CrazyJaney

4 months post and 77 pounds lost (including preop). My super thick healthy hair is falling out by the handfuls. It's also dry and brittle (used to be oily). I'm so glad to hear many say it gets better and grows back. I can't image how I'm gonna look by Christmas. It was very thick to start so hopefully no bald spots will happen but it is freaky. I still have 80 to go. Does it keep falling out til you stop losing or is it generally at the 9 month mark like I keep hearing? It's totally worth it though. Wouldn't change a thing.

This has been the happiest 60 seconds of my whole day reading this! Thank you!!!!

How far out from surgery are you? I feel for you. It's definitely the one trade off that has been hardest. I need a dry shampoo. Anyone have recommendations? I am trying to go to an every other day wash but my scalp is oily. I just find I lose twice as much when I wash every other day but at least that might help the brittleness. Fun stuff, ladies.

I'll be 4 months post op on the 13th. I have very, very thick hair. Or had. It started just before 3rd month. It's severe but mostly only me notices. I've been taking Bioten since 2 months preop. I've been using Biotin shampoo all along. None of that helped. It's also drier, frizz ire and breaks easier. I added Fish Oil about 3 weeks ago. Just had my labs done and everything was good except b12 and ferretin. It's coming out in big handfuls when wet and sheds all day. I was flat out depressed for about a week. But I've just accepted it. With the rate of growth on my face, legs, underarms and "down there", there ain't no way it's not gonna grow on my head eventually!!!! My NP said the average loss starts at 3 months and ends about 9 or 10 months. The growth cycle for hair is 90 days. I did read that anemia makes it worse? So even though my iron was ok, my other labs that are low contribute to anemia, so maybe, getting a handle on that might help me??? I don't know. 78 pounds gone is worth it. I have 80 to go. I just pray it comes back. Glad to hear that some have had improvement.

Suppose it's a lack of hormones. I'm almost 46 and have had hot flashes before but it was several years ago. Anyone have natural remedy ideas? Hormones aren't an option. GYN thinks I'm perimenapausal but didn't want to check levels since nothing else really wrong. They are starting to disrupt my sleep. Getting a little frustrating.

Gorgeous!

I'm one of the unfortunate women who've had to deal with facial hair for all of my post-puberty life. I've been plucking since I was 14 or 15. I realize plucking makes the follicle bigger but shaving causes ingrown hairs and I just can't bring myself to shaving. It's always grown faster during PMS times. So I'm suspecting this is hormone related. But 2 months out, my hair is thinning ( not too badly) but seems to be growing thicker on my face. And I'm getting a fine, light colored beard on my cheeks???? I had a consultation with an electrolosis person a few years ago and had planned to do it but I have a lot of light colored hair that they say it doesn't work well on anything but dark hair. At the time, I didn't want to spend money for it not to work. It's like I have Miracle Grow on my chin. Those of you farther out than me.... Is this the new normal? Does it get better? And for anyone who has done it, what are your results and thought from electrolosis???? Signed, The Bearded Woman

You ladies inspire me! I've lost 78 but have 85 to go. I'm 3.5 months post op. It seems too good to be real.

I agree that in "coming out" (for lack of a better word) we debunk the myths and support others. But, and this is from my experience over 35 years of struggling with weight, someone out there ALWAYS likes to watch the struggle and make you doubt your success. Not most, but the ones that do enjoy it greatly. Becoming your own best expert is important. Not everyone has the personality to let every comment roll off. I'm a boss with about 120 direct reports. I have THICK skin. But I'm not interested in processing every good and bad comment made about WLS or how I look. Yesterday, I encountered 3 nurses I've known a long time but haven't spoken to in a while. All of them have passed me in the hall and when we spoke yesterday, they were all "WOW, what are you doing, I wanted to tell you but I didn't want to say anything". It's like there was a hush-hush about it and it felt "awkward". Maybe it's being in management. Maybe it's answering the same question 5 times a day, but it just feels weird to discuss massive weight loss with people who don't "get" it. 1 out of the 3 probably would have "understood" why I has surgery. But I would have felt a need to "defend" it and honestly, I don't have time for that everyday. It's not something we should have to defend, yet you see 50 threads or more on here about that very topic. The quote: no one can make you feel inferior without your consent - is entirely true. But I don't need to defend anything. Again, I have a good size circle of friends and family who support me. But not everyone will understand, or care, or "get it", or be swayed by research. Time is precious. Especially now that i ENJOY life do much more. I don't want to waste a second defending this to anyone. I also think your we have laws about HIPPA for this very reason. I had half my labia removed due to a mass. It was extremely embarrassing to talk about. "Why weren't you at work?" "I has surgery in my vajayjay". Nope, not a conversation I chose to have with others. Anyway.... You'll find a ton of threads on here with tons of advice. You just gotta do what feels right for you. Maybe someday, there will be no more prejudice in the world. But today ain't that day.

I'm going through the "shock and awe" stage right now. I've lost 78. I have 82 to go so I'm not small. I started at 325. I've told "my circle" and those are the only people I'll discuss surgery with. I did not want everyone's feedback, especially preop. Your emotions about this decision (at least mine) were fragile, or at least tenuous preop. I was certain I wanted it but the anticipation of so much change was tough. I think to tell or not to tell is a personal choice. To do this successfully, you will be more committed than you can imagine (or any thin person who doesn't struggle with weight) can imagine. It's on a "need to know" basis. I needed a few cheerleaders but I don't need acquaintance or strangers opinions. I've been very successful thus far and there isn't a day at work that someone isn't in "shock and awe" so I have developed a "I'm eating less than 1000 cal, high protein/low carb and exercising" spiel. None of that is a lie. I struggle when a very obese person inquires. Maybe I should share? Maybe not. It's likely I won't because I have had similar experiences that you describe. The exercise and diet industry does not favor surgery. They make money off people paying for diets and DVDs and gym memberships. They are "experts" but I've yet to meet one who really understood obesity. Do what is right for you. But you will not get 100% support. YOU are strong. YOU CAN DO THIS. It's not others who will walk this with you. Good luck. The emotional journey is probably slightly harder than the physical. It is sooooo worth it though.

Hi guys! I was sleeved on 3-14-14 in Nashville. I'm 5'6. My starting weight was 325 (prob higher but never documented(. I lost 28 preop (just doing low carb, didn't have liquid diet). As of this morning, I've lost 76.8 pounds. So 50 since surgery. I track everything. I weigh every day. I work out only 3 times a week but hoping to increase that. I've hit many stalls. My hair fall out is BAD and I'm having terrible hot flashes at night (cold during the day). I feel fantastic otherwise. I eat no more than 50-60 carbs a day most days but then increase to 80 once or twice a week (berries, whole grain crackers). I get 60-80 protein a day. I see a bigger drop when my protein is 80 but it's hard to get. I rarely ever drink shakes anymore. Had my 3 month labs yesterday but don't have results yet. Life is good. I get frustrated at how far I have to go still but I'm on track. Exercise helps me look less flabby (skin is bad too - I could fly into O'Hare with these arm wings I've developed. I'll definitely wish for a pot of gold to have plastics later on). A bit discouraging to know I'm not even half way to goal. But I've come a long way! I feel great though.

Welcome all! I am 3.5 months post op. This was an invaluable resource preop and immediately post. It was so important to me, as a teaching tool, as a support system, recipes, guidance, etc. I have met people who've had surgery without using resources like this and I think they felt more alone. Keep reading, it really helps, especially preop and during those early weeks. I said it was like homework, I was on here every day learning something new. GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!! Glad you are here!

I had thrush too. Developed about day 4/5. I had the sore throat and horrible tongue. I did yogurt as soon as I could but I had to get a prescription for nystatin swish and swallow. It lasted a good while. I did probiotics about week 3 or 4. It WILL go away but it's a giant PIA. Good luck.

Another NSV I'm sure shared by many.... I went to my 3 month post op appointment on Friday. I was pulling into the parking lot at 1:57 and my appointment was at 2. It's a bit of a hike into the building (it's inside a converted mall). I hustled in and was there is on time. I sat down cool and relaxed and not short of breath. My BP was normal. Last year in August, when I went to my first seminar/apt I remember circling the parking lot to find the closest spot, feeling like I was walking "forever" to get there, was all sweaty when I got to the office and my BP was 160's when they checked me in. 75 pounds gone means I no longer look for the closest parking space and I won't look like I could be wrung out after walking. Just little things like this make you appreciate weight loss and health. I have a ways to go but I've come so far!!

Just heat. No sweats. It's one of those sudden flashes where you just feel intense heat but no sweating.

They are only happening at night. I'm otherwise less hot and sweaty since losing 75 pounds. I didn't have then last year at my highest. Could just be I'm moving closer to the "end" but just wondering if others have issues.

The most frustrating thing IS the hair loss. I have (had) super thick hair. Fallout is bad - real bad. I'm just over 3 months post so I'm fearful it will get worse. I hate this part - the unknown! I'm down 75 though and also riding a bike again so I'm right there with you in how great life is. Trade off I guess.

March 13-April 15 was about 20 pounds. Then about 10 per month the next 2. Those first two stalls are the worst. Hang in there. It gets better. And it is different for everyone. Try not to compare because that'll make you crazy. Just stick to the plan and program, you'll be fine.

It's the "3 week stall". We promise it passes. It's very, very frustrating but it will pass. Stick to the program.

Amazing!!! Congrats!

My normally oily skin has gotten drier (so has my hair). I started taking fish oil. Seems to have helped a little. I went through a ton of lotion the first 2 months. Month 3 is getting better.

Stick to your surgeons guidelines. There is really no way to safely avoid liquids and purée/softs in the early days. Nor the fatigue. It does all pass and in the rear view, it seems like forever ago (it was only March). We do make bad patients but try to be patient. The first month sorta sucks. But it gets so much better!!!! 75 down (47 since surgery in March). I can eat small amounts of anything now. But 6-8 ounces of anything other than liquid in the first week is a lot. I can barely eat a whole egg now at 3+ mo post. I tolerate eggs very well though. Yogurt, soup, purée beans are all good. Chose protein first and don't expect to be anywhere near goal yet. Good luck!

I've loosened up on carbs, just a smidge, and I've seen an increase in energy, improvement in my desire to exercise, and consistent drop in weight. I'm not sure what's done it. I'm now eating 900-100 with at least 60 of protein. Some days I'm under 50 carbs and other days I'm closer to 70. I feel better and have so much more energy. Then again, it might be the exercise that's driving it. I try to stay under 50 carbs at least 4 days a week. I've lost 75 and have 85 to go so I'm no expert. It's nice to know some can live in maintenance with some carbs. But I agree, most women of a certain age or body type, can't metabolize normal carb intake. Things like pizza are a slippery slope for me and would induce cravings.

Getting my very nice TREK bike down from the attic (hasn't been ridden in MANY years) and taking it to the bike shop for new tires. Have ridden with my son in the neighborhood which was so much fun. Now I am ready to use it for exercise. Very exciting! Still scared I will fall but it felt wonderful to ride a bike again.