All those bummed out about their thinning hair...(warning: not for the faint of heart)

Need a like button right now!

I wish I new how to post pictures in a reply.  I have some pictures of my thinning hair on my page.  I didn't really see too many of those pictures before surgery and I think people need to know so they are not shocked.  My hair has always been thin and fine.  And recently - before surgery - my scalp was already starting to show.  It is just intensified now.  Thank you for sharing. 

I am so jealous of African American women, it is actually common for you guys to wear wigs.  Wigs get a bad rap from white women!  I think I need to start a new trend.....

BTW I signed up for your blog and I love that red beans and rice recipe.  Yummy :)

Well said, Nik and coragous!  I have been struggling with what we affectionately call a "receding hair line" for over 10 years.  Obviously it's different for guys than women.  Obviously, the surgery hasn't helped at all.  But, I've always had the attitude that there's not a darn thing I can and/or I am willing to do about it, might as well make the best of it.  These days, I am so overjoyed at being at a place of health that I never thought was possible - what difference does it make that my hair has gotten even thinner.  About the only time I even notice it, is the once a month (for guys keeping your hair short is the best accomadation you can make to the thinning hair dilema) hair cut when I actually have to focus on the length of my hair.  Before surgery, it used to bum me out for a little bit after I left the barber shop.  These days, I am over it before I finish paying.

It's all a matter of perspective, when I view all of the wonderful changes in my life over the last 15 months, how can I lament the loss of a couple of strands of dead cells no longer hanging from my head!

Ladies... they do make really fantastic wigs for white girls too. my mom lost her hair to cancer i***** What grew back was fine, thin, and mousy brown gray. She was devastated. She researched and found a company called Noriko that makes AWESOME and affordable (about a hundred bucks) wigs. They are not the old lady blue hair wigs we used to see. She has several very chic wigs that she wears depending on mood. They have highlights and everything. I think she is beautiful without it, but she doesn't. The wigs make her feel younger, more confident, and beautiful. And that is what matters! BTW... I think you are all amazing and find inspiration from each of your posts I read. I am early in my process but can't wait to join you all on the loser's bench!

Wow.  Just... wow. 

After my second round of hair loss (it has FINALLY stopped, thank God!) -- which started before the regrowth from after my RNY even got below my ears, since my hair grows VERY slowly -- the hair below my ears is VERY thin and the light easily shows through (even where there isn;t much light!)... but at least it is all over thinness rather than a large spot... and I do have a BUNCH of new hair that is only 1-2 inches long.

I hate going on vacation with such thin hair that I can do so little with, but I VERY MUCH appreciate your couarge to share your pics, because it does make me feel better.  Your positive self-confidence and self-image never cease to amaze me!  A diva, indeed!

Lora

Nik, I love you!
I have had thin hair all my life and actually started wearing wigs before surgery. I am a white chick and I have had all colors of wigs - have actually settled on a gray shaded version but can't figure out how to change my profile picture so it is a former style. I would never go back to trying to cover up the thin hair again. Most people who meet me have no idea I wear a wig and I get tons of compliments on my "hair". If I feel I can help someone be more accepting, I say
"it's a wig". If they are just people I don't know I say "thank you". I spend about $300 a year to get a "skin top" wig and figure it is well spent since I have no maintenance of color or styling real hair.
I never felt bad about my thin hair but the wigs are very freeing and make my happy. That's what counts.
Hugs and blessings,
Lana

WOOT! Yeah...last night I went through a PLOM moment (poor lil old me) wherein I was sick of hairpieces, didn't want a wig and was shaving my head.

I am feeling a little differently about that today.

But I also think my experience can help other newere folks put things in perspective. The hair loss is a bummer but for most it's temporary and a part of the new life they are gaining from WLS.

And if they still feel bad...I gladly offer up my experience to prove it could always be worse!

 I'm a guy who underwent his RNY on 3/15/11 and as someone who has always had lush hair as a teen, then slowly it started to thin and most of my top is gone, and I've been wearing a pony tail for four years now.  It's nice a long too.  I'm SO AFRAID about my hair falling out.  I started taking Biotin right away as it seems it couldn't hurt, but has ANYONE figured out what supplements truly support ensuring minimal hair loss.  I don't have enough left to lose!

While I don't have a condition NIK, it looks similar!

You're an inspiration, Nik!    As is everyone here, to me.  
Lizzy