Again with the hair!

[legallyblonde2 0]

YES, I checked previous posts! Before anyone jumps on my back for bringing it up AGAIN, I can't get any answers about hair loss. I mean real, hard, cold facts about why, 6 months after my band, my long blonde hair fell out by at least 50%! Good thing I had some to loose but that's not the point. I hate this. It has been falling out continuously for 3 months. No stopping in sight.

So here are the facts.

1. I eat more Protein now than I ever did in my life.

2. I take plenty of Vitamins.

3. My weight loss has been slow and steady.

4. It started 6 months after my surgery so it is not an anethesia question.

5. I have zero stress level. I have a great life. (except this thinnning hair)

To tell me that "it will probably slow down or stop eventually" doesn't answer my question.

Maybe some of you who have doctors can ask for me? Mine doesn't have any answers. A doctor without an answer is like a painter without paint. I have no time for either one.

I am not a bitch. I am just balding!!!! And I am venting on the one group who might understand. Sorry.

Christine.

[DevilMayKare 1]

Christine,

Please forgive me if I'm repeating myself, but your problems may be hormonal or thyroidal (is that a word?) all I can tell you is that my hair stopped falling out & has thickened up some since I've been on both. If you do a search for "hair loss" on the web somewhere (don't have it, but I've seen it) there is a site that will list the BLOOD TESTS your doctor should order for you. The list says what your levels should be in those areas and you can check against it.

I know it is upsetting. Don't depend on your doctor--do the research for him/her.

Hope this helps.

[glitz99 1]

i, too, lost probably 1/2 my hair. luckily i had lots before and its very thick. Protein and vites seem to help a little but c'est la vie, ma cherie. at least for me,it is but a small price to pay... I LOVE MY BAND!!!

[legallyblonde2 0]

I am glad that hair loss doesn't seem a big deal to you. Very healthy attitute I imagine. But as a woman who was told my whole life that my hair was my finest feature...I am crushed. More than the vanity issue is the perplexing medical question and lack of answer. Where are the answers? Where's that doctor who is supposed to be on this site??

I just had a complete blood panel done and all my levels are fine. That was my first order of business, trust me.

Am I hormonal? Beyond.

Do I love my band? I love wearing a size 10 jeans. I love dating a hot plastic surgeon who thinks I am sexy. I love walking around naked. (oh wait..I did that when I was fat.) Yeah, I like my band.

Christine

[ReneBean 3]

Are you taking high levels of Ibuprofin? I knew a gal once who started losing her hair because of that - but she was under huge stress and taking like 20 pills a day or more... Probably not that if you are stress free - but just in case...

[youknowit 11]

Hi there...What medications (prescribed) are you on? Anything new since the band? A friend of mine has been under mass stress, but as soon as she started taking anti-anxiety meds, her hair is falling out massively. The doc doesn't think that's it, but she's only 24, and like you, it's sooooo weird for her hair to suddenly fall out in clumps.

Have you considered asking your dermatologist to check for Alopecia? I don't want to scare you, but this can and does happen to many people, and can happen at any time. My aunt had the kind of Alopecia that you lose ALL hair everywhere, but a lot of people who have it, get it in only one part of their body, which is called Alopecia Areata. Check it out for more information at this website: http://www.naaf.org/ DON'T STRESS! This is most likely NOT what is happening, but maybe something you haven't thought of.

I wish you luck. I'm not banded yet, but thought I might be able to help!

angie

[Heather Joy 0]

Christine- are you a natural blonde? If not the dye your using may be the problem-or the hair care products your using.

Also which Doctor are you seeing about the problem-your PC or Surgeon? Maybe your PC can give you a referral to a specialist who can help you. If neither have an answer to why your having this problem, I would try a second opinion from another doctor.

You say that youve been eating a lot of Protein,but have you seen a nutritionist to see if you are eating correctly. You may have a difficiency you are unaware of, since it is a big problem with lap-banders and gastric bypass patients

Good Luck!

[paula 4]

what does your doctor say regarding this problem?

[legallyblonde2 0]

Yes the hair is natural. I don't take one prescribed medication. I haven't taken an asprin for 2 years. My Dr. just says, "Oh, that's a common side effect and will slow down." So I killed him. Not really but JEEZ! I haven't had health insurance for a few years but it will kick in around next month. I plan to see every dermatologist or whatever specialist I need to see.

I appreciate the feedback and will not stop this search until I get an answer. Just like with my near death experience with acid reflux, I hope when I find answers to my problems, they will benefit someone else.

Christine

[MerryHearted 20]

Here is a post from a Yahoo group, I hope it helps. Basically, the surgery itself is probably the cause, and yes, it takes a few months past the surgery before you actually see the hair fall out because of how your hair cycle works. You're saying 6 months instead of two to four, but every person's body is different.

------------------------------------

Telogen Effluvium

? What Is It?

? Symptoms

? Diagnosis

? Expected Duration

? Prevention

? Treatment

? When To Call A Professional

? Prognosis

? Additional Info

What Is It?

At any given time, about 85% to 90% of the hairs on the average person's head are actively growing (the anagen phase) and the others are resting (the telogen phase). Typically, a hair is in the anagen phase for two to four years, then enters the telogen phase, rests for about two to four months, and then falls out and is replaced by a new, growing hair. The average person naturally loses about 100 hairs a day.

In a person with telogen effluvium, some body change or shock pushes more hairs into the telogen phase. Typically in this condition, about 30% of the hairs stop growing and go into the resting phase before falling out. So if you have telogen effluvium, you may lose an average of 300 hairs a day instead of 100.

Telogen effluvium can be triggered by a number of different events, including:

* Surgery

* Major physical trauma

* Major psychological stress

* High fever or severe infection

* Extreme weight loss

* Extreme change in diet

* Abrupt hormonal changes, including those associated with childbirth and menopause

* Iron deficiency

* Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism

* A new medication

Because hairs that enter the telogen phase rest in place for two to four months before falling out, you may not notice any Hair loss until two to four months after the event that caused the problem. Telogen effluvium rarely lasts longer than six months, although some cases last longer.

Although losing a great number of hairs within a short time can be frightening, the condition is usually temporary. Each hair that is pushed prematurely into the telogen phase is replaced by a new, growing hair, so there is no danger of complete baldness. Because hair on the scalp grows slowly, your hair may feel or look thinner than usual for a time, but fullness will return as the new hairs grow in.

Symptoms

If you have telogen effluvium, you'll notice more hair than usual accumulating on your pillowcase, on the shower or bathroom floor and in your hairbrush. Your scalp hair may feel or look less dense than usual. Often, though, the hair loss is subtle, and other people may not notice anything different about your hair.

Diagnosis

Most cases of telogen effluvium can be diagnosed based on medical history and an examination of the scalp and hair. If the hair loss has been occurring for several months, there may be visible thinning Patches, but often the hair loss is not dramatic enough for a doctor to notice. If you have large bald Patches, you probably don't have telogen effluvium. If the doctor gently tugs on some hairs on your scalp and four or more hairs come out, you probably have telogen effluvium. Also, the hairs will look like hairs in the telogen phase - they will have a white bulb at the end that was in the scalp, and will not have a gel-like covering around that end of the hair.

You may be asked to gather all hairs that fall out of your head over a 24-hour period, and count them to see if the hair loss is truly excessive. Losing fewer than 100 hairs in a day is considered normal. You also may be asked to gather and count lost hairs every one or two weeks to see when the shedding starts to decline.

In some rare cases, if there is reason to doubt the diagnosis, a biopsy of the scalp may be done. In this procedure, a small piece of the scalp that includes several hair follicles is removed and examined under a microscope. Your doctor also may do blood tests to check for conditions such as thyroid abnormalities that may be contributing to hair loss.

Expected Duration

Typically, hair loss begins two to four months after the event that triggered the problem, and lasts approximately six months. New hairs begin growing immediately after the hair falls out, but significant growth may not be noticed for several months.

Prevention

Nothing can be done to prevent most of the types of physical shock that can start telogen effluvium. Some cases may be caused by a poor diet, and these might be prevented by eating a balanced diet that provides enough Protein, Iron and other nutrients.

Treatment

No treatment for active telogen effluvium has been proven effective.

Some causes of the disorder can be corrected. For example, if you have a poor diet, consult a dietitian to help you balance it. If the hair loss began after you started a new medication, talk to your doctor to see if the medication should be discontinued. Many times, however, the cause is a specific event in the past, and you can expect that the hair will grow back. In cases where Hair growth has not returned to a satisfactory level, your doctor may prescribe minoxidil (Rogaine), a lotion applied to the scalp that stimulates hair growth in some people.

When To Call A Professional

See your doctor if you experience excessive hair loss or obvious thinning patches on your scalp.

Prognosis

The outlook for telogen effluvium is very good. Most cases run their course within six to nine months, and the hair usually grows back. In some cases, the disorder may last longer. In other cases, not all hairs grow back.

Additional Info

American Academy of Dermatology

http://www.aad.org/

Last updated July 14, 2005

[the best me 6]

Weel done MollyMolly! We need to remember this post/thread for others with the same questions. It certainly makes sense that major surgery which includes a huge change in diet that doesn't start producing Hair loss until well after the fact is exactly what is happening to us bandsters. So, we have telogen effluvian. hmmm. Bandster hair loss. Makes sense. You sure are handy.

[legallyblonde2 0]

Thanks for the info.

[Heather Joy 0]

Wow Molly! That makes complete sense..Ive been losing hair like CRAZY as well and i know its because of my surgery-the abrupt weight loose/diet change and not getting enough Protein, but i never knew WHAT makes this happen- especially the part where Hair loss starts 3-4 months after surgery which is happening to me and i had my surgery 4/29! Thanks a lot for the info i feel more educated now!And not SOOO worried!!!

[legallyblonde2 0]

I think Molly was right about my hair loss. The good news is that it has sure slowed down. But not stopped. I now literally have half the hair I had before.

If I knew how to insert a photo of my old hair I would.

I can't get over wearing a size 10 pants. I introduce myself now as, "Hi, I am Christine and I wear a size 10." I am very pleased with the weight loss.

[flower 2]

I to have lost tons of hair they said it could be post op conditions from having surgery I eat enough Proteins its scary though I don't want to go bald I spend alot of time pulling at it and get nervous when it keeps coming out were trying to better ourselves and then we have to deal with this everything is always so hard what we do to get thin. unbelievable