ShelterDog64

I've followed my food, Protein and Vitamin guidelines precisely and my hair started falling out about a month ago, at about 3 1/2 months out. I have very thick hair and it's down to about what a normal person has and it's still coming out. I've taken Biotin religiously since about 3 mos pre-op and it doesn't seem to have helped a bit. I will say that I've NEVER heard of anyone growing a beard from biotin. I'm shampooing less often and haven't gotten a Brazilian Blowout since it started shedding, to try to avoid any extra stress. It will stop falling out at some point, and if not, there are some awesome wigs out there...I can finally have the long, straight, fine hair I've always wanted, even if just for a while In the grand scheme of things, hair loss isn't that important, IMO. I'm off blood pressure meds and down almost 65 lbs...that's what's important!

@@Daniella5 I've been taking a multi, calcium, Iron and Vitamin D since I came home, 2 days post-op. It shouldn't hurt you in any way.

Why are you crying everyday? You're feeling bad from your pre-op diet? Do you have a therapist associated with your bariatric practice? You should NOT be this distraught heading into your surgery. You really need to talk with someone who can help you put your fears and concerns into perspective. A week before my surgery I was nervous, but it was that good, "I can't wait!" kind of nervous, like before your wedding or when you do a pregnancy test and you WANT to be pregnant...you shouldn't be crying and dreading it. It may be that the time isn't right in your life for something of this magnitude. I'm 5 weeks post op and have had the worst post op care. My NUT has actually stopped emailing me when I have questions and I don't actually have a follow up with my surgeon until next week. I've had no Vitamins as my paper stated I shouldn't take them until week 6. I use this forum a lot to help me through but I'm not getting the medical support I need. Sorry, I thought you were pre-op for some reason. I agree with OzRoo, you need to let your surgeon know about the NUT. It's surprising that you're not on vitamins, six weeks is a long time to go without them when you're eating minimal nutrition. I'm glad the forum has been helpful, but it can't take the place of good medical supervision...I'm sorry yours isn't better.

No, I didn't have a hernia Sent from my SM-G903W using the BariatricPal App If you didn't have a hiatal hernia repair, it's unlikely you have an esophageal stricture. And you are getting something into your stomach, which is very good! I'll reiterate: you need to see your surgeon ASAP. Good luck!

Ha, I thought maybe you had a toddler playing with your phone

@"MYWilliams" A sticture is the narrowing or blockage in your esophagus that can occur from scar tissue, after any gastro surgery. The narrowing or blockage prevents food and liquid from entering your stomach properly and can be quite painful at times. If not treated it can lead to malnutrition, dehydration and major anxiety about eatting or drinking. Sent from my SM-G903W using the BariatricPal App So, you had a hiatal hernia repaired as well?

@@atzvsg Fishgate is a silly thread that got going because someone got SUPER DUPER mad about something that was said and being SUPER DUPER mad, typed 'carp' instead of 'crap'. You can imagine the swirl around the drain that commenced Some of the most fun we have around here is when we all take a minute and laugh about how absurd we can all be...because we can all be pretty absurd from time to time!

@@elisa5150 You'll quickly learn who to go to when you need a no-crap answer and will have to just ignore the rest. There's a lot of filler here, but the good members are worth their weight in gold. I don't know what I'd have done since June without them, and I really think a huge part of my being successful since surgery is knowing I have 24/7 support here if I need it. And I love that you titled this 'Fishgate'

@@jillyd I posted on your other topic, won't repeat it here

@@jillyd Sounds a lot like my first month...dropped weight well but I never wanted to put anything in my stomach. I was never hungry and still have no hunger at all at almost 5 months post-op. If you need to, set an alarm on your phone and MAKE yourself eat a couple of spoonfuls of something every so often. It took me hours to get a whole container of yogurt down, but I had to do it. Add a scoop of unflavored Protein to it and it will help you get your protein requirement met. Eating purees is important in your advancing diet...you have to make the transition from liquids to solids in order to get to a more 'normal' place. I also blended my RTD shakes with ice, to lighten both the taste and texture. If you can tolerate colder foods, you may want to try it. I also added cinnamon to the chocolate shakes, to cut the sweetness a bit. Good luck, and you'll get tons of good ideas and support here. Congratulations on your surgery and the beginning of your healthier life...I'm amazed every day by how much better I feel, looking better is a bonus Welcome to the Losers' Bench!!

I don't know...Fishgate kind of sets the standard for the genre, don't you think?

These are mine, sweet pea

I'm almost 5 mos out and my stomach said 'oh, H*LL no' to all meat about 2 weeks ago. It's killing me...I love meat! I'm comparing this to my pregnancies, when I couldn't look at any raw meat without vomiting...that ended after the babies came. I'm pretending that when I get to goal, meat will be acceptable again. I hope :-/ And popsicles are my go-to stomach soothers, too

Oh, Hammer_Down, I hope our friendship isn't over! I've always loved rare/med rare beef and still love it in my head, but my stomach is on strike about ALL meat right now. I can't eat any of it without foaming and sliming and just having absolutely disgusting things happen to me. Beans and dairy are my mainstays right now, and I'm hoping to hell this is temporary!!

@@AmandaGillis When are you seeing your surgery team, or did you already today? It must be scary not being able to eat anything, and when you say Water hurts, are you still drinking? You have about one day with no fluids until your dehydration starts going past the point where you can rehydrate with oral fluids. Keep an eye on your urine, as it darkens, you're becoming more dehydrated. You need to be seen ASAP to ensure that you remain healthy, and if you truly have a stricture, to find out what your surgeon plans to do about it. Good luck, I hope you're feeling better soon!

@@kaydg ** No one changed overnight, no one has even 100% changed. All of us will make mistakes even at 1 year post. People assume you can't just do it once or a few times carefully, just because "ooo it's forbidden" it's not good. You know that, and have already overcome it- you are awesome. I couldnt, but didn't make it a habit.** Chewing food and spitting it out isn't a mistake, it's a behavior that has to be addressed, especially when the person doing it seeks like-minded people to share the behavior with her. And here you are, validating it because you did it too, apparently. Or are still doing it, but it's not a habit? As to the rest of your post, chewing and spitting out food is ABSOLUTELY gateway behavior to bulimia and/or anorexia, and can lead to rumination disorder as well. Particularly when paired with an event like WLS which is going to alter our ability to eat in a 'normal' way for a while, it's very dangerous. MOST always???? Hahahaha, I do love you <3

You're learning fast!! Goofball. xxoo I'm joking around, but you are most always right. People can't see past the lack of 'oh, honey, eat that moon pie' to get to the truth of what you say.

You're learning fast!!

I could not agree more about using a scale. I learned back in one of my Weight Watchers cycles that I stink at estimation. I weigh or measure all of my food and I'm always surprised by what 1/4 cup looks like measured/weighed vs 'eyed'.

It might be better for you and the other poster if you just ignore the multiple responses, then. It's been this way since the olden days of the internet when listservs ruled and no one had ever seen a fancy message board like this! Lots of folks read the original post and answer that, because they don't want to take the time or don't have the time to read dozens of responses but want to try to help you out.

Why are you crying everyday? You're feeling bad from your pre-op diet? Do you have a therapist associated with your bariatric practice? You should NOT be this distraught heading into your surgery. You really need to talk with someone who can help you put your fears and concerns into perspective. A week before my surgery I was nervous, but it was that good, "I can't wait!" kind of nervous, like before your wedding or when you do a pregnancy test and you WANT to be pregnant...you shouldn't be crying and dreading it. It may be that the time isn't right in your life for something of this magnitude.

@@GACaldwell It concerns me that you're off all of your meds with OCD/anxiety/depression and possible BPD. Is there any mental health care available if you go to your local ER vs waiting almost a month to be seen? Is calling your doc's office and telling them what you've told us here an option? This is all much more important, honestly, than your weight loss issues right now. With all of those mental health conditions fighting for primacy over your emotional state, it's no wonder you're not losing. In the meantime, it sure looks like you're managing your food quite well and not binging or eating off plan. Is getting outside and walking an option? It may help your seasonal affective disorder as well. I'm in the Pacific Northwest and when the sun comes out, I go out and get in it! And are you taking Vitamins, particularly vit D? Vitamin D deficiency complicates many mental health issues. Good luck, please let us know how you're doing as the month goes by. And good for you for reaching out here...I'm still a newbie at only 5 mos post op, the vets will have some great advice for you!

@@atzvsg Sugar-free popsicles were my go-to 'chew' food early on. I also chewed gum, my surgeons don't restrict gum or straws. I remember than intense need to chew and it was hard to ignore! I still love my popsicles, they're pretty much the only fake food I'm eating anymore, at 5 mos post op.

@@theantichick Have you tried SweetLeaf stevia? I detested stevia pre-op but found that I can't detect any bitterness in SweetLeaf. May be worth a try at some point for you? I greatly prefer monkfruit as well and I also use it in my coffee. It's not quite as sweet as sugar but I limit myself to one of the little individual packets and it does the job. No headaches, no weird mouth tingling (that's what I get from erythritol) and no sucralose smell/taste. Have you found the zipper sealed bags of Lakanto brand monkfruit sweetener? It's got erythritol as well, but not enough that it gives me the odd cold tingling.

@@summerset **I'm still having some problems with that. Just because it's Rant & Raves doesn't mean "everything goes" - or does it?** I guess I'd ask you then: if coming here to vent because of the inundation of 'awww, sweetie, you can't control yourself, go ahead and have that moon pie then do better tomorrow' posts isn't appropriate, then what is? What do you see this section being designed for? I'm not a better WLS patient than anyone else because I own my behaviors, but I do have a better chance of being successful...and that's what it's all about here, isn't it? My frustration was more than clear in my initial post, it's very hard to watch people enable others in their destructive behaviors and be cheered along by that enabling being couched as 'support'. One thing you and I are in COMPLETE agreement about is the posts that wish failure on others. I'd love to see every single person on BP succeed beyond their wildest dreams, regardless of their behaviors, and I'd never relish a single one of them failing.