Oh yes...started at 4 months...at 6 months now and still losing it. It is dryer than it was too...driving me crazy!!! I hope it stops soon...I have fine hair and I can reallly notice the difference. It does get better...but when?

I was told Biotin helps a lot. I started mine a few weeks ago. I'm 5 weeks post-op and I've not seen anything falling out. I have very thick hair and It has been my biggest asset over the years too. I don't want to lose my hair either!

I was also told that castor oil works on keeping hair healthy and conditioned. I tried putting it on my hair and it's working fine, BUT you must be warned to not let straight castor oil sit on your scalp. I thought I was HELPING myself by massaging it into my scalp and sitting under a dryer to let it "condition." Well for two days I was reaping all the benefits of castor oil induced voiding!

It was not nice. I thought I had the flu until I put it all together and realized what had happened! LOL. My husband laughed at me for a very LONG TIME about the mishap!

Note to self: Castor oil on the hair, not massaged into the scalp!

unfortunatly it is normal with surgery and biotin does help some. hair loss seams worse for some ppl than others. mine was already thin and at 4 mnths started falling out. I am not happy. just keeping it curled so it looks fuller.

Mine started falling out about 3 months out and just recently stopped at about 6 months out. My doctor suggested taking extra Biotin and Zinc in addition to multivitamins. He also said to make sure to get in all of the necessary daily protein because nutrition has a lot to do with it. I had really thick hair and it has noticably thinned out but at least with time and the right vitamins the hair loss has stopped! According to my hair dresser, who also had the sleeve done, it does grow back after a while.

This is a BIG fear of mine as well...My hair is at least 20 inches long & it is light red with blonde... I just had my surgery on 8-8-12... i knew this was a side effect of extreme weight loss, some people get it worse than others...i too have had ALL if any confidence in my hair...even strangers come up to me about my hair,,,it has been the ONLY thing that has made me feel sexy over the years!!! I don't want to lose too much, i already lose enough normally...please my precious hair, please don't fall out!!!!

I was really worried about hair loss (I'm still pre-op), but now I'm embracing the possibility. I plan on getting a really cool, modern hair cut & color - something along the lines of Ellen Degeneres. I've had long hair all my life, I used it to cover my fat face/neck/double chin. So if I lose this 100 lbs, I will gladly give up my hair!

I watched my sister lose all of her hair to cancer, and I really learned alot from her courage and sense of humor. Losing your hair is not the worst thing that can happen to you.

I had a lapband for 2 years and my hair got so thin at the crown. I found some stuff called Xfusion. It is a powder and fills in the "bald, thin" spots to make it look fuller and comes in lots of colors to blend int with your natural color. Could not live without it.

The best way I heard it explained was that you will notice but no one else will. You will see extra loss in the shower or when you brush it. Yes it is gross. I hated it. I am a year out now and the regrowth is about 4 inches long. I have long hair and if I look I can see the 4 inch pieces mixed within the long hair. Dont scare yourself to much.

This is probably my biggest fears also! I havie extremely long fine blonde hair and I am terrified it will fall out enough to make me bald. If I had thick hair I don't think I'd be nearly as concerned, but I don't so I am. I am taking biotin twice daily and all of my multivitamins. I am not taking Zink so I should add that. My surgery will most likey be next week. I am prepared to pay big money for extensions if I have to although they may make my hair fall out worse. lol. Really hoping for the least amount of hair loss possible. So frustrating to take such a big step that comes with such a big reward and a big consequence. :/

This is a fear of mine as well. Everyone says at about four months this starts happening. But it does grow back! It better is all I can say!

Ladies, I've had this fear as well, and I brought it up with a friend of mine. She is a breast cancer survivor and a beautician. She lost all of her hair, and she used Nioxin. She got me a set (shampoo....conditioner...leave in conditioner) from her supplier. Her cost was $16....so I'm guessing the set is $20 - 25? I'm using the shampoo and conditioner right now (pre-op) in hopes it will strengthen and nourish my hair now to help it sustain the loss of protein due to my diet change post-op. If you're able, and have a good relationship with your beautician, you might see if she can find it for you too.

She said she used it when she lost all her hair. She would shampoo...condition, and then massage the leave-in conditioning gel into her bald scalp. After a few weeks post-chemo, she started growing hair back. Her hair today (though kept short....to her ear lobes) is thick, healthy and curly (it was straight prior to chemo).

I hope this helps!!

I see a common theme here.... we all use our hair to cover our short comings.... I have always said I've rarely seen an ugly fat person.... the hair hides nothing. I also have really thick hair that is one of my God given gifts but I decided that if I have to be bald to be healthy then bring on the shears!! I'll gladly cut every single strand off myself. I have a beautiful family that needs me and loves me and friends who love my sense of humor and positive attitude.... none of which has to do with my hair. Dont get me wrong, I LOVE my hair and as a treat for my post surgery, got it colored and just last week got a perm. Its short and sassy and I'm feeling great, however, given the choice between getting healthy or keeping my hair.... well for me, its a no brainer.

I really appreciate the advice from you all and think this place is a blessing!!! Thanks everyone!!

I also lost all my hair to chemo and it is only chin length and very thin. I'm also hypothyroid which also makes your hair thin. I'm jealous of those of you with thick beautiful hair.

I don't think I can spare any more hair but Leslie is right, if it has to go I'll get a nice wig and never have a bad hair day!