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This is just not true. It can make things worse, but please read this for a detailed explanation of how ANY surgery can result in hair loss— http://drnichter.com/hair-loss-after-surgery-explained/

I've been using the Suave shampoo with moroccan argan oil in it since before I ever had my surgery. I only recently started taking biotin though. It hasn't helped yet but then, I haven't been taking it long. Fortunately, I have naturally thick hair so it's not as noticeable to everyone else as it is to me BUT, I keep thinking if it doesn't slow down or stop soon, I'm gonna be bald before it's over! And for the record, I make sure I get my protein in every day too so I don't think that's the problem either.

Hey Deana, congratulations on your weight loss! Glad you found us. This really is an awesome place! Welcome to LBT! Debbie!:smile:

This is just a thought...perhaps they deny because the band has a slower INITIAL weight loss amount than other weight loss surgeries? They all equal out after 2 years (I think it's 2, but they do eventually equal out.) Again, just a thought, but who knows what these companies' ratioanale about anything! Good luck in your appeal process, Karen

The effects of gastric sleeve surgery are: restricts food intake controls hunger Following gastric sleeve surgery, food continues to move through the digestive system naturally, from the time it enters the stomach to the time it is released into the small intestine through the pyloric valve. The difference is that after surgery the amount of food that can be eaten at any one time is greatly reduced. The surgery also helps to control hunger, because the upper portion of the stomach that produces the hunger stimulating hormone Ghrelin is removed during surgery. I've gone through the Kaiser Options 12 week pre-op program with the intention of having weight loss surgery, after many years of yo-yo dieting and always gaining back the weight. I'm 56 and I needed to do something very proactive to give me longevity and a more active lifestyle. I got really tired of being sedentary! Tired of needing a belt extender on an airplane, tired of never sitting in a booth in a restaurant! In the 12 week program, we were expected to lose 10% before being eligible for surgery and put on a restricted calorie diet, mine started at 1400-1700 calories for six weeks, then 1200-1400 for the next six weeks, and after that 1200, which is ongoing while I wait for surgery. The post op information indicates that the dietary restrictions after surgery, once fully healed, are to eat mostly Protein, then fruits & veggies, then carbs. The new stomach pouch can only hold about 3-4 ounces in the beginning, so this is not much food, but you feel FULL after eating very little, and the stomach is no longer "stretchy". You have to supplement with protein about 80-100 grams per day. This means for most people supplementing with Protein shakes between meals and then meals with high protein as a main component. I can envision having some carbs after surgery, but this will not be my mainstay. I have lost a good amount of weight even now at 1200 calories and 30 minutes a day of walking and some resistance work and strength training. I take Vitamins everyday and drink at least 64 oz of liquid daily. Mostly, if you feel better having some carbs in your life, you would be better to switch out to whole grains. I do this by having whole grain crackers, reduced fat triscuit and wheat thins, whole grain bread, brown rice (learned to love this) and whole wheat english muffins, Pasta, etc. Even tortilla chips are whole grain, so I can have my chips and salsa and still lose weight. In the big scheme, you can't do things the old way. You have to eat healthy and do the work, by monitoring your intake, and drinking Fluid and getting excercise. The sleeve is a tool not a simple fix. I'm going for it.

There are things you "shouldn't" eat for optimal weight loss, and there are things you "can't" eat because they'll mess you up (sticking, puking and such). I can eat bread and pasta if I take super small bites, but I really try not to eat them. Pasta and sauce in particular really make me gurglely and uncomfortable. Cauliflower crust pizza is pretty good (you can google it and find different recipes for the crust, then do what you'd like with the topping). Using zucchini or spaghetti squash in place of pasta works (though they're not absorbent the way pasta is). You didn't mention potatoes, but I love smashed cauliflower in place of mashed potatoes. And honestly, I've done stuff like make tuna pasta salad without the pasta (tuna, mayo, chopped veggies), and it's pretty good stuff.

@@Tirnanog Congratulations on becoming a bandit! Many of us have had some similar thoughts after surgery you can be sure. The first few months after surgery can throw you for a loop both mentally and physically. Much of what @@WLSResources/ClothingExch said above about people with tight bands, not eating on plan, and/or just plain old scarfing food are all the reasons for having band issues. While it is true there are some who follow every single rule and can still have complications from the surgery, but that can be said for any WLS. Complications are part of the risk we take when we decided to embark on the journey. That said..I am a firm believer in NOT looking for trouble. If it's going to find you....let it have the hardest time possible don't go searching for it because chances are you will find it. As you move the through the stages of your band, learn the rules and make them part of your life. Portion out the food. Cut tiny bites, take tiny bites, chew chew chew. Don't stack your food. Eat a bite chew swallow allow it to pass the band before putting another bite in your mouth. The same goes for drinking and eating. If you have just swallowed your bite don't chase it with a beverage. Give it time to clear the band and then if you need a sip of beverage go ahead and take that sip and allow that to go down and clear the band before resuming your meal. If you start to "stack" food..then your going to feel that pressure and if you try to chase it with beverage chances are the beverage will slide around through and under the food and could force it back up, so don't do it Weight loss will come...give your body some time to heal and don't think your going to lose 100 pounds in a month. The band is not a mal- absorptive surgery and it will take time and habit changing to become best friends with your band and once you are...you will know what works for you both as you watch the numbers on the scale click away. Good luck to you and come back here often for support, motivation and inspiration. This can be a great site for that...it can also be a great place to find trouble...so don't look for it...just enjoy your new life.

Tomorrow will be my 1 year anniversary since my gastric bypass surgery. I have lost 86 pounds. I’m not going to lie, I honestly thought I would have lost more by now. Although weight loss has slowed down tremendously, I have yet to see a gain on the scale so I take that as a win. I would like to lose at least another 50 pounds so I have to remember this surgery is not a cure-all, it’s simply a tool. I’ve been extremely lucky and have had no complications whatsoever. I don’t experience dumping syndrome at all (well I did once when I ate some ice cream and have steered clear ever since) but other than that there really isn’t anything I can’t eat, I just eat a whole lot less. I can definitely be better about my diet, like always, but one thing I’ve incorporated into my life that has stuck is exercise. I don’t feel good unless I exercise so it’s become addicting (in a good way). Anybody who is reading this and contemplating this surgery, or is in recent post op and struggling, I have absolutely no regrets about having this surgery. The first 2 months were rough, but I got through it and so will you!

Try taking some biotin supplements. There is also some shampoo's that might help. My hair thinned out a bit. Unfortunately this is a side effect of drastic weight loss. Mine is coming back now. I noticed it because I have short hair and use gel, but switched hair products and all is good. Take care

Hi, I had a lot of heartburn yesterday, I am okay today. I drunk my Protein this morning. Will drink another 23 grams today. I want to lose weight, that is why i had the surgery, but my weight is coming off fast. I had the lap band before, and revised to the sleeve. My goodness, I am 5'9", and I weighed 220 before surgery, lost 10 pre-op (230), I am nearing 200 pounds. I have not been heavy all my life, I know how I will look at 160, and 170m, I had the surgery done to maintain my weight. I have HBP, High Cholestorol, and a knee injury that hurts if I gain over 200lbs. Sure, befoere I could gain 80 and lose 80, and gain most of it back in no time, once the knee goes out from running on it. My goal is 170, I look great at that weight and not mal-nutrition, 160 is pushing it, I look frail. I am in a size 10 at 170, and that is great for me. I am figuring that once i reach goal. I will up my calories. My question is will my capacity increase at 6months, so I can increase my caloric intake? I am a gym rat, always have been, just mainting weight was an issue. 165 would be my max loss.

People have been getting partial (even full) gastrectomies for decades... it's only been in the last 5-6 years that it's been being performed specifically for weight loss purposes. People have had severe ulcers, stomach cancer, etc. and have been having parts of their stomachs removed and the only significant side effect was weight loss. In your research you might have come across the fact that the sleeve gastrectromy for WLS was originally done as part of the D/S procedure... then they started doing it to "step down" patients who were too obese to withstand an open surgical procedure since the VSG could be done laproscopically... Personally I felt most comfortable going with the sleeve from the very beginning because it just seemed so "clean and simple". Combined with what I knew my personal food struggles (simple overeating) it made the most sense for me. I wasn't happy about the presence of (another*) foreign object in my body and I didn't want my intestines messed around with, since I already had an uneasy truce with them. From past attempts at diets, I knew that if I could lose enough weight in the beginning I could trust myself to stay committed to continuing. I also wanted something permanent. I honestly believe that I was born with a stomach too big for my metabolism. I've struggled with weight my entire life. Now I feel that I've corrected a situation that has done nothing but get me in trouble for as long as I can remember. (* I say "another" because I already have an artificial hip implant, which someone reminded me of when I explained my "foreign body" argument. Personally I didn't think they were equivalent but the jerk I was speaking to apparently did.) This is a tough decision. Honestly, for me, having the decision to have WLS of any kind was much less of a hurdle than which procedure to have. One some level, any kind of surgery requires a leap of faith and a trust in something bigger and more powerful than you are -- God, the universe, whatever it is to you. At some point the risks are outweighed by mounting evidence that your other weight-related problems are not going to be resolved on their own. That point comes at different times for different people. Please let us know if you need more information to make a decision either way... there is a wealth of knowledge and experience on this forum, and we're happy to answer questions. Best of luck!

I remember that weird taste in my mouth. Nothing tasted good for weeks which helped with the initial weight loss. If you can have any protein that is not sweet that may help. But otherwise, just hold out. It will eventually go away. I was light-headed for about 4 days and then survivied the liquids without much of a problem which was a huge surprise. I was more worried about the 2 weeks on liquid than the surgery. Funny what we get fixaited on.

You also have to consider the man you are dealing with. If they are around long enough they're going to notice the weight loss, the small amounts of food, and your eating habits.

I was away for a month on vacation, so didn't join the July 4th weight loss challenge. Back home again now (plus 5lb) and came looking here for the next one but don't see any posted. Did I miss it somewhere? Even though I haven't done well with these, I feel that they keep me somewhat accountable and really look forward to them. Thanks, all.

I know I had a very hard time tolerating any Pasta or bread until I was 3-4 months post op. My nutritionist said I could eat toasted bread if I wanted something earlier on but I didn't miss it. I used this to my advantage, because the truth of the matter is, the most effective diet for significant weight loss is a low carb diet. You want your body to be in a state of ketosis (look it up), that's how pound upon pound gets shed. Loading up on simple carbs (bread, rice, pasta) won't do you any favors with the scale. I'd say your focus should be on meeting Protein goals and eating some veggies and fruit if the protein alone doesn't fill you up. There will always be time for grains later. But for the sake of throwing ideas out there, my go-to lower carb side dishes are: cauliflower rice, spaghetti squash, and zoodles (julienne zucchini). I hope this helps!

Congrats with the changes and the weight loss i was banded 9/26 down 19 pounds. No troubles at all. Stay focused

I know I am not a doctor but I think it's absolute insanity that you would put an obese person who is having weight loss surgery on a liquid diet. Hell if I could do that, I wouldn't need surgery would I? And don't try to tell me it's to prepare me for what's to come after surgery. I'm quite sure I'll have no problem following the liquid diet post surgery because my stomach won't allow anything else. I've been researching this like crazy and have not been able to find any info on why liquid is better than solid. Oh well, I'm gonna do my combination of the two but focus my main intake on the liquid as much as possible. I've actually done Atkins before for my wedding and dropped 15 lbs in two weeks eating WAY more than I am now so I'm not worried. Besides, I have some tea that will clean my colon out like nobody's business pre surgery. LOL

If you are going to lose hair because of surgery nothing is going to stop it. All you can do is promote fast regrowth with high protein and correct vitamins (D, Iron, Zinc) It grows back, it is temporary. It isn't as dramatic as people pretend it is.

I did not have Cigna. I had a supervised 6 month weight loss insurance requirement.

Study after study has shown that dieting alone is not effective for long-term weight loss. Roughly 95% of people gain back all the weight they lose from dieting, and often more. Most bariatric surgery patients, on the other hand, maintain weight loss of at least 50% of their excess weight long-term. Many bariatric surgery patients do regain some weight, sometimes a significant amount, but typically still maintain some amount of weight loss (whereas without surgery, they’d most likely be gaining steadily over the years). The amount you can eat after weight loss surgery gradually increases, but usually not to the point that you can eat as much as you used to. People call the first couple of years the “honeymoon period” because that’s when it’s easy to lose weight, since the restriction is strongest. WLS also changes the hormones in your body that cause hunger, so at least for a while, you don’t feel hungry. They say it’s important to take advantage of the honeymoon period to change your eating habits so they become permanent even when the effects of the surgery weaken. Some people experience changes in taste after surgery and come to dislike sugary or fried foods (and these foods can even make you sick after WLS, which creates a strong disincentive to eat them). So yes, it still takes work and lifestyle changes to lose weight and maintain weight loss after WLS, but WLS makes it easier than dieting. Many, many people who have repeatedly failed at weight loss through dieting alone have been able to succeed with WLS. (FYI, I’m only 7 weeks out from surgery, so I don’t have personal experience to back this up, but I’ve read a lot and watched a lot of videos from people who have been through it. There a lot of people on this forum with amazing success stories.)

I just went to the seminar last week, and it also included meeting with the nurse practitioner and dietitian, so it counted as my first appointment. The weight they took when I walked in that day is what is considered my weight for approval. My surgeon requires a 5% weight loss of all patients, or he will not do the surgery. You will find out at the seminar what is required of you from your surgeon and your insurance company. Good luck!

On the one hand, 4lb in 4 weeks is good weight loss, this is not a surgery that will have you losign 4lb a week for very long. It DOES take a lot of your input. But it shouldnt be that hard. I never "dieted", and I didnt starve either, I had enough restriction to not be hungry and all I had to deal with was head hunger and poor habits/choices. If you are hungry and that 4lb was damned hard work, then a fill is not an unreasonable request. I wish these stupid doctors would stop insisting they can read our bodies and interpret our experiences for us and listen to us instead! My doc was great, I'm so lucky. But what you are going through doesnt seem to be at all uncommon.

I don't do any sugar free stuff. It's toxic!!! I feel like my weight loss has be great even with my daily vanilla latte wih regular vanilla syrup!

Perhaps addict isn't a fair description for everyone but for me it is. First thing my counselor said is that I will always be a recovering food addict just as a alcoholic is in recovery the rest of their lives even when they stop drinking. And so yes, the surgery doesn't stop you from being an addict and I think that's the whole point. I didn't get to 326 pounds because I was eating like an "average" person. So if I don't deal with the addictive behaviors upfront then the surgery, for me anyway, is nothing more than a quickie diet. I may lose the weight but I will eventually gain it back if I fall into old patterns. Learning the surgery is only a tool to aid in the weight loss and not a "cure" for obesity has been key for me. And my counselor has been great. We aren't necessarily spending the hour bemoaning a bad childhood, etc. We are just figuring out why I turn to food and then she brings every single thing I say back to the food and my control issues (or perhaps lack thereof).

From: Chapter 5 - How It Works (Higher Power Version) "Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty. Their chances are less than average. There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest. ******************************************************* No part of the Big Book is more beloved or oft quoted "in the rooms" than "How It Works." I am now applying these concepts to my personal experience with Food. I am thinking about the difference with Alcohol, if there is one. OA bases its program on the same Steps and the Big Book with an adapted form as well. One can live without drinking, but not without food. The portions I am trying to resolve are: "People who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program" refers to the 12 Step program process. How does it apply to the Weight Loss Surgery process? Certainly one "gives themselves" to it. "they seem to have been born that way" Many find it impossible to overcome their genetics for obesity. Some are able to overcome them through dieting, and/ or medication, some through WLS and the remainder are, unfortunately unable to do so. It is Higher Power intervention that acts to bring these folks through, but failure does not mean they are wrong or that the Higher Power is incapable. What is the answer for these people? I am still unsure about this, as I am about children who die in Africa etc. it is one of those great unanswered questions. "They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty." We know that the success of WLS is dependent on 100% effort, when it comes to managing food and exercise properly. A lifestyle change = a "manner of living," I believe. "...grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest." Honesty must be a very powerful factor indeed, if it trumps the incapacity of mental illness. As a person who has survived alcohol and drug dependency by taking appropriate medications, i must believe that "honesty" also means getting the help you need, no matter what it takes. Medication also falls under "manner of living." to be continued