Hair loss and food police

Hi everyone, I have a couple of questions for those of you on the other side... 1. Has anyone NOT experienced problems with hairloss? If so, how did you manage it? I'm not that vain, but I like my hair, and will do anything possible to keep it!! 2. Have you noticed family members/friends watch every bite you put in your mouth after surgery? Even though I haven't had my surgery yet (scheduled July 5), whenever I eat around anyone else it seems like they are always "watching" me and say things like "you won't be able to eat that after your surgery." I get the feeling like I'll be followed by the food police wherever I go after my surgery! It's kind of annoying! Thanks! Marian

Hi Marian, And congratulations on your decision to have the surgery!! I hope things go well for you!! When are you having it?? Do you have a surgery date yet?? Okay to the hair loss question, I really don't think there is any way to avoid SOME hair loss, if there is I did'nt know about it. BUT the GOOD news is you can minimalize it by making sure to get all your protein and drink your water!! See your body kind of...well...dies in a sense that it has to re-generate itself after the surgery to accomodate your "new" way of eating with smaller amounts of food. In other words things like hair and fingernails and other unessential parts of the body are kind of ignored while the body concentrates on regenerating itself. Thats why you experience some hair loss because the nutrients are'nt getting to your hair like it used to because the body is sending to the other essential areas. The protein you eat helps to build the muscles and other parts of your body back up therefore minimalizing some of the hair loss. Thats a kind of long explanation but I hope all that made sense to you lol. Now about the "food police", you need to tell all these people that telling you what you can and what you can't eat after surgery that you are well aware of this and you don't them to remind you of it. This is YOUR decision to have this surgery not theirs. I had friends that told me that alot too but it was because they were trying to discourage me from having it by telling me all the foods I would "miss out" on. Well, it did'nt work to discourage me and I am 200 lbs lighter thanks to the miracle of my surgery!! If you have any other questions or concerns you just let us know we are all here for you and will help you in any way we can!!

Marian, I know what mean you about the food police. Mom and Dad, both in their seventies and thin, act like I'm an addict. They have gone to church talking about how fat I am, had their friends call me with suggestions from friends of friends. They even have people I don't know call me. I know they love me and are just concerned...But sometimes I was looking into the lap-band surgery and I didn't tell them, a couple of weeks ago Mom called and said a woman from church was going to call me about a new surgery, lap-banding! It's a good thing my weight doesn't embarrass me. Joan

Hi to both you! Thanks for the replies! Wanette, congrats on your 200 lb loss! The stories on here never cease to amaze me! My surgery is scheduled for July 5th at Baptist (Dr. Husted) in Nashville. I am having a lap gastric bypass and he's going to try to put a fobi band on my pouch. I wish I could have it sooner but I am in law school now and taking a trip overseas during June (doesn't that sound funny that I wish I could give those things up to have surgery!??). When I went for my consultation, my doctor told me the importance of getting enough protien in my diet to prevent the hairloss. My problem is that I hate sweets (I'm a new diabetic anyway) and all the protien shakes and bars I have ever tried taste terrible to me! Gotta figure something out.... Anyway, I really appreciate the replies! Good luck to you!

Marian, I hate sweet things now that I've had surgery too and getting enough protein in has been a chore. I've taken biotin from day one after surgery and done ok on protein intake and i still brush out a good handful every morning; thank goodness I have alot of hair. My best advice is if you do start losing, don't sweat it. The first few weeks my hair started coming out I cried every morning. Good news is it generally stops by month 8 and they say what you lose will grow back. Good luck and congrats on your surgery date, Kelly 5.5 mos postop,-103lbs

This is what someone told me regarding hair loss. Don't get a perm or highlighted 4 months prior to surgery, and 4 months after surgery. They dry the hair out and will cause the hair to fall out faster. My hair is highlighted right now, but it's been three months and I still don't have a surgeon or a date at this time. Zinc also helps to restore hair and helps it from falling out. Should it start falling out, use George Strait horse shampoo and conditioner. It makes the hair grow faster. Can be found in any Shampoo/Conditioner section of the groceries stores and at Walmarts. It's the best I have ever tried. My hair grows almost 3/4 of an inch each month. I can't keep it trimmed. Best of luck with your up and comiing surgery. Love Kathy

Thanks to both of you! I am planning on getting my hair highlighted again in May but perhaps I should rethink that. I know it will look awful with roots if I don't, but I guess it will look worse if I don't have any! I've got to look in to this world of vitamins. The only that I have been told about from Dr. Husted's office are the ones that they require you to take. I think I should look into the supplementals for protein and maybe folic acid?? Seems like he mentioned folic acid to me at some point. Anyway, thanks again girls! Your input is much appreciated!

The only way to prevent a great amount of hair loss is with your protein intake. Get it all plus a little more if you can. But it is highly likely that you will still lose hair. It is also highly likely that you will be the only one to notice your hair loss!!! Mine has definitely thinned. It started in October and for the most part stopped in January. It is coming back a little bit, but I wi**** would grow in faster!!! The texture has changed a little, too. I talk to my hair dresser about this every time I see her. She informed me that similar hair loss occurs in women after they have babies b/c they are no longer taking the pre-natal vits. Also, I have been getting my hair colored the entire time. I do not believe it has made much of a diff. The cool part is seeing myself in that mirror at the salon and seeing how much thinner I have gotten since my last visit. The chair keeps getting bigger! Anyway, expect the hair loss, don't let it depress you, it grows back eventually. Are you at Vandy for law school? I am a lawyer here in Nashville. Did you consider Centennial for your wls? That is where I had mine, the center is wonderful and the staff and surgeons are just great. Also, all the aftercare is included and you get to see the dietician, exercise physiologist whenever you want. Ok, I am not trying to sell anything here, I am just raving about them b/c I have had such a good experience there. Alright, number two, food police. I do get ppl making comments about what I can and can't eat. To the people I care about, I let them know that I am quite familiar with my food plan as it is very regimented (at least in the beginning). I let them know how much I care about following the plan b/c it is the only way to be sucessful. Generally, if you advise them that you are under control and understand the gravity of your decision, they will back off eventually. To the ppl I don't really care about, I just make a swift comment about following the plan and then I change the subject. If you are a bit brusque, they will get the drift and not broach the subject again!!! So, good luck with your surgery and if you need any advice or any one to talk to, I am reachable by email and I love to chat, as you can see!! You should swing by one of the centennial support groups...they are open to everyone and we do get patients from other surgeons. Margaret 238/132/125

With the hair loss issue just remember its not only protien that will cause it to fall out. The stress of the surgery can cause it also. With me I was lucky I have a lot of hair to begin with. A month before my surgery I had hair to my waist I had it cut to my jawline(-14 inches) and permed (because I dislike my hair straight). After surgery I just had slight hair loss not even significant enough for anyone to notice. As far as the "food police" sounds like you just need to tell them flat out, "I am not going into this surgery uninformed. I know what I can and can't eat and in what portions. I appriciate your trying to help me however what I really need is your support not your criticisim." Fortunately I didn't have to deal with that. My mom has been very supportive occasionally she will suggest I slow down while eating but thats because there are times I will be so busy I won't eat and by the end of the day Im famished and she's seen what happens when I rush while eating. So I understand her concern. I'll be holding a seat for you on the "bench" ;) *huggles*