VickyBT
3 Years Post Op!
Aug 31, 2014
Wow, would of forgotten its my 3 yr. weight loss surgery anniversary but got an email reminder from O.H. I have not lost anymore weight since 6 months out. I lost around 50 lbs. A little disappointing but I have maintained it. I haven't lost more due to my continuing addiction to carbs that I still don't have the victory over. But if it wasn't for my sleeve I never would of lost 50 lbs and kept it off so I'm very happy with that. I don't come to O.H. much and seem to lost touch with those who had surgery the same time I did. I hope they are doing well. Email me if you'd like at [email protected].
Hair Loss & Wigs
Aug 31, 2013
I posted a current pic of my very thin hair on my blog here. I already had chronic hair loss issues before surgery.
I did lose quite a bit of hair post-op. It did re-grow to a certain degree but in my case of on going hair loss its pretty bad now and so I've resorted to wearing wigs, bandanas, and caps/hats when I go out. I've found a brand ("Estetica" although I'm sure theres others) of wigs I really like that are light weight, very open mesh cap and look natural. I can tell from people comments and reactions (VERY excited) when they learn I'm wearing a wig how nice they look. They go on and on how they had no idea I'm wearing a wig and how it makes me look 10 years younger and I must agree because when I take off my wig its like YIKES! LOL
Here's some tips on getting a good wig.
Look for "lace front" wigs that have natural looking parts and hairlines in the front.
That really throws people off into not knowing its a wig.
Monofiliment tops look more natural as well.
Wig colors that are highlighted make them look more natural vs. one solid stark color.They even have dark rooted wigs to make it look like you have highlighted hair and you can see the regrow.
You can even get multi tones grey wigs.
Don't be afraid to get modern synthetic wigs.
They are much more easy to care for and no styling ever...just wash them and once dried and combed
they go back to the style they were. They look and feel like real hair!
Wigs can be trimmed and thinned if they need a little tweeking but make sure to have a person experienced with trimming wigs do this for you.
Try wigs on at a local wig shop before buying online.
Once you find the brand and style you like you can get them much more reasonably priced online although not all vendors will allow for returns but www.e-wigs.com does (for a restocking fee)
and has great service and wigs priced 50% or more off retail.
I paid $350. for my first wig from a local wig shop and paid $122. for the same exact wig via e-wigs.
At first I was very apprehensive about wearing wigs but now I rather enjoy it and have 4 wigs...
and no more bad hairs days and fussing with my hair and tons of product to try and make it look good,
only to have it flop within a very short time especially if its humid or raining.
Now no more worries...I just pop my wig on and I'm good to go! Love it!
Hope this helps.
2 Year Post Op Anniversary!
Aug 31, 2013
So I'm two years out now. Thanks Obesity Help for the email reminder. I had actually forgotten it was my surgery date!
Wow it went by so fast. I'm still struggling with carb addiction but maintaining what I lost.and I attribute that to my sleeve.
While my initial, "honeymoon" weight loss wasn't as much as I hoped for I'm happy and blessed to of lost the weight and never would of been able to do it without WLS. When I look back at my pre-op pics I realize that even 50 - 60 lbs is a BIG difference.
I would do it all over again. Now my biggest challenge still lies before me by my daily choices of what to put in my mouth or not and to exercise. There's no magic bullet even with WLS because even with WLS one can regain...but its the best tool ever for those of us who haven't been able to do it on our own. Its not the easy way out but it can be our salvation in many ways.
For anybody whose on the fence regarding getting WLS...I'd say GO FOR IT
but research it thoroughly in order to get the type of WLS thats best for you.
Love & Blessings to You!
November 2012 Update
Nov 27, 2012
Still holding at the same weight but i know I'm eating too many carbs. Some nights grazing heavy. After dinner is my worse time.
I can do well all day but at night its a constant struggle. Now my body is wanting to gain weight. Before I was maintaining. I don't allow myself to go up more than a few pounds. I need to do more to get back on track. I know what to do...its just a matter of doing it. Its so hard.
Not losing
Mar 28, 2012
The last time I lost was the first week in February.
I had my 6 month check up and doc said I'm doing fine
and that you don't continue with the rapid weight loss
like the first 3 months but he said you can still keep losing
for up to a year and a half. Never-the-less not too happy
with myself because after Christmas and since being able to
eat a greater variety of foods I'm going back to old habits
of eating too many carbs and eating after supper.
I need to get counceling for this damn head hunger.
I do weigh myself daily to stay on top of what's going on.
God forbid I gain any weight!
You hear about WLS patients doing that but I DON'T
want to do that after all I've gone through.
This is a new pic of me taken March 2012.
Thinning Hair & my first WIG!
Jan 10, 2012
So here's my new hair!
2012! New Beginnings!
Jan 01, 2012
I now weigh 212 lbs. and have no specific goal as to when I will reach my goal but I suspect it will take another 6 months or so and that is just fine with me. I'm not in a hurry.
It's very exciting to be closer and closer to getting under 200 lbs!
I seem to be in this pattern of stall 3 weeks then lose around 4 - 5 lbs within a couple days,
then the same process starts over again.
I probably could lose faster but I'm not always careful about limiting carbs and exercise.
Water continues to be a struggle. I just cannot get a gallon in daily even when I try harder to achieve that amount.
Daily exercise has been an issue as well. No surprise, my undisciplined nature is what got me morbidly obese in the first place but I had hubby haul my rebounder out of the attic and plan to bounce more diligently now that we are past the hub-bub of the holidays. I also need to lift weights as I need to tone badly. LOTS of droopy, wrinkled skin on upper arms, thighs, stomach and butt. UG-LY! Speaking of ugly body parts, my ass has disappeared to be replaced by a puddle of droopy skin and my breast looks like long deflated balloons.
(Thank God for Lane Bryant's push up bras!) Good thing my hubby of 37 years loves me "as is"....not that being obese was prettier but at least those parts were plumped out and more bouncy. 
My face is getting more wrinkled too. Oh well, my health is more important than being pretty.
Past my prime anyway and I look much better in clothing!
My hair started falling out around 3 months out and since I've already had hair loss for the last 30 years and it was very thin hair to start out with the additional loss is pretty depressing for me. I plan to look into getting a wig or wiglet soon. My top is soooo thin.
I'm worried that with an already pre-exisitng hair loss problem, mine might not grow back.
Well bald, wrinkled and healthy is a much better alternative to being morbid obesity with a myriad of life threatening medical conditions.
Last labs were great with everything were its suppose to be!
No issues with eating anything, infact old head hunger habits are still a
constant battle especially after supper and at special events.
I still have good restriction and never over eat until it hurts or vomit.
Will try to post updated pics soon.
Size 16 - 2 1/2 months post op
Nov 15, 2011
I can't even remember the last time I wore a size 16! CRAZY!
Now I'm worried that the new clothes I bought for Christmas might be too big by then.
Certainly a complete reversal of what I use to have to worry about.
LOVE MY SLEEVE!
November Update w/ new pics
Nov 12, 2011
I've lost 47 lbs so far.
I probably would of lost more by now if I exercised more often and restricted carbs to the recommended 40 grams or less daily but never-the-less I keep losing slowly which frankly I think is healthier than rapid weight loss.
My big struggle is still getting enough water in daily and lately I've been slacking on documenting what I eat but I always do protein first but some times I just have to eat some vegetables or a salad. I can eat more than 1/4 cup of dense protein now which is nice. I do have to be careful with slider foods and I still struggle with head hunger in the evenings although I don't seem to crave certain foods like I use to...like ice cream, potatoes and pasta.
The pic on the left was taken just before my surgery.
Top right 4 weeks post op.
Bottom right is around 10 weeks post op (today 11/12/11)
I still want to lose 20 - 40 more lbs.
Want to see how I look and feel as I go along.
Sure is fun buying clothes now!
