To Perm or Not to Perm

I haven't permed my hair since I had my surgery 8 weeks ago because I'm scared of having it fall out.  I had my check up with my doctor today and he told me that it was okay to perm my hair as long as I was getting all of my protein in everyday.  I'm diligent about my protein and my hair is healthy but I'm not sure if I should perm it yet or if I should wait.  If I do wait, how long should I wait?  Any feedback would be great!

I am going to be honest with you. I have very thick long hair. I didn't think mine would fall out. My surgeon's protein goal is 60 grams. I get 80-100 daily and I started losing my hair at 3 months. I am 6 months post op now and it is still coming out, not nearly as much as it was in months 3, 4 and 5 but it is still coming out some. I wouldn't do anything that would potentially make more come out. If you can hold off, I would.

Good luck!

Hijack! LOVE your new avie!

Hahaha, thank you! My husband was having fun being my photographer!

I would advise AGAINST it.  I am at month 6, and while I have very fine hair and lots of it, I spoke to my hairdresser beforehand, and she thought it was a good idea to wait until after any hair loss (which seems to be maybe 8-10 months out?) before putting any kind of chemicals on my hair.

That way, she could assess the health of my hair, knowing that the worst of the fallout would be over, and we could proceed from there.  

Of course, depending on the type of hair you have, the perm might help hide anything falling out.  But I'd also see what your hairdresser thinks.  In this case, I think I'd trust the hairdresser over the surgeon!  LOL!  My hairdresser has had other WLS patients, so she has worked with the situation in the past.

Best of luck!

Thanks for the responses.   I guess I'll wait just to be on the safe side. 

I am a revision and did not really lose hair getting my stomach sleeved - I also did not lose a lot of weight like with the Band.

Odds are, your hair will drop no matter what.  Yes, yes, yes the protein helps big time but I think between the anesthia, the weight loss (fat cells have estrogen so lots of hormonal stuff) something happens. 

The year I lost 62lbs with my Band I ate very healthy (always protein first), took hair, skin, and nail mix from GNC and every where I looked, my hair dropped (well I'm exaagerating it wasn't everywhere).  I freaked at the hair that would come straight from the root when I washed  . . . and the hair drain WTH, it would be packed with hair.  My hair texture change.  I was desperate for lotions and potions.  Finally I couldn't take it.  I cut my hair off  and wore a weave for a brief time.  Then when my hair came back I appreciated my texture again.  Wish I could show you in pictures.

When you say perm are you talking curly or relaxer?  Either way, it is up to you - you know the possibilities of the chemical you choose and if worse comes to worse you cut your hair off, you add hair.  Whatever!!! All Best, Layla

I didn't start losing any hair until about 4 months out.  I am about 5.5 months out and am still losing some.  I had talked to my hairdresser a while back and she strongly advised against it has it was still too close to my surgery date.  The anesthesia from a surgery tends to cause a bad reaction and they do not take as well.

You would be better off waiting for a while.

Seems like it make a lot of sense to just wait it out.  Thanks to all *****sponded!!

Sorry, ladies! Have to throw in a little bit of science here.

Your hair is already DEAD. The only living part of your hair is the follicle. That's why a lot of the hair industry hype just infuriates me. You can't nourish your hair from the outside.  The hair strand is porous and can absorb moisture and chemicals. Topical products won't keep your hair healthy.They can keep it clean and moisturized, but that's about it. Chemical products can damage hair terribly, too, and cause major breakage. Think about the whole split end, broken hair thing we've seen on TV for years.

So, if you want a perm, get one. It won't add to whether you lose your hair or not. The hair loss that's caused by surgery, weight loss and stress happens at the follicular level - not on the strand level.