I have been away from the board for many months but now that my consult appt is next week, I wanted to get back on board with things.  I quit coming for a bit because at the time, my original consult appt wasn't until May 2012 and it felt like the days just went by that much slower when I was here everyday but I ended up by getting in sooner because of a cancellation. 

I was looking at the posts that ppl talked about the "bad" that happened to them after surgery that they weren't really prepared for or didn't know about and nothing was mentioned about hair loss.  I remember when I first joined, I read things about hair loss.

Has anyone experienced significant amount of hair loss post-op?

My hair falls out in what feels like clumps. My hair is very thick but I would be ditressed if it wasn't. I literally have to clean out my brush every time I use it.

Not to the point of baldness, but my hair has gotten a lot thinner over the past few weeks. I knew enough to expect some from the radical change in diet. I also have read some veterans of WLS say, that be patient, it will come back. I guess I'm in the "be patient" mode!!

Mine started to shed at 2 and a half months post-op, and just now (at 6 months post-op) it has slowed down considerably, and new growth is starting.  At times it was actually frightening to see how much hair would come out in the shower. A few months ago our tub became clogged and we had to call our plumber.  He pulled a giant clump of my hair out of the drain.  Ugh!  That was gross!  From that point on, I became very careful not to let the hair slip down there, so I would de-shed with conditioner and a wide tooth comb.  I know they say not to do that, but I had to.   Luckily, I have no bald spots or thin areas, and no one has noticed a thing.    My hair is extra dry lately though, so I find myself conditioning more often and styling less. I got about 5 inches cut off this weekend, which has helped bounce it up a bit. 

My doctor said that typically hair loss will stabilize as your weight begins to stabilize, which for me is pretty true.  I lost so much weight so fast and through that time, the hair loss was at it's worst.  Now that I'm getting closer to goal and the weight it coming of slower, I'm losing much less hair.

Yep, I've lost quite a bit. Thankfully, it's not all that noticeable, yet...
I'd estimate I lose about 30+ hairs every time I wa**** It's scary. But, I've seen enough people that are years out from surgery with thick full hair that I'm not too worried long term.  

 Get a product that blocks DHT.  The best non-prescription was made by Arbonne.  It has been discontinued but you can still find some on eBay.  Use it after every shampoo and you will probably have no hair loss at all.  A tube will last from 3 to six months and cost about $25  

ARBONNE INTELLIGENCE THERMAL FUSION HAIR & SCALP REVITALIZER

i have had some significant hair loss.  but the truth is, i like my hair thinner!  much more manageable! 

some people take biotin and increase their protein intake to stem the tide, but i don't think that people actually go bald...i wear bands in my hair...

it's all ok. 

you have to just go in with a positive attitude, find the silver lining, move forward!  :)

I am 4 months post op and yes my hair is coming out in handfuls. I clean my brush every time i use it and i pick hair off my shirt all day long. hoping it gets better. I am eating and drinking my protein my levels are all normal so a little frustrated.

my hair loss started at 4 months post op and lasted for 3 months.  now i've got lots and lots of new growth.  it was a scary time as i had already experienced hair loss due to a vitamin "d" deficit that was diagnosed a few months prior to my wls.  anyway....i took the vitamin d, biotin, and used the expensive shampoo/conditioner.  didn't prevent the hairloss one bit but i think it helped to promote the new growh.

i knew what hair was coming out......the hair would feel like straw....like it was dead....then would fall out within a day or so.  a really strange feeling!.....

Yes I have.  I started shedding my hair about 3- months post-op and it stopped about the 7 month mark.  I had thin hair before, but now my scalp is showing through.  I see no signs of regrowth and take stuff like Biotin and take my vitamins. 

Hopefully it will come back and if not, oh well, I guess I can always wax my head in the future.

No wigs or hats for me - if people don't like my balding hair, they can look elsewhere.