Hello, I am new to the neighborhood, My sister Lola said this is a great place to find support after WLS. We live @ 150 miles apart so we don't get together as often as we'd like. I just had my surgery in Sept, 07 and she had hers a few years ago. I have lost 70 lbs, but in the last 4 weeks I had hit a plataeu and was very discouraged. After 4 weeks, I finally lost 3 lbs, but nothing in the past week. I have also noticed lots of hair in the shower and coming out in my hands when I wash it ...Lola told me so... I am taking a Bariatric multivitamin 2 a day, and am Anemic and having monthly Iron shots. I have had a few minor complications, but overall it's been worth it. A week after surgery I developed a bleeding ulcer, and went back to the hospital for a blood transfusion. The end of Oct, I developed a stricture at my stoma site and had to go in for a dilitation, taht solved the vomitting problem. Then @ thanksgiving, I had sever chest pains, It turned out I was having a gall bladder attack (gall stones) and had to have it removed. Then a good thing happened. My first grandchild was born on Christmas eve. A beutiful baby boy. Back to the WLS, Besides feeling better about myself, I have a kidney disease that is improving. I am looking forward to checking in often for advise and support. Signing out for now, Lola's sister...Shawana Michelle.

Welcome aboard Chicky Baby Now, after this initial post, you will have to type your own (I, helped her with the first one) good luck and call if you need help. Luv ya Lola

Welcome to the party, Lola's sister, Chicky Baby!

Hi and welcome to the neighborhood! It is great that your sister and you have something in common. You will be amazed at how much you can learn at this site. Here's wishing you all the best in getting to your goal and congrats on both your success so far and your new lovely grandchild!

Hi!
Can relate to hair coming out in shower when washing it! Mine was coming out so fast I just KNEW i would be bald! Kept repeating "It'll grow back. It'll grow back..." and IT DOES!!!!

Congratulations on new Grandbaby!

QUOTE(Shawana Michelle @ Feb 16 2008, 09:09 AM)

Hello, I am new to the neighborhood, My sister Lola said this is a great place to find support after WLS. We live @ 150 miles apart so we don't get together as often as we'd like. I just had my surgery in Sept, 07 and she had hers a few years ago. I have lost 70 lbs, but in the last 4 weeks I had hit a plataeu and was very discouraged. After 4 weeks, I finally lost 3 lbs, but nothing in the past week. I have also noticed lots of hair in the shower and coming out in my hands when I wash it ...Lola told me so... I am taking a Bariatric multivitamin 2 a day, and am Anemic and having monthly Iron shots. I have had a few minor complications, but overall it's been worth it. A week after surgery I developed a bleeding ulcer, and went back to the hospital for a blood transfusion. The end of Oct, I developed a stricture at my stoma site and had to go in for a dilitation, taht solved the vomitting problem. Then @ thanksgiving, I had sever chest pains, It turned out I was having a gall bladder attack (gall stones) and had to have it removed. Then a good thing happened. My first grandchild was born on Christmas eve. A beutiful baby boy. Back to the WLS, Besides feeling better about myself, I have a kidney disease that is improving. I am looking forward to checking in often for advise and support. Signing out for now, Lola's sister...Shawana Michelle.

WELCOME to the NEIGHBORHOOD Shawana!!!

Sounds like your doing well despite your bumps in the road!! When a plateau hits like this months down the road, it's a good time to start a daily food diary if your not already. Some like fitday but for me it's too tedious and I prefer a good ol paper and pen!!

Are you eating protein first? Check portion sizes as well on everything.
What type of carbs are you eating and how many? I know about 1 month out for me...I was eating more regular food than I should have.
Are your carbs good carbs? Veggies, fruits etc?
EXERCISE? at least 30 minutes daily?
Water...is a MUST!! Are you getting in your 64 oz. daily?

Do a check off list type thing....;you might be pleasantly surprised....or try the 5 dpt to get your pouch back on track if that is the case.

I'm Julie S. aka: Sunshine of the hood. I'm 4 years post op this thursday and have kept 125 lbs off! This is an amazing journey and still is at 4 years out. I'm excited for you to join us too! I am looking forward to sharing your journey with you.....you already have lost 70 lbs and what a fabulous start that is!! Keepup the good work and keep in touch always! WE'RE GLAD YOUR HERE!!

Julie

Hi! Welcome!
You are in the right place for support!
Hang in there with the weight loss - I too would stall, then WHAM I'd start dropping again.
Everybody is different (my mantra) Just follow the basics and you will lose.

Re: Hair loss - you are right on schedule. It usually happens about 4-6 months out.
It will stop, and it will grow back! Some say even thicker than before.
After a while you'll notice little hairs at your hairline and they will grow grow grow!

Big Hugs!

Shawana Michelle,

Welcome to the neighborhood. I'm glad you sought us out. Sorry you've had such a rough road since surgery. It will get better! Work the program and you will break that plateau. 70 lbs is phenomenal!

I agree w/ what has been said already. I find keeping a food journal is helpful. I actually attached mine in another post, somehere on the board.

Get yourself some Biotin. It has really helped me with the hair fallout. I take 2 tablets daily and am leaving a whole lot less hair in the sink & shower.

Hey Chicky Baby...How lucky you are to have Lola for your sister and you're both here posting together. I predict this will bring you even closer if that's possible.

And yeah, my hair's better now than ever (2 years out), but I still have to get my protein and biotin in or I start losing it again.

Can't wait to follow the posts you will put on here.

So glad you found us. We are all here to help each other in this journey. Come back often and ask questions and post replies.
I'm so happy you are with us.
Pat

Ooops! Hi Shawana Michelle. Sorry I called you "chicky baby" up above, I saw Lola's reference and thought that it was what i should call you! hahaha

I kind of like chicky baby. If you want to call me that, you can! Anyway, sorry if I was too personal. Welcome to the hood.

Well, you have received some good tips so far, plus you have your smart sister...so for now, I'll just say "WELCOME"!

I think that you should be called Chicky-baby too!

Welcome Shawana Michelle!!

You've come to the right place! I'm sure you'll find lots of wisdom and support here, I have!

Congrats on that grandbaby. I can't wait to be a grandma too!!!

Hugs to you!!

to the n'hood "Chicky baby"!!! (I like that name!) Congrats on your loss and your grandchild!

I would just add that you may wanna look into using some hair products by Nioxin (I use Shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, EVERYTHING!)....I used them along with taking biotin and it helped tremendously with my hair loss! I was loosing TONS of it (or at least it seemed like it)...

Looking forward to getting to know you....

Blessings!

Congratulations to you on a outstanding weight loss so far.... we all hit the point that we get a little discouraged but thats what we are here for to overcome that and move forward..... ask questions, post your success and you will see that we are all here to lend you a hug, or a high five, or just to say "way to go chicky-baby"..... congratulations on your grandchild that is a gift that tops all........and for the hair mine fell out unbelievably but now 9 months out its coming back.....your will too......hugs

Welcome!
You have definitely come to the right place.