Question:
My hair is coming out really bad. I had my surgery January 15, 2010. I have lost 65lb
Can someone please tell me how to stop my hair from coming out? — Mrscrprice (posted on May 4, 2010)
May 4, 2010
My mother had gastric almost two years ago. Her hair thinned and started to
come out really bad. Her doctor told her that was a side effect of the
surgery but to help it from stop falling out and help it grow
thicker...Zinc pills! Just check with your doctor that you can start taking
them and in a few months you should start to see results!
Good Luck!
— ReneeKelly
May 4, 2010
After my surgery my hair also was falling out. I used a product from the
beauty supply store called Niaxon. It promotes hair growth. It worked
well, but your hair will start to grow again on its own once your body
adjusts the the shock of the surgery.
Hang in there!
— junette2000
May 4, 2010
The more important question is, are you getting your 60 grams of protein?
Protein is essential with this surgery. I also take biotin with minimal
hair loss.
— FSUMom
May 4, 2010
Lossing your hair is just a side effect from the surgery. Your body is
going through a lot right now. I lost a lot of hair but it all grow back. I
started taking Biotin 5000 mcg before I had the surgery. It helps with
skin/hair/nails. I still take it each day. The good news is you will stop
losing the hair I can not tell you when but it does stop. Good luck with
your journey.
— dsquire
May 4, 2010
I had RNY back in October 2009 and my hair started to fall out around month
4. I meet my 80gram protein goal everyday and I still experienced hair
loss. My surgeon said that it was inevitable because I have fine hair. The
good news is it's already starting to regrow but I do notice it's coming in
darker and with a different texture. I haven't decided if that's good or
bad yet. Be patient, it's just another step in the journey and it does get
better.
— hollysmiles2001
May 4, 2010
you are at the weight loss stage where this happens. the other posters are
correct..i took biotin, and upped my gram intake ..it only lasts a few
weeks to a few months...it starts regrowing almost immediately..best of
luck! hugs,kim
— gpcmist
May 5, 2010
This is very common with most of us after the RNY surgery. Truth is, docs
really don't know EXACTLY why this happens. It's a combo of different
reasons...and after years of watching it happen over and over again to
countless RNYers...I have learned that it starts about 3 mos after
surgery...and continues for 3 months when finally you will begin to see new
growth. My hair grew back healthier and softer as well as much curlier! I
was at the point that I wasn;t sure if I'd have any hair left when it was
over...It's scary, I remember! My nutritionist recommended chewable Biotin
(which I found at Vitamin shoppe) and to insure getting in at least 60
grams of protein...I did these things and still lost a LOT OF HAIR! It was
everywhere...(in the shower drain...all over my house, down my pants...in
my families clean laundry...UGH!!! I tried to keep my hair pinned up so it
didn;t get everywhere and even cut it a little shorter to put less stress
on the hair folicles...BUT....It's going to run it's course...so try not to
worry about it...It'll be over soon!
— .Anita R.
May 5, 2010
A very likely cause is Telogen Effluvium. Here's a quote from the
Dermatoligoc Disease Database.
"If there is some "shock to the system", as many as 70% of
the scalp hairs are then shed in large numbers about 2 months after the
"shock". This sudden increase in hair loss, usually described as
the hair coming out in handfuls, is acute telogen effluvium. This is a
different problem than gradual genetic hair thinning. However, this can be
seen in the less common chronic telogen effluvium, only after a significant
amount of hair has already been lost.
A considerable number of different causes for telogen effluvium exist.
Among the common causes are high fevers, childbirth, severe infections,
severe chronic illness, severe psychological stress, major surgery or
illnesses, over or under active thyroid gland, crash diets with inadequate
protein, and a variety of medications. Most hair loss from medications is
this type and causes include retinoids, beta blockers, calcium channel
blockers, antidepressants, and NSAIDS (including ibuprofen)."
Notice that major surgery is listed as a cause as well as crash diets with
inadequate protein. Granted, we aren't exactly "crash dieters"
but we often have trouble getting enough protein early in recovery.
I started loosing mine at about 3 months out and started taking zinc since
my protein was OK. It gradually started to grown back. I'm a year post op
and all of may hair has grown back in.
— Mike A.
May 6, 2010
I am one year out. At about 5 months I started loosing hair also. I
started taking Biotin supplement. It did stop, whether it was time or the
supplement I don't know.
— Donna C.
May 7, 2010
My surgeon and nutritionist were very clear that I had to keep up with my
protein (I had the vertical sleeve done which keeps me at 30 grams 3x/day
until after week 9 when I'll be taking 30 grams of protein 2x/day)
otherwise protein deficiency would lead to fatigue, brittle nails, flakey
skin, and thinning hair.
— [Deactivated Member]
May 10, 2010
You're going to lose a bit of hair in the beginning. It's inevitable from
what I was told by other patients. Take biotin and zinc and make sure
you're getting your protein.
Honestly, I chopped all of mine off and donated it to Wigs for Kids to make
it look thicker. I figure it's hair...it'll grow back. Good luck!
— Nina15137
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