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It seems that just as each Dr. has his own pre/post op diets, each has their own theory on hair loss. Some will blame it on a lack of protein, or overall deficiencies, others on the after effects of anesthesia, or a shock from surgery. They also often blame stress. One will recommend biotin, another zinc, yet another nioxin. It is a guessing game!!! It may be one of those issues, or a combination of all of them! I began losing hair, and I lost the whole hair, including the little bulb where it come out of the scalp, mine was not breaking off, it was falling out. This started about 4-5 months out from surgery. It grew worse, until my part was VERY wide, you could see the shape of my scalp! I changed hairstyles, and used tons of product. I lept my protein up from the begining, so that was not my issue. I took the biotin from about 6 weeks out, began taking the zinc. Nothing seemed to be helping. I used special shampoo all along. The one I got from Sally's Beauty supply suggested to me, just seemed to make it worse, it kept my hair sooooo dry! I eventually went back to a strengthening shampoo, that made what hair I had feel best. I treated my hair very gently, went to washing it only every other day. I would say I lost easily half my hair. In the last month it has stopped falling out so badly, I am back to normal hair loss. I cannot see my scalp so clearly now, so I am thinking I may be starting to regrow, and it is shadowing the scalp. I am hoping that is the case! I used to have to buy clips etc. for heavy hair. Now if I put my hair in a ponytail, it would be about as big around as a dime! I may have lost more excessively than others will, because I have lost ALL my hair before due to chemo. Maybe that made me more succeptable to the loss of hair, I don't know. It was traumatic. I actually had people mention it, it was obvious! It was scary. I finally decided I could be thin and wear a wig. I could not have a full head of hair, and slip on a thin suit. About the time I wrapped my mind around accepting it---it quit! Maybe stress does play a role! In my case it lasted several months. I have never been extremely tight, I am able to eat most anything, and do maintain a healthy diet. The one thing I did change, was to add more fats into my diet, I was told that is necessary. I was also told I could expect it again when I have my TT---oh joy! Hang in there!!! It does get better. Just when I thought it never would it did..... Kat

eating boullion AGAIN... is this normal to "eat" all the time the first week. I am getting in boullion, water, sf popsicles and sf jello. I feel like I am doing it ALL the time!!! Not that I am worried about weight gain, just wondering if anyone else "ate" all the time the week after surgery. I know I am suppose to be getting my water in and I have been so far. :clap2:

Hi. I am 3 days post-op and in the clear liquid stage. I am having a difficult time interpreting the signals (gurgles and pangs) my stomach is sending me. For starters, I can't really tell if I'm hungry. This is a good thing since I was always hungry before. My real concern is that I also can't tell when I am full. I am trying try to drink my liquids at regular intervals, but can all this liquid stretch my pouch? (I limit my liquid intake to 1/2 cup at a time and I sip it for what seems an eternity.) Any ideas?

Well I have less than 24 hours til surgery. I am excited, can't wait to start losing weight and being healthier. I have been faithful on my pre-op diet so I am curious as to how much I lost this week. I am looking at this last week as a running start . Any and all suggestions and helpful tips for my post op first few days would be great. I am on Clear liquids until I am home from the hospital and then on liquids for 3 weeks, which means foods thinned down enough so it slides off of a spoon. Wish me luck Lost_Secret:clap2:

Completely normal. The port is the sorest likely because of the fascia suturing. Try supporting your abdomen with your arm as you move - if you have a pannus, put your arm under it and carry the weight with your arm. If you carry your weight higher, support under the incision. I found that by doing thism, I could alleviate 70 - 80% of the pain while walking. Standing & sitting still hurt, but I'm going to guess it was tolerable within a week. It took me 3 days to get into my own bed and stop living in a recliner.

I have a sedentary job too. I took off a full two weeks and went back to work on Monday. By the end of the day on the first two days, I was really sore from sitting in a office chair most of the day. If I had to, I could have gone back sooner, but four days would have been too soon for me.

Hi ladies, I was banded May 3rd and I thought i'd never survive the full liquid diet. I kept asking myself "why did I do this to myself!?!", but I survived and I am excited I chose to do this. Hang in there. Like everyone says, everyday gets better and they truly do. My port is still a little sore when I turn an awkward way, but it's all been worth it. Down 16 lbs post-op. Getting my first fill in 2 weeks.

The doctor's office told me the doctor likes to do the surgeries on tuesdays and thursdays only and i'm scheduled for Dec. 27th!!!! (my choice - because it's two slow weeks for me at work...sales, yup!) but now what that means is that I will be doing all liquid diet for 10 days prior to this date and it will be right through Christmas! That should be quite a challenge since we have our big family gathering on Xmas Eve! I will have to figure out what to be sipping on all night without anyone noticing I'm not eating - anyone have any ideas? maybe jello? that might be a little weird because who eats jello at a party! but do I have a choice? The only ones that will know about the surgery is my husband and closest friend. I am not telling anyone else, not my kids, not my parents or sisters & their family. Maybe later I will probably tell them if I start to lose a lot of weight which is why I'm getting banded. So I'm excited!

aw darn. :smile2: i was hoping that they would be.. but i guess they would be about the same constancy as mash potatoes. because i was reading something on here about some one had: 2week liquid pre and post op than 1 week of mush like food and then slowly into solid

Got surgery approval. Psych was cancelled twice due to weather, not on my end. I was willing to trudge thru the 20" of snow! Rescheduled for next week. I have the last of my tests on Thursday and Friday. They are doing the stress tests in 2 parts because I can't do the treadmill as a result of back surgery, so taking the needle!!! The HURDLE part is doing it with a broken rib!!! OMG! I must be desperate. I called them and asked them and they said if I can bear it, so can they! haha! I will be wearing my old back brace for support for when I have to get on the treadmill at the end for 5 minutes. UGH! And then it is a waiting game for me. Will see the nutritionist 2 weeks prior for instructions and the week of April 5 is it for me.:blushing:

@@recordsmom 5lbs! if i could lose 5lbs a week (like i used to be able to do) I would be pretty golden. good for you! the shakes you are drinking have 27 g carbs/3g Fiber each, mine have 5g carb/3 fiber and i do not eat any fruit whatsoever, i cannot. the wonderslim cake has 9g carbs, 3 g of fiber, and that (compared to nothing or only low carb things) prevents my FBS from jumping up by 10 points in the morning (it's usually at 120 and it won't go any lower).

Today I started to supplement my clear liquid diet with protein shakes. It's kind of discouraging because the dr told me to mix 3oz of slim milk with either a full scoop of whey protein mix or a packet of carnation good start breakfast no sugar added mix...it's super strong and really thick...this is for the next 11 days 3 times a day

I am on an Optifast only liquid diet, 6 shakes a day for two weeks. I have known fatty liver. So I need to do this. But these shakes make me want to vomit. I managed to get one day this morning and only 2 more ounces. I just cant do it. Any advice?? Please!!!

I had a "surprise" hiatal hernia repair at the same time as my sleeve surgery. I never had any symptoms, so it was never diagnosed. My recovery was a little rougher. I had shortness of breath, chest pain with inspirations, left shoulder pain and some jaw pain. I felt like I'd swallowed a golf ball and it was lodged in my throat. It was scary because the symptoms mimicked cardiac symptoms. I had no cardiac history, but then again... I had no symptoms of the hiatal hernia to begin with. Well, I spoke to my Doc and he reassured me I wasn't having a heart attack. Everything I was feeling was due to the hernia repair. It took about 10 days before I started feeling better. My Dr. said hiatal hernias were not unusual and he does several repairs at the same time as the sleeve surgery every week. I'm feeling a whole lot better, in fact, I'm going back to work on Monday.

Hi. I don't know about hard/soft masses? I had my Sleeve almost 3 weeks ago. We knew I had a small Hiatal Hernia going in. Well, the Dr. said, it was really big. They just sew it shut. I know its going to make me feel better. I have had no complications. Again, unsure if we are talking the same issue/Mass? Good luck too you!

So approximately three weeks after my surgery I was feeling horrible with pain up my back and belly. The dr. Did a swallow test again showed no leaks however a cat scan showed a micro leak. I was in the hospital for 8 days. I am now approaching my 9 week post surgery and I’m feeling off again. No back pain but I have reflux in the middle of the night sometimes that makes me cough and gag. I’m on soft foods but not really hungry at this point. Don’t know if it’s stress or something else. Does anyone have pain sometimes when drinking fluids? Also I’ve been constipated for two days and. It sure if this has anything to do with how I feel now. I also have a little tenderness when I press on the area in the middle of my stomach under my breasts. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Well everyone....I am in the land of the living...I was banded yesterday. It was so funny as I was watching Big Medicine the night before my surgery and saw a lady that was doing the lap band surgery...I love that show. Listen anyone who has not done this surgery...It is probably the best thing that could have every happened to me. For many years I suffered from an eating disorder and it got out of control. For anyone out there that may feel that binging and purging can make you loose weight (trust me there are people out there that feel that way). You will not you were looking at at a previous bulimic that gained 50 lbs! It's better you do what you have to do and get this band. I know this journey won't be easy but now I am in control of ME and that is the most important thing. Here is the low down: 1. I waited until 1:20 p.m. a lady met with me and brough me to OR I was put in a waiting room. 2. The nurse told me to put on a robe that could finally fit me. You know the hopital gown that you have to put two on or you will be ass out..yeah...that can't happen there! lol. I also got a took to put on.The nurse came in asked a few questions. She weighed me and to my suprise I lost 15 lbs.:whoo: 3. The anestigolist (mind my spelling) met with me to explain what he would be going and asked what meds I am on and if I am allergic to anything. 4. Then I met with Dr. Cobourn for a while. He answered all my questions. He told me he loved my touqe and not to start without him.lol. I told him I would try not too! 5. I was then taken to OR they strapped me up to the machines and sent me to lala land. 6. I woke up. The post op nurse Francine was amazing. She came me all sorts of cool drugs lol. I got some demerol and codine. 7. Dr. Cobourn met with me breifly and told me that I had a bit of a hernia and he fixed it! HA...I went to Peel for the same problem and they turned me away saying nothing was wrong. 8. I had a lot of gas pain in the shoulders which I think was the worst. 9. Got home and put a hot Water bottle on the shoulders took gas X and went beddie bye. 10. One thing that helps with the gas I found was a nice message. My hubbie gave me a message it helped move around the gas. 11. I slept on the couch for the evening as my couch has a lot of pillow which was very comfortable. 12. Woke up this morning to some gas but now soreness in the tummy. I guess the stiching is making me sore. The gas is starting to come out (gross) and is litterly a byatch to come out lol. All in all ... everything went well. I am very happy and that each and everyone of your for your support along the way. If it wasn't for you all I would be in the dark as to what to expect. At least by reading your experiences I now know what to expect. You all are amazing! Thanks again for all your support.

Congrats on insurance approval. I am just starting my liquid stage today. My doc requires a 2 week pre op of clear liquids and a 2 week post op of clear liquids. They suggested Boost Breeze to me because I just can't handle slim fast and those kinds of suppliments. They also suggested Bene protein because it has no flavor. I have made some jello and added the beneprotein to it and it really doesn't taste so that is what I will be using. The boost breeze are not bad at all. They come in 3 different flavors (mixed berry, orange and I can't remember the other) They are really convenient too because they come in fruit juice boxes (like a kids juice box) and they each have 9 grams of protein. I only have to drink 3 of these a day and eat 1 cup of jello with beneprotein and I have the 30 grams of protein daily. It still has a little bit of after taste but not bad and nothing like those other shakes I tried. Good luck to you.

I am 11 months out and had to have mine removed last week. He also removed some scar tissue and made some alterations to my hernia repair (from original surgery). I have to say it sucks because I am back on a liquid diet mainly due to the hernia issue. Knowing what I know now and if I was given the option, I would of had it removed in the beginning.

Hi. My doc said to get tylenol and cruch it to take it until 6 weeks. I may taste terrible, but if you mix it in pudding, or something like that it goes down fast, and then wash it down with a drink that is very flavorful...hope this helped.

Hi, I thiink 40 pounds in 14 weeks is an amazing result! You should be proud. Why can you only keep down salads and soft foods? Is your fill too tight? Maybe you are craving sugar because you are not getting enough calories and/or Protein? I'm not banded yet, but hope to be soon. I would call your surgeon's office. Best of luck to you! Margie

Is it okay to have? I have been having a little just to have some variety here and there. It tastes so good I feel like I am cheating! I am on the liquids stage, almost 2 weeks out, my nurse told me to just watch the carbs, it has less carbs than my Protein shakes and only 90 calories, and sugar free. When I read the posts about what to eat during the "liquid phase" everyone talks about pured Soups. So are there other things to have besides pured soups, Jello, pudding, and popsicles? I hope I am doing okay with having it. What do you think?

Thanks! I am/was at risk of diabetes because I had to have 2/3 of my pancreas removed (and it was the section where most of the insulin-producing islet cells lived). My A1C since that surgery 5 years ago has been 6.8 but last week it was down to 5.1. I don't have a single symptom of acidosis (no matter the cause) and my kidney function levels were normal. Acidosis can also be caused by following a "ketogenic diet" or low calorie diet, which is what most of us are doing post-op, at least until we hit our goal weight. I was actually expecting my surgeon's office and others on the forum to say "yes, sure that's pretty common and here's what you do (or don't worry as long as the levels stay above x)." However, I see my endocrinologist Tuesday and I'll get all the labs redrawn.

Congratulations on getting the band. I'm "from" Washington to, lived there most of my life, just moved to Oregon a couple months ago. I am getting banded next week. Hope everything is going smooth for you.

Is this official knowledge? I mean, did your Surgeon tell you this personally? I'm just curious because this is not something I usually hear about unless its the Pre-Opt diet. If you really do need to lose this weight then my best suggestion would be to do as low of carbs as you can stand it. That really does seem to help folks lose high numbers, especially in the first two weeks. Try looking up Atkins or South Beach. Good luck!!!