Hi Lia, I was absolutely exhausted for the first few weeks. I was always taking naps and sleeping late and that stuff. I wasn't working at the time so I did a lot of sleeping for the first few months actually. It did get better and it happened almost overnight. My best advice is to begin a mild workout routine....even if its just walking. I found the more I did the better and less tired I felt and the less I did the more lethargic I became. My hairloss didn't start until about a month ago. I am still losing some, but it has slowed down. I heard anesthia can cause hairloss, somaybe that is why yours has started sooner than most. Don't worry though it will stop. I was all worried about going bald, but everyone has assured me that won't happen Good luck to you. I hope you feel better soon Hugs, Sara 356/276/175

Hello, The hair loss is more likely to come from the surgery than any lack of protein. Your body is still in shock and is taking it out on your hair. But make sure that you get your protein in. My hair is still falling out, a little daily. It also happen to me after I had my baby. Don't worry about it. I was dead on my feet for almost two months. But then little by little I started getting some more energy. I hope you feel better soon. And 30 lbs. in a month is really good. Heather 294/239/151

Happy to help 1. I hated that the stiches stayed in for longer than they wanted to. The most painful part of my post op was getting those staples out. The body starts to reject them and it hurts. 2. No I would not have done the surgery. I had almost no health problems from being fat. I needed to greased wheel that surgery gives you. I want the healthy and the better life,,,, but to "be real" I wanted to be the beautiful girl again, not just the fat, funny, pretty girl. This surgery is helping with that. 3. I would do the VBG again and again. Although I didn't realize how easy it is to get into sweets if you let yourself. I have to remember that I don't dump and be careful. 4. You will still be hungry, you will still try to eat crap food, you will still see the scale go up after surgery. You will still miss food and want it like a drug for a while after surgery. This surgery won't give you will power you will miss food like a dead friend, but you will get over that and move on. You might need theropy for it, if you feel you can't do it alone. If you ever want the real poop on something I will be happy to not sugar coat it for you. Actually I have people in my life that say I should try to learn how to sugar coat things,,,, I can't. I agree with the stepford wifes thing. Hope this helps, Heather 294/242/151

HELLO I TO HAD DR. HARBERG I HAVE LOST110 LBS IN ONE YEAR ON MACH 15 2004. NO PROBLEMS . NO INFECTIONS BUT I FEEL HE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU. HOW IS EVERY THING? GLORIA 339/229/180

Hi! Smart questions. 1) I had acid reflux before the surgery, and it seems to have increased after the surgery, it is getting worse. 2) I did this for my health. I have two siblings with cancer, I wanted to get in shape and do what I could to prevent it. I have lost 50 lbs so far, and being skinnier is a bonus, but not the be all and end all. it's for my health. I can go to the gym now and am really feeling good about exercise. Heel spurs are lessened, sleep is better, snoring is on the downswing, and my asthma is under control! 3) I picked the VBG because I did not want to change my anatomy. Of course, I also had a portion of my stomach removed, so less fits. It's called VBG with sleeve. I wanted the lap band but my insurance does not cover this. Overall, I am pleased with my decision. Some days when I am with friends that had the RNY I notice they can eat more, but they also need more vitamins and other things. Of course, I think the downside to the lapband is I might not have had the stamina to work through the rough parts, I don't know. On a bad day I could cry reversal! The only thing is that I know there have been days I have wondered what I have done to myself, but overall, the days are few and far between! When I told my surgeon why I wanted the lapband, because it was reversible, he used the analogy of builidng a trailer on top of a beautiful mountaintop. He suggested I build a home, that is lasting, rather than something that can be torn down. It sounded better the way he described it, but he sold me on the VBG. 4) I guess my relationship with food has been longstanding and it does not fix overnight. I did not imagine the issues I would have with throwing up, feeling weak, and now the reflux. The good thing is that other than the reflux it all gets better. As time goes by I get more energy. I feel good, and tonight even went shopping in the regular size section! It's not all good, but overall, I think it is worth it. I feel like I am on the path to good health. I can cut my own toenails and move around easily. I can walk faster and longer. I feel better in many, many ways! Good luck to you! Ideally, the trick would be to lose weight without surgery. Of course, I tried that for 20+ years and it did not happen. Take care, Theresa VBG w/sleeve 11/18/04 240/188/???