Holy Shedding Hair Follicles Batman!!

Good Lord people! Did all of you seem to lose your hair over night???? In the past few daze my scalp is ever so visible. I was never blessed with a full head of hair to begin with so this is a major issue for me. *sigh* I am taking Biotin...and have increased it by another 1000mcg...so I'm hoping it will work some kind of miracle. If anybody knows of anythign else that will help...shampoos/vitamins/magic wand...please share? Thanks, Baldy Bean

I had my surgery a week after you and haven't experienced this yet.   I have Biotin but have not taken it on a regular basis but looks like i should be.   I take all my other vitamins but not that one.   Hope it starts to grow back fast. Pam

You're in the worst of it now.  It will get better, I promise.  By about a year out, you'll see 2 inch fuzz all over your head.   <-- what my hair looks like currently! Anyway, from 3-5 months is peak time, at about 6 months mine had completely stopped falling out.  Take your vitamins and make sure you're getting your protein in.  That won't immediately change anything, but down the road it will be beneficial.  You are seeing the results of the surgery and first month out when you couldn't get all your protein in, plus the drugs in your system.  I had some benefits from Nioxin, but its not cheap.  It won't regrow anything, but I did see a decrease in fallout.  You can give it a look and see.  My hairstylist also said that it was important to treat your hair gently.  It's not all falling out, some of it is breaking.  Be extremely careful with it when it's wet, try not to use a lot of heat, use a "reconstructive" conditioner, stuff like that.  Take care and good luck. Ellen

Holy Cow Robin,   I feel your pain!  Mine started about a month and a half ago. I've been told it will get bettter. I have been taken Biotin/ 1000mcg the first day I got out of the hospital. Still do. hang in there. Reenie

My started right at 3 months and stopped at 6 months. Regrowth started at 9 months. It's been 2 years and my hair is back. You won't go bald. But looking at your scalp is a bit disconcerting, but it will get better. Get your protein in. Belinda

I have not had problems losing my hair. Hang in there gurl....... I have never had a problem getting my protein in and never used the biotin.........  You are looking great.............keep up the good job............

Hey Mare,  My hair is falling out bythe handfuls too. I kept thinking I should save this and get me some extensions with it but alas it just layed there on the bathroom floor and then inthe trash can. I got my hair cut shorter so it isnt as noticeable. The hair girlie at the shop said the nioxin is good but it is like 25 bucks for a bottle of shampoo. Too rich for my blood. The nut said protein protein protein it helps keep it attached. I guess we can reveal in teh fact it will grow back. Thank you Lord!   Sorry I was no help but i feel your pain  Melissa

Bless your heart!  I consulted the profile of a friend who is a nurse and she swears by her routine.  I wonder if this could help you out.  To give proper credit, I stole this from Carolyn M.'s profile:

So here’s the program:

 1. Make sure you get at least 60 grams of protein every day beginning as soon as you get out of the hospital. Use shakes until you can get enough food. Build up to 80-100 grams when you can. Rationale: Protein is essential for hair growth and hair that doesn't grow falls out.

 2. Force the fluids. At least 64 oz a day the first week or two then bump it up to 80-100 oz per day. Rationale: Fluids flush out the ketones your body makes when burning fats. Ketones are toxic to rapidly dividing cells like the hair follicles. (This makes a lot of sense to me, ketones are bad things.)

 3. Beginning the first week after surgery, add 100mg of Zinc and 200 mcg of Selenium to your supplements. Crush these tablets for the first 3 months to guarantee absorption. Rationale: These mineral support the telogenic (resting) phase of hair growth.

 Biotin supplements may also help, some swear by them. Nothing you put ON your hair from the outside will do anything to prevent loss, although it may plump up the individual strands and make your hair seem thicker. Topical emulsions don't usually penetrate the scalp to the level of the hair follicles--Minoxidil is an exception to this general rule. Hope this offers some help.  Good luck.  If I can ever get approved for surgery, I hope I don't lose too much hair.  Course, right now, what I wouldn't give to have that problem...

Hey girl!  I feel ya!!!  Just so you know.. it does get better!  I was like you and never had thick hair to begin with and after WLS lost a lot too... but it did grow back and actually is healthier now.  I still have about as much as I did pre-op but it looks better.   I wish I had a magic wand for both of us!!!  If you find it...  share the magic! LOL! Sheryl

I have not reached the hair loss stage yet, but I plan to get a wig!!  Maybe even a blonde one - how about a Dolly Parton one!!!  I have a co worker that's also a registered (non practicing) beautician and she can get the Nioxin cheap at the beauty supply stores - maybe you know someone who can do that for you, too.  My hair is already thin - if it starts letting loose I will really look pitiful!