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A LITTLE ABOUT ME…

My name is Nancy Holland and I live in the Galleria area of Houston, TX with my two furbabies, Alex and Oreo. I was 270 pounds at my highest weight – which was September/October 2003. I began my WLS journey at 250 pounds.

 

Pre-op, I had hypertension, asthma, arthritis, amenorrhea, severe heel pain from plantar fasciitis, acid reflux, shortness of breath, stress incontinence, excessive sweating / heat intolerance, severe fatigue, migraine headaches, beginning stages of sleep apnea and I suffered from depression. I was popping 7 pills a day just to try and keep some of these health conditions in check.

 

The miracle of my life was being reborn into a world of better health and what feels like a brand new body through the blessing of gastric bypass surgery. I had laparoscopic roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery on March 22nd, 2004 at Cypress-Fairbanks Hospital with Dr. Voravit Wongsa.

 

At present, I have lost 111.5 pounds from my consultation weight of 250 pounds. I am now 1-year out from my gastric bypass surgery. My surgeon’s goal weight for me is 150 – a goal I finally reached on November 15th, 2004! I no longer suffer from all the conditions listed above and now take only one pill a day, my thyroid pill.

 

Did the surgery make me a happier person? Yes! Did the surgery change my whole outlook on life? You better believe it! Was it an easy road? GOSH NO!!! This surgery is not a magical “fix” and it takes the right mindset and lots of self-discipline. Weight loss surgery is merely a “tool” for us to use. It is up to each one of us what we do with this tool.

 

To me, this surgery has been a blessing – a blessing for which I am truly thankful for each and every day. My ONLY regret is not having had my weight loss surgery SOONER.

 

By keeping a diary of my experiences (below), I am hoping to help others who are working their way through the WLS journey toward a better and healthier life. I am always available to answer any questions I can. I am by no means an expert, but I have had my own journey through WLS and would lend an ear or give pointers to anyone in need.

 

A DIARY OF MY WLS JOURNEY…

 

6-30-03

 

Saw Dr. Wongsa for my consultation. Appointment went well. Dr. Wongsa was very informative. I had researched the procedure as well as Dr. Wongsa for many months prior to the consultation. A friend of mine is his patient and that is how I first learned of him. My friend, Rashann, had WLS in December 2002 and has lost close to 100 pounds in 6 months. I picked Dr. Wongsa based on my friend's experienced with him and based on all of the (hundreds of) wonderful reviews on this site about Dr. Wongsa.

 

I had been collecting my medical records for a couple of months. Slowly but surely I pieced together as much of my health and weight history as I possibly could. I put all of the information in one place to take to my initial consultation -- I typed out my stats, medical conditions (co-morbities), medications, diet history, exercise history, and a list of all the diet books I have read throughout the years. I also typed a letter to Aetna requesting authorization for WLS. I gave all of this information to Jackie at my initial consultation. I WAS AS PREPARED AS I COULD POSSIBLY BE! I am determined to get authorization from Aetna. I have also requested letters of medical necessity from all of my Dr's. Two have agreed, my gynecologist and my endocrinologist. I figure the more ammunition I come to battle with, the better off I am :)

 

 

 

 

 

7-10-03

 

Spoke with Jackie @ Dr. Wongsa's office today. WOOHOO, everything has already been submitted to Aetna, however, they want more information. They need medical records with my weight in 2001 and 2002. HUGE problem I have had --- My primary care physician DOES NOT WEIGH ME, EVER. I have no weight history through him. I am picking up medical records from my allergist tomorrow -- hope to find it in those records.

 

7-11-03

 

Well, my allergist weighs me in kilograms. I think that will confuse Aetna. I decided to check w/ my gynecologist. I know they weigh me! Jacqueline @ Dr. Chris' office (my gyno) faxed records to me which have the weight history I needed for Aetna. WOOHOO! I faxed the info to Jackie @ Dr. Wongsa's this afternoon along with the letter of medical necessity from my endocrinologist, which came in the mail yesterday. Jacqueline @ Dr. Chris' office told me that the letter of medical necessity from their office will be ready next week.

 

7-13-03

 

It's Sunday... the waiting game has begun now that Aetna has all the information they need. Today I have been reading more stories here on obesityhelp.com. The stories are touching, motivating, encouraging... and most of all, educating. I have learned so much through the diaries of everyone's journey. I had not planned on posting info about my journey -- I figured who would give a rat's ass about *my* story? Right? WRONG. So many people on this site have helped me - WITHOUT even knowing it. This site is an incredible resource for people like me. There is NO WAY that I would have come this far without this site. So, the decision has been made -- I am going to post the progress of my journey to the losing side in the hopes that *just maybe* I might help someone else make it to the losing side.

 

7-17-03

 

Went to Cy-Fair Hospital to do all of my pre-op testing yesterday morning. It wasn't too bad. I gave 8 vials of blood, UA, EKG, ultrasound of the gallbladder and the dreaded upper GI. The barium drink wouldn't have been so bad had it not been fruit punch flavored. What brainiac thought that up? Eeeewwwww. I only had to drink about 8-10 ounces. Just a word of advice --- after your upper GI, DO NOT forget to drink ALOT of water and eat some fibrous foods :) That's all I am gonna say about that!

 

 

I called Aetna to check status on my approval/denial. They still show that they are waiting for "additional information" which I sent to the Dr's on Friday and Jackie faxed to Aetna the same afternoon. The person I was talking to at Aetna said that the reviewer may have already received everything and simply not updated the computer. He asked me to give it 2 days and call back. OK, I am not the most patient person in the world -- but I guess I can give it 2 more days. I will call first thing Friday :)

 

 

 

 

 

7-17-03 ***UPDATE***

 

Came home tonight and what do I find waiting for me in the mailbox? DENIED. Yup, I already knew Aetna was going to deny the request. I am going to have to collect my thoughts and figure out what my next step is. *big sigh*

 

 

 

 

 

9-1-03

 

My company was acquired by a much larger company that is owned by Wells Fargo. Can you say "better benefits"? Woohoo. Medial insurance will change in January. I will have a choice of 4 medical insurance providers - one of which is UNITED HEALTHCARE. I am so excited that I am going to jump out of my skin.

 

 

 

 

 

11-1-03

 

Made an appointment for my re-evaluation next year. I will be seeing Dr. Wongsa on Jan 15th. Open enrollment begins in a week --- I can't wait to select UHC. Have I mentioned that Aetna sux?

 

 

 

 

 

1-15-04

 

Saw Dr. Wongsa today for my re-evaluation. I haven't gained any weight since my last visit and Dr. Wongsa was pleased with that. I was actually down 1/2 pound. I need to lose 5 pounds before surgery. Lean meats and green leafy veggies. I am so psyched. I hope that UHC approves. Just a side note, I was actually up to 270 pounds last year, September/October/November ‘03. Had Dr. Wongsa known I gained 20 pounds after my initial consultation in June ’03, he surely would have told me to find another surgeon.

 

 

 

 

 

1-21-04

 

All paperwork was submitted to UHC today by Dr. Wongsa's office. Fingers are crossed!

 

 

 

 

 

1-26-04

 

Called today for an update. Still under review - not that I thought they'd have made a decision yet --- just impatient 'ol me wanting to be nosey.

 

 

 

 

 

1-30-04

 

I decided to call again -- 5:30PM on Friday. WOW -- APPROVED. Approval was given 1-27-04. Letter was mailed on that day. I came home from the office and checked the mail --- and my approval letter was there. THANK YOU GOD. It doesn't feel real yet. Maybe once I have a surgery date the reality of this will sink in. I have called EVERYONE and told them. My poor friends have got to be so sick of hearing me talk about this! :)

 

 

 

 

 

2-6-04

 

I scheduled my surgery! 3-22-04! I also put in a request for the time off from work. It's our busiest time of the year. In my department, it is pretty taboo to take time off this time of year. I have my fingers crossed that this will not be a huge issue at work. I am just SOOO excited to have a date set. I still need to get the 5 pounds off. Why is it when you KNOW you have to diet - you want to eat nothing but JUNK? I was dieting fine until this. LOL! I guess I always want what I CAN NOT have.

 

Oh! I went to Cy-Fair Hospital Saturday morning for pre-op testing, yet again. I did not have to repeat the upper GI, THANK GOD. Just the gallbladder ultrasound, EKG, blood work and chest X-Ray. WOOHOO! 42 DAYS TO GO!

 

 

 

 

 

2-10-04

 

Looks like everything is a GO! Today, I received approval from my employer for the time off needed for surgery. I will be out of the office from 3/22/04 - 4/2/04. I am so excited. I was 249 on the scale this morning. Only 4 more pounds to go for surgery.

 

40 days until surgery. FORTY!!! I can't wait to become a LOSER!!!

 

 

 

 

 

2-15-04

 

Now that I am finally approved - and I finally have a date - I am scared to death. So many people try to talk me out of the surgery. I keep researching and researching and read about people who have problems and complications, etc etc. I worked hard and long to get approved for this surgery. Now that I have the approval - why can't I just be happy? Why do I have cold feet?

 

Sorry for the rant, I am just in a tizzy tonight worried about what it is I am doing to myself and whether or not it is the right thing to do. :-S

 

 

 

 

 

3-7-04

 

WOW. Times flies. Only 2 weeks until surgery. I am excited, relieved and still scared. I keep having dreams that I wake up from surgery and eat a double whopper and fries – or I dream that I have surgery and then never lose a single pound. Funny how the mind woks, isn’t it? I watched 48 Hours on CBS Friday night. Topic being weight loss with 1/3 of the show focusing on a Houston Dr. who is killing and/or maiming people. One of the hospitals he performed surgery at will be my hospital, Cy-Fair. I know I have a superb surgeon and I realize that Cy-Fair isn’t to blame for that awful Dr’s wrong doing, however, the show scared me nonetheless. Possibly it just was an eye opener to me. There are risks involved with ANY surgery. I just wish March 22nd would hurry up and get here. I am ready to begin my life as a loser ;)

 

 

 

 

 

3-8-04 (2AM)

 

I went over to my mother's house tonight for dinner. While I was there, I asked my sister take my "before" shots. All I have to say after looking at those pics is that I must have a severe case of body dysmorphia. I never realized just how big I was until I saw these pics.

 

I am no longer scared to have this surgery after seeing myself. I AM H-U-G-E. I truly look like I am 8 months pregnant with twins. (In fact, that is a direct quote from my own mother) If I don't do this, I am going to suffer a miserable fate -- I already have severe hypertension, severe arthritis, sleep apnea, horrendous female problems, awful foot pain, GERD, asthma. Geez - what's next? Diabetes? Cancer? Heart attack? Stroke? I am NOT living now. I hide from everyone, including my family and my closest, dearest friends. I stay home constantly just because I cannot force myself to face the world. So, life goes on without me. The surgery is well worth any risks it may present. I am already dead -- or so it feels. This surgery is a GIFT -- a sort of re-birth.

 

I am so glad I took the "before" photos tonight. Looking at myself in those photos truly reminded me of exactly why I jumped through all of the insurance hoops -- because I WANT TO LIVE AGAIN!

 

Only 14 more days until my surgery. I am completely and totally psyched about this. The scared little weenie in me is gone – I am now determined and sure.

 

 

 

 

 

3-10-04

 

It is late Wed night and I can’t sleep. I am in awe --- time is flying by! I did not think it would. I expected time to drag until my surgery. Only 11 more days until my surgery day. I am not scared or nervous at all. I am relieved and thankful for this gift. I spoke with Dee Siddens today. She is a nurse at Cy-Fair who works with the Bariatric patients. What a sweetheart she is! She sent me an email through the OH website to let me know I had selected an excellent surgeon. Dee had the surgery a year ago and has lost approx. 125 pounds. Her surgeon was Dr. Wongsa. Dee and I spoke on the phone for a little bit as well. She gave me a heads up on what to bring with me to the hospital and also explained what to expect afterwards such as foods, liquid diet, release from hospital, etc. I called my mother to tell her what Dee had to say about Dr Wongsa. It really provided some comfort and relief to my mother to hear that the nursing staff at the hospital feels that my surgeon is tops in his skill and has a very low complication rate.

 

 

 

 

 

3-14-04

 

Just about one week left until surgery day. I am still excited and no longer scared. I am glad I left that part [being scared] behind me.

 

I went into Dr. Wongsa’s office on Friday morning to weigh in. 242.5, down 8 pounds of the 5 I needed to lose. I had to sign an “agreement” stating that I am to continue to lose weight prior to surgery and that if I am to gain any weight, surgery will be cancelled. I don’t feel that will be a problem.

 

I also had my pre-op interview with the hospital on Friday. It was via telephone. I go in this coming Thursday morning for the blood work portion. The interviewing nurse advised me that my potassium level was low last time and that it will have to be in the “normal” range by the time I have surgery. I have been taking potassium supplements since my previous blood tests in February – hopefully that will have done the trick.

 

I did a little shopping today. Picked up some liquid vitamins at the health food store. I bought a multi-vitamin, a calcium/magnesium supplement and an essential fatty acid supplement. I wanted the EFA’s because of all the profiles and forum posts regarding hair loss. I am hoping that will make the difference for me.

 

 

 

 

 

3-18-04

 

Bad news. I went in for my last set of pre-op tests, blood and urine, and guess what? My potassium level hasn’t budged one single point. Potassium is still at 3.0. I need to be at 3.5 for surgery. If the levels are not back up by Monday morning, they will cancel my surgery. Dr. Wongsa called in a potassium medication for me to take. It is in liquid form. I took it once every three hours for a total of 4 doses. I hope that this was the missing link to my potassium issue. I will keep my fingers crossed until Monday. Let me just say this, I am TERRIFIED that my surgery will be cancelled. I know it is not the end of the world, but it sure feels like it for some reason.

 

 

 

 

 

3-21-04

 

The day that I thought would never get here is upon me. I cannot believe how time has flown by since I first scheduled my surgery. I am not scared at all right now, just glad and completely relieved that it is finally time. I am excited right now either. I guess that is because I did not get much sleep last night and I was so busy today. I am just plum wore out at the moment. No energy to feel much. I am sure I will be excited tomorrow.

 

I am about to hop in bed and pass out. See y’all on the losing side!

 

 

 

 

 

3-24-04

 

Home again, home again!!! I am just over 2 days post-op and feeling great!!! My surgery was Monday (3/22/04) at 10am. Potassium was still low, however, it was not too low for surgery. I had IV potassium during surgery and oral potassium post-op. The surgery was about an hour and a half long. I did not experience too much pain afterward other than trapped gas in my chest. Not severe, just uncomfortable. I did have a bad experience with the IV -- and it was HORRIBLE. That's about all I have to say about that. Just glad it is behind me now!

 

Lisa Gilbert came by to see me on Tuesday. What a sweetheart. We chatted for a bit and then the nurse came by with a demerol injection for my IV. Woohoo, the room was spinning. I don't remember alot after that -- but I remember that was about the time Lisa left. Sorry about that Lisa! I hope I didn't start acting super-goofy!

 

Lisa's visit was a surprise -- and a very welcomed surprise. The AMOS folks are amazing people -- and Lisa is a perfect example. Many MANY thanks to Lisa Gilbert! She is a real sweetheart and a true ANGEL!!

 

Thanks so much to everyone for their kind words and support over the last few weeks. You all are awesome!

 

 

 

 

 

3-29-04

 

One week post-op and doing well! I have lost about 5.5 pounds since surgery. I am kind of disappointed with that number. It seems pretty low in comparison to everyone else’s initial weight loss. Everyone is different, I know. I guess I am going to be one of those slow losers. Nonetheless, a loss is a loss and something to be happy about. God knows, I am excited about 5.5 pounds in one week!!! I lost approx. 6.5 pounds pre-surgery -- that makes a total loss of 12 pounds this year! Woohoo. 12 pounds gone F-O-R-E-V-E-R!!

 

I have been walking 2-3 times per day since I have been home. I started out slow, however, I am now up to a 30-minutes walking session now. I need to drive my walking-route to get an idea of how far I am walking. Feels good to be doing something good for my body. I was not very good today – I only walked once. I will get back on the 2-a-day wagon tomorrow.

 

I am still on liquids and it is driving me crazy. I definitely have a case of “head-hunger”. Fortunately, the head-hunger gets better and better each day. I am looking forward to moving to solid food, which should be this week – Wednesday. I will be getting my staples removed on Wednesday as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4-24-04

 

WOW, it has been nearly a month since I updated last. As of today, I am 217.4. Down 25 pounds in a month – WOOHOO!!! I have been doing well. I have been back at work for two weeks. The first week was a little hard – I got tired very easily. I took a 3-4 hour nap every day after work. This last week was so much better -- NO NAPS! I am wearing a size 18 (misses) and I can also wear a 16 (womens). That is down from 22/24 (womens).

 

I have had some issues with eating, however, I have NOT thrown up. I feel that I have been close though. I have a problem with eating when eating out at restaurants with friends. I think I get distracted and do not pay enough attention to what I am doing. I either do not chew enough, eat too fast or have too large of a bite. The pain when I do this is INCREDIBLE. It lasts anywhere from 20 minutes to 45 minutes. I just need to slow down, think and PAY ATTENTION when I am eating out in groups like that.

 

I voiced concern over slow weight loss at my 4-week follow-up with Dr Wongsa. I read so many profiles where people are losing 15-25 pounds in 1-2 weeks. Dr Wongsa reassured me that my weight loss is right on track. He said that the higher your starting BMI, the faster you will lose. My BMI was 41 which means I will lose slower as I was smaller. He said for my weight, I should lose approximately 3.5 pounds per week. Whew! He made me feel better. I was feeling like a failure!!

 

I am drinking a TON of water. I have one cup of coffee a day – everything else is water. No diet sodas, no crystal light – just good old-fashioned water. If you would have asked me 2 months ago if I would have seen myself as a water hog – I would have told you no. I was so addicted to Diet Pepsi! Now, I am addicted to water – isn’t that amazing? It is to me!

 

I am eating all protein with an occasional salad. I had been eating vegetarian (meatless) hamburger patties. Dr Wongsa said NO. I need to eat meat in it’s natural form. If I want beef – I have to stay away from ground beef. Have a steak instead. I am eating 50/50 chicken and beef. Depends on the day and what leftovers I have. I might try pork soon as I am getting sick of chicken and steak!! I tried shrimp a few times and it just did not taste good. (I am not the world’s greatest cook)

 

I will try and update at least once a week from here on out…

 

 

 

 

 

5-8-04

 

My weight loss has slowed to a CRAWL. I am not sure if this is a plateau or not?!?! I had not lost any weight since Wednesday, April 28th… then I lost 1 pound by Wednesday this week and another by this morning. I am walking 2.5 miles as often as I can. I am looking into joining a gym as well. I have looked into memberships at Bally Total Fitness and 24-Hour Fitness. I am still undecided – memberships are so darn pricey.

 

I ended up being VERY ill this last Tuesday night due to not chewing my food enough. I had a piece of steak --- did not chew thoroughly enough --- ended up with a blockage. I was throwing up every half hour to every hour and it was nothing but foam. I called Dr Wongsa in a panic. He told me three times that he hoped that I learned something from what I did to myself. A bit insensitive, however, I chose him for his surgical skill not his personality. Dr Wongsa also said that if could not handle the vomiting that I should go to the ER. Um, let me think about that a minute… HELL NO! I do not want some Dr that I do not know making some freaky decision on my new stomach – like opening me up to get the obstruction out. I just knew there had to be another remedy and I was right. Meat tenderizer: 1 teaspoon in a 4oz glass of room temperature water. I was better almost immediately – as in I did not vomit again after I swallowed the solution. It took about an hour and a half for the awful pressure to go away (blockage finally dissipated). Thanks a million to Kary for the advice.

 

I saw Dr. Wongsa for my 6-week follow-up on Friday morning. Although my weight loss has slowed, he said that I am right on par with the loss so far. I have lost approx. 35 pounds since surgery and 41 pounds including the weight lost right before surgery. I am wearing my jeans again, albeit they are a little tight. People are noticing a difference and calling me things like “skinny”. I never thought that I would hear anyone call me something like skinny! LOL. I am heading to my mother’s house tonight for Mother’s Day. I will have my sister take a few updated photos of me so I can track my progress.

 

 

 

 

 

5-15-04

 

Updated pic taken May 15th, 2004... and notice the take-home container. Some weeks my refrigerator is exploding with styrofoam containers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5-31-04

 

16 days since my last update. Wow, time flies!! I have been doing well. My weight loss varies week to week, but I am losing nonetheless. My energy level the last 2 weeks has been very poor. Not sure why my energy level dropped. Stress maybe?

 

It is so weird how tastes change post-op. Foods that I loved to eat on a regular basis now make me ill. I cannot tolerate chicken or shrimp AT ALL. Just looking at shrimp makes my stomach turn. Chicken in any form is just NASTY. I have been living on beef and catfish, however, I am getting pretty sick and tired of eating nothing but protein – including the beef and catfish I am able to tolerate. I dream about the day that I can add other foods back into my diet. I miss breads and fruit like crazy. I saw huge bags of cherries in the produce department at HEB yesterday. I stopped and drooled for a good few minutes. What I wouldn’t give for a handful of cherries right now!!!

 

I am about to grab my soapbox here for a minute. I am getting so much more attention now from strangers. Even though it helps pick up my self esteem level a bit, the attention pisses me off. These are people that would have never given me a second glance 50 pounds ago. Men are saying hello, holding doors, etc. The strangers that piss me off the most are the men in my office building (not male co-workers). These are men whom I have worked in the same building with and been on the elevators with countless times who have also ignored me countless times -- they are now chit chatting with me. I am the same person as I was before. Why bother to ask me how I am doing now? I guess I need to get this chip off of my shoulder. I just needed to rant a little about the treatment of obese people in this world. People are just cruel and insensitive towards the obese and it infuriates me.

 

 

 

 

 

6-20-04

 

WOOHOO – I am finally in the 180’s! I weighed in yesterday morning at 189. That makes 54 pounds lost since surgery. Just think – 39 more pounds to lose to get to Dr. Wongsa’s goal and 49 more pounds to get to MY goal.

 

If I never lost another pound from this point on, the surgery would still have been worth it. I no longer take ANY medications except my thyroid meds. My blood pressure is PERFECT and un-medicated! My BP usually sits around 110/65 these days. I just had to buy a couple of pairs of jeans because my old ones were just too big. I am in a MISSES size 14 jeans --- and I can wear a size LARGE shirt. How awesome is that? For me, it is sheer JOY! I am still able to wear old clothes I had saved in my closet. I have not worn some of these clothes in over 7-8 years. Folks at work will ask me things like, “is that a new outfit?”. My response? It’s better than new! It’s something I haven’t worn in over 7 years!!! I would estimate that I will be in need of all new clothes in about 15-20 more pounds. My mother has a few things to pass down to me that range in size from 14 to 12. They are mostly work clothes. I have been browsing eBay looking for inexpensive used Levis and such. I hate to spend a million bucks on clothes I won’t be in for very long.

 

I am still not tolerating lean meats – and when I say tolerate, I mean I cannot handle the texture or flavor – lean meats do not upset my stomach, just my mouth. I am still eating steak, catfish and some salmon. I really enjoy green beans these days. Not sure why that is. I was never a big veggie eater pre-op.

 

I have my 3-month follow-up with Dr Wongsa this week. I hope that he still feels that I am doing well. I will post an update sometime after my appointment. I am also going to try and get some updated photos of myself.

 

OH – I almost forgot. I have entered into the dreaded hair-loss stage of this journey. My hair is falling out in a MAJOR way. I knew this would happen – but I am pretty bummed regardless.

 

 

 

 

 

6-24-04

 

I saw Dr. Wongsa today for my 3-month follow-up appointment. I have lost 55 pounds in three months. Woohoo! In the week leading up to this appointment, I was scared to death that Dr. Wongsa was going to gripe me out for being a slow loser. Was I ever wrong! He feels that I am doing great and that I might be ahead of schedule in terms of the amount of weight lost to date. Dr Wongsa said that I am a good patient (wow!) and that I can begin to eat freely in 17 more pounds (when I hit 170 lbs). Freely meaning I can add carbs back into my diet, however, my meals should consist of at least 50% protein.

 

Oh, and when Dr Wongsa saw me, he said “wow, you are so skinny already”. Geez, can he call me once a day and tell me that? All in all, it was a good appointment – positive and uplifting. My blood work looked good too.

 

I bought a bunch of NIOXIN products this last weekend for the hair loss. My hair is falling out unlike anything I have ever experienced. It’s scary. I hope it slows down SOON.

 

 

 

 

 

7-10-04

 

I hit the hair loss stage of this journey approx. 3 weeks ago. I knew this would happen at some point and was not upset about it when it began. As each day passes and I continue to lose such large chunks of hair, I get a little sadder each day. Had you asked me pre-op if I would trade a head of hair for 100 pounds of body weight, I would have screamed H#LL YES! I am stressed and sad over the hair loss, however, the health benefits of this surgery far outweigh the stress and sadness. Mentally and physically, I am feeling better than I have in YEARS. My blood pressure is normal and completely un-medicated --- asthma is almost non-existent --- GERD is gone --- MIGRAINES?? those are gone too --- feet no longer hurt --- the arthritis in my knees no longer brings me to tears --- and my back stopped killing me. I'd gladly exchange my hair for those benefits again and again...

 

I am now using the NIOXIN products -- steps 1, 2, and 3. I am taking supplements designed for women with hair loss in addition to my normal vitamin intake. I am hypothyroid and have too much testosterone (from excess DHEA production). My endocrinologist is re-testing me on Monday to make sure that the hypothyroidism and DHEA/testosterone levels are not contributing to the severity of my hair loss.

 

I have read that a number of things can cause hair loss like this -- trauma of surgery, rapid weight loss, and a diet high in animal protein. Wow, I have all that under my belt -- especially the diet high in animal protein. My surgeon has me on nothing but animal protein and green leafy veggies -- no dairy, fruit, breads, etc.

 

Any advice or tips 'n tricks the AMOS family can give would be greatly appreciated. <