I'm losing it

Oy... since I stopped being able to tolerate my protein shakes abotu 3 weeks ago my hair is falling out fast... It really started bad this week - and my hair is so thin to begin with. I am 5 mo post op - I know I have special things happening here becasue of the pregnancy but is anyone else starting to experience hair loss? ~Kathy V.

Yes, I am.....and I haven't even had surgery yet Sorry to make light of your situation; I hope things go well for you! Ken

Kathy, I wish I had something to say to help you. Have you tried the protein shakes that are not milk based? Isopure (that I hate lol), or the mixes from bariatriceating.com ? Or else just become a mouse and eat lots of cheese. Hope things get better. T

Hi Kathy, I started loosinh hair in massive amounts at 4.5 mths. I am 5.5 months out and it is slowing down now. Try taling Biotin (it won't hurt the baby). Hope

Kathy, Seems to me that someone told me about a liquid protein they got at GNC that you add to water of whatever. I think it was flavored. Might be something to check into. I hope you feel better soon. Linda

Here ya go, I Googled it for you http://www.gnc.com/productDetails.asp?id=350772

Hey, chickie... I'm losing mine in massive amounts, too, but then again, I've always lost quite a lot anyhow. Fortunately, it's not that noticeable, except in the shower and such. I also eat a tremendous amount of cheese and drink skim milk everyday with my protein shakes, so perhaps it's just inevitable during this time frame? (I'm 4.5 months out...close to u'r 5 months out). I'll keep my eyes and ears open for something that may help, although our group has given some really good suggestions, too. Hang in there, babe! (((hugs))) -Karen

Kathy I started losing mine at about 3 months out I take Biotin daily use nioxin shampoo and nioxin scalp tratment and it has slowed loss tremendously,I even have some sprouts coming up.Try the protein ice at carb busters my favs are grape and fruit freeze they taste like kool-aid and have 40gms of protein per 20oz bottle they are alot better than isopure.Hope things level out soon. Cathy

I read a couple of articles on Vitamin B-12 and it's importance to our health, especially post-op. This really got me wondering and I started doing some research and found that we truly do need this vitamin for all the reasons that have already been explained to us by the docs and etc but also for proper metabolism of our protein. Take it for what it is worth, but I am making sure that I get my vit B-12 without fail. I am also taking Biotin. It is my understanding that it is also a B vit that helps with our protein metaboslim as well as a host of other things. The following is something that I found and tucked away that has really helped me better understand the whole hair loss issue. I hope it helps you all as well! Hugs, Tammy At any rate here is the post ... I am concerned about the same thing. It is hard when you hair is so long and you see any of it lost. I understand, mine comes clear down my back now also. I saw a post a while back and it really helped my to better understand what was happening. I copied it and put it in my records for reference. It was extremely helpful to me. Hope it helps you also. Sorry I didn't happened to keep the name of the person who actually posted it, but if she sees this post ... thanks so much once again. Great information! Tammy RE: Hair Loss This was posted last night by Bev in Illinois... This is an article regarding hair loss after surgery... ASK AN EXPERT Question ID:4386 | gastric bypass related hair loss | Asked on 09/16/02 terri valdespino asked: "I had a gastric bypass 4 months ago, and last month I began to experience an exceptional amount of hair loss. My doctors told me that some hair loss was normal, and if I ate enough proteins i would be able to control it. Well, at the rate my hair is falling out, I will be bald with-in a couple months. I asked my doctor how long this hair loss will go on. (I was told 9 months) I asked if there was any special things I could do or take to help. The only 2 things that was recommended to me Iam already doing. I am eating at least 50 grams of protein a day, and I have inquired and begun using an over-the-counter product, a shampoo and conditioner named Nioxin. My hair is still falling out at an alarming rate. If there is anything that you can recommend, or advice. It will be greatly needed and appreciated Thank you Terri Valdespino please" Dr Richard Lee, MD answered: "Excessive shedding occurring 4 months 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."

Hi Kathy... I've been experiencing hair loss for about a month now, and I drink 2 protein shakes a day. I spoke to a nurse (who is also a postie) about it, and she said there is no amount of protein that will make it stop. It will eventually even out, and stop falling out. There are very few documented extreme hair loss cases.