Worried about my hair!!
Hi Tommiejean,
Sorry to say it does happen to a very large percentage of us, but it is temporary and it does grow back.
Talk about freaking out....I'm a hairdresser and who wants to trust a bald hairdresser????
The body only stores so much protein, which is what your hair is made of. Post op we are able to get so little protein in that your body will start to pull it from where ever it can get it to survive, and it doesn't care if it means your hairstyle is going to be wacky for awhile! The hair loss usually starts at about 3-5 months post op and lasts anywhere from a month to 2-3 months. Some lose very little, some have handfuls come out. There is no way to predict who will lose hair, or if they do, how much. But, I promise you, if you do, it will come back!!!!
Now, in preparation for this you can start now by getting additional protein in your diet and taking good multivitamins and possibly adding Biotin. The added protein before surgery will also increase your ability to heal, so it beneficial on to fronts. The biotin doesn't help grow hair, but it will make the hair you have stronger.
Don't bother buying products like Nioxin (supposed to help thinning hair). They're expensive and don't make a difference internally which is where the problem starts. According to my dermatologist those products are nothing but a waste of good $$$...and he should know, he does hair transplants all day on balding men and women.
Bottom line? The road to a healthier, thinner you may include a little hair loss, but which is more important to you?
Take care
Susan
I started losing mine at about 3 months. It is not as much as it was, at first, in the shower when running conditioner through my hair, I would notice lots of hair strands in my fingers, so I started saving it and taking pics.
But I know it will grow back. I don't put my hair in a ponytail anymore though, my ponytails are skinny.
Just don't worry about your hair.
Weight 5 Years Ago (2002): 275.0 -- 50.3 BMI
Pre-Consult (7/05/07): 400.12 pounds -- 73.2 BMI
Surgery Day (8/15/07): 369.8 -- 67.6 BMI
Past Weight (09/30/08): 205.0 -- 37.5 BMI
Current Weight (01/08/09): 190.0 -- 34.7 BMI
Check Out My Profile for Pics & Blog
Pre-Consult (7/05/07): 400.12 pounds -- 73.2 BMI
Surgery Day (8/15/07): 369.8 -- 67.6 BMI
Past Weight (09/30/08): 205.0 -- 37.5 BMI
Current Weight (01/08/09): 190.0 -- 34.7 BMI
Check Out My Profile for Pics & Blog
Unfortunately, hair loss does seem to affect the majority of WLS patients. However, I will tell you that I will be 1 yr. out from surgery in a couple of weeks and I haven't lost not one strand of hair. I haven't done anything differently than anyone else to keep from losing it, I've just simply followed my surgeon's rules. At least 60g of protein daily, I usually get 80-90...at least 64oz. of fluids daily, I get 70-80...I take my mulitvitamin, two a day, everyday like clockwork along with a calcium supplement and a B-12 shot once a month. That's it. So there really isn't any way to predict whether you'll lose some hair or not. BUT, I would have gladly gone bald to be able to feel as good as I do right now so even if you do lose a little, it will be worth it and it will grow back.