A few questions

Hi Guys, It has been a few months since I have logged on. I need to be here more often. I have a few questions. It has been over 8 months since my surgery and I am still loosing a lot of hair. It had started to decrease before I started to add carbs in Dec., but now it's getting bad again. At my last appointment, last month, I was told to stop taking the protein drinks since I am able to eat 3-4 oz of protien 3x a day. Any recommendations. In addition, for the last 4 days my pouch has been hurting especially when I eat or drink, even water. Right now although I have eaten anything for at least 3 hours I have a burning sensation. I started taking Pepcid again, which I had to take for 90 days after my surgery. It feels like a burning, like I have acid reflux. If it isn't gone by Monday I am calling my doctor, but I was wondering if anyone has gone through this. Any Ideas? Lastly, my birthday is next Saturday. I have been very good when it comes to sweets as I do not want to get dumpling syndrome and I have lost 91 lbs. Do any of you have a recommendations on what I can make, it does not have to be cake, may a cheese cake that I can substitute cottage cream instead of cream cheese, that I can make that might be high in protein and low on carbs? Thanks for your help. I know I can always count on you for advice and support!! Cate

HI Cate...Im newly pre-op, so Im no expert, but maybe when you increased the carbs you decreased the protein without realizing it. Also have you tried taking biotin? I take a 5,000 mg biotion a day. Im sure I'll lose some hair too, but hopefully it will help. Lots of people say it does. I remember seeing a recipe for Sf cheesecake using jello and cottage cheese I believe it was. Check the recipe forum here or google sugar free cheesecake. Or maybe they have it on the jello website. hope this helps!! mary

Thank you for your response Mary. I am going to increase my protein and add a shake per day to see if it helps. Cate

Hi Cate, You may want to add one protein drink a day. Your body may simply require more protein at this stage. I still need one every now and then, and I am over ywo years post-op. As for the burning sesation in your pouch, have you added anything like caffeine back into your diet? I am waking in the wee hours of the morning with a burning sensation whenever I drink coffee at the end of the day (my doc prescribed Carafate when I experience the symptom). Log everything you eat for a week or so on fitday.com so you can see where you are in terms of protein and acidic foods and/or drinks. And call your doctor right away, as the burning sensation is *not* normal. For your birthday, why not make an Atkins Cheesecake? Ingredients: Crust 1 cup pine nuts 1 cup macadamia nuts 2 packets sugar substitute 3 tablespoons butter, melted Filling 16 ounces cream cheese 10 packets Splenda 3 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons grated fresh lemon rind 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup sour cream Heat oven to 350ºF. For crust, place pine nuts and macadamias in bowl of a food processor; pulse until ground but not pastelike. Add Splenda and butter; pulse to combine. Transfer to a 9" springform pan. With your fingers, gently press nut mixture to form a crust on bottom of pan. Bake 10 minutes; remove from oven and cool. Place cream cheese and sugar substitute in food processor; process until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, blending well after each addition. Add vanilla extract, lemon rind and salt; pulse to combine. Add sour cream and process to combine. Pour filling into prepared crust. Bake 40 minutes. Turn off oven; let cheesecake cool for one hour without opening door. Chill overnight. Garnish with blueberries or strawberries before serving. Happy Birthday! HTH, Kristen