How many times can we discuss hair??

I know this dead horse has been beaten so many times but I am so frustrated with my hair. I am still losing hair and the quality of the hair I have is awful. I know I wash and blow dry every day and my stylist says I shouldn't I also probably color too often.....but these are things that I have always done and my hair has never been a problem. My hair is so dry and brittle. I use all the good stuff from Toni and Guy, at least I thinks its good stuff but when I get out of the shower my hair feels like I have not used any conditioner. I know I am sooo lucky because I have not had any complications and my weight loss has been great but If anyone has any advice to help with the hair loss or just help to improve the quailty of my hair I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!!

Hi Heather, I can understand your frustrations... couple of things I can reccomend that can help bring some life back to your hair. First, you have HAVE to stop washing and drying your hair daily... tough i know, but unless you have oily hair there is no need. If you don't feel comfortable with wearing your hair down "dirty", put it in a pony tail an no one would ever know! I would start deep conditioning your hair twice a week. I like neutrogena hair mask, its not expensive and work great. I would be very generous with the conditioner. Put a plastic shower cap over your hair and wrap a warm towel around you head. I usually leave mine on for about an hour or so, and i reheat the towel... Finally, i would also start using Infusium 23 spray on leave in conditioner after your showers. This is a great detangling product and I think will help with your problem of your hair not feeling conditioned after your shower. Within regard to coloring your hair, I am not sure how iften you are doing it, but I would do it no more than once every 6-8 weeks. yes root s suck, but if you feel your roots the textureof them compaired to the ends of you hair, I am sure you will feel a difference, thats what all the over processing and styling has done to you hair.... Also, if you want a quick way to get yoru hair looking healthier, chop some off 5-6 inches. This evens up the ends, get rid of the more damaged part and makes your hair look thicker. Also, a bonus of doing this is that it doesn't take as much time or heat to dry your hair, so less time styling! (I cut about 12 inches off my hair in total... it really did help a lot. I miss my long hair, but I love that my hair looks healthy again!) I stopped losing mass amount of hair about 5-6 months out, but I still take biotin twice a day, as well as my vitamins (Cemtrum chewable, 2X a day). I also get in about 70grams of protein daily. I hope all this helps... Bridget 280/164/145 RNY8/8/05

Heather, I went through what you are going through also. I have short hair to begin with, and I kept it short -- even going a little shorter than normal. I continued to wash daily, though I cut down on the blow drying some and left it somewhat damp and drying naturally. I can recommend Aussie 3 Minute Miracle for a creme rinse. Let it set for the full three minutes while you are showering. Really helped with the straw-like texture. My hairdresser looked at my hair and actually recommend that I keep the color in it. Coloring coats the hair shaft and adds to the thickness of the hair that you have. My hair fell out in handfulls starting at about 3 months out and didn't really start coming back well until I was about 6-7 months out, so it went on for about 3 to 4 months. Not a lot of fun. But the mantra I adopted was, "This too will pass!" It has. My hair is back in and doing well. Oh, I too take Biotin daily as well as 60-70 gms of protein daily. It will get better..... This too will pass! Eileen 337/215/170ish?

Hi Heather, I started using Boitin vitimins suppletment at 3 months out when hair started to fall out. I also got it cut short as I look better with short hair anyway. I do miss the long but not the unhealthy look, so shorter is better for me. I use to color before surgery, but haven't done so since surgery, scared, but there is really no reason to be. I used teh boitin because Tooter recommended trying it. It has really made teh hair loss bareable and strengthened my nails as well. I started with 2 a day for the first month and take one a day now. I really have noticed a difference from 2 months ago. I have an aunt who has problems with her nails and suggested she try it. She began taking it about 4 weeks ago and noticed a marked difference in her hair, which she wasn't concerned about and in her nails. She is not WLS patient, but let me know at 2 weeks into her regime she was seeing a marked improvement. I believe it will take longer for WLS folks, but I love how my hair feels now. My hair is thicker then it was pre-surgery, so I will continue to use boitin. You can find it at Walmart (240 tablets) for around $2 to $3. It lasts quite a while and can't hurt trying at that price. Hope this was helpful to you. Lori 293/200.5/135/130

HI HEATHER ! Stop washing your hair so often. #2- take either biotin ( i didnt take that) or try skin-hair-nails complex- you buy at vitamin shoppe. i have always colored my hair professionally and had it cut/styled every month. Right after surgery- I had it cut to shoulder lenght- becuase of the anesthesia - and my hair was still good - cut and colored until 6-7mos- it thinned out- got brittle like yours and I HATED my once beautiful crown of hair - I started taking the complex above- and within 30 days- I saw less hair coming out- and after 60 days- my hair has restored to not coming out- like before- and I stopped coloring it every4 weeks- I also let it grow in a bit & just colored it myslef over the weekend- with Loreal Preference. I had put a strong conditioner on it Sunday- and sat out in the sun- and it dried- and after the coloring- I could not believe how rich the color and how great my hair felt. .. so that is my advice to you.. try the skin/hair /nails complex- I take 4 a day.. and I can say- my hair has grown now about 2inches - stil a little thin- but I can deal with anything than having brittle hair. Oh and I use everything by Pantene-color shampoo/ conditioner and strong hair conditioner. good luck! Donna

Oh yeah- and I have been boosting my protein to 80/90gms a day- and its made a difference in how I feel . I just bought unflavored protein and you can add it to anything. once scoop= 21 gms.. so that will help you also with your hair. After I increased my potein- I noticed a big change with my hair- your nutrients are not reaching your hair. The skin/hair/nail complex is made just for owmen. so try it! Donna

Hi Heather Not much to add but I wanted to tell you I am also from Colleyville and we have the same doctor. Please e-mail if you have time Carrie

THanks to everyone for their replies. I am going to try some of the things you all have suggested!!