glitter eyes

@hhbbmm4. I am 17 months post op and have had significant hair loss. Also my hair was dry, brittle, and lost its shine. Seems like I have tried it all: lots of protein, vitamins, biotin, essential oils, raw veggie juicing, coconut oil, emu oil....the list goes on What finally made a HUGE difference was I began taking liquid silica and then added powdered marine collagen. I add them both to my water. My hair loss is pretty much back to normal. Even better; my hair is shiny, and is losing is dryness and brittleness. Everyone is different but that's what finally worked from me.

For me it was fear of complications/and or death. I didn't want to die from the surgery and leave my girl motherless or my husband without a wife. Finally, I got where I felt so bad I didn't care if it killed me I was getting the surgery. I knew that my family would eventually lose me if I didn't get surgery because I would probably die early from an obesity related problem. I was getting short of breath with activity and had zero energy. It was no way to live... Fast forward 17 months and I am a new person- just wish I had done it sooner. I feel fantastic.

I think @@VSGAnn2014 wasn't trying to be a downer. We are all at different points in our weight loss process which means different things to us all. Ones who are early out or who are in the active weight loss phase are going to eat different from those of us who are in maintenance. I will eat very different this year at post op month 17 than I ate last year. If anything I think VSGAnn2014's comment should be taken as encouragement or like a "light at the end of a tunnel". Because sometimes people get to the point where food is just not important anymore and that's a good thing!! I really haven't thought much about what I am going to eat either. I will just eat what everyone else is eating, if I feel like it I will eat dessert. Eating perfect or eating unhealthy choices on a holiday is up to the individual. I just hope everyone has a Happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Hang in there. It is rough but you can do it. I agree with a lot of the other posters that staying busy really helps. I made sure to deep clean my house, cleaned out my cabinets and fridge. Also, sugar free popsicles and sugar free jello really helped me (if they are allowed on your plan). You can do- just take one day at a time.

Don't feel guilty. This is your time to heal and learn how to adapt to your new lifestyle. I took off four weeks form my job and then after only being back for two weeks I went on a week and half vacation. It was wonderful having all that time off to focus on myself. Good luck to you.

@@Babbs Just tried the Power Crunch bars!!! Amazing. Thanks for the suggestion. @@Kindle I tried the chocolate mint and they are great too!! I have a new snack!

I am 17 months post op and always freezing. I have an electric blanket on my bed and a heated throw for my living room- and I live in Florida. Seems like I never get completely warm.

146 today- 4 lbs down!!

@@Elode I am in the same boat you are when it comes to my mom. We are both nurses too like you and your mom. My mom is 66 years old and she probably weighs about 280-300 pounds. She has always been so active and never let her weight hold her back. Now that she is getting older it is catching up with her. She gets short of breath so easily. She is unable to walk long distances either. So when our whole family goes on trips she ends up staying in the hotel rather than walk around. I want her to have to same sense of freedom that weight loss has given me. It is hard to see her suffer. I will say a little prayer that our moms gain a path to renewed path to health.

Wow!! I would be upset at my husband too. Also, that "friend" seems very disrespectful. Sorry this happened to you.

@Kindle. Just the visual of that cat box... I was laughing out loud.

@BLERDgirl. I order them from Amazon. The marine collagen is called VEDApure The liquid silica is by Eidon brand

@@bellabloom what helped my hair so much was I added liquid silica to my flavored water. I also started adding a powdered marine collagen to my water. My was so dry, thin, brittle. It was like straw. After adding those two supplements my hair is now a little thicker. The dry brittleness is going away and it's actual shiny again. Glad to see you posting again. You were missed ????

@ Kindle. Wishing you the best of luck on your gallbladder surgery. Heal fast so you can enjoy those Thanksgiving leftovers????

Two things I packed that were lifesavers were: a small travel pillow to brace against my sore tummy And mouthwash. I took Biotene which is a moisturizing mouthwash, but I am sure any type would help. One of the above posters said Listerine helped her. It does keep the horrible dry mouth at bay. Good luck on you surgery

I have a healthy fear of regain too!! I constantly remind myself that this surgery did not CURE my obesity- it just gave me the push to help manage it. I agree with everything that Kindle said- her post was great. They are trying to make you feel bad which absolves them from facing the facts that they are gaining/haven't lost because of their choices and actions. It is hard finding the right balance during maintenance and it takes work. Every single day to live a healthy bariatric lifestyle which includes protein and small portions. Your success comes from the hard ass work you have put into it. Example: just a few Cheetos instead of half the bag!!!

Does a nail polish addiction count as healthy????

I think what helped me the most is about two months prior to my pre op liquid diet I cut out all sodas and caffeine. Then one month before I cut out all refined sugars. I didn't lose a lot of weight (I was a bulk eater); but at least when I started that two week liquid diet I wasn't having the headaches and cravings. It seemed to make mine easy. I had a friend who had her surgery a week after mine and she had a worse time with her liquid diet because she quit everything cold turkey. You can get through it. Focus on the end result and the fact that it's for your safety. Good luck!

@LuckyStar. The one I is VEDApure I order it from Amazon. It's a powder that you can mix in anything. I usually just mix it in a bottle of water flavored with crystal light drops. I can barely taste it. You could mix it in yogurt, protein drinks, etc. hope it works for you!! It made a huge difference for me

@@CowgirlJane I would be pissed off too!!! What a complete jerk. The nerve of that guy. He is probably charming because he has to be to juggle all his women. If the lame dresser guy works out- you can have some fun shopping for him!! Sorry your date took a nose dive.

That had to be a great feeling!! What a victory. Good work.

Haha- I just posted on another topic that I am addicted to Listerine breath spray. It keeps my mouth moist while I am waiting to drink after I eat. I also find that I am addicted to nail polish- seriously have to quit buying it for awhile. All joking aside (except I really do love nail polish); one my new addictions is kayaking. Absolutely love it.

One thing that I find helpful if I am thirsty right after I eat and it's not time to drink; I brush my teeth or I use a squirt of the Listerine breath spray- for some reason that moistens my mouth a little. I am actually a little addicted to my Listerine breath spray. I seriously can't live without it. Does that count as a crossover addiction LOL

One thing that helped me was I began taking liquid silica added to my water. Then I started taking a powdered marine collagen added to my water. My hair loss has slowed way down and some days I don't have any loss at all!! Also, my hair is shinier and softer. Everyone is different, but that's what worked for me.

Early on post op I would get grossed out and nauseated if a lot of food was on my plate. This would happen at restaurants. In the beginning I would order my own entree so I would have leftovers or my husband could eat it later. However, the sight of all that food on my plate would take away my appetite. So I began just nibbling off my husbands plate so I wouldn't have a huge portion sitting in front of me. It didn't last forever. I am 17 months post op and large amounts of food does not gross me out. Of course I can eat more now than at the beginning. Hopefully it will pass for you.