What is wrong with me??

I decided to have RNY, and I am in process of getting there. My surgery will prolly be around the middle of Febuary. I have this awesome oppurtunity to do this live saving surgery and all I can think about is losing my hair?? I mean what the heck. I'm not a vain person at all. Is it cold feet manifesting as the fear of hair loss. Can it be I watched my father go thru chemo for lung cancer and watching him be so upset about his hair loss?  

Nothing's wrong with you.  WLS is scary for lots of reasons.  The main one is that we are safe in our bodies.  For whatever reason, we become use to who we are and know how to deal with all the problems that we currently have (loss of self-esteem, low physical activity, etc...).  But if we lose the weight, we run the risk of not being able to hide behind our condition.  Doubt and fear are normal when we go through major changes in our identity.  But I promise you that it is better on the other side!  Hair loss is not always a condition of RNY.  If you take your protein, follow your doctor's protocal and keep active, the hair loss will not be a major deal (if at all).  Your body will go through many changes after WLS, in the begining, some may seem harsh, but it's just your body adjusting and letting off toxins.  Very soon after your surgery, things will begin to balance out and you will start to enjoy all the benefits of your new life.  WLS is nothing like chemo.  This is a healthy thing you are doing.  Before you know it, you will be a completely different physical person, and you will be able to live and move in ways that you are not currently able to.  Good luck!

Paul

Ditto to what Paul said.  A bell is clanging in my head though as I see your photo and you look very young and your face does not look like that of an RNY candidate.  I would not want to disuade anyone who needed the surgery from having it but if my daughter who wants to lose twenty pounds were to ask about surgery I would be alarmed and I just want to make sure this is not the case with you.

Randy,

Im almost 38. I do look alot younger :) And my body is build wierd. I have all my weight in the middle. My face, neck shoulders, arms and legs are thinner. I look like a tomatoe on a stick with arms and legs lol....Im 5'10 and 290 pounds, 140 over according to the surgeon.

Be assured, not everyone loses hair.
I had surgery in October and did not lose any hair.
Just make sure you are properly nourished. Talk with a nutritionist  about your concerns on this. This is major surgery so some worries are normal.
I wish you all the best.

Cathy

Honey.. you're not going to lose all your hair like a chemo patient.  I did lose some but it was not noticable to anyone but me.  After I showered as I was putting gel in my hair there would be some strands of hair on my hands not Chunks.  Not a big deal and maybe lasted three to four months. 

This is a scarry decision that you have made but trust me, it's an amazing journey.

Keep your chin up.
Christina

 I had surgery in December.  I have been making sure to get my vitamins and minerals everyday.  I have not had excessive hair loss so far.  I am trying to make sure that some of the protein I am taking in is a meal replacement (it provides some vitamins and minerals) and not just protein.  I heard taking biotin helps with that.  There are posts about hair loss and suggestions on how to prevent it on other forums on this board.

Good luck.

Hang in there beyondthebeauty. I am not a therapist but I would bet that what you experience with the emotion over the hair loss issue is related to your dad's chemo.  Anytime someone you lonve goes through something like that you can't help but relate it to your experiences.

My dad died from heart bypass surgery 30 yrs ago and I thought about it when I went to have my RNY.  I don't think your emotions are so out of line with all you and your family have been through.

The difference is you have all of us to help you get thru it.   Be of good cheer. February is almost here.

 I lost some of my hair too.  But it all came back.  Check out the other posts on avoiding hair loss.  I think the biotin was the most helpful.