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I already have thin hair and recently started taking 5,000mcg of biotin each day to minimize hair loss. However, I'm experiencing heart palpitations. Has anyone else had this experience? If so, did decreasing the dose help or did you have to stop taking it?

@@hectorlopez323 Go on over to the Men's Room and you'll probably find the answer - or get more replies. I believe that weight loss can improve ED. The other issue is that often ED is a result of medications you are taking for blood pressure and those can often be stopped after you've lost weight. Here's the Link to the Men's Room forum... http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/431-the-guys%E2%80%99-room/ Good Luck!

To all of my vets!! Did anyone have to get a tummy tuck after a huge amount of weight loss? If so, did your insurance cover it, As it being Medically Necessary? I know some people said they snapped back without a tummy tuck and others had very loose skin.

thats awesome.... I had lapband on October the 10th and have lost 11 lbs so far since the first appointment and have lost 8 lbs since my surgury date. I look at this as the 10 Water weight loss, how was your loss the first few weeks?? Have you been steady? Have you had any fall backs?? Look forward to checking your progess now and then keep me posted and good lucky girl keep it going !!!! Hello all I am new to this board But not new to weight loss I am 42 years old and live in New York I have 4 beautiful kids and Happly married I had lapband surgery on May 27,2011 and have lost 55lbs to date

I was banded a little over a month ago and haven't yet had a fill, so my answers may change once I have. I do have a bit of restriction now, though. I have had some wine and a couple martinis since I was banded. My physician's office knows this and just said to do everything in moderation. I definitely drink less than I did prior to surgery, and I am thrilled with my loss so far, so I'm going to continue to enjoy life and have a drink once in a while or even some pizza. awhenry-- I had half a piece of thin crust pizza one evening and just ate it slowly and savored it...it went down fine, but, again, I don't have a fill. You can also consider making pizzas on whole wheat pita or a whole wheat tortilla after surgery. Again, this might not work for everyone, but if they are toasted and you chew and eat slowly, they should go down fine. I think it's thick, chewy crust that would give people problems. Some people completely avoid carbs, and I respect that and think they are amazing, but that's not me. I am a vegetarian and see the value in whole carbs, though I haven't had any "white" carbs since surgery. So far, I'm losing more than 2 pounds a week without a fill...if that stops, I'll cut out more carbs. I think the important thing is to always make sure you get all your Protein, whether you are eating carbs or not.

I am new to this forum and this is my first post! I had sleeve surgery on April 28, 2015 by Kaiser Permanente in Fremont, CA, so it's been 3 weeks and 4 days today. I was given a weight loss goal of 20 pounds on January 15th in order to receive a surgery date. On that date I weighed 247. I got down to 225 the day of my surgery and today weigh 208 - a loss of 17 pounds since the day of my surgery. I was hoping to have been down by 20 pounds at this 3 week mark, however am still thrilled with a 17 pound loss! My only complaints thus far have been that I have suffered from constipation and have swollen ankles and cold feet. Anyone else experiencing any or all of these symptoms?

I hope to join your thread soon after I have surgery which is on the 2nd of Sept. Thanks for the invite. I noticed you had your surgery on my daughters birthday. You've done quite well with losing weight. Aside from the band, what else do you attribute your weight loss success to? Congrats!

So, lately I've been bummed and stuck on a plateau around 50lbs loss, but today during my couch to 5k I ran and enjoyed it! Never thought I would jog for almost 20 minutes and be happy about it!

Today is day 10 post op. I have lost 26 lbs since the surgery. This is my third day adding protein to my diet. Yesterday was the first day with no weight loss, but, I had to break our a pair of suspenders to keep my pants up. Walking more each day. Gonna stay away from the scale a couple of days.

I am 7 months out, down 78 lbs and have dropped the pressure on my machine twice since surgery. My pulminologist said he wants to wait until I am finished losing weight before he sends me for another sleep study. He also warned me that some people continue to need therapy despite the weight loss. Honestly, I sleep so well with my CPAP I am really in no rush to get rid if it. ????

Welcome to the forums! You'll get tons of support here :] I'm just curious what has been your history with weight gain or loss?

I'm new at this!! An already feeling so frustrated! I've been in the process for about two months I have all the tests almost done and my PCP today told me it will take about a year for him to give me the clearance for surgery. I feel that this is wrong. I have healthfirst, and just recently found out I have sleep apnea and my liver is very swollen according to my PCP. Well what I'm trying to say is if anyone has had this issue with their pcp's and do you know if the insurance will waive the 6 month weight loss supervision? Thank u for all your answers!!

You really should call your nutritionist and review your daily food intake. They should be able to provide you with some sample menus. Hopefully you are at least meeting the minimum Protein and Fluid requirement. Your calorie count may be low, but that protein is important and can impact your weight loss. You may also want to consider upping your exercise routine a bit. It may jumpstart your metabolism and your appetite.

Does anyone know of or is using a weight loss app for iPhone?

It has been two weeks and five days since my surgery, and I am left in wonder and introspection. I have had my first post-op doctor's appointment and am scheduled to see him again in about two months. I am to lose 24 pounds by then. My scale and the scale at my doctor's are different by six pounds; I also weigh myself nude at home while I am fully clothed while at my doctor's (plus I think I had my car keys in my jeans pocket). I've realized I haven't been following the schedule that I am supposed to have set with my meals: 3 meals a day, 2oz each, and 2 protein shakes. I am still on a liquid diet; broths and protein shakes have been my meals. I've been nearly meeting my protein intake of 50g a day (I get around 46-50, depending on the kind of shake I drink). Along with my realization that I need to work on my food schedule, I also realized I need to be measuring my broth so I can get used to the 2 oz of food I am allowed, so when day 22 comes along, I will measure my soft foods out of habit. Instead of measuring my broth, I've been pouring them into my little toddler bowl and eating it slowly until I feel full. I believe that I was eating double of what I should, but then would not "eat" broth the rest of the day, but would focus on drinking my protein shakes. Even with the completion of my third week coming up and soft foods will soon be on my menu, I am still only allowed 500 calories. This is somewhat concerning to me in that a protein shake that I am loving automatically gives me 220 calories. I can reduce that by using just water to make my shake as opposed to a cup of soy milk and half a cup of water; though with the current way I make my shake, I get 33g of protein in. I'm considering having that shake as a "breakfast" and shake combo. I am also concerned about the 500 calories since I will be starting to exercise, besides the everyday walking that I do. I will start slow, but I also know that beforehand I could burn 400 calories with 30mins of cardio. I trust my doctor, so I just have to hold on to that while wrapping my head around the idea of small calorie intake and the addition of cardio and eventually strength training. With all these changes that I've been going through, I've realized that I've been focusing on the wrong numbers: instead of focusing on my number triad of 500/50/<40, I have been focusing on the number on the scale. and disappointed in that I see no difference in my body shape. Still, I know I am losing weight, and I tell/comfort myself with the idea that I may be losing slowly compared to others but that could be good for me skin wise and also, just adjustment wise. I've taken to keeping a food diary, and have set up a weight loss chart to remind myself that even if I cannot see a difference, I am losing weight and am on track. With all that being said, I am glad that I've taken this big step and am making progress on my journey. I've realized my mistakes and am seeking to correct them. I am working on my water intake, thought I do get my full amount of liquids in through the broth, shakes and bit of water I do drink. I know I need to get better at my water intake since I will be trying soft foods soon, so I will be including broth less and less in my liquid intake (and really, I am getting so freaking tired of chicken broth). I am making my way down this path and with each little step I'm realizing past mistakes in the way I ate and took care of myself, and I'm realizing the mistakes I was making now and am working on correcting those. Sometimes, things that are worthwhile must be worked for and earned so their enjoyment is that much sweeter. My life will be so much sweeter learning and meeting the new me. And for now, in the short term, the sweetness will come with my first scrambled egg!

What are you guys eating and how much? Work outs? Overall how is everyone 7 weeks out and how much weight loss?

jane you've done terrific with your weight loss so great receiving compliments from family et al - since you might not be used to hearing nice words, might feel a little strange get used to those wonderful comment - who deserves it more???? dressing nicer, taking care of yourself more- what a difference - you can't help but look, feel marvelous keep that head held high, walk with that new confidence -strutt you stuff!!!! congrats

I basically used a week without loss as that was when I formally logged my weight (though it was usually checked most every day for other reasons,) and only had one week when I didn't log a loss up to the point that I was within sight of goal and started ramping up the calories to slow things down and ease into maintenance.

I think your weight loss will vary by person. I know several people lose 15 to 20 and some don't lose much. I'm on day 11 and have lost 9 pounds and haven't lost any in the last 3 days even though I'm not cheating at all. But yet I have lost 1 1/2 inches in the waist this week so I can't complain. Just don't worry about how much you're losing and just realize the goal is to do your best to have your body ready for the surgeon. Good luck!

I am on the pre-op diet. Just curious how much weight loss should happen on it? I'm averaging about 1/2 lb a day and was wanting to know if that's about right. THX & good luck to everyone ~~working my way towards the losers bench :@)

I think you did fine, it is not up to us to be anyone's preacher, teacher or keeper - unless they ask and we are willing to be those things to them. I have found in many parts of life that it just isn't up to me to understand everything and it isn't up to me to make sure everyone else understands everything Congratulations on your weight loss, you are obviously working hard and taking good care of yourself! Barbie

For post op people: What supplements have you been taking after your surgery? I've heard that some people have to now incorporate a hair skin and nail Vitamin, what else should i consider? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Good morning Bandsters! I really enjoy reading your posts and have one tiny request - I like to try to guage how much people have lost and how long it took them to lose it. There is no perfect science to this, but if you could all add your surgery ticker and update your weight loss/BMI tickers regularly that would be awesome! Thanks and keep up the good work...it would be nice to know how much we have all lost as a group. TONS UPON TONS I'm sure . Gwen

Hi all! I have a question about the Cigna 6mo diet requirement. I had been seen by my PCP June 2003 - December 2008 and was prescribed diet pill - Adipex - each visit with the exception of 9mos during my last pregnancy (8/06-4/07) I stopped going to my PCP 12/08 due to the fact that he had been prescribing me excessive pain meds as well. I entered treatment for opiate addiction & started seeing an addiction specialist in a clinic at that time & then switched to his private practice around April. We have been discussing weight loss programs on most visits, however not 6 consecutive. My BMI has been well over 40 for atleast 3-4 years. I read on the website that Cigna requirements state specific regarding the 6mo diet as: "Failure of medical management including evidence of active participation within the last two years in a weight-management program that is supervised either by a physician or a registered dietician for a minimum of six months without significant gaps. The weight-management program must include monthly documentation of ALL of the following components: weight current dietary program physical activity (e.g., exercise program) " I am wondering if they hold true to that requirement - 6months consecutive within the last 2 years OR will they make me do 6months consecutive right up until surgery consult? Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you much! Kara

Thank you for sharing your story. I am so sorry for your loss.