Question:
Another question about pre-op weight loss/post-op pureed stage!

I've read variations on this question, but not quite what I am looking for. I am a relative light-weight, (currently 43 bmi with many co-morbidities)I have already been approved by insurance (in 3 days!)Since Jan. 1, I have really been trying to watch my weight and have lost 25 pounds since the first of the year and hope to lose a few more before my possible surgery date in mid-August. My question - will having lost this weight slow down my post-op loss? You know how on a "regular" diet the first 10-15 lbs drops off and the rest is slow? Will I be starting back over from the beginning or will it be like entering the "second phase" of weight loss methods? On another vein while I'm asking questions. I'm concerned about the 4 week post op pureed stage my doctor requires for 2 reasons. 1)Baldness runs strongly in my family and I have already lost a lot of hair in the last 18 months (possibly from a hysterectomy 2 years ago?)You can already see my scalp in places. My mother isn't bald, but extremely thin under normal circumstances. Therefore the second question 2)Protein. I am concerned about getting enough protein during this period. I absolutely hate protein shakes (tried another this weekend and made me puke). I also can not stomach cottage cheese, eggs, or any kind of fish or seafood. I have tried over the years to adjust to these foods because I know it is in my best interest, but just can't. Any ideas on how to get enough protein to hopefully help the hair loss? Sorry for the long post, but wanted to kill 2 birds with one stone!    — Denise B. (posted on June 23, 2003)

June 23, 2003
I had surgery october and have lost 130 pounds so far! I'm about there at my goal just waiting for the plastic surgery part now... however I do have a suggestion for you about the protein issue. I too hate seafood and such, what I did in the beginning was try alot of different protein shakes and stuff, only to find that I HATED them all!! I finally came up with the perfect solution for me, MILK!!! milk is about 7-9 grams per cup, and I can do milk fine so just a suggestion to keep in mind, of course it is hard to get the rest in just being on the pureed diet for the month, but it will pass and then you will be able to eat other things to supplement because you need alot more then 7-9 grams! but if I get in 2 cups of the milk its a good start and then I can get the rest from my food. Not had any hair problems as yet. You can also maybe try the rogaine shampoo's maybe if you have thin hair already? hope this helps and good luck to you on your journey, it is a long but well worth trip!! Lori
   — Lori M.

June 23, 2003
I can't address the weight loss question, but as far as the protein, I ate a lot of pureed turkey and chicken in the four weeks I had to do the pureed diet. I would use a little mini-cuisinart and chop it, then add enough cream of chicken (Soup at Hand) to make it the right consistancy. I am almost 8 months out and didn't use any protein shakes at all during that period. As far as the thinning hair, have you had your thyroid checked? Folks with hypothyroidism can have an on-going problem with this, and it runs in families. (My mom has a big benign goiter and lucky me grew a big nodule that required surgical removal of half my thyroid gland. My doc said I probably inherited the tendency for nodules from her!)
   — koogy

June 23, 2003
Hi there. For protein, try double strength milk (1 cup of dry non-fat milk for each quart of low-fat/skim milk). One cup equals 16 grams of protein. Add a carnation instant breakfast, and you have 20 grams of protein. With three a day, you've got in 60 grams of protein. Good luck to you.
   — Lisa S.

June 23, 2003
If it's any consolation, I hear that the hair loss is temporary, and what you lose due to the surgery will grow back (I hope so: at not quite three months out, my already thin hair is coming out in handfuls), so the additional loss will be only temporary. As far as I know, getting in more protein will not affect the rate of hair loss, but since you need lots of protein anyway, try foods like beans (kidney bean salad, low-fat Mexican refried beans, bean-based soups, baked beans(if you tolerate the sugar), garbanzos, etc.), nuts (I was allowed peanut butter at the pureed stage: my dietitian suggested mixing in some apple sauce to make it not quite so dense), cheese, mix in extra protein powder or non fat powdered milk to your more liquidy foods (yogurt, soups, etc.). You might also find that your tastes change after surgery (I didn't believe mine would, but they have), so you might discover that you like some foods after surgery that you don't now. Mild white fish, tuna, and cottage cheese were some of my best friends early on. Be willing to try new things after surgery, and you will almost certainly discover things that you like and tolerate.
   — Vespa R.

June 23, 2003
Read my profile: sharon brittain and sharon m. brittain Maybe those will help! Also, I used to have a rich, thick, glorious head of hair. Before surgery, my hair had thinned to the point that it barely covered my head. Now, 18 months out, it is about half its normal thickness and getting thicker! The protien and vitamin K are what does it. Baldness in the family... nearly all families have that balding gene, it is up to you and your nutritional habits that will help or hurt your hair. Yes, genetics does play a big role, but you can always help it by taking in what your hair really needs to be as healthy as it can be! My profiles have excellent diet info you might look into, okay? Good luck!
   — Sharon M. B.

June 23, 2003
Congrats on your pre-op weight loss. I wouldn't put the brakes on it now out of concern you won't lose faster later. I can't imagine anybody is in a position to tell you whether or not you'll lose more quickly if you stay heavier prior to surgery, but it won't mean much to lose at a faster rate if you have more to lose overall. Weight you can manage to lose now is weight you don't have to lose later.<P>As far as protein goes, in order to succeed with this surgery in the long run (not just during the pureed food stage), you will probably need to find protein foods and protein snacks (if not shakes) that you like. A higher-protein, lower-carb eating plan seems to work best for most people (with or without WLS) battling obesity. Many people experience a change in their tastes and cravings after surgery, and that may help you find good protein foods.<P>It might also be a good idea to try more than a few protein shakes before discarding them as an option. I must've tried a dozen nasty ones before I found two that I liked. Places like vitalady.com and wlssuccess.com sell individual samples you can try.<P>In terms of hair loss, some folks lose hair after surgery regardless of their protein intake. Check the library for numerous threads on this debate.<P>Regarding milk as a protein source -- be sure you tote up how many grams of sugar you're intaking when you turn to milk for protein (especially with CIB, even the no-sugar-added version). Milk (even skim milk) has more sugar than protein in it. In the beginning, if you're not lactose-intolerant and milk doesn't make you dump, it certainly is a source of protein, but it's an even bigger source of empty calories from sugar.
   — Suzy C.

June 23, 2003
I lost about 60 pounds prior to surgery, so I didn't get that real rapid drop-off immediately after surgery. Instead I started in on a more normal loss of 15 pounds a month or so. But that's fine with me. I had three or four months of improving health PRIOR to surgery, which allowed me to start walking and getting in better shape. In the overall scheme of things I can't imagine that there is any real benefit to starting surgery at a higher weight just so you can see a faster initial drop-off.
   — Jim F