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Thanks for the tip on the Biotin. I will get some today and see if that helps a bit. More than anything is is reassuring that to know that it won't all fall out. I am just amazed at how fast the change in my hair occurred. It seemed that most of the loss happened over just a 2 week period. I have noticed the loss is slowing down some. During those initial weeks I would run my hands through my wet hair and they would come out with 20-30 strands each time.....now I am down to about 5 strands. I am not sure if it is the Nioxin or if it is just slowing down on its own. Thanks again for the info on the Biotin. I will try ANYTHING at this point to save my remaining locks!

Since my appt was first thing in the morning. I did fast just in case they could do the blood at that time. My thought was try to get one thing off my list of things to do,. lol

1. Does GA medicaid pay for it? 2. if they do, what is the step? 3. is there a high fee copay for me to pay or do they pay for everything? 4. how fast is the approval process?

What's the biggest danger, if youre body is not making you hurl it up? Is it that you'll stretch the sleeve? Or that food will pass to quickly to digest? I have this same fear since I eat way too fast too.

I had that too. I am 6 weeks out and that feeling is much better, but I still get it a little bit, especially when I try to eat too fast. I burp a liitle too.

Sounds good to me, I am not your Dr., but 11 months out and down 84, I too see others at my stage who have lost 125 lbs and think what am I doing wrong? Nothing, our bodies are different, different in metabolism, age, bone structure etc. I had some hair loss, not going bald or anything, but when I would shampoo in the shower more was coming out than normal about the sixth month, that has since stopped, but I am not losing the weight as fast now either, about 5 lbs per month average instead of 8 to 10. Don't rush it, you will really get bumbed, just enjoy that fact that 30 lbs are gone and they are NOT coming back!!!! Pat yourself on the back and continue the Journey. Congrats!

I am 36 and was not born into an obese family, but I have been yo-yo'ing with my weight for 20 years. I was sick of it. My husband and I want to try to have kids, if it's not too late. But I needed to lose about 100-130 pounds to be healthy enough to get pregnant, and have a healthy baby. The first time I had to lose weight was only about 20 pounds (college). Then later in life after a bad break up, another 40 pounds. I could always get it off and keep it off for a while, but then as soon as life got hectic and hard -- it would come right back on. This last time, I gained 100 pounds in a single year. Then another 40 over the next year. This weight just wasn't coming off so easily. I'd lose 20-30 pounds here and there, then gain it all back as soon as I lost focus. And I'll say having a full-size stomach was not helping me. The heavier I was, the more I dealt with emotions with food. It's not like before when I could deal with emotions with getting outside, planning trips, going to the gym. I was in a vicious cycle and needed to get out to save my life. Getting the sleeve was the right direction for me. I needed the tool of a smaller capacity stomach so that I could break the cycle of dealing with negative emotions with food. I wasn't a fast food person per se, we don't keep sweets and chips in the house. It wasn't about my food choices so much as about the quantity and my habits (going all day without eating, then having two portions of Pasta at dinner). Now, I'm so much the normal person it's scary. I can eat anything that is good for me, in the right size portions, and I'm exercising like crazy which is keeping my stress in check. I applaud anyone who can get the weight off on their own -- but the bigger battle is keeping it off, for the rest of your life. I just knew with my history that even if I lost 130 pounds on my own, that I was very likely going to put it back on sometime in the next five years. The surgery gives me the peace of mind that I will always have this tool to my disposal, keeping me vigilant.

I have asked this same question 10 times on this board, and I always get the same answer "its not supposed to hurt" but I can't remember the last meal I had that did not hurt to some degree or another. I am not to tight, because I can still eat way too much and I can drink Water as fast as I want to. I need to go to the Dr and ask them, but I expect to get the same answer about chewing and smaller bites. I have never felt as if the food sits on top of the band in a small pouch. To me the food enters the band immediately and either goes down smoothly, or gets stuck for a short period of time. Last week I was getting a little worried that the band had slipped, but I have none of the symptoms of a slip (reflux, vomiting, ect) I have just learned to live with it. :smile2:

Hi All, Well there is definately a difference between my first band surgery and my revision. There is no fill in the band at all and I am STARVING. I've been on Clear liquids up until I had some tomato Soup this evening (same consistency at Slim Fast) and that finally took away the terrible hunger pains I was having. I mean, it was actual PAIN. And it's only been four days since the surgery. I am surprised I am so hungry even though I don't have any fill. Anyone else here had a revision have the same experience? The doctor did mention to me I didn't have to be on the clear liquid phase for as long as normal because I would be hungrier, but this is bad! Hopefully when I add yogurt to my diet tomorrow that will help some. Any thoughts? Mae

Well I began this journey a few months ago and had my first nutrition class in January. Have been through my others as well as the appt. With my surgeon, psych, scan and my scope....get to see my surgeon again on the 6th of March and they said if all goes well I could maybe be sleeved by the following week....I am so thankful it is moving along so fast.....my husband is deployed so I am hoping that I can get it, be healed and have my eating figured out by the time he gets home......thanking God and praying all goes fast and well.........any tips?

I did not have to eat any kind of a pre-op diet. Just stopped eating after 3:00 the day before my surgery. Now I"m on shakes (slim fast )and clear liquids for 2 weeks. i'm difinately not as hungry as I would have been pre-band just eating shakes, but I'm looking really forward to the next stage. The dr. said I could have mushies on Mother's Day-Woo Hoo.

SF2009- it's acually about 9-9:30pm for me too! I've been tod that your band can be tighter normally at night/early in the morning....i knew i wasn't the ONLY one, but its nice to hear it for sure. There have been a FEW occasions where it was ok...but not many. Sometimes I'm at work until 10pm so it's either eat when i get home or be hungry, which guarantees a problem too... Honk- i understand what the nutritionist is saying, however for me that includes healthy food. I don't eat fast foods anymore and physically can't eat pizza...so even my go-to food that is filling, healthy but also pretty much a slider food (SALAD!!!!) will come up if i eat it too late.... loserbob- being almost 2 years out now, i am JUST getting into a good workout routine. I've lost 70lbs without much working out at all...i did it in spurts for the longest time but NOW i'm enjoying it again. You'll get there! Don't do the whole "if i had worked out sooner, i would have lost more by now"...i did that for a LONG time...only makes you feel bad. Now if i say it, it's in a matter-of-fact way and i'm not upset by it

I know the feeling Amy. You make the decision to have it done and then there's the wait. Trust me..it flies! :laugh: I started the process in October and was banded May 13. It's a long journey, but it'll go fast! Good luck!

This has nothing to do with my band, I just need to get it out... I have a Chihuahua that I love. The hubby and I decide to start looking for a brother or sister for her. He knows someone giving away a Chihuahua at the end of march. In conversation with Mom, I mention the free dog and how we are excited to get her. Last night, she says "dad wants the dog." HUH? So today, I call Mom and she says Dad is excited about the dog. Again... HUH? I never once offered her the dog and now they want MY dog????:frown: I offered them Wiley and the neighbor got them a dog that they said no to and she is stuck with. So I am now conflicted. Do I give my parents the new dog? Do I tell them that we want the dog? I want to give them the dog but hubby wants to keep the dog (I also want to keep the dog). I have spent all night on petfinder, craigslist, shelter sites, you name it, I have been there seeking a dog for them. I am concerned that if I find them a dog I will be stuck with it like their neighbor. I have 3 cats and a dog and one dog on the way. I dont want 3 dogs. (Okay, I do but I gotta draw the line somewhere). On a band note, I go for my 2nd fill on saturday. If it hurts like the 1st fill, I am so gonna punch Dr. F. in the chops.:biggrin: I have been eating fine but not exercising and that is my downfall. I refuse to step on the scale but I feel like I am gaining not losing. I am a bit frustrated but I have no reason to be frustrated if I cant get my tub-o-lard self motivated enough to look at the treadmill much less use the damn thing. I had a salad incedent last saturday... I ate too much too fast and felt like I was gonna die. When I over-eat, I get sleepy. I started to fall asleep but my chest felt like it was gonna rip open. I dont ever want to feel like that again. It was wild (in a bad way). I ate salad all week and have not had any adverse reactions to it. I love salad and I hope I can continue to eat it. Okay, bitch session over.:tt2: I am stressed out but going to bed now. I hope I can relax enough to sleep. 4:30 comes way too early for my liking. Thanks for letting me vent... SIGH:leaving:

Jacks, I don't know how much the medi fast is, but I got GNC - with water they are 120 calories - 20 grams of protien and at riteaid, almost always buy one get one 50% off or or free, I think the pouch I bought was 15.00

thank you so much for the great ideas. I hate to cook myself andthese fast wonders are just great. thanks and i can't wait to hear more

Before surgery, I was pre-diabetic, moving swiftly towards diabetes as my blood work over the past five years showed increasingly higher fasting glucose counts. Initially, post-surgery, I had great counts -- 74-83, but at six months, my blood glucose was almost back to pre-diabetic levels (95, 99), according to the lab, and even 104 on the glucose monitor. I, too, am on a low carb diet. My surgeon and PCP have repeatedly told me not to worry about this yet, but I had expected much lower counts and apparently, like you, am an outlier because the overwhelming majority of WLS patients get fantastic blood glucose readings post-surgery. My A1C remains normal so far. I did find, though, that the earlier I had my last meal the night before, the lower my blood glucose count the following morning has been. Also, I stopped taking a medication that sometimes can cause diabetes as a side effect. Make sure you're not taking any prescription that has that sort of effect.

You will be just fine, I agree with everything everyone has said! Everyone's journey is different, you have to find your own route! I am 5 weeks banded, had my first fill 3 days ago and am loving it! I had restriction before I even had my fill, which was great because it gave me the opportunity to get used to my new portion control life. I had one stuck incident which was my own fault( eating to fast) and learned real fast from that oops! To me it is all about how bad you want this to work, I'm so tired of failure over the years that I have convinced myself this is my LAST chance! So just follow the advice from your doctor, and listen to your tummy , it will tell you how much, when , what and what not to eat! You can do this and with all the support this place has to offer from newbies to expert banders, you have got it made! Good luck

Thursday, July 31, 2013 Hello readers from all across the globe! It's great to see that we have fat fans growing in numbers by the week! Folks from China, Russia, Latvia, Netherlands, Canada, the UK, France and a few other far away countries have stopped by the blog to catch up on my fight against flab. When it comes to the battle of the bulge, it seems the world shares in our morbid obsession with thinness. We all speak the same language ... Fat-lish. On to the news of the week. I went for second post-op doctor visit on Monday. As usual, I checked in right on time knowing full well that I would be lingering in the lobby of the Center for Fatassiness well past my scheduled appointment time. So I settled in to one of the fat ass chairs in the waiting room. I immediately noticed that I occupied far less space in this overly ample seat. Yes, my ass has shrunk. I'm guessing by about a half a foot. I kinda feel like a little kid sitting in grandpa's chair. If you recall, Mondays are Dr. X's office days. He sees both pre-op and post-op patients during this time. That is why I just can't help myself but to look around the waiting area and see what the doctor has scheduled for today. Over to the far left, I spy an elephantine teen boy nervously sitting next to who I presume to be his mom. Obvious pre-op material. I'm thinking "Don't fret dude. It will be worth it. I wish they had this when I was your age." Looking far right I see a fleshy female with her nose buried in a book. Hmmmm. I'm guessing follow up. Then the extra wide doors fly open and a smiling 30 something man in clothes at least two sizes to big saunters out. Definitely a post-opper! I was called in a few minutes after a Rascal bound lady. When I went in and sat at the first nurses’ station, I saw no sight of scooter. She must be in the pre-op room waiting for the sales pitch from Dr. X. On cue, he walks towards the closed door with his plastic stomach model. The same one he used for my initiation. "Close that deal Doc!" I quipped. He didn't say anything. He didn't need to. He gave me a wry smile, a thumb up and went in to the room with a nervously awaiting prospect and a Rascal. Easy sale. It was now time for me to get my vitals. No temperature. BP 117/77 (That went down about 6 or 7 points on both ends. The nurse asked me if I was 18!) Now to the scale. Off with the loafers, step on to the massive industrial scale ..... AND..... 97.2 Kilos! It kinda kills the drama when the kilo measure comes up. Especially because I can't do the math that fast in my head. "How much have I lost since my first visit?" I asked. "Oh, I don’t have that file here." she answers. "How many files do I have?" I inquired. "I'm not sure. Ask the doctor." she tells me. Must be some kind of union thing. Maybe she's only allowed to carry one file to avoid a workplace injury. After my vitals check, I was deposited in another room. I know the drill now. First a visit from the bubbly Ms. K, my nutritionist, then the syringe wielding Dr. X will make his appearance. This room has both a fat ass chair and a fat ass recliner in addition to the exam table. Wonder why? Maybe it's for the portly patient and his pleasingly plump pal. Whatever ... just seems strange to me. The door bursts open and an extra bubbly Ms. K enters and has a seat at the desk next me. "Wow. You look like you're doing great!" she spouts. "I think I'm doing Ok." I reply sheepishly. "Let's look at your progress." she says. "Awesome! You have lost 8 pounds since last visit and 41 pounds total! You get a gold star!" That made my day. I thought I was doing OK. But what do I know? I think I'm 22 and gorgeous. Just because I think it doesn't make it so. So her validation was excitedly welcomed. We proceeded to go over my average daily food intake. I told her I was doing the 1200 calorie a day deal. I showed her my FitBit Flex and the MyFitnessPal app and how they sync up. She was impressed and green lighted me to continue what I'm doing because it's working. That's cool with me. We exchanged the usual farewell pleasantries and I was back to waiting for the main attraction. Without further ado, Dr. X gregariously enters. "I hear you’re a rock star." He opens up with. "I'm just trying to stay focused." I say. "Well, you're doing great. 8 pounds since last month is great." I think I was beaming like a new father. People rarely get this kind of validation from others, especially from their fatoligist. We discussed my progress, my hunger level and my ability to get food down and keep it down. "So you're not really felling any restriction?" he asks. "Nope. I think I could swallow a live fish if I had to.” I replied. “We don’t want it to come to that. Let’s give you a little tune up.” I laid down and a few seconds later I had one more c.c. of saline restriction. Dr. X gave me a few warnings about staying on liquids that night and pureed foods the next. After a few more words of encouragement, he was off to the next case. Needless to say, my second fill appointment was a success. I’m glad the bubbly Ms. K and Dr. X are pleased with my progress. As great as all the back slaps and accolades are, I can’t lose sight of the fact that I am not even half way home yet. There is still a lot of work to be done. I have definitely noticed that every pound is harder to lose than when I started. And I know they will be even harder as lose more. So, yea, I’m happy with the visit. But no, I am in now overconfident in my success. As I was leaving the exam room, I spotted that Rascal sitting unguarded in the hall. For a fleeting second I had thought of nabbing it, throwing on a fat ass chair and making a break for the parking lot. But my new reality set in. I don’t need the fat ass chair anymore. But I sure could have a blast on that Rascal! Bye for now. Johnny Hey you! Stop by my blog! You can enter your email and get my posts automatically! TheDeconstructionOfJohnny.blogspot.com

Hunger/Cravings/Emotional/Habitual: [ FEEL FREE TO RELATE AND LAUGH WHILE READING ] If you have lived as a human on this planet we like to call Earth, you have experienced these different forms of eating habits. For some us, we have mastered the eating maze and are healthy and happy individuals. For some of us, we were just blessed with good genes that kept and continue to keep us skinny. Others may choose other methods of dealing with hunger and/or engage in habits that keeps them thin (but are in no way beneficial to their health): anemia, bulimia, drugs, even smoking (so I have been told). And then there is the rest of the world, the majority, who simply eat. Well as promised, I stated that I would share as I learned. So here we go. Three days ago, I started to have a strange craving for salt. I figured I just wanted something salty: French fries or something. The first day, I tried saltine crackers- didn't work. The Second Day, I broke down and got a small fry from McDonalds - after three fries and a terrible time swallowing it- I threw the rest away. I figured chips would hurt worse than fries so I didn't go there. By the third day, I was ready to pour salt in my hand and eat it. I ended up eating mashed potatoes with salt and Cajun seasoning. I wasn't really hungry nor did I want any of the things I mentioned. I just wanted the salt. We are conditioned to believe that cravings are ALWAYS remnants of are past BAD eating habits: nothing good can come of it. So I didn't mention it to the doctor. Well, I had a routine follow up scheduled the next day: blood, urine and so forth. Come to find out, I was Dehydrated. One of the symptoms associated with Dehydration is craving salt. Upon finding out this information, I told my doctor about the last three days. He listened and then he explained. There are several types of eating habits, but to simplify here are four main types: hunger or regular, cravings, emotional, and habitual eating. Hunger: Regular - Biologically Necessary Eating: When the food you have previously consumed has been digested and used, the body sends off signals to the brain to start the process of alerting you ( growling stomach, headache, and so forth) that you need nourishment. Insert a bunch of doctor talk here....and then arrive to the point. You need to eat small portions throughout the day to keep your system fueled and your blood sugar levels regulated. Cravings: Mostly a mental hunger but can occasionally be a symptom of a bigger health issue. Cravings are greatly linked to the wonderful neurotransmitters we call endorphins: the feel good stuff. Deserts, fast food, candy, and so forth can all be linked to cravings associated with the release of endorphins. Giving into a craving WITH MODERATION every now and then is not a bad thing. As my doctor has stated once before: deprivation is the mother of all diet breaking habits. Deprive yourself of something long enough and you will most likely binge when you do eat it. A few potato chips did not make you overweight OVER NIGHT. It took Several Bags of Chips over Several Nights to add the pounds. MODERATION is the key. Keeping a food log is a great help in this department. You will begin to see patterns in your eating habits. For example, when and what types of cravings you have and how you dealt with them. And if you find yourself craving something over and over again, do not hesitate to talk to your doctor or nutritionist. In some cases, as it was with my need for salt, there may be a greater medical issue at hand. Emotional eating: Well this topic needs no introduction and has a simple explanation: attempting to make us temporarily feel better through eating. We usually engage in emotional eating during times of Stress, Grief, Anxiousness, Indecision, Depression, Helplessness, and so forth. The best way to combat this eating habit, is to locate the source of the problem. Eating rarely if ever solves the problem that is causing the strong and usually negative emotion. Exercise, counseling, reaching out to others, and sometimes taking time to heal oneself are all great tactics. Once again keeping a journal of what triggers the emotional eating will help you get a better grasp on the problem at hand. NOW WE MOVE ON TO THE UNIVERSAL EATING HABIT ACCURATLEY NAMED HABITUAL (OR RITUAL) Eating: ITS JUST WHAT WE DO. I believe that most people indulge in this eating habit and the following are some examples of when we do it: You are going to the Football/Baseball/Basketball/Hockey game: Hotdogs, Chips, Beer, Liquor. You are going to the movies: Popcorn, Coke, Pretzels, Funnel cake, Pizza or whatever the concession item of your choice is. Its the Holiday Season: I must have all of the usual favorites: Grandma's turkey, Great Aunt's Caramel Cake, Your Spouse's Sweet Potatoes, Your Neighbor's Candy Yams, Christmas Punch, and so forth. The Girls Venting Session: must have Ice Cream of some flavor and LOTS of it and alcohol. The Birthday party: most have party favors and Cake. Men's night: Steaks, Burgers, Chips, Ribs, and Beer. You are bored and in the house doing nothing: Must. Eat. Whatever. Its just what we do. LOL. MOST of us do it and have been conditioned all of our lives to do it. This conditioning has been formed through family traditions, societal norms, peer influences, workplace etiquette, school related gatherings, church and community functions, and almighty MEDIA (just to name a few). The best solution to this is MODERATION. Also, start a new tradition of your own. When all else fails, before you eat something ask yourself the following ( I practice this daily): Are you hungry, have you eaten this lately, how do you feel, and what are you doing at this moment. I usually find that asking myself these questions leads to further questions and eventually to answers. I will either talk myself out of it or I will understand why I am doing it. MOST IMPORTANTLY, No man has ever survived without making mistakes, without setbacks, or without occasional over indulgence. It just happens. Do not beat yourself up about it. Just continue to move forward. You will only be as successful as you allow yourself to be. Surround yourself with supportive people, practice good habits, start new traditions, keep a journal, exercise, and ENJOY your second chance at life. You only live once.

Lots of new things going on for me in this new year. Started my 2 week (starvation) liquid diet on 12/29, not as bad as I thought it would be. I do see food EVERYWHERE and it isn't easy cooking for my husband and 7 year old. They try not to tempt me, but it doesn't take much to do so. My two older ones are helping mom out by doing the liquid fast with me, which is so cool. We keep each other in line! Now if I could just get this next week over and get to surgery I'll really be doing something! Oh yes....So I had my EGD today. I totally psyched myself up that this was going to be an awful experience, and that it was just a pre-cursor to my sleeve experience being the same. However, much to my surprise it was pleasant, easy, and I didn't have any issues at all. Anesthesia didn't cause any problems and I woke right up. I'm now ready to conquer my fears and get this surgery out the way so I can discover my new body. There are so many things I could be nervous about, but I'm trying my best to be positive and optimistic about my not so far off future. I guess I'm still just a mixed bag of emotions!

My surgery is tomorrow as well (YAY us!). I'm nervous and have been very tempted to go out and get my favorite fast food to have one last taste of it, but I didn't and the urge is driving me crazy. I've been trying to keep myself busy so that I wouldn't think too much about this, but knowing me, I'll be up late tonight thinking. That I don't mind since I don't check into the hospital until 9:15 tomorrow. Hopefully, I will be able to sleep in and not have too much time to think about wanting to eat.

I did the same thing - not telling many pple to avoid all the comments and questions regarding how fast the weight would come off and what I can/cannot eat. I knew it would be slow and bc it was surgery everyone else thinks it should be DRASTIC/FAST. I am going to a Continuing Education lecture next weekend and I just know the ladies that know I am banded will think its too slow and insignificant (Like I care) - But I am abit self conscience and hope they don't ask too many questions.

My dietician has recommended Slim Fast 2X a day, and Premeir Protein Shake 3X a day for the preop. Originally she wanted me to use Medifast but I've had it before and I don't like the aftertaste. What are the ingredients to your shakes? They sound good.

I've seen anywhere from 10-40 lbs on here before. There are tons of factors of how much we lose and how fast we lose it. Most people will lose more the first 6 months on the sleeve than they would ever lose on a normal diet of the same length.