Question:
How do you stop hair loss?
I know many people who have had WLS and they all seem to lose their hair a great deal. I just wanted to know if there is a way or what some of you did to stop the hair loss. I have very long dark hair down my back and I am so sad at the thought of losing it. I do think it would be worth it to lose it to live healthier, but I wouldn't mind keeping it after surgery. So what should I do or take to help or prevent this from happening? — pms (posted on November 25, 2005)
November 25, 2005
Hey Paula,
I take Biotin, about 2000 to 3000 mgs aday, it slowed the process of my
hair falling out, it was also recommeded by my Doctor.
Sherry
— Sherry Sonson
November 25, 2005
I get all my protein in with Carb crunch bars. I eat them everyday from the
www.bariatriceating.com
store. I buy every thing from Susan Marie Leach. I cant get enough food
down. I am one year and have healthy blonde hair. She has wonderful
everything. I noticed most of the people have lifeless looking hair. Also I
drink hoods carb countdown. I hate those protein drinks
— zachery1
November 25, 2005
Paula,
When I took my partner back to the doctor for her first post-op exam, we
spoke with a lady who talked about loosing hair. She wasn't eating enough
protein and when she kicked up the protein the loss was not so great. It
grows back, however, you've gotta keep up your protein and take care of
your hair. My partner wore hears short at the time and let it grow prior
to the surgery and after she did loose some. So eat that protein and
you'll be fine. Today, she has a nice healthy head of hair -- well she
always did.
— the7thdean
November 25, 2005
I WAS PUT ON SUGLINGUAL B12, ONE CHEWABLE FLINSTONE VITAMIN, CHEWABLE
CALCIUM AT THE VERY BEGINNING. THEN WHEN I HAD THE FIRST SIGNS OF MY HAIR
FALLING OUT ABOUT 2.5 MONTHS AFTER SURGERY MY DOC PUT ME ON ZINC AND C
CHEWABLE. I DO NOT REMEMBER THE DOSE BUT I COULD LOOK IT UP IF YOU WANT TO
E MAIL ME PRIVATELY. I HAVE A TINY BIT THINNER HAIR NOW BUT STILL DOWN TO
MY WAIST. AT ONE POINT ABOUT 1.5 YEARS AFTER SURGERY I CUT 6 INCHES OFF
BUT THAT IS THE ONLY MAJOR CUTTING I DID BESIDE TRIMMING THAT WAS NORMAL
FOR ME.
ALISON IN IDAHO-192
— ALEOINIDAHO
November 25, 2005
Yes most surgeons or your family Drs. are perscribing Biotin it is suposed
to help. I personaly have never used it. I had my WLS 5yrs. ago this April.
What helped me was to get in lots n lots of protien. Mabey even more than
the recommended amount. Hair is made out of protien. My hair thinned a
little but I did not loose a lot. Your WLS friend Jo Michalko
— Jo_Michalko
November 25, 2005
I also took Biotin and my hair dresser suggested using Nioxin shampoo and
conditioner to slow the loss and it's a much much gentler shampoo on the
remaining hair. If you do nothing else, think about switching to a gentler
shampoo that won't weigh your hair down or be too harsh on it. She also
suggested for me not to use so much hair products on it and to blow dry or
iron it if it was necessary. The less pulling you do on it, the better it
will be. The good news is the hair loss does eventually stop, but I know
the sinking feeling of washing your hair and it coming out by the hand
fulls!
— Shayna T.
November 25, 2005
There are a few ways that everyone swears by for stopping the hair loss.
What you need to remember is that not everything works for everybody and
sometimes there really isn't anything that does work. We lose our hair
because our bodies go thru a trauma with the surgery and then a severely
restricted caloric intake. When our calorie intake drops as much as it
will, the hair root will go dormant (this is natures way of saving energy
for our bodily functions). Now for the not so good news....because the
root goes dormant, the longer and heavier your hair is, the more it will
fall out. Fact of life. Short hair has less weight to pull on it so will
not fall out quite as much.
Now, for the remedies....and remember not all of these may work for you!
Take biotin supplements. Take zinc supplements. Use a shampoo containing
biotin. Use a shampoo containing zinc (dandruff shampoos often have zinc
as the active ingredient). I use a shampoo that contains both....Avalon
Organics Biotin B-complex. Eat more protein....you should be aiming for
around 60 grams of protein daily although you won't get that much in right
out of surgery.
The good news is that it WILL grow back. You will probably be the only one
to notice the hair loss if your hair is thick. Carmen
— kccjer
November 26, 2005
The only thin thing on me used to be my hair. Since surgery, I have been
taking my vitamins and protein, and my hair is thicker than it has ever
been!!! So drink your protein and take your vities!
— Novashannon
November 26, 2005
Paula, I agree with the readers here about the biotin, zinc and vitamin c.
However, the protien should be mainly in animal form, such as: chicken,
turkey, beef, eggs, tuna, cheese...etc, if you can not eat the meat protein
follow up with the shakes. The problem with the protein bars is you are
supposed to drink a glass of water with them or they will swell in your
stomach and cause a tremendus amount of pain. As you know you should not
drink with your meals. protein like nuts & beans do not offer the
protein your hair needs to grow. Try to go back to the basics, eat only
protein, dark green vegtables, and fruit. Also, take all of your vitamins.
When you are washing your hair in the shower massage the roots. i learned
in beauty school that massaging your hair helps it grow. I had surgery in
1998 and did all of these things and have not lost my hair. It does not
matter how short or long your hair is. The length will make your hair
strighter thats about all it will do. good luck P.S. stress will cause hair
loss.
— shana1569
November 28, 2005
Hi, I also lost alot of hiar from not getting enough protein. I began
eating cottage cheese and yoghart and tuna. ALL are high in protein. My
hair grew back, but now is curly. That is hard to get used to after having
striahgt hair for 50 yrs!
— Vanessa M.
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