A few questions as I go through pre-op appointments

[Wires 25]

Some things I have questions about but still am not clear on...

1) What can I start taking ahead of time to help with the Hair loss (especially since I'm losing some hair now from having a baby last year)?

2) Should I start trying Protein Shakes? Or is it a waste of time because tastes will change?

3) Should I start putting together a list of foods for what I can eat the first few weeks (liquid, puree stuff)?

4) When you start eating regular food again, can you add stuff like salt & pepper, other spices? My ethnic background includes lots of spicy food! Or stuff like Protein that is mixed in sauces or very seasoned? (think pulled pork)

5) I know some people elect to have skin removal surgery after they lose the weight and usually it's not covered by insurance. What is the range of cost for this?

6) Is the "no drinking Water while eating" a lifetime rule?

THANKS!

[2Big2Skate 328]

For #2 yes, definitely acclimate yourself to the "lab food" as I call it. Try shakes, bars, etc. Read labels. Learn which thicknesses and flavors you tolerate better than others.

For #6 yes. It's a good idea even if you never have surgery. The idea is to feel full, from food. It makes you eat slower and it gives you quicker feedback when to stop eating. You'll feel what I'm talking about once you're post op. There's only a little room in there. You have to be intentional about what you fill it with!

Your surgeon's team, particularly the nurses and nutritionists, will give you packets of data about how you'll eat and supplement in the various stages. Every one is slightly different.

All my best,

Jay

[Bufflehead 6,358]

Hi,

I'm in the camp that says there is no scientific evidence that any sort of supplement helps with Hair loss, so you shouldn't waste your money on it.

For no. 4, it is probably fine to add in seasonings and make your food spicy. Some people do have a harder time tolerating spicy stuff early on, but lots of people don't. No way to know until you try. I can tell you that one of the very first things I made when I progressed to purees was chicken pureed with Sriracha sauce and it was great. I haven't had any issues with spicy food and I eat it a lot.

No drinking anything (not just water) while eating, or for 30 minutes after, is a lifetime rule per my surgeon and dietician.

Good luck!

Edited February 14, 2014 by Bufflehead

[LRG2014 55]

I use Bioten 10,000 mg a day..the tablets are huge so I bought a pill cutter and cut those suckers up small. So far so good. I was really worried about Hair loss especially since my hair is very thin already. I take the Bioten at night. Hope this helps.

[ChavaBling 145]

5) I know some people elect to have skin removal surgery after they lose the weight and usually it's not covered by insurance. What is the range of cost for this?

Oh Wires, I think about this a lot. I have seen prices starting at $8000 for full-body-skin-removal (I have no idea what this procedure is actually called). This price was in Mexico. I'm sure it only goes up & up & up from there. I would be interested to see what others have to say about this. My ins definitely doesn't cover this, although, if it creates some kind of medical issue, maybe it would be covered. Good luck on your journey.