I don't know about other sites this is the only one I am on. I didn't have a lot of hair to begin with. The wife cuts it and said I have a little less now.
NSV mean Non Scale Victory. You will have a lot of nice things happen that don't have to do with numbers on the scales.
Exercise is good, I don't know if it will stop loose skin. Most of us whom have lost many pounds have loose skin. Some opt for surgery to remove the excess.
I am not a drinker anymore. I hear some folks do drink a little Alcohol after they have lost thier weight. I'd get my doctor's advice on this. I'd heard that we get intoxicated real fast on very little. I had a coupel fo drinks at an anniversary party and didn't feel them.

I had my RNY Dec 7, 2012. Wouldn't change a thng ogher than I would have had it years ago. I have lost 130 pounds I started out a 341. I'm 60 and only 5 ft 6in so that was pretty large!
Congrats on making the decison to get bariatric surgery and get healthy! Welcome to the group. We discuss anything here and theres a lot of good people with a lot to share.

I'll start at the bottom, this for me has been an excellent support site, but I started out by watching people's stories on YouTube videos. As for hair loss, I'm almost 3 weeks post op and haven't started losing hair. I may later though. Some people do and some don't. Everybody is different. I don't drink alcohol and haven't checked in on that one, but someone will know the answer. NSV is non-scale victory, such as being able to do something you couldn't before you lost weight. I'm not sure about exercises for lose skin, but I was told one very important thing to help is to keep hydrated after surgery. You need to keep your skin as healthy as possible. You need cardio, but my physical trainer said to focus more on strength training and to keep changing my routine for long term success. Strength training adds muscle which burns more calories than fat.

Maybe some of this will help, and welcome to the site. Good luck on your journey.

The only question I can answer is that I am 6 monts post op and am starting to loose my hair. Saw my dr. yesterday and he said it is normal that about the 6month mark this happens. They will be checking my zinc levels, but in the meantime I started taking biotin and using biotin shampoo. Welcome to our group. This is the only site I have joined, and so far it is awesome. This is the best place to be and ask because we are all swimming in the same ocean. Good luck, Mary Anne

1. Does everyone lose their hair?

I've not noticed any hair loss at 2 months out.

2. What is the best think to do exercise wise to help with the loose skin. I know no matter what I will have some but a friend had told me to not do cardio because I will have no problem losing the weight, but to work on building muscle to make the skin tighter. Thoughts?

Your skin will tighten over time and as you keep moving. I disagree HIGHLY with little cardio. I do an hour on a treadmill before doing heavy weights. My legs get a lot of work from swimming and walking. You really need to work the circulatory system. The only way to do this is cardio.

3. What does NSV mean?

explained

4. Can you drink Alcohol ever again?

Over time yes, but beer is most likely gone. I used to brew, and will again, but you have to remember that your body will absorb ETOH faster than before. So you will need to limit your intake.

5. Are there any other good online support sites?

This is the first one I ever joined. I do have other friends who have done this who are my support group as well. Get as much information you can from all sides. This creates you as the best informed to make positive answers.

tHANKS GUYS, i APPRECIATE IT. iM OPEN TO ANY OTHER ADVICE ANYONE MAY HAVE AS WELL.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bariatricbadboys/ this for men only, I belong to the girls site and these ladies are fantastic. good luck, best thing I ever did for myself.

Hi Justin,

Welcome! Best of luck to you!

I am almost one year post-op and have lost 121 pounds. This was the best thing I've ever done for myself!

1. Yes I think so
2. I've been doing water aerobics and water jogging and I am pretty pleased with my muscle tone. I do have some excess skin, but not too much. There are many factors that determine whether you will or not. It's more than just exercise.
5. I also frequent renewedreflections.com and have popped into thinnertimesforum.com.

Welcome! COngrats on making the decision to take back your health!! I am not good at giving short answers... (I am a known rambler!) but I will try! LOL!

1. Does everyone lose their hair?

2. What is the best think to do exercise wise to help with the loose skin. I know no matter what I will have some but a friend had told me to not do cardio because I will have no problem losing the weight, but to work on building muscle to make the skin tighter. Thoughts?

3. What does NSV mean?
NSV = Non scale victory, but while we're at it, there are some others you'll want to know!
NUT=nutritionist
SV = scale victory
WLS = weight loss surgery

There are others, but this will get you thru the basics!

4. Can you drink Alcohol ever again?
I am 5 months out and have an occasional drink. It is suggested to not do it for a year because it slows wt loss.... but I am doing find in that area and occasionally we go play pool, and when we do I enjoy an ice tea with a shot of tequila in it. Good or bad... its the truth!

5. Are there any other good online support sites?
one I go to besides here are:
http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/

If you go to thinner times, feel free to look me up there too! :)

I am also a member on a few facebook support sites but they are by 'invite only'.... if you friend me on facebook I will invite you :)

https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.robinson.3785


As far as other input... READ READ READ!! There is TONS of good information on this site and others that will help educate you! You are also welcome to read my journal if you'd like... And ask questions as they come up! There is a great group of people here who will chime in!

So.... i realized I missed a question....

IMHO, exercise is VERY IMPORTANT but does nothing to 'fix' loose skin.... its a fact. Its going to happen. How well it returns depends on several things such as genetics, age, how much wt a person has to lose, how long they've been obese.... etc etc... but to be brutally honest, you have enough extra wt I would be sure and expect to have lose skin than you're gonna want. I say this with all the love in the world and do not mean to scare you... I just don't want you to be surprised!

With that said...my surgeon said two types of exercise... walk walk walk walk walk! And do strength training to build muscles. Yeah, it will help fill out the skin some and we all look better with some muscle... but also because a % of the wt we lose is muscle mass... and that means possible weakness and less efficient metabolism because muscle burns much more calories than fat!

There are many 'at home' do it without fancy equipment strength training exercises... you can google it! Also, dr oz has a personal trainer that is for exercise for folks with knee issues that is an awesome workout... don't know if that applies to you, but I found it the other day and have been pointing it out to anyone who stands still! LOL! Its on youtube :)

Hi Justin, and welcome to a great site full of helpful, knowledgeable and supportive people.

Answers:
1. yes you will lose some hair, The amount varies for everyone. It usually happens at 4 months out. It happens because your become mal-nourished. It's temporary and does grow back. The best thing you can do is get in your protein, vitamins and plenty of water.

2. Some of your skin may bounce back. But you will have some loose skin. Think about a balloon that's been blown up and you let out most of the air, and the result is a little sag. Building muscle will help but you won't be able to fill up the skin with all muscle.

3. NSV= non-scale victory. (please share these with us because some of us feed on those wonderful victories.

4. Alcohol is something you should get an ok from your doctor before consuming. When you get the ok, go slooooow! A lttle bit goes a long way after surgery. Alcohol get abbsorbed quckly and passes thru quickly. Transfer addiction is a big concern with alcohol. Be careful not to trade food addiction for alcohol addiction.

5. I only use this web site for support plus I go to my local support group twice a month. If your program has a support group I would highly recommend joining.

Best of luck to you!
Shelley :o)

Welcome to the group. I am ten months post op and started at the same size you are. I have lost 210lbs and still losing. I started to lose some hair around eight months post op. It has now stopped.
Lose skin is going to happen. Don't worry about it. Think about all of the things you will be able to do. Good Luck on you journey.