Question:
Hair loss

Not until recently has my hair actually started to fall out. It's not falling out in little bits but more like handfuls. I part my hair the whole way from the top of my forehead to the back of my skull down to the bottom near my butt and brush each side. After brushing one side, I have to clean out the brush because so much hair is coming out. Yes I do have a thyroid disorder and my hair does fall out, but a few strands here or there, but now it's falling out like crazy. Btw, I'm almost 5 months post op. My questions are: Is there anything I can do to stop the hair loss? What can I do, if anything, to regrow some hair?    — Nina15137 (posted on October 16, 2009)

October 16, 2009
Hi there, The hair loss is almost not preventable. Keeping up on your protein will help you as well as possibly taken the vitamin Biotin. When I hit 4.5 months my hair started coming out in handfulls as I would brush it. I didnt worry at first and then by 5 months I was like OMG Im going to go bald. I'll be honest, I get a good amount of protein in now and rarely take my bitotin regularly but at almost 6 months the hair loss has stopped for the most part!! So just hang in there it will stop falling out and it will come back!!! Good luck and try to focus on all the positives!!
   — Laurieanna319

October 16, 2009
I didn't start losing any hair until almost 6 months out (a month and a half ago). I make sure to get LOTS of protein (I know that they say 65 to 80 grams a day is the number to shoot for - but I try to get in over 100 grams). I also take Biotin twice a day. I spoke to my hairdresser, and she recommended the Nioxin products. They have one for "noticably thinning" hair. You have your shampoo, your conditioner, and a bottle of some kind of "foam" treatment for after your shower. It's incredibly expensive, and to tell the truth, I don't see that's it's doing me a whole LOT of good.... but I've already purchased it and we'll see how it continues to work.
   — Erica Alikchihoo

October 16, 2009
Hi I too had hair loss and it started about 5 months..or 50 lbs loss. It started growing in immediately tho..you will notice lil hairs...I did the higher protein (80 grams) and biotin 1000 and it seemed to help some. But I have heard mixed reviews on it. It will grow back in, but I am 15 months out and the hair I lost at 5 months is only about 4 inches long now...I have long hair, so it has a long way to go before I look full again. I do plan on getting my hair cut soon to my shoulders, but it,the new growth, will still be shorter than that. It does get better so hang in there! Best of luck to you! hugs,kim
   — gpcmist

October 17, 2009
Happened around the same tiume for me too - really stressed me out as it was all at the front!! ANYWAY, I was advised (& it worked!) to take Zinc. Funny thing is, my hair has all come back in waves & I have always had dead straight hair! Looks great, ha!
   — ditzyangeluk

October 17, 2009
You've seen enough answers to know that hair loss and its re-growth varies from individual to individual. I am at 5 mos. also and I too have been losing a lot of hair. My hair was down to the middle of my back and I think the loss was more noticeable because of the long length. I finally got tired of stressing over it and whacked it off last weekend in a short, angled bob. OMG, what a difference! All week I've watched my hairbrush...and floors, clothing, countertops....everywhere I would find my hair. Now the FEW hairs I find are are just that. Few. The loss seems significantly less because the hairs falling out now are shorter. Little mind trick but it's working for me. I FEEL better and I think that helps alleviate any hair loss attributed to stress factors. I get in avg 90-100g protein and am faithful on all my supplements. I don't take extra Biotin though as I don't want to increase hair growth because it doesn't affect just your head. I already spend plenty of time & money on personal upkeep. I don't want to have to take out stock in the razor industry too. Just hang in there & maintain your supplements and protein. It WILL re-grow. And maybe consider a new hairstyle. I may color mine too if the thinning continues.
   — Arkin10

October 17, 2009
Mine started to fall out and the minute I started taking in more protein the hair loss stopped.
   — kaylazoe

October 18, 2009
I had RNY Jan 8, 2009. My hair loss started around 4 months and lasted until about 7 months. It still comes out, but not as bad as it did those few months. I just cut my hair pretty short..a little longer than chin length, to give the illusion that it was thicker..if I left it long, it looked too thin and straggly (lol). Be sure to take your vitamins, folic acid helps as does zinc. Increase your protien. Good luck!
   — Lyndsay30

October 18, 2009
I use 5000mg of Biotin and Walmart brand of Rogaine (every night. It has really slowed the hairloss progression. My doctor said my hair should begin to grow back in November if compaired to the national average. I had RNY on 2 June. Good luck.
   — karensaporito