WOW Moment - Sort Of

I have posted about this previously.  On May 2, I began losing my hair - evidently a pretty common occurrence among us WLS folks.  It was quite devastating to me as I always felt that was the one thing I had going for me.  Thank goodness I've always had really thick hair, but it was traumatic all the same.  Everyday, I would pull 2 handfuls (yes I said 2) of hair out of the tub drain and would almost cry every day.  Well, I began upping my protein and I had been taking Biotin since the beginning.  So, I began researching Biotin and it's effects on the body.  Thankfully, I have not been able to find anything documented that indicates you can overdose on Biotin (also known as B-5).  It is an essential element we all need and it is usually obtained from some of the foods we no longer indulge in/partake of (primarily carbs).  So, I began upping my dosage of that as well.  I started slow as to now shock my system.  I take the 5,000 microgram capsules which equates to 5 milligrams each.  I now take 5 of them a day - 2 in the a.m., one at lunch, and 2 in the p.m.  Slowly but surely, I have been noticing there was less and less hair in the drain each day - I went from "2 scoops per shower" to "1 scoop per shower".

I am proud to say, my diligence in taking the Biotin and keeping my protein level well over 100 grams daily has paid off.  Today was the 1st day I did not have to remove any hair from the drain.  I had even had to have my husband use the lint brush on the back of my shirt each morning after I got ready to remove all the loose hairs that gathered as I went about my morning routine.  He did not have to do that today and I noticed minimal "shedding" as I was getting ready.

So, for all of you newbies out there, expect this to happen.  For some it will be quite severe, for others it won't.  There is no rhyme or reason as to why it happens and let me just tell you, after doing a lot of research, the Biotin will work for some but not for others.  The other thing you might experience is a change in the texture of your hair and how it looks.  Mine is finally starting to "allow" me to style it the way I've done so for quite some time, but it is much more tempermental than it used to be.  I say go ahead and give it all you got and try everything you can.  However, I think the most important thing is getting that protein in as our bodies thrive on it.  It helps with hair and nail growth, healing and muscle repair and just giving us the energy we need to move during the day.

I'm not sure I'm out of the woods quite yet with the hair loss, but I can tell you, I'm not going to stop my regimen any time soon.  So, if you see this beginning to happen to you, hang in there, I can tell you it will get better.  Oh, if this happens to you and the Biotin and increased protein aren't getting it for you, PM our lovely Sister Freddie and she will direct you to a wonderful shampoo that she used that really helped her when she experienced this.

Take care and get your protein.

We don't realize how important our hair is to us... until it starts coming out!  I was devastated also when mine started to fall out.  For two weeks, every day on the way to work, I would just about cry.  A few times I did cry cause I could not get my hair to do anything.  I joke and say I have a bad hair LIFE! But honestly it made me appreciate my hair much more...  esp for women, its REALLY difficult....  

 

Glad to hear that you did not have any hair in the drain and it seems like your diligence did pay off, just as you said...  our bodies just get so shocked from wls and the weight loss...   

Congrats Wendy! I've been noticing mine thinning out too and that was the only thing I was ever vain about because my hair has always just been lovely. Luckily, like you I have VERY thick head of hair but I'm starting to see that it's thinning now. So, where do you get the biotin? They are small pills?

I take the Biotin Capsules and I get them at Wal-Mart, but I believe there is a sub-lingual Biotin available at the Vitamin Shoppe.  If I'm not mistaken that is the kind that Beth takes.  You might want to do a shout out to her or PM her and see, but I'm pretty sure Vitamin Shoppe has the sub-linguals and they just melt under your tongue.  I take the capsules simply because I don't have any difficulty with pills of any kind.  But, you've got to get that protein up to girl.  I know you might not want to eat, but you are going to have to force yourself, the consequences are just entirely too severe to not be compliant.  Hang in there and let me know if you need anything.