kharenzhee

I am five months out and started actively shedding at 3.5 months. I have been stuck at the same weight for several weeks, and I swear it seems like my hair loss has slowed a bit in that time, but that could just be wishful thinking. I was concerned about hair loss because I had already experienced thinning over the past few years do to a thyroid disorder, so I wanted to be ready for this. I have been using Nioxin shampoo/conditioner since right after my surgery, and I have Biotin in my Multivitamin. I can't say that either has done much, but perhaps they have?? What has been REALLY valuable to me is Topik hair fibers (http://www.toppik.com/), which I love! I get mine at Ulta, and I also like the Topik sprays. They really help to add coverage and body in thin areas. I always feel more confident. They stay put throughout the day, and then they wash right out when you shower. I also went ahead an bought a hair topper, just in case! http://www.uniwigs.com/hair-pieces/40116-charm-remy-human-hair-top-hairpiece.html I started to feel a lot better about managing the loss once I had a few tools in my arsenal. I also have had a lot of frank conversations with other women and stylists and have discovered that hair loss (for a variety of reasons) is more common than we know, and more people that you would ever imagine use products and hair pieces. It won't last forever ... and even if it does, it's a small price to pay for my health.

I am down to a 14/16 from a 22/24, and I've been having fun fitting into some older things and buying some new ones. Almost all my new dresses and work clothes I have bought at Ross, which has some phenomenal deals on really cute pieces. I have been donating or giving away my larger clothes, and now I am going to try ThredUp, too (on online consignment site). A big part of paring down my closet has been not only getting rid of clothes that are too big, but clothes that aren't "me" anymore. If I don't feel excited to wear it or if it doesn't reflect my personal style and new-found confidence, I decided it's just taking up space in my closet and could serve someone else better. Regarding rings getting too loose ... I ordered these and they seem to work: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PI0T25Q?psc=1 I don't want to have my rings resized until I am down to goal weight.

Wow!!!! You are stunning and look so confident, strong, and happy! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Five days after for me. I think it's really going to depend on how you're feeling/healing. My recovery went very smoothly, and I felt remarkably well. Assuming your doc doesn't provide specific guidelines, just listen to your body and take it slowly. : ) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you all SO much! These are all excellent suggestions! And I really appreciate everyone's honest assessment of what are clearly trigger foods for me. I would like to respond individually to everyone's suggestions, but I'm on the mobile version right now, and it's not easy to quote responses. But please know that I've read and really appreciated all your suggestions! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi, all! I am almost 5 months out from gastric sleeve, and I'm experiencing my first stall. I am trying not to get too concerned about it, as I knew it would happen at some point. However, I think part of the problem might be that I am eating too many carbs in the way of crackers. They seem innocuous enough: Mini Thin Edamame Rice Crackers (38 crackers = 120 calories, 3g Protein, 0 sugar) and Pistachio-Pomegranate Crisps (11 crisps for 90 calories, 2 g. protein, 8 g. sugar), both from Trader Joes. When I start eating them, I feel like I can't stop. And then I keep thinking about them. I usually eat them with some protein, but then I go back for more. Are crackers or similar crunchy little things triggers or gateways for you? Would these be considered slider foods? This seems ridiculous to be overthinking this so much, but I really feel like these little crackers are a challenge for me! Thanks for any thoughts! K

Nuts are a great idea! Thanks. And I agree ... I think I need to get the crackers out of the house! I'm vegetarian, but perhaps I should check out some veggie Jerky options. Thanks for your response!

You are an inspiration! So happy for you! Congratulations on your new-found health. And you are beautiful! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I like the Bai drinks, specifically the Molokai Coconut. The flavor is a bit concentrated for me, so I Water it down, which is good because a bottle lasts 2-3 times longer and I drink more Fluid. 5 calories. Sweetened with stevia (but doesn't have that weird aftertaste). http://www.drinkbai.com/ Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes! I love this show and am very curious about this storyline and whether or not the writers will take Kate on an authentic journey--complete with all the pre-op, op, and post-op challenges and discoveries. I belong to a This is Us fan page (because I am a dork!), and I was discussing this on there with another fan who has had WLS. We shall see! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow! What an inspirational thread! I started at 295 and am down to 237 in 11 weeks. Almost 60 pounds. I still can't believe it! So, yes, 100 pounds definitely seems doable! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So sorry you are having a difficult first few days. You are definitely not alone, as you can see from the other folks who have chimed in. The first stage is tough--it's a huge transition; you're recovering from surgery; you're struggling to figure out how the heck you're going to get in all that Water and Protein. And, on top of it, your brain doesn't understand why you're not eating all the stuff you have in the past ("head hunger"). BUT each day is going to get better! I promise. You're going to get into a groove. A couple of weeks from now, you will look back and see how far you've come, and two weeks after that, you'll see you've gotten even further--and so on and so forth. At about three days post-op, I had that "Oh God, what did I do" moment, and now at 10 weeks out, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! Best decision I could have made! You will feel this way, too, soon enough! You have a lot to look forward to! Just ride the wave! ❤️ Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was very fortunate to have a pretty smooth post-op experience. No nausea or vomiting. Gas pains weren't bad. The only issue I had was constipation. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I went to a function and put my s-f strawberry-kiwi Benefiber over ice in a margarita glass! It looked like a very festive mixed drink! And then someone asked if they could have one. Lol. I read on here that someone once watered down a little apple juice and put it in a wine glass and it looked exactly like white wine. Honestly, most people don't really take note of exactly what you're drinking. Just enjoy the conversation and the people! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I swear by GENEPRO unflavored Protein powder. You can add it to anything. 30 grams of protein for 1 tablespoon. Is it the texture or the taste of your shakes that is making you nauseous? If the texture, I agree that you can try making them thinner with more Water, and shaking or blending them with ice. If flavor is an issue, I love to add some PB2 powdered Peanut Butter to my shakes. Great flavor enhancer and it adds more protein. There are also high protein gelatins and puddings sold on BariatricPal Store that are good, but again, you can achieve something similar by mixing some Genepro (or other unflavored protein powder) into a s-f pudding or other food. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I wasn't crazy about the Quest bars at first, but now they are my go-to bars. Their high Fiber content has helped me a lot, as I was having some constipation issues. I tried other Protein bars, but they were too candy-like for me, and I noticed they started triggering cravings. So, I found some Quest flavors that I liked, and I've been sticking with them. I have about 4-5 each week; never more than one per day. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

One thing that helped me post-op was to breathe deeply after taking a sip. I don't know why, but it helped a lot. Maybe the lung movement helped my stomach somehow??? Of course, if it persists or gets worse, give your doc a call. It does get easier, I promise. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes, I've had the Bai coconut, which ai have usually diluted with Water. Yummy! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I felt exactly like you did--especially while on the liquid phase after surgery. Totally normal head hunger. For me, it improved when I was able to add in some more foods, especially savory things like actual Soups (rather than just broth). For me, I think the hunger was a desire for taste and variety, as much as it was my brain not really understanding what the heck was going on and me struggling with the social aspect of eating. One of the truly fascinating things about gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery is that both cause metabolic changes that affect hunger hormones. Researchers are still studying how this works. A few weeks in, I definitely noticed that I no longer felt hungry or--more accurately for me--obsessed with food like I used to. I certainly still have an appetite, but it is under control for the first time in my life. BTW, I am 7.5 weeks out. Hope this helps! It gets easier. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi, all! When you were about 7-8 weeks out from surgery, how many calories were you taking in? Up until about two weeks ago, I was taking in no more than 600, but my nutritionist wanted me to increase to *at least* 800 calories. At first, I found this difficult, but now it's almost too easy, and I have found myself sometimes climbing up towards 900. I am still losing (although it's certainly slowed, which I know is normal), but I want to feel secure with the number of calories I am taking in. Anyway, I am sure I am over-analyzing this! And I can always reach back out to my nutritionist for clarification, but I am curious to see what other people are/were doing? Thanks so much!

Thanks for your responses, everyone! Northcountyr1, I swear by GENEPRO unflavored Protein powder. It's 30 grams of protein and only 57 calories. You can put it in anything. And yes, I was walking for the first four weeks. Since being cleared to do more, I also bike and have started a C25K program (run/walk). Have also incorporated some minor strength training. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi, everyone! I am getting to the point where I will be able to start incorporating Protein bars. I am interested in trying the Quest bars that I have heard so many people rave about. But as convenient as Protein Bars will be, I am concerned that they might trigger my desire for sweets. Has anyone had an issue with this? Before being sleeved, I had to stay away from "bars" of any kind because they were a gateway to sugar-fueled binges ... but things ARE different now. I am not hungry/having cravings, and I know the Quest bars have very little sugar. I also have a much different view of my health and my responsibility to it, of course, so maybe I am overthinking this. Anyway ... any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!

I really appreciate everyone's responses! If I try one, I think I'll try a Quest since they are so low in sugar. Seems like they would be least likely to trigger a chemical sugar reaction. And I'll buy just one ... To see how I do. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App