how much hair do we really lose?

Hi girls,       Maybe it's cold feet, (I'm sure it is), but how much hair do we REALLY lose?  I mean literal patches? or a slight thinning?  I plan on eating my protein and taking that other supplement (biotin?) and I have a lot of hair, but I'd like to keep it.  I guess I'm still kinda shaken up for yesterday maybe.  My dh is walking around all depressed and he won't tell me what's wrong, but I know he scared to death that I'm making a big mistake.  He was cornered by three people yesterday at work telling him I would regret this, that I'd have complications, obstructions, lose my hair, have britle nails, never be able to have birthday cake with my little girl and so on....I understand that these things can happen, but I've also seen tremendous success!!  I've done all the research, i know what I'm up against and I have a pretty good idea how to avoid some of those pitfall....Such as sugar free birthday cake. m He's also a glass half empty kind of guy.  He calls it being a "realist". I call it NOT HELPFUL.  Anyway, love him and I KNOW he's scared.  It took so long for me to get him on board and now I feel like we're back to square one.  I wish people would just mind their own business.  I feel like I'm on my own, very few people who are close to me are truly "on board"  They're all peeing their pants in fear...that doesn't help me.... On a lighter note.  I got the opportunity to meet a woman at work last night, who had GB in DEC., .  She was one of those people who've been back because of complications.  Turns out that she had an ulcer because she internalizes all her stress.  She's lost 104 lbs. and said she'd do all over again.  That to me is inspiration.  She just had to have a revision, has three drains sticking out everywhere, was made to drink gastrografin (which tastes like liquid plumber) for the leak test and she so satisfied with her results that she'd do it all again?  That's motivation!!!  Sorry to ramble as usual..have a great day.

Hi Keela!  I know I am early in this process, but I'm losing the hair already!  I started losing some BEFORE surgery!!! I think it has something to do with the amount of weight I lost prior to surgery!  (And I go above and beyond the protein recs from our nut every day.....since I started losing!)  Our nut told me to add Zinc, which will help prevent some of the loss.  I've also heard that biotin helps with the hair and nails.  I'm not losing it in patches and actually, no one even notices unless I forget to clean the drain after my shower!  I have ALOT of hair and it's pretty long too!  I used to lose some anyways, before I lost weight, so now I lose maybe twice as much!  I know it will stop and I'm planning on getting a new "do" soon too!  I've heard that a shorter cut will help stop some of the loss.  I'll let you know about that one!  I know yesterday was stressful for you, but just remember why you are doing this and all the GOOD that will come of it!  You are ssooooo close!  Cold feet....second thoughts.....it happened to all of us!!!!  I know I'm only 2 1/2 weeks out, but as hard as this is some days...I DON'T regret a second of it!  It's gonna be SOOOOO worth it in the long run!!!!    hugs...honks and prayers Keela!    Ruth

Keela, i'm so sorry you have to deal with all this Bull S....!!! This is one reason I chose not to tell alot of people,  this is a big enough decision without having to go through the ringer at every corner.  so far so good, everyone who i've told, have done very well, but I pre mpted telling them with I am going to tell you something and I need your support, if I don't get it.  I don't want to hear it... !!! and all has been good, if they have any issues I havn't heard anything.  As for your DH being stressed, he is the one person, who I guess is forgivable.  He loves you and wants the best for you, maybe he just isn't sure what the best is right now.  Give him time, when he sees how happy you are and how well your doing, he will come around.  Keep your chin up, and stay away from those people for now... you will be fine.  we are all here for you toots,  have a good day, honksss  ........Cheryl

Everyone always seems to dwell on the bad of things.  For all of the bad you hear about these surgeries, I bet there are at least 2x if not more good stories.  It drives me crazy when people do that to others.  I have not had a whole lot of family/friend support.  Some people think that I am crazy for having lapband surgery.  I just tell them that I needed to do this for myself.  All people keep saying is that "well so and so gained all of her weight back".  Well that so and so probably did not make the lifestyle eating change that was needed and kept up on her fills.  Bottom line is that it is all what you put into it.  Second guessing your decision right now is normal.  Just like we all did.  We do it before any big decisions we make in our life, marriage, having a baby, moving, etc. I say keep your chin up.  Yes complications, some hair loss, etc. can happen, but I believe that if you are positive going in, every thing will turn out wonderful!! 

Thanks ladies, I really told very few people.  Most of the few people I CHOOSE to tell have been very supportive, but when I had my EGD the news spread like wildfire.  It's just a matter of time before people start stopping on the street I'm sure. Thankfully I feel like I am a positve person, makes my husband crazy...calls me the eternal optimist.  I'm excited really I am, just keep telling myself it will be ok.  

tHERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE SUCH MISERABLE LIVES AND ARE STUCK IN THEIR OWN GARBAGE, THAT THEY HATE TO SEE SOMEONE ACTUALLY GET UP AND OUT...wls IS UP AND OUT FOR YOU, kEELA...DON'T WORRY ABOUT ANYONE ELSE, TALK TO THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ACTUALLY HAD THE SURGERY TO GET YOUR INFORMATION AND FIND YOUR COMFORT ZONE THERE WITH THE PROCESS. AS FAR AS YOUR HUBBY GOES...HE IS WHERE YOU WERE LAST WEEK, SCARED, AND LASHING OUT BECAUSE HEIS FEELING HELPLESS TO DO THIS FOR YOU!!! HOLD ON TIGHT AND TELL HIM you ARE SURE OF YOUR DECISION, AND YOU LOVE HIM AND APPRECIATE HIS GOING TO WAR FOR YOU WITH HIS OWN PEOPLE AT WORK...IT IS WAR WITH PEEPS WHO DON'T GET IT, WE GET IT AND WILL HELP YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

keela, i'm almost 11 weeks out an have not noticed i've lost any hair. people who i've talked to that have lost hair said it thinned mostly. very few have lost enough to notice. i also take biotin and my nut said i could add zinc. i've had no complications and am down almost 50 pounds since february. my nails are growing better then they ever have and i've even gone for a manicure. i certainly would do this surgery again in a heartbeat. it's not easy and the first couple of weeks are really tough. it's just getting to know your pouch and how it works. after that it gets easier. your scared feelings are normal. you are considering a lift altering surgery. one that will make you healthier and happier. if you don't do something you will continue to be unhealthy. you will be surprised how much easier things get after. yesterday i dug mussels for 2 hours and it didn't kill me. my back is a bit sore but i was able to bend and move a lot easier than if i had done it 6 months ago. i'm sure i'd be laid up today if i had.

just follow your instincts. you will be fine and do great!

I had birthday cake with my grandson   a small piece but i had some .    My hairdresser also said my hair was  very healthy  and  she could see where it was starting to grow back in.   I lost it all over not in patches.  My hair is  very long  and she wouldnt  cut it off said i always do  that when i just get it all even again.  To leave it alone  this time lol.   This  operation did change my life.  I was going to do   lap band  but   when i talked with surgeon and my other doctor they want the weight off now not next year.  My asthma was getting worse and worse. now it is getting  better and better  My nails are   stonger than they  ever were.   I dont  eat all  non fat food i do add fat to the diet so my skin has not been dry.    It  changed my life  but  for  the better.    Keep your chin up.    and stick to your guns.  I was scared to death.   I just told my  boys and I had one that was against the surgery   that if something happened to me  and bad things do happen sometime  that I made this choice  and it was mine and only  mine to make so if something happens  remember that.  but i am here and all is fine and my son that was against it is very happy that i took the chance.   Have a great day!!!!

I lost a lot of hair with Thyroid meds so not sure I will lose to much more, Just keep your protein intake high and Corinne said a new study says Zinc can also play a part in keeping your hair. Make sure your vits have Zinc and get all your protein in and you should be fine.