Question:
I need support
I am 3 months post op and losing my hair like crazy. I am in tears every morning when I brush it and see all the hair I've lost. I am taking a daily vitamin. biotin, B-12 and just recently started drinking protein in my water and slim fast twice a day. The hair loss is so bad that I can no longer wear my hair back due to the thinning on the sides. Does anyone know how long this is susposed to last? The worst part about all this is the scale has not moved in over a month. thanks — willish (posted on March 28, 2008)
March 27, 2008
Your right on time with the hair loss. It will stop. My hair was very long
when I started and I had to get it cut real short becasue it thinned so
much. I was very sad. I still lose some hair I am 4yrs post op but it
stopped a long time ago. I need to ask you a question? If you had gastric
bypass why are you taking slim fast??? I dont get it. Slim fast gave me
kidney stones twice. As far as losing your hair it has nothing to do with
vitamins, protein or anything other than the changes in your body. it will
stop
— Joanc
March 27, 2008
I had lap band. thanks
— willish
March 28, 2008
Hair loss is normal, no matter how much biotin you take. It usually starts
at about 3-4 mths post op and will usually stop at about 9-11 mth mark.
Someone told me it is due to the stress the surgery has put on you body and
the lack of protein. Meanwhile think about getting your hair cut and if
it's real bad buying a wig. Good luck......
— Nee P
March 28, 2008
I too have lost a lot of hair...and although I feel fortunate that I had
thick hair to begin with, the quality of my hair has really declined. I
had it cut very short and in a funky style...and I do get it colored and
highlighted and retouched every 6 weeks. It goes grey faster in my roots
than it did previously and it's more dry. I've been using a biotin shampoo
and conditioner that I got at Kmart of all places, but GNC carries it too.
It's probably not helping much, but along with taking the biotin, I feel
that I'm doing something at least. I know some people get on some of the
hair treatments that I do believe you can get without a prescription now..
such as Nioxin, but that stuff scares me. For now, I'm keeping a hair
catcher in my drain and it freaks me out each time I shower or wash my
hair. I wash every other day, and I do conditioning treatments. I know
it's worse from about 3 months through 6-9 months...or so I'm told. Every
surgeon I saw prior to surgery told me it's mainly due to the lack of
protein in your diet. I think it has affected my skin as well, as it's
more dry and my scalp itches more too. Par for the course I guess
dear...and it's one side effect that really gets you down, but you can
improve it. Or....once you're eating better you'll see it come back. A
friend of mine that started out with thin blonde hair started using hair
pieces that you see at the malls in those kiosks...I never really knew her
hair was thinning to the extent it was...until she showed me one day when
she took the fake pony tail out. It was quite amazing how much that helped
her get through the hair loss. Now, 4 years out..her hair is gorgeous. So
don't fear... this too...shall pass. Keep the faith and go have a beauty
day somewhere to lift your spirits. Hugs...Cheryl
— Cheryl K.
March 28, 2008
I lost a ton of hair too. 4 1/2 years later it is down to my waist. It
will grow back. Get a shorter cut. I got mine cut to my shoulders when it
started to fall out. Up your protien and get off the slim fast. They have
a ton of sugar. Not good for the weight loss. Try supplementing with a
protien bar and tasteless protien powder in other foods that you eat. Take
care!
— Carlyn M.
March 28, 2008
I'm 4 months out and losing hair also. My hair is past my rear end and I
will NOT cut it. Just going to let the chips fall as they may. My doctor
told me to keep up with the protein, and I have so the hair loss isn't too
bad. Good luck!!!
— Pamela S.
March 28, 2008
Aww...I know how frightening it is...I have long hair too and in the
beginning I would brush my hair back and you could see thru my hair to my
scalp! But I didn't cut it...I wore it in a pony tail or clipped up to
keep the long heavy hair from hanging on it's folical ends and pulling out
easier...This helped alot! It did keep hair out of my family meals while
cooking too! It was so bad! It would slide down my back and tickle...and
I'd find it in my pants...even in my underwear! LOL It was horrible!!! I
took biotin and still do...After I thought I'd have no hair left...I could
see little peach fuzz starting to come in and it actually lifted the hair I
had left and made it look really full and happy again...It's all caught up
and quite a head full again! It does get better!
— .Anita R.
March 28, 2008
Check with your Dr. how much protein a day, mine said I will have to have
at least min.55grams but would rather me have at least 60-85 daily, so I
plan on doing that for he said not enough protein will daily will cause my
hair to fall out. My lapband surgery is 4/9/08. Good Luck and get that
protein down you no matter what.....
— moosey52
March 28, 2008
I read this same thing somewhere in another post and the woman said that
her hair dresser suggested she take zinc supplements. She claimed that
they helped. I don't know if this will help YOU, but the other woman was
completely satisfied with the results. Just a thought.
Hope this helps,
Hugh
— hubarlow
March 28, 2008
There is this cool product by Bumble and Bumble, usually sold in salons or
beauty supplies, and it's powder that matches your hair that can be applied
to you scalp. While it doesn't replace the hair you have lost, it hides
the big holes that we sometimes get in the interim period. It comes in a
little jar and has what looks like a spongy-powder-puff applicator that can
go right on to your scalp areas.
— Lisa S.
March 28, 2008
I lost over half my hair 3-4 months after surgery. Its the shock your body
has had! The good Lord didn't make us to undergo such total body shock in
such a short time. The good news is that my hair is coming back in, thicker
than I had before the surgery. I am 9.5 months post op laproscopic RNY. I
was so bummed by the hair loss that I went and bought two wigs. They are
synthetic and almost my natural color and style. Not many people noticed
that I even developed a hair challenge, nor did they really question the
appearence of a wig. I had to cut my real hair short to let it all come
back in more evenly because all that stayed attached was the dyed grey
hair, of course. Don't worry! It will come back. I took the biotin 5,000
units a day and nothing happened, then a farmer told me to add fish oil to
my diet. I was feeling desperate, so I did. Eventually my husband was
telling me, "your hair is coming back" and, it was. Keep the
protein up, take your supplements, watch the B12, take the vitamins, the
iron, fish oil, biotin and such, and your hair will return. I'm 56 by the
way and the hair coming back is better than the stuff that fell out. Good
luck to you.
— Anna C.
March 28, 2008
You might go and have your doctor do a blood work up on you. Your body is
missing something and they can help you.
[email protected]
— jennycad
March 28, 2008
Hi Shanda, thanks for writing. It sounds like you are having quite a time
with your hair. Some people lose quite a bit of hair. you don't show a
photo on your profile, but I will tell you that for me I cut my hair very
short and wore it that way for about 18 months while I lost weight. The
longer the hair, the more you lose. I would lose hands full in the shower
and then comb it and get another hand full. I don't know how I didn't go
bald. Regarding your weight loss, I think you are probably stressed far
too much for your body to lose weight, and the slimfast is just a waste of
calories for the wls patient. Be careful what you consume. You need good
solid proteins, lots of water and a good amount of DAILY exercise. If you
are missing any of these components, you are setting yourself up for
stagnation and even weight gain. Take your vitamins and calcium, but find
a way to relax a little in the stress area, and get your routine on tract
with exercise, water and protein, and I think you will see a change soon.
Take care. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
March 29, 2008
Shanda I now how you feel I've had 3 surgeries in the past 10 month one of
them being wls. I have also lost a lot of hair, but I also had a lot of
hair. It usually happens about 3-4 months after surgery and usually last
about 3=4 months, just be patient and keep taking your protein amounts that
are required to lose and give you all that you need. I know it's awful to
see all that hair in the brush and on the sink and every other place it
lands. Cutting your hair shorter and keeping it trimmed will help, I
promise you'll have new growth once your body gets back to where it belongs
and heals it's self.
Best wishes
Joni
— jonicorona
March 29, 2008
not everyone loses their hair -- i have not lost any at 17 months out --
you should be paying attention to your diet habits -- you should have been
upping your protein all along -- protein aids in healing of the body and in
hair production -- get your protein in and you should see a change -- good
luck
http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/Hair/hair_loss-diet.htm
A wholesome diet, rich in silica, calcium and iron, will help reduce or
prevent hair loss. Green, leafy vegetables, especially sea vegetables, are
good mineral sources. Raw oats provide silica. Dried fruits and cherry
juice are rich sources of iron.
For women, thinning hair or hair loss can be a sign of a problem in the
gastrointestinal tract. It could be a sign of insufficient stomach acids;
It could also mean a deficiency of protein, zinc and other nutrients.
Taking two acidophilus tablets after or between meals (four to six tablets
per day) for two months will help.
For men, balding process can be slowed down by taking a low-fat diet. Some
scientists postulate that the male pattern baldness is tied to increased
testosterone levels during puberty. A high-fat, meat-based diet raises
testosterone levels, and that may adversely affect hair follicles. For
example, in Japan, male pattern baldness was very rare prior to World War
II when the diet was lean and healthy. The Japanese now consume a more
fatty, Westernized diet. Baldness is now increasing substantially among
Japanese men. Eating low-fat foods may not stop hair loss; but it might
help slow down the hair loss.
Anemia is one of the most frequent causes of hair loss. Eat plenty of
iron-rich foods, like liver (Avoid if you are pregnant) and other organ
meat, whole grain cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, dates, and
raisins.
The hair is comprised mostly of protein. To encourage hair growth, adhere
to a diet rich in protein. A recommended diet for this purpose includes
calves liver, brewer's yeast, wheat germ, and two tablespoons of granulated
lecithin. Along with protein, these foods are also high in B vitamins, an
important nutrient for hair.
European studies have found that soy protein reinforces hair and stimulates
its growth. In one study, The hair growth increased by 15 percent. Tofu and
soy milk are good sources of soy protein. Other good sources of protein
are: low-fat cheese, eggs, fish, beans, brewer's yeast and yogurt.
Another important nutrient for hair health is silica. Studies in the former
Soviet Union have shown that silica therapy slowed hair loss. Organic
silica added to shampoo was found to help prevent baldness, stimulate
healthier hair growth and assure beautiful shine, luster and strength. Some
scientists claim that they have effectively stopped further hair loss by
adding silica to their shampoo. This can be applied externally to regrow
already lost hair.
Silica is found in the outer coverings of potatoes, green and red peppers
and cucumbers. Bean sprouts are also high in silica. Eat whole foods
including sprouts.
Vitamin C improves the absorption of iron. Include a good serving of fruits
and vegetables in your diet.
Vitamin E is important for healthy hair growth. Eat avocados, nuts, seeds,
and olive oil on a regular basis.
If hair loss is due to thyroid dysfunction, eat more foods rich in vitamin
A and iodine. Eat vegetables such as carrots or spinach in unrefined,
cold-pressed seed oils such as flax, walnut or pumpkin seed and sea salt.
Take turnips, cabbage, mustard, soy beans, peanuts, pine nuts and millet if
there is a deficiency of iodine.
Caution: Excessive intake of Vitamin A can cause hair loss.
— RCassety
March 29, 2008
This won't really help someone who has already had surgery, but for anyone
that is planning surgery, start the Biotin now. This is what our dietician
recommended. She said it didn't do much good to start after you start
losing your hair. My surgery is Monday, so we'll see how it turns out
later down the road. Best of luck!
— ShirleyF
March 29, 2008
I know how scary this can be. I went thru the same situation and it
started 3 months post-op. Ther is light at the end of the tunnel. I lost
hair for three months staright and just liked it started up one day, it
stopped when I hit six months post-op. I too had to stop waering my hair
back, and I started using head bands and teased my hair to make it look
fuller. I also cut my hair into layers to give it a more fuller look.
Hope this helps, and keep your chin up. This to shall pass.
Tania
— Tania_B.
March 29, 2008
My hair thinned out a LOT. It didn't matter what viatmins I took. A lot
of people swear by different things, but you will probably just see hair
thinning from 3-6 months out. You will not go bald. ANY surgery can be a
shock to your body. Also, please don't panic about the scale! REALLY!
EVERYone thinks their weight loss is not enough/too slow, etc... Since you
had the LapBand, you can potentially cheat easier on soda pop and milk
shakes, but as long as you are not going on a carb/sugar frenzy, you are
fine! Hang in there!!! I had Lap RNY and STILL there would be 6 weeks the
scale didn't move. But here 10 months out I am down 100 pounds and at
goal. It WILL come off!!!
— MAG
March 29, 2008
as far as the hair goes talk to you hair styles there is shampoo nioxin I
use it and it has helped from my hair falling out. it is still thin but
not near as bad as it was. It is kinda pricey but worth it. I am 3 months
out to and you are more than welcome to email me. I love getting to know
new people
Kim
— kimee05
March 29, 2008
PROTEIN, PROTEIN, PROTEIN... Our hair is all protein.. and when we don't
get enough we lose what we did have.. I started losing at 3 months and
stoped at 4.5 months out.. I bumped up my protein to 85g a day and I take
3000mcg of biotin.. :) By the way I have always had very very thin hair...
I now am getting a very think head of hair.. :) and I have nails now
toooooo :)
I hope this helps..
God bless you
Paula
— japaad
March 30, 2008
hi shanda! unfortunately this is pretty normal and will last a few months.
but you can just not wash your hair every day so your scalp wont dry out
and it may fall out less. and try b12 injectios instead there is a vitamen
called biotin this ie great for hair n nails.
— JULIAP
Click Here to Return