And there goes the hair... - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Lynette · 08-29-2009, 08:54 AM

I am 2 1/2 months out and my hair is starting to come out. I pretty much expected it so I am not freaking out....yet.

Can anyone tell me what their experience was?
When did the hair loss peak?
When did it stop?
When did it start to come back?

Thanks!

sherry7 · 08-29-2009, 09:22 AM

I'm one of those people who lost a LOT of hair. My hair was thin to begin with, so that didn't help matters.

My memory is fuzzy now, but it started around 2 1/2 or 3 months, and continued for about 2 or 3 months. It will get worse before it gets better. It started growing back in at about the 6 months mark...you'll notice little fuzzies sticking up on your head. At this point (15 months), it's about 75% recovered. I still have thin spots, mostly on the top and sides, but I've drastically changed my hairstyle to compensate. Check out the photos in my profile album, and you can see the huge change in hairstyle.

In the meantime, here's what MIGHT help:
*Up your protein intake to 100 grams per day.

*Start taking biotin (available at Walmart, etc)

*Start taking zinc (available at Walmart, etc...but it might upset your tummy, try taking it with a meal)

*Be very gentle with your hair...avoid heat styling as much as possible, avoid chemical treatments, avoid friction (use a satin pillowcase if you can find one).

*Have an honest discussion with your hair stylist. Tell her the problem, and let her know it's going to get worse over the coming months. Ask her advice in what hair style would be most becoming on you at this point. Don't be afraid of drastically changing your hair style if that's what you need to do.

poet_kelly · 08-29-2009, 10:40 AM

I lost a LOT of hair. I think the reason I lost so much is that I wasn't getting enough protein. It started around 2 1/2 or 3 months post op and it fell out in chunks. I actually had a bald spot in back. I started getting more protein, and after another three months or so, it started growing back. I'm almost 10 months out now, and the bald spot is pretty much gone. It's still thinner than it used to be, but I don't think it's too noticeable anymore. I used to have really long hair, about down to my waist, and when it was falling out a lot I got it cut shorter, about to my shoulders. I think that made it a little less noticeable. Plus it was a little less hair I was cleaning out of the shower drain each morning.

Some hair loss is normal, no matter what you do. But make sure you're getting plenty of protein.

Kelly

Helena · 08-29-2009, 01:21 PM

MIne started at 3 months and came out in chunks.....I forgot to clean the tub one day and when my husband saw what was there he gasped...Then I knew it was alot in one shower...I upped the protein with a shake bout that thinning hair shampoo and conditioner and started taking biotin....It has slowed down quite a bit 3 months later and I'm seeing some groth starting so I am hoping I'm done....I was getting really nervous for a while....Whew!!!!

carrie68 · 08-29-2009, 03:55 PM

My hair has now started falling out. Dear GOD! I can't believe how much I am losing! I am just 4 months out.

Thanks everyone for posting the supplements. I have been trying to research this without success.

Crimson Kittie · 08-30-2009, 08:04 PM

Well I cut all mine off when it started falling out .. I couldn't mentally take finding long strands of hair all over the place ... now I am 6 months out and it's coming back and getting full again ... and it's time for a hair cut .. so it is growing again

I just didn't want to deal with seeing hair all over .. it was really f*ing up my head .. so I took control of it

Chrissie23 · 08-30-2009, 08:15 PM

THIS is one thing i am nervous about. I had my hair cut over 5 years ago and had it short and spikey in the back, and long bangs in front. (sorta like Kate Gosselin, but not THAT short). It took over 4 years to grow it out...right now it's at the middle of my back, and i'm afraid of what it'll look like if i lose hair. Not completely afraid that i'm backing out of the surgery altogether, but nervous.....

Lynette · 08-30-2009, 08:33 PM

Thanks for the responses

From what I was reading before is that one train of thought is that the severe lack of protein/food right after surgery is what makes your hair go into "sleep" mode and then it falls out at 3mo because it is starting to grow again so you shed out the dead hair so although it is actually growing, you don't really see it until a month or two later when it gets long enough so I don't know if supplements will help me at this point. I do think this theory has merit because I had my hair highlighted right after I had surgery and I still have no roots 2 months later. I think cutting it shorter and not touching it, over styling, etc. will slow the process so it doesn't look as drastic.

Hopefully anyways...

poet_kelly · 08-30-2009, 08:37 PM

Your hair does go into a "resting" mode. At any given time, about ten percent of your hair is in this resting mode. After it rests for a couple of months, it falls out. Then new hair grows. Well, several things can cause more than ten percent to go into resting mode. Anesthesia from any surgery can cause it. Some hair loss a few months after surgery is common, whatever the surgery is. But the sudden and drastic weight loss can cause it, too. And to a certain extent it's normal and there is not much you can do about it. If you have WLS, you are going to lose some hair.

However, if you don't take your vitamins or if you don't eat enough protein, your hairloss can be much worse.

Kelly

Vikkator · 08-31-2009, 06:19 AM

I was lucky but I also took precautions prior to surgery. I was actually losing a little bit of hair before surgery. Not sure why but I go through stages like this from time to time. So I started using Rogaine a couple of weeks before surgery. I bought one of those 3-packs of it and used it once a day. I still have a little bit left and I use it about 4 times a week still. My hair never fell out in chunks, but I did see some hair loss. I'm 10 months out now and my hair looks like it did a year ago (except it's lighter now cuz I bleached it). I also took Biotin after surgery and I think that helped too.