Question:
Solutions for Hair Loss?
Yes, I know that this question has been raised before, but I was hoping for a "fresh" answer, as there may be new research and/or products out there. I am 4 mos. out as of yesterday, and I am losing hair like there's no tomorrow and it's very upsetting to me. There's some small bald spots (!) which is freaking me out. I'm even having nightmares about it. This has been happening since right before my 3 mo. anniversary. I'm interested in hearing about any products or ideas that helped YOU with stopping or slowing down hair loss. I'm also interested in any information which discusses not only WHEN post-op., but WHY this happens. Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I've gathered thus far, this happens around the 3 mo. mark and tapers off by the 6 mo. mark. Some people say it's a lack of protein issue. However, I read recently that a lowering of estrogen levels can lead to hair loss, such as after pregnant women give birth and after women who have been on the Pill a long time stop taking it. So I'm wondering if the loss of fat (I'm down 75 lbs. and exercise a great deal), which stores estrogen, may have something to do with it as well. Any thoughts? Information? Sources to check? Solutions? Share your story? I'm trying to get in enough protein. I just started taking a shake which has, in addition to protein, biotin, as I see others have suggested it. Does biotin work? Thanks so much for your help and input! — Karen B. (posted on October 8, 2002)
October 8, 2002
I was in the hospital for 4 months (two years ago - NOT for WLS) and about
2 or 3 months after, all my hair fell out. It was explained to me as a
major protein deficiency and overall nutrient deficiency while ill. Your
body takes some time for this sort of thing to catch up to your intake. For
example, if I get 10 g of protein every day this week my hair will not fall
out tomorrow. It takes some time to "work its way through your
system". My surgeon's PA reiterated that. He emphasized that you need
to work on your protein from the minute you leave the hospital, for life. I
also take folic acid and B12 for my hair.... it came back thicker than
every and quite quickly after I lost it the first time (2 yrs ago). And
even though I have had some complications since my WLS (6 months ago) I
have not lost ANY hair.
Good Luck, and I hope this helps!
— kultgirl
October 8, 2002
This is probably not the answer you're looking for but nothing helps. I
started taking Biotin 9 months before I even had surgery! I started losing
hair at 3 months and am now 7 months post-op and am still having some hair
loss. I drink plenty of water, eat 80 to 90 grams of protein a day, still
take Biotin along with GNC Nourishair and Horsetail herb. The hair still
falls out. Mostly just a few strands when I wash my hair. I am down
105lbs and to me it's well worth it. I don't think anything helps it's
just something you have to deal with. As hard as it is try not to stress
about the hair loss and focus more on your weight loss.
— Angie B.
October 8, 2002
I was about 3 months out when I started loosing my hair. It really worried
me because every morning my shirt would be covered with hair when I curled
it. My surgeon said if it started to fall out up my protein. However, I
had blood work done and my protein levels were fine. I started taking Zinc
and Biotin and it stopped my hair from falling out right away. You can get
Zinc and Biotin from any drug store. For me they work great and I'm still
taking them. I don't plan to stop taking them until I'm about a year out.
Right now I'm 5 months out and down 89 pounds. Good Luck!
— Donna W.
October 8, 2002
I started loosing my hair at 4 months. Its still coming out but I cut it
kind of short so it doesn't seem as much. I tried zinc but it was very
hard for me to digest and it hurt for about 2 hours or so. So needless to
say I don't take the zinc anymore. I just keep drinking my water and
eating my protein. i also doubled up on my regular multi viatman since it
has 15 g of zinc hopefully that will help. I know this will be easier than
said but worrying doesn't help. Stress and worry also cause hair loss. I
wish I had a remedy for you, I wish the best of luck and hope that you find
something. God Bless you in your journey.
— Chris9672
October 8, 2002
I have heard of a type of hair loss that is caused by stress on the body. I
believe that with the stress of surgery, weight loss,and the whole ordeal
itself can cause the hair to fall out. It usually happens about 3-6 months
after the event. Kinda like post traumatic stress syndrome. It even happens
after a serious illness or prolonged high fever.I believe it is called
alopecia symptomatica-loss of hair after a prolonged fever or during the
course of a disease;may result from systemic or psychological factors
(Taber Medical Dictionary). If it is causing areas of baldness, a
dermatologist can inject Kenelog into to area or perscribe cream to help
stimulate growth, or a cheaper treatment-rogaine can be used on the scalp
for thinning hair. Good Luck!!
— Jan S.
October 8, 2002
I took biotin and zinc, got my protein in, and STILL lost a ton of hair...
and I didn't have much to spare. Vitamin deficiency, lack of protein, and
the shock of surgery and anesthesia can all contribute to hair loss. So
you do what you can to better the odds, but it might fall out no matter
what you do.
— mom2jtx3
October 8, 2002
Hello Karen - First of all, congratulations on your weight loss thus far,
wooohooo, how exciting! Now on to the hair loss. Although I haven't had
the WLS surgery yet, I have lost hair due to "surgery". About
five years ago, I had my gall bladder taken out, 3 months later I started
losing my hair. Unfortunately, I already had thin hair to start with, so
when I started to lose it, it was pretty apparent. Obviously, my gall
bladder surgery had NOTHING to do with malabsortion of vitamins, lack of
protein or to much estrogen leaving my system via fat cells, it was simply
related to the SHOCK my body went through courtesy of anesthesia and an
operation.<br><br>
I stocked up on Biotin AND Nioxin, which my dermatologist recommended.
What I honestly don't know is, did it really help, or was my body done with
the "shedding" stages causing it to stop and finally grow back?
I also wonder if it affects us more with age. I had a C-Section 23 years
ago, and although that surgery was much more intrusive, I didn't lose any
of my hair at the age of 18. Go figure?<br><br>
Once again, congratulations to you! I look forward to makin' that journey
to a healthier and thinner ME, soon! Hugs & Aloha -
— [Deactivated Member]
October 10, 2002
I have 3 solutions to not loosing your hair. 1 Protien, 2 Protien and 3
Protien.
Both my wife and I have had RNY and both push protien. I estimate I get
about 80-100
gms per day now, and neither ever had problems with loosing or thinning
hair.
They also say it is important to get B and other vitamins. I personally
take
3 chewable centrums each day (adult not children's) along with caltrate,
B-12 and Iron
and my hair is as thick or thicker than it has ever been. 7 months Post op,
open RNY.
— Dell H.
October 10, 2002
I'm not an expert but here's my two cents. I have lost a lot of hair over
the last few years, and noticed that if I didn't eat well, especially not
enough protein my hair fell out. I loved carbs. So when I contemplated
WLS this was a huge fear. I mean there's nothing more disgusting then
finding hair on your clothes, pillow, sheets. Fortunately I haven't lost
any hair in the whole WLS process. In fact I have tons of new hair coming
in. Here is what I did. Hope it helps:
1) Start taking biotin asap. That way it will build up in your body
before the surgery. I take it even though I'm six months out. I imagine
I'll push it for the first nine months to a year.
2) Push your protein. If nothing else the thought of losing my hair is
enough to get me to drink the protein drinks even if I balk at it
otherwise. Being bald isn't my idea of a good hair day. The other posters
were right. The body needs protein to help protect the hair folicles.
3) When I started reading about hir los and WLS. I got scared. I went to
the store and checked out every single shampoo bottle I could find. I even
thought about using the rogain products. Here is what I found. Only one
shampoo and conditioner listed that they nourish and hydrate the hair.
Believe it or not it's Suave Profesionals Humectant. I got them for $1.47
at Walmart. Doesn't cost a fortune, but it worked. My hair looks better
than ever.
WLS DOESN'T HAVE TO MEAN THAT YOU'LL LOSE YOUR HAIR!
Good luck
Leigh
— Leigh P.
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