Question:
Hair Loss

I am 2 months post-op. My hair is shedding. I am taking the right amount of protein and I am taking the biotin pill twice a day. Do you have any other suggestion on what I can do from losing my hair. It took me a long time to grow my hair down my back and now it is shedding everytime i comb it. Please advise. — fayfay35 (posted on March 13, 2008)

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March 13, 2008
I attend 3 support groups monthly. These groups and my surgeon recommend the following: Bioitin and Nioxin shampoo. Nothing will prevent hair loss from any surgery, but this 1-2 punch will help minimize the loss and speed up the hair regrowth process.
— Dave Chambers

March 13, 2008
Hi Joyce. I'm also two months out and so far my hair isn't shedding. Of course it's something I'm worried about. I take 1000 mg. of calcium a day, plus the multi vitamin and B12 drops under my toungue. I was told that the B12 might have something to do with prevention of hair loss. I know it must be disturbing but they say it does come back.
— cjjordan

March 13, 2008
I experienced the same thing (Aug. 2002 WLS) and started using Andrew Lessman's Healthy Hair, Skin & Nails. It can be purchased either on HSN.com or directly through www.procapslabs.com. My loss of hair stopped within a month and it has been healthy since then (I am in no way associated with the product; but we do use many of them and find them very beneficial). Hope it helps; I know it is scary to start having clumps of hair falling out. Blessings to you,
— Kathy T.

March 13, 2008
Hair loss is normal, unfortunately one of that we would rather do without. Your body will stabilize be careful not to get too low on iron. This is another thing I've heard will effect hair loss even after your body stabilizes.
— bariatricdivalatina

March 13, 2008
It's not an option for most of us. It does stop eventually...Til it does it's frightening. I have really long hair so it seemed so drastic to see all that hair in the shower drain! It did thin out significantly but all grew back. I used biotin too...and I honestly don't know if it helped or not. But I used it anyway. It seemed like forever, but I don't remember how long before it stopped falling out by the handful. You'd never know it now! Hang in there!
— .Anita R.

March 13, 2008
Sorry to hear that your hair is shedding I had the same problem only in the first 3- 4 months you have to keep taking your PROTEIN..... VITAMINS, they are essential that you keep taking them because I know that it helped me alot and I never really lost that much hair, I really beleive that it was because of the protein and the vitamins that i kept taking each and every day so try to follow a good routine especially with the protein and I think that will help you.And when you begin to wash your hair try not to over condition it to much because that can cause damage to your hair. good luck.
— evewarden

March 13, 2008
to be honest with you if it is going to happen there's probably nothing you can do about it... I did everything, kept protein and vitamins up took extra biotin and the hair still fell out...I had long hair and now it is a bit below shoulder length and I didn't have it cut. It just fell out that bad. everyone thinks I cut it but it got so thin that all the longer hair fell out and this is the new groth that I have now...I am 18 months out and really didn't start losing until 5 months out but it fell out in handfulls at one point..It started growing back good and then it fell out again for awhile at one year or so, so i upped the biotin and protein. Nothing really helped, it just seemed to slowly come back on it's own...Even now I go through times when more than normal comes out when I brush or run my fingers through it. It is scary...and sad...
— Debbie B.

March 13, 2008
You have gotten some great responses here-vitamins, biotin, protein, iron, etc. All are good. One more thing though. I believe stressing out about it does not help. I had a teacher friend who was being harrassed by the principal -don't know why for she was a super teacher- who lost almost all her hair during that time period. It was awful. Stressing our bodies is not a good thing for health in general. Hang in there! It will grow back! Pat
— pjennjr

March 13, 2008
I lost my hair for longer than that... It will or i should say should stop! Everyones body responds differently.
— obx100

March 14, 2008
My doctor told me that your body is in "shock" so to speak....like "hey what are you doing to me". This causes some of the hair loss. From everyone I have talked to there is NOTHING you can do. My doctor advised me NOT to spend money on expensive hair products. It will grow back. Another thing you can do at this point is cut your hair. Sorry :( Part of the sacrifice. Hair can grow back. Get you a shorter style! My stylist also colored my hair with low lights and highlights to cover the scalp better. Only wash your hair every other day with gentle shampoo! :) TAKE A DEEP BREATH, DON'T PANIC, AND THIS TOO SHALL PASS. You are taking care of your health with this surgery and on the road to good health, sexy body :) and beautiful hair. We just can't have it all at the first. I'm seven months out and my hair is growing growing growing back in :) Who knows??? You might like your new style and keep it...most women do :)
— dcherry

March 14, 2008
At the hospital where I had surgery in Nashville, TN all of the nurses were former WLS patients. I had one nurse in particular tht recommeneded Bioitin and Nioxin products. I have used both and I check the sinik everyday and so far I have not noticed hair loss. My hair is short and natural curly so if it does start coming out the curl should help some. I am five month postop and so far mine has been ok but then it may start tomorrow. I am just doing what was recommended to me and it seems to be working so far..
— t_roxus

March 15, 2008
My hair did the same thing. It scared me to death! My husband got on the computer and looked up a story of a woman like us, and her husband, who was a big vitamin buff, got her started on a vitamin called silica complex. We found out that we could order it online from a company from Puritan's Pride so he did. In 2 days I had the product, and I take 2 pills a day. One in the morn and one at bedtime. I had lost 40% of my hair but thank goodness in a couple of months it started coming back! Let me clarify that I do not work for this company and the only reason I bring this up is because I was given my dignity back by this company. My hair is the only thing I have ever liked about my face! I hope it works for you like it did me. Still take the biotin too. It is good for your nails. Debbie
— cats4dogs4

March 16, 2008
If it is any consulation, I asked my surgeon about the hair loss & he informed me that it was totally normal and would end at around 9 months. I am 6 months out RNY and it has started slowing down. Good luck and don't worry! Lori
— reretheplaylady

March 16, 2008
The hair thing is a "to each her own" situation.....just keep up your vitamins and protien. I've heard people swear by Biotin and others swear that they never needed it. Personally, my hair was falling out by the clump for a long time BEFORE I had surgery. In fact, it was only for about less than a year that I noticed that it was getting thicker and stronger. Then, almost to the T, like I was told it would, 3 months post-op....it's coming out again. Believe me -- you notice it more than anyone else does. Try not to stress over it. If you want to do the Biotin and anything else recommended, do it. If not, not. Whoever talked about the body being in shock and this being it's way of saying "What's up?" -- I was told the same thing. Finally, my own way of "dealing"...I wash with "Thicker stronger hair" Shampoo and conditioner. It's only claim is to make your strands LOOK thicker and longer. I try to brush my hair before getting into the shower - so that it doesn't ALL wind up in the drain. Finally, when I step out, I give my hair one more brush through and immediately into a ponytail. I usually sleep in the ponytail and find that no more hair comes out from that than did before surgery. Again, other people don't notice as much as I do -- and it helps that they are too busy admiring the weight loss =)
— zandeldm

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