Mickey527

I had surgery on 9/18/2009 and have been doing extremly well with losing. However it seems that as fast as I am losing the weight I am losing twice as much hair. My Dr said it is because I am not getting enough protein but I am getting more than what he recommends. I average between 75 and 100 gms of protein a day. I also take bioten daily but that doesn't seem to help. I started losing the hair at about 3 months. I did read some posts that said it starts then but everyone else seems to have stopped shedding. I made my neice a quilt this Christmas and it was covered in my hair by the time I finished. I had to get one of those sticky rollers for my hair. My meals consist of: Bfst-one of the following: high protein oatmeal,egg, special K Lunch- tuna, egg, low salt lunch meat, broiled chicken or fish Dinner- some kind of meat, some veggies snacks- in mid afternoon I usually have a protein shake (35 gms) or protein shot (49 gms) or a protein bar (32 gms) that seems to be alot of protein but I am still shedding. My hair is very fine and it is really fine now and won't hold a curl at all. It was a little longer than shoulder length but I cut it to chin length when it really started falling out because it was really getting thin. Anyone have any ideas? should I spread the protein I get at snack time through the day? does your body dump protein if taken too quickly?

some of the things I forgot to mention. I take a chewable multi vitamen that my bariatric Dr sells in his office and 1 chewable calcium twice daily for 1000 mg of calcium. I never ate this much protein when I was heavier, I filled up on pasta and bread. Bread was my favorite treat, I would go to the bakery and buy a french bread still warm and eat most of it on the drive home. I eat a 1/2 chicken breast at dinner, and when I have eggs I eat 2, either scrambled or fried. I eat 1/2 can of tuna with low cal mayo on 2 slices of bread crust cut off so it doesn't block. I do eat alot, but have cut out all sweets and junk, although I have been eating popcorn alot lately during late evening tv. I am losing weight quickly because I used to drink 2 liters of coke and eat a whole box of twinkies or funny bones during tv before the band. My food choices have improved a bit. lol. I am going to see the Dr next week and will talk to him again. If I am losing the hair because of the weight loss then I might have to get the 2 cc fill out just so I can eat more. Who knows. One more thing, I did have bloodwork done a few weeks ago and all my chemicals are within normal range and I am not burning protein in my urine so my general Dr has no idea why the hair is falling out so quickly.

thanks all for the quick replies. I try not to go to the Dr as much now since I have to pay the co pays now that the 3 month mark is up and between all the chemo and regular Docs and the lap band it runs over $100 a month for co pays. I had oatmeal this morning and did ok, but feel tight. Can't explain to others but I am sure you all know what I feel. This has helped me lose the weight because I had no willpower before but can turn away those sweets now since the band even though I am not feeling the full feeling yet. I just seem to have more willpower. I had the band because of health problems and since losing the weight I haven't had to take any blood pressure medicine, my neuropathy is less, and my lymphedema arm hasn't swollen in 3 months so I don't need the daily PT that I did before. I do miss pizza though, my family had it the other night and I had a piece of broiled chicken...

I know I read a post about this once but I can't find it on a search. I have had no problems since my surgery in Sept. As a matter of fact I have been losing weight at an astonishing rate even thought I think I eat more than I should. Well, in the past week I have been having real problems with everything. I can tolerate oatmeal and shakes but anything solid gets stuck. I tried steak, chicken, and fish and they all get stuck, no matter how small I cut or how much I chew. The stuck feeling is so painful but if I get up and walk around for about 10 min. the food drops. I had one PB incident but never vomited. Yesterday I had some salad and got stuck again. I bent over and that caused the food to move back, my first PB or vomit. Chewed salad is ugly! I wanted more so I stood at the table and was able to eat the rest of the salad and the chicken in it without incident. I ate more standing than I had when I was sitting and no problems at all. My last fill was on Dec 2. My Dr felt that I didn't need another since I have been losing at least 3-4 lbs a week. I have approx 2cc in my 14 cc band. Last night fo dinner (OK do't yell) I had a bag of pop corn and a protein shake. I have no problem with popcorn but can't eat chicken cut smaller than the pop corn. I see my Dr on Jan 26th for my next appt.

I haven't had problems with my port but my friend's daughter has had her port flip twice. she has to go in for surgery in a few days for the port to be fixed AGAIN!. The first time she had problems they kept sticking her and couldn't find the port so finally did a fluroscope. They stuck her 8 times before they finally gave up. She lost a few lbs but not what she should have because she hadn't had any fills yet. She said the surgery was not as painful as the first since all they did was go in and flip the port and stitch it to muscle. She had 3 cuts to fix the port. Once they fixed the port she got a fill and hasn't been able to eat much at all, vomiting all the time and not able to eat solids. They wanted to do an unfil but couldn't access the port again. Her Dr keeps telling her that the chances are unlikely that she would flip again but it was within 2 months from the first surgery to fix it until the 2nd flip

I didn't see much in my face because I always had a thin face. I still have the double chin though, if I look down. Hopefully I can save for one of those chin lifts that they have been advertising on tv. I don't wear turtlenecks anymore though, boy does that extra skin look terrible in a turtleneck. I did save some of my heavier clothes and love putting them on now. At my heaviest I was wearing size 18 TIGHT! but I wouldn't buy size 20. I am now wearing size 10 comfortably and went to Kohls and got some size 8's from the clearance rack for the future. But I found a size 6 that was cut wrong and they fit. I know they are cut bigger than the stated size because they fit like my size 10's but boy is it fun to show off that label. I had the band for health problems and haven't taken a blood pressure pill in 3 months and my neuropathy and fibromyalgia have both lessened, and I can sit on the floor to play with my grandson and get up on my own.

Nonoma, believe me, you don't want to experience this feeling. I also had the same as you, I eat whatever I want and never have a problem. Luckily I have been able to watch what I eat and use very strong willpower that I never seemed to have before the band was inserted and still have been losing weight. but last night I had a very dry burger on a potato roll. the roll was very soft and the burger was very dry. I took one bite and it got stuck. Ohhh the pain. I was able to walk around through the pain until it finally moved but it was about 15 minutes of pain. My boys kept saying drink something (they just don't understand) but I knew if I did I would be a mess. I did slime a bit, but not much. I don't vomit, have only vomited 4 times in my entire life so I couldn't even force a vomit although I really wanted to after the first 5 minutes. Once the food moved I chewed two papaya enzyme tabs to help break up that food and took the burger off the bun. I cut it up and put barbeque sauce on it and ate the rest without a problem. My doc and the nutritionist both said make sure the food is very lubricated with mayo or some kind of sauce, but I guess I had to see for myself.

Hi All, I haven't posted in a while, been so busy. Anyway, I was a low BMI. My weight was 210 when I started 5'4". I lost 30 lbs doing the shakes prior to surgery. I did it for almost 4 weeks instead of the 2 because I had a very fatty liver and was very nervous that the Dr would nick it. My insurance approved it because of my health. Since the surgery and weight loss I haven't taken my blood pressure medicine in almost 3 months, haven't had the neuropathy that I used to, the fibromyalgia is not as bad, I can sit on the floor and play with my grandson, and I can walk the mall without stopping at the food court to rest and get something to drink. My sleep apnea is so much better, I don't nap during the day anymore because I am sleeping through the night and feeling refreshed in the am. I am down to 158 now, I tell my grandson I lost more than he weighs. I posted on here how I lost my grandson and people didn't like the title. lol I hope to get down to around 145. Right now I am wearing size 10 comfortably. I was in extremly tight 16's that should have been 18 or 20 before starting. I did lose alot of hair at the 3 month time. Dr said it was lack of protein but I really feel it was the shock to my body from surgery. I get between 60 and 75 gms of protein a day between food and a shake before dinner. Unfortunately I have had 3 fills already and I still am always hungry. I am fighting with my will power daily but so far I have been winning. I really feel so much better that I don't want to gain the weight back or be heavy anymore so I am watching everything I eat. I haven't had candy or ice cream since my grandson's birthday on Sept. 9. I keep telling my Dr that I am hungry but he is afraid to give me a bigger fill because I have been losing at least 5 lbs every 2 weeks. I know it is alot too, but I am eating healthier, and about the same amounts as before, just better.

I was banded on 9/18 and have been doing well and able to eat everything so far. I had a big fill last week and thought I was too tight when I PB'd for almost 1/2 hour after eating yogurt. Today I had yogurt for lunch and the PBing started almost 1/2 way through. I would think yogurt would be a slider food, how can it get stuck? Anyway, my other food that I can't eat is canned peas. I eat them and I get pain in my chest like they are stuck, no matter how slow or small amount I eat. I love canned peas! I can eat fresh or frozen peas without problem but not canned. What food causes you to get that stuck feeling?

I am one of those complaining that I have been using willpower to lose and the band hasn't helped much. I have had a few fills and am starving all the time. I eat as much as my son's at dinner and only stop because I know I ate enough, not because I am full. Each fill was approx .2 cc. I complained to the Dr how I am starving and think about food all the time so this time they gave me 1cc. Had the liquid diet for 2 days, then mushie and had no problems. This morning I had yogurt for bfst and then made a cup of tea. I tried to drink it and wow, PB to the max. I have never had PB and didn't think it would happen with tea, or any liquid for that matter. Especially after eating yogurt for bfst. I put a call in to my Dr but I guess they are not in today. I want to get a small unfil ASAP. I am able to swallow the smaller amounts of saliva now but if I watch a commercial for food or think about food I start to slime like a hungry dog. I am hungry but afraid to eat. I had a small protein bar for lunch and kept it down but sliming small amounts. I am afraid to drink anything but am thirsty. I guess I past my sweet spot. I am just glad this happened now, I am going out of town for New Years and wouldn't want this to happen away from the Dr. Will let you know what happens as soon as I hear from the DR.

Well the Dr never called me back so I am still at the same fill amount. Yesterday I ate like normal without any problems. I can't believe I PB'd on yogurt but I guess I either ate too fast or just went with the tea too quickly. It was about an hour after the yogurt though. I can't eat canned peas either although I used to love them. The peas were the only food I have had problems with since the band. I got pain when I swallowed them, no PB or vomiting, just some pain as they passed down. I am going to try the Dr today just to yell at them for never returning my call and at least reassuring me.

I got on the scale yesterday and then of course my grandson wanted to weigh himself too. I lost the same amount as my grandson weighs. I can't believe I carried around those pounds, I can hardly pick him up. I do recognize that the nutritionist helped me, I don't however give much credit to the band. I have had 3 fills already and can eat as much if not more than my 33 and 31 year old sons. I have just had more willpower than I did in the past. I have no restrictions, can eat almost everything I want, and crave everything. I eat one packet of oatmeal where I used to eat 3. I eat one tuna sandwich where I used to eat the entire can, usuall 2 1/2 sandwiches. Then I eat a normal dinner, the amount my son's eat. I am still hungry but don't take more. I don't snack and am hungry almost all the time. I used to buy a box of devil dogs or yodels (the 8 pack) and eat them all while watching tv at night. Now I just drink 32 oz of crystal light and water and drool over all the food commercials. I have complained to my doctor that I am always hungry and his comment is "Well you are losing weight" He just won't listen when I say it is all willpower, not the band.

LOL I love the title, I used it to get more people to read. Check out what I have written in my signature. I would never let that boy out of my sight for anything and if anything ever happened to him I would honestly want to just give up. He is the love of my life and the reason I am still alive. I did read the post on the hammer and I agree, I see my Dr in another week and I am going to show that topic to him and tell him that if he doesn't allow me to use my "tool" the way it was meant and not have to struggle every day with food I am going to be seeing someone else soon.

I fell the same way. I have had 2 fills already but have felt no difference in the amount I could eat. I do have to say my willpower is stronger than it used to be, I have been able to turn away from sweets now since the surgery but never did before. However, I think my willpower is what is helping me lose the weight, not the band. Today I am starving. I just can't satisfy it at all. I had my normal oatmeal for bfst, tuna for lunch, and a turkey sandwich for dinner. Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and mayo on white bread. I still felt starved and wound up eating crackers and cheese, almost a whole boursin cheese, 6 oz. I feel somewhat full now but I think I could probably eat more if I could find something to eat. I see my Dr on Thursday and hope this fill will take care of my hunger, my willpower is starting to lag and those Christmas candies and cookies looked so good today at the store.

I don't think it was really overeating, I think it was what I ate. I had a fill of 2 cc (total of 4 now) last Thursday but I am still starving. I have been able to eat whatever I want but have tried to watch. I had some salsa and tostitos last night without a problem Tonight I had fish with orange ginger marinade (Aldi's $.98 for a single serving) and some canned peas (my favorite veggetable). The pea skins were kind of crunchy, not soft like the kind I usually buy. I had almost finished the fish and took a forkful of the peas. On the 2nd forkful the pain began. I was able to drink some water without a problem so I am not sure if it was stuck or what. I started to sweat. Took a walk which usually helps if I swallow something I haven't chewed right and it seemed to get worse. Tried to lie down and it got even worse. Chewed 2 papaya enzyme tabs and began burping. After about 1 hour I felt better but I was exhausted. I fell asleep for almost 2 hours and now feel better. I don't want to ever feel that pain again, the gas pain was bad but this was 100% worse.

I had my band done on Sept. 18. I had a 2 cc fill 2 weeks ago and another 2 cc fill last Thurs. I still can eat like I used to, I don't feel any restrictions at all. I want chocolate cake, ice cream and all the other junk food that I used to eat, but I won't buy it and won't allow it in the house. I haven't eaten at a restaraunt since the band because I don't want the temtation of the good but very fattening foods and desserts. This is not what I expected with the band, I thought I would not have these urges and hunger anymore. I am losing weight but only because I am watching everything I eat. I do the liquids for two days after the fill and then 2 days of soft, then back to eating what I have made my new normal. I haven't been snacking, although I really want to. I did try a frito to see fi I could eat it and it went down without a problem. The other day I had some of my son's friends over to help me do some re-construction and I bought them all Subway. I was able to eat 1/2 a sub without any difficulty. I stopped at 1/2 because I knew I had to but I think I could have eaten it all if I tried. I really wish I had just gone to see the nutritionist and not had the band done. I am doing this weight loss without the help of the band. I had thought it would make me not feel hunger but I am hungry all the time. I just have been fighting and luckily my willpower has been stronger than in the past. The only thing this band has done has given me the will to fight my hunger, not the means to fight my hunger. Every day I think about how I should just have it removed and use willpower to lose the rest. Does anyone else feel this way or are you all lucky enough to not have the huger I feel?

I also want to wish all Marines a Happy Birthday. Once a Marine always a Marine. My youngest son is a Marine and stationed in Mirimar near San Diego. He was supposed to go overseas but they changed his orders at the last minute and I breathed a big sigh of relief. tried to post a photo of the handsome guy but can't (I am computer illiterate) Semper Fi!

I got my first fill today, 3cc. I was supposed to get one two weeks ago but the Dr said I had been losing too much weight and took oout all the air and deflated the band totally. At home my scale said I had gained 2 lbs in these 2 weeks but on the Dr's scale today it said I had lost 3. I don't know how I lost since I have been eating so much. But I have been watching what I eat even though I did eat alot. But there is no way I lost 3 lbs. I am not feeling any different with the fill at all, still hungry but am on liquids for 2 days.

I know I have seen this post before but I can't find it doing a search. Last night I choked on a small piece of chicken skin but a snack size Snickers went down like it was water. I won't even touch milkshakes and stay clear of my favorite Wendy's frozen chocolate desserts. I have a cold and am afraid that the Dr won't give me my fill tomorrow even though I am eating like a pig. I ate almost a full 16 oz bag of Trader Joe's Salsa Tortilla Chips tonight while reading my favorite message boards. It is a struggle every day to not gain back the 30 lbs I lost prior to surgery. I am not happy with this band and this starving feeling makes it worse. I was less hungry before I had the surgery and even though I was overweight I never ate the amount I am eating now.

Yesterday I went to Boston Market and got a 1/4 white chicken and some mashed potatoes for dinner. (Had a coupon and it cost me $1.00.) They wouldn't let me substitute anything else for the potatoes, I really wanted some broccolli. Anyway, I love the skin on their chicken. I know it isn't good for you but I had my surgery on 9/18, haven't had a fill yet and am STARVING! Well I chewed as well as I could and swallowed. That tiny piece of skin got caught and wouldn't go down or up. I tried to force a burp but nothing. I didn't have much pain but it wasn't comfortable either. I hate to vomit, but tried to force myself and that wouldn't work either. I finally took a walk around the block and felt the food move a bit. I went home and finished 1/2 of the chicken and a few baby spoons full of potatoes and I was full, but no more skin for me. How do you all PB? I haven't had a sliming or PB incident but there have been times when I felt something get stuck. What do you do to speed the food through?

I had the same pain and it was worse than the pain in the shoulder. It was right between my breasts and traveled up into my throat. It felt better if I forced a burp but the pain came right back again. I knew it wasn't my heart (BP was normal and pulse was low). I called my Dr and he recommended I go to the ER for an EKG but Ididn't. I tried Gas-X and no relief but then took 2 tbsp of Milk of Mag and had almost instant relief. I did have to take the MOM for 3 days, every 6-8 hours. I saw the Dr a few days later for my first fill but he said it was GERD symptoms so he took out all the air in the band. I haven't had the pain since, but I am starving and eating anything and everything I can get at. Gained 2 lbs this week. I see the Dr on Thursday and I am insisting on a fill so I can stop eating as much.

First off, I am going to add myself to this list because I haven't been put on by anyone. I thought the OP was in charge. Hope I don't step on any toes... Don't delete me... Sexy Septembers' Band List Soco 9/01/09 Amandakrangel 9/1/09 Coloradomom (Gen) 9/1/09 ms_Hart37 9/1/09 mosean6278 09/01/09 katklaws 09/01/09 SmilinShel (Michelle) 09/01/09 Comet321 (Chris) 9/1/09 ivy76 9/02/09 Amchenai (Anna) 9/2/2009 $occer mom 9/3/09 agnaus (Terri) 9/3/09 Jmtmb (JoLynne ) 9/4/09 JLDChester(Jamie)9/4/09 Cortney75 (Cortney) 9/4/09 tzn (Karena) 9/8/09 mrsyellis (yohontas)9/08/09 juststarting 9/8/09 Jules 09/09/09 Soldiersgem(ginna) 9/9/09 pr8453(Pam) 9/9/09 bradybrat 09/09/09 Ready4a2ndchance 9/09/09 travel (Anita) 09/09/09 10bluetoes 09/09/09 kittkat2009 09/10/09 Hmarko (helen) 9/11/09 stardustic 9/11/09 BrentinLA 9/14/09 Queen Bee 9/14/09 amwash23 9/14/09 romain123 9/14/09 Nawlinzlady (Dee) 9/15/09 Anni80 (annie) 9/15/09 Lula 9/15/09 smallerj (jes) 9/16/09 Boo Cakes 9/16/09 Hardygostlin (Jody) 9/17/09 Loveslady(Tawonda) 9/17/09 Gatorgirl1024 (Shelley) 9/17/09 MishiB (Michelle) 9/17/09 Kimberlyann2009 (Kimberly) 9/17/09 MICKEY527 (Peggie) 9/18/09 JoJo1 (Donna) 9/19/09 Sharie3 9/21/09 Italia2020 (Mia) 09/21/09 Ariane (Ariane) 09/21/09 Jenna1979 (Jennifer) 09/22/09 Pookiemp 9/23/2009 leigna 09/24/09 Butsy 9/24/09 Chickychoo (Jill) 09/28/09 Kinzie 09/28/09 Soexcited 9/30/09 ShrinkingV (Vickie) 9/30/09 Katlynn (Kat) 9/30/09 Next, I haven't been here in a while. I went over to the Post surgery board but I see all of you are still here. HI. I just have to say, I am starving. I lost alot of weight pre and post surgery because I stuck to the pre diet and instead of doing the shakes for 2 weeks I did it for 4. Lost almost 20 lbs during that time, then another 10 doing the clears and shakes the two weeks after I had some problems so the Dr did an un-fil. I didn't have anything in the port so he took out all the air. I was ok for the first few days but now I am eating everything that goes past my face. I gained a lb and know there are more sneaking around trying to find me. I go back to the Dr on Thursday and I am insisting on a fill. I have had lots of problems, pain in the shoulder was terrible but went away in the 4th week. I had terrible gas pain in my chest going up to my throat that was not relieved with Gas-X but Milk of Magnesia did help. But I had to take 2 tbsp 3 times a day until he did the un-fil. I had a horrific (Dr's words) hernia that he had to replace with mesh because he couldn't sew it back together because it had been so destroyed. Can you tell I was really down and not happy with what I had done? Well now that I am feeling better I want a fill so I can see what this puppy can do for me. I am at a stand still with weight loss and need to see some lbs go. I haven't lost anything for almost 2 weeks, just stayed at the same weight until yesterday's 1 lb gain.

I had the same thing last week, It hurt like a heart attack in the middle of my chest. I called my Dr and he recommended I go to the ER but I knew it wasn't a heart attack. I tried Gas-X without relief then at 3 am I got up to dress to go to the ER and decided to try some Milk Of Magnesia. Instant relief. I had the same feeling the next morning and took the MOM again. I saw the Dr on Tuesday and he said it might be GERD and he did an unfill. I had nothing in my band but he took out all the air too. I haven't had the feeling at all since then, but I am STARVING! I gained 2 lbs in a little less than a week and don't like it. The Dr said I have been losing too fast anyhow but I am going to see him next week and going to try a small fill just so I can get through the night without eating everything in the house. I haven't yet felt that this surgery was a good idea. From the day I came home I have had pain, felt uncomfortable and just not happy. I am hoping I can get to the good spot soon.

First I should say I was banded on 10/18. I still have the shoulder "gas" pain occasionally, maybe once a day. For about 4 days now I have had a strange feeling in my upper abdomen and throat. It is very hard to describe, not a pressure, but not comfortable. I started having some minor discomfort (not intolerable pain) in the area right below my breasts in the center. I of course thought heart, but my pressure is normal and pulse is at 70 and I feel fine other than this. The feeling has traveled up to my neck area but is still in the center chest area too. It feels like something is stuck and not moving but I am eating fine and no problems keeping food down. It is less when I lie down, and if I force a burp it stops for a few seconds but then it is back. I took Gas-X which didn't help at all. I also have pain on both sides below my ribs that feels like pulling inside. It feels like my ovaries were stitched to my stomach and when I move they pull. That pain is occasional and when it occurs I am knocked down for a few minutes. I didn't call the Dr because I have an appt for a fill on Tuesday so I will discuss this with him then. I was wondering if anyone else had these pains? I did write a post a week ago asking if this was worth it. I am losing weight, but because I am STRICT with what goes into my mouth. I almost feel now like I want the band out, I just can't take these constant pains. I wonder if my insurance would be willing to pay for removal, I am not living productivly because of them, I have to be careful and not move to quickly so I don't get the pain in my lower abdomen, and I am uncomfortable all the time.