Hair Loss HELP, Please

Hello, I started losing my hair back around the end of December 2004. I thought I would try to eat my way through the protein and it didn't work. Sooo, now I'm still paying the price for it.... My question is now long before it stops or slows down and what can I do to help it stop or slow down. I'm back on protein shakes 2x's a day for a total of about 78g of protein not counting food. Any suggestions, I would be grateful to hear them?? Thanks, Sherrie -61 lbs. 10.12.04 WLS

Sherrie, Yes join the club.. everytime i wash or brush my hair.. i lose about 15 strands.. and from everyone in support group and on the web i have talked to who are 7 months or more out... there is nothing we can do.. I have had people tell me to use a certain shampoo or eat more protein.. but my girlfriends who are both a year out.. and tried just about everything .. said there really is nothing we can do... it is going to happen... from what i have learned it last about 3 or 4 months and then it stops falling out and starts growing back in... we have to just hang on for the ride... I know it sucks sooo bad... that is why i grew my hair out to the middle of my back before surgery... I knew what to expect and was ready for it... Good luck to ya... hope you it doesnt get to bad... I just keep praying mine doesnt get a whole lot worse... Leslie 333/346/170 -87 lbs

HELLO PEOPLE, i AM EXPERIENCING HAIR LOSS MYSELF.. JUST STARTED TWO WEEKS AGO AFTER I HAD SURGERY OCT. 07. 2004. I AM WONDERING IS IT SAFE TO COLOR YOUR HAIR NOW SINCE I AM A BLONDE AND THE ROOTS ARE STARTING TO SHOW... HAS ANY OTHER READERS OUT THERE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING AND DID YIU BLEACH YOUR HAIR NOW OR WAIT? THANX A LOT FRAN

I too don't think there's anything you can do. I'm losing about twice what I normally did each day and I'm not too panicked by that. I have started using a hair gel that promotes volume and it helps my hair look better. I think it's by L.A. Looks (Wal-Mart has it) Try not to stress about it, it will only make it worse. CE

I am with Leslie...it is so sad...guess we all are doing it at the same time....here is an article that I recently found.... "Excessive shedding occurring after gastric bypass surgery would be a typical example of a telogen effluvium. The name "telogen effluvium" explains the nature of the hair loss very well. All hair follicles in humans run through cycles of activity. During anagen, they produce hair fiber. During telogen, the follicles are dormant and there is no further growth. The hair shaft is shed at the end of the telogen phase. Effluvium is a Latin word that means "letting loose". So the term "telogen effluvium" describes hair follicles entering a dormant stage and shedding (letting loose) the hair shaft. Telogen effluvium forms of hair loss are generalized and diffuse over the scalp. Telogen effluvium is not normally a permanent form of hair loss. Eventually, the hair follicles recover and return to normal hair density usually within one year. In a normal, young, healthy individual up to 90% of hair follicles are in an a growing phase (anagen) and only 10% are in a telogen (resting) phase at any one moment in time. If your body experiences a systemic physiologic upset, such as a gastric bypass surgical procedure, many of the anagen hairs can be shifted into telogen. At the end of that telogen phase, which is typically about 100 days in length, those hairs will all shed. Rarely are more than 50% of the hairs of the scalp ever involved in a telogen effluvium. The severe shedding rarely lasts more than the length of the telogen phase, which is about 100 days. There is no treatment for telogen effluvium. Once the hair follicles entered the telogen phase, the hair shafts were destined to shed in 3 to 4 months and there is no way of preventing it from taking its natural course. However, you will be encouraged to know that the hair follicles have not been damaged and that all of the hair will grow back in. If you would like to read more about the phenomenon of telogen effluvium, please access the article at http://www.minoxidil.com/journal.htm#Telogen Richard Lee, M.D." Take Care, Ann -56 pounds

Thank you for the wonderful explanation and the link to the article. I'm losing lots of hair everyday. We were on vacation last week and I actually clogged the drain in our hotel room. At least I know now there will be an end, and it isn't permanent. Although my attitude is I'd rather be normal weight with thin hair than obese with thick hair. Thanks!

Thank You Ladies! I guess I'm in for the long haul and will just ride it out... wish me luck on still have some hair on the top of my head when it's all said and done. If not I guess I can keep doing the flip from the front to the back... Sherrie

Gone are the glory days of "big" hair!!! I always complained about fixing up my hair and now I guess I'm paying for that comment!! I am losing a marble size ball of hair every time I wa****!! About every day!! The drains, sinks and my brush are full of it!! I just went and cut my hair(below my shoulders) in a really cute short haircut! i love styling it now! I am waering makeup and enjoying shopping for clothes(window shopping mostly)!!! I feel like I am going through a second "teenhood"! I wore my hair long and blonde(I'm a brunette) for 30 years!! I now am dark rich cocoa brown and in a cute style. I wear at least a minimal of undereye coverup(always had dark circles) and a little blush and lip gloss,,, and I feel like a Diva!!! I'm not, but, they say you project what you feel!!!! I never wore much makeup, never did anything with my hair(safer? yeah, I was trying to be invisible!)and didn't care if I had any clothing style(most big coverup clothes), and now I care!! If I loose all my hair... I will be the coolest bald woman alive!!! Yeah to us!!! We deserve to feel great even if we loose our eyebrows and lashes!!! Worry can effect hair loss also, so enjoy all of you!!!! Janee

Janee, what a wonderful post. I'm not losing much hair but I do drink 3 protein shakes a day. I wanted my body to stop thinking I'm "killing" it so it seems to have let up on the hair loss. I see about 7 each time I wash my hair...not as much as others. ElJay in Federal Way, WA

Does anyone here know when you are "safe" from hairloss. I haven't experienced any and I am SO grateful. I have thin hair as it is and I would go completely bald if I start losing a lot of hair! Anyway, I think you all look great and I am really happy to have found a message board for October 2004 wls pateints Best, Kolbrun Lap RNY 10/18/2004 -80 lbs