Hair Loss

[becky101010 0]

Has anyone else been losing their hair since they started losing the weight? Recently in the last 2 weeks or so I noticed a lot of hair coming out in the shower and when I brush my hair. Then randomly, my doctor asked if I had been losing a lot of hair... He did say it is typical with rapid weight loss and suggested I take a Vitamin called Biotin. Should I also try to increase my Protein daily to help? I feel like it's so hard for me to get in 50-60 grams of protein because I'm just not hungry enough. I think I might buy Special K protein waters just to atleast get some extra protein that way.

Any other suggestions??

Surgery: 4/14/11

Starting Weight: 293

Current Weight: 230

One Fill Only: 3cc

[reverie 49]

Protein nor Biotin will help. You really just have to wait it out.

I've eaten no less than 90g of Protein throughout my journey and still lost a lot of my hair. Like your doctor said it comes with rapid weight loss and surgery can cause it as well, so a double whammie. Know that when your hair falls out, it's also growing back. You won't go bald.

[becky101010 0]

Interesting... I have really thick hair and a lot of it, so I'm not totally worried about and really didn't think I would go bald, but didn't think it was normal nor healthy. Just another random side effect I guess!!

Protein nor Biotin will help. You really just have to wait it out.

I've eaten no less than 90g of Protein throughout my journey and still lost a lot of my hair. Like your doctor said it comes with rapid weight loss and surgery can cause it as well, so a double whammie. Know that when your hair falls out, it's also growing back. You won't go bald.

[aliciab 8]

I honestly feel that they both help. Both Biotin and Protein. It can certainly help to keep the loss at a minimum. I can definitely vouch for the biotin as I have taken it for the better part of a year and clearly your doctor recommended it.

[Cindy C 150]

Biotin and Protein aren't going to hurt and might even help a little but the Hair loss is the body' s reaction to the rapid weight loss. There isn't really much you can do about it. The good news is its not falling out, its only breaking. It will grow back.

[jen120 23]

This is very common about 3 months after surgery. This article explains the reason why.

Everyone experiences hair loss on a daily basis. Normal hair loss is barely noticeable, amounting to less than 100 hairs per day. However, the stress of a major surgery can cause Hair loss to accelerate up to three times as much in both men and women. It's the body's way of reacting to the trauma of the operation.

1. 
   The Facts
   
   • During a normal Hair growth cycle, hair grows, then enters into a resting or "telogen" period and eventually sheds. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, "telogen effluvium" is a term used to describe hair that has been rushed into the resting state after the body suffers a shock due to major surgery. As resources are redirected to help heal the affected surgical area, the body temporarily shuts down hair production because it is not necessary for survival.

Identification

• Telogen effluvium related to surgery can be distinguished from other forms of hair loss in several ways. Individuals typically begin to notice the increasing hair loss two to three months after the surgery. Hair loss after surgery is uniform, noticeable on the scalp but never excessive enough to cause a patchy appearance or complete baldness. In addition, the shed hairs all exhibit a specific pattern at the root, which resembles a white bulb.

Time Frame

• Hair usually resides in the telogen phase for a period of two to four months before growth resumes. Individuals don't begin to notice the increase in hair loss when showering or brushing the hair until about three months post-surgery. Although the resting hair is being pushed out of the scalp by new hair that is already growing, it can take anywhere from about six months to a year for the hair to return to its normal fullness.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

• Individuals who have undergone gastric bypass or other operations of the digestive tract designed to reduce obesity are more prone to hair loss post-surgery. This is due to the reduced intake of food in the weeks and months immediately following these procedures. The body needs an adequate amount of Proteins and Vitamins to maintain hair production. Protein-enhanced shakes are often recommended for these patients as a substitute until solid food can be better tolerated.

Proper Diet

• Hair loss related to surgery typically reverses itself without any medicinal intervention or the need for over-the-counter hair loss tonics or treatments. However, maintaining a diet rich in Protein and Iron is believed to help promote and speed up healthy hair growth. Suggested foods include salmon, Beans, eggs, spinach, broccoli, nuts and whole-grain cereals. Avoid foods that can inhibit hair growth, such as those that contain high levels of caffeine and fat.

[becky101010 0]

Thanks for the comments, and definitely thanks for that article. I'm a little over 3 months post op so that definitely makes sense!!!