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I am experiencing the same thing. It started right at 4 mos. post-op. Protein is not the issue for me as I get the right amount daily. I don't buy into the stress of surgery school of thought either since I've had other surgeries and never lost my hair. I believe it has to do with a decrease in fat consumption so I began taking flax seed oil last week. I started on Biotin a few weeks ago. I here it's only temporary so hang in there. Donna

I had my surgery 2 weeks ago and I am still a little sore but really doing well. I am doing about 10 to 20 minutes on the eliptical and some light weights. Today I am starting to eat soft foods. My weight loss has slowed way down which is fine because I lost about 19 pounds in 14 days. Before I was worried I was losing to fast because losing too fast mean gaining more back even faster. But I think I will be fine this time. I'm excited about working out again. And maybe someday I can run a mile again (one of my goals). One other thing is to train my family that my meals are very small now. Yesterday my child cooked dinner for me and tried to give my a large protion which I would have normally ate and went back for seconds. I had to remind her I don't eat that much any more. Poor thing, I think I hurt her feelings. But I ate it; NOT all of it. Just until I felt full; which was about less than half of what she served me. My dad (may he r.i.p) had gastric bypass in 2001. When he came to visit me I would try to feed him a large protion and did not understand how much he really eats. But now I do. I am so so glad I got my lap band.

I am 6 months out of surgery. Have lost about 49 pounds since my journey began. I don't have any side effects except for a major one. hair Loss I am still losing hair and it does not look like it will stop any time soon. It is by the hand fulls all day every day. I am seeing bald spots, which is not good. I have always had extremly thick hair.. Could I be doing somethign wrong? This has me really upset.. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I want it to stop or at very least slow down. I will be shopping for wigs instead of new cloths!! lol :frown:

I'm asking this questions because I'm due to be sleeved on May 17, but for the past six months I have been dieting and exercising like I never have before in my life. I was 437 pounds when I started and now sit at 325, 112 pounds lost. I've also noticed that my weight loss has slowed down a considerable amount and was wondering if you guys believe it will speed back up again once I have the procedure. Any thoughts?

I think everyone goes through this. But at the end of the day....Sadly, what it comes down to....is being more afraid of parting ways with your life, your health, your mobility, your ability to participate in the lives of the people you love. I get thinking that it's not that bad yet... And I totally understand the idea of....I did this well with diet, why have the surgery? Look at statistics. Research this question: What percentage of people keep weight off with diet and exercise alone compared to bariatric surgery? It's not a magic bullet. You can still regain. You might not make goal. But statistically? You will lose more weight, and you will keep more off permanently....with weight loss surgery. It's your best hope. It gives you the best odds. It's a safe surgery. You can do this.

Well, I thank God that I have lost 50 lbs. I have gone down 3 pants sizes which makes me quite happy. I have just gotten back 4 pairs of pants from the tailor that were all taken in. I can do SO much more than what I used to be able to do at almost 300 lbs. I can mow the lawn, weed whack, I can stand up long periods, I can dance, I can bend down and tie shoes and wear enclosed shoes because my feet are not as swollen as they once were. I have far more energy and since my blood sugar is more under control I just feel a lot better in general. So here is the be honest with yourself part. I could be farther along in this process if I were stricter with calorie intake and if I were exercising. I am not writing this so that I can receive lectures - I am choosing to be transparent and honest. I know I could be doing better. I have not lost weight in 3 weeks. I have gained upwards 3 lbs and then got it off but not gone past my last weight loss mark. I have reached the stage where I think the honey moon is over and now I will need to work to keep that scale moving. I can also eat more than I could before. Thankfully I can now eat chicken and I seem to be able to tolerate an egg even though that still makes me feel sick. I find that I am not hungry during the day time but my hunger starts from around 6 pm onwards. I am hoping that the weight I have lost so far will be the catalyst to help motivate me to further changes and incorporate some kind of exercise that I enjoy into my life and be consistent with it. I do have a treadmill in my bedroom - geez - I know. I am not motivated. I by the treadmill. I have found a class on Saturday afternoons that does a community African dance class for adults and I am seriously thinking of that. My only exercise right now is when I mow my 1.5 acre lawn with a push mower. Takes me 3 days and that burns tons of calories but that is only every 3 weeks. In general I do not binge eat. In general I eat good, whole food. I get most of my protein from meat now but I do still use protein powder. I do not always drink my liquid goal. Actually, I don't get it done most days. I will have dark chocolate, ice cream and some chips. In small amounts. I am encouraged though. Encouraged that I can still make the adjustments going forward to reach to at least 100 lbs weight loss in a year. I will not quit. My main goal in this whole journey of VSG is to be able to come off of insulin because of weight loss and day to day controlling my diet. I am at 250 lbs which is still very big. I'd be happy with 60 more lbs off. I will be so happy to make that post when that day comes. I am off to my college reunion where I have not seen friends in 25 years! I am so much bigger than I was back then but grateful that they wont see me at 300 lbs! It will be the first time travelling since VSG so we shall see how the eating regime goes when I am overseas.

Hi gang. I'm one month post op and thought I'd update on how I'm doing and maybe post a few questions for the hive mind. So, my surgery was September 11. My height is 5'9". My high weight was on day 1 of my pre-op diet. (270), BMI 40. I just food funeraled my brains out. I was 255 on day of surgery. And today I am 229.9. Total lost is 40.1. Current BMI 33.8 I am still on a liquid diet. My surgeon is extremely conservative with diet advancement. So I have 2 protein shakes a day, cream soups with the solids strained out, and water or crystal light. I will remain on this diet until the beginning of November. I take a leisurely 1- 1.5 mile walk about 4-5 times a week. I will be returning to work on Friday. I work 7p-7a as an RN in and ICU, so I am a bit nervous to return. Next week, I will return to the gym once I see if all restriction is lifted and plan to work out 3-4 times a week for 30 minutes to 1 hour combining cardio and weight training. My energy level has gotten gradually better as time goes on. It was brutal the first 2 weeks, hard the third, and this week has been quite a bit better in terms of ability to get things done. I have not had any constipation yet. Nor have I had any other major complications. I take omeprazole, vitamins, and asthma medication. I only had nausea in the hospital and once at home on the 2nd day back. I sip ALL. DAY. LONG. I do burp quite a bit, but not with any discomfort. More of an annoyance that I hope will eventually settle down. The liquid diet only has been the hardest part. When all is said and done, I will have done 9 weeks of no solid food whatsoever, and it has been a real challenge. I have three children at home and I am still preparing meals for my family because my husband has had a huge work project going on and works late a lot and he is also in grad school. I do the majority of the food shopping, preparing and cleaning up and so I am constantly faced with solid food and a desire to taste something, anything! other than a protein shake or those disgusting soups. I actually gag at the thought of those soups. I try to remember that each day that passes is one day closer to resuming eating solid foods again and that I am incredibly lucky to have lost so much weight so rapidly when I started out at a BMI of 40. I'm sure it's in large part due to my conservative diet. I did have one stall in week 3. It lasted 6 days. I dropped one pound and then stayed there another 3 days. That was a downer. Even though I knew it was normal and to be expected and I'd had good weight loss, it is very hard to be so strict and stringent and be consuming only 450 calories a day and stay the same weight for 9 days. It just seems unfair and takes a lot of mental and emotional willpower to just soldier on. Stalls are not cool. Even if they are part of this whole journey. I could do without them, thank you very much. So, here are some questions I have for all you wiser, more seasoned sleevers.... 1) GERD is a fear of mine. I have not had any symptoms of GERD so far. Anyone out there have no GERD symptoms immediately post-op but then develop them down the road? Just want to know if i am in the clear or still need to be on the lookout? 2) Once you advanced your diet and introduced solids, what are your go to rules -- like I always drink at least blank ounces of water between meals. Or I never go more than blank hours without eating. Or whatever. What are your go to habits that work best for you? 3) What are things you wish you wouldn't have done, if anything? 4) What advice would you give to someone at this point of the sleeve journey? Thanks in advance!

If you have medical concerns about the runs and not absorbing your foods, you may want to contact your surgeon’s office. How far out from surgery are you? What food stage? What foods are listed to eat? The choices you make will be a factor in your health and long-term weight loss outcome.

I have RA and the weight loss has helped. I am having a flare right now, but confident it is the crazy weather and issues with insurance and medication.

Hello All... Today I am 17 days post-op and it was the first day I did not vomit. I was able to get up and do some things around the house without having to sit and rest every 5-10 mins. It felt good to have some energy and be functioning like normal. I am down 22 pounds since my surgery day. Hot flashes are the worst, at least one every hour. I know that I am not getting all my water and protein in but I just keep trying. Looking forward to everyday for improvements! I had to push back my return to work day by a week since I have been struggling, hoping for next week returning to work. One good note, when I look in the mirror... I can see the loss in my face!!! Sent from my SM-T800 using the BariatricPal App

I am scheduled to have surgery July 6th...and I have been reading these boards for tips and hints. One thing that I read in the frequently asked questions is about exercise. It's recommended you start walking ASAP. Last year I tore the meniscus on my right knee, had surgery....but it is still very painful. My doctor told me weight loss would definitely help it! So my question is this....what are some other ways to exercise for anyone that walking isn't an immediate option? I have a recumbent stationary bike. I guess I'm pre-worrying, because I am SO ready to do this! I'm very excited/anxious, and the one thing that I see over and over that seems to help people be successful is walking. My doctor told me that even losing 40 pounds will diminish the pain and make long walks a realistic goal! I just want to make sure I can get to a 40 pound loss!!! Thanks in advance! Doji

I DEFINITELY am not a veteran yet. I'm 6-1/2 months post-op and have lost 77 pounds, with 8 pounds to go before goal. At some point it became obvious that I'd lost enough that my weight loss began to slow. After all, a body that's 77 pounds lighter doesn't burn as many calories. That's just logical. And the longer I've been post-op, the more my stomach has healed (it's no longer swollen) and the more volume of food I can eat. BTW, I SHOULD be eating more food than I did initially. If I were still eating only 600-800 calories a day, my metabolic rate would have accustomed itself to a starvation menu and I'd be missing important nutrition. By the end of Month One I averaged 800 calories/day with 60-70 grams of Protein. In Month Five I started eating an average of 1,000 calories a day with 80-90 grams of protein. A few weeks ago I began eating more like 1,200 calories a day with 90-100 grams of protein. With 8 pounds to go I'm still losing weight steadily, but more slowly. Although I've enjoyed a few special meals, I haven't gone "hog wild" (and couldn't have with the sleeve's restriction). I haven't had any unusual cravings that I haven't been able to control. I sometimes eat small amounts of "bad carbs" (Pasta, rice, potatoes, breads) but the amounts are small, and I don't do that daily. So I guess, behavior-wise, I'm still in the honeymoon phase. I don't fight eating protein first or eating lots of protein and colored vegetables and fruits. I don't plan to indulge in lots of high-starch and high-sugar carbs until after I've reached goal. And I'm certainly don't have maintenance figured out yet, because I'm not there yet. For me, the sleeve has given me the head space to build and practice the basic eating habits I have always wanted to follow consistently. Those habits are just a lot easier now than they were before the sleeve. I think the factors that will help you be successful with WLS are compliance, consistency, common sense and personal accountability. BTW, I plan and track my menus daily on www.myfitnesspal.com. Good luck to you.

After reading your message, there is no way I could be hesitant for my surgery. I have been on insulin for Type 2 diabetes since 2006 so I hope it will go away, too. The surgeon's nurse that I see each month says that it will. It's a few day more since you left the hospital for your kidney stones and I bet you are doing even better now! Oh my, Congratulations are in order for your 90# weight loss, in such a short time! Thanks for sharing with me.

Hey, I think you are doing really well... but the main focus should be on healing and letting your new tummy settle in, the weight loss is just a bonus at the moment. My first few weeks were exactly the same... the first 2-3 weeks, the weight feel off, then slowed right down and now at nearly 16 weeks out it is slow but steady; I average about 10lb a month... I used to think that was slow... but now I realise that it's average and a healthy way to lose weight. Remember to take you measurements... this way if you feel your weight loss is slow you have the measurements to reiterate how well you are doing... Good luck and keep up the good work

If you have lost 75# in 3 months or so... well, maybe your body needs to sort of readjust and stabilize. To me that sounds like VERY FAST weight loss for a woman, so I would say just keep working the sleeve and don't stress about it. I didn't quite lose 100# in 6 months. It took me 14 months to lose 150 and get to my official goal. Seems to me you are on track...

Yesterday saw the Doc and all cleared my 4 month check up - So I may end my looking like a homeless dude attitude, For those of you who did not see a post a few months back i decided to not buy new clothes or get a hair cut till i lost 80 pounds. Did this to have fun with this journey and aggravate my two teenage boys. Been a fun ride and looking forward to the last 25=30 pounds = However I am starting to notice I am getting way to small from the waste down - Getting legs like a chicken? WTF - May be due to all the exercise i do is bike, elliptical and dog walking. Any suggestions on balancing out the weight loss, Insane problem but gotta fix this dang issue now also -

@GFerg1986 welcome to our "small" group - we get "smaller" every day "slow loser, maybe that’s because I weigh myself every day, by the end of the week it feels like forever". or - weighing yourself every day - scale doesn't move, so you feel like you are always at a stall!! many of us have trouble staring/concentrating on the scale (I do/did) KNOCK IT OFF!! LOL - your weight loss is moving along steadily and fine read the boards, - questions, answers, experiences from all. you will probably see similar questions/thoughts that you have. Absorb all the info, comments from OP -BUT at the end of the day, listen to ONLY your doc and NUT) short for nutrition (and me too of course!! LOL) see you around the neighborhood keep up the good job kathy

An NSV is a non-scale victories. It's the little things we Celebrate during our weight loss that have nothing to do with numbers or scales. It could be fitting into an old dress, climbing up a staircase without losing your breath, etc.

I had the sleeve done in August and I was doing well then I had a gallbladder issue. I just had my gallbladder removed in January and now I had pain in my left ear and popping of my jaw on the left side. I went to the doctor and they said it’s a slight case of TMJ. I don’t have chronic pain it’s only when chewing or trying to eat and it happens frequently. I’m scared I’m looking up everything online and everyone is saying you may need your jaw wired shut or surgery for the TMJ. I wanted to see if anyone had this problem after their weight loss. I am bad at taking my vitamins now I’m scared I screwed something else up. Has anyone had an issue? I am seeing a chiropractor on Monday and and oral surgeon next Tuesday. My dentist said the oral surgeon will take care of that.

I'm 9 months post-op and sitting stuck at an 85 lb. loss. The plateau has lasted two months and I'm about over it . . . BUT, pants are fitting better and my waist is coming back and my hair has stopped falling out in chunks. I think my body just had to sit here for a while. I'm trying not to be discouraged . . .but I'm not seeing the 1-2 size pant drop you are seeing! Congrats--that's progress!

Had reflux pre-op, mostly due to a hernia that was fixed during surgery. Post-sleeve, no issues ... but still on meds to make sure. At 9 months out Doc is starting to wean me off of them. I also have a spine injury ... nerve pain with radiation and neuropathy in my left leg. Was pretty debilitating for the past 5 years & even did a stint in an intensive rehabilitation program. I lost pretty rapidly with my sleeve -- down 120 lbs in just over a year (9 months of that post-op). The weight loss has taken a great deal of pressure off my spine & I have seen a dramatic improvement. Don't let the thoughts of other sway you though. Everyone's journey is personal. Talk to your surgeon & lay out your pros/cons for each WLS, then see what he says. Mine was more than willing to discuss & debate it with me until I reached a decision.

@@pattyoj 60lbs in 2 months is not a slow loss - that's a pretty good rate. Get all your protein, water and vitamins - exercise and you should lose again soon. It's normal to have stalls.

hi.... I was feeling weak for 2 months..but now im ok... I'm taking lots of supplements, Iron, b Vitamin, Calcium E vitamin...plus having lot of protien in my diet...and drinking Water all the time... Maybe ur diet is low in nutrients....are u having 3 full meals and 2 protien Snacks... my weight loss is slow....but i have accepted it....

It's a way to jump start ur weight loss. Two days of liquids , one day of soft foods, one day firm proteins and one day of dense proteins... It's a back to basics test to reset ur sleeve

Hey scrapqueen.... I was banded on 8/17 also...we are band twins!!! First of all, doesn't your doctor have you working with a dietian? If not, you should ask him/her about this. I just started my pureed/mushies last Wednesday and up until then I was on liquids. I was given a "diet" to follow by my dietian, but it is very conservative. I believe if you are eating about 1200-1500 calories WITH NO LESS than 60 grams of Protein you are doing just fine. As far as losing weight....this is a healing time. Once you get a fill, then you are on the road to weight loss. Good Luck....