Question:
When does the hair stop falling out of my scap? I am 6 months post opp now

I take my daily vitiams and my hair is still falling out like crazy. It is so thin now I hate the way it looks. If I was to get it cut off I am afraid it will all fall out and I will be bald.    — Tana Mallard (posted on May 4, 2007)

May 4, 2007
Mine didn't stop until about 9 months out. I took biotin, I don't know if it helped or not....but at least my hairs pretty much back to normal :)
   — seanna

May 4, 2007
I was told that your hair will fall out between 4 to 6 months out but sorry to say I am 8 months out and still losing it. It has slown down a little but not much. Thank goodness I started with really thick hair. Keep taking the vitamins and maybe try some biotin or "hair, nail & skin" vitamins. Good Luck!
   — Lost4Ever

May 4, 2007
I, too am 8 months out and mine is falling out still. I did everything I was supposed to do, protien, fluid, etc. My Doc said there is no preventative, it happens with rapid weight loss, period. I take Biotin, and countless other things, but to no avail. My hair is so thin now that I wear hair pcs. If you want to know where to get them, email me at [email protected]. The Doc said at about 9 mos it should stop and the hair will come right back in, I long for that day. Good luck!!
   — dessary316

May 4, 2007
I am 13 mos. post op and it appears I still have a small amount of hair coming out. It's normal and natural, and what would you rather have? Hair loss or being heavy? It'll all come back again. Go to the stylist and work with her to get a great cut that hides the loss. No vitamins, pills or other miracle cures will work. It just happens-nothing can prevent it. Sorry and best of luck!
   — Meghan R.

May 4, 2007
The two biggest things that you can do to help slow this down (you won't be able to stop it) is make sure that you are getting alot of protein in and take Biotin. Biotin is a B-vitamin that helps with the hair, skin and nails. Hope this helps. You could try a different haircut (that is what I did)
   — Kari_K

May 4, 2007
I was at the doctor today for my 3 month checkup and happened to ask this question. I was told that "usually" will start about now (3 mo.) and last until about a year out. I was shocked. Hope this helps.
   — Darlene G.

May 4, 2007
Hi Tana, I am 5 years post op and I remember the most scary thing about my first year was the hair thing. It fell out from 3 months up to 9 months and what I did was get a hair piece. I wore a beret (lol) and it actually looked cute. The hair pieces look so natural now...really, it will boost your morale to go have a look. There are specialty stores that will style a wig on your head, cutting it down a little like real hair and making it look good on YOU. The wigs range in price from $40 to over a hundred. Mine was medium short and kind of a frosted blond. There are pieces that have holes in them to pull through your own hair for a really natural look. I wore a wig the whole time and when my hair came back, and it always does, I kind of missed wearing the wig. I always had a "good hair day". Take some zinc supplements and it may help. Your body has undegone a tremendous shock and it is healing itself from within. Skin and hair are last on the list for attention when your body wants to heal your stomach and intestinal tract. I wish you the best. You will get over this. It is temporary. xx Kathy in Massachusetts :0)
   — Kathy A C.

May 5, 2007
Hi Tana, and thanks for asking your questions. I have good news and bad news. I read the prior posts, and I think they gave you good advice. Some try biotin and some try more protein and I have even heard that zinc helps. I am 3+ years post op and I still lose hair. That is the bad news. I will be honest and say that it was an issue prior to surgery with me, but I lose a lot more now than I did prior to surgery. In going to support groups here is what I have learned. From what they can tell losing a lot of weight like we do, and it being so consistent is a related factor. Another factor for hair loss they believe is because you eat so little protein at first that the hair roots receive a lot of damage, and ofcourse by the time you are able to really get in 50 grams of protein every day, it is several months down the road. Your hair loss begins because the damage was done several months prior, and once it is damaged, it has to complete the process of the hair (root or folicle) dying and fall out. This process, they believe takes about 3 months. So, for example, you have surgery in January, around March you would see your first signs of hair loss, and it can go on for quite some time depending on which folicles died at which time. The bottom line is most of us experience it, and some get success with biotin and zinc, or beefing up the protein, but usually when you just begin to think you escaped the dreaded hair loss, you find it is beginning to get you. I look at it this way. I will take a wig over obesity. I prefer to have my own hair, but I am so thankful to be a size 4/6 that it would really be a small price to pay. If you are too thin in the hair, you can get a wig, but wear it like a badge girl, you are losing weight and gaining health. This my friend, is something to celebrate, not be ashamed of. Celebrate every success and enjoy it. The weight loss is a battle, and it is not fun, so each success you get, enjoy that. There are some complications or consequences for surgery such as this, but the ones I have had, I would still have surgery again. I have arthritis in my knees, hips and shoulders, and even though it hurts to have it, I cannot imagine the pain with a 250 lb woman compared to 130 lbs I am now. Ii wish you the best, and hang tuff, most people to regain hair in 2 to 6 months and it passes. I am afraid that I will have this issue for life. My personal opionion is that when you go under anesthesia like we do for such a big surgery, I think hair loss or hair death can happen then. That is strictly my opinion, and I have no proof to back it up, but that is what I think. Opinions are like belly buttons, most of us have one, some are inny and some are outy, but most of us have them. Anyway, best to you and put on a smile, you may have just lost another pound! Take care, Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

May 6, 2007
Pat P and others are right- but just make sure you dDO take your Biotin, and other B vitamins and as much protein as you can get in. Hair is made up of protein like your nails and other organs. If you don't get in enough protein you can damage your other organs as well and we don't absorb protien or fat as well as those who have not had the surgery- as well as other vitamins. That is why we have to try to get in more than normal and with not being able to eat as much especially as early on in your healing as you are. I would sip on Isopure throughout the day. Mix it with other diet fruit drinks. If I don't get enough protein now my hair will let me know- but I am over 50, and women on my mom's side would lose their hair- so genetics will also be a factor. Stress is another one. Since I don't deal with my problems by eating anymore stress shows up in me in unfavorable ways. I am still learning to deal with them. Good luck.
   — Cdavis226

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