Question:
What have post-ops done to avoid,decrease ,or improve hair loss?

I have heard that almost everyone that has RNY has a period of hair loss. Well, my hair is already pretty thin! Special Vitamins? Potions?    — Georgianne Faith W. (posted on August 25, 2002)

August 25, 2002
Hi Georgianne: I also had thin hair to begin with...and honestly, it is generally unavoidable to lose some hair. I guess I looked at it as a side effect of treatment, like with those on chemotherapy...they do lose their hair but it does come back. We do lose some, but not all like those poor things... My hairdresser has helped me minimize the appearance of hair loss by the way she has been cutting it. It seems to have slowed down significantly now (six mos out - it started at about 3 1/2 mos) and that's nice to see. Try not to be overly concerned. I don't think there is anything out there that will ensure no hair loss, but I know others on the site mentioned biotin and other products which I am certain you can find in the library section. Best wishes and don't despair! It's ALL worth it.
   — Ann B.

August 25, 2002
GNC's Hair and Nail vitamin with Biotin helped my hair loss. I noticed a good difference in a week or two. Good Luck. :)
   — Angela B.

August 25, 2002
I am 5 months post op and haven't lost any hair...knock on wood....I have been using jojoba shampoo and biotin conditioner from GNC, I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not.
   — Brenda V.

August 25, 2002
I personally think that the hair loss happens to people who eat a protein only (or high protein w/few or no carbs) diet, in combination with very fast weight loss. I have a friend who went on the Atkins diet, and lost alot of hair right along with the weight! I am almost 6mths post op, down 85lbs, and have no hair loss. I attribute it to a well balanced diet, that includes carbs, fruits, vegetables and fat, ALONG WITH protein.
   — blank first name B.

August 25, 2002
My hair started falling out 5 weeks post op. My sister recommended pre-natal vitamens to help stop it. I started taking them and it does work. My hair loss has really slowed down. Mine are prescribed, but you can get some over the counter. I don't know if they work as well. Good Luck.
   — Sarah K.

August 25, 2002
I lost almost all of my hair (which was thin and fine to begin with) from a previous illness. I took B12 and Folic Acid and it came back fullre and thicker. Totally a different head of hair. I am 4 months post-op now and haven't lost a single hair.
   — kultgirl

August 26, 2002
I am one of those that doesn't believe any product, either in pill form or shampoo form is going to stop the loss if it is going to happen. I had had a previous surgery a year before the WLS and started losing hair at 3 months post-op for about 2 months. Then after WLS, it happened again at 3 months post-op and lasted until 6 months post-op, I think it is from the trauma of surgery or the anesthesia used or a combination of both. Best thing you can do to ride it out is to get a cute hairstyle to camoflage the loss until it starts growing back in.
   — Cindy R.