Question:
My hair is falling out in HANDFULS!!

I am 3 1/2 months post-op and my hair is falling out in the handfuls. Is there ANYTHING I can do to make it slow down or stop? If I keep going at this rate I am going to be bawl. Please help, this is stressing me which is making things worse. Thank you.    — Crystal D. (posted on July 22, 2002)


July 22, 2002
Check out the library on this topic. There are lots of things people have tried, like zinc, biotin and certain shampoos, but I don't think any of it works. I started having my hair fall out in handfuls at about the same time as you, and I had thin hair to start with. Don't worry, you won't go bald, just thin. At just about 6 months post-op it has slowed considerably and I'm just waiting for it to start growing back. try a very short hairstyle to compensate. And don't fret, small price to pay for losing all this weight!
   — Cindy R.

July 22, 2002
My Doctor said waste all the money you want on things for your hair nothing is going to work he said most will lose Hair it will come back quit worrying was his advice to me I lost about 1/3 of my hair it is now back thick and it came back in so cruley people as if I have a Perm..no I don't
   — Kathleen M.

July 22, 2002
My Dr. says it is from not taking enough protein. I am taking 4 pills per day and am 3 1/2 months post op. I have just noticed some hair falling out and am worried also!!
   — Judy I.

July 22, 2002
Zinc Sulfate, 220mg, 3x per day is what my surgeon prescribed. It was only last week that I found out you can get this higher dosage of zinc over the counter at Walgreens. This stopped my hair loss in it's tracks in about a week. Doc suggests taking the zinc with meals until the weight loss stops, and I will certainly be doing so. Check with your doc if you like, but the zinc worked (and continues to work) wonders for me! (Take ONLY with meals, it will cause cramping without food).
   — Tracie B.

July 22, 2002
I am 4 months and a few days post-op. I am noticing more hair in the comb when I brush and when I run my fingers through it. In the last few days I've increased my protein to nearly 80 grams a day. I drink 80oz of water a day. I also take 1800mg of Biotin a day, 2 11mg tablets of GNC Silica (Horsetail Herb extract) and 2 of GNC Ultra Hair pills (These are huge, but go down fine.) I've already began to notice a difference. I have very long, curly blonde hair and I'm not going to lose it, even if I go broke trying not to, LOL. Honestly though, If all this doesn't make it stop nothing will.
   — Angie B.

July 22, 2002
I have used Nioxin shampoo and conditioner on my hair and it has worked GREAT! My hair is even growing back now. People from a support group told me about it and swore on it. I didn't believe them at first. But I said what the heck, tried it and it worked! You can get it at specialty hair care stores(you won't find it in regular stores).
   — ravikamor

July 22, 2002
Hi Crystal - I just wanted you to know your not alone. Try and remember, it's only hair and if the very worst case scenario was to happen...they make wigs. Hair will grow back and we'll be healthier by the time it does. I have also been told about the "N" word that someone else talked about and was told it works wonders. All the protein in the world will still have some hair falling out at times - it's from rapid weight loss as well. Good luck to you.
   — Lisa J.

July 23, 2002
I have to go with Kathlene on this one. I just asked Dr. Stoner about this last week. I have losing hair by the handfuls too. He says everyone lose hair there is nothing you can do about it. He says from start to finish it usually last three to four weeks, and happens some time between three and six months post op. So relaz and don't stress over it. Just think about where you will be after this little hurdle has passed.
   — MnShadows

July 23, 2002
NO ONE ENDS UP BALD! Its just not going to happen... I have attended support group meetings for over 1.5 years and never have seen a bald post op. So RELAX, it will grow back...
   — bob-haller




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