NEWBY has a question for the pros...

Just had my surgery this month, and wondered about hair loss, any of you use the biotin and not lost hair yet? I don't want to waste my time if it is a myth. Thanks! I will share your info with my November 2004 surgery board. Hugs!! Lori RNY 11/22

I've heard MANY times that the biotin doesn't really work. My dietician said that a lack of protein is the culprit, but I got in all my protein and vitamins, and I was STILL losing hair. It started at 2 1/2 months, got really bad for a while, and is now starting to slow down. My hair is disgustingly thick, so I was glad to have lost a lot of it. Pamela -66

I have been taking Biotin since month 2, and while I notice some hair loss, it's a minimal amount and doesn't cause me any concern. I got the Biotin at Vitamin Shoppe and I think it cost less than $5 for 100 capsules. Not a bad investment in my estimation!! Hugs, Nancy -74

I have not experienced any hair loss and like some of the others on this board, I had some complications post-surgery. I am really glad I have not had hair loss as my hair is very fine and not much of it to begin with. Good luck to you in your journey. Monna -99.5 lbs.

I read a long article on this subject. I wish I would have saved it to share everytime I hear this question. When you have any kind of trauma to the body, and in this case there is two different kinds (the surgery & the dramatic weight drop.) The shafts that hold the hair follicles let go of a certain amount of hair. THe article said that there is nothing that can be done to stop this. The hair will fall out no matter what is done. I had very thin hair prior to surgery, now I have alot of bald spots. I have been taking biotin since way before surgery, I use the nioxin shampoo everyday, and I have no problem getting in my protien everyday (usually 90 grams a day) So nothing has worked for me, and I beleive to be true what I read in that article. ~Debra ~RNY 7-14-04 270~192~140 (and Bald)

I started losing hair about 2 months ago and it is still pretty bad...my hair is getting thinner everyday. WILL IT STOP???? WHEN???? I have been getting around 60 grams of protein a day and have not tried any of the shampoos or the Biotin. I did not get the recommended protein in for about the first 2-3 months and I'm paying for it in HAIR!!!

Well, I've been taking biotin since 2 weeks after surgery (07-01-04) and using Nioxin shampoo and conditioner and I have still lost a lot of hair! It didn't help that I was thin on top before I feel like I have a "comb-over" now. But I'm trying not to fret....I hear it starts coming in after the 6th month.

I am not getting my maximum allotment of protein in, mainly because I forget to take my meds daily. But, I do not eat nothing but meat really. I started noticing hair loss about 4 months out and it is not too bad yet. Lisa

I've always shed alot of hair while in the shower and brushing it. Before surgery it didn't bug me, now everytime I clean out the shower drain I worry that if it doesn't slow down soon I may go bald! I know it's not that bad, but I still worry. Used to I'd go get my hair thinned out~this week I want to get it trimmed and I definately won't be getting it thinned!! I don't have any bald spots yet, but I've heard it does happen to some no matter what you do. I don't take biotin but I've thought about it. I get in all the protein my surgeon and nutritionist, even go over it most days. Hopefully it will stop SOON! ~Tanja -118

I read an interesting article in a magazine and can let you know my experience. About month 3 I started losing it in gobs, and I still am losing alot depending on the day. I also take the nioxin shampoo, conditioner, and serum I do have new hair growth. I read an article that said if your hair is thinning to get it colored, I was working on darn near a bald spot at the top of my head so I figured why not try. Apparently coloring you hair thickens the hair shaft, a lighter color will draw attention from your scalp to your hair and make the thinning less obvious. I can say than since I had my highlights done, 98% of what falls out is dark hair now, the blond hair seems to stay, I had a bad day today with it and lost about 400 hairs this morning, only a few were colored. and this is pretty normal now, so much so I am thinking about going back and having more colored! Kristy B 306/236/165 -70/70 to go!