Question:
Couple of questions about hair loss and food getting stuck.

First yesterday I was eating some ground beef and I chewed it really well. I felt an uncomfortable feeling so I layed down for about an hour. When I woke up, i threw the meat up. Did this get stuck? Second my hair is falling out. I am 3 1/2 mos post op rny and i know it lasts till about 7 months. How long before it grows back? My hair is so thin anyway and it really looks awful.    — bikermama (posted on August 18, 2008)

August 18, 2008
Probably not a good idea to lay down right after you've eaten. Maybe the beef was too greasy. As far as your hair falling out, are you counting and eating your protein? If you don't get your 65+ grams of protein in each day, you're going to have problems with your health, and hair falling out is just one thing.
   — investigator77

August 18, 2008
It's hard to tell without more info about the meat getting stuck. How much did you eat? When you say an uncomfortable feeling, do mean in your stomach/pouch or in general? I can tell you how I feel when I over eat or get something stuck. It usually happens when I don't chew something well enough or take too large a bite if I'm not paying attention while I eat. I feel a very uncomfortable feeling in my pouch which quickly advances to pain which also radiates straight through to my back. My nose starts to run, I either get the foamies or start to slime... overproducing saliva to either get the food up or down. I begin to pace as I'm so uncomfortable and head to the nearest bathroom. Sometimes it'll come up on it's own, sometimes I have to make myself vomit for relief as the pain and sliming is just too much. I certainly don't go and lay down with a full pouch or if I feel bad because I will reflux the food back up in my esophagus and don't want to risk aspirating it into my lungs. Trust me, if you get something stuck, you know it and must do something about it NOW! An overfull pouch is uncomfortable, getting something stuck is painfull and usually takes some wretching to dislodge it. As far as the hair goes, I cannot stress the importance of getting at least 65 gms of protein per day. It takes hair a long time to grow back in slowly so be patient. I didn't lose hair, my very naturally curly hair went pin straight and my eyelashes fell out. I hear people recommend Biotin and Nioxin. Have you tried out any high quality wigs for in the meantime? There are some really nice ones out there if you are willing to spend some money. The cheap ones look... well... cheap. Hope you are well and things get better, hope my info helps some. Welcome to the loser's bench. Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

August 18, 2008
I have problems with ground beef too. I find if I buy very lean ground beef, very low fat, and drain the grease off very well, that helps ALOT. Also, I don't cook it as a patty, I stir it and cook it without it being formed in to a patty. Definitely should not lay down afterwards, and do not drink before during or after food. As for hair loss, I started losing hair at about 3 or 4 months out and founf taking 5000mg og Biotin a day plus my chewable Centrum multi-vitamin and being more careful to make sure I get adequate protein each day stopped my excess hair loss pretty quickly. I now just have normal hair loss like everyone has daily.
   — Gina S.

August 18, 2008
your hair falling out has nothing to do with protein. It happens after this surgery no way around it. Mine lasted for a couple months and then grew back. It still comes out more than usual but its better. Dont lay down after you eat at least for a 1/2 hour. Make sure you have lean ground beef and drain all the fat off. It may be too much for your pouch to ahndle right now.
   — Joanc

August 19, 2008
Beef can be tricky. I can tolerate it most times, but if it is too fatty or grizzly, it needs to come back up. When I get that feeling in my chest, I head right for the bathroom and try to help it out by going through the vomitting motions. Once I get it out, I feel instantly better. As for the hair, I'm in the same boat. I have thin hair and started losing it around 3 months. Slowly at first, but then it got really bad. I'm 8 months out now, and I've got lots of new growth that is about an inch long. I did what I called the bang comb-over - always parting my hair on the side. The most noticeable was right on top of my head near the front. About a month ago, I started taking a very low dose boitin supplement. I can't say for sure if it helped, but my hair stylist said it helps her build stronger hair. Guess it can't hurt taking a low dose. Kris
   — gonnadoit

August 19, 2008
The hair that falling out is going to happen no matter what. I've come to the conclusion that there is nothing I can do to stop it. I tried Nioxin Shampoo, I eat plenty of protein, it doesn't matter. The trama to your system from having your digestive system re-routed is the reason why you loose hair basically. Mine started falling out after 3 months and it continues to do so and I'm almost 6 mos out. I recently got a hair cut and my beautician said that I have alot of new growth that is about one inch long. Hang in there and it will come back. I also have problems with beef and even more so with pork. I think it's the grease. Like previous poster's I'd say make sure it's lean. And if it gets stuck....to the bathroom and cough and gag until what's stuck comes up. Sounds gross but you'll feel better instantly. Good luck.
   — deebunny38

August 19, 2008
Beef is one of the most dense proteins. It takes a long time to digest and often hits the RNY pouch like a rock. (Not sure about the Lapband pouch, but it's probably about the same)Difference is the lapbanders have stomach acid that helps to digest the meat...RNYers have very very little. Chewable Papaya helps. It has enzymes that help break down meat. It is the natural ingredient in meat tenderizers too. You should NEVER lie down after eating, If your food feels stuck, you should walk around to try to help that food "drain" into the intestines faster. That takes about 15 minutes...Sugar pain is different...I HAVE to lie down for sugar pain. It usually takes sugar about 20 minutes to hit me...So my food is already passed thru the pouch...When I wake up I feel much better. I don't do THAT too often! YUCK! When you lie down with food still IN your pouch, it sits there like a rock, totally undigested...So when you wake, that sick feeling (the meat itself ) is still there and comes up. You might try ground turkey next time and try beef a little later when your body is more healed. It took me a LONG time to get used to beef...I have to chew it til it is gritty and paste...I always have my papaya ready...I still keep some around for those times...Even 4.5+ years out , I still get that stuck tight feeling from dry meat now and then. As for the hair loss...It's unfortunate and frightening...and doctors don't really KNOW the exact reason for it...some think it is protein, some say it is the stress of surgery, some say it is the stress from dropping so many calories...some say it is the stress on your metabolism...They don't really know...It's probably a combo of all of the above. Once we stabilize and are able to eat more normally at about 6-8 months....the hair loss stops and you begin to see hair growth (even sooner) and your hair returns to its thickness. I don't know what to tell you about the thinning except that it does come back...Many people get new shorter hairstyles to help disguise the thinning. I take biotin and B-100 complex (weekly) for my hair, skin and nails. It's made a world of difference in all three! So assume it's everything..and get plenty of protein and water and your vits and hopefully it ends sooner than later!
   — .Anita R.