You'll lose hair, you have to its the first reaction the body goes through with malnurishment. It grows back though don't worry.

At 17 months here is the truth to your fears:

gaining weight: yes you can gain weight and probably will gain some back. I play with 10 pounds if I graze, don't exercise and drink to much wine, but when I get those back under control, bam, right back off (well, with some hard work first).

discomfort: yes in the beginning but oh what I would do for that again. Enjoy it, it is the discomfort that promoted my 70 pound weight loss.

making mistakes: hello, your human of course you'll make mistakes but you will learn what works and what doesn't. Forgiveness is the greatest gift from God, embrace it for yourself also.

resentment - watching others enjoy food and wine: Huge lie: you will eat and drink great food and fine wine again, just smaller amounts and ice in your wine. You'll be so thankful for not being able to eat that whole plate of food, and eventually you can drink a whole bottle of wine every day and still lose weight but of course you must not do this, not good for your liver but wow, there was a time when I was amazed I could do it and still lose weight. I have to monitor my wine now but oh how I love my fine Borolo!

feeling deprived: Nope, You will be so thankful you cant eat that whole plate of food

great goals! my only "things to think about" is "control of food"......

WLS patients can learn new ways to be out of control with food...we can shift from eating large quantities at one sitting to other habits that lead to non weight loss or worse, weight gain.

That "head work" does not come with the tool of sleeve. We have to work on our issues with food separately. Many of us, some on here, will tell you therapy makes all the difference in that arena.

Few of us, like me, never lose hunger in the honeymoon stage, so, if straight ole hunger is a trigger for you, you could be dealing with managing that early on (rare).

The list of non scale things is not only a motivator it's realistic and more about what this journey is about...it's not getting to a number on a scale, it's getting back to living the life you dream for yourself in a smaller, healthier body that can do those things

I like those goals also

Great goals! All of those good things happen, and more! I wish you all the best!

I love your expectations

Thanks to you all for the helpful information! I currently use Topic and it does help hide my scalp. Lots of cute wigs out there too!!

I lost some hair months 3-7 but it all came back.

Oft not known or discussed is the relationship between hair loss and ketosis. You either have to work to stay in ketosis or stay out of it. Going in and out makes hair loss worse. I'm too early iut for hair loss due to the hair growth cycle.

I had VSG surgery at age 68. I lost some hair from Months 4-9. But at nearly two years post-op now, it's ALL come back.

This is something that happen to many people who have major surgery. It's a well-known but temporary phenomenon. Google "telogen effluvium."

Hello, I always had a tendency to lose my hair because of medication, stress, anemia, pregnancy...basically...everything can trigger hair loss. I did take vitamins, biotin before the surgery, had a big fall at day 3 (anticoagulant) then at 3 month because I was not eating enough proteins. Right now it's getting a little better, but still falling. Do I care, yes a little, but not that much, losing the weight is more important, my health was at a point where wearing a wig was one option, not getting the surgery was not. Right now I do use toppik as a camouflage because the top of my head is really thin (an I have dark hair, the contrast with my scalp is making it worth), but it will grow back at some point, it did in the past...with the keratin powder no one can see anything, so all good! take care!

Start taking prenatal vitamins and biotin (minimum 10,000 mgs per day) NOW. Add more protein to your diet. Continue this post-op.

I'm 64 years young and I was lucky to have thick hair before surgery.

There's nothing you can do to stop your hair from falling out. The protein and vitamins will help with regrowth. I use Nioxin 4 shampoo and conditioner.

I hope this helps!

Best of luck as you embark on your journey!

There's not a lot you can do to prevent it. Some swear by protein, some by biotin, others by iron.

Hair grows in 3 month cycles, so the trauma of surgery has already happened.

It's not permanent loss, it'll grow back

I also switched to all natural hair products, that really help strengthen and thicken the hair. Its called Monat and I sell it if you want samples I can mail you some. I have been a hair stylist for 28 years and this hair system is the best I have ever used.

Not much you can do about it except eat your protein and take your vitamins, but it seems to happen to most of us. Some take special vitamins for hair, but I didn't. My biggest concern was being fat, and I am no longer fat. Sure I lost some hair, but not enough for anyone except me to notice. From what I've read here, and from my experience, it comes back. (I haven't heard about anyone losing hair permanently.)

I would also like to know the answer to that

I haven't had any problems, but I am only 3 weeks out. I figured if I did, I could buy a wig or 2 until my hair comes back. Nothing was going to stop me from having the surgery😉

I know and I'm so excited!

I'm happy for you! July 8 - one week away to the beginning of a new life!

Good luck and I'm excited for you!! Mine is July 8th and like you I've struggled on making that decision! But when my friend had hers done and watching her lose the weight wow I was so amazed! Wished I would have done it sooner!

You can do this!!!

How exciting to get your date! Keep us posted!