Hair today, gone tomorrow!

It's happening My hair is literally falling out in clumps. I took Biotin from the beginning, so it shows it was a waste of time and money. Oh well. I have been shampooing my hair every other day for the past month...no help, obviously. I have to clean the sink and shower drain every 3-4 days....ick! How long did this last (for those of you who went through it already)? Ok, I vented....and I know I have your support - thanks to everyone! hugs, Karen

Karen, Well mine fell out as well and I kept on my protein and all but it just happens! Not stopping it and it took a while for mine to grown back but mine always grew sooo slow to begin with. Grrrrrr........I ended up cutting it so short to help and it really did make a different so now I am getting it grow out again but we will see since I am spoiled with the shorter hair. hang in there hun, it will pass.....They say it lasts until your weight settles down but I am not sure, mine seemed to go longer. Debra P

Thanks Deb. Yeah, I still have lots of protein, including a morning protein shake even though I was told to get the protein in food. I wanted to make sure I was getting the maximum amount needed. Well...so much for that theory as a way to prevent hair loss. Not only is it scary...I find it disgusting. I keep finding hair everywhere. It's driving me crazy...and it just started! What amazes me is how big the clumps are. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh! Hugs, Karen

Aww sorry Karen..thats a rough side effect....However it does stop and get better. Hard to believe now when you are seeing all the hair in the drain ...It will stop and begin to fill out again. Remember most people are looking at how wonderful you look and how much weight loss you have experienced that they wont notice as much as you yourself do. Hang in there.. LisaMarie

Thanks Lisa....Yeah, this, too, shall pass....but it's scary! I need to dye my hair this week (I am like 75% grey naturally!) and I fear it will all fall out from the dye! I try to focus on the positive...and usually can, but this is a rough one for me! Hugsm Karen

Hi again, I just read this on a webpage about WLS....I found it informative: * Hair loss: Most patients notice some increase in hair loss around 3-5 months following surgery. For some patients the amount of hair loss is dramatic - they describe clumps of hair in their brush, hair covering the floor of the shower, etc. This occurs as part of the body's response to sudden calorie and protein deprivation just after surgery. The body puts some of its normal maintenance activities "on hold" until nutrition is coming in again, and the effects take a few months to show up. In fact, nothing actually happens to the hair follicles except that they go "to sleep", and at the time the hair loss is noticed the follicles are probably busy regenerating hair. It is rare for patients to have thinner hair one year after surgery than what they began with. In fact, at 18 months after surgery most patients have fuller and healthier hair because the body's hormone balance has been significantly improved.

Karen, Thanks for posting the info. I'm 4 months post-op and in the last two weeks, I feel like I've lost half of my hair. It's sooooo thin now. I think it's time to go visit the hairdresser for a new style. I know this will pass, but it's hard to see so much hair in the sink and tub. Cassie

Karen! Hi, I savecd this post from a previous inquiry, maybe it will helpu! Hugs J~ You have received a lot of advice already to your hair loss question, some conflicting, as we all have opinions I will add mine! First understanding the nature of the hair loss will help guide your 'solution'. Hair loss occurs frequently with any form of dieting/weight loss. After WLS MANY (I have seen 30-50% as the stats) patients experience hair thinning or hair, which is easily removed during washing/combing. Once you have the surgery, your caloric intake is drastically reduced to a mere 300-600 calories a day. This puts the body in an "emergency/starvation" mode as it thinks something is terribly wrong, (it used to get up to 10X that amount!) and it begins to focus ONLY on supporting the vital organs that will sustain life. Hair has never been under the category of a "life-sustaining" organ; therefore, the body puts the hair on the back burner until it is sure that the body is going to be okay enough to again send nutrients to the hair. Protein and iron deficiencies are a common cause, and increasing both can help *BUT that can take 3 months of so!*. It starts generally around 3-6 months and stop around 6-9 months postop (*but can occur anytime there is a deficiency). This is because immediately following WLS adequate protein intake is difficult and it takes about 3 months for the effects to become evident, therefore taking in additional protein via shakes/supplements this minute will not yield results for a few months!. There are also many other things including medications that can cause hair loss, to name a few *not all inclusive): · Ace inhibitors for high BP (lisinopril, monopril etc) · Actigall taken to prevent gallstones ***MANY are on this for up to 1 yr postop regularly!** · allopurinal taken for gout · anticoagulants, (coumadin) · anti-depressants · anti-thyroid medicine · beta-blockers for high bp & heart disease · birth control pills · tagamet for stomach acid · lithium, depakote, tegretol all are mood stabilizers (last 2 are also anticonvulsants) Other factors to consider as well: · mineral/vitamin insufficiency (specifically zinc, Biotin (a B vitamin), Selenium) · major systemic stress (surgery trauma, anesthesia...) · Chronic diseases (Syphilis, Cancer, Thyroid disorders, Lupus etc) Scalp infections (ringworm etc) I waited 1 yr after WLS to highlight my hair, to avoid any further trauma. I used to do it every 3 months pre WLS. (been gray up front since my 20's!). I can not say if this was the correct thing to do? I recommend you speak with an experienced hairdresser on this ok! Cutting hair may help it look healthier and fuller, so that may be a good start! I wanted my deficiencies/trauma to be minimal so as when dying I wouldn't impose more stress on the hair! *again not sure if this view is correct? any hairdressers out there? basically this is what I have read: chemical hair treatments such as perms or coloring, even blow drying your hair or wearing a ponytail can thin out your hair. http://www.folica.com/Hair_Loss_Overv_d1287.html Traumatic alopecia: This "man-made" form of hair loss is caused by hairdressing techniques that do at least one of the following: pull the hair (tight braiding or corn-rowing); expose hair to extreme heat and twisting (curling iron or hot rollers); or damage the hair with strong chemicals (bleaching, hair coloring, permanent waves). TREATMENTS: ***NOTE if you know the cause such as low protein or low iron or low zinc/selenium/biotin fine otherwise you may be wasting money). Increase protein intake (we need at least 60gms a day according to most sources, remember we malabsorb some we take in! So think protein shakes predigested Whey!), & make sure you are taking a good quality multivitamin. Some people use Rogaine for women and some people take a natural B vitamin product called biotin (5mg 1-2x day), Selenium 200mcg 1-2x day and Zinc 50mg 1-2x day. Also some have reported that biotin shampoo sometimes helps (beware too much zinc for too long can raise cholesterol...and possibly lower your HDL and lower your immunity also).... In reality treating the underlying cause is necessary (so if from trauma of surgery/rapid wt loss/protein malnutrition then ONLY time will help and upping protein as early as possible for today's hair loss is from malnutrition/trauma 3 months ago, over time if your focused on the protein and vits it will stop and regrow! (no extra expensive vits or minerals/shampoos needed!), people say this vit or that shampoo did it when in essence most likely TIME was the biggest factor! Taking those things r using them may of lessened our worry and helped pass the time better A little more on this: http://www.ahlc.org/causes-f.htm There are two different types of hair loss, medically known as anagen effluvium and Telogen effluvium. Anagen effluvium is generally due to internally administered medications, such as chemotherapy agents, that poison the growing hair follicle. Telogen effluvium, is due to an increased number of hair follicles entering the resting stage. The most common causes of telogen effluvium are: Physical stress: surgery, illness, anemia, and rapid weight change. Emotional stress: mental illness, death of a family member. Thyroid abnormalities. Medications: High doses of Vitamin A, Blood pressure and Gout medications. Hormonal causes: pregnancy, birth control pills, and menopause. When the above causes of telogen effluvium are reversed or altered you should see the return of normal hair growth. DIET CONSIDERATIONS Hair loss may also occur due to dieting. Franchised diet programs which are designed or administered under the direction of a physician with prescribed meals, dietary supplements and vitamin ingestion have become popular. Sometimes the client is told that vitamins are a necessary part of the program to prevent hair loss associated with dieting. From a dermatologist's standpoint, however, the vitamins cannot prevent hair loss associated with rapid, significant weight loss. Furthermore, many of these supplements are high in vitamin A which can magnify the hair loss. PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL STRESS Surgeries, severe illnesses and emotional stress can cause hair loss. The body simply shuts down production of hair during periods of stress since it is not necessary for survival and instead devotes its energies toward repairing vital body structures. In many cases there is a three-month delay between the actual event and the onset of hair loss. Furthermore, there may be another three-month delay prior to the return of noticeable hair regrowth. This then means that the total hair loss and regrowth cycle can last 6 months or possibly longer when induced by physical or emotional stress. There are some health conditions which may go undetected that can contribute to hair loss. These include anemia or low blood count and thyroid abnormalities. Both of these conditions can be detected by a simple, inexpensive blood test. HORMONAL CONSIDERATIONS Hormonal changes are a common cause of female hair loss. Many women do not realize that hair loss can occur after pregnancy or following discontinuation of birth control pills. It is important to remember that the hair loss may be delayed by three months following the hormonal change and another three months will be required for new growth to be fully achieved. MYTHS RELATED TO HAIR LOSS ? Frequent shampooing contributes to hair loss. ? Hats and wigs cause hair loss. ? 100 strokes of the hair brush daily will create healthier hair. ? Permanent hair loss is caused by perms, colors and other cosmetic treatments. ? Women are expected to develop significant hair loss if they are healthy. ? Shaving one's head will cause the hair to grow back thicker. ? Standing on one's head will cause increased circulation and thereby stimulate hair growth! ? Dandruff causes permanent hair loss. ? There are cosmetic products that will cause the hair to grow thicker and faster. ? Stress causes permanent hair loss. ? Hair loss does not occur in the late teens or early twenties. ? Hair loss affects only intellectuals. ? There is a cure for androgenetic Alopecia. These are only a few of the common myths heard by physicians and other hair loss specialists on a daily basis. The AHLC suggests that you first have your hair loss diagnosed by a competent dermatologist who sees hair loss patients on a regular basis. Once you know the diagnosis you will have a better understanding of exactly which treatment option may be best for you. Take Care, Jamie 100cm proximal Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh Albany, NY 320(preop)/163 (lowest)/174 (current) 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jamiecatlady5/ "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"