Hrmmm....

So...I had my hair cut short this weekend. Why, might you ask? Well, now is the time for me to be brutally honest. My hair is falling out. I knew it was a possibility, but I have to admit I just KNEW that would not happen to me like it does most gastric bypass patients. Why I thought I would be spared this, I have no idea. And it is difficult to deal with which makes me feel shallow and vain. But my hair has always been one of my vanities. So I have been reading up on hair loss after gastric bypass and found that the multivitamins I have been taking are probably not enough for a gastric bypass patient. Because the stomach has been cut so small and the process is malabsorptive, a regular multivitamin does not get absorbed by my system the way a normal person would absorb it. Therefore, it's almost like I'm not taking a multivitamin. My iron has been very, very low, and again, my hair is falling out. I looked on bariatriceating.com for bariatric specific vitamins and found a brand called Celebrate. I take the multivitamin three times a day. I also invested in a hair, nails, and skin formula multivitamin from GNC recommended by my surgeon's office.

The other thing that has constantly been mentioned in my research is the need for more protein for hair growth and just overall health in bariatric patients. I recently ordered a protein sampler from the above-mentioned website and have been experimenting with the protein powders. Some are pretty good. You can't even tell they are protein blends. I also found a coffee drink with 20 grams of protein in it, but I am trying not to drink that all the time as it still has caffeine.

Hopefully, my hair will start growing back soon. I bought some Nioxin shampoo and conditioner and it seems to be helping with the appearance of my hair. Most information about the hair loss also states that because the body has been through so many changes so quickly, it might just take time for the adjustment. For most people, their hair grows back within the 7th to 9th month after surgery. As of Saturday, it has been 4 months. So I am going to keep doing what I am doing and hoping for the best and look at this as a lesson in patience and discipline.

On a very happy note, I have now lost 86 pounds since June 1 (when I started the pre-op diet). I have lost 4 pants size and the ones I am wearing now are starting to get loose. For the most part, I feel very good. I have so much more energy and confidence (even with my thinning hair). It's amazing! I can shop at most plus size stores now. I hate to admit it, but before the surgery, The Avenue was the only store I could use because their sizes went JUST high enough for me to comfortably wear. Yesterday, I went to Lane Bryant for the first time in literally years. It felt great! Of course, my next goal is to be able to wear clothes from the regular store sections instead of plus size. Frankly, I don't think it should be too long. And I am planning a small girls' night party to celebrate when I hit 100 pounds lost! I want to do something frou-frou. My roommate and I were talking about a night at the Koger Center. Sounds like fun to get all dressed up! Anyway, please keep me in your prayers, and thanks to everyone for so much love and support!