Question:
I have noticed my hair coming out
I am four and a half months post op and noticed my hair starting to come out. I find lots after I wash my hair, run my hands through it , and brush it. I can not believe it is coming out like this. I take all my vitamins, calcium, and b12 faithfully, get my 60 grams of protein daily. Will it stop soon? I hope so. Can anyone tell me of their experience with this and what they did and when it finally stopped. Is there anything I can take to help maybe slow it down? My hair is thin to begin with, so it shows more. I know you lose some hair everyday, but I know this isnt the norm. Thanks for any help. Down 59 lbs. and hope to lose more! — taterbug898 (posted on April 23, 2005)
April 23, 2005
Hi this is something that happens to all of us except the VERY LUCKY. Mine
has been coming out by the handfulls and I am told it should stop in a
month or so. I am almost 7 months out So between 4 and 8 months. Some folks
have to end up gettin wigs and things but it will stop eventually and your
hair will grow back some say even thicker. I would gladly go bald
temporarily to be thin permanently. Best Wishes
— Shell G
April 23, 2005
I am four month post-opand am beginning to have hair loss. I am, however,
not too worried. I went through this type of thing a few years ago. I
believe it was caused because I was peri menipausal, but am not sure. At
any rate it passed. I am going to copy and paste an article that I got from
someone else on the site. Hope that it helps.
Here is some info I found on an internet medical site, concerning hair
loss (telogen effluvium). I honestly don't think there's much you can do to
stop it or even prevent it (and I tried a bunch of stuff). Hang in there -
it usually stops after about 3 months, and you'll see your hair starting to
grow back in. Good luck. Telogen effluvium is the name for temporary hair
loss that follows some shock to the system. Cause In a normal healthy
person's scalp about 85% of the hair follicles are actively growing hair
and 15% are resting. A hair follicle usually grows hair for 4 years then
rests for 4 months. The old hair then falls out and a new hair begins to
grow. When the hair rests it changes into a club hair. When the new hair
starts it forms under the resting club hair and pushes it out. Thus, it is
normal to lose up to about 100 hairs a day on one's comb, brush, in the
basin or on the pillow, as a result of the normal scalp hair cycle. If
there is some shock to the system, as many as 70% of the scalp hairs can be
precipitated into a resting state, thus reversing the usual ratio. Typical
precipitants include: Illness Operation Accident Childbirth Nervous shock
Weight loss or unusual diet Discontinuing the contraceptive pill Overseas
travel resulting in jetlag. The resting scalp hairs, now in the form of
club hairs, remain firmly attached to the hair follicles at first. It is
only about 2 months after the shock that the new hairs coming up through
the scalp push out the "dead" club hairs and increased hair fall
is noticed. Thus, paradoxically, with this type of hair loss, hair fall is
a sign of hair regrowth. As the new hair first comes up through the scalp
and pushes out the dead hair a fine fringe of new hair is often evident
along the forehead hairline. At first the fall of club hairs is profuse and
a general thinning of the scalp hair may become evident but after several
months a peak is reached and hair fall begins to lessen, gradually tapering
back to normal over 6-9 months. As the hair fall tapers off the scalp
thickens back up to normal, but recovery may be incomplete in some cases.
Because nail and hair growth are under the same influences, an arrest in
hair growth is often mirrored in the nails by a groove across them
coinciding with the time of the shock to the system. The time of the shock
can be estimated from the fact that a finger nail takes 5 months to grow
from the posterior nail fold to the free edge. So if the groove in the nail
is half way down the nail then the shock must have been 2 1/2 months ago.
Treatment Telogen effluvium is self-correcting. It is really not influenced
by any treatment that can be given. However, gentle handling of the hair,
avoiding over-vigorous combing, brushing and any type of scalp massage are
important. You should also ensure a nutritious diet, with plenty of
protein, fruit and vegetables. The doctor may check your levels of iron,
vitamin B12 and folic acid, as any deficiency in these can slow hair
growth. Related information On DermNet: Hair loss Alopecia areata Other web
sites: Telogen effluvium - from emedicine dermatology, the on-line
textbook.
— lindarodham6
April 23, 2005
I've been experiencing hair loss now for about a month. It's shocking how
much is coming out and I'm seeing bald spots! I was told to use Nioxin
shampoo (ask your stylist for it), take biotin supplements (can be found at
GNC), and make sure I'm getting in all my vitamins and protein. I'm told it
will pass. Good luck and you are not alone!
— Shayna T.
April 23, 2005
it is my understanding that the hair loss is a result of the lack of
protein from the first few months of the wls and the effects of the surgery
itself. your hair is made up of protein and protein isn't absorbed as
easily as everything else and after surgery we aren't able to
"eat" normally, so several months down the road you see the
effects of that. it will stop, but it is frustrating. just get in the
protein and take good care of your hair. I wouldn't get a perm or use
chemicals on it until it regains its strength.
— [Deactivated Member]
April 23, 2005
My surgeon told me as long as you are getting between 70 and 100 grams of
protein, taking biotin, and if you need the extra help with your hair to
use Bari-ssentials shampoo and conditioner, found at Walmart or right here
in the ObesityHelp Store. That should help you keep your hair, but make
sure you take the biotin it is very important.
— Stormy71
April 24, 2005
Not a funny subject but it is common for EVERYONE going through this body
change ... in fact if you read enough books and talk to enough post-op's
you will learn that the hair loss isn't loss at all ... it isn't
"falling" out it is breaking at or near the root area. It is NOT
due to protein deficiency and or lack of vitamins ... instead it is due to
the stress we all put our bodies under while going through surgery and the
3-4 months after. The same thing may have happened to your finger nails ...
up near the cuticle your nail may be white ... well that is a sign of
stress as well ... so take a deep breath and realize it is NORMAL! I am 9
months out and it is still breaking ... but it gets better trust me ...
good luck@
Rebekah Clark ~ 9 months Post-Op ... 303/197/150
— mommy_jaden
April 24, 2005
Hi, I am 8 years and 8 months post-op. I was shocked when it happened to me
at the time, but was told not to worry it would eventually stop and grow
back. It did. But it was different. Over the years as my eating habits have
changed and medical problems have changed I have found my hair goes through
periods of falling out and regrowing. Protein and I have trouble. Just not
sure if it's a surgery issue or a medication issue. Still figuring that
out. Have to re-evaluate every couple of years.
Cheryl
— molly1226
April 24, 2005
I still want to stress that you will lose hair due to protein deficiency.
Any one that goes on a diet that does not get adequate protein for an
extended period of time will lose hair. It will be short term but none the
less frustrating. When people go on liquid diets (Optifast in years
past)they would experience hair loss. It is a medical fact at least thats
what I learned in my text books and from several friends that did it.
Stress will cause "bad" hair, antibiotics (extended use) and a
number of other things will, but in the beginning of our wls journeys, we
do not get in adequate protein because of the healing of our stomachs and
what we can take in isn't much so therefore we will experience hair loss.
Some more than others. But like other posters say, it is normal and it will
pass. Just treat your hair like a baby and it will shine!
— [Deactivated Member]
April 24, 2005
Our Support Group has found that taking Biotin helps. Sometimes nothing
will stop it, but make sure that you get all your vitamins in and add
Biotin to them. Biotin is a B vitamin that helps your skin and hair.
Nioxin helps to. Sometimes nothing will completely stop it, but it helps.
— jk_harris
May 8, 2005
I WAS FORWARNED BEFORE SURGERY ABOUT THE HAIRLOSS ISSUE. MY HAIRLOSS
STARTED 3 MONTHS POSTOP AND CONTINUED TO FALL OUT FOR 3 MONTHS. I DID
START TO GET A LITTLE CONCERNED WONDERING IF IT WOULD STOP FALLING OUT.
THANK GOODNESS I HAD THICK HAIR.
— BRIDGET B.
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