Question:
I need advice, and I can't get it from my local support group
I have posted this question on my local internet support group, and got nothing from them. I really need something to go on right now. I'm 21 weeks (5 months, 1 week) post op. I have lost 83 lbs. Recently, my hair started coming out in great amounts. I am taking a multivitamin, Hair, skin and nails, a B complex, birth control and Wellibutrin. I am very careful when washing and combing but it just keeps falling out. I cry often in the morning while fixing my hair. I don't know what to do. I don't want to cut my hair. It is long, and in my opinion... one of my best features. Is it true that hair loss lasts for 4-6 months? Has anyones hair ever fallen out longer than 6 months or so. I have no bald spots and people cannot tell by looking at me, but if I lose much more, it will be noticable. What are some of your stories with hair loss? And second... How do you beat a 'plateau'? I am losing sooo slowly now. I go to aerobics 3 times a week. But I just don't seem to be losing anymore... no matter what I do. I 'try' to get my protein in. I was feeling really sick and my family Dr said I was dehydrated. I have been forcing the fluids, but I have been feeling sick to my stomach lately. I feel it whether I eat or not, and it doesn't depend on what I eat. I still feel sick. If it does continue , I am calling my Dr.s office, but I thought I would see if this has happened to any of you first. What do you guys do if you feel sick to your 'stomach'? I have never regreted this surgery, but I am not in the best of spirits about it right now. Eating has become a chore.. And I guess I just need advice or something. Sorry I've gone on for so long — Robin L. J. (posted on November 8, 2001)
November 8, 2001
Hi Robin. I had my surgery on May 25, 2001 so I am just about at the same
point as you. I started to lose a ton of hair at around 3 months post op. i
did alot of research and started to take Biotin pills, which I found at
GNC. I also read that Zinc helps, so I also am taking one Zinc a day. I
started to wash my hair with Nioxin shampoo and conditioner which I found
at a local beauty supply store, although I have seen it at some salons.
With that combination, I noticed about a month later that the hair loss
slowed tremendously! I have also started to notice lots of new growth
lately and where you could see through to my scalp it is now filling in
nicely. I am convinced that this combination of treatments has helped and
hopefully I have slowed down the hair loss for good. i know how you feel
because my hair has always been very full, curly and long and was my
"crowning glory!" As far as plateaus, I have noticed a pattern...
I lose about 5-7 pounds very quickly, then stop losing for a week or two,
over and over. I was getting upset every time I hit a plateau but I am now
accepting the fact that this is normal for me, and for most people too. I
am down 86 pounds so I must be doing something right! I do have to say that
when I drink more water and eat all of my protein, the weight starts to
come off again, so I guess what everyone says about getting in the water
and protein is true. I can't give you an answer as to why you are having
difficulty eating, but if you get worse call the doctor as you want to make
sure there isn't any problem.You seem right on track with the weight loss,
so keep exercising, drink that water and get all your protein and don't get
discouraged, you are doing great. Keep up the good work and best of luck to
you!
— Vicki K.
November 8, 2001
You didn't say how many g of protein supps you've gotten in faithfully.
Ideas? Water? The main "damage" was done the day of surgery with
the anesthesia. Not like you'd want to skip that step. Then, we go low on
protein for awhile, and some never do get enough. We tend to lose FROM
month 4 TO month 6. Not FOR 6 months. Hopefully, you've been getting lots
of protein supps on board to help with the wt loss and the regrowth. It's
just a matter of time before you see the regrowth start up in the form of
little peachfuzz at the hair line.
— vitalady
November 8, 2001
Hi There...I am not a post-op but have worried about this same question and
when I posted I had a few people tell me that Johnsons Baby Shampoo and a
leave in spray conditioner (the kind you spray in after you towel dry your
hair)work really well. Makes sence to me...maybe too many harsh perfumes
and chemicals arnt good for thinning hair? Hope this helps..Good
Luck..Cheri
Oh and one other thing..Brushing your hair while it is wet is also a big NO
NO..you should dry your hair first and then brush it...prevents
breakage..learned that from a friend in the beauty bizz.
— mastrnservnt
November 8, 2001
I'm 5 months post-op also and my hair starting falling out at three months.
It was so bad I had to go to the ladies room at work 3 or 4 times a day
just to clean off my clothes! My hair has stopped falling out last week
and this week I noticed all these new little hairs all over my head. I
started taking Biotin as soon as my hair started falling out I don't know
if it helped but my hair only fell out for two months. I have very fine
thin hair and even with all that fell out no one noticed any difference.
So hang in there it will end before you're bald.
— Laura R.
November 8, 2001
Would you please go to the Library section of this website and look up
'hair loss'? You would be amazed at the number of previously posted
responses that would answer you. And, if what you needed was a place to
vent...well, ok, then.
— merri B.
November 8, 2001
There may be a lot of ans. on the library, but also there are a lot of new
people having surgery with new ideas.
My beautition sold me some shampoo -forget the name..ask your beautition ?
that she sugg i start on now (1 mo before surg) and then later keep it up
till after hair starts growing back. Keep up the protein stay away from
white foods. (except egg) Now im not there yet, so i don't know. But Im
getting some new wigs so i can try new hair styles.
Jacki
— Jackiis
November 8, 2001
Just remember no one ends up bald, and it ALWAYS grows back. So cut it
short perhaps to make it less noticeable. That suggestion from our last
support group meeting! Health is more important than hair............
— bob-haller
November 8, 2001
Hi. Merri's suggestion to check out the library is a good one. There is a
lot of info there on this subject. I had surgery March 22,2001. My hair
fell out fast and furious from 4 to 7 mos out. I started out before
surgery with thick, long, curly hair...over halfway down my back. BUT...I
knew that most likely I would lose it. So, a few days before surgery I
went and donated my hair to Locks of Love. It was above my shoulders the
day of surgery. Around 4 mos post op, it started to fall out and what was
left was weighless, frizzy and dead. It was nasty. I kept cutting it off
until it was pretty short. At about 6.5 mos post op I went and got a
professional cut and highlights. Made me feel GREAT. I hadn't had my hair
that short though since I was 8! But I like it...for a change that is. My
long, thick curly hair was always what "made" me. But it's not
anymore. I've lost 110 lbs and don't have to worry about showing my fatty
neck with short hair. My hair is now growing back and it's even shorter
now. I will let it grow back long, because I really do like my hair. But
something different was kind of fun! Have fun with it! Try a different
color or highlights:) You won't go bald and it will grow back:)
— Nicole P.
November 9, 2001
Hi... this is me.. Robin, I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice.
I do realize that there is a library on this website, but I just needed
the personalized support from others. I think that every question that is
asked has an answer in the library, but wouldn't this be a boring website
if everyone looked in the library and never asked a question? I do
appreciate all advice given to me at this time. I really needed to hear
from people who were answering my 'personal' issue. Thanks so much!!
— Robin L. J.
May 5, 2002
PROTEIN, PROTEIN, PROTEIN! For my first couple of months post-op, I
consumed nothing but protein drinks and applesauce. The protein paid off.
I never lost any hair. In fact, my hair started growing in even thicker
than it already was! Don't skimp on the protein. Find drinks & bars
that you like and make sure you get those 50g every day!
— Lisa T.
October 26, 2004
My hair came out in gobs. I cried because I had pretty hair too. I didn't
start until 8 mos. post op and went on for what seemed like forever. I am
now 2.5 years out and it is beginning to look almost as good as it did pre
op. It did become noticeable to my family and friends because they knew
what it was before, but there were no real bald spots. Now that it's
growing back, there is more grey than before but oh well. I'd rather be
thin and grey and a good friend with Ms. Clariol than as fat as I was!
Good luck, be cheerful. It will end soon!
— becky53916
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