JCP

I am just under 5 months and my hair loss is bad now. My dermatologist says I've lost about half of it. But veterans say it gets better so I'm hoping that's true. If not, well, wig store here I come.

The one thing I've learned is to not make comparisons and do not expect your journey to be like anyone else's. Mine has been a real roller coaster, and probably most people here would say the same. Our bodies are unique, our lives are unique, so are our situations. At my two month appt I was so disappointed I burst into tears in the doctors office. At 5 months I could not be more pleased. Just hang in there and don't stress yourself. It will all work out. You will get there.

At 2.5 weeks I was freaking miserable and kicking myself. At 4.5 months, I am down 70 lbs and feel like a whole new world is in front of me. Please take comfort and know that is a common reaction to this journey and you WILL get past it and feel and be awesome!

Make sure you are not anemic. I am having trouble with it and get dizzy. They put me on the max iron dose.

Well it has not been easy! But this Wed will be my 20 week anniversary. I am down 70 lbs to 201. I hope to be at Onederland by the end of the week. Take heart, newbies! This is so worth it! You have so much wonderful life ahead!

Yes, I have had wine since month 4. Red wine. One glass every now and then. I was and still am not much of a drinker. It gives me no problem.

Don't worry. At 5 or 6 months you will not spend much time thinking about this. You will eat what you want. If I go out to eat, I get a normal meal, eat what I want until I feel satisfied (which does not take much), then I bag up the rest and have leftovers to snack on. I can eat a very good cut of steak now but in general I do best with turkey (meatloaf, meatballs, turkey rolled up with cheese and lettuce, etc). I've come to love cheese and almonds as snacks. The feeling of deprivation and obsession will leave you. You are going through the worst part. You will be great.

I am 4 months and water is working better but still not easy. I miss it. Used to guzzle it. It does get better.

I just bought an inexpensive small blender at walmart and have only used it a few times. I went from full liquids to soft (poached eggs, refried beans, strained soup) so really had little need.

My pain was really terrible for 2 weeks. Godawful. Then it suddenly got better. At 30 days, I could sleep in any position, move freely without pain. Please rest and take those pain meds. I promise you will get past it and be so happy you did it. It is temporary and so worth it.

I buy the vanilla. They are very sweet. The first few weeks after my surgery I had to gag them down but now I am fine with them. (4 months out) 30 grams each... Can't beat that.

I had no bowel problems or issues with nausea, however, I did have more pain than I expected. It was ok though. I took 2 weeks off work and took hydrocodone as needed during that time. The pain ended at two weeks and only soreness remained so I was fine going back to work. The only times I've had problems since is if I have eaten too much, too fast, or the food was too rich and that has been few as I've tried to be compliant. Please don't worry. I was scared; I think most of us were. I think you might be naive not to be afraid or at least wary. But the first month, which is the hardest, flies by and you will also lose a lot of weight. So don't be alarmed if you hurt, feel awful, have a hard time gagging down water or shakes, and can't get comfortable. It is normal and temporary and you are gonna do great! Keep your eye on the prize and God bless you!

Caffeine can tend to dehydrate you per my Nut. But I went back to small servings of coffee at 3 months. I just drink 1/2 a cup in the morning instead of 2 or 3 cups. No sodas though.

My husband took me to The Nutcracker last night. Sixty pounds ago it would have been very difficult. We parked a block away, then climbed flights of stairs at the venue, then down those scary little nearly vertical stairs into balcony seats. But I had no problem, even though I wore (not very high) heels. And I consented to having a picture taken. (Wildly out of character.) This surgery has saved my life in so many ways. I can't wait to see what next Christmas brings. Here's hoping you all had a wonderful holiday, and here's to our bright days ahead.

Poached eggs, refried beans, melted cheese, and a tiny bit of mild salsa.

Once onto food, I ate about every two hours at first, just a few bites of cheese, yogurt, etc, with protein shakes a couple of times a day and water throughout the day. It was tough. I had no appetite but would feel weak so knew I needed some calories. My stomach also felt weird, made crazy sounds, and I could not tell if it was hunger, I was going to be sick, or what. I think it's just the healing process. Now I eat 3 times a day (tiny portions) and snack on nuts and protein. I am 3.5 months out. It's a weird ride but it works!

Celery is pretty high in fiber; might be too tough right now. I've had some bites of salad (so fresh and wonderful!) as well as occasional fruit. They taste so amazing after going without them. I can't wait for the day I can have a real salad, even if a tiny one.

@@laurenella82, no, I had not reached that point but my mother had it in both knees and was in a wheelchair for the last 10 years of her life. (She passed in 2009 at 80.) Seeing all she went through is what got me started on this journey. She endured so much. I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Perhaps you can have a replacement?

I used beef bouillon cubes in hot water. Easy on my tummy and the warm liquid was satisfying. Had that and protein shakes, 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery. Lost 27 lbs that month.

I was sleeved 9/10. Am down 60 pounds. I am feeling pretty good except a little weak from anemia. How did everyone do for Christmas? Fortunately we went to friends' so I didn't have to cook. Ate a tiny amount. No dessert. So far so good. Merry Christmas, everyone!

I'm freezing all the time too and shrinking from my extremities inward. My wrists and fingers are tiny now. I can cross my legs. I've lost a cup size. Gone from XXL to L. All great! But I am deflating and getting saggy! The dreaded turkey neck! Oh well! I feel tons better, my labs are good, and I no longer fear diabetes, heart disease, and osteoarthritis in my knees!

Houston, Tx

My surgeon requires his patients to stop and it was part of our lab work. I think he requires 3 months but I'm not sure of that. He is very strict so I know if any caffeine showed in the final labs, he would delay it. I was delayed a month due to anemia.

Mine started at 8-10 weeks and it is significant. I am 3.5 months out.

I had wings at about 2 months. Never again.