Hair loss at 3 months?

Well, today I am 3 months post op! I'm so happy and have lost 50 lbs so far. Getting used to my sleeve and what I can tolerate. Life is feeling back to normal. I went shopping and tried on a size 14 ( I started as a tight 18) and it fit and was even a little loose. I had a cry in the dressing room!! 

The only negative is that I am noticing hair loss already. Has anyone else had their hair loss start this early? It's not chunks of hair, I just notice a lot more than normal coming out in the shower and brushing. 

Thanks guys!

I am a little over 3mo out and seeing the same thing. Don't know if it's normal or not.

Thanks! My date was 10/5 so we are close! I'm very interested to know if others had the same thing. 

Totally normal - you're right on schedule 

Hair loss is a response to the trauma of surgery and the anesthetic that is used.   Google telogen effluvium for a full explanation.  It usually starts at about 3 months and ends around 9 months.  There is nothing you can really do to stop the loss.  You can keep your protein numbers high to insure that your hair will be strong when it grows back.  I lost about half my hair.  The only person who seemed to even notice was me.  I got a sassy, short hair cut to help me deal with it.

Thank you so much!

You are right on schedule for the hair loss.  For me, it started at about 3 months post-op and continued thru month 7.  Then at about 9 months post-op,  I notice a crop of short hairs, maybe a 1/2 inch long sticking straight up all over my head!  I was so happy to see them, that I didn't even mind that they made me look scruffy!  By one year, my hair was pretty much back to normal.

I would have purchased a wig if necessary, but I found that using a mousse to give my hair extra body was enough to get me thru. 

The hair loss is not fun, but its manageable and its temporary.  Its so worth it in the long run

best wishes,

Carol

Oh yes, mine started about 2-3 months post-op and got worse in months 5-8.  I was one of those that lost at least half my hair.  But don't despair, I'm in the minority. 

Most people notice increased loss during months 3-5 and then see it start coming back.  You'll probably fall in with the majority.  

I thought I was going to get away with no hair loss at all, but at 5 months post-op, I began losing a little hair. The process continued for about 2 months; then stopped. I never lost a lot, which was good 'cause I didn't have that much to begin with. It's growing back again, and to my surprise, thicker than it was before. I think my healthy diet plus supplemental vitamins/minerals either encouraged new hair growth, or maybe the regrown hair is thicker and healthier because of better nutrition. Either way, I'll take it!

So good to hear that your recovery went smoothly and that you're feeling good. That dressing room moment is a wonderful NSV.

psychoticparrot

I just read in another forum on here that Zinc lozenges help with hair loss. Lozenges so that the Zinc is absorbed sublingually. This makes sense since a Zinc deficiency will cause hair loss and with the major change in our diets and the lack of nutrient absorption we used to have we could easily be Zinc deficient. Perhaps discuss it with your PCP or ask them to check your Zinc levels with your next labs.