How Long Do You Have to Wait?

 Hey everyone!  I have a really crazy question.  I'm sure this has been answered alot before but  I have never paid attention to it because I was so focused on getting my pre-op tests and getting approved for surgery.  Now that my surgery is only 23 days away, I'm starting to worry about my hair of all things.  My BFF said something about having heard that you shouldn't have your hair colored for a certain amount of time after surgery because it could increase the risk of your hair falling out.  I didn't know this.  Has anyone else heard this?  Do you know How Long you should Wait?  I prematurely Greyed and have been coloring my hair since I was 28.  I really would appreciate your help. 

Thank you! 

Hugs,

Bobbie

Hi Bobbie -

I'm here to tell you that you will loose hair and you can get it colored. One doesn't really have much to do with the other. However, perming hair could be a problem. The reason that coloring doesn't make much difference, is that when done properly, it rarely leads to breakage ... where perms often do. Since you are going to be losing hair from the root due to the side effects of the surgery and rapid weight loss, you don't want to incur more loss through breakage that could occur with perms.

While I have had a substantial amount of loss, it has all be from the root. None of it has been breakage. I color my hair and have it highlighted. My hairdresser is using a much gentler solution on my hair for the time being, 10% vs the more standard 20% you get when you have your hair done in the salon. I've also had my hair dresser take my color down a notch or two so that it's not as dark as I was wearing it before. We are doing this so that the contrast between the color of my scalp and my hair is less noticable.

Sooooo.... Color your hair if it's important to you. You are going to have some loss, but if you are being careful with your, conditioning it, etc. You should be able to weather this little storm.

Hope that eases your mind a bit.

Barb

Thank you so much Barbara! I know that seems like such a silly thing to be worry about at such an important time. I even was surprised at myself for being worried about coloring my hair when I'm facing such a life changing operation. That just sounds so shallow. I'm worried about loosing hair because my hair is thin and I definitely don't want to lose more just because I color it. I have a wonderful hairdresser and I'll share all the information you gave me with her. Thank you so much! You look so wonderful! Congratulations! Love and Hugs, Bobbie

Bobbie -

I don't think that it's shallow. We ladies really do have a lot of our "self image" tied to our hair. It's kind of scary to think about losing that "crowning glory." I totally understand.

One of the things my hair dresser suggested and I have been doing is to have my hair highlighted. She suggested this, because I can get away without coloring it quite as often. It also makes it "lighter" in color so that too disquises the thinning. The last thing that she suggested and I've been doing is to wear it much shorted. I've always worn it short, but have taken it even shorter lately.

I doubt that you will even notice much lost until you hit 3 to maybe 4 months ... at that point, the loss became somewhat alarming for about 6 weeks, but then now it has slowed down.

I decided that even if I had to go out and get a wig that the health improvements and how I feel were worth it!

Barb

P.S. Thanks for the lovely compliments!

I definitely agree with you! The health benefits of having the surgery outweighs the hair loss. I'm having the surgery to improve my health and my future. My hair will grow over time. :-)

I havent heard anything about waiting... personally I go to salons that use aveda products/dyes so they arnt as harsh on your hair as regular chemicals - I had no issues post-op still getting my hair did :-)

Thank you for the information. I'll keep the name of the products in mind. Hugs, Bobbie

I read in my post op packet where it said not to color, perm, or use a blow dryer.  It said the hair falls out during the 3 - 9 month stage.  I guess during that time.  I am with you.  I've had stray grey hair since I was like 23.  Oh well, we can be grey for a few months while we loose some weight, then we can get make overs.  hahahaha  I wish you lots of luck with your surgery.  You don't have long to wait now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Thank you so much for the information. Wow, this information really seems to be controversial. Some people haven't heard about not coloring. And nobody has mentioned blow drying your hair. My hair is thin anyway and my luck I would blow mine right off my head! LOL I'm think I'll be cautious and just hold off and get grey and wild! LOL Thank you!!!!!!!!! Hugs, Bobbie