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My hair is thin, but I have (had) a lot of it. Now every time I get up from the computer or my beadwork table I'm cleaning up strands. Hope it slows down ... I've been pretty careful about my protein... But if it all falls out I'll get a couple of wigs. Hair loss is nothing compared to feeling so good.

Almost to my halfway point for weight goal- but know it will go much slower going forward. My 3-month appointment is this week ( a week earlY) and i am looking forward to seeing my surgeon and saying thank you (after going through the long list of questions I've been building) My only beef (and is a small one I admit) is that I am only down one pants size... 20 to 18. Blouse, rings, dresses are smaller - but can't believe only a few 16s will work now. Walking 2 miles a day. Had other abdominal surgery at same tome and have to get released (hopefully this week) for working with weights. Any suggestions?

Even if you're only a day post-op you know the surgery is not cheating. here's for a response to those who think we simply need diet, exercise and discipline -- and not that we need all that and more post surgery. Check out I Am Not a Cheater - and feel free to share it with your friends.

That was the study I saw , but knowing people are very invested in their beliefs on this issue I decided to round up and go with "less than half" of obese are food addicts. I think in any affliction there is a tendency to make "my" situation everyone's situation, but like cancer , obesity has a variety of origins and a variety of treatments. We, the obese who have chosen surgery as our path, are united in our solution and (hopefully) our support of each other. Just like there is no such thing as a "one size fits all" dress there is neither a one-size-fits all disease source or solution. I agree with the sugar issue . I grew up with a glass of soda (actually we called it pop) at every meal and horrible eating habits, but I had the metabolism to burn it. When me metabolism was changed in my late 20s , I didn't unlearn fast enough. Thank you for sharing research. I found the numbers in a secondary source, but I will be checking the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition from here out.

There are good arguments on both sides of the question by people with a lot more initials after their names than either one of us. A recent study showed that less than five percent of seriously obese people have a food addiction. But at the same time the AMA had heated debate over whether to classify obesity as a disease. I have been through some serious and thoughtful therapy in dealing with other issues = in two different states now -- with both providers telling me that food addiction was not my issue (although they certainly could come up with plenty of others.) I get hungry, but it is never triggered by commercials for food or others around me eating. My favorite food is the world has always been pizza, but I don't crave it now and don't care if my family orders it. I think we each have our own truth and chemistry and have to deal with it as it. Thank you for sharing your perspective.

De-stashing would be harder than dieting for me. I have a design of person in mind with everything I buy! Of course if I lived to be 156 years old I probably couldn't make it all!

Although it was not an issue for the first six weeks, I have been hungry all this week. I was in an easy routine of protein shake and greek (fit and trim) yogurt in the first few hours of the day. A 3P protein pack for lunch. A low-fat mozzarella or Light Babybel snack. A dinner of about 200 calories eating protein first. Then another protein shake for about 800 calories. I drink herbal tea and crystal lite all day. My body has apparently decided it wants more and I'm fighting not to surrender. I've gone seven weeks without a single cheat food. I doing about 2 miles a day on the treadmill. But this feels like all the diets before the surgery. Has anyone else gone through this, how do you get past it?

When I'm in the middle of a project or traveling I love those "3P" packets with cubes of ham/turkey/chicken, nuts and low-fat cheese ... 17-19 grams of Protein and no hassle. Environmentally I know it's not great to have the individual packaging, but it is so easy and satisfying when you get busy.

Congratulations! You look terrific. Thank you for the inspiration you are giving to those of us behind you on the road!

I come from a long line of addictive behavior. My mother died from prescription drug abuse. I have always been overcautious in all matters but food , and now I'm getting a handle on that. My husband and I previously enjoyed wine as a hobby, belonging to tasting groups, seeking out new wines etc. We've probably toured more than 100 vineyards.We usually had a glass with most evening meals. I stopped any alcohol on my pre-surgery diet and I'm surprised that it doesn't bother me when he has his wine with meals now. I don't mind being the designated driver when we are out with friends. I'm relieved to see it's going pretty easily. My doc and NUT say no wine until July for me and I will approach it very cautiously when I do thanks to the warnings I've seen here. I had a very near disaster driving home the other day -- a car that was heading for me overcorrected at the last minute and flipped the car on the other side of me. Both cars were totaled and I heard later that people were life-flighted out. The minute that I recognized I was OK - even with my heart pounding out of my chest - the first thing I wanted was to stop at a restaurant and "pull myself together "(actually eat something to calm me down). When I talked myself out of it, I had a strong need to go to my local bead shop. I do seed beed and other jewelry design as a hobby, but have noticed my materials stash is really been filling up since the surgery. When I get tense or frustrated I head to my studio room. Doing it definitely soothes me and likely is a substitute addiction. But the good news is beads don't take up much space and my friends, family and I get some great gifts out of my "safe" obsession. But I'm watching myself on my tools and materials spending with weekly limits. Having an addictive personality, no matter how much support and/or therapy you have means always walking a fine line.

Make sure you are getting all your water/fluid beyond the protein, that was my biggest challenge and played a big part in wearing me out. I'm at seven weeks today. Two weeks ago my NUT said 600-800 calories is good for where I am now. Talk to yours about possibly upping your calories. Once those things were adjusted for me things got so much easier. More energy than I had before the surgery and no recent ( fingers crossed) lengthy plateaus.

I was sleeved March 3 and came home from the hospital thinking I had a really easy time of it. The other day I found notes I'd written on my iPad when apparently my potassium levels were bottoming the night after the surgery. They called the surgeon, there were all variety of STAT tests, responses and reviews . By morning things had leveled out and all was well. The funny thing is that I remember absolutely none of it. I am a journalist by training and my notes were very detailed. I even called the hospital to see if perhaps I'd recorded a dream, but that all did indeed happen. The point of this story-- don't let any of the immediate post surgical aches, pains or events shake you. Some people have all kinds of issues, some seem to have none at all. Neither is an indication of the success you and your sleeve will have in the months to come.

Rationally I knew stalls would happen but I have been so careful and compliant this last week, increasing my exercise every day, keeping calories down (400-600) and Protein up -- but I have been stuck for six days now and I don't remember even sitting still this long on traditional (ok, failed) diets in the past. For the first month I took pride in looking at my food and exercise totals at the end of the day, but now they only tick me off. I know I should hide the scale and get on with it, but I am so looking forward to getting to a place that is actually noticeable to others, 40 pounds is still a drop in the bucket.

I just boxed up 2x/20 winter clothing in hopes of donating it to shelters next fall. One thing to keep in mind ladies if you have nice office or interview type clothing... Women's shelters that take clothing donations usually get a lot of small sizes, but are usually looking for nice clothing in larger sizes. This way someone else wins when we lose.

Can't do any weight or most gym equipment as hernias are still healing , but am enjoying walking on treadmill and usually feel great afterwards. Looking forward to long walks this summer...

I'm five weeks out now and protein shakes of all types still run right through. No problem when I had them in Pre-surgery diet, but now ... it's just a question of some reacting not as quickly as some of the others. NUT says it will get better . I stepped away from whey and tried other proteins to no avail. But it is better than it was...

Did I ever! I was sleeved on March 3 , home on the 5th and by the 6th the combination of insomnia and pain meds had we wondering whether or not I was awake and what was real!Pulling back on pain meds and getting regular sleep helped a great deal. No more problems since that time. On the other hand, even though I had no problems with protein shakes on my pre-diet , since the surgery every protein shake, nectar etc goes right through me.last few days struggling with weakness. Yogurt, string cheese by the string and seriously chewed small portions of chicken breast aren't doings. Seeing my NUT Wednesday -- counting on solutions. Down 25 since surgery , but need to get energy back!

I'm almost four weeks out and I still can't come close on my protein. I think I've been keeping my calorie count too low 200-400 My energy has been ok until last night I hit a wall and felt so weak. We are on the last leg of a two week road trip and I will be seeing my nutritionist on Wednesday. Every kind of protein powder or shake I've tried goes right through me. Any suggestions on getting through these days until Wednesday?

I am two weeks post op and leaving Wednesday on a 14-day car trip - Texas to Virginia - Virginia to the Georgia coast - Georgia to Orlando and then back to Houston. My surgeon suggests I take baby aspirin when my anti- blood clot shots are done and get out and move around regularly. Looking for guidance from your experience on travel after surgery. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Be prepared for frustration and "buyers remorse" on his part during the first few weeks. It's all normal and expected. You are not only going to have to be his cheerleader, but help make sure a variety of the foods he can have are in the house. He has to own his success, but you can be a big part of it.

In 18 years together , my husband has bought clothing for me once. Many years ago I tried on two outfits and came out of the dressing room with each. When I told him which I selected he said he really likely the other one and would buy that one for me. I outgrew it within a few months and finally he figured out why I wasn't wearing it and stopped suggesting it for various occasions. I weighed about 230 when we bought it. Last night I was packing for a two-week road trip knowing it would be cooler than expected so would need jackets. I pulled down the jacket from this suit thinking if it wasn't too bad, I could wear it open. And it fit! Buttons closed and all. So did the skirt! I'd been frustrated with a stall for the last several days, but the fact that this outfit is packed is positive proof that things are changing. I thought the only place I was losing weight was my hands! Going to have to store my rings shortly until I get close to goal and can have then resized. Good things are happening to all of us. Just have to keep our heads in the game.

I got down to 248 quickly after the surgery what was not taking in enough fluids. When i brought fluids where they are supposed to be went up to 252 and have been stuck there for a few days. Really reallylooking forward to getting under 250 - the right way.

I had a large hernia , I kept asking my surgeon if he would be able to take care of it and he said he'd see how things were once he got inside. He ended up repairing multiple hernias and adhesions as well as the VGS - all with laproscope. Two days after surgery I felt better than I had in years. My abdomen was green and purple with bruising for several days, but that's clearing up . It will be awhile before I head back to the gym for anything but tread mill, but I still have a better range of motion and less pain than I had pre-op.

Did anyone else notice we have all lost about the same amount of weight?