Hair loss

Okay, so how long before my hair stops falling out?  I am getting nervous and don't want to go bald.   It started about 4 months post op and has continued for about a month.  On the happy side, I have lost 71 pounds - I would like to have hair to go with my slimmer body, though. 

Hi Lisa,

First of all congratulations on your phenomenal progress! You are really working your tool for all it's worth. 

Secondly, I know how distressing the hair loss can be, but let me assure you that it does stop and your hair will come back in. The hair loss itself normally lasts about 2 to 3 months and it normally takes about that long for it to come back in. Some people swear by Biotin and when I checked with the nutritionist associated with my program at Duke they said that there are no studies validating the efficacy of Biotin, but that it certainly wouldn't hurt anything. They also said that the only way that the Biotin is effective is if you take it with Zinc, but that Zinc can build toxic levels when used more than 30 days at a time so they said only to use it for 30 days on and 30 days off. Personally, I decided to forgo the Biotin, but I know many who swear by it. 

My hair loss was very noticeable to me, but not to anyone else. After the few months of loss, my hair has come back to it's normal fullness.

Wishing you continued success,

Hi Lisa,

Well my hair was coming out real bad. It was already thin.lol But Biotin 1000mcg really helped. When I washed my hair this week there was very little loss this time. I'm one year out. Good luck to you.

Barbara,

I just wanted to thank you for posting a response to this.  I am just about 5 months post-op and am experiencing A LOT of hair loss.  It's so distressing.  Thank you for sharing!  I look forward to the day my hair stops falling out all over the place!

:)
Fran

Hi Fran,

I was also experiencing what felt like an enormous amount of hair loss when I was about where you are. It was coming out in hand fulls and at times I would be in tears. It started getting better by the time I was about 6 months post op. It seems like it starts falling out in hand fulls almost all of a sudden, but it stops falling out gradually. I know it's daunting, but it will get better and the improvement in your health and quality of life are a great trade off for the temporary discomfort. 

Hang in there!