Question:
Almost 3 mos post-op RNY & starting to lose hair...what can I do to slow it down?

I wanted to advise from post-ops about losing hair. I just started to lose my hair. Is there anything I can do to slow it down? Certain kinds of vitamins, shampoos, proteins? Anything? Please give me your input on what worked best for you. Also will my hair grow back? Thanks for your help!    — Allison T. (posted on June 29, 2002)

June 29, 2002
Do everything right- take in the appropriate amount of supplimental protein, take vitamins, eat healthy. You may still lose hair because of shifting hormones and such, but atleast you will have done all you can do. I lost hair at 3 1/2 months post-op, I had long hair and had to cut it short. It didn't last long, and 1-2 months later, my hair looked great.
   — Melissa B.

June 29, 2002
I don't think anything helps. Except maybe, don't pull your hair into a ponytail, this can accelerate the loss. I started losing a lot of hair 3 mos on the dot. I recently cut it short and it looks and feels a lot better. I am now almost 5 mos out and the loss has slowed down quite a bit. Hang in there! There will be times you think you are going bald, but you will be okay. Trust me if there were thousands of bald Gastric Bypass patients running around, we would have seen evidence on the news by now!
   — sara J.

June 29, 2002
What I have been using is called Advanced Woman's Formula Hair, Skin, and Nails. It's by Futurebiotics and I got it by vitalady.com. It worked great for me. I started losing my hair around month 4 and finally at month 8-9 it has stopped and has started growing again. Actually my nails have also started becoming rather stronger than before. (60" distal RNY 08/28/01 -95 lbs)
   — trtorrey

June 29, 2002
Horse tail herb. You get it at the health food store. Your hair loss will virtually stop within 3-4 weeks. Just ask them they will know what you are talking about.
   — terrifogle40

June 29, 2002
I hear the Proteinex works really well at preventing hair loss. There are links to their site from this site, or you can use this link: http://www.llorenspharm.com/proteinex.htm.
   — Jennifer Y.

June 29, 2002
Hi. I am almost 8 months post op. I (and probably everyone) have gone thru the same hair loss situation. I am of the opinion that you may as well save your money. No matter what vitamins I took or what shampoos I used, the hair loss continued. I am noticing in the past week or so the hair loss is slowing, just everyone told me it would. It's part of the process. I wore my hair short and actually, not one single person noticed except me. I would recommend no hair coloring, perms, etc. as this would seem to me to accelerate the hair loss. My opinion only tho.
   — Annie H.

June 29, 2002
I have to agree with the others that say there's probably nothing you can do. Like clockwork, I started losing my hair at three months, and nothing I did stopped it, or even slowed it down. I took zinc supplements (my surgeon's advice) and upped my protein to 100 grams a day. External shampoos and such don't do anything. Then, like clockwork, it slowed down at 6 months, and now at 7 months, it's stopped. (I did cut it at almost 6 months, and maybe the lighter weight helped). Just be extra gentle with your hair. I stopped blow drying it, and used a hairbrush with very widely spaced bristles. I also didn't use peroxide, chosing a single-process dye job to cover my grey (at my hairdresser's suggestion). I think it's just a universal side effect from the surgery and you just have to ride it out. I haven't read of anyone who didn't lose hair (though you almost never read any of the men commenting on this issue...hmmmmm).
   — Cyndie K.

June 29, 2002
I too had the beginnings of hairloss at 3 1/2 months. It's finally tapered off to the point that I think it will stop falling out soon. My hair is noticably (to me and my family) thinner around the front hairline and back about 3 inches, I am stylingit differently and have shortened it a bit. I am eating 100 grams of high quality protein/day, taking zinc and biotin and 2 multi-vitamins a day. It's almost 100% certain that we will have some hair loss. I believe it's related to all the drugs/anesthesia in our system, and the dramatic decrease in nutrients that occurs post-op. It will come back, so hang in there and avoid all strong winds!
   — DianeN