Question:
problems with facial hair

has nayone suffered from facial hair underneath the chin, like stubble and has found it has disappeared post op? my doc says that it is because the various hormones are messed up when we are obese.    — JULIE B. (posted on April 26, 2003)

April 26, 2003
I am one that has facial hair under the chin and I ask the same question as a pre op. unfortunately it does not go away after surgery but in my case I have PCOS and am taking a medication called METFORMIN, I have been on it for about 5 months and it not only has controlled my cycle but it has made the levels of testosterone lower and the hair growth slower, according to my doctor it will take a while before you see a big differce in the hair growth change..asked to be tested for PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) 126lb
   — Lovett

April 26, 2003
Unfortunately the previous poster is correct, it won't necessarily go away when you are post-op. And my cycle has improved dramatically. Pre-op I went for 10 years at least with having a period once every few months; one time almost 6 months with nothing. Now at nearly 10 months post-op I am like clockwork, every 28 days. With the vitamins I take, all the water I drink, and eliminating caffeine, I have virtually no PMS symptoms anymore. It's wonderful! As for the chin hair, which I have chin hair, neck hairs and a mustache...best thing I can recommend is a depilatory cream called Surgi-creme. It's available at Walgreen's or Osco's or probably just about anywhere. Works much better than Nair or Sally Hansen. I have found that trimming the hairs a bit with my husband's mustache trimmer the night before I use the cream, seems to make it come off easier, more complete. Sometimes the longer hairs can be a bit tougher. I will hold out hope that they diminish the further post-op I get :o Good Luck! - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -123lbs.
   — Anna L.

April 26, 2003
Mine went away, but I have to be honest and say that I had a complete hysterectomy 8 mos. before my Lap. RNY and that may very well the reason too that it went away, but I didn't really notice the drastic difference in less-no facial hair untill after my RNY.
   — Tambi B.

April 26, 2003
The hair will not go away after weight loss.You will stop growing new hair, but the ones that are already there will continue to grow until you get it lasered or removed. I am using prescription Vaniqa cream (no insurance pays for it. it is 50.00 a tube), but it slows down the growth of the existing hair folicles. It does not cure it, but slows it down. I could easily have done laser removal, but since I am black and laser hair removal is not a guarantee for darker skin, I took my chances on something that I know will work. Good Luck.
   — Teena A.