Question:
Hair lost and dying my hair

I am 4 1/2 months post-op RNY and have been loosing some hair for the last month or two. A month ago I began taking Biotin and folic acid as some of you guys recommended. I take one folic acid a day and 2 biotin, is this enough? Also I have an appointment on Tuesday to retouch some highlights and new growth. Is this okay? Has anyone done this and what difference did it make on the hair lost? I hope not much!! Thank you! Carmen    — cedonato (posted on October 11, 2007)

October 11, 2007
I did not color my hair becuae I thought it would make it fall out more. So, I did look like crap for a long time. Then someone said to me "why would coloring your hair effect your new growth.?" That made sense to me after I thougt about it. I know I lost a lot of hair. Their is not much youcan do about it. You just have to thtnk of it as a trade off. BUt, it will stop I promise and it wil be worth it!!!!
   — Kathy B.

October 11, 2007
Hi Carmen Keep up the good work loosing. I am almost 3 years RNY post op. I have not been on here for a while. I too highlight my hair and did all thru my loss. I started loosing my hair and boy did I loose a lot. I was told by my surgeon that it was due to not enough protein intake. Once I started increasing my protein on a regular basis it slowly stopped falling out. I would recommend trying Nioxin shampoo and treatment. It is what I used and it made me feel like it helped. I purchased it at local salons. Please dont get discouraged. It will stop and you will not be bald. (that was my fear!!!)
   — malzosso

October 11, 2007
I am 10 months post op and had some hair loss and then started taking folic acid and biotin 500 mgs and sometimes 1000 mg a day and increased my protein intake and what a difference it made. I have always had very full hair and was terrified that now at 54 I would have the mature woman baldness that seems to go hand in hand with menopause. Keep taking those vitamins and most important the PROTEIN. I color and highlite my hair and the hair sylist was the one that turned me on to the vitamins and when she saw me 3 months later she could tell the difference that the hair was getting thicker again.
   — gasadi

October 12, 2007
I too experienced the hair loss, I made sure I was getting enough protein and also took Biotin. I am now 8 months out and the loss has almost stopped. Of course I did decide to start letting my hair grow out a few months before surgery, so I really worried when the hair started to fall out. But I did go to my salon and had my stylist color (low lights and high lights) and had her give me a really good cut (not length, but layers and razor cut for fullness). She did a really good job. If you trust your stylist have her make some suggestions as to how to make the most of your hair during this period. I had my hair done at 3 1/2 months out and the cut still looks really good, but now I'm reminded of just how much I NEED that COLOR! Enjoy your new transformation......... Toni
   — Toni Todd

October 12, 2007
With the limited protein you take in you should consider adding a collagen protein which specifically supports hair, skin, nails, joints, and other connective tissue. A good one is Regena-pro which gives you 9gm in 1 fl oz and only 1 gm of sugar. If you have a question I'm a trainer and sports nutrition specialist so feel free to email me. [email protected]. Stick with it. =)
   — maxmuscle1342

October 12, 2007
I started the hair loss at about 3 1/2 months out, and now am 6 1/2 months out and it has slowed considerably. At about 4 months I started taking biotin and what a difference that made. I immedicately started noticing re-growth, and I thank God I started out with super thick hair, so no one but me can tell the difference. Hang in there, keep up the good work, good luck and God bless!
   — crystalsno

October 12, 2007
you should be losing weight not hair, lol sorry i shouldnt laught but it was funny. but i hope you get your hair back... id take a multi vitamin.. i do
   — Kimberly F.

October 16, 2007
Hey Carmen, I am a hairstylist and I do know that you lose hair from the inside out...The hairloss we have because of the surgery is due to what is going on internally...so go ahead and color...I know it will make you feel better...Tonya
   — hairgoddess