Marisa1972

Thanks for posting this question because I was about to post a similar one. I am about 13 months post-op and, like many of you, I had nice thick hair before surgery. I too feel like I have lost 50% of my hair...and I'm still losing it. I notice that I have a lot of shorter hair, which, I assume is hair that was lost and grew back...but, again, it is still very thin and I feel like I look sickly at times because of it. I do get my Protein in most days, as I still drink (and actually enjoy) one Protein shake a day to ensure that I'm getting what I need. I also take Biotin...and now I have gone over to using the Biotin & Collagen shampoo a few times a week because I figured it couldn't hurt. I'm not a tea drinker, so that suggestion is out for me. Anything else anyone is doing that might help?

Hello all. I am coming up on my one year anniversary and I have had a pain on my left side for the last few months. At first it would come and go, but now I have it every day. When it occurs, it happens after I eat something. It almost feels as though gas is getting trapped (like something is twisted) and I try to push it along with my fingers by pressing on my abdomen, but it is difficult to pass. Has anyone else had this experience? I see my doctor in two weeks, but I'm really starting to worry something is wrong. Plus, it is extremely annoying to feel this pain every day. Otherwise, I couldn't be happier with the surgery results. Thanks for you responses in advance.

Unfortunately this is not it...I had my gallbladder remove 15 years ago. But thanks!

Thanks for the advice. I am taking 20mg of Omeprazole, but I might increase it, as you mentioned. I will ask my doc when I see him in two weeks. I am having both the acid reflux and pain....(more reflux than pain), especially at night when I lay down. I have tried to make sure to stop eating a full two hours before bed, but it is still bothersome. I never had GERD this bad, so maybe the increase in Omeprazole will help. I too have tried many many other things, but this is the only one that seems to work. I am one year post-op at the end of this month and every time I have stopped trying to take the Omeprazole the acid reflux comes back a few days later, so I have continued taking it. I remember initially my doctor telling me that at around the 6 month post-op point you can try to stop taking it and see how it goes. And here I am...still on it. I don't mind taking it if it works...but now that it has stopped working, it can be aggrevating. I did have a stomach virus about 10 days ago and I'm wondering if this aggrevated something...because I have had the reflux ever since. As for eating, I don't have much pain these days - just the "full" pain. When I feel that, I'm done. And I've been very lucky that I have never thrown up after eating...so I count my blessings. Overall, I've been happy with my results...even with all of the suffering...and would do it all again. Thanks again for your advice. It is nice when people respond to posts. Have a good day!

@@ArianaVoltairete, Thanks for your feedback. I have wondered if it was because I was eating too fast (because I know I do). So over the past few days I made an effort to eat more slowly...and guess what, no pain. Here is the interesting part. I haven't had any GERD since the surgery (and since taking my daily Omeprazole) - and now I'm having horrible acid reflux. I wonder why this is.....it is very strange. Anyway, thank you for your response. I hope this is what is causing me issues.

The pain moves around a bit, but always on the left side. Not near any incision sites. And I had my gall bladder out 15 years ago. The mystery continues.... thanks for your suggestions!

I had GERD for 5+ years prior to surgery. I too was concerned that it would make it worse. However, it has actually made it better. I still take a pill every day (omeprazole), however, now it actually works (vs. prior to surgery when it was hit or miss). With the medication, I virtually have no acid reflux. If I miss a few days, I can feel it. I am almost one year out. Good luck with your procedure, whichever you choose.

I did WW on and off for years and always gained it back. It became increasingly difficult to lose weight each time. I finally gave up and pursued sleeve surgery. I am almost one year post-op, feel amazing and actually feel like I have a fighting chance at keeping the weight off. This surgery is definitely a tool - a very helpful one - that will help you to achieve your goal, but it does require work. It was the hardest thing I ever did in my life. I sacrificed a lot - and I'm not referring to the food, but to the stress, time, and commitment it takes to go through this journey. I was in tremendous pain immediately after surgery - they gave me as much morphine as they could - and then for the first several months, I had pain with everything I ate. But you know what - - you forget about all of that when you are the happiest you have ever been in your life a few months later. All of the pain and suffering was well worth the reward. Good luck on your journey.

Thank you so much for the exhaustive guide - - love it! As you get more and more into this, you forget some of the "rules" that you learned at the beginning. I definitely need to be more strict with myself....but I think I'm eating the right amount at this time.

Hello all. I was sleeved on March 31, 2015, so I'm a little over 6 months out. I have received conflicting information from my weight management team and my surgeon team on how much we should eat at one meal. How much are you currently eating during a meal? Ounces of Protein, veggies, etc. I just want to make sure that I am NOT overeating....don't want to go down that road when it was a difficult one to get here. Thanks!

I have Highmark BS in Pennsylvania and was wondering if anyone could share their approval experience. I am currently around a 41 BMI. I am in month 5 of my visits and basically I have gone up and down by 1/2 lb. each month. Right now I am about 1/2 lb. down from my original weight. I have an extremely difficult time losing weight, which is why I haven chosen to go down this path. I am terrified that I will be denie

I have Highmark BS in Pennsylvania and was wondering if anyone could share their approval experience. I am currently around a 41 BMI. I am in month 5 of my visits and basically I have gone up and down by 1/2 lb. each month. Right now I am about 1/2 lb. down from my original weight. I have an extremely difficult time losing weight, which is why I haven chosen to go down this path. I am terrified that I will be denied if I only lose a pound or two, however, to stay at a 40 BMI, I can only lose about 8 lbs. before I drop below 40. Has anyone had a similar situation? I have been overweight my entire life, have tried to lose many many times over the years, but ultimately end up gaining it back. I am just so nervous about the whole insurance approval process. Can anyone ease my mind?

I have Highmark Blue Shield PPO (with a $1000 deductible). It only took about a week for me to get approval once they submitted all of my paperwork. I was surprised that I didn't have any problems. I had my surgery on 3/31 and no problems getting the sleeve approved. I hope you can appeal and get approved!

March 31st...if I get insurance approval. Having it done in Allentown, PA.

These are great suggestions - I'm glad I asked! My husband bought a VitaMix last year and it has only been used a few times...but I have a feeling it will be my new best friend soon!

Hi all! I'm still two months out from my surgery, but I wanted to get some ideas of what to mix my Protein with post-op. Suggestions? Also, for the two weeks prior to surgery, we are required to drink our Protein shakes with Water only - which protein mix would you suggest? I have a problem with textures, so I'm very nervous that I won't be able to find one I like. Thanks!

Thanks for your suggestions - keep them coming! I will have to talk to my NUT about mixing it with Water for the 2-week pre-op diet. I have no desire to drink a Protein drink with water only - hopefully I can use almond milk - or something of that nature.