Desperate re: hair loss !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Heidi! I don't think I can do the wig thing...as I can't stand hats on my head and that would feel like a hat to me....but I do appreciate your suggestions. I have an appt. with my hair stylist this Thurs...so we'll see what happens! JA

Hello everyone, I'm a year and one month out, My hair loss started about 6 months. It was pretty dramatic at first and when it didn't stop right away I panic'd. I'm getting 60 to 70 gms protein a day. At this point I have some thin spots that upset me and mostly they are around the edges of my head, the front where my now "wispy" bangs its the most noticeable. My hair had been thinner due to having been very ill 15 years ago. I had cut it shorter too when it started falling out after the by pass surgery. Now it is growing back slowly. What has grown back is coming in mega curly!!!! And kinky!!!!! Use to be I'd pay alot of money to have my very straight hair permed. But in the last 5 years I had been wearing it smooth. Now the spots that are doing the growing back has that curly hair but the rest of my hair is its good old straight self!!!! I could be a poodle!!!! Right at my ears is the curly and on top is the straight. I'm glad its growing back but it is taking a very long time. There is damage to it too it breaks easily. I will keep Heidi's hints in mind and use cool water to wa**** I too spent a fortune on hair products. I've even thought about going to a specialist for transplants. Might be alittle bit to early for that! Its funny I'd spend the money to get that done before Id do the TT. Good luck and god bless, pam

Oh No, Let me know what works for you - that is something I am NOT looking forward too!! Hope all else is well! I bet you are looking fabulous!!! xoxo, Phyllis

Hi Phyllis, Thanks. I've used Nioxin before yrs ago when I had "mild" hairloss, and it worked, so I'm trying again! I don't feel fabulous, I can tell you that Thanks for your reply though. JA

Hi JA: Wow - you are singing my song. Like Joanie, I started using Nioxin recently. I actually ordered it online. It might be a little pricey, but if it truly works, it's priceless. I have seen a huge difference in my hair, and it feels so much softer and thicker. My dietician today commented on it as well. So I know it is working. The back/ends of my hair still have issues, so I use Frizz Ease for that and that's been A-W-E-S-O-M-E! I am sorry you are going through this - I am too. Hang in there. Tara

Hi Tara, I used Nioxin before yrs ago when I had some mild hair loss and it worked, so I'm going back. Also made an appt. w/dermatologist for next week. I'll buy the frizzease...I'm desperate...I must have 1,000 hair products! Thanks for your reply. And I am so excited about your new job; but don't forget us, you CT board friends!!! xoxoxoxo JA PS I'm gonna be in Naples, FL 5/26-5/31 will try to listen to you..let me know what the station is ok? xoxo

I use a shampoo and rinse for people who have had surgery. Its called Nioxin. You get it at the local beauty salons. Most carry it. Its menthol and makes your head feel cold. Its working well and helping witht he dryness.

Hi Janice, I feel for you, its pretty scary. I went thru the same thing big time. What I did was to take biotin (1500 mcg) daily. It took quite a while but the hair loss did stop and it actually has grown back. it even seems thicker that it was before surgery. I still take it everyday, after all what's one more pill. Hang in there, it will get better. Hope to see you next month, Mary Lou

Hi, I haven't posted here in a very long time, but this topic is one I am very familiar with. Over two years out and I still struggle with hair loss. I always had a difficult time getting in enough protein, so when the hair loss began again last fall, just before the two year anniversary(RNY1/29/03), I decided to be very aggressive. I began taking 3000mg of Biotin (supplement). 2 tabs in a.m and 1 in p.m., 1000mg each, which helped tremendously. All my life I had very soft nails, easily bent and would break when they reached any decent length. After about 2 months of taking the supplement I began to see stronger nails, and currently they grow long and are very strong. The hair loss has diminished to only a few strands a day. It will take some time before it gets back to its original thickness, but at least the loss has stopped. I also have made an effort to get enough protein. I often drink Isopure, a nutritional drink of 40 grams of liquid protein. It comes in several good flavors. I get them at GNC, and they are now on sale. It is a lot easier to drink 40 grams than to eat it. I did find a good nutrition bar, called Zanzibar ( a high protein breakfast bar) by Designer Whey, with 30 grams of protein and has a pretty good flavor. They are a good source of calcium and fiber too, with no trans fat. Also found at GNC. I happened to find they very cheap at Big Lot one day and bought a few boxes. Hope this helps, Judy

Judy Thank you so much for the info. I'm heading to GNC tonight. I started Nioxon treatment too on Sunday night, and I have already noticed that it's "more" manageable. I believe I get enough protein in, but I guess I should start keeping closer track of it. The multivitamin I take has Biotin in it; I wonder if it's ok to add more? I, too, have awful thin nails....but always had thick hair, until I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. It thinned out, and some came back, but not all. So now if I end up losing more, I'll be "bald"...thin and bald OMG!!! Thanks again, and please come back and post on these boards! The CT boards are the very best!!! JA