Hey Andrew, Yeah, I wish I had some advice but I'm in the same boat as you (and I feel this boat's about to sink from my fat-a$$!). I don't know why I've been snacking lately either, but it seems like everyone else is going thru this right now, too. I actually pulled off the freeway to go to a gas station and buy snacks the other day.... WTF??? I wasn't even really that hungry, more like bored. I know someone else said this, but I also heard if you're dehydrated sometimes your body tricks you into thinking you're hungry... and since we can't eat/drink at the same time, maybe we should just start drinking A LOT MORE!!!!!!! I think I'll give it a shot and see if it helps... something's got to! I was thinking it was b/c I was PMS or something, but I know you can't be and I doubt all of these other girls are at the same time as me, so it must be something more! If you figure out what helps-- LET US KNOW, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of love, Dawn 257/154/140?

Hey Lisa, I know you have already heard this reply, but I thought I'd throw it in again for good measure... PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN!!!!! Your body NEEDS lots of protein... that's how it's able to build new tissue, cells, etc. Of course it uses the protein it gets first on the vital body parts (for your organs, muscles, etc.). Whatever's left gets used on the "Extras" like hair... Even if you're getting what you think is enough, try kicking it up consistantly and see if you don't start growing new hair in a couple of months. We all lost hair originally as a side effect from being under anesthesia... it's totally normal. That should have been done around month 6 or so because it takes awhile for the hair to fall out after the surgery... but by now the majority of hairloss should be over with. We might still lose more than the typical person, but it should have slowed significantly by now. My advice is to speak to your Dr. again... you're too far out to be still having major hair loss UNLESS you're not getting enough protein, and then it would make sense. Hope that helps!!! And it will eventually come back, so you can be Rupunzel again (not that you need to hide behind your hair anymore... I'm sure now your legs, tummy, smile, jaw, etc. can be your best feature!) Lots of love, Dawn 257/154/140?

That's what I was told, as well...Protein is the major factor. You will lose some regardless as your body adjusts to the new, lowered amounts of vitamins and minerals you are able to absorb, but you will lose a GREAT deal if you do not get in enough Protein. Furthermore, you have to keep in mind that we can no longer absorb all of the Protein in foods. Hence, this is why the Docs tell us such high numbers for the protein they want us to consume...because it is not an already-broken down protein, and we don't get all of it. Since I use Pro-Stat (check the bottom of my profile if you'd like to read my review), and have since surgery, I have not experienced excessive hair loss. There was ONE month where money was tight, and I didn't order any Pro-Stat, and I THOUGHT I WAS GOING BALD!! I lost so much hair in that one month, I cried. And since I, too, had loved my hair (long, red, naturally curly) and thought it was one of the best things about me, it was a horrible strain to see it falling out. So definitely keep your protein levels up, it is imperative that you do so to keep as much hair as possible. Stacy

Ok...so I've been missing in action. Work has been absolutely CRAZY for me, between working my full time job, and my second job at night, I just haven't gotten on line to do much of anything. Plus...I was up weight and I just couldn't face you all...even though I was up I've lost somewhere around 7" in the last 6-8 weeks, so I guess I shouldn't have buried my head in the sand like that. Things are now calming down, so HERE I AM!!! I missed all of you. I'm back down again, and I'm now at 250.8, that is 108.2 lbs. lost since surgery and 119.2 lbs since my highest weight last May. I saw my family Dr. yesterday for the first time since last June, and boy was he SHOCKED! He knew I had the surgery, but I guess didn't expect to see such a dramatic change. He was SO PROUD of me! Told me he was impressed, and didn't get impressed easily, and kept telling me how blown away he was. Very out of character for my family Dr. It made me feel so GREAT! Never knew how much my Dr's opinion meant to me. Hope everyone is doing FANTASTIC...and I'm so sorry for not being here the last several weeks...I'll try to be better about it! HOW ARE YOU DOING????? JUDY 359/250.8/165-185? -108.2 lbs.

You are definately not alone in this. I swear I hit 9 months and wanted to eat everything in sight. I've asked some of my friends who are further out than me and they all said they went through the same thing around the same time. They also told me that it passes...so...just do your best...that's what I'm doing. Kristy