I'm new here

Hi all I am new to the BAF, but not new to OH.  I have been lurking around here for some time.  I was in a transition phase as to what type of surgery I should have.  I teetered between RNY and DS and I decided on RNY.  I am posting here to hopefully meet new friends and vets to help me along my way.  I am scheduled to have surgery 8/23 the day b/4 my birthday.  So I will be spending my birthday in the hospital.  I have a few questions.  I am concerned about my hair thinning.  I know that we all thin with WLS, and I have heard about Biotin, but wondered if it works for AA hair?  If any of you have taken this and it did work for you, what brand was it and what was the amount of the dosage and how many times a day did you use it?  I want to get a jump start on it now.  I know they come in different mg so I am not sure what I should get.  I also read that Nioxin shampoo works and helps make the hair fuller looking, but the people that did the reviews did not state whether the were AA or not so I wonder if it will work for my hair.  Also did any of you have extensions at the time of surgery?  I have them now b/c I am growing out a short cut and I am working will I have to take them out for surgery.  Thanks for reading and I look forward to getting to know everyone.

Hi & welcome to the fam!   It's not as lively around here as it used to be, but it's still a good place to hang. 

As far as my hair is concerned, i did take biotin for several months, but can't really say it helped, as my hair did shed really badly & biotin is also supposed to help nails grow as well, but it didn't do jack for mine!   However, it was about the 6th-7th month before this started to occur & then it went downhill fastRegardless, it's going to shed at some point, but I'd say take it anyway, as it may lessen the effects.

Thanks!

Yea I have heard mixed reviews some says it worked and others say it didn't.  I will start taking it and see what happens.  Thanks for your response!

Welcome mizzindependent

I don't know of anything that really helps hair, nothing helped mine.  I had bald spots for years until I started taking Dr. Lessman Hair and nails pills which I got from Home Shopping Network (HSN).  

I too had a RNY and you will be having yours a day after my birthday, 8/22.    I hope everything goes really well for you and you are happy and healthy following your surgery.

Thanks Lee!  I have never heard of those pills.  I will look them up.  I'm sure I can't stope the inevitable hair loss, but I was thinking I could slow down the amout that would come out. (wishful thinking).  Oh wow You share the same birthday as my hubby .  Thanks I am hoping and praying everything goes well too. 

my hair did thin out and fall out but it is slowing growing back, with all the vits, biotin, i also started using castor oil which is debatable. i did not worry too much about my hair as much as worrying about being approved for surgery! Some people may be lucky and did not experience hair loss, but protein, water and vits are important building blocks. i am a weave diva so i have a full weave. i previously wore my hair natural for 10 years in twists but the thinning episode stopped that! good luck with your surgery welcome to a new and healthy you!

Thanks mel1964!  Yeah I am sure I cannot stop the inevitable.  Most everyone tried things and nothing stopped the hair loss.  Well I will deal with it as it comes.  Thanks for the luck! 

Hi Mizz I...., and welcome to the BAFam.  I too had RNY a couple of years ago.  I don't have any magic cure or prevention for the hair loss.  Mine started thinning and falling out about 6 months in.  I had, and still have, major bald spots and joined the wonderful world of weave as well.  I've been taking Walmart brand Biotin and vits.  I can't say that they have really worked.  I can tell some fuzz growing back in places.  So perhaps it may take more time.  I think I will try and find the product that Lee mentioned also.

Be wishes for a successful wl journey. 

J

Hi dstgirl200! Yea I am going to look for the stuff that Lee mentioned too.  Thanks for the best wishes.  I'm nervous, but I know that is normal.

Welcome.  I was on my pre op diet for my birthday.  The hospital day in advance will be well worth it. 

Biotin works internally not like a hair reatment so it can work for anyone.  My only regret is not starting it with my bariatric vitamins.  For me it worked extremely well even though I started after the fallout was major. 

My hair is natural and I only straighten occaisionally.  Most often I cowash and go.  Your growing short cut may be no more an issue than it would be without wls.  Biotin plus keeping the protein up and you may never shed.  There are people who's hair does not thin at all.