I'm almost 18 months out and have lost 75% of my hair. And I had the thickest hair of anyone I know. It just started to really show how thin it was. I take in over 100 grams of protein a day, take Biotin, and drink an insane amount of water. There is nothing you can do to prevent it. I'm currently using some hair stuff that I put on my scalp each night. Yesterday my hair dresser told me I have tons of new growth and that it's just really thin on the ends. I know it will grow back, it's just awkward stages you have to go through while it's growing back. Surgery is still the best decision. But be prepared to lose a lot of hair.