Question:
Hair Loss
I am in the same boat as one of the others that posted a couple days ago. I'm now 5 months and 80lbs down and no appetite. My question is when does the hair loss stop. I had extremely thick hair to begin with but I'm loosing so much its scarng me now. I am having trouble getting my protien in but trying. I know the not having an appetite doesn't help. I have added Biotin to my vitimins. But just want to know what to do or when it stops. — Pam_B_OR (posted on April 13, 2008)
April 13, 2008
I have had problems with hair loss in the past. Bioten helps. You can also
use a shampoo for thining hair called Nioxin level 3. It's available at
hairstylists. Dovenex is a prescription that my dermatologist gave me. It's
a vitamen D topical formulation that you put on your scalp to stimulate
growth. These are the strategies that have worked for me and my hair is
coming back.
— joyclynt
April 13, 2008
I have had problems with hair loss in the past. Bioten helps. You can also
use a shampoo for thining hair called Nioxin level 3. It's available at
hairstylists. Dovenex is a prescription that my dermatologist gave me. It's
a vitamen D topical formulation that you put on your scalp to stimulate
growth. These are the strategies that have worked for me and my hair is
coming back.
— joyclynt
April 13, 2008
My surgeon usually recommends taking the biotin before surgery up to about
6-8 months post op. This helps to lessen the hair loss and speed up the
hair regrowth. Attending support group meetings would have made this fact
known to you many weeks ago. This is another reason I strongly suggest
people attend support meetings PRIOR to and AFTER RNY surgery. It helps
answers so many questions you may have.
— Dave Chambers
April 13, 2008
i get i little tired of dave reprimading everyone that they should be going
to support meetings. there are none where i am!! this is our support
group. i am happy to read about all the positive answers people have to
any question asked. if you go to so many support groups, it doens't sound
like you need this one.
— bumstier
April 13, 2008
I also had hair loss problems.. and I had thin hair to begin with.. anyhow
I take biotin 2000mcg a day sometimes twice a day, depending if I had
enough protein for that day. I did notice that as soon as I bumped up my
protein my hair has been growing in thiker and I love it.. If you are
having problems upping your protein try to start eating the foods with lots
of protein in them, all meats, vegy burgers, tuna, beans, peanutbutter,
eggs,( I use egg beaters), carnation sugar free instant chocolate mix... I
do love my protein shakes though so its not a problem for me unless its one
of those days where "I just don't want to eat".. and that happens
at least once a week. My shakes I add sugar free pudding to them, like my
bananna flavor shake I add vanilla pudding to it, and my chocolate shakes I
add peanut butter and a bit of splenda (tastes just like a reases cup) my
orange flavor I don't add anything to it, taste just fine with me, but im
sure there would be something out there to make it taste like orange cream
soda.. I'll have to work on that one.. lol
Anyhow, I also know that our hair and nails are made up of all proteins so
if you can't get your protein in your hair and nails will always suffer :(
sorry I know thats not something you wanted to hear, so try to get in at
least 75g of protein a day this will definately be a bonus..
Take care, hope this helps.
Paula
— japaad
April 13, 2008
Welcome to the hair loss club. I started losing mine at about 4.5 months
and lost it, literally, by the sandwich-bag full. I have extremely thick
hair as well so it didn't show as much. I agree that the Biotin pre-op
would have been helpful but that's how it goes. Don't worry. You won't go
bald and, most likely, you'll be the only one who notices. Be sure to get
your protein in. Up the shakes a bit if you have to but get it in. My
loss stopped around month 7 or 8. My hair is in the best shape ever now so
maybe that's incentive for you. :) Oh, and if your hair is really long,
that's adding to the huge hair loss. Get it trimmed a bit (I went
shoulder-length) and that will slow it down a bit too. Good luck!!! And,
you're doing great!!!
— lv2beasahm
April 13, 2008
I never had hair loss problems I ate a lot of protein and do vitamin B
shots. A friend of mine found that protein was a big help in her hair loss.
You are lacking major vitamins. I am now 9 years post op and still taking
vitamin B shots and still make sure I get enough protein.
— nascar_angel_3_2003
April 13, 2008
the only thing that works is the proper amount of protein -- human hair is
made of protein -- good luck
— RCassety
April 13, 2008
I started attending support group about 6 months before surgery, and still
attend every month (surgery was 12/06), but no one there has ever brought
up using biotin for hair loss. So I guess support group doesn't always
solve everything. I did learn on here about the biotin though, and started
taking that shortly after surgery. I had hair loss, and ended up cutting
my hair shorter because it looked so straggly. But after a couple months
it quit falling out so bad, and has filled back in nicely now.
— Cheryl A.
April 13, 2008
Dave suggests going to support meetings before and after. Well, it was
MANDATORY that we attend 2 support group meetings prior to surgery. While
they did discuss hair loss, we were given NO, ZILCH, ZIP, ZERO options of
things to take or do to prevent hair loss either PRIOR to or AFTER
surgery!!! Not to get off subject, but I feel there are LOTS of things the
surgeons, nutritionists, etc. should be covering at meetings and they
don't. I also feel that there should be an EXTREMELY COMPREHENSIVE website
or information on WLS somewhere that outlines EVERY POSSIBLE COMPLICATION,
whether you have a 1 in 100 chance of having the complication or a 1 in a
million chance. There were so many things I found out AFTER surgery that I
wish I had known before so I could better prepare. Now getting back to
thinning hair. I too had thick hair and now it is thin. My hair dresser
has me using a Loreal Professionel product called volume maximizing, or
something to that effect. It is in a light green bottle. I too have heard
of Biotin and Nioxin. I work for a dermatologist and he said that after a
year it grows back. Stress, surgery, etc. can cause hair loss. I just try
to think positively and realize (A) I don't need as much shampoo,
conditioner, hair product, (B) my hair dries lickety split with the hair
dryer, and (C) it isn't as hot anymore. Granted, I wish I could have my
old hair back, but I have to make the most of what I do have and be
thankful it isn't totally awful looking.
— ALafferty
April 13, 2008
Hi there, I experienced the hair loss too. I am 10 months post op and it
has slowed down tremendously. It's getting back to normal slowly but
surely. I had a hard time with protein shakes and such and all I've taken
are my vitamins. Rest assured though, it does stop. I hope you feel better.
Good Luck
— tarazerm
April 14, 2008
Hey Pam!
I remember you from Crescent City! I am 4 1/2 years post op lap RNY. My
hair fell out crazy at first. It was really long. I got it cut to my
shoulders. It is now to the middle of my back again. It will grow back as
thick as ever or close to it. You really have to get in your protien, that
is the only thing I noticed that helps. Try eating a protien bar, jerky,
shakes, there is a tasteless protien powder you can buy that you can add to
foods. Good luck to you!
Carlyn McBride
— Carlyn M.
April 14, 2008
It has been 7 years since I had my surgery and even after all this time, if
I don't get enough protein my hair will start to fall out. Eat your protein
1st then if you still feel hungry eat a bite of veggies. Your appetite will
come back but it will never be like it was before the surgery. Sometimes I
will be working and I will get so involved in what i am doing I forget to
eat but I will start to feel light headed and my body tells me in different
ways that i need to eat. Bt I never get that"I'm starving feeling like
I use to. I just make myself eat through the day because it keeps my
metabolism up, It will slow down if you don't eat
— Annie P.
April 14, 2008
There is a wonderful protein option that I rarely find people are aware of.
A high protein pudding in a can. Tastes good. Choc, van, banana. 6.4
oz, 100 cals, 20g protein. Completely portable. I even keep a can in my
car at all times. I lived on this stuff for a long time post-op and still
use it 2 years out. Can be obtained from GNC or at
www.instonenutrition.com. My own new website which is in the building
stages at this point is www.proteinoptions.com will be ready to go in a
week or so.
— Beebop11
April 15, 2008
I started losing hair around month 4 and lost 1/3 of my hair. I cut it
short and had my hairdresser layer it kind of "funky" and started
using Mane & Tail shampoo and conditioner (bought it at Sally's beauty
supply) and it started growing back immediately. Haven't had any problems
since. :)
— airbear762000
April 15, 2008
I did not actually lose much hair, however, I had very thick, naturally
curly hair which now is straight as a pin. Very strange as I had never
heard of it but my hairdresser says it happens and sometimes takes up to a
year to get better. I did end up cutting it short as without the curls, I
couldn't sustain the look I had for years. I really have to stress the
importance of protein- if you don't have much appetite, I suggest Whey
protein bullets, protein shakes- constantly sip on one, Whey Up protein
drinks, Snack and Slim protein shakes and egg custard from Susan Maria's
book.
Hope this helps and good luck,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC
— DawnVic
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