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I recently read about a supplement that can be taken that is supposed to help with hair loss (which is a problem for me that comes and goes) and also helps with PMS. I read about it in Prevention Magazine and can't think of the exact name of it right now...Primrose Oil or something like that. Anyway, I bought a bottle and took it for a couple days, then started to have strange feelings when I'd eat, like I was getting backed up - from the pouch up my throat. Like what I'd eaten earlier hadn't gone down all the way. I began to wonder if it's the type of pill I took that is causing this, which is a pill that contains a liquid inside a capsule that will dissolve in the stomach. Problem is, the pouch created by the band doesn't contain all the acids that the lower part of the stomach does, so I'm not sure if the pill is dissolving in the pouch or if it's just stuck there. Anyone else take a pill that has liquid inside that's supposed to dissolve? Any problems with it? Thanks, Sue

After losing about 120 pounds in a year and a half, I am ALWAYS cold! I was on the chilly side before, but now it's just ridiculous! I, too, dress in layers and sit around with a blanket on me at home! I also take a thick wool sweater with me when I go places and keep a sweater at work at all times. I think it's because I don't have all my layers of fat to keep me warm anymore! ~Sue

I had my band adjusted in the early summer last year, then thought I was ready to have it adjusted again in the fall (October) because I was able to eat more than I should. When I got there, the doctor said my band was too tight. I thought I'd heard wrong or that she'd meant to say it was too loose. I questioned her and she said that since my last fill it had become too tight. She wasn't able to give me a solid reason as to why, but I asked her why I was able to eat so much if it was too tight. She said that was because it was backing up into my esophagus and stretching it. She said she didn't think I had any permanant damage and that all she needed to do was loosen the band, which she did. She told me to pay attention to what my body was telling me as I ate and stop eating when I felt full, not to continue eating "just one more bite", because if the band were to become too tight and this happened again, permanant damage could occur and then I'd be in real trouble. I went back a month later to have another adjustment because I was absolutely terrified that I had messed something up and my banding was ruined. She said I was good and that I hardly needed an adjustment. Since then I have been very careful about eating. ~Sue

Thanks to everyone for their words of wisdom. I hope this doesn't "sound" wrong, but it's nice to know I'm not the only one struggling with this. Not that I want others to have this problem...I hope you all know what I mean! I managed to make it through today without eating things I shouldn't, so that's a step in the right direction. And I worked out this morning like a good girl and I plan to work out again tomorrow morning. It's amazing how I have avoided exercise all my life (I've been overweight my entire life), but now that I'm a more manageable weight (179 pounds), I enjoy it. It's so great! Anyway, I would also like to know what the "pouch" thing is. Thanks for all your advice and support. It was desperately needed. ~Sue

Hi everyone - I was banded in July of 2007 and lost about 120 pounds, give or take a few. I reached a plateau around September 2008, so I decided to diet like I would have if I had never been banded. I was watching what I ate, my salt, fat and calorie intake, etc. I was doing pretty well...was ten pounds from my goal...and the holidays hit. I did OK until about a week before Christmas. Someone gave me a gift of Fannie May candy (my favorite) and I thought it wouldn't hurt to eat some. Well, some turned into all, then I just went on an eating rampage. I work at a school, and during the entire Christmas break I ate pretty much what I wanted. I have an extreme sweet tooth and I satisfied it everyday. I gained ten pounds in about four weeks. Now that I'm back to work I keep setting myself up to start my "diet" again. I tell myself every morning that no matter what comes my way during the day, I will be strong and eat what I should, not what I want. But everyday there seems to be a new opportunity under my nose to eat things I know I should not...and I do it. Why am I suddenly so weak? Before the holidays I was exercising everyday (or nearly everyday), but during the break I didn't exercise once. I am back to working out now (yoga and cardio stuff), but am stiff and out of breath where as before I could work out without becoming too winded. This doesn't stop me...I like working out and do it everyday. But it's the eating that I can't seem to curb. Anyone have any advice? I almost feel ashamed of myself after I eat things I shouldn't such as candy, Cookies, etc. Thanks for letting me vent! ~Sue

I looked around online a bit before I bought from the Chaz Dean Store website. I couldn't find anyplace that had great bargains on Wen, so I ordered from the store. I didn't want to be enrolled in their monthly shipment right away because it might not have worked, then I'd be stuck calling them and trying to cancel. I hate talking to those people when I want to cancel something - they seem trained in finding my weaknesses and I usually end up staying in the club! So I ordered this set: http://www.chazdeanstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=124 Of course, it cost more than the beginner/trial thing they offer, but at least I'm not signed up for anything I don't want to be in. ~Sue

Good luck, Vikki - I hope it works as well for you as it has been for me. I read some reviews about Wen online - some were raves and some were slams. I suppose it has to do with your hair type, etc. But mine seems to be responding well. I thought about ordering Fig or Lavender next time, but I know the Sweet Almond Mint works for me; it's supposed to be a universal cleanser that works for most types of hair. The others are for course, dry hair (which I have certainly had!), but I think I'll just stick with what I know. I'm not wild about the smell of Sweet Almond Mint, but it's not too bad, so I'll deal with it in order to have descent hair again! ~Sue

Hi all - I posted here a while ago about my horrible hair, wondering if anyone else had the same problem and what they did to cure it (if there was a cure). Here's a link to my previous post if you want to read it... http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/never-thought-i-vain-but-hair-related-71365/ So, anyway, Kimmie K recommended that I try Chaz Dean's Wen products. I ordered a set of Sweet Almond Mint hair care products that same day. Today is the fourth day I have been using them and all I can say is WOW!!! I noticed a difference the very first time I used them. People who I haven't seen in a while have been noticing my hair the last couple days, saying how nice it looks before they even comment on my continued weight loss! It's amazing! I think it's kind of pricey for something that is meant to clean your hair, but for these kinds of results, I will continue to pay it! THANK YOU KIMMIE K FOR YOUR ADVICE!!! ~Sue

Thanks for the reply, Mindy. I was just noticing how similar our stats are - I was banded on July 18, 2007 and have lost 103 pounds with thirty one to go! Weird!

Thanks for the input, everyone! I have ordered some products from the WEN website. Hopefully, it will do the trick. I'm sick of having "haystack" hair! Sue

OK, so I was banded a year ago and have lost 103 pounds. I'm extremely happy with the results of the surgery so far (I still have 31 pounds to lose to reach my goal weight). I have never been this thin in my entire life and I now look forward to exercising or stepping on the scale or going shopping for clothes. There's just one problem: Since the surgery my hair has changed DRASTICALLY! Does anyone else have this problem? It was the same at first, then I noticed it was falling out faster and faster until it was coming out by the handfuls. I panicked when I could easily see my scalp through my once-thick hair and found this forum where I read about others who had problems with losing their hair. Now I drink a Protein supplement everyday (I know some people don't think this is necessary for the health of your hair, but it can't hurt much) and I take Biotin daily. Now my hair is no longer falling out and is actually growing back. If I pull my hair back I can see new, tiny hairs growing in. But the texture of my hair is totally different. It is no longer soft and flowing. It's stiff and scratchy. I used to be able to feather my hair with little effort, now it is so curly I can't do anything with it. If I brush the curls out I look like my head is a giant cotton ball. And if I let it dry naturally, it gets all puffy and frizzy. I have to spray hairspray on it or use mousse before it dries completely or I look ridiculous. I have talked to several people who have recommended one shampoo or another and I have tried them all, but nothing is taking my hair back to the way it was before - normal hair with a slight wave. I've even tried straightening it with a straighener but it doesn't work. I never thought I was vain about anything I had, but now that my body is looking better and I feel better, I just feel like putting a paper bag over my head so no one sees my hair. Anyone else have these problems? Anyone know what to do about it? I'd love to hear any ideas... Sue

Hi everyone...my name is Sue and I just found this forum. I thought it would be nice to be able to "talk" with others who have had the same surgery as I have. I had my banding done last summer. So far I have lost 77 pounds (I'm just over half way to my goal) and have had very few problems or complications. I'm extremely happy with the way things have been going since the surgery and would do it again in a heartbeat. I had my surgery done at Loyola Medical University in Maywood, Illinois by Dr. Sarker. Anyway, it's good to be here. Sue