Question:
Any members from SOUTH AFRICA using this site?

HI,I am from SA and looking for local RNY patients!My lap RNY is scheduled for 17 March 2010 at Sunninghill.I am getting nervous & keep wondering if I have not lost the plot!Just reading the stories on the hair loss is frightening enough & then the saggy skin issue!Is it worth it & will u keep your weight off?I am so tired of diets & I know this is a tool, but is it as hard as being on a normal diet (as before the op) or is it easier?Any suggestions welcome!    — paulamill (posted on January 30, 2010)

January 31, 2010
Hi, sorry I don't know anyone in South Africa.... however I am waiting for my surgey date for the RNY. And I have had the Lap Band... the hair loss, I believe, is the shock of the surgery and medications... this occured to me at about month 4-5, and lasted a few months, then my hair came back. As far as the excess skin, I know from my friends that have had RNY that they disquise it with good underwear until they can get to the point of having surgery that their insurance will pay for, or they can. I don't think you have lost your mind... these are normal feelings and thoughts before a major adjustment to your life. I might suggest though that you start looking at what wonderful things will come out of it, rather than the negative. I am so excited... I'll have a lap for my grandchildren to sit on... I'll be able to walk without panting as if I'd been running. I will be comfortable in smaller chairs... I will be able to fit in my husbands arms again! I know this is long but I hope it helped.
   — Kathleen O.

January 31, 2010
Hi there.... I'm not from SA, either, but I'd like to help set your mind at ease. I'm 56, and had lap RNY last March 2nd (makes me about 11 months out). I've lost 135 pounds and gone from a size 28 women's pants to just this week fitting into a size 10 designer jeans that my daughter gave me. I have short, permed hair, so although I did experience SOME hair loss, it was pretty much disguised by all the curls. Almost everyone has some hair loss beginning about 4-6 months out, but if you get in all your protein (and MORE - I get in between 100-120g per day), and if you take your Biotin (I take 5 MG - NOT MCG) twice a day, and use a good shampoo for thinning hair (I use the Nioxin shampoo, conditioner, and scalp treatment) it begins growing back very quickly. As for the saggy skin...some of us have "better" skin than others - with more elasticity - and it rebounds better. Me.... well, I had two very big babies, and lots of stretch marks on my tummy, and while I was obese I had quite a large "fat apron". I thought that I'd have a huge "pannis" - but it hasn't turned out that way. Yes, I suppose that down the road, I could use a tummy tuck, but what bothers me more is the skin that hangs over the sides of my bra under my arms. The tummy skin is easily taken care of with these panties I found at Costco, called Flexees.... kinda like a panty-girdle... 3 pair for $12.99. That's not a bad price at all, considering that I've priced panties like them online for $20 a pair!!! I think that the best thing I've done for myself with the skin issue is to get the Flexees and I got myself professionally fitted with new bras this month. I went from a size 48D to a size 36DD. Much nicer!!!
   — Erica Alikchihoo

February 1, 2010
This is not an easy thing after surgery. You will never eat what Normal people do. It is a life change and you need to be ready for that. It has been a wonderful road but I find it hard somedays to get others to understand how I eat and not try to fix me in some way. So you will not be on a NORMAL diet. You will eat high protein foods and very little at a time. You will need time to complete a meal and trying to eat quickly will caue you to get sick. This tool changes your relationship to food. I would not change a thing. I love how I look and feel. You just need to know what you are doing before you do it.
   — trible