Just a couple questions. ! ! ! !

Hi, I had my RNY surgery on May 21, 2007,, I weighed 295 the day of surgery,, (but I have been as high as 345 a few years ago). Anyway,, my reason for this surgery was to "stop" taking the 20+ needles a week for diabetes. Well,, the day after my surgery,, I had to take "one unit" of insulin,, and I've never had to take anymore.,, So I feel that my surgery was a "Big" success. I am no longer diabetic. I'm 57 years old, and I'm only 5'3". The last time I saw my surgeon, Aug 22, I weighed 256. He said that I was losing OK,, for my age,, because "older" people lose a little slower then someone in their 20's or 30's.,, which is understandable. Well,, the week that I saw him,, I had joined the gym,, and I have a trainer, I see her twice a week,, and trust me,, it is not cheap. ($40) for each visit. She doesn't try to kill me,, infact,, I like going,, and I go faithfully. Now here is where I'm concerned.,, last wednesday the 12th, I went to see my PCP, he said my blood pressure was a little high (I've had High Blood Pressure for many years),, so he put me back on my blood pressure pill and he added a pill (hydrochorlizide) sp? Well, the day I saw him I weighed 242 and when I did my monday weighin at work,, I was 233,, HOW DID I DROP ""9"" POUNDS IN FOUR DAMN DAYS. I have not increased my excercise, or anything else. I've done nothing to change anything. Anyone have any ideas?? So my total weight loss is now 62 pounds since surgery,, is this a good amount.??? As far as eating,, and protein,,, the answer is NO,, I DO NOT get in enough protein, I know this,, and I also know that I can't "eat" enough food to get to the amount of protein that my surgeon wants me to take in. I am NEVER hungry. I have to remind myself to eat. And when I do eat,, I can eat very little,, maybe a quarter of a cup of anything,, and I'm full. And this may sound crazy,, but,,, I can't drink water. I've never been a water drinker, I could actually go months and never have a "sip" of water.But when I first had this surgery I really tried to drink water,, but it hurts,, I'm serious,, cold water actually hurts when I try to drink it,, it feels like it's hard and heavy. I'm sure this is a "mind" thing.,, because I can drink Vitamin water. I only buy two flavors,, the "lemonade" and the "acai-blueberry-pomegranate" both are "GREAT" and what I do is,, I pour the whole bottle into a half gallon of water,, and I'm able to drink it. If I don't add the water,, it taste too sweet to me. No,, I don't do crystal light,, it is way to sweet for me. I asked my surgeon about the protein shakes and protein bullets,, and he said NO,, you must get your protein from your foods. And my "HAIR",, I've always had long super thick hair,, (my mom was AA and my Dad was and American Indian) Well,, my hair has been falling out like crazy,, it has gotten super thin,, and believe it or not,, but I LOVE it,, because it is so much easier to manage now that it's thinner. ,, but if it keeps falling out,, then I'll be in trouble. Any input that anyone could give me,, or suggestions would really be appreciated. Mary Anne

I am not, by any means, a Dr. so I cannot give you a clinical answer to the drastis weight loss. I can give you my opinion. I know that some HP meds are diuretics designed to relive water pressure on the heart, so maybe that is why you lost so much shortly after starting the new meds. My father has had HP for ever and when they started his diuretics, he lost 10lbs immediatly. Could be a possiblity. Hair loss is directly related to protein. Try to up it. My hair started to fall out, 3 weeks ago. Up untill that point I had not been getting enough protein and not really concerned about getting enough. After I saw how much had actually come out (I could see my scalp), I started suppelmenting with protein shakes. cannot tell a difference in the hair, yet, but I sure can in energy and attitude. My Dr. and Nut both, never said yes or no the the shakes, so I took matters into my owe hands. Chris

Mary Anne, You don't have to *just* drink water. What about decaf iced tea with Splenda? I drink that, sugar free Kool Aid, but my protein drinks are my faves. I saw my surgeon today and I asked him about the hair loss. I have super thick, long hair and I kept one day's loss in a baggie. It FILLED a Gallon Ziploc. He told me I MUST get the protein in. So, I put 10 oz. of sugar free Tropicana Orangeade in my Magic Bullet with one scoop of Nectar Fuzzy Navel. It's wonderful!!! He also told me to take the Hair and Nails vitamins that are carried at GNC. I'm checking that out tonight. Weight loss is a funny thing. I was stalled for a while and between Sunday and today I'm down almost 5 pounds. Congrats!!! * Cyndi *

Hi Mary Anne, I don't like to drink water unless I am dying of thirst so to get my 64 ounces down, I make a jug of Crystal Lite and my favorite flavor is orange or fruit punch. Then I can get it down. Take Q10 Enzyme 100mg a day and your hair will stop falling out and also at Wal-mart or GNC you can get Gelatin Capsules so you can take them also to help with hair loss. I am 60 years old and losing fairly fast for my age. My surgery was May 7th and I have lost 76 pounds but I eat a lot of protein and if I can't eat the protein, I drink protein shakes. Weight loss is weird sometimes. Sometimes I stay the same for two weeks and then I get on the scale and 10 pounds is gone. Our bodies have to adjust to this surgery and weight loss. Just keep up the good work and don't get down on yourself, you are doing fine. Hugs, Esther

Mary Anne, You are probably retaining water. I do the same thing and the hydrothorothyozide is a water pill which probably got some water out of your system. Keep taking them because I am 60 and we do retain water easier when we get older. I take the same pill every day. Make sure you are taking Potassium with it though so you don't get leg cramps. You are doing great. Hugs, Esther