Hair loss a big issue for me

Hi! my name is Melissa. I am 21 years old and I attend the University of Maine in Orono. I am planning to have the surgery in Lewiston, Maine at the Central Maine Bariatric Surgery Center by Dr. Jamie Loggins. I am worred about the complications that occur after surgery as well as the hair loss issue. As a college student I can't go walking around with no hair! Someone please respond with what type of hair loss occured for them, if any, was it noticable. I am having sugery no matter what as I am 255 and havea BMI of 41...I also need to lose at least 15 pounds for them to do the surgery; please someone tell me what types of diets have worked for them to prepare for surgery...ah, I am just so nervous. All my testing will be done on 11/13/06 and I will just be waiting for the weight and the insure company. The doctor told me to look for January (which works for me becuase I will be on school break). Please help!

Hi Melissa- I am still waiting on getting surgery, and my last appointment which is the consult with the surgeon is on 11/20, which puts me in for surgery about the same time you are. They have told me end of december, beginning of january, So Im looking forward to it very much also. Im not really the one to be giving answers, but I have done some research on all the complications with the WLS, and what I understand is not everyone gets hair loss. And if there is hair loss, it isn't all your hair, it just thins some. Now there are probably others out there that have had the surgery and can help you more, but also a good thing that helps prevent you from losing hair is making sure you get plenty of protein, which the wls team stresses on eating your protein. Hope this helps you out a little, and gl on your journey. Let us know when you get a date.

Hi Melissa, First off congratulations on deciding to be healthier. I am 1 week shy of being 4 months post op. I started the hair loss phase about 2-3 weeks ago. Depending on the patient it starts and ends at different times. I started with fairly thick hair and have lost about 25%. It comes out here and there, not really in clumps that are noticable. I had to bring a lint roller to work to keep my chair clean, and I'm always picking hair off my sweater,jacket etc. I've only seen a couple of posts over the past few years of people needing a wig to cover the loss and they were both from older women who had said they started out very thin. There are a few things that can help, make sure you get your protein, ground flax seed, biotin and I've just started using Nioxin shampoo, conditioner and treatment. The Nioxin is pricey, but it helps regrowth. Some people experience a second round of hairloss at 1 to 2 years out. Being as young as you are I can understand why you are concerned, I've heard a shorter cut with lots of layers helps to hide the thinness. And just remember it will come back as the folicles are still there. I have had no side effects from surgery, this was the best thing I could have done for myself. Best of luck to you with your surgery, school and life! Ann C

Melissa, I didn't lose big clumps of hair or anything, it was more of a thinning thing. It was a little noticeable, but I have short hair and was able to cover it up for the most part. Now 3 years out, my hair is actually thicker than it was pre-op. It obviously varies for everyone, but remember that taking all your vitamins is a big help. Good luck on your journey. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to either post here, on the main message board, or you can email me. Jill

hi,well now im realy upset i thought i read everything about the surgery.didnt know about the hair loss thing.i was more worried about the extra skin.you see the females in my family lose their hair early,thinning and such and i use to have thick hair now it sthin so now i dont know what to do.and no wigs please.if i was assured it would grow back then no problem.i live in maine and im still trying to find a qualified surgeon can anyone help me?and melissa good luck,theresa

Hi Theresa, I'm pre-op also and my hair has always been thin. The thought of losing any hair is discouraging, but I've also heard that you can help limit the amount that you lose by being sure that you take in enough protein, all your supplements, and of course being careful with your hair care. Ponytails, braids, etc. are probably not a good idea as they tend to stretch and break hair off. My husband actually said something that was encouraging to me.....he told me that maybe my protein levels have been too low all these years which has contributed to my hair being thin, and by being sure to get in all the protein I need post-op, I may actually end up with thicker hair than I have now. That's an exciting thought. In the meantime, if I do lose hair, there are lots of fun hats to try out! Use it as an opportunity to be fun and eccentric. As for finding a qualified bariatric surgeon in Maine, there are several. I'm not sure where your town is without consulting a map, but there are bariatric centers in both Portland and Bangor and also the one I am going to in Augusta. Hope that helps. Good Luck with your Weight Loss Journey! It's a new chapter in life!! Blessings, Yvonne

Hey Melissa...guess you've gotten information regarding the hair loss in posts here. As to your question regarding what type of diet to use to prepare for surgery I would highly recommend high protein, low carb as this is what you will follow from now on. Atkins, South Beach diet type. (it should also help with the hair loss....so I'm told) Good luck to you!! C/