Hair Loss!

Hi - Sorry to post about something that may be trivial beside these more severe problems but very recently ( I had my surgery on April 19th and have lost about 80 pounds) I started losing a serious amount of hair - it seems to be all over my clothes lately and when I wash my hair its even worse... anyway, i try to get as much protein as I can but does anyone have any other suggestions? I heard there was a shampoo that helps - has anyone heard of it? I hate to sound vain but even when i was at my heaviest my hair was always something i liked about myself so losing it now is really upsetting! thanks!!!

I am told the hair loss is temporary, and is due to two things: anesthesia, and a lack of protein. However, anemia can also cause hair loss. I hear the hair loss can start at around 3 months after our surgery, and begins growing back in at around 6 months. Perhaps Nizoral or Nioxin was the shampoo that you heard about, and it's worth a try. I used it before, when I lost hair due to severe anemia and anesthesia when I had a hysterectomy, and it did seem to help. Biotin also is helpful. I take two 1000 microgram tablets daily. You can find it at any vitamin or health food store. WalMart carries the Spring Valley brand, which is what I buy. I have seen folks with very significant hair loss in my support group, and they do admit to not being careful about their vitamins and protein. I have always been very careful to get in all the protein that I can, because if you have a lack of protein, hair loss is the least of your problems. My hair did thin, and at 9 months out has not grown back in as thick as it was previously, but I don't seem to be losing any more of it. And only I and my hairdresser have noticed the loss, rather than anyone being able to see it easily. So, watch your vitamins and protein. Try the shampoo, and add Biotin or Biotin Forte to your vitamin routine.

Lindsey, My surgery was April 13th and I am going through the same thing. If I keep losing hair at this rate, I can't imagine what will be left in a couple months. I have tracked my protein and faithfully taken my vitamins. The doctor didn't seem concerned and just felt that this was from the limited eating the first few weeks. I am so afraid that its going to start becoming obvious to other people. Since most people don't know I even had WLS - they are going to start to think I'm sick or something. Hair loss - extreme weight loss - etc. Let me know if you find anything that helps stop this madness! Good luck to you. Linda

Hi Linda, I had this issue for a while. It does stop and reverse itself. I work in a school and some of the students thought I had cancer because I lost weight very fast and I lost lots of hair. In the end, I told them about having WLS so they wouldn't be so anxious about it. There are lots of ideas out there for stopping it. Some people say eating more protein and taking biotin will help. I personally think only time will help. I had very long hair and got it cut shorter to minimize the weighing down on top. Now I have lots of little frizzy hairs around my face but I'm glad to see them. Hang in there. DD

Dear Lyndsey, Your hairloss is a direct result of NOT getting in enough protein shakes and your vitamins. NONE of us can get in enough protein through food we have to chew. We can ONLY get it in the way we need through the protein shakes. Problem is.... most protein shakes taste like garbage..I know. If you go to www.vitalady.com she really knows her stuff. She can recommend two really great shakes and she will tell you that you should be doing atleast 5 a day. She also will tell you the vitamins you should be taking and the amounts. I was having some serious malnutrition problems before I took her advice and ordered what I needed to. Seriously.. it saved my life. Her name is Michelle and she DID have WLS... Distal just like me. But, it doesnt matter what type of WLS you had...go to her website and you can call their 800 number and they can tell you exactly what and how much to get on. Please do this for your health. Also... please feel free to email me whenever you want at [email protected] God bless you, Heather