Question:
African American Post op patients how do you deal with the hair loss?

As an African American, when we loose our hair we really loose our mind. I need some advice related to the hair loss. I have tried everything. Exactly when does all the hair loss stop. I am 4 months post op. Help please.    — orangeblossom (posted on July 5, 2003)

July 5, 2003
Hello Dorothy I don't know if i have the right answer but, first thing, DO NOT USE A BRUSH
   — sexysag37

July 5, 2003
Hello Dorothy I don't know if i have the right answer but, first thing, DO NOT USE A BRUSH. Try to keep your hair oiled at all times, I shampoo my hair with pantene shampoo and conditioner, and i try not to comb it all day long just in the morning and some evenings. My hair is really dry anyway, and i always had a problem with my hair breaking off, so i try not to worry about it because i know it will stop soon. I have heard people take biotin vitamin, and some people use nioxin shampoo, i have that shampoo but i cant stand the smell. Good Luck Dorothy
   — sexysag37

July 5, 2003
Supposedly taking Zinc will help...possibly ADEKs to help with fat soluble vitamins (they help skin, hair and nails...there are vitamins with that name also). I shed A LOT while I was rapidly losing weight (had surgery 6/5/02 @ 260 lbs; now about 135 or so -- no meeting to get weighed this month). Once my weight loss slowed, so did the hair loss. I bought Nioxin and gave it to my hairdresser whom I see at least every other week. You can get a small kit with the shampoo, conditioner and somthing else for about $30 at chain beauty supply stores. I agree with avoiding the brush. I tried to comb it as little as possible also, but the loss was quite visible with a brush. Don't worry...at least for me, my hair didn't break off -- it only thinned. So I have a longer ponytail which now swings!
   — Pamela B.

July 6, 2003
This is more of a comment then an answer. There is a group for African Americans that address the unique issues facing obese African Americans facing weight loss surgery and I'd like to invite you to join us. Here is the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-Black/
   — Robin J.

July 7, 2003
i HAVE EXTENTIONS RIGHT NOW. SEWED IN DEEP WAVE HAIR. iF DONE CORRECTLY IT WILL GIVE YOUR HAIR A NICE REST. I DO SHAMPOO AND CONDITION ONCE A WEEK AND IT LOOKS GREAT...
   — Tanya J.