Question:
I have really thin hair pre-op...how bad is the hairloss?

I am so scared that I will look like I am balding if I start losing a lot of hair. I do not have much money for a wig and I look absolutely horrible with short hair. How much hair is normal for a post-op to lose?    — [Anonymous] (posted on March 5, 2002)

March 5, 2002
My surgeon told me that there is absolutely nothing that will prevent or help the hairloss associated with losing so much weight so quickly. I'm not sure if there is anything that you can do about this. I am still pre-op, so I am not sure how much hair people normally lose, but I do know that people who have thick hair say that they have thin hair before it's all over. I don't mean to scare you, but that's the truth.
   — [Anonymous]

March 5, 2002
I was wondering the same thing pre-op. I have very very thin, fine hair and I figure any hair loss woulld be noticeable. Well I am 4 months post, started losing at 3 months(to the day). As much as I see coming out daily, I figured I'd be bald by this point, but I have lost about 1/3 of my head of hair. Now they say that 1/3 is the amount you lose overall, so I am a bit worried at this point because if you catch me in the right light you can see my scalp through my thinning hair. People say that they can't tell though. I have been looking at wigs on the web, just getting price ideas right now though. I hope it doesn't come to that and hope that it is almost done falling out. I can let you know in a couple of months what the FINAL verdict is.
   — Cheri M.

March 5, 2002
I have always had fine, thin hair, so it was hard to see 1/3-1/2 of my hair fall out in months 5-8. Fortunately, I bought Nature's Bounty "Vitamins for the Hair." This stopped my hair loss immediately and now, at one year post-op, my hair is thicker and healthier than it's ever been.
   — Terissa R.

March 5, 2002
This is a Hair loss formula taken from an article given to me by my surgeon. Its from "INDIVIDUAL VITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS ADDED TO CORE PROGRAM FOR TREATING CONDITIONS AFTER GASTRIC BYPASS" Zinc Chelate - 15mg qd(once per day) Copper Chelate - 1mg qd Silica - 20mg qd Vitamin C - 2,000mg qd Flaxseed Oil - 15cc qd Vitamin A - 5,000IU qd** ** = from North Atlantic fish oil source I imagine these can be found at GNC or somesuch store, I'm going to start taking these right away to hopefully head off any hair loss. Good luck!
   — Mary C.

March 5, 2002
I am 71/2 post op, also had thin hair. I started losing hair almost immediately. My doctor told me to buy Zinc Sulfate 220 mg, it is over the counter. I started taking them and my hair loss stopped with in 1 week.I now have more hair than I had before. I also take Biotin (from GNC) twice a day. Good luck, hope this helps.
   — Valerie M.

March 6, 2002
Hi, I'm 5 months post-op, and I have had my share of hair loss, my hair was very thick, my bathroom, sink-shower and floor stays full of hair, everywhere I look i see it, but it's my own fault, I didn't take my vitamins like I should have since I corrected that, the loss is not as bad. If you are real worried about it, ask your physican. I'm so happy over my weight loss, it was worth losing a little hair. Good luck.
   — patricia P.

March 6, 2002
Okay, I'm sure you are going to get a ZILLION suggestions, and here come yet another one ...hahaha. I have alopecia, very very thin hair, I wore a wig for many years. Preop for 4 months I took Walmart Brand prenatal vitamins and used Nioxin Shampoo and Conditioner (Walmart Salon). My hair was looking pretty good, still thin, but no need for a wig. I had surgery and starting taking my 3 chewable children's vitamins a day with meals and calcium citrate. I noticed some hair loss about 3-4 months out. My surgeon suggested Multi Oils from GNC, it's a tiny little pill I take 3x a day. I now take 1 prenatal vitamin (split) , two children's chewables, 3 multi oils a day, and my calcium citrate. I continue to use the Nioxin. My hair is better than it's been in years!!! It's healthy, and strong, people comment on the difference all the time. I am very careful about protein and always get in at least 50 grams a day. It's so fun to finally style my hair again. Best of luck to you hon. (((hugs))) and smiles =)))
   — DebPKansas