Hair loss

Hi I am a new member here and I am very depressed right now. I had my surgery in Sept. 07 and have lost 70 pounds since then. I have started suffering severe hair loss about a month or so ago, and it is depressing me terribly. Has anyone else experienced this and does it eventually stop, I am thinking I am going to be bald before too much longer. I have tried and tried to up my protein every day, but I can't tolerate the smell of the protein powders or drinks so I am having some problem with this. First I was told 65 grams a day, no I am told to get at the least 80 grams a day. I am eating protein bars but they only have 10 grams of protein per bar and eating whole bars at a sit down is counter productive as they fill me up and then I don't want to eat my lunch or dinner. My surgeon told me to drink Cytosports Pure Protein drinks that are similar to gatorade (fruit flavors) not the vanilla chocolate kind, but I cannot find them anywhere around here. He said he got them at Sam's Club but our nearest one doesn't have them, and they are expensive to ship if I buy them on the Net. Does anyone know where these can be bought in South Jersey (Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May County area)? I just right now need someone to listen to me because I can't get to the support group at the present and I need to vent and need some encouragement. Thanks in advance for any help, advice, and/or encouragement.

Hair loss is common.  I meet my protein goals almost daily, and have begun losing hair as well.  As my surgeon said, not a single one of her patients has gone bald.  It seems so bad - but truthfully - it's probably only YOU who is noticing it - because YOU are the one pulling out handfuls in the shower (doing the same thing over here!)

You can take 1500-3000 MCG of biotin a day - which they say helps. I started taking this early out because I knew of this - however - I'm still losing my hair, so I dont' know.  GNC Hair and Nails formula has 3000mcg of biotin in two pills.

I don't know about the protein stuff you are talking about, unfortunately.  I get most of protein in from food sources, and only have a protein shake occassionally.  My goal is 70 and I'm normally between 70 and 85.

Other tips for the hair loss:  Try to let your hair dry naturally without a blow dryer or anything else as much as possible.  Heat makes the hair weaker.  Try not to pull it up into a pony tail or anything else - it puts stress on the root and makes it easier to come out.  Never use a brush when your hair is wet, only a wide tooth comb.  Less pulling.  If it's tangled when it's wet, use a leave in conditioner or something to help get through the tangles without pulling so much.

They say it's most common in months 3-7 and it does eventually stop, and actually comes in nicer from what others have said. Hang in there, it'll get better.

Pam

Thanks for the reply. I try to get my protein from food too but thats a lot of food and still can only eat small amounts at one sitting. Do you have any suggestions on a high protein snack that maybe I can nibble on, I eat nuts and cheese if I get hungry between snacks but they aren't super high in protein and are high in fat. The protein bars are okay but a person gets tired of the same thing over and over again. I do take the GNC hair skin and nails formula 2 pills a day, 2 calcium w/D daily, B-12 and a multi vitamin everyday. Thanks again for the help.

I'm 4 months out - so I know what you mean by eating small amounts.  Some staples in my diet: 2% string cheese.  I can eat two of them slowly.  8gm of protein each so two (as a meal) has 16gm Ricotta cheese.  1/2 cup = 20 gm protein (of non fat ricotta)  I mix with either splenda and cinnamon for a "rice pudding" like flavor or mozzarella and sf spaghetti sauce for a noodless lasagna.  Heated in the microwave. Precooked chicken - I find that to be very moist.  I make a chicken salad with that, some veggies cut up very fine, some almonds, and low fat mayo or ranch.  3 ounces = 21gm Home made/store bought chilli.  Made with either ground lean beef or chicken.  Goes down easily.  Beef = approximately 8gm/ounce and chicken approximately 6 or 7gm/ounce I do have some protein bars. When I need to crunch, I found online "revival soy chips"  7gm per individual snack size bag.  www.revivalsoy.com I believe.  GREAT flavors including sour cream and onion.  I don't like their ranch flavor. Greek yogurt. Plain it tastes AWFUL - kinda like sour cream.  One brand name is Fage.  There's another brand name that begins with an "O" but I can't remember it....Add some splenda and sf jam and it's yummy.  I think about 6 ounces (but it goes down easy so I can finish that without a problem as long as I take my time) has 13gm of protein.  I do use it as a sub for sour cream in recipies though.  Just be careful if it's a hot di**** can break up if you don't mix it in thouroughly or whatever That's what I eat off the top of my head. I spice things up differently, bake them differently etc. to change up my diet.  I also have added more fruits and veggies to my diet (not an easy thing to do with limited capacity) because I was having some trouble with BMs...but that seems to be improving with the fruits/veggies and I take fiber tablets now too. Pam

I am scare of lossing my hair too. Before surgery i had this hair loss problems but never paid attention to it, now with the surgery i know it will be more severe.

I've heard about BIOTIN, but the nurse told me that it really doesn't make a difference, Only the protein will kinda of help.

Hope that someone can help.

Miriam

The hair loss is normal, please don't worry. Taking in extra protein really is a good idea. I tend to do a lot of online ordering for specialty items. A number of doctors recommend the Nectar protein powders. They have a lot of flavors, they mix well with water, and go down easily. My favorite from that line is Strawberry-kiwi, and there are a lot of others.  I think I ordered my last batch from vitacost.com. The drink has about 23 grams of protein and only 90 calories, in a scoop. Hang in there!

I would get a good hair weave (sewn in on your own  tiny braids) or in addition to a wiglet sewn in on top to get you through until it comes back too. I just got one at my hair salon that helps chemo patients and it is a God send and it looks so natural and I love it! I go to Aqua Aerobics 2x a week and swimming no one is the wiser! It is beautiful human hair and it only cost $100 to weave in and $75 for the hair. I can re-use it and have alot left over for any future needs. They only need to re-braid it based on how fast your hair grows back in. I have not had the surgery yet but my hair so thin on top you can see my scalp and it is all falling out and I am on minoxidil just to keep enough for the braids to keep my weave in. You are very lucky already! Don't stress!  Look good!

morning to you -- i have posted this a few times -- but always worth reposting i think :)  we also don't have alot of money to spend on special foods -- personally i have not had my hair fall out due to WLS -- i have had my hair fall out due to stress in the past and also from chemo -- i hated to brush my hair or even wash my hair cuz i knew more and more was coming out -- my husband does not like powdered protein or the shakes -- he gets ALL of his protein from foods -- i drink a shake in the morning as i am not a breakfast person -- we do not cook pasta, rice or potatoes anymore for dinner -- we only eat protein for dinners -- after that piece of pork or chicken we are full anyways -- better than filling up on starches anyways - -the best of luck to you :) you can get all your protein in with just foods -- eat 3 meals a day and 3 snacks a day -- it is possible if you plan it out properly with your own schedule -- you can munch on a cheese stick while in the car -- even a 3oz can of tune can be eaten as a snack -- snacks do not have to be 'snack foods' -- they can be anything you want them to be -- when making chicken make extra -- i use alot of shake & bake -- i find that this will keep the chicken or port moist while baking -- then i package up the extra i cooked into sandwich bags for the week or whenever -- just pop it in the microwave now -- if you an drink milk -- 3 glasses of 8oz of milk a day is 24g of protein -- that is more than a 1/3 of what you need -- a 4oz hamburger with a slice of cheese for dinner is about 32g of protein -- you are only 20g away from your total for the day so far -- now throw in a 3 oz can of tuna for lunch and that is about 18g -- you are at 62g so far -- and this is without breakfast which could be a couple of eggs = 12 grams -- we are up to 74g of protein -- and you still have 2 snacks to go -- good luck to you :) hope this helps Roberta

Beef

 

• Hamburger patty, 4 oz – 28 grams protein

   

• Steak, 6 oz – 42 grams

   

• Most cuts of beef – 7 grams of protein per ounce

   

Chicken

 

• Chicken breast, 3.5 oz - 30 grams protein

   

• Chicken thigh – 10 grams (for average size)

   

• Drumstick – 11 grams

   

• Wing – 6 grams

   

• Chicken meat, cooked, 4 oz – 35 grams

   

Fish

 

• Most fish fillets or steaks are about 22 grams of protein for 3 ½ oz (100 grams) of cooked fish, or 6 grams per ounce

   

• Tuna, 6 oz can - 40 grams of protein

   

Pork

 

• Pork chop, average - 22 grams protein

   

• Pork loin or tenderloin, 4 oz – 29 grams

   

• Ham, 3 oz serving – 19 grams

   

• Ground pork, 1 oz raw – 5 grams; 3 oz cooked – 22 grams

   

• Bacon, 1 slice – 3 grams

   

• Canadian-style bacon (back bacon), slice – 5 – 6 grams

   

Eggs and Dairy

 

• Egg, large - 6 grams protein

   

• Milk, 1 cup - 8 grams

   

• Cottage cheese, ½ cup - 15 grams

   

• Yogurt, 1 cup – usually 8-12 grams, check label

   

• Soft cheeses (Mozzarella, Brie, Camembert) – 6 grams per oz

   

• Medium cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss) – 7 or 8 grams per oz

   

• Hard cheeses (Parmesan) – 10 grams per oz

   

Beans (including soy)

 

• Tofu, ½ cup 20 grams protein

   

• Tofu, 1 oz, 2.3 grams

   

• Soy milk, 1 cup - 6 -10 grams

   

• Most beans (black, pinto, lentils, etc) about 7-10 grams protein per half cup of cooked beans

   

• Soy beans, ½ cup cooked – 14 grams protein

   

• Split peas, ½ cup cooked – 8 grams

   

Nuts and Seeds

 

• Peanut butter, 2 Tablespoons - 8 grams protein

   

• Almonds, ¼ cup – 8 grams

   

• Peanuts, ¼ cup – 9 grams

   

• Cashews, ¼ cup – 5 grams

   

• Pecans, ¼ cup – 2.5 grams

   

• Sunflower seeds, ¼ cup – 6 grams

   

• Pumpkin seeds, ¼ cup – 19 grams

   

• Flax seeds – ¼ cup – 8 grams

   

I add Unjury unflavored protein powder to a lot of things- yogurt, coffee, tea,  It boosts the protein value  for about 80 cals a scoop- 22 gms of protein. You have to do mailorder from Unhury.com. I also get pre-mixed chocolate shakes from Costco- Muscle Milk- which are again abotu 20 grams per serving- 220 cals. You can get a lot of flavors of Muscle Milk at Vitaminworld and the powder cheaper at the Woodbury Commons Vitamin place but the pre-mixed anywhere but Costco is pricey. Good luck.