cried over it. Now, I've been advanced to some solids such as tuna, chicken, soft veggies etc... at this stage I am feeling fullness for the first time. I can eat approx 3 oz of chicken and very few soft veggies. I can eat 1/2 serving of the little tuna sets that come with tuna, relish and mayo...I also add a boiled egg. I was able to eat whole protein bar for the first time yesterday. That being said, I've been quite disappointed with my weight loss...I'm 5 1/2 weeks post op and I've only lost 18 lbs. I've gone from 206# to 188#.(I'm 4'11") I had gotten to 186# two days ago but then regained 2#'s. Why? I'm not sure. However, I just keep reading these blogs, hoping, waiting wishing and believing...that its going to get better and I'm keeping the faith in myself and my sleeve. Lets keep our chin up together!!!!

I am 5 1/2 weeks post op and I have a similar problem too. I've been having a rash with small raised bumps on my shoulders, upper arms, back and lower legs. Drives me bonkers and itches alot, wakes me up. I was worried I had gotten into mosquitos, ants, chiggers or maybe even bed bugs on a recent trip. I've had this rash for at least 2 weeks...I'm relieved to read that I'm not the only one having this issue! I never even thought it could be a response to my surgery. I'm also having pimples on my face like a teenager and I'm 51 years old....now if my body only looked like a teenagers I wouldn't complain...but hey. LOL

Hi Everyone, I've followed VST for several years and finally joined. For years I've found this board so informative and helpful. Many thanks to all of you who have shared your stories, situations, ups and downs, victories and accomplishments! I'm positive there are many of us who are lurking in the background, learning, reading, watching, waiting and wishing. Fortunately, for me, I've jumped through all the hoops and completed all the pre this and that and I'm having my revision on Monday May 6. Heres my story..... In 2002, I "bought" a lap band... I'm 4'11", my starting weight was 202 lbs and my lowest weight was 135 lbs. I've had a love hate (mostly hate) relationship with my band for over 11 years, now I'm thrilled to have it removed. With my lapband, I reached 135 lbs by way of "overfills", puking and chewing and spitting my food. I never successfully found my "sweet spot". I maintained my weight for over a year around 2006 and had 26k in plastic surgery...lower body lift, breast lift, liposuction to arms, thighs, axilla etc.. HUGE MISTAKE. Shortly after my plastic surgery I began having serious complications with my persnickety lapband - vomiting blood, shortness of breath, chest pain etc.. Went to the Dr. after "band slip this and dilated that" (I was told about 5-6 different reasons) and various other band issues the unfilled my lapband and left it to heal. Once I had it unfilled, my Dr. went into teaching and was no longer doing any WLS. When I was ready, not one Dr wanted to refill or touch my lapband after my previous complications...they all recommeded removing and revising to RNY. I was reluctant to have RNY and decided to just deal with it. Over time I noticed, I couldn't wear tight pants, tight bra, or anything that was restricting, most anything that put pressure in any area of my abdomen left me miserable. This year I began to have some serious breathing issues...went through a multitude of tests, eventually was diagnosed with adult onset asthma...started on steroid injections then steroid dose packs, steroid nasal and steroid oral inhalers etc...the list is long and I could go on but to make it short...finally after more testing etc.. the GI doctor discovered that all of my issues have been caused by my lapband. I addition, I've regained all the weight, ballooned up to 214 lbs, and Im now hypertensive and prediabetic. It's been a turbulent ride!! My question is... has anyone else out there had their lapband for over 10 years when they were revised to sleeve? I've had long conversations with my Dr about the possible complications and risk etc...he has reassured me too many times to count. I have great confidence in him and I know I'm in good hands but I'm curious if anyone else out there has been down this road as well. Thank you!!!!

Congratulations...wishing you a fast and easy recovery. Keep us posted on your progress!!

Linda I do agree, I would think that the sleeve is still so new it would be difficult or uncomfortable to eat that much. I'm baffled. Or maybe I'm just inexperienced. I'm hoping it will get better in time but I'm just not sure.

Thanks MissMo...you look like youre doing really well. I'm thrilled for you!!! Hope I am as successful as you have been so far!!!

Thanks Curvy Girl. I'm 10 days post op now and losing but not really feeling much restriction. Did you feel your sleeve working right away? Or am I confused about how "full feels" after having the lap band for so long. I have had no nausea, no vomiting, no aversion to any food...I'm hungry. I've been able to lose because I'm basically dieting. Just curious did you have any of these issues?

correction....maybe I'm confused about what full feels like with the band that I had versus what full feels like now with the sleeve.

I mixed my isopuke with a box of SF strawberry jello. I cup boiling water and 1 cup alpine punch isopuke for the "cold" water. It tames the taste. You can still taste it a little but its 100x better than drinking it out of the bottle. I spent so much money on it I didnt want to waste it. But I promise you I won't be buying anymore of that nasty stuff.

I completely agree with you Linda, at this point, I too feel like I am just dieting and not sleeved. I'm pretty disappointed but trying to keep my hopes up and stay positive. At least I'm losing...and thats the goal. But also like you said in the initial thread, I'm worried about long term...and how am I going to feel in 10 months. Will I feel restriction at all when I'm able to eat chicken and more solid proteins? Like I said before, maybe I'm confused about what full feels like with the sleeve compared to what full is with the sleeve.

Oh and one more thing...I've noticed if I'm watching TV...I eat mindlessly. I'm not concentrating on each bite like I should be...that the worst for me.

I have had the same problem I am 10 days post op and have never felt restriction yet. Still struggling with it but I have found that placing my food, whatever it is is a 3 or 4 oz container and using a baby spoon has really helped. I also noticed that if I'm on the computer its much easier because I get distracted reading threads, emails, etc in between bites. One major thing I've learned is that I really thought I was prepared for this surgery. I've been lurking in the background for years studying, researching, watching, waiting, wishing but in all reality no matter how much you think you've learned and how prepared you think you are - each day is a journey each day I learn something new about myself and my eating habits, some good, some bad. Talk about a reality check!

I am SO glad you posted this thread. I am feeling the same way and I'm not even 10 days postop. I was a lapband to sleeve revision on May 6, 2013. I am 9 days post op and I feel the same way. I've NEVER really felt restriction. I feel like I should have had some difficulty eating or drinking at some point but this has not been a problem for me since the day after my surgery. I could get ice chips down in the hospital without any problem and have yet to really feel like I've been sleeved. I have been losing weight (10lbs. since surgery) but I think its been because I've done my best to follow most of the rules. I've never experienced nausea, vomiting or aversion to food. It's quite the opposite. I'm still hungry and feel like I could eat anything although I haven't done it. I called my MD and told him on Day 3 postop I couldn't feel restriction or fullness and he told me to go ahead and advance to a full liquid diet at that time. I had my one week postop visit with my MD yesterday, I explained to him my frustration and he said that I was most likely truly hungry and I may be needing to get in more nutrition so he advanced me to a soft diet hoping that I would feel full. I started that yesterday. Today, even though I want to eat, I fear stretching my sleeve so I'm stopping myself from eating too much now because I'm afraid I'm eating too much for 9 days postop. For example...I ate 1/2 of a low fat mini baby bell cheese, or 1/2 of a sugar free chocolate pudding or 1/2 of a small bowl of mashed beans. I've wondered if I'm confused on what "full feels like". I say this because with the band, you absolutely know full is painful, full is umcomfortable or full is vomiting. Also I've wondered if I've already stretched my sleeve because I can drink water/fluids without a problem. Unwittingly, I've caught myself taking bigger drinks than I should have and thought "oh no that ones gonna hurt" and it didn't. I'm confused and so dissapointed. In addition, as I was waiting at the Drs office the girl sitting beside me also had her sleeve on May 6 (she wasnt a lapband revision though) and she had no appetite, did have any desire to eat and sets her alarm on her phone telling her to eat! I admit, I was so jealous. I wanted to lose my desire to eat...ghrelin what? LOL I'm wondering....maybe I'm confused on what full feels like...could someone please describe for me? Is it possible that I having a dysfunctional lapband for 11 years has desensiized me to feeling fullness? Does that make sense or have I completely lost my mind along with my stomach?