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I know how you feel. My hair was on the thin side to begin with. All I can say is make sure to take your biotin, it helped me to stop shedding hair. My hair doesn't seem to grow as quickly as it used to but it's also not falling out anymore. Just be more gentle on your hair and baby it more. But, I totally understand how you feel about the hair loss.

How quickly do you get full after eating? You can stretch your sleeve out if you drink carbonated drinks, that's what my Dr. told me. I know how you feel, I've been there and struggle with being really hungry at time and other times not wanting to eat at all. I would say try to focus on something else, keep busy don't let the weight loss worry consume you. Keep busy.. Stop thinking and over thinking or getting bored, that can lead to being hungry as well.

Thank you SuziDavis, it’s reassuring to know others haven’t heard of the 50% loss in the first 3 months as it was making me worry x

I say give it time and stop focusing on how much you have lost each day. After I stopped weighing myself and stopped being hyper focused on how much I lost daily things changed. A week or more then I waited longer to weigh myself. I think I didn't attempt to weight myself for a couple of months and the weight loss was much more dramatic when on the scale. For me focusing daily on the loss of weight didn't help me to, that's me personally. You can focus on your weight, just don't let it consume you. Also, don't get sad if it's not coming off as quickly as you thought it would. Give it time, find something else to focus on and just continue moving around and eating healthier than you had in the past. This is my take on the situation, I don't know if my advice is the best as I have shifted from weight loss worry to other concerns. It's hard to stay positive at times, but for me it helped to try and distract myself and keep busy. I would also say, start to plan on your clothing choices and what you would like to wear. That was the most exciting time for me. I could finally dress more like a girl and not stuck in the clothes that were only in my size.

Hello, My starting weight was 250 and current weight is 124. I'm new to the forum. I want to remain anonymous at this point and I didn't want to post in facebook. I had my gastric sleeve done in May of 2022, I've lost a total of 125 pounds. The thing I didn't think about was how my self esteem has not changed. I was thinner in my late teens and 20's, but gained weight after having 5 children. I am now in my late 40's, I don't really regret the choice I made about the surgery. The thing I didn't prepare myself for mentally is the depression factor, I had depression prior to surgery and had been on med's. After my surgery I am still on meds, but I feel like things have started to get worse over the last 4-5 months with more weight loss. I find it very uncomfortable to get attention that I didn't before from males. It get's very uncomfortable to the point where I try to avoid places that have large groups of people. I'm married to a wonderful man for over 20 years, he is so supportive and loving. Once I lost the weight it has turned into more of a focus on my body and how great he tells me I look. Strangers like males coming up to me and asking me for my number, or flirting with me to excess. I don't like it, it makes me beyond anxious and has lead I think to me becoming more depressed. I just want to blend in and not be noticed like I used to be. I know how crazy this sounds but it's difficult for me because I'm very shy especially and I've never liked attention. Sorry this post may sound stupid or pointless but to me I didn't realize I would become more depressed and anxious after I lost weight. I thought weight loss was going to be an amazing thing, I paid out of pocket for the surgery myself. There is a downside to the weight loss that also no one talks about and it's the hair loss. Your hair get's very thin if you are not maintaining your vitamins. It still becomes thin and falls out due to the stress of the surgery. I'm okay with my hair but the hair loss was unexpected as well. I wanted somewhere I could vent about all this. I feel like the focus is more now on my body and how it looks, especially with my husband. Sometimes it's great but at other times it becomes overwhelming. I feel like something is wrong with me, I should be happy? I don't crave attention and wanted the surgery to feel healthy and for me. I fear the warm months coming, the summer I hated the most when I was overweight. Now that I've lost the weight I'm also just wanting to go back into that shell and become invisible again, especially around the opposite sex. This is not the part I expected to have to deal with, I forgot how to deal with this type of attention. Maybe this is something that others would love to have, but it can also become overwhelming, very overwhelming. Sorry I'm rambling, just didn't know where else to post this in case my complaining is unjustified and stupid?

Hello everyone I had my gastric bypass on 22nd February 2023 and although I am super thankful that I have lost weight, I am constantly worried I will not lose enough. One of the reasons I opted for the bypass (although there are other reasons) is because I do not have any children and I have unfortunately been diagnosed with premature ovarian failure and told that the only way I will possibly conceive is IVF, but I cannot get IVF on the NHS unless my weight is below 30 BMI. Some clinics do offer slightly higher BMIs (around 35) but they are all private and unfortunately I cannot afford to pay privately. For reference I am 5ft 5inches. I feel my weight loss has been quite slow for my starting weight and I read elsewhere that you usually lose 50% of your weight within the first 3 months, which has me worried as I think I am unlikely to hit 50% by 22nd May. I would be really grateful for anyone’s comments/experiences and have pasted below my weigh ins. PRE-OP DIET STARTS 7th February 2023 - 22st 5lbs 14th February 2023 - 21st 11lbs 17th February 2023 - 21st 10lbs 18th February 2023 - 21st 8lbs SURGERY DAY 22nd February 2023 - 21st 6lbs 26th February 2023 - 21st 3lbs 27th February 2023 - 21st 1lb 1st March 2023 - 20st 12lbs 2nd March 2023 - 20st 11lbs 4th March 2023 - 20st 10lbs 11th March 2023 - 20st 9lbs 12th March 2023 - 20st 7lbs 20th March 2023 - 20st 6lbs 24th March 2023 - 20st 5lbs 25th March 2023 - 20st 4lbs 30th March 2023 - 20st 2lbs 1st April 2023 - 20st 1lb 6th April 2023 - 19st 13lbs 7th April 2023 - 19st 11lbs 8th April 2023 - 19st 10lbs 15th April 2023 - 19st 9lbs 19th April 2023 - 19st 8lbs 21st April 2023 - 19st 7lbs My minimum goal weight for IVF is 13 stone.

Hello, Friends I'm a caregiver to my dad, a mother, and a wife of a disabled spouse, meanwhile working as a Social Worker. I am not complaining at all I love my family and job. I want to start a group for caregivers that are going or have already gone through weight loss surgery. I've read a lot about the RNY surgery, and there have been a lot of books about what to do before, during, and after the surgery. I have not read anything that is specific to people who are caregivers. Being a caregiver itself takes a toll on you physically mentally and emotionally. Whether you have one person to take care for or five people to take care of. Whether you are stopping by or calling your parents on a daily basis to make sure they're OK. You may be like I am and one of your parents lives with you. Let us not forget how hard it is to raise children today and then make time for your spouse also. I chose to have the RNY surgery and I chose to be successful with the surgery. With that being said I wanted to know if there are any caregivers out there that is going to have surgery or already had a weight loss surgery. They might like to share their story.?

For me... I'm going to start the exercise more for endurance/strength than weight loss. But I'll take any extra weight loss above what the surgery provides. I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines. ATM I have no appetite so hoping adding the exercise doesn't change that. If so, I may need to rethink it. So do I. It's the "honeymoon phase" so want to do all I can to take advantage of this time before effects of surgery starts to wane. I don't want to reach that time and regret not doing more, reaching my goals etc. Because maintenance will probably be the toughest, I think concentrating on increasing muscle mass now will benefit more in the long run compared to hours of cardio. High intensity interval training for shorter periods of time yields better results when doing cardio and for me will be more sustainable over time. YMMV.. but kudos on being able to get all those miles in. I'll be happy when I can achieve walking without back pain or gasping for air. Baby steps...

most people do lose some hair - it usually starts about 3-6 months after surgery - so I don't think the stricture would have affected that. You likely would lose it regardless.

I agree with the others - exercise only accounts for about 10% of weight loss (although it's great for your health!). It seems to be more effective once you hit maintenance (research shows this - I'm currently taking a graduate level nutrition class on obesity and weight loss). most people are encouraged to get at least 150 minutes a week of exercise for health - more for weight loss/maintenance (up to 300-ish hours). Strength training 2x a week, cardio three or more times a week, so you're doing great there. But you also need to have a routine that you like and are likely to continue long term. Your routine sounds fine - but are you OK with it? You don't need to add to it unless you really want to - unless you want to add some variety to keep it interesting. For my cardio, I rotate walking, swimming, water aerobics, biking (when the weather cooperates), and cardio dancing (such as Zumba). I also do walking videos (youtube) a lot in the winter (like "Walk Away the Pounds"). I need the variety since I'm susceptible to "fitness burnout"...

How long is a piece of string? Only you know if it is too much & is restricting/limiting you in any way (health, lifestyle, etc.) or if the amount you’re doing is sustainable. Exercise only accounts for about 10% of any weight you’re to lose. Want to lose 50lbs - exercise will contribute to the loss of approx 5 of those pounds. Of course there are many other benefits to exercising: fitness, muscle strength, toning, flexibility, general well being (mental & physical), etc. So how much would benefit you best depends upon what you want to achieve. I’m a non exerciser & I lost all my weight & more. About a year ago I began doing some stretches, resistance bands & some sit-ups. I do them over 4 short sessions during the day for a total of 20-25minutes duration (exercise snacking). I do it more to support my back, flexibility & a little toning of my arms & legs. I’d only burn about 30 calories. Lol!

Congratulations on your weight loss. How did you deal with loose skin ?

Hi, friend. I had bypass on the 11th and I'm definitely still struggling with some fatigue and light-headedness, although starting on soft foods has definitely helped. Are you meeting your protein goals? I don't think I would be close to mine without my one protein shake that I throw in some decaf iced coffee in the morning. Did they have you stop your Trulicity after surgery? That would definitely account for your numbers going up. I stalled weight loss wise for a few days too and then saw a big drop yesterday. I hope sincerely that your lightheadedness goes away and your energy comes back very soon. ❤️ Edit: "I stalled" not "installed"

I feel the exact same. I was on a 30 day pre-op diet and lost 18lbs. I was sleeved on 03/20 and have only lost 10lbs since surgery. I was cleared for exercise last week so i have been doing growwithjo youtube videos. I was stalled from 1 week post op until last week with no weight loss at all. I am also at stage 3 so i can eat soft foods, during the pureed stage which started 2 days post op i just ate canned food mashed with a fork because pureed texture disgust me. Let's all hope we reach our goals sending you all lots of love ❤️

My hair started falling out around the 4-month mark, too.. I had a pretty rough go of it in the beginning as well. At its worse, I had lost 75% of my hair and it stopped falling out by around month 6. I took supplements and collagen during that period of time and now it is growing like a weed (and it came back in CURLY!)

Hi, I had RNY on 12/20/22 in Ohio. About a month after surgery, it was discovered I had a stricture. I had two upper endoscopies and was stretched back to 12mm. (They could not measure my stricture at first because they couldn't get the scope in. She guessed it was between 4-5mm). Since I had to wait for an appointment I didn't really eat solid food for a month. I "ate" Liquicel to get my protein in. I am now 4 months out. The stricture is gone and I feel good. Since I missed an entire month of eating and had to start back at pureed foods - do you think that is why my hair is already falling out? Now 4 months out, I eat my protein goals and do fine with water. I am not super concerned about the hair but just wonder if that could be causing it?

Actually, I have 2 questions: 1) I had a gastric sleeve almost 5 years ago; after losing 60 lbs., my pannus changed size & shape, becoming EXTREMELY uncomfortable. I stopped losing weight, gained back 20 lbs., and fortunately maintained my net 40 lbs. weight loss. Does anyone know if I can has DS after a gastric sleeve? 2) I originally wanted DS but the bariatric surgeons in my area did bypass or sleeve only. I live in eastern Washington State; does anyone know of surgeons anywhere around my area (WA state, Idaho, Montana, or Oregon) that perform DS?

After doing research and considering quality of life post-weight loss, I decided I did not want to have to worry about not getting enough nutrients for the rest of my life. Even if I do take vitamins and such, I don't want to have to worry about not having enough absorption if I forget to take them all the time. I also have read of more complications with the RNY and I am not even remotely diabetic, so that surgery seemed more geared for that than just weight loss. My mom had the lap-band and she ended up almost dying from complications years later, so that was out as well. I have to admit that the video appointment I had with my surgeon was demeaning. She definitely came across as someone who was in this for the money (Louis Vuitton bag draped across her desk was a bit much), and looked down on those who couldn't lose weight without surgery. She also admitted that she was new to the practice, having switched specialties recently. That made me question if I really wanted her to be my surgeon as well, but I figured six month more experience, she should be good to go by the time she got around to mine.

I have pretty swollen legs from too much fluid build up, so I've told my co-workers I need surgery for that, but I haven't told them what type of surgery. I am sure they will figure it out when I start dropping weight. That being said... sorry for the loss of your mother. Congrats on going back to grad school. I am knee deep in my dissertation right now, hoping to get approval any day from my university to start my research so I can finally get my degree finished. I am not even thinking about how I am going to juggle all that too once I finally get approval. Your timeline looks much faster than mine, which is frustrating, as I was told my insurance is the "easiest" to work with (as in least amount of requirements). Grrrr. I wish I could this process to move faster. Honestly, it SUCKS having to diet for months, only to lose a small amount, knowing that once the surgery happens, dieting will work so much better. Wishing you the best on your surgery and success of the weight loss.

So, today It's been officially one year since my surgery. Yay! I am very happy about how much I lost. I started at 264 and am now at 154 and still want to lose a little bit more so my doctor can refer me to plastics. It's slow going but it's going. I wasn't sure what I was going to write but decided to just go with how I was feeling. One of things I love is I'm much smaller and have more energy but I am also a bit resentful. Bigger people aren't taken seriously sometimes by doctors. I complained of chest pain before the weight loss and was told your blood pressure is too high. Now that I am smaller I was told well that shouldn't be happening and got a CT scan done on Thursday. I had to take prednisone and Benadryl because I'm allergic to the dye contrast. Well they did find two blockages in my arteries one at 70% so tomorrow I have to go in and get a stent put in and I'm a bit pissed off that this could have been taken care of earlier if they had taken my concerns seriously. I haven't done any exercise in a month cause I'm too scared I'll keel over with a heart attack. The moral of this story is to pay attention to your body and if you have concerns speak with your doctor and be insistent if you need them to listen.

I agree so much with this. I really think my dietician isn't thinking this through and I feel like 1300-1500 is probably where my basal rate is and that isnt not going to let me get any where weight loss wise

It does get a bit easier after day 4 or so. Your body adjusts, headaches ease. The good part is the weight loss. Mine was 10lbs in 10 days. I’m sure yours will be good with the longer 14 days. Try finding distractions….

your stats arent all that far off from mine, but I am eating more. Stalls are part of weight loss, no matter HOW its done. You are doing fantastic and those are soe MAJOR wins!!! trust the process! Are you working out at all? if so, incorporate that as much as you are able. even if its 'just' walking! That helps as well!

congrats! You've done very well! And you could still lose weight - albeit very slowly at this point. I continued losing until I was 20 months out. re: exercise, they say losing weight is 90% food-related, and only 10% exercise-related, so you may have lost a bit more, but probably not much. I know people who've almost never exercised and still lost a ton of weight after WLS. That said - exercise is great for your health and also helps you maintain your loss once you reach your goal - but as far as active losing, it only plays a small part.