Hair Loss

[sillykitty 10,767]

I know there are a million posts about Hair loss. But I'm putting this here because I just want to whine about it.

I started shedding heavily at 3 months post op. The last two weeks have been so much worse. Literal handfuls in my brush, in my shower drain, when I run my hand through my hair, in my dryer screen, loose hairs all over my clothes (so professional looking!).

I'm getting my Protein in. I've taken Biotin since before surgery. I added L-lysine and zinc two weeks ago. I take a good Multivitamin. I rarely blow dry or flat Iron my hair. I feel like I'm doing everything right.

I don't think it is noticeable yet, in most circumstances. But I can feel it is significantly thinner. It is also thin at my hairline and temples. I was at a industry golf tournament last week, and I pulled my hair up into a pony tail. The thinning at my temples and hairline was completely obvious. I wanted to cry. I hope that my visor mostly covered it up.

If this continues, I'm going to have to do something other than whine. I've googled weaves for Caucasian hair. It seems possible, but it's not common. Seems like there is a serious upcharge vs. salons that specialize in AA hair (not that that is inexpensive!).

The only thing I can see that might be contributing diet wise, is my calories have been very low since surgery. I am almost always under 500 cals/day, except sometimes when I'm traveling and eating every meal out. Some days I'm well under 400 cals. I really don't want to up these cals, because I have a lot of restriction and mostly don't have physical hunger. I don't want to eat just to eat. That's a big part of why I needed WLS. I also want to get to goal as quickly as possible. I have a small window at the end of the year to have plastics. If I'm not at goal by that time then my work and travel schedule will make it very difficult to find the time in 2019 for surgery and recovery.

Ugh, thanks for listening

[Creekimp13 5,840]

Well...the good news...is that it'll probably grow back really nice.

Mine fell out like crazy between 3-5 months...and seems much more stable now..but yeesh, it's thinner! So, I feel your pain. Can feel little stubbles growing on my scalp though...so that's kinda hopeful:)

Good luck with the shed. Someone else on here was talking about the hair fibers being really good for concealing a thin hairline. I've never tried them, but it might be worth looking into?

[Creekimp13 5,840]

https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Thickening-Fibers-Women-Auburn/dp/B0765VVBJL/ref=sr_1_49_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1529528547&sr=1-49&keywords=hair%2Bfibers&th=1

[sillykitty 10,767]

Great idea, I hadn't thought of that, thanks @Creekimp13

[sideeye 1,440]

Aw man, that blows - can you cut your hair really short? I'm right around 3.5 months and might be on the leading edge of a shed, starting to notice more hair coming out but not evident on my scalp yet. My plan is to chop it all off if it gets bad and tell people it's my summer haircut. That and maybe wearing some of those scarf-style headbands, which seem to be coming partly back into style (as long as you make the rest of your wardrobe a little boho). And maybe baseball caps; when I travel with coworkers I usually dress up a bit, but if this gets dicey then I'm going the athleisurewear-and-ball-cap look for all transit. I'm not getting upgraded but now I'm smaller, I don't care as much about looking good to my economy-seat companions.

I would love to get a better idea of what causes the big shed, I have the same suspicion you do, that it's calorie count. I've deliberately stayed at 800-1000 since about 3 weeks after surgery (I'm putting plastics off for at least 2 years, but same as you, I'll have to block and schedule it with work) hoping to ward it off, but obviously it's just a guess.

Thanks for the silicone tape tip elsewhere in the forums, I just got mine in the mail. Probably a little late for it, but it feels better to do SOMETHING about the big red marks (which feel like they're getting darker with time).

[TakingABreak 2,733]

I feel your pain! I keep my hair up but my hairline and temples look really thin. The worst part is I’m going to look crazy when it starts to grow back, it will be short, super frizzy baby hairs.
Here’s a pic of Hair loss from one shower in the beginning.

[Briswife15 890]

You might want to try Rogain or its generic formula.

Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

[sillykitty 10,767]

@sideeye

Thanks for commiserating! I have thought of going short. But I've never had short hair in my life. I'm so afraid it won't be flattering to my face. I have gone shorter than usual, just below my shoulders, and made my long layers a little choppier than usual. I've just added a few scarf style headbands to my Amazon cart. I think I might be able to pull those off. I hate the way I look in baseball caps! As for travel, we have an unfortunate policy of having to travel in professional clothes. Not that I always follow it, especially for early morning flights. But I think I can still make the scarf thing work. (And not getting upgraded isn't nearly as bad now that I'm smaller and fit into the seats better, plus I just pass on the drinks and the meals now)

I've read a lot on Hair loss, telogen effluvium. One theory that made the most sense to me, and honestly, I hope is true. At the time of surgery and the huge drop in calorie consumption your body goes into shock and a large percentage your hair goes into the resting phase. Then 3 or so months later your body comes out of shock, the growth phase begins, and that triggers your body to shed the hair that was resting. I really hope that is true, because that will mean growth is just around the corner.

Glad you found the silicone tape tip. I don't think it is too late at all. Some people use it on years old scars. I'm going to need a miles worth once I have my plasics!

@AshAsh1

Yep, same situation here, only different color hair

@Briswife15

I hadn't really considered Rogaine, but it can't hurt. I just added it to my Amazon cart. It's surprisingly affordable.

[MsTipps 314]

I feel your pain... my hair has been coming out in handfuls in the shower and I'm casting everywhere.

Soul destroying!

It started around 3 months and is still happening in month 6...

I do hair masks, oil treatments with keratin etc, take biotin... I get my Protein too.

It just seems to be a cold hard fact that we've gotta live with in the first year.

I pray it grows back fast and longer/fuller than ever but who knows when that'll happen?!

In the meantime, chin up xx

[sillykitty 10,767]

4 minutes ago, MsTipps said:

It started around 3 months and is still happening in month 6...

This makes me sad

[MsTipps 314]

Me too! Just gotta try to stay positive and hope it rights itself ASAP! xx

[GreenTealael 25,328]

Google LLysine and telogen effluvium, I put this on every Hair loss board I can, I think it's part of the reason my hair has not really fallen out

[sillykitty 10,767]

@Tealael

Yes, I added L-lysine and zinc to my supplements a few weeks ago, thanks to your suggestions. Also in reading, B complex might help, so I just added that as well.

[Ldyvenus 317]

The good news is that it stops eventually. I'm pretty sure I lost 40% of my volume, it was quite shocking. I went the biotin/protein route, I doubt it did anything for me.

The surgery puts a large amount of your hair in to the shedding phase, it just takes a few months to all fall out. I would still trade half of my hair to lose 70 lbs. Any day. 😉

[GreenTealael 25,328]

Biotin will not do anything for Telogen Effluvium, I have confirmed this with a dermatologist and Bariatric surgeon. It helps regrow hair but cannot prevent  the shedding phase. Minoxidil will only prolong the prevention of the shedding phase but eventually you will shed once you discontinue use (so I just didn't bother, I have long term commitment issues) I searched scholarly journals and med research heavily prior to surgery because this was my one vain concern and deciding factor on which surgery I would have (I had VSG) Also RNY tends to shed more due to malabsorption and DS even more. But in the end not everyone will and genetics plays a role in that.