Hair Loss

[catho72 0]

I was told that Lap Band patients may start to lose hair starting at 3 months post op. Well, I am now 3 months post op and am loosing handfuls of hair daily. There is a noticeable difference in the amount of hair that is still on my head. I am taking my daily Vitamins twice a day that are prescribed by the doctor. I also added Biotin twice a day.

I need some fellow bander's firsthand experience.....how long does it last? How much hair did you loose? How long did it take to get back to "normal" amounts of hair again?

Help! This is one side effect I HATE! Did I mention I'm quite vain?

[jukebox81782 0]

hello! i'm so sorry to hear about this happening to you. are you getting plenty of Protein? my doctor told me to get at least 80grams daily.

[Libbyjane1976 1]

Sorry for your Hair loss that's understandable since I am quite vain about my hair as well. Are you taking a Protein supplement as well?

[Jodi_620 37]

As you already know, it takes three months to see the effects. Once you fix the cause it will take three months for it to completely stop. You won't be losing clumps for three months but it will slowly subside until you are no longer shedding.

Keep taking the Vitamins, make sure you are getting at least 60 grams of Protein and stay calm and give it time.

The three main hair loss causes for us are lack of nutrition (vitamins), lack of Protein and trauma from surgery/sudden dietary change/weight loss (which will resolve itself with a little time).

I went through it and came out fine. I have baby fine thin hair and it was noticeable for a while but has grown back thicker than it was pre-surgery. Hair thickening shampoos help to get your through it. I really like a brand called Samy Fat Hair. I no longer need it though.

Edited May 5, 2009 by Jodi_620

[KelinTx 1]

The good news is that it does eventually taper off then stop. I lost a TON of hair and when it started growing back in i had all these short new growth pieces that stuck up. I really think that surgery and anesthesia play a part in it also because after i had port replacement surgery 6 months ago i went through a period of Hair loss yet again. It was not as severe but it happened.

[2Flyguys 13]

I know EXACTLY what u r going through!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have lost sooooooooooo much hair....biotin did absolutely nothing 4 me....another bandster reccommended pre-natal vitamins...and those have helped incredibly!!!!!!!!!!! i''m not far from goal....but i maintained my weight for a couple of weeks and that helped too...i try not to wash my hair as often...i know...gross....but i was at the point were i was going to b thin and bald...lol....i spray in leave-in conditioner and wear a lot of gel'd back pony tails!!!!!!!!!! my hair line really got attacked...but i can say the pre-natal pills have really helped!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[coloradobanding 5]

I am in the exact same position as you RIGHT NOW!! Just recently, maybe last 3 weeks or so, I have noticed an incredible amount of Hair loss. Luckily I have a lot of hair, but it is noticeable to me. In the shower I can literally pull the ends of my hair and some will come out (don't do that anymore obviously :thumbdown:). I am taking all my Vitamins (for the most part-miss 1/2 of amount of Calcium on occasion, but that's it) am also getting MORE than enough Protein on a daily basis. I'm going to get me some pre-natal vitamins TODAY, hope that helps. Good to know that it looks like it tapers off after awhile..whew!

[HeatherO 7]

I had it too and it started around 4 months out and lasted for a few months. I was taking all the Vitamins and all the Protein plus Biotin supplements from the beginning of banding. I did my part to prevent it but still had the loss.

After I stopped losing hair, it started growing back. I went with a shorter layered look to blend it and everything looks pretty good now.

[samsgabby 0]

I was told that Lap Band patients may start to lose hair starting at 3 months post op. Well, I am now 3 months post op and am loosing handfuls of hair daily. There is a noticeable difference in the amount of hair that is still on my head. I am taking my daily Vitamins twice a day that are prescribed by the doctor. I also added Biotin twice a day.

I need some fellow bander's firsthand experience.....how long does it last? How much hair did you loose? How long did it take to get back to "normal" amounts of hair again?

Help! This is one side effect I HATE! Did I mention I'm quite vain?

Are you drinking the 64 ounces of Water a day? That could be the cause of the hairloss.

[Leah28 0]

I'm three months out and right on cue, my hair started falling out. There is more on my bathroom floor than on my head some mornings! Luckily I have very thick hair, so it isn't noticeable, and hopefully it won't be.

I agree with the pre-natal Vitamin recommendation above. My dietician told me to try Blackmores Conceive Well Gold. Expensive, but hey - cheaper than a wig!

Hope you find something that works for you soon.