Question:
I currently lose a lot of hair pre op, How do I minimize that post op?

What can I begin to take now prior to surgery that may strengthen my hair? I have heard several different vitamins? Help! I am afraid I may go bald!    — Jen D. (posted on February 10, 2002)

February 10, 2002
Hi Jen - I feel for you. I have been through hair loss a couple of times and I know how hard that is for a woman. I'll tell you what I've done and am doing. First of all, way before my surgery - and having nothing to do with my surgery - I met a woman whose hair I admired. She told me her hairdresser had recommended a shampoo called Queen Helene (the brand) Garlic Shampoo to stop her hair loss and it had worked wonderfully (don't worry, it's odorless). There is also another company, Nutrine, that makes the garlic shampoo and a garlic conditioner. I started using the shampoo and conditioner and found it cut my hair loss considerably. However, I did start to lose a great deal of hair about 3 months after surgery. My nutritionist put me on biotin (1,000 mcg tablets) first one/day then increasing it to 2/day. The hair loss has stopped (at about 6 months post-op). Now, I really can't tell you if it would have stopped anyway - but, I am continuing both the biotin and the garlic shampoo and conditioner. I buy the shampoo and conditioner in health food stores. However, if you have a problem finding them, I suggest you go to the "net" to get in touch with with companies - either to find out where the products are sold near you or to order them directly from the company. Good luck with the surgery and with your hair. Nancy
   — Nancy Z.

November 27, 2004
I have had several surgerys in my life (open-R scheduled for 13 Dec 04) and I have found that by shampooing with Straight Arrow's MANE AND TAIL, and conditioning with the same, it has built up the strengh of my hair, and I expect to loose very little. You can buy these products in most drug stores, horse tack shops, Wal-Mart, and on-line at the Stateline web site. Hope this helps others with this problem.
   — Michelle (Mercer) P.