Hair Loss?

For those 3-6 months out... are you losing your hair?

For the veterans... did you lose your hair?  Did it grow back, and how long did it take?

Juat want to be prepared for what I'm in for...

Thanks guys!

P.S. Happy Holidays to everyone!

Started losing some hair at 3 months out and it last until about 4.5 months out.     Got to the point where my daughter told me I had two bald spots instead of the usual one.

By 7 months out, it had all grown back.   I was hoping to get rid of both bald spots but just the "new one" went away. 

The hair loss is caused by a condition known as "telogen effluvium" -- this occurs after the body suffers a major shock -- such as the surgery we go through.    About 30% of your hair folicles go into a state of "rest" and stop growing after that shock.  The hair stay in place until the growth restarts (90-120 days after the shock).   It is actually the new growth which pushes the old hair out and causes the loss.   So, when you lose the hair, you can be thankful because that means new hair is growing in.

Yea, about 2-4 mos out the shower drain began telling me something. After 8-10 mos it ALL grew back
Dont buy a hair piece yet LOL

Merry Christmas and Good luck

Went to the local support group a couple of months ago.  We had the local WLS surgeon speak.  He was asked that question.  He said usually right a 4 months the hair starts to drop (if it's going to drop).

I didn't lose any hair, it kept growing at its normal rate.   I always have had thicker hair though.

Hair loss, if it happens (and usually it does), starts at about 3-4 months out (mine started at almost exactly 3.5 months out - from the hair in my sink!) .. 

  The explanations I've seen on OH for the loss are from the deificency in protein intake during the first few months out, to reaction from being under general anesthesia for an extended period of time.  In that I've had prior surgeries for broken limbs and didn't lose hair then, I would tend to think the former theory is the correct one.  

   There are several things you can try to do to minimize it, whi*****lude the following:  

  1- protein-loading for many weeks prior to surgery;   post-surgery:

  1- making sure to get in at least 100 grams of protein in daily;
  2- take a full-spectrum amino acid supp. every day (i.e. one that contains ALL the amino acids);
  3- taking daily supps of chromium piccolinate, zinc piccolinate and biotin.

 Eventually, the loss should stop after a few weeks, no matter what you do.   Whether it grows back in or not seems to be somewhat subjective, but usually the majority of "losers" will eventually get it back, from what I've read on here .. 

  One funny thing about the hair loss, if you were pretty "headful" before surgery, is that you may notice your ears like never before, at first loss.  Our ears actually grow slightly throughout our lives, but if they are covered with hair for many years you may not be aware that they have "grown" until you have thinned hair on the sides.    This look can be even more dramatic b/c of the weight loss, which tends to flatten out the cheeks ..     (just call me "Obama-ears" now   )  

I lost a lot of hair during month 3 - 5 but it is slowing down now that I am at 6 months. I was blessed with thick hair so the only one that really notices is my wife when I get out of the shower. It is a minor inconvenience and , for me at least, it seems temporary.

Hello!   I understand that taking Biotin is good for hairloss and I'm just wondering how much you need to take.  I've seen them 300 mg, 500 mg and 5000 mg....how much do you really need?  I'd appreciate any information anyone out there can share with about Biotin or any other supplements that are good for hairloss.  Thanks!

Gina