Starting weight 313lbs surgery date 08/22/07 today 240 lbs total loss 73lbs this week 2 lbs I did not eat well during the holidays, ate too many sweets, not enough protein. Losing hair daily! New Year's resolution is to eat more protein! Hugs, Hiedi

asked: "I had a gastric bypass 4 months ago, and last month I began to experience an exceptional amount of hair loss. My doctors told me that some hair loss was normal, and if I ate enough protiens i would be able to control it. Well, at the rate my hair is falling out, I will be bald with-in a couple months. I asked my doctor how long this hair loss will go on. (I was told 9 months) I asked if there was any special things I could do or take to help. The only 2 things that was recommended to me Iam already doing. Iam eating at least 50 grams of protien a day, and I have inquired and begun using an over-the-counter product, a shampoo and conditioner named Nioxin. My hair is still falling out at an alarming rate. If there is anything that you can reccomend, or advice. It will be greatly needed and apprciated Thank you Dr R L, MD answered: "Excessive shedding occurring 4 months after gastric bypass surgery would be a typical example of a telogen effluvium. The name "telogen effluvium" explains the nature of the hair loss very well. All hair follicles in humans run through cycles of activity. During anagen, they produce hair fiber. During telogen, the follicles are dormant and there is no further growth. The hair shaft is shed at the end of the telogen phase. Effluvium is a Latin word that means "letting loose". So the term "telogen effluvium" describes hair follicles entering a dormant stage and shedding (letting loose) the hair shaft. Telogen effluvium forms of hair loss are generalized and diffuse over the scalp. Telogen effluvium is not normally a permanent form of hair loss. Eventually, the hair follicles recover and return to normal hair density usually within one year. In a normal, young, healthy individual up to 90% of hair follicles are in an a growing phase (anagen) and only 10% are in a telogen (resting) phase at any one moment in time. If your body experiences a systemic physiologic upset, such as a gastric bypass surgical procedure, many of the anagen hairs can be shifted into telogen. At the end of that telogen phase, which is typically about 100 days in length, those hairs will all shed. Rarely are more than 50% of the hairs of the scalp ever involved in a telogen effluvium. The severe shedding rarely lasts more than the length of the telogen phase, which is about 100 days. There is no treatment for telogen effluvium. Once the hair follicles entered the telogen phase, the hair shafts were destined to shed in 3 to 4 months and there is no way of preventing it from taking its natural course. However, you will be encouraged to know that the hair follicles have not been damaged and that all of the hair will grow back in. If you would like to read more about the phenomenon of telogen effluvium, please access the article at http://www.minoxidil.com/journal.htm#Telogen.

Can I pretend I didn't see this? LOL I am up three pounds this week but honestly it is not from eating wrong. I know I am retaining water, so I'm just waiting for it to leave. Last week I said I didn't worry about minor ups. I'm repeating that to myself constantly!

Finally!! My stall broke through! Bad news is that I have a head cold! Starting Weight - 264 pounds Surgery Date - 8/13/2007 - 250 pounds Today - 191.6 pounds Total Loss - 72.4 Since Surgery - 58.4 This week -5 lbs.

Tanya girl where are you!!..lol...can't start this silly thing without you! starting weight 318 lbs Surgery date 8/22/07 Today 232lbs total loss 86 lbs this week 7 lbs Yea for us guys we made it through christmas just a few more days and we will be clear of holiday food....now to avoid that Valentine candy...lol.. Hugs Pamela