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My hair stopped falling out at month 9, about the time I hit a normal BMI; I have no idea if the two are related. It started at about 12 weeks and I lost a lot, not bald but very thin in spots. Now it's all a couple of inches long.

Most insurances will not cover a tummy tuck. Some will cover a panniculectomy with certain requirements. Most post weight loss plastic surgery can be very difficult to have insurance cover unless there is a documented history of rashes, infections, or hindering movement. Exercise can help, but some skin will be too far gone to ever snap back. It just depends on the degree you can live with. I can live with mine. Shapewear is a great thing.

Just wanted to add that a number of my PCOS symptoms are getting better. I have less facial hair, spontaneous (but not regular) periods, skin pigmentation seems to be getting slightly better (hard to avoid the sun during summer in Texas, which isn't helping).

I started out at just over 300# and I had lost 50 before people really even noticed the change. Do you think he is uncomfortable with the physical changes already or something else? I guess everyone knows this, but losing huge amounts of weight is a game changer in many relationships. In my case, the ending of my relationship actually wasn't about the weight loss. I thought the problems in our relationship were (at least partially) caused by my being so obese but turns out they had nothing to do with it so losing weight did not "fix" a dang thing. And then, i just couldn't take it anymore.

Congratulations, My surgery is on June 13 and I pray that my weight loss will go that well. Again Good Job.....

Even though it has only been a few weeks since I have been banded and I have only lost 20 lbs, I felt ready for a change. I had my hairdresser turn my blond hair back to dark brown and put in caramel highlights. I also changed my hairdo the inverted bob for a different haircut. I have got a lot of compliments on my "change". I just cant wait to lose this remaining weight!

Dear Diana, I do understand your comment with the jet black laquer color, and would add that the other extreme of over bleached blonde straw consistency hair is rather fake looking as well. Of course if we wanted to keep this going, I would add the certain shades of red that make Bozo the Clowns color look tame. lol Then again, maybe my medium brown color would be boring to the above mentioned ladies. Whose to say? That's why Miss Clairol comes in many shades. lol On a personal note, I think I am just hyper sensitive to anything I perceive as criticism. I think women in general need to be nicer to each other. Afterall. with all the crap we handle on a daily basis, home, work, family, etc., we need all the support we can get. (getting off my soapbox) and reaching for my cup of tea..lol Now, girlfriend...let's talk SHOES! (smile)

I have really long hair...that took a beating from my weight loss...its now back to a healthy state...but i use to use the length to cover up my back fat...or at least disguise it the best i could...now i don't have back fat....so do i get rid of the "hide the back fat hair"?????? lol

A make over can involve color or highlights, new cosmetics, new clothes to go with your new attitude. If you have long hair and it looks good and you don't want to cut it short, who says you have to? the over 50 thing is silly to me. Who made up that rule? Lots of cookie cutter women with the "graduated wedge/bob thing". At any given event at my son's school at least 10 women have some version of that haircut. I should know I had it at one time too. Looked nice, but what a pain in the tush to keep up with. Just because it is popular, doesn't mean it works for everyone or is everyone's taste. Live and let live, I say. I think short hair can be sexy and that touseled long bedroom hair is to die for. Halle Berry looks better with short hair and Christie Brinkley and Jane Seymour (over 50) both look amazing with their longer hair. I'm certainly not a movie star, but my hubby loves my hair longer. I'm in my late 40's and it is to my middle back. I have been blessed with thick, wavy hair and why should I cut it because someone said as I am getting closer to a certain age I should? Guess what is the best about your thread? We're all losing wt and feeling good and want to shed the old fatter image. I say go for it! New haircut, just a trim, new color, new clothes...any and all can make us feel terrific and in the end, isn't that what we should want not only for ourselves but for other woman as well? Strut your shorter perky do, flip your long hair, enjoy your classic bob.......and enjoy every second of this experience. I wish all of us a successful journey !

So, I've been fat for most of my life. I've been fat ever since I was roughly 10 years old, but what I considered fat then is nothing compared to the state I am at now. After I got sex reassignment surgery, my metabolism went straight to hell and my energy levels fell. I didn't make any lifestyle changes afterwards, but the fact that I didn't was a part of the problem that resulted in the state where I am now. And gaining so much weight, I likely contracted sleep apnea due to my weight gain and also contracted plantar fasciitis, which makes it harder to be out and about without my arches screaming at me. I've tried so many diet and exercise programmes, from Bikram Yoga to Weight Watchers, from marathon training to calorie counting, from parkour to South Beach. In fact, I would have continued trying if not for someone in a chat room. They told me that I should get a lap band... to which I said "why? I can exercise, I have the discipline to diet, why the hell would I need a lap band?" We had a long discussion about bariatric surgery and I decided to do my research. I first considered the programme at Denver Health. After all, I didn't know about the programme just north of me in Fort Collins (and to be quite honest, that's kinda okay given the support network I've built up there) and I thought Denver Health was the natural place to go. That and UCHealth has had... issues with serving employees of the State of Colorado. So, I went to their support groups/medical weight loss classes (which were combined), attended sessions with their psychologist and saw their nutritionist only to get rejected because I had clinical depression. I feel the problem was that since the psychologist was not my regular psychologist and did not know me nor my support network well, that made her more skittish than she should have been. I then contacted the programme at Northern Colorado Surgical Associates (which is a part of the Poudre Valley Health System and their combined programme is called the "Bariatric Centre of the Rockies") and started attending their medical weight loss classes, their patient education seminar, got my regular therapist and prescriber to write my letter, and as of Tuesday, had surgery with them. Unfortunately, I don't feel that I can attend their support groups often (as their support groups are in Fort Collins and the transit back down to Longmont after 8pm is dismal at best), but the good news is that I have found other practices in the area which have support groups that I might be able to attend. I have a therapist that I really mesh with and I have a support network from both my church and my political party (Green Party of Colorado, FTW!) And I look forward to the future. I look forward to wearing all those cute goth/steampunk clothes I see in my Facebook news feed, I look forward to finishing up my transition by having facial feminization surgery/breast augmentation (which can only happen once I get to my goal weight, if my concern is having the best results), and most pressing, I look forward to the day I can waltz into the Denver Health support groups, look into the eyes of the nutritionists, psychologists, and that bariatric coordinator and tell them where they can stick it.

There was a research study that peppermint oil was as effective as minoxidil (rogaine) for hair regrowth and more effective at stimulating the growth phase. Hair follicles changes phase every three months from active to resting. You can make a spray with 10 drops of essential peppermint oil with a carrier oil such as almond, jojoba, coconut etc and massage it in, leave in overnight and wash out or add it to leave-in conditioner. I am going to start using this now, three months before surgery. It can't hurt at any rate.

hi, after 5 months of various dr. appts. seminars, and an awful sleep apnea test, I was just approved. the insurance company only took 2 weeks. I thought for sure I would be rejected because I have a lower bmi. 35. I am 5'8 and weigh 240 but I have a huge family history of obeisity related issues. the only real health issue I had to keep me in the running for insurance approval was sleep apnea. (yeah) now I get to wait some more because my dr. is booked up until the middle of may.:scared2: now that I have my approval, I go back and forth between wanting to diet and get a head start on my weight loss, and wanting to eat until I cant eat anymore because I wont be able to do so after the surgery!!!! so far the diet is winning. (but its only been a week) just like every diet I've ever been on, I.m sure i'll give it up if I dont see immidiate results. cant wait to get this whole thing over with so I can wear cute clothes instead of coverup fat clothes.

Thank you for responding. I'm hoping it does and that now I'm cleared for regular food, it should be easier to up the calories. A little planning last night has me at 680 for the day so far. I've been pleased with the weight loss so far so speeding it up would be a bonus!!

Hi everyone....I'm back....some of you might remember that I wrote a blog every Sunday that followed my weight loss journey for the first year.....like all of you, it was a huge year of transition for me. But even I couldn't imagine how vibrant and incredible and amazing my life would be 3 years later and it would never have happened without WLS. I have created a dream life that works for me (trust me, it would not work for 90% of the readers here in my opinion). But I have decided to start writing my blog again in hopes of inspiring people to have the courage to create and design their own dream life. So if you are new to the forum and want to read what it was like during the first year after surgery, or you are a veteran, and especially if you are older, 40's, 50,s, 60,s, I'm here to tell you it is not too late! Tomorrow I turn 61 and I am the happiest I have ever been in my life.....just click on the link below.....and happy reading! To read my most recent post (just posted today) just go to www.queenofcrop.com If you are interested in reading about my first year, just follow the link below.

Find Proteins you like. Make sure you're taking Vitamins to substitute for your lack of veggies. Like @@Sharon1964 said, lay off the rice, tortillas and sugar. Protien fills you up, and carbs make you hungry and crave junk. Your weight loss is fine, but don't expect much more unless you change your diet up to what it's supposed to be (Protein, veggies, lots of water).

Yep! It is frustrating. I feel like I'm trying to make up for 3 months of weight loss in 2 weeks. I agree about eating light. All I've eaten today is a 1/2 of a pickle. 3 more hours until the moment of truth.

That has been my focus too--calories, protein and fat. Then my sister goes and mentions that when she reduces her carbs, she notices more weight loss. Just another thing to track, great! LOL

Your health and wellness are the most important part of your weight loss journey!

Hi all, my name is Yana! I am 26 years old, 271lbs, 5'3", and I live in Richmond, VA. I am very glad I found this place to connect with other people who are or have been in the same boat as me! I have started the process to get sleeved! per my insurance requirements I have a 6 month waiting period. I have already seen my nutritionist, done psychology evaluation, and will do my first PCP visit in mid January, oh and a sleep apnea as well. I have always been fat! all my life! but right now I feel like I am in my highest and need to do something about it. I was 200lbs when I met my husband, and almost 4 years later and one baby, I am 271lbs! not good at all! I tried weight loss pills, NutriSystem, Herbalife, all kind of diets and nothing was permanent. I have been considering weight loss surgery for the last couple of years. I started a new job recently, and I had to get my health screenings done, and I had to do it twice, my shocking moments was when I saw the results and my glucose level were very high and my blood pressure was high as well. I was like, I have a 20 months old son! and a husband with PTSD from war, I need to do something to be able to keep this family together!, and that's when after a talk with a really good friend of mine, she told me that she had the lapband and recommended me about the procedures and well! here I am, starting my journey! and very excited about it. Sorry for the long post and my writing, English is my second language =) Thanks for reading, all your posts have been very inspiring and encouraging. Yana.

Hi everyone. I'm new on BP and am struggling a bit with everything. I'll just lay out my whole story in one go and hopefully I don't sound too crazy. I'm 22 and live in Melbourne Australia. Was sleeved on 19-October-2015 weighing 131kgs or 289 pounds. I'm 12 weeks and 1 day out and am 102 kgs which makes for a loss of 29kgs or 63 pounds. I don't feel like I've had a journey like anyone else so far, or at least anyone I've watched or read. After op I was on liquids for 10 days the was able to go on to solids no problems. No puréed food at all. I dropped 10kgs in the first week then have lost a few kilos a week since. I was able to eat more to start off with but now I find I will eat less than a fist sized amount of food a day plus 1-3 litres of water/fluid. I am always under 500 calories a day, but usually 100-200. I'm never hungry, but crave foods most of the day unless I'm busy. I can't eat more than 4 bites in any sitting and am usually in pain by that point. I find I eat later in the day/night and usually drink Water till about 3pm and will then be peckish. Then I will eat at 7/8pm and then snack before I sleep at about 11 on my worst days. Most days I will skip the 7 or 11 feed for water or ice cubes happily. I am sick often, probably 5 out of 7 days. So when I eat I do t nessasarily digest that food. As bad as this sounds I am for the most part happy with that set up. I miss food but could live like this for the rest of my life happily. But I'd like to hear about everyone else. Now on to my main problems... I'm terribly unhappy in myself. I don't see the results like other people do. Today I had a 4kg loss from yesterday an was ecstatic, which lasted about 3 minuets. And then back on to being sad. I'm really lonely. My op I have chosen to not tell people about except my immediate family who although mean well are not particularly helpful. My family are all obese and my dad intends to be sleeved this year which would be nice to have someone to relate to. My mothers sense of motivation is not terribly helpful, it's a mix of shaming when eating 'bad foods' and trying to help by saying there's no use in being sad about life. My ex husband is emotionally supportive but will give in to my cravings and his, I don't believe this is intentional I think he's just a typical 23yo boy who doesn't think XD. My daughter is so supportive well past her years. She tells me off if I go to eat unhealthy foods and comforts me when I'm sick, always spreading the love to her mummy. So I'm blessed in that regards and I can't love her enough in gratitude. To top this all off I have other 'personal' problems at the moment which I fear are holding me back. As a child I was sexually abused by a family member who is currently on trial which has been long and drawn out. It was ment to finish in November and I was going to have a fresh start in 2016, but a preliminary decision has been appealed and we won't be back in court for trial until April/May. I find this whole debacle to be obviously emotionally trying but unhelpful in my journey. My daughter is starting school in a few weeks and I'm in tears at the thought of it. I try to not let it show but the loss of our little bond is heartbreaking for me and to be honest I don't entirely know how I'll survive the first week with out her. Silly - I know. I have a complex relationship with my family, especially because of the trial since it was family members who did this to me and others. I also don't think I can be myself in my family which doesn't really help in this journey to find myself again. And more than anything, I don't really have any friends. It sounds silly to say, but I am rather alone. Sometimes I just want to talk things through and Idont really have anyone. I have one close friend and his wife who I see regularly, and a few other friends who a talk to through fb and what not on a regular basis but that's it. I am happy with my loss so far, but just wished I was a normal size for once. My unrealistic visions are probably holding me back the most. So how about it, anyone else feeling like joining on this crazy train for the ride? Hope everyone is reaching their goals. Good luck xx

Been going to classes 2 more to go trying have surgery in June. But been trying to lose before the end of classes Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

Is stalling every 2 weeks normal? I know stalls are normal, and I do expect it, but this much? It's super frustrating. I get a good rhythm of weight loss, then BOOM, nothing. This is my second stall since my May 1st surgery.

Hi!! My name is Kelly...from Texas...and my date is the same...8/17/11!! I am nervous, too! I have some of the same questions. Even though I am an RN...I have not dealt with weight loss surgeries before! Where do you live? Have you started your pre-op diet? I start mine tomorrow!! Good Luck!! Kelly

Hi there! I'm pretty new too, but this place has been awesome and a constant resource on my weight loss journey. Good luck with everything.

I went through that intermittently. I'd try to get nutrition in from home made protein shakes when I felt like that. I was scared I'd loose all my muscle and hair so I would just kind of make myself get the protien in!