Question:
Hair Loss vs Vitamins or Protein???
I am scheduled to have my gastric bypass one week from today (June 3rd). I thought I had everything covered, until I read all the coments about the Flinstone Vitamins. Sorry, I can't locate that one. I am concerned about hair loss, post-surgery. Any feed back and how that relates to vitamins? Or is hair loss just related to lack of Protein? I am now thinking that I should go to my surgeons and buy his Bariatric Vitamins to take. Help....time is running out! — Marianne R. (posted on May 27, 2008)
May 27, 2008
I couldn't tolerate the Flintstones Vitamins either, too much sugar. I
went to GNC and bought their liquid vitamins. They taste like the vitamins
the kids took long years ago when they were infants. They worked but
nothing to brag about.
— dyates2948
May 27, 2008
it is not necessary to purchase vitamins from your Doctor. My own doctor's
office, who also sell Bariatric Advantage vitamins told me that pre-natal
vitamins will contain the very same ingredients at much better price.
According to what I have been told at my doctors office, as well as reading
ALOT, your vitamin intact should be covered if you take two prenatal
vitamins, 1000mcg B-12suppliment, and 1500mg of Calcitrate with Vitamin D,
all of which can be purchased with a house brand from Costco, Walmart or
Sams. You do no have to spend the extra money for something labeled
"Bariatric", unless you just feel the need to spend extra money.
As for the hair loss, not everyone loses hair. If you keep up with your
vitamins and protien intake, it will help greatly, but the reality is that
it happens to be a side effect for some people. Just remember, its only
hair, it does grow back, and if it really bothers you, buy a wig. You can
get quality, affordable wigs at paulayoung.com to fill that temporary need,
but don't worry about that right now, focus on your new life ahead of you!
Best wishes
— Jeanne Aldrich
May 27, 2008
hi I did Flintstones and fif fine only lost a lil bit of hair mostly
thinning if anything but you can go to Wal-mart and buy this stuff called
Biotin to help you with the hairloss. Dont put off having your surgery, cuz
you will soon see a whole new you and feel great. Take care and I wish you
the best, GOD BLESS~ Jen <><
— J. Lambert
May 27, 2008
Vitamins that are not chewable are harder to absorb for WLS people, which
is why many surgeons tell their patients to take Flintstones since they are
easy to find. I take Centrum chewables for adults because it has vitamin K
which I look specifically for in a vitamin supplement. Bariatric vits are
usually always in chewable form (or at least in capsule, dy powder form) as
I have learned the hard way that chewables, liquids and capsuled powders
are FAR more absorbable than hard tablets that need strong stomach acid and
time to break down (Such as prenatal vitamins that I have never found in
chewables) Bariatric vitamins are also in the correct forms of the vitamins
we need. Example...fat soluable vitamins in regular vitamin supplements are
not aborbed since RNYer's malabsorb fats. We need the dry powder forms of
these specific vitamins to absorb them properly (Vit A, D, E, K) Calcium
must be in citrate form...Iron (should be other than iron salts such as the
most commonly prescribed ferrous sulfate) We can't absorb that kind and it
causes more damage than it helps most of us...As for hair loss, the
stress/shock of surgery and rapid weight loss together is what seems to
cause the hair loss and not necessarily lack of vitamins or proteins. I
could be wrong, but I have not found any proof anywhere that they even have
proof of what exactly causes the hair loss after WLS...It does grow back
nice and doesn't last all that long.
— .Anita R.
May 27, 2008
The Flintstone vitamins were gross, I also tried the Centrum chewable but
neither one has enough Thiamin in them for a bypass patient. I found it
easier to just order everything online. You can get everything you need
from Bariatric Advantage they have a starter pack which is $109 for
everything and it is a 90 day supply. This includes the multi, calcuim,
iron, and B12. They come in several flavors. At this point why skimp? I
havent experienced any hair loss yet. I do get my protien in every single
day as I still drink my unjury protein shake every morning. Try using
Fitday.com to log in everything to make sure you are getting in your
protein etc. Good luck with your surgery and your new healthy life.
— ToniLee
May 27, 2008
I use Centrum Chewables. Hair loss is in a lot of ways, inevitable. It's
your body's reaction to the trauma of surgery, any surgery. Best ways to
keep it to a minimum, stay hydrated get ALL your protein and take a Biotin
Supplement. You still will lose some hair, but it's not like going bald.
And it will grow back. Good Luck!!!
— Shirley D.
May 27, 2008
Hair loss and bypass has nothing to do with protein or vitamins. It is just
domething that happens to bypass patients. I had my blood work done wehn my
hair was coming out and all my levels were fine. Its just a part of the
process. It will stop or slow down. My hair still comes out a lot but not
like it did in the beginning. Good luck
— Joanc
May 27, 2008
Hi,
I just wanted to let you know that this was one of my biggest concerns
also. I had already did the research on every other aspect of the surgery.
But was a little freaked out that most people tend to loose their hair
after the surgery. I went and bought a wig pretty close to the same color
of natural hair. I also asked a lot of people the same question. In my
experience however, my hair is actually getting thicker then it was before
the surgery. I believe it is due to the fact that I eat better now and I
take vitamins daily. I also take biotin on occasion, just in case. As for
the Flinstones, I take Walmarts brand chewables. and calcium citrate + D. I
get a B12 shot at the family Dr.s office once a month, just because he
offered and its easier. I was told that IF i stay on the chewable
children's vitamins that I should be taking two a day at this point. I had
my surgery Dec 4, 2007. I wouldnt go back and change my mind for anything!!
Even if I did loose my hair, I would have to say it would have been worth
it, Just being able to move around much better then before. Being healthier
is worth it all!!
best wishes and best of luck
Tammie
— Nuttin2no1
May 28, 2008
As far as multi-vit, try Gummy Vits from costco. you can also get them at
Wal Mart. Just rememeber they are for children so you have to take
multiples but they are very good. Hair loss, start taking the Biotin now
and get all your protien in.
— Pam_B_OR
May 28, 2008
Personally, I take Centrum chewables. My surgeon's office gave me a list
of a dozen or so that are fit for bariatric patients. As for hair loss,
there are two camps - 1) if it's going to happen it will and 2) it's a lack
of something. Personally, I believe it to be post-surgery trauma, and if
it's going to happen, it will. If it does happen, you can use a shampoo
for regrowth, which doesn't stop the fallout, but it will speed up the
regrowth.
— gonnadoit
May 28, 2008
Hate to break this to you....but hair loss is almost inevitable...There is
nothing magical about Flinstone Vitamins, except they are easy to get
down.....after surgery, not only has your body gone through major
anatomical trauma, but then it is also going through major shock of rapid
weight loss. This was a HUGE concern for me, too....I did everything I
could to avoid it, and was pleased for the first 4 months when my hair
actually seemed like it was getting thicker! But, sometime in the 4th-5th
month, it started coming out.....I have lost a lot (and still am), and it
is hard not to get freaked out about it. But my nutritionist and everyone
I talk to reassures me it will come back....hang in there, and just prepare
yourself mentally for when it does happen....like I justified to
myself....a little less vanity is a small price to pay for a healthy
you!!!! Just keep doing everything YOUR Dr and Nutritionist tells you to.
They are the experts, and won't lead you astray.....Good Luck!
— jennw2ns
May 28, 2008
I don't like to be the odd man out, but here goes anyway. DO NOT TAKE
FLINTSTONES AFTER RNY!!!!!!! Flintstones are NOT designed to digest
properly in our new digestive system. After RNY, the place where most
vitamins & nutrients are absorbed is "bypassed", meaning
anything we intake through our mouths does not pass that area anymore.
Therefore the bariatric vitamins are specifically designed to be absorbed
lower in the digestive tract. I cannot repeat this enough! DO NOT TAKE
FLINTSTONES!!! After RNY, multivitamins, calcium citrate (has to be
citrate or it won't be absorbed either), iron glycinate or polysacchride
(also the only types of iron we can absorb), and vitamin B12 become VITAMIN
REPLACEMENTS, NOT VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS. This means we have to have these!!!
We cannot possibly get the vitamins we need by food alone. Again, I
strongly encourage you, DO NOT TAKE FLINTSTONES!!! I had RNY May 2007 and
I also work in a WLS center. Our Lap Band patients do not even take
Flintstones, they use the Bariatric Advantage that is designed for Lap Band
patients. This does become a committment after RNY, a lifetime
committment! Do not be lead astray by the easy way out. It is more
costly, but better and necessary for your health in the long run. Best of
luck to you and Happy Losing!!
— pam2007
May 28, 2008
Sorry, got off on my soapbox about the vitamins that I forgot about the
whole point of your question, which is the hair loss. I had temporary hair
thinning, but has grown back now. I am a little over a year out. Hair
loss is pretty inevitable after RNY, just due to the stress of the
anesthesia and surgery alone. If you do not get your recommended amount of
protein (70-80 grams per day) then that can cause major hair thinning too.
It is temporary, but can continue if you do not keep up your protein
levels. When I started losing my hair (about 5 months out), I began using
Biotin vitamins as well as Nioxin shampoo & scalp treatment, which is
available at most hair salons. This shampoo was designed for chemo
patients, and it definitely helped me. After I ran out of the Nioxin, I
began using Minoxidil, which is the female version of Rogaine. I still use
that on occassion, just trying to thicken my hair back up. Good luck!
— pam2007
May 28, 2008
Go to a Bariatric Vitamin operation like www.BBvitamin.com .They have the
real stuff designed by top notch Bariatric doctors. No Sugar, start with
cheawable or Liquid and then in a month or so change to tablets. Best of
success to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
May 28, 2008
I like the Bariatric Advantage chewables- multi and calcium lozenges. If I
make a homemade protein shake, I will use stress B, calcium citrate and
magnesium tablets and put them in the blender. Remember, the magnesium is
great for arthritic type pain and will make your stool softer (great if you
are prone to constipation) and will make your urine a very bright
yellow/greenish color.
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
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