I took 9 mos before my hair stopped shedding. My doc told me I should have been taking 65 grams of protein a day. It has stopped now, thank God but for one while I thought I was going to have to wear a wig.

It has been some time since I put a new picture up and I forgot how I put the old one up. I sent my new one by email yesterday but it mentioned something about before and after pictures and I think I sent it to the wrong email. I just want to post my new picture. Can anyone help?

which forum is for gastric bybass? i had proximal gastric bypass. I don't understand the abreviations.

VJ, As you said, I think you are not eating enough...and your body is going into starvation mode. And, this is worse if you are not exercising because your metabolism is declining at the same time. Your body is adjusting to be able to function on what little nourishment you are giving it. If you are having problems swallowing, mental or not, I suggest you start over. You are having some liquids and crackers...that is good. Why not start with pureed stuff again? Soft foods, mu**** around in your mouth and it's basically liquid. Work your way up to solids and take as much time as you need, that's my advice. Last year, before I had VBG, I gave it one last big try on my own. I was eating at least 1200 calories a day and exercising for 30 min, and I was losing about 5 lbs a week. That lasted for 50 lbs, gained back 30, then had the VBG this year. Now, after VBG, my doc wants me on 600-900 calories a day, and 30-45 min of exercise. I haven't been exercising like I should, but I'm strict on what I eat and the calories. And, I have been losing on average 2 or 2.5 lbs per week. Go figure, I'm eating less, but I'm also losing less weight. The human body is a mystery... One last thing....if you are not eating that much, I definitely recommend protein shakes. I just started these because I was tired of having no energy. And, you don't want your hair falling out! Also, make sure you have vitamins. I have 4 children's chewables throughout the day. You'll feel better, I promise! And, maybe that will help with the eating as well. Good Luck!! ~Kim Open VBG 9/1/04 292/256 -36 lbs

VJ If this is psychological then get psychological help for it. It is my belief that most people know what the root of a problem is. So what is the root of your problem? I personally still meet weekly with a "group" of women. We met each other in a facilitated domestic abuse therapy group. After the official group was over we continued meeting on our own. I also have an appointment in about 10 days to see an individual therapist that I started seeing to help me deal with the domestic abuse issues that were happening in my life. I am the person I am today because of this therapy that I received. It really helped me to look deep into my life and change things that I wanted to change. I feel as if I am at the strongest place I have ever been mentally today because of this. I guess what I am trying to say to you is that going and talking to someone if this is a psychological problem is what I would recommend. All of the changes that we go through after having surgery are pretty intense. That is what is sending me back to therapy. In some ways it is pretty scary to have men actually "see" me now. I used to be invisible. I do not want to do anything that will cause me to sabotage my weight loss as I know that this is the best thing I can do for my health. Sometimes old "self-doubt/self-hate" issues come back to me. Your title of 5x help is pretty telling to me. It is obvious that you really want to help yourself. I hope that you are able to find some answers for yourself soon. Are you able to discuss any of these concerns with your surgeon? Obviously you can not continue to "spit" and not eat. Search deep and find some answers for yourself. Concerned about you... Sharon