Tranquility

Well, it finally happened to me. I'd stumbled upon many threads about hair loss, and thought that I would be one of those who was spared. I am so sad :wink2: Four months post op, my hair is falling out in gobs. It is now noticable -to me at least. What is the reason (I've heard so many different theories)? And, most importantly, can it be Stopped!? How? In what amount of time? Also, I actually knew this one would happen to me because I've always looked much younger than my age (54). I loved the compliments, but knew the reason was mainly because my face was so chubby. Now, when I look in the mirror... I am so sad :tongue2: I have lines around my lips and on my neck. What to do? I've even thought about cosmetic surgery.

I'm four months post op and have never had a fill. Was losing fine until two weeks ago. I'm still losing, but only a wee bit each week. I don't want to ruin the holidays, so I'll probably go in January.

Danbar, I went to Sally's yesterday and bought the generic brand shampoo and conditioner of Nioxin. The store clerk said that some have told her that it does work...like you said, we'll see.:thumbup: I also bought some Biotin...we'll see. The conditioner is a leave in type that you massage into your scalp. I have to tell you, I think I know what it feels like to be a middle-aged balding man with a receding hairline. I have a gynocologist appointment in January and I'm going to ask her about all this...(my weight loss surgeon is negligent and I refuse to go see her...still have plastic like stitches pointing out of my belly...but that's another thing altogether.......... I'll keep you all posted and you let us know too!

Like some others have said, I think it is the trauma from the surgery and the anesthesia. I'm going to start taking the biotin and look for a protein shampoo just in case. The thing is...does anyone know if this is temporary, and about how long will it last? I'm so happy to be losing weight, but the truth is that I'm not at all pleased with the way I look right now.

Hey Bashful, great job reaching your first goal!!! How much have you lost? I've lost about 50 pounds total, but recently hardly losing any. I am also making terrible food choices and eating more than I think I should. But..I think I know why...THANKSGIVING. I'm in mourning over the loss of food! My first holiday and a food holiday!! I feel that I am ok, but a little voice inside me is telling me that I should be able to eat pumpkin pie, oh yes I can, dressing, and all the other foods that go with Thanksgiving. Not fair! So, what I'm doing is eating a little more interesting foods and little more sweets-ies every day in anticipation of the foods that I won't be able to eat on turkey day. Anyway, I'm wrestling with the same thing here. Soo, congrats with meeing your first goal and being so tiny and small!!! :biggrin:

Hi Michelle, Did you go on the two week pre op diet of only protein drinks? I did, so when it came time for the surgery, I had forgotten what it was like to eat. Also after the surgery, I certainly did not feel like eating. I was in lots of pain (don't worry, most don't have so much trouble as I did) and had a hard time even drinking. I sipped chicken broth for about one week, and then thinned cream soups, and then on to mushies. I still stay full for about 5 hours now, (even though I eat what I think is too much). I think you will be fine with not eating much. Good luck with your surgery.

Hey guys, I am a new member who is in the pre-op stage. This is my 4th day on the pre-op diet, with 9 days remaining. My pre-op diet is to drink 3 slim fast optima and 1 protein shake (from the doctor's office) for the 1st 3 days. (now) and then to add one garden salad and take away one slim fast for the remainder. My problem is that I started to feel nauseous after the 1st day, had diarrhea after the 2nd day, and the night of the 3rd day, I woke up with leg cramps (I think because of dehydration), diarrhea, and am somewhat nauseous. I've done some research about the slim fast, and found that many people think the slim fast is too high in sugar, which causes the diarrhea, which can cause renal failure. Ok, I know I should consult my doctor when they open on Monday, but I would like to hear about if you've had similar experiences. (pss) I am going to drink lots more water today...but I don't think that is enough of a solution.

I haven't had a soda since July 8, 2009 and on occasions, I still miss it. So, that's 4 months for me.

I'm glad you asked that question because I feel just like you. I am 4 months post op and have lost about 50 pounds! But, I don't feel like I used to feel when I lost weight on Weight Watchers. I know it sounds weird, but now I am smaller, but my stomach is more bloated and gassy than usual. (sorry) My daughter and I joke about how 'skinny' we used to feel on weight watchers after we lost about 10 pounds (of course we gained them back but that's not the point.) And, on weight watchers, I was eating Lots of fruits and raw vegetables, things I can't do now. I think I felt skinnier then and not now because of the stomach thing. Crazy! So, I'm glad you asked that question, because it is something that I think about every day when I put on my pants that hang loose.

To those of you who have had the band removed: If I have my band removed, will I be back to normal or will there be always lingering effects of being banded? I've had my band for 8 weeks now and have called or seen the doctor and other doctors too many times to count. I've had many of the usual tests, five different drugs (with horrible side effects), and so many complications. I want to have the band removed so that I will feel like I did before. I have no fill now, but am scared of food and disappointed in the way of life for a bandster. I know we are all different, but I will just say that for me, life is not good. I am so thirstyl I want to take a nice long drink of cold water so badly. If I am going to diet, I want to eat fruit and vegetables- not mashed potatoes and gravy. I have to put sauces, creams, and gravies on just about everything I eat to get it to go down without so much discomfort. I want to eat like a normal person. I vastly misunderstood the band. I thought that I would be eating smaller meals and feel satisfied. I did not know that I would have to chew food to the consistency of vomit before I swallowed. I knew I would eat slowly and said that was fine with me because I am the slowest eater -ever. I didn't understand that slowly meant newborn baby bites and eventually eating cold food everytime I ate. I'm not really losing -I guess because I am not hydrated and not eating enough protein. can't help that, I am doing all that I can tolerate. I've decided that I will give the band 6 months and then make my final decision. The problem for me is that I will be letting my family down. I know that I will probably not ever be able to lose weight in my lifetime now. I had such high hopes, but now am depressed all the time. I am not myself, not happy -ever. I hate this thing inside me. I hate that I'm in a situation that I can't control. I hate life. So, I hope that those who are mean-spirited will not answer my post -I am looking for those who have taken the band out -not those who have pent up anger and hostility and use message boards' anonymity to purge their demons:) Thanks in advance.

Oh gosh! ...and just when I think I have it bad! If you want, you can send me a private message. Maybe we can come up with something to make your new life better. and, lol, yes, I do teach English, but as I do not use spell check on this site, I will deny it next time. :scared2:

No, not nuts!!! I haven't had a fill, but I have the same pain in the shoulder whenever I eat that one or two bites too many. I've been banded for three months and this has been going on all that time.The pain sometimes lasts for an hour or maybe even two! I'd like to know what's going on, too!

Hi all, Texas teacher here... CONGRATULATIONS on passing the test! But even more...congratulations on losing 90 pounds!!!! I was banded right before the beginning of school. For the longest, I couldn't eat much of anything and that was good in the way that we've only about 25 minutes for lunch, so eating 'real food' in that amount of time would not be good. I was eating (sipping) cup-a-Soup most of the time. Now, three months later, I can eat many different foods, but not quickly. I usually eat a cream soup (too fatteningL) or a baked potato from the cafeteria. I'm not getting enough Protein, but haven't been able to stomach the Protein drinks after the hundreds I had pre op! To tracy in nyc, I guess I'm lucky that we teachers can eat or drink anything whenever we want at my school. Maybe it's because I teach high school... In the morning, I sip tea or coffee while I tutor my ESL students, and eat some spoonfuls of yogurt during the passing time between classes -five minutes after a 45-minute class. I have a conference period in the morning and afternoon, so I could eat at that time if I didn't feel like having lunch, but usually I have department and grade level meetings, or a parent meeting. There should be some allowances made since you’ve different nutritional needs, but I’m not one to advise getting on a soapbox. Maybe you could drink a Protein Drink? How do ‘they’ know that you are eating or drinking in the classroom? Anyway, Rebecca, congratulations to you for passing such a rigorous test! Yay! And, good luck in losing all of your weight!!!!! smiles Keep up the good work, everyone!!!

I'm at 205 today. Losing slowly, but that's mostly ok for now because I haven't had a fill. Eat too little protein as I don't drink the protein drinks and still have to put creams and sauces on my food to get it down without sticking. Wish I could find some protein foods that will slide down as good as candy Surprisingly, my life is not much different...take care!

Suffering for four years is no way to live and I feel for you. A few times in my life, I've held off in making an imprtant decision of taking action about something because I can't stand to make a wrong decision. What I've learned from my experiences is that it is sometimes hard to see the forest for the trees when the issue is too close to me. For example, I once stayed at a job where I was misearble, MSERABLE,wanting to die miserable, for three years. After I finally quit, I thought -What the H***was I thinking??? In your situation, I can help you see out of the darkness -take out the band no matter what it costs. don't get the sleeve until you recover

no, a thousand times no

I thought I'd be a smart@@@ and eat a fresh pear and now my throat has a tight squeezing feeling. It doesn't hurt, but is really, really, really uncomfortable. How long until it goes away? ps. I keep a food diary on fitday.com, and my annoying pie chart of nutrition says that I eat mostly carbs and fats...just trying to find fresh foods of the carbs that I can eat without getting stuck!!! I'll worry about the Protein in another post.

Thanks for the great responses-keep 'em commin'!!!!!! *just a note -I don't have a fill -they took it out because I couldn't even drink water!! And, I have always eaten slower than anyone at the table... But more about you all!!! I'm listening (ps.good luck to everybody :smile:

Warning -long post!!!! This post has some duplicate information from another post, but I wanted to expand on the topic. The new information is at the bottom...How do you compare? I was banded on July 22nd and have lost about 30ish pounds. (includig preop diet) I just recently got to where I don't feel like I am choking all day long -now it is only after I eat any food of substance (not yogurt, etc...) So, all in all, I think I should get a fill, but don't want to feel bad all the time. I eat anywhere from 1/2 a cup to 3/4 a cup of food, and not nearly enough Protein. Now, to my question... Well, it's not really a question, but a topic for discussion that I want to throw out there. I want to eat. Some people call it head hunger, but to me, it is more complicated. I love to eat and get more out of eating than just nourishment. Wow, big surprise, right?? The past few days, I've had a party at work -chips and other goodies, gone out to eat with my son and grandaughter- kind of a special occasion because I don't see them that often, and cooked dinner for them today. The work party- foods to make sandwiches with- meats cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and most special-BREAD. I looked longingly at the bread, but helped myself to meat and cheese, chips and dips, etc. Why did I eat chips and (lots) of dip? because I can't tolerate the healthy vegetables! What I really want! is a sandwich! And, what I really want is to eat without out being cautious. I don't need to overeat at all...I just want to eat like a regular person-Like I used to (just not huge portions !!) One half sandwich eaten with gusto would have made me happy. The Mexican restaurant -I couldn't eat much at all. Everything felt heavy, whatever that means. The family meal? I made roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots, macaroni and cheese...you get it, comfort food. Did they need that either?? of course not! but that is my point. I ate the potatoes and gravy easily, but had to wet my food, especially the meat with lots of gravy... I have to put sauces, creams, and gravies on most of my food...really! It is either that, or just not eat the food and eat yogurt every meal. Soooo, just a post to basically see what you all are able to eat, how much? do you feel uncomfortable when you eat (not nervous) Don't you want to eat normal size bites of food? Doesn't the eating experience seem to be stressful eating small, tiny bites so slowly? Most of you all have had one or several fills at my point. How on earth do we live for the rest of our lives on such little food? Tablespoons? Don't you feel bad worrying about foods getting stuck when you are tight? And, mostly do you feel sad and unsatisfied eating the few tablespoons of food for an extended period of time? To me, I thought that I would be so happy with the described and that I would replace the food with more pleasant thoughts, but it's not happening for me... So, in summary, I have lots of questions! I don't need advice, I just want to see what you all are doing, eating, but mainly -thinking, feeling... Thanks for allowing me to have a peek into your life!! :smile:

It's nice to hear about everyone's progress. I was banded on July 22nd and have lost about 30ish pounds. (includig preop diet) I was losing well enough until about 2 weeks ago. That was about the time that I began to be able to eat many more foods. Since then, I've all but stopped losing. I lost about 1/2 a pound this week and the last. I have no fill at all yet! I had such a hard time with this LAP-BAND®, and it is still not easy to take all my pills, get enough Water in and eat regular food. I just recently got to where I don't feel like I am choking all day long -now it is only after I eat any food of substance (not yogurt, etc...) So, all in all, I think I should get a fill, but don't want to feel bad all the time. I eat anywhere from 1/2 a cup to 3/4 a cup of food, and not really enough Protein. I'm still not exercising, though. I know, I know... Congrats to you all for losing weight!

I don't like it at all- it is chalky and the flavor is not rich enough...more of a Vitamin taste to me. I have a two pound jar left over from my pre op diet. At the end of the pre op stage, I couldn't stand to look at or smell a Protein Drink and I haven't had one since. I do need to get back on them for my protein, though, so I might try one of the smoothie type drinks that the others suggested. (I ony wish I had a blender at work so that I could add fruit!)

That is absolutely fantastic! You are losing at record speed! I am also two months out and have lost 30 pounds, most presurgery. I am not eating too much, but the foods I eat are higher calorie. I would love to hear what you eat in a week's time!!! What fruits and veggies can you eat? Raw? and which ones don't go down well for you? Tell me your secret!!! Yea for you!!!

Hi everyone! I have been on here for a while reading everyone's stories. I am planning on being banded during the Christmas break. I have a few obscure questions: 1. After Lap Band is it hard to sleep at night? Can you comfortably sleep on your stomach or your side? I had my surgery two months ago, and haven't slept well since. Until a week ago, I could only sleep on my back as it hurts really badly to sleep on my sides. Now, I can sleep on my sides, but not for long. I am getting up an hour-two before usual becase I dont rest well, and then I am sleepy all day. 2. Gummi Vitamins yes or no? I take the chewable vitamins and am still cutting my medications into little pieces. it takes hours to get all of the meds in. 3. What is everyone's exercise routine? Is everyone hardcore for daily exercise? I am just walking right now; I walk my dog in the mornings. I did join a health fitness center that I plan to go to in a week or two -just haven't felt strong enough yet. 4. My main problem is that I NEVER feel full, even after I eat. Will the band help me FEEL full on just a cup of food sufficiently? People are so very different on how much food and which foods they can eat. For me, I don't eat too much...about 1/2 cup at a time if it is a food that I tolerate well, and if it is diffiicult for me, about 1/4 cup. However, the main thing for me is that full doesn't feel like what I thought it would. Full, for me, feels like slight pain or discomfort. It does not feel like satisfation. I have to eat small bites and chew really well and that takes a lot of the satisfaction from eating-that plus my fear of eating something that will go down wrong. 5:A lot of my extra weight is in my hips and thighs. Does this weight come off last after stomach weight? Mine too, in the beginning, I lost in my face, shoulders and then on down to my breasts. Now I am smaller all over, but mostly top part because that is just how my body is...I am narrow. My face used to look really young because of the plumpness, now I look older. I forgot to look to see your age, so you might stay youthful looking, but for me, I am thinking of getting collagen injections in my lips after I lose more. (I've lost about 30 pounds, 70 more to go.) 6: Anyone have the band for over 5 years here? Any long term problems? Sorry, just two months out, but am really interested in the answers from the oldtimers... 7: Do you find that you are satisfied on eating less by feeling full after wards. Satisfied is not the word I use. I don't want more food, but am disappointed that I can't eat a larger portion, I can't even eat half of a child's meal, just an example, no restaurants yet have allowed to me to order one, I have to get the full order... I throw out sooo much food. It bothers me to waste all the money. I thought that I would be eating the portions that I had on -for example weight watchers, but that is way too much food for me. I also want to mention that I cannot tolerate the nutritious foods that I associate with a diet -most fruits and vegetables. I can only eat the soft nonfibrous ones. no salad or veggies to snack on... Any responses to any of these questions would be helpful. Keep in mind that I am only two months out and many others at my stage can eat anything they want...just FYI in case you might be similar to me... good luck in your decision!!