Question:
Hair loss

Can someone tell me when hair loss occurs and does it happen to everyone, I had my surgery August 13, 2009, and I am having a little bit of hair loss. I do take Biotin, which makes me ill, I also take zinc.    — FSUMom (posted on October 28, 2009)

October 28, 2009
I had a lap band on 6/15/09 and started experiencing hair loss around 2 months out, it was heavy for a while, but now at 3 1/2 months, its much less. I didn't take any biotin or zinc, but needed to monior my protien intake as I think I wasn't getting enough, since I did that it is much better. good luck! Fran
   — franny526

October 28, 2009
Hair loss normally starts about 3 months out. You have it because of not getting enough proteins in your diet. the reason it starts at 3 months out is because, as a general rule, that is When we just aren't getting it. i asked my surgeon, who had the surgery, and he said he had plenty of protein and still lost hair. Some hair loss may also be caused by anesthesia.
   — Dawn A.

October 28, 2009
As stated previously the hair loss is due to many reasons but with pretty much all of this type of surgery is a normal occurance. It does begin to decrease at about 5 months and then stops and begins to regrow at about 6 months....so there IS light at the end of the tunnel. I, too, take Biotin (5000) and it has helped some and I am also using the Walmart brand of Rogain (helped ALOT) and it is not expensive (under 13.00 for a 3 month supply) Good luck and be patient. Switching to a wide pick to comb out your hair also helps reduce the stress on the hair.
   — karensaporito

October 29, 2009
I think hairloss is a part of ALL surgeries because it happened to me with all 4 of my pregnancies which I had C-sections and it usually began in my 3rd or 4th month. I do have Biotin but have been told that even that doesn't stop it plus it makes hair grow everywhere!!
   — Papoose79

October 29, 2009
I started losing my hair around 3 1/2 - 4 months that I noticed. I am now 5 1/2 months out and it is still coming out in handfuls in the shower, but I am noticing less fallign onto my shoulders and clothes. I have increased my protein recently and have been taking Biotin since about 2 weeks after my RNY. I honestly think it's unavoidable and your body is reacting to the malnutrition, lack of calories, etc and everyone's body bounces back differently, much like we all react to this surgery in our own unique ways. I do know that it is not permanent and for most people it stops somewhere between 6 and 9 months. I got my hair cut shorter and went to a solid hair color for this time and it does look fuller. I had a TON of hair to start with, so only my stylist and I really noticed the difference, but even the dimension of my hair shaft is smaller. I look at it as I'd rather have some thinning hair than the 90 lbs I've lost at this point. Good luck to you - try Nioxin - some people have said it wored for them really well, it really didn't do a lot for me but I really didn't liek the product to begin with so I didn't stick with it for too long.
   — stellarsan

October 29, 2009
I had RNY 1/8/09. Between 4-7 months was the worst for my hair loss. I just cut my hair short (a little longer than chin length) a couple months ago, so it wouldn't look so thin and stringy. It made it look a little thicker. The hair loss has calmed down, but not completely. It seems like it is thinning out more on the top now than it was before. I can notice it, but nobody else has said anything. I have lost 116 lbs, so far and am about 30-40 lbs away from my goal.
   — Lyndsay30

October 29, 2009
I had RNY 12/11/08 and lost quite a bit of hair in the 3-6 month range. I was also going through thyroid issues, which didn't help with the hair loss one bit. Even resorted to wearing a wig. I was told that fish oil can help, and still take it. My hair now is coming back curly. Somebody told me yesterday they thought I spent a long time fixing my hair, when in fact I just put a little mousse and pick and all done! It's great.
   — Deb121108

October 31, 2009
I have not had my surgery yet however, I would like to recommend a product which will help your hair look thicker. It is called "THICK" and it is by Rusk. You can buy it on the internet through beauty suppliers. My mom had very very thin hair most of her life but when I gave her this product to try she really felt it helped her hair appear thicker. I just bought a bottle for myself, knowing I will be facing the same problem very soon. RNY 11-13-09. Hope this helps. PJ60
   — pj60

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