Question:
How long after surgery does the hair start falling off?

How much of it does it fall off? Does it always fall off? I am taking Biotin and using a special shampoo. Is there anything else I should do? I am now 3 1/2 weeks post op and have not noticed any hair loss yet. Thank you all for your help.    — mavila07 (posted on April 16, 2006)

April 16, 2006
each person is different. Some have lost some of there hair after 3 months, and some have not lost any at all. The good thing is that it does grow back
   — Steve Cohen

April 16, 2006
Each person is different. I started seeing thinning occuring around the 3-4th month. I was also using Nioxin shampoo prior and after surgery. I around the time I started having the hair loss I implemented cysteine (an amino acid-thought to aid in adnormal hairloss). I take two forms of cysteine - a pill supplement (labeled NAC) and a restructuring spray applied directly onto the hair. I have hypothryoidism so I have to monitor my thyroid levels closely because a symptom is hairloss if the level is too high and too low. I am still having daily hairloss but I don't notice the visible scalp like some patients. Everyone tells me that it does grow back. Try not to worry so much about it and focus in on your required vitamins & minerals as well as exercise and sleep. These are the key initatives to a healthy body and mind.
   — Glenda L.

April 17, 2006
My hair is comiing out like crazy right now!! I am 3.5 months post-op, it just started about 2 weeks ago.
   — Lora S.

April 17, 2006
It generally starts falling out between 3-4 months...the most important thing to remember is to keep your protein intake up...!!! I started taking Biotin about a month ago....so far I don't see any improvment in my hair...but my nails sure seem to be growing quickly...
   — mmcphee1

April 17, 2006
On Dr. Andrew Weil's website he suggest taking 2-500mg of Evening Primrose Oil a day. I did this and I started seeing new hair growth about 3 weeks. He says to give it 8 weeks. He suggest this for patients who have had surgery . Phyllis P.
   — auntnanan04

April 17, 2006
I am a week short of 2 months out and I just started noticing alot of hair in my brush. I have been using special shampoo and conditioner and I was taking biotin a year prior to the surgery. I take all my viatimins and get about 80 grams protein a day.... I worry about it too and that probably doesn't help any at all... I find myself looking in my brush and maybe its just time to let some hair go... seems like certain times of the year I lose more hair that other times of the year. I keep hearing everyone say it grows back so thats wha I'm hoping for, and just am taking extra special care of what I have.
   — victoria24

April 17, 2006
I lost quite a bit of hair, started about 4 months post op, but luckily I had a lot to start with. That was about a year ago, and my hair is now thicker and curlier than it has ever been! Everything about my new body is better than it has ever been. God bless WLS.
   — doranp2018

April 17, 2006
2-6 months. It is worth every hair. I had to sweep daily because of hair falling out. Looked like I gave hair cuts in my bath tub after a bath
   — barbie12

April 17, 2006
I lost quite a bit of hair around 31/2 mo post. But dont be alarmed I am now days away from my 5 yr mark and I have more hair than when I started Ive always had think hair and now I get it thinned out a little because its so heavy. I promise it will grow back and just remember where u were before the surgery. It IS worth ever hair!! God Bless
   — JCNME

April 17, 2006
I have found that if you are going to lose your hair, you will lose it. No vitamin supplement or special shampoos or treatments are going to stop it. Some don't lose any. It's so individual. I lost about 1/2 of my hair. I took all my protein....still do, and all my vites...still do...and when it was finished falling out...after about a year...it started coming back slowly. I'm 6 years out, and my hair is still not as thick as it was. But then, age has something to do with that also. My hair is okay. Regards~
   — Statuesque

April 18, 2006
Mine started falling out at 3 months and it's still falling out. I am 5 months out, and can't wait for it to stop.....
   — seanna

April 18, 2006
From what I understand, a person will only start losing their hair if they are not compliant. If you don't take your vitamins like you are suppose to (mulitvitamin, B-12, calcium citrate), not drinking enough water or getting enough protein, you can lose your hair. I am 4 1/2 months out and haven't lost any at all
   — tonifrisina

April 18, 2006
Same for me, I am 4.5 months out and haven't lost any hair as well. I think everyone must be different. One thing that I do is make sure I take my vitamins when I'm supposed to, eat tons of protein and drink plenty of water. I don't know if that helps, but ... never can be too sure. Who knows - I could start losing hair in the next week though! :) Oh well, they make beautiful wigs nowadays ....
   — Nicki F.

April 19, 2006
You guys are all so wonderful. Thank you so much for all your responses and words of advice. All of you are the reason this website is so great!!! Thanks again.
   — mavila07

April 19, 2006
I'm 4 mos post op and I've not had any hair loss yet. When I had gall bladder surgery 20 years ago, I lost quite a bit of hair. The dr told me at the time that it was a side effect of the anesthesia. I have "cat fur" for hair so I really hope I don't have to deal with thinning too!!
   — jcrefasi

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