Question:
I want to know if anyone has ever gone bald from this surgery!!!

I am just now 4 months post op from Open RNY. I began losing my hair literally overnight about 2 weeks ago. It is coming out in handfuls. I had a ton of hair to begin with...so I wasn't too worried...but I am starting to worry now! I have read all the advice on here, and it just isn't working! My PCP even said it seemed excessive even for wls...and put me on Prednisone. I am so scared. I can live with thin hair...I just dont want to be bald. **SOB** I was thinking of cutting my hair short soon...but it took me soooo long to grow it out (over four years to get it long) that it just makes me cry thinking about it. HAS ANYONE OUT THERE LOST ALL THEIR HAIR??? PLEASE BE HONEST! Thanks! (open RNY 7/23/02 -87 lbs)    — Shawnie S. (posted on November 28, 2002)

November 28, 2002
most of the time the hair loss is temporary. it is from the stress of surgery and all the drugs. most of the time the hair does grow back, but keep in mind that hair only grows 1/2 inch a month, so it takes it at least a month to get out of the scalp. then a couple more months until it grows out enough for you to notice it getting thicker. some people swear by certian 'real meals' protien and some by vitamins, but in truth all people are different, i do know of one lady who is bald on top now she had wls 8 months ago. however she has had terrible complications which may of contributed to her hair loss. remember the hair recieves its nourishment from your blood, so make sure your blood has all it needs to in it (all tests okay) and make sure you have a good blood supply to your scalp, massage it daily 3 or 4 times. I have been in the cosmetology insdustry working and teaching since 1975. good luck
   — janetc00

November 28, 2002
I haven't seen any bald people in my support group--which usally has about 230 people at each meeting. A few men are a little short on hair, but not because of WLS.
   — barbara A.

November 28, 2002
Shawnie - I feel your pain, sister! I started losing hair at nearly 3 months post-op and it's still falling all over the place at a steady pace. I had shoulder length hair, longer than it's been in years until early October after a week or 2 of hairloss. I went and had it chopped real short. I regret it. Because now I feel like it'll never grow back at this rate. It's a personal preference though, whether you want to see little piles of short hair or long hair in the tub, on the floor, on your pillow. It's a total bummer at times, I know. Fortunately for me I have naturally thicker hair (I also had a ton of hair to begin with). Sometimes I think that's why the change in the hair seems so drastic now! But I've tried Biotin tablets and the Nioxin shampoo and conditioner, my protein levels are fine according to some recent bloodwork. It just has to run its course, probably another month or 2 at least from what I hear. Hang in there, it will come back. Mine is much thinner but I'm not bald by any means. My advice is to only cut it if you're really looking to make a change in your style...otherwise leave it alone wait for the new growth to start. Or maybe just get a good cut without doing the drastic thing like I did!!! Good luck and take care! - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -93lbs.
   — Anna L.

November 28, 2002
Shawnie, there is no way ANYONE would go COMPLETELY bald from this surgery. Relax, we shed a little hair every day.
   — yourdivaness

November 28, 2002
I'm on another group and know hundreds of wls patients. NONE have gone bald. I know about 4 out of those hundred that you can tell it was thinning on the top bang part. Typically only YOU can tell your losing hair. The good part is it stops so just relax and enjoy your weight loss, that will stay off but the hair will come back. I lost hair from month 4-12 and it's now all back thick as ever.
   — ZZ S.

November 29, 2002
hi i started loosing hair about 3 mos i am now 6mos and still loosing my dr office put me on some vitamins for hair and nails i bought it from gnc my hair lost has stopped some not loosing as much so try taking some vitamins for hair that hve zinc in it good luck
   — ROSEMARY A.

November 29, 2002
I started losing a lot of my hair at about four months. I had read on this site that Real Meals had some special combination of biotin and nutrients to prevent hair loss. About a week after I started it the hair stopped coming out. I am eight months post op now and haven't lost any more. I have seen some people in my support group that although they are not completely bald it has thinned out to the point that the are wearing wigs.
   — Marie I.

December 1, 2002
Go to the GNC and get pro-blend 55 it tastes good (Chocolate do a shake every morning- within the month-your hair will return. Its just a lack of protein.... It will return-Keep the faith I had the same experience.
   — robin P.