My hair is naturally wavy now and I eat like a pig!

I am so rarely on this board these days--- please pardon my negligence. I must say though - Weird stuff going on  over the past month---even the beutician noticed my hair has become naturally wavey on top especially where the layers are shorter.   I can't imagine how i could link this with the weight loss but wonder if anyone has had a similar experience? Also---i am about 18 months post op now.  Trying to maintain weight of 135 to 140 pounds.  I have no issue with gaining weight but rather I must eat with wild abandon just to keep myself at this weight.  No joke I average about 3 large bagels a day as snacks and still have multiple mini meals daily.  Portion sizes are growing some but still small as my pouch fills quickly.   Will this be the struggle i have from now on---trying to gain or keep my weight!?!?  My thought is my body is doing a lot of "malabsorption" even 18 months out- but give it a few years and it may start absorbing more---who knows.  Just wondering if anyone else had had similar experience?  I have some bad eating habits i guess if i start to absorb more of these calories I still have IBS with dirrehea but that seems much better controled on daily Lomotil Rx and Immonium AD.   Take care, Karen

Wish I could help you here. Call DVR's office and ask Sloan. She may be able to help you.

Hey Karen - Long time, no see!  My hair started falling out right about month 3 post-op and finally stopped at about month 6.  It was very thin to begin with, and then started REALLY thinning.  Once it stopped, I started using the Pantene Restoratives line and I have to say, my hair is actually in better shape now than it has ever been.  Maybe since you lost hair on the top, it's just coming in differently now.  I've heard of people losing all of their hair, only to have it come in in a different texture or even a color.   I'd like to sympathize with you on not being able to keep the weight on, but alas, that doesn't seem to be my problem!!  I agree with Aime, give DVR's office a call and see what they say.  Other than that, I'll be happy to package up some excess weight and ship it overnight to you!!!! How's everything else?  Have you talked to Faye lately?  I saw her when she was first pregnant with the second baby, but haven't seen or spoken with her since then.  I really should give her a call, I bet Anna's getting soooo big!!! Take care and don't be a stranger! Teresa (Tia)

Thanks for your input. My hair actually never "fell out" or thinned after the surgery- as I have had alopecea for a few decades prior to RNY.  It's just a strange thing to deal with---now i have the issue of my hair getting kinky or frizzy on top in this humidity--- I have always had dead straight hair that permanents would not even hold.  I have been using an occasional Pantene texturize product so maybe its that!?! The nut has limited to no  insights into my dietary issue or advice that seems pertinent.  I tend to get more useful info from those with first hand experiences rather than "clinical expertise".   Its not so much a concern  now but perhaps it may be for the future.  Perhaps i will post on the graduate boards to get some of the oldtimers input.   No word from Faye on this end in months after leaving a few emails and voicemails with no reply.  I haven't been to DVR group in a while as it doesn't seem to address the issues of post ops beyond one year.  Plus its a challenge just getting to their group given the commute and inconvenient time for those of us working until about 5pm weekdays.   I am thinking to cancel my 18 month follow up appointment with DVR office as my sense is the follow up appointments are for their research and statisitcal purposes primarily---i have gotten nothing out of the last few appointments other than being advised to have my PCP order a test or bloodwork.  Why should i have take off work and  pay a co-pay amount for an appointment that only advises me to make another appointment elsewhere??  It's good to know that DVR et al  are accessible if a problem arises but I am not so sure what the COMP program fee is really paying for.   Stay Cool! Karen

Hi Karen, I don't have any advise but I wanted to say hi since it has been a while since I have last heard from you.  You was a great support to me when I first came here.  I am glad you are doing good otherwise. Hugs