Hair

Hi everyone, it has been a long time since I have posted anything but that's a good thing...life has never been better for me. I am almost 4 months out and already down to 172lbs....I have lost  61lbs since surgery and my surgeon says I am doing great! My only question is about my hair...I have noticed it has gotten a lot thinner and it seems to be coming out a bit more...not in clumps but enough so that I notice it. My surgeon told me to take zinc? Has anyone had any experience with this and what did you do??? I was thinking just cutting my hair into a short bob like posh spice so that maybe it would be lesd notiable. Any suggestions and advice would be great. Thanks!

Hi Jayme, Yes, hair starts to thin out noticeably from months 3-6.  After that, it should get better again.  I make sure to get in at least 60-70 protein grams each day.  I also am religious about getting all my supplements in every day (calcium, vitamins, etc).  As part of my regimin, I take 5000 mg of Biotin morning and night.  My hairdresser told me to take Evening Primrose Oil Capsules.  I take 1300mg each evening.  My hair has recovered and is no thinner than prior to surgery (it was already thinning before surgery), so there is hope for you! I say if you feel like a shorter cut go for it!  If you don't like it, it'll grow back.   HTH

My doc's paperwork says the same thing. It says that hair loss is transient and a common side-effect that occurs to everyone in the first 6 months.  It will not lead to baldness and it is reversible.  Once your weight stablizes and you take in more protein the hair will grow back.  His paperwork also says that hair treatments and permanents should be avoided in the first 6 mos. 

Hope this helps! --Eric

I too had the same experience. I have been taking biotin too.  My hairdresser says my hair is coming in.It is still thin but starting to come back. I am almost a year out. It is a side effect but to me for all the surgery gave me it's ok. I can't say as I like it but my life has changed so much it is a minor annoyance. My hair dresser layered my hair a bit. She made it look thicker. Have a great day. Love Laurie

I have experinced some "thining" & extra shedding. I started taking some boitin every nite. 1000 mg. Over the past few weeks. I'm 4 months post. op.
I have noticed that it's helping. This was one of my biggest fears of the surgery, but I get my protein in religiously!! as well, & I know it could be worse, but it's okay, thus far!! Amen!! All a part of the journey right??
Peace. jbug Keep us posted on your out come.

Keep up that protein!!! I also use Nioxin shampoo and conditioner. it is expensive. I was lucky to be able to run into a great deal for it. I did cut my hair so it wouldn't look so stringy. I am finding that this hair cut really becomes my new face as well. One of the things I must do today is go get a trim.  Keep up the good work!

Jayme, I too have been losing a lot of hair. I asked my Nut about Zinc. She said I could take it if I wanted but no more then 220 mgs and no longer then a month. She said it is no****er soluble and it would become toxic if taken too long. I am taking 5000 mg of Biotin every night. I don't really see a difference with using it. Maybe if I wasn't it would be worse, so I continue. I had thin hair before so I feel the loss is very noticeable. I know this is a short time problem. It just seems traumatic to me right now. I seem to have a lot of events to go to the next few months and there will be a lot of picture taking. I guess I will just look back at it as the me in transition. Good luck and congrats on the weight loss. Wanda

Thank you all so much for your replies, I knew I could count on you for answers. Where can I find this Biotin?

I get my biotin at the natural healing store in Severna Park because it comes in 5000  so I only have to take one and is cheaper too. I have  also seen it in GNC too and online. Any health type store probably. Laurie