Hair loss is normal and is a reaction to the trauma of major surgery and decreased calories. The hair shafts "reset" themselves and the growing/shedding cycle is screwed up for a few months after surgery. Hair is made up of protein and one of the tasks of protein in the body is to grown and maintain healthy hair. Although the hair tasks are way down low on the task list for protein -- it also heals wounds, creates new red blood cells, fuels muscles in the body (including the heart) and helps keep the brain functioning. So the lesser important tasks get pushed to the back burner. When I was 3 months out I started losing hair pretty bad. At that time I was eating about 60g protein per day. A month later I was tired of the hair loss so I bumped up my protein intake to 80-100g per day. Within a couple weeks the hair loss dramatically slowed down. I was still shedding, but not nearly as bad. Now at 6.5 months out I'm still getting around 100g protein per day and the hair loss has virtually stopped. Still a tiny bit of shedding, but nothing I can't live with. I also take the b-vitamin Biotin. It helps promote healthy hair growth. It won't stop the hair loss, but it will help the new hair grown in healthy and strong. At this point I'm just waiting for the new hair growth to start showing up. I expect to see new sprouts in the next few months. As for not worrying about protein. NO.... that's something you signed up for when you had the surgery. You'll always have to eat protein first and focus on getting enough nutrients every single day. Just part of life now. Pam

Ya'll are making me look bad... I have only lost 43 pounds. I see from all of your comments that I really do need to get up and walk and stop just talking about it. I really have a hard time getting started with that. I dont count calories, but I did purchase a little plate to help my mind adjust to the fact that "less is more" I have been on a plateau, but finally got over the 40# hump and have started losing again. I was really getting discouraged, but this week, I ran into a friend that I haven't seen in a few months, and she just about freaked about how much better I look, and how she can tell the surgery is working, and so on...I needed that. Then my sister picked out a blouse and brought it to me. It is form fitting with a pretty & colorful print...I usually don't wear form fitting, colorful things because you cant hind behind those...Well anyway, I got the nerve to wear it and I was almost embarrased because so many people raved about how they can really see how much I have lost when I wear something like that...Well, I dont know how much room I have so I better hush for now. I'll get one of the kids to tell me how to post my picture like Ya'll did. Thanks for the inspiration. I will report next time that I have been exercising and hopefully that I have hit the 50# down mark...ttfn...Debra

I try and go to bed earlier I am hungy At night too... it sucks so I am eating string cheese and cottage cheese with salsa it helps!

Yep me too! loosing small amounts each time I wash, I just colored it dark and cut it shorter and I must say It looks much healthier! I hope that it stops soon too!

Post Date: 5/27/08 2:11 pm I am 6 mos. post op from Lap Band and have lost 43 lbs. I am having trouble with getting food to leave my stomach. I have a 14 cc band. After the first 4cc fill, I had no trouble; my doc put in 2 more cc's and it caused vomiting daily. I was losing 4lb/week. He removed 1 cc and all was well; I gained 5 lbs back. Three weeks ago he inject 1/2 cc and all was well for a few days. Now I have trouble with almost all "real" food, however crackers, etc. do ok. My total is 5 1/2 cc. Should I be having any trouble? Am I at my sweet spot (not sure what that is)? My morning oatmeal of 3-4 small bites was still uncomfortable after 4 hours. I can't get my liquids that I need. I don't think the band has slipped or any other drastic thing has happened. I'm just full all the time. And it is sooooo uncomfortable. I need advice. The above post was on the main forum. Thanks to those who have already responded. Maybe I should call my doc tomorrow for a Thursday appt. I can drink liquids (protein shake etc.) but not much. It's food that hurts. Tonight I ate about 2 Tbs of baked potato for dinner. Also, is it usual that the fill doesn't seem too tight until a week or so later?