Iona

What my nutritionist told me was that the hair loss is actually the hair regrowth. Your body shuts down all non-essential processes during surgery and directly after, so by month 3-6 it's starting those back up and the new hairs push out the old ones. So it looks like hair loss, but it's really just a replacement period that happens to most people. The good news is that it will come back. The bad news is that you can't do much about it. I'm taking biotin for strength in what I've got and trying to keep up my protein amd water for healing. I cut my hair to a shorter, more layered look so it will be less noticeable. 🤞And I love the tinted dry shampoo for making what I've got look fuller. Luckily, the worst of mine should be in winter, so I'm just going to stock up on cute hats. Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

That's fantastic! Congratulations! Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

Bloating soon after surgery is completely normal. You're swollen and still working out the IV fluids they pump you up with in hospital. Try to walk as much as possible, follow your surgeon's orders for food, and as counterintuitive as it seems, drink lots of water. Everyone's plan is different, but I'd say if your doctor wants you on only cooked pureed foods, do that. Right after surgery when everything is healing is not the time to fudge the limits of your pouch. 20lbs in this little time is amazing. You're doing great. The first few weeks are frustrating, but stick it out and it gets better and better. Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

Mine have been relatively minor, but kind of numerous. I'm apathetic to most meats now, and I love fish. I used to hate lemon in my tea and the taste of coffee, now I love both. I used to like a bit of heat, now I love spicy. I liked the chocolate, caramel, and vanilla premier protein shakes before, now I only like the caramel and barely tolerate the chocolate. The mio-type drink flavorings all taste terrible to me now, as do most of the diet drinks I've tried. Most baked goods hold absolutely no appeal to me now, whereas they used to be my favorite sweet. I still love dark chocolate, greens, fruit, cheese, and olives. I'm really looking forward to raw veggies and popcorn, although I know I need to be careful with the last, lol. Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

Eating a whole container of yogurt isn't a problem. My program recommends 2-3oz of lean meat or cheese, and the equivalent they list is 6oz of greek yogurt. Measuring is definitely an excellent tool (I do it,) but that much yogurt really is fine. Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

I had the exact same situation. No feeling of fullness while on liquids/pureed, and able to eat more than 4oz. I was super worried. But now that I'm on solids everything is different. I can only eat 3-4oz before I get a quiet feeling that I don't want to take another bite. If I do, I get the hiccups. If I take another I get sweats, chest pain, brain fog, misery. The restriction will come. The waiting is hard, but worth it. Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

Not necessarily. It's different for different people. I have a friend 7 years out who still chews or crushes her pills, but I'm 2.5 weeks out and I can swallow pills just fine. I couldn't for the first week, but it's no problem now. I just have to take them one at a time, sometimes with a sip in between.

Same! But I'm 33 so I've still got years to enjoy this rollercoaster.

During the liquid phase I ordered a soup and didn't worry about finishing it. Tonight I ordered a 2 egg taco omelet with cottage cheese. I managed about half of the omelet (not much of the filling,) and a couple nibbles of the cottage cheese. The leftovers will be breakfast and lunch for tomorrow. I eat slow enough that I don't have to spend half the meal watching my companions eat, which is nice. My boyfriend and I plan to go in on meals together. American serving sizes are plenty generous so my maybe 4 ounces isn't going to make him go hungry, lol. The hardest parts for me so far have been remembering to not drink with my meal, and not getting so caught up in conversation that I miss the 'satiated' point and go straight into 'full.'

I was worried about spicy food before surgery, but I'm 2.5 weeks out now and loving the heat. Haven't had any issues from that, my only negatives have been food that is too heavy/fatty. Traditional refried beans vs. vegetarian ones, beef vs. chicken, that sort of thing.

Eating is very important. I've heard great things about Smooth Moves tea for constipation, also I've had good results with Benefiber and sugar free fiber gummies. All bodies are different, sometimes diabetes is completely resolved after surgery, sometimes not, sometimes only after a certain amount of weight has been lost. My friend was insulin dependent for 10 years before surgery and was completely off it and any other meds within 6 months of surgery. Try to get your walking in, it will help prevent muscle atrophy (you need your muscles to process glucose properly) and help move things along in the downstairs as well. Have faith, follow the path, and trust that a healthier you is going to be the result. Getting on meds now does not mean you'll be on them forever, and ending up on less meds in a healthier body is not a bad option for a result.

This is what my nutritionist recommends: a 2-3-3 ratio for protein. Three meals a day, 2 oz of lean protein at breakfast, 3 oz each at lunch and dinner. Alternatively, breakfast can be 5-6 oz of greek yogurt. Complement the protein with healthy green vegetables and low-sugar fruits like berries, but make sure you eat the protein first. Feel free to use low-sugar/low-calorie dressings or dips to help food go down easy, but don't over do it. Keep snacking to a minimum and high in protein. Get in at least 64 oz water. Minimize intake of sugars and starches.

I'm feeling pretty good. Loving eating solid food, feel like a real person again. Learning to listen to my new stomach and what the new sensations mean. My blood sugar has been pretty great since about day 3, no medications. I'm having very few issues with food tolerance, but it's comforting now that I'm on solid food and can feel the restriction. I was having so little issue taking in liquids I was worried the surgeon didn't actually do the surgery, lol! Now that I'm eating solid food I'm struggling to get in enough liquids, but it's getting better. Thank you, and congrats on your success so far!

I've been through all the waiting, through the fear, questions, anxiety and depression, I've prepared and researched, and it's tomorrow! I am THROUGH THE ROOF with excitement, I feel like it's the night before a lifetime of Christmases. See you all on the flip side! Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

The surgery went well! I had some breathing problems directly after, but they sorted them out in the recovery room and it's been getting better every day since. Came home on day 3, I was so ready to be out of the hospital! Not a lot of nausea for me, mostly my irritation is the gas. That and not over-exerting myself. I don't have a lot of real pain, so it's very easy for me to over do it and then be completely wiped out for a day. Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

Me too! My personal opinion is that, at least in my case, it's exacerbated by the high amounts of dairy I'm taking in with my protein shakes. Also, I think there's likely to be irritation in the throat from the tubes. I try to see it as a positive thing. I have to sip constantly or I cough, so it's a good reminder. As you say, coughing hurts! Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

I like the NOW unflavored whey protein. Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

You're welcome! Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

My doctor recommends that you not weigh yourself for two weeks post surgery. The IV fluids can add up to 10lbs and the time it takes to process that out varies, so weighing in earlier will give you a false result. Hang in there, you're doing great and the scale should show that soon! Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm so excited! A little scared, because it's my first major surgery, but really excited to be on the path to better health and a body I can feel good in. I'll be getting the robotic assisted sugery, what have other's experiences been with that?

I can't wait to se your results! Congratulations! Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

Yeah, my primary motivation has been health too. But I want to feel good, look good. I think I look pretty good now, but I know that if I end up with a bunch of loose skin and empty boob sacks I'm going to want plastics even if they're not medically necessary. I think most people want to look good and feel good about themselves, and when the subject isn't surgery-related no one has a problem with that. I refuse to believe that we have less right to physical self-esteem just because we've been fat and we choose different tools. Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

Constipation can definitely be a problem after bypass. My Mom dwals with it still years out. She takes a tasteless fiber powder and mixes it in her water every day, as long as she keeps that up she's pretty regular. She recommends taking a stool softener to get things moving again and then daily fiber supplements. Good luck!

My Mom had to gain weight for her insurance to cover the surgery. I'd recommend checking what your insurance regulations are (for example mine only covers it if you're 35+ BMI -and- have diabetes) and seeing if there's a way you can qualify.

From what I've been able to figure out, the 30g number is an average for people with unaltered bodies. As a baseline, if you are a woman it's different than if you're a man, biologically, and different again if you're menstruating. If you are vegan it's again different because the protein is less efficiently metabolized, so you need a higher quantity. If you are building/rebuilding/repairing muscles or tissues it's significantly higher. For bypass/sleeve patients there is an increased need for protein, especially in years 1 & 2, to help the body recover and minimize emergency mode, which is where you see lowered metabolisms (weight loss slows/stalls,) and the closing down of nonessential functions (hair loss.)