Question:
what can be done to prevent hair loss?

Don't have time to sort through hundreds of questions, what causes hair loss? Mine is horrible! I'm three months out and have lost about 75 pounds soo far, but if I lose any more hair I'll be looking for a wig! HELP!:(    — Audrey B. (posted on May 31, 2003)

May 31, 2003
lack of protwin causes this.... its really quite common. I would have hoped your surgeon/dietician would have warned you of this. If you have trouble upping your protein (my doc has me on 60 g a day) try protein powder/shakes.
   — Ted D.

May 31, 2003
that was "lack of protein" below..... who said typos didnt dilute the message huh?
   — Ted D.

May 31, 2003
I was asking my dietician about hair loss and how much protien i should be getting she told me the hair loss has nothing to do with how much protien u get it is from the fast weight loss and if i was gonna lose any hair it would have done happen by now i had my WLS 4-16-03 and have lost 30pds
   — wildbrat

May 31, 2003
For some people it has nothing to do with fast weight loss or low protein. It is caused by the trauma of surgery and anesthesia. I have had several surgeries in the past totally unrelated to wl and I lose hair each time. The good thing is it comes right back in. Boy oh boy, do I hate these new gray hairs but unfortunately it does come back in gray or a different texture. I am sure you will have others tell you this same thing. So. don't blame it entirely on low protein or fast wls. BTW, I am an R.N.
   — Delores S.

May 31, 2003
Someone's profile had a great article about this. There is a name for it, that I can't remember...essentially after experienceing a major stress or trauma or during a time when losing a lot of weight quickly, your hair goes into a 'dormant/shock' stage and stops growing. When the hair begins to regrow, it pushes the old hair out and so by the time you notice it, it's already too late. The good news is that the new hair is already on it's way. I know how you feel though, I just got my past shoulder length hair cut short, and highlighted, today because I couldn't stand finding hair everywhere for another day! I figure this way there is 3/4 less hair to pick up off of everything, maybe now would be a good time to try a new 'do' yourself.
   — eaamc

May 31, 2003
I just seen my doctor this past Wednesday and I told him how I was loosing my hair by handfuls and he told me that this happens usually within the first 6 months but will tapper off and I will not loose as much. He also said I could get a vitiamn called Folic Acid and crush them. He said these would help me a lot. My sister swears by pre-natal vitiamns but I have not tried taking them. Thy would of course have to be crushed also.
   — Lana Rush

June 1, 2003
I'm not sure there's really anything that can be done to prevent or stop hair loss. I've just seen too many posts from people who did all the things that are supposed to help and still lost bunches. I lost a LOT of hair at about 4 months out. I was using a lint roller and rolling it over my shoulders and upper back 3 or 4 times a day to pick up the hair. I had to change the piece of sticky paper every time, too. However, it did stop and has now come back in. I had my hair cut really, really short to try to hide it and found out I love this new hairstyle. I haven't had a perm in over a year and this is really easy to take care of. I run a comb through it when I get out of the shower and that's it. It WILL grow back.
   — garw

June 2, 2003
I eat 75+ grams of protein a day and take prenatal vitamins and I am losing my hair in a most heinous way. I really think that there is nothing you can do except but a cute hat and smile! It is temporary, so they say. I am banking on it as I learn the fine art of the comb over! Hee hee!
   — Carol S.

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