Question:
When does it stop?

I had my surgery August 8 of 2002, i am almost 6 months post-op, wonderfully I have lost 77 pounds, not so wonderful is my hair started falling out at 4 months and hasn't shown any signs of stopping. Will it stop before I'm bald? I have been taking 1600 mg. Biotin and washing and conditioning with a strengthening type of both. When does it stop?    — leeann N. (posted on January 31, 2003)

January 31, 2003
In my preparation for WLS, I've checked out numerous nutritional supplements. Through my family doctor's office, I have come across one that stands way above the rest. I've been taking it for 7 months. Since I'm still a pre-op, I cannot personally tell you my success story from a post-op perspective. But I can tell you how I've seen it work wonders in other post-ops. If you'd like info on the product, email me and I would be more than happy to share the information with you, and tell you where you can order it.
   — Tammy R.

January 31, 2003
How much protein to you get each day? I have never taken any supplements other than prenatal vitamins and calcium but I get at least 50g of protein everyday and I've had almost no hair loss. In a totally unrelated story, my cat (Persian) got infested with fleas last summer and almost died from flea anemia. She lost almost all her hair. Her treatment for the anemia included increased protein and iron through diet and a good multivitamin. She now has thicker and prettier hair than she had before losing it. The veterinarian said it was due to the massive amounts of protein and iron. I certainly saw the relationship between her problem and the problems we have after surgery. Do you have any idea what your iron levels are? You might want to talk with your doctor and have your bloodwork checked. By the way, I am 14 months post-op and have lost 160 pounds.
   — Patty_Butler

January 31, 2003
My hairloss began at three months and I have thick naturally curly hair. It got VERY thin and by six months, maybe six and a half, it magically stopped! My doctor told me it is all a natural process because your body is adjusting to the shock of the surgery. He told me absolutely no pill or hair cream would make a difference and he was right. I'm nine months post-op now, down 132 pounds, and NOT BALD! LOL Good luck!
   — stacey L.

January 31, 2003
Hi Leeann, Congratulations on your weight loss! In answer to your question... it will stop and you won't lose all of your hair.. promise. After much research, I've come to the conclusion that no matter how many vitamins you take you will either lose your hair or you won't. I've spoken to many people that have taken vitamins and still lost hair. I've spoken to people that have never taken vitamins and have never lost their hair. I'm about 9 months post-op and my hair has finally stopping falling out. I stopped worrying about it a month ago and the other day I noticed hair growing back in my bang area. Try to relax and not worry about it ( i know it's hard to do but you really don't have a choice). What you're going through is normal and it will stop. Enjoy your weight loss! Lynn Lap-Rny 5/9/02 -109 lbs!
   — Lynn E.

February 1, 2003
I know it seems to be a contraversial subject here as to what helps with hair loss. At about three or four months post op I was losing a lot of hair and my weight loss had really slowed down a lot. I read on this site about Real Meals helping so I tried it. My weight loss picked up again and my hair stopped falling out within a week or two. When I questioned my nutritionist about it she said that if you are losing your hair to nutrition, biotin alone will not help. You need a combination of biotin, protein, calcium and b vitamins. That is probably why so many people say that Real Meals helps. It has the 60 grams of protein, calcium, biotin and 40 other vitamins. I recommend it to anyone I know post op. I know that some people say that the hair loss is caused from anesthesia or the shock to our bodies losing so much weight so fast. But I had had other surgeries under anesthesia and never lost hair and I had lost weight very quickly on diets (only to gain it back) and never lost hair. So I tend to believe that the lack of nutrition in those first months is the culprit. Just my opinion.
   — Marie I.

February 1, 2003
I UNDDRSTAND ABOUT YOUR HAIR. AS A TEST TO GET WEIGHT LOSS GOING AGAIN DURING MY FOREVER PLATUE I UPED MY PROTEIN TO AT LEAST 90 PROTEINS DAILY. INSTEAD OF WEIGHT LOSS, I NOTICE MY HAIR STOPPED FALLING OUT. I AM EATING A CAN OF TUNA WHICH HAS 32 GRAMS, MY PROTEIN SUPPLIMENT WHICH HAS A AWESOME TASTE HAS 32 GRAMS FOR 1 LEAVEL SCOOP AND THE SOY PROTEIN SLIMFAST DRINK THAT HAS THE GOOD KIND A SUGAR IN IT, I USE 3 SCCOPS IN FOR 22 GRAMS. WHICH IS AT LEAST 84 GRAMS DAILY AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE OTHER 3 MEALS FOR THE DAY! IT ONLY TOOK LESS THEN A WEEK TO NOTICE THE DIFFERANCE..GOOD LUCK!
   — Karen Kay (KK) O.