Hair Loss Anyone? 16 Weeks Post Op and Feel Like I am Going BALD :(

I hit the hair loss stage of this journey approx. 3 weeks ago. I knew this would happen at some point and was not upset about it when it began. As each day passes and I continue to lose such large chunks of hair, I get a little sadder each day. Had you asked me pre-op if I would trade a head of hair for 100 pounds of body weight, I would have screamed H#LL YES! I am stressed and sad over the hair loss, however, the health benefits of this surgery far outweigh the stress and sadness. Mentally and physically, I am feeling better than I have in YEARS. My blood pressure is normal and completely un-medicated --- asthma is almost non-existent --- GERD is gone --- feet no longer hurt --- the arthritis in my knees no longer brings me to tears --- and my back stopped killing me. I'd gladly exchange my hair for those benefits again and again... The reason for my post is to ask those of you who experienced massive hair loss -- is there any advice you have for someone like me? I am now using the NIOXIN products -- steps 1, 2, and 3. I am taking supplements designed for women with hair loss in addition to my normal vitamin intake. I am hypothyroid and have too much testosterone (from excess DHEA production). My endocrinologist is re-testing me on Monday to make sure that the hypothyroidism and DHEA/testosterone levels are not contributing to the severity of my hair loss. I have read that a number of things can cause hair loss like this -- trauma of surgery, rapid weight loss, and a diet high in animal protein. Wow, I have all that under my belt -- especially the diet high in animal protein. My surgeon has me on nothing but animal protein and green leafy veggies -- no dairy, fruit, breads, etc. Any advice or tips 'n tricks the AMOS family can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for letting me vent. Nancy Lap RNY 3/22/04 250/183/150

Hi Nancy, I just started noticing hair loss the last couple of weeks. I expected it, but it is still freaking me out. I will tell you, if I read one more post with someone saying that it is vain to care about what you look like, I will scream! Of course I want all my hair!!! I have my next doctor's appointment next week, so I will see what he says, but the consensus from all the replies to my own post on this topic earlier today was that it stops around month 5 or so... So I guess I will be stocking up on mousse and hairspray! Good luck and let me know what happens! Lisa

My hair dresser (who has sadly left the city) has several wls clients. She advised me to spray a volumizing hair spray in my hair while it is still wet and then style as usual. This seems to make my hair "look" fuller and stay in place without being sticky or stiff. Lucklily I had a lot of hair to start with, but it feels like it's at about half the volume it was before. And Holy Cow Nancy! Your weight loss is phenomenal. You're only 33 pounds from goal. Wow! Connie

My dd lost 138 pounds after wls. she lost a lot of hair too, but it has all grown back. The funny thing is it has grown in curly/frizzy. Eventually it will get back to normal. She is 2 years post op. I have not yet lost any hair. Louise

Mine's beginning to look a little thin, too. I have tried everything that I've heard about to prevent it: 1) Nioxin shampoo and treatments since BEFORE wls. 2) Biotin 3) Selinium 4) gentle scalp massage 5) trying to get my protein in 6) NOT avoiding fats altogether Some in my support group haven't done any of these things and some haven't lost any excessive amount of hair. I am beginning to believe what I read on a post one time: Some will lose theirs, and some will not, and it doesn't make any difference what you do to prevent it. I do know I feel better knowing that I have tried . . . L Y N N 298 / 220 / 150

I also believe there is not much you can do about it. Either you'll lose it or you won't. I'm losing it by the handful lately. I think instead of the Victorian hair art I will knit a hat so I won't get cold this winter!! Dina

I am losing it by the handfulls also. I jsut started to wear dew rags everywhere and the only reason i wear those is i dont want a sunburn on my head i could care less about the hair loss because the weight loss is so good. LaRhonda Smiling bald woman in Texas

I don't think there is much to do about the hair loss, it's either going to fall out or it isn't. I have been using something called Lanza Body Styling Cream. It's helping my hair feel thicker while still falling out by the handfulls. Use it while your hair is still wet and then style as usual. Leslie

go ahead and add me to the list of "falling out by the handfuls" people. i cry sometimes because my hair has/was always the ONLY pretty thing about me... i am taking biotin, tried nioxin... and am now trying birth controll pills crushed up in my shampoo (some people swear by this weirdness... i'll try anything at this point. oh yeah... i am PRAYING for hair growth - it can't hurt, right? deb open RNY 3/5/04 -77

I too have been loosing hair like crazy!!! I find it everywhere! And I have to put it in a pony tail if I go swimming or else the pool will be full of hair!!! The anesthesia makes my hair fall out 3 months out and plus with the whole weight loss surgery thats extra hair! ah well it will grow back eventually... its sure worth the weight im loosing. (very slowly I might add!) Elizabeth M