braids, are they ok?

Hi my fellow BAFers,
I was wondering if anyone had micros when they were in the "hair loss stage"? If so, how did they look, was your hair okay? Did you braids fall out?

Also, did you have to have them pinch? What did you do when your hair started to fall out?

During the hair loss phase of your journey, you really want to stay away from any and everything that adds weight to your hair. I lost hair (especially at my hairline) from my micro braids. I'm not sure of the texture of you hair, but I would stay away from micro braids if you've already noticed thinning and or breakage. I have locs now and I'm completely out of those hair loss stages (5 years post op), but please you will want to really up your protein and water during this phase....

Natural hair, no braids, wash & wear.  Massive drain clogging hair loss.  All from the scalp, no breakage. 

Up your protein

Take biotin daily.  Its water soluable so you can't OD. 

Never skip your vits.  Ever!

Get 100 oz of water and include lots of plain water in the mix. 

I have heard mixed reviews on braids of the luv/ hate variety.  What I've gleened from others is do not opt for tight braids that will pull the hair from your scalp.  Be gentle with your edges.  Perhaps cornrows along the edges done with loose tension. 

My fall out period is done but I still take biotin for maintenance.  I also treat my edges very gently. 

I would not advise braids, especially tight ones during this phase. Every person is different and so is your hair loss phase. My biggest hair loss didn't start until I was 8 months out and I lost a lot but I had enough hair for 3 people. I have natural hair and it was bra length and extremely thick. I'm almost 3 yrs out and have recently gone through alopecia, which means that I have some bald spots on my scalp. I don't know if it is wls related or related to some other issues because I have some other health issues. I will say that biotin, keeping my protein levels where they should be, taking my vitamins and drinking my water kept my hair healthy. I've had a very rough year health wise and my hair and skin is showing it. Braids can pull your hair out and lace front wigs have damaged many hair lines. Go to you tube and learn about natural hair protective hairstyles. That has saved my hair and natural products that I use on it. Good luck,

The reality is I do not want to go "natural" what did you all use during this phase?

hi there!!  i haven't had my surgery yet so my perspective comes from having thyroid disease.  I had hair past my shoulder and it started to fall out at the root and the sides.  I took the leap and just cut it.  There are alot of options such as changing the type of hair products, going natural and when you want to, use a flat iron to straighten your hair.

There are possibilities.  I can safely say that hair loss is temporary.  Just think, they changing hairstyle goes along with the changing you.

I am a relaxer user.  Days before surgery, I had a retouch. My hair was long (at bra line) at that time, so I did a 'Pebbles Flintstone' top of the head loose ponytail while in the hospital so that my Hubby, Mom & friend could comb it (I couldn't reach up; my surgery was the big open cut).  During the early weight loss phase, I lost some hair (from the roots), but since mine was super thick to begin with, so only my Mom & I could tell. 

I know of 5 other sisters who also use relaxer & got fresh retouches just before surgery; 4 of them also did well, with only minimal hair loss.  The exception was the one who admitted that she slacked on her protein intake and did not take Biotin. 

One other lady I met at support group had micro braids & kept them during & after surgery.  She lost nearly an inch of her edges all the way around.  I know no details of her protein/biotin intake, as I only heard of her hair loss as she spoke of it at the podium during a meeting.

I continue to take 5000 mcg of Biotin daily.

I've been natural for over 16 yrs. and I always had long hair but had the "Halle Berry" short haircut back then because I had 2 children 19 months apart. I did try some braids twice but I have a pain condition and my hair grew so fast that it only lasted 3 weeks. I had a style that was cornrows with extensions but they were in layers so they didn't look like a little girl and also I couldn't sit for a long time for my hair so it only took a couple of hours. I basically wore those ez ponytails until I had my own ponytail but I didn't have surgery until almost 3 yrs ago. I don't know if VSG people lose as much hair as others. Good luck. Braids will cause hair loss on any person if they are too tight.