BunnyJean

My surgical nurse said that yes anesthesia can help cause it but it's mostly caused by your body's reaction to low calorie intake. You body is a wonderful machine that was built to withstand famine. No one doing WLS is in famine status, but after WLS, your body thinks OH NO WE ARE GOING TO STARVE. And shuts down non-essentials. Hair is non-essential. Your body sends hair into "resting" phase. Next comes "shedding" phase. And regrowth doesn't start until your body "realizes" it's not going to starve that this is the new normal, and then tells hair...hey dude you can start growing again! If you look up hair growth/shedding phase, there are technical terms to what I've stated. Yes get in all your vitamins, extra biotin, make sure your zinc and iron levels are good, get your protein in and I agree, when you can eat real food vs a protein drink, do it. Exceed your protein levels. Most who have battled the hair seem to feel that at least 80 grams protein a day. Of course, this is going to ease and stop as a natural progression of your body coming to terms with the new limits. So do these things (biotin, extra protein) etc work? who knows. Even the surgeons and nurses are not 100% sure. They can't HURT that's for sure. Normal start to shed seems to be anywhere from 3-7 months out with most about the 4 month mark. And most stop before the 1st year mark. I'm pre-surgery and this is actually a huge concern of mine because I have 4 yrs of hormonal hair loss. I've already lost 1/2 my hair. May need to look into a wig for myself. SO, not only have I asked any dr or nurse I can get ahold of, I've trolled the living heck out of these boards trying to find an answer or help. I was just on another thread and she suggested human hair lace wig styled by your hairdresser etc. I'm going to discuss this with my hairdresser as I feel sure my self-esteem will need this. If your part is getting bigger and you have "white" spaces that are larger, you can use Batiste dry shampoo, they make colors, so use a color close to your hair color. Practice before you go out. This makes hair just a tad fluffier. Also, for the big parts/white spaces, I use Eclipse hair fibers in a color close to my natural. I order eclipse at Amazon. Not sure if you can get it at Ulta etc. Batiste you can get in Walmart etc. Ulta may have more colors. I got mine at Amazon for the color. Just a couple items to make it easier to deal with. Good luck

I'm going to ask my hairdresser about this. Since I've already lost half my hair...I cannot imagine losing more and since I probably WILL, I feel I will need a wig. Thank you for this suggestion.

Clementine, you are correct, those topical products do not work. I've tried them all over the course of 4 years. I have hormonal hair loss. I've been diagnosed Estrogen Dominance. I probably have been for years, but not until I went through menopause did it rear it's ugly head in a huge fashion. Among a host of very unpleasant side effects, hair loss is one of those. I've probably lost 1/2 my hair in the 4 years. Hence trying anything I can. I have not tried the rogaine type products because those are for life and I think hair falls out if you stop using it. Not sure on this last one, but added anything like that to my messed up body was not for me. I use thickening shampoos (haha) and products for lift. Nothing really works.As you've discovered. What does work: I use a dry shampoo with my color (Batiste colors) to give a lift and to "color" my scalp more or less. Just a bit here and there. Also, for those big part lines, I use Eclipse Hair Fibers in a color close to my natural. Not dark or lighter. They also sell this spray to "keep them in place". You don't need it. I've used Eclipse Hair Fibers for years and my hairdresser has recommended to her ladies that are thinning because she's very pleased with how it covers and looks. You can get at beauty supply store. I just get mine online at Amazon. Sorry you are going through that. Female hair loss really sucks. Good luck to you on all measures.

I think I'm gonna do the same thing. Because in the first month you really are not getting much in the way of food vitamins. and I am not sure if you start taking your vitamins that soon. Because your gut needs to heal. So even if they are half effective....half is better than none in my book! Good idea!

I agree with that easy way out comment. This will be the hardest thing I have done to help myself in my life. With the exception of getting out of an abusive home when I was much much much (too) young. I don't know if you are on clear liquids or not but I have to tell you, this protein drink fills me the heck right up and it's so tasty that I'm not missing anything, even my sweets!! I put in my Ninja blender, water, Fairfield 2% or lower milk, scoop Muscle Milk Vanilla creme protein powder, serv size of PB2 (2 tablespoons!!! yum) and 1/2 a banana. The taste is AMAZING and the protein is there, lower calories, low sugar...most sugar is in that 1/2 banana. I mix that sucker good...then add a good cup or more of ice, blend again. It's soooo frothy and good! I serve it to myself out of my favorite canning jar glass. It's like a party to me. I'm sipping on one right now. This is my breakfast and it will take me right through lunch. I'm pre-sleeve....just practicing! I hope my tastes don't change where I don't like this anymore because seriously, I'm floating on cloud 9 drinking it. Give it a try. Hope it helps with the cravings? If it's the chewing, leave some ice not quite finished in it for some chewing. This is thick enough and tasty enough, might just do the trick for you. Good luck!!!

I asked the nurse in my life skills class about the patch vitamins. She said they "meaning my group" have not done much research on them but felt that vitamins were better absorbed within the body instead of on skin. I'm still tempted to try, but....it's very important after surgery to get all your vitamins in and this is why we need to supplement. Since you won't have blood work done for at least a month or 3 months after surgery, I, frankly, don't want to make the mistake of using the patch and finding out it didn't work. And then be lacking in important vitamins that could be hard to catch up on. As far as hair loss, from what I've read, it's pretty much unavoidable. The nurse in my class said some was anesthesia stress, but most was because your body is going from consuming many many calories and all of a sudden sooo many less calories. Your body thinks it's going into starvation mode (from our cave man days that we don't need anymore) so it is shutting down anything not necessary for survival. And one of those is hair. So it stops the growing phase and puts the hair in resting phase so it needs no nutrients. After the resting phase naturally comes the shedding phase. And then a growth phase starts again once the body adjusts. Seems the time for hair loss starts 3-7 months post op and slow regrowth. I have hormonal hair loss for 4 yrs at this point. So slim head of hair to begin with. My hairdresser may need to steer me in the direction of a wig! I'm not kidding on this! So....important....take your vitamins post op, make sure you are getting plenty of protein. Most surgeons I think say 65 grams. Those that experienced hair loss shoot for 80 plus grams. Biotin is important. Some say zinc and iron but I would only supplement those on advise of your dr. About the only vitamin group you really can't overkill are the B's because they remove from the body fast. So if I do get a vitamin patch, it will be the B12 or B's if they have or Biotin. I will still supplement internally as well. See what my 3 month tests look like. Good luck to you!

You are 100% right. The veggies and protein are not what got us all here. It's the booze, beer, chips, sweets and plain old over eating. Thanks for this reality check. My downfall is sweets. Sugar is an addiction. Lights up the brain like no tomorrow. How will I not eat it....gosh I don't know. I'm hoping that by the time I'm done with liquid phase, I won't crave it. But...the kicker here....the stuff on the "can eat" list, all the low fat stuff, usually has added sugar and I've stayed away from that stuff in last few years. If I was going to eat sugar, it was the real stuff not the pretend sugars. So can I truly EVER get off sugar? It's doubtful. But again, thanks for the reality check!!

I can't even imagine drinking bullion!! Bone broth is not hard to make, and soooooo much better for you than bullion! Glad you asked about this! Good luck!

My appointment with my surgeon is this Thursday, Oct 5. So my surgery is immanent. I imagine sometime in Oct. I've spent the last several weeks buying the foods (liquids) that I will need pre-surgery and for the first month after surgery. We live remotely, I'm taking 1 week from work and work from home office, so the chances of me actually making it to the store in the first few weeks is about zero. So I'm stocking up and also trying out the items I am buying. Too bad you can't just buy ONE bottle of a protein drink. I figure I'll save massively on groceries the first month so I can "justify" my expenditures now, even if they don't work out. I am lactose intolerant and have been for years. So this is a real struggle because everything is milk based. Even in lifeskills class, put powdered milk in stuff to get more protein. I'm pretty sure that can't happen for me! So I need to be creative and I need to try things before my very life depends on them! Has anyone else done this? Bought items to try? Maybe we can share the best of what we've found? I know all tastes are different. And I have a different prospective because of the lactose issues. One thing I HAVE found.....my gosh is this stuff all sooooooo sweet!!!! TOO SWEET!!! Most have Sucrolose and oh my gosh they could cut that back a bit! So anyway...here are some of the things that I've tried before surgery, and yes I'm told my tastes may change, but talking to sooo many people, it happens but not at huge rate. I'll risk it. I love MUSCLE MILK. I've bought and tried Chocolate and Vanilla Creme. I really like the vanilla creme. This is the protein premixed shake. So I bought the powdered mix in Vanilla Creme.. I currently use it in my coffee to give me a boost of protein! Trying to wean myself of coffee. Down to one a day. My dietitian and lifeskills coach say this is fine. I tolerate this very very well. I really like the PREMIER PROTEIN premixed shakes. I tolerate them ok. Some days better than others. I seem to tolerate the vanilla better, though I like the taste of the chocolate better. I have not tried any others. I don't like too many "fake" taste things, so I am sticking to chocolate and vanilla for premixed. I love GARDEN OF LIFE RAW FIT protein mix. This has been my go to for several years due to lactose issues. I don't find it as sweet because it uses Stevia. I have tried vanilla, chocolate, and Marley Coffee. LOVE Marley! I typically take a scoop, water it down just a bit and then mix it with greek yogurt for breakfast. Scoop has 28g protein. It's plant and seed based. I had both my dietician and lifeskills coach look it over and they said it would be ok. It's dairy free, vegan, gluten free and soy free. Garden of Life website or Amazon. I'm glad I can still use it. I tolerate and like Fage 0% or 2% Greek Yogurt, plain. In my classes and elsewhere Oikos Triple Zero has been mentioned. While I like that taste of that very much, it bothers my gut. Baby food. Decided to try some to help with stages. I like baby food LOL But the Plum Organics Mighty 4 stage is good for a bit of protein and fruit if you are not tolerating stuff and need to get in a bit. They are higher in sugar, 10g. No added, it's from the fruit in them. One pouch has 4-5 grams protein and 10 grams sugar. So it's not ideal for sure, but I bought a few to have on hand in case. FAIRLIFE makes a "milk" that is lactose free and cows not treated with rBST. Since I'm NOT a big milk drinker but know there is protein in it, I started with the 2% one. 1 cup 120 cals, 6 sugars (natural occurring ) and 13 grams of protein. I will try the skim one next and that will, hopefully, be the one I stick with. I was pleased to find this! My current "milk" is Rice Milk. I like it better than Almond milk because it doesn't have a strong taste of something other like Almond milk does. But alas, no protein in rice milk. This Fairlife is a great choice because then my family can use it for cooking. (my daughter is HUGE mac n cheese fan, damn her skinny butt!!) TRUSOURCE Protein Water this is good but HOLD ONTO YOUR SHORTS is it SWEET! Holy batman sweet! There will be no drinking it straight up for me. Sweetened with sucralose. I have used a bottle over several days adding it to my middle 24 oz of water (I typically drink 3 minimum of these a day of water but wonder if I still can sipping constantly cuz I forget and I gulp now like 10 ozs at a time!! I'm working on it!) I added it only to give a boost of protein to my water intake. Which I feel I will need after surgery. One 16 oz bottle has 90 cals, 0 sugars and 20 grams protein. If you like it straight up, there you have 20 grams of protein with what is a clear liquid. I tried the blue raspberry. I tolerate it, though around the time I used it, I broke out in mild case of hives. I'm giving myself another week (been at least 2), then I will try again. So this is good, and too sweet to me might be just right for someone else. It is made with whey isolate. Which I seem to tolerate the isolate more. We'll see. You can find it at Target. course my target didn't have it so I bought online and had to buy several 4 packs. If I really cannot tolerate, my daughter's boyfriend is into fitness and would probably really like it. So no big deal. SARGENTO BALANCED BREAKS these are cheese, dried fruit and nut snacks. I use these now, but they will not be able to be used until final stage and only if you can tolerate nuts, which may not be for a bit for some people. They deserve to be mentioned because in the future, they are a quick snack with protein that is portion controlled. For on the go or those lazy days. I pretty much like cheddar cheese the best and do not like swiss (no lazy cow or whatever that one is called as it's swiss), so these fit with my tastes. 7 grams of protein per container and 180 cals. While the cals are on the higher side, cheese, nuts and dried fruit are all higher calorie foods to begin with. They make them also with some chocolate and gram squares. I tried and actually was not a fan at all. So glad on that one! Again, this is for now before surgery or way after when nuts can be tolerated. GERBER RICE CERAL I did try this and feel that if I add my FAIRLIFE milk to it, I will have some protein. I like it. It's loaded with iron (well 60% for a 4 yr olds daily value), which we will probably need a boost of. It's also pretty high % of B vitamins etc. It has 60 cals and 1 g protein, 1 sugar I can't see added so must be naturally occurring, per 1/4 cup. So while not ideal, if I need to I can use in 2nd stage with the protein milk. PB2 POWDERED PEANUT BUTTER oh sweet heck yes! I mix with smoothies and with plain greek yogurt. 2 tablespoons has 50 cals, 2 grams sugar and 5 grams protein. May need to be a bit careful cuz of the sugars, which is added sugar, but sleevers don't tend to have dumping. SWANSON white premium chunk chicken breast This is canned. I eat this right out of the can. I drain and rinse it then just eat it. I figure, that will suit me fine in later stages and for puree I can put it through the processor. I do not like canned tuna. Which is so weird because I pretty much eat a fish or seafood each and every day. I will grill up a tuna steak and love it, but I don't like canned and I seem to get a gut ache from it too. Really weird. So this chicken is my go to. Throwing this out there for those that do not have time to cook up a chicken breast to put through the processor. 2 servings per can of 50 cals, 0 sugars, 8 protein. So a whole can during the day will give you 16 gr protein. BUMBLE BEE Premium Wild Pink Salmon This is also a canned good. I love this stuff and again eat it right out of the can. A serv size is about 1/4 cup, 80 cals, 0 sugars, 13 grams protein. I need to ask the dietitian if I can put this through the processor only because the cans of this I buy have the skin and small soft bones of the salmon in it. I imagine they would process to almost nothing as they currently are very small, but I'll have to see. So that's my list of things I've currently tried and liked. I have tried MANY other premixed protein shakes and cannot tolerate them gut wise. Doesn't mean they didn't taste decent enough, but I've decided not to list them. If anyone asks me, I can let them know if I have tried and if it tasted good, bad, ok. Anyone without a lactose issue has more options for sure. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear of foods, drinks etc that anyone else has tried either getting prepared or after surgery for any stage.

Thanks, I like the label and lactose free! I will order a small can and try!

Where is the best place to buy Isopure? I had heard of Isopure. But in my life skills class they mentioned the trusource protein water. I like the taste but much too sweet. Never heard of syntax nectar. I'll have to look that one up. Thank you!!

I have tried the tuna in the pouches. I don't know what it is, but it bothers me. Canned or pouched tuna. But I can put a nice piece on the grill or oven from the fish market and eat it just fine. My body is the weirdest thing EVER LOL! But thank you! I agree on the vanilla....they seem to be sweeter, but sometimes the chocolate bothers me. Maybe too much dairy. Not sure. I used to be a confirmed chocoholic but not anymore. The older I get the more it bothers me and will even give me heartburn. Again, that weird body! I've tried just two types of baby food that has protein. The PLUM organics stage 4 that I mentioned and Gerber 3rd Foods called Lil'Bits. Like Autumn Vegetables & Turkey Dinner is one. A container is 120 cals, 4 sugars, 4 proteins. I don't see a sugar source listed so the sugar must be naturally occurring. These are ok. I mean almost anything is doable to me....except liver and potatoes. Yup I'm a potato hater! I have not tried the pure meat baby foods. I look at them and they are unappealing. I'd rather take my canned chicken and grind that up in the food processor. But if you DO try them, please update me. I am curious and if you say they are pretty good, I'll try and maybe stock a few to have on hand for quickie meals.

Let me know if you find one that doesn't. I really think they all do. I've tried alot, I know what you mean. I wanna just brush my teeth. I've used protein mix for years. The powder mix. But never the pre-mixed drinks. I think you get it more with the pre-mixed ones.

Thank you. I have bought some but not alot. I heard that too, isn't it weird that it could happen?

Don't use bullion. I bought boxed bone broth. Chicken and Beef. Organic. You can find in most large supermarkets. But stay away from bullion. WAY too much salt.

Boy, I am doomed to be bald then. I have already lost almost half my hair due to hormonal issue. Add WLS surgery on top of it and YEP...I'll be a baldy!!! Thin but bald!

I am pre-surgery, but from what I understand, this is very very common. Roughly 3-6 months post-op it starts so you are right in the middle. It eventually stops for most people and when it stops, from what I've read online, is something that is individual. They say don't perm or color your hair. Which is going to be hard for me NOT to color my hair! Take your vitamins, biotin, and make sure you get PLENTY of protein. People who have posted or blogged about it are trying to take in close to 80 plus grams of protein. Which is more than the typical surgeon is saying to take in. Some say having a zinc or iron deficiency will also increase hair loss. My surgeons team said that the stress of surgery, the very few calories taken into the body the first couple months etc, cause the body to react to the low calories and shut down "unnecessary" functions. Hair growth is unnecessary to the body. This causes more of the hair shafts to go into resting phase which then causes them to eventually shed. Just google hair loss after WLS and you'll find plenty of information. There are products to use, but honestly, I have pretty good hair loss for several years due to hormone issue. Nothing topical helped stop the hair loss nor does it increase hair growth. I think the only thing would be rogaine and I hesitated using that as my body is already hormonally screwed up a bit and wasn't sure if it would work, plus I think it's life long that you use it or your hair starts falling out after you stop. Good luck, eventually it stops for most people.

It most definitely is not the easy way out. Whatever I may have thought before, learning about it, taking the classes, talking to all the professionals and reading and studying about the surgery and afterwards and the diet....it will be the hardest thing I've done to help myself in 25 years.

good for you! Isn't it nice to have someone very close to you experiencing the same thing? what a great support you and your mom will be for each other!!

I could not go forth with the operation if I did not have support of my husband. He is fully supportive of what I WANT. He's concerned about pain and complications and he's ok who I want to tell or not. His whole family are skinny minnies who have not dieted a day in their life. He has watched me struggle with weight for over 26 years. Since I had the babies. I told my daughter who supports my decision like no other. She has watched what I eat and exercise and do to get this weight off. She has gone shopping with me and sees the cute stuff size 16 and lower and the size 18, 20, 22, 24 etc all horrid styles materials and in PUCE. So she knows. I told my son. He is very supportive as well. He lives in another state so not sure if he told his wife. I may ask him one day. I told my very best friend. And my boss and her daughter, who works at company. that's is. I keep wanting to tell my sister but I don't think she will react well. And my husband's family is out of the question. Someone said here that if anyone comes right out and asks them, they will not lie. And that's what I'm going to use for myself. Pretty bad that you can have diabetes, heart disease etc and want to do something about it, but people have opinions. I KNOW...I was one of those with my own mother. Because I pushed myself with diet and exercise all the time and she didn't, I wasn't supportive when she wanted WLS years ago. Course she was denied because she had way too many co-morbidities. She passed at age 74 a few years ago. A small stroke and 6 months later a killing one. I fear becoming my mother now. Spending last 20 years of my life only partially living due to my condition like she did. So...I have the guilt of not being informed and therefore not being supportive 10 years ago. I would expect that most people who have not studied and read and talked to surgeons and nurses etc etc about WLS are as ill informed as I was. And I agree with another poster here, I do not want to be the talk of my husband's skinny family. NONE of them work and gossip all day long and I would be #1 conversation. NOPE.

I'm wondering if it's only because you can have a few ozs at a time? I would ask. Are you in a support group? Maybe check with them too? I have no idea how you would get in the protein otherwise. That's what I was planning on doing. And the only pre-op that I need to do, is kinda like a colonoscopy, drink this stuff to clear you out and be on clear liquids only the day before surgery. I know some people have to do liquids for 2 weeks!

How about liquid yogurt...can you have that? It may have too much sugar. I have not checked on that in years. Why only 6 ozs of protein drink a day? I am under the impression that will be the mainstay of protein intake when on liquids? Am I wrong? Heck, I use a protein drink NOW to (a) keep me fuller and (b) get my protein in and I'm pre-sleeve. I have life skills class tomorrow, I'm going to ask this. I hope someone else can answer

I am not getting a pixie! I asked my hairdresser if shorter hair can hide it more and she said not really. I have cut my hair from mid back to just below shoulders. I wear bangs and they are thin but I look terrible without them! Kinda damned if you do damned if you don't!!! I would say hair loss is the biggest negative for me of this surgery. SO FAR. I'm PRE sleeve LOL so I can say that!

I think I will try it due to the reviewers saying it helps with dry hair. There are almost 1000 reviews. I did not even read half of them but I betcha I read through 50. None that I read said it would help grow hair or help keep hair from falling out. It makes your hair more manageable and helps with frizz and dry hair. I cannot tell you the products that I already use so that I am never pulling on my hair while combing, drying it or shampooing, rinsing it. I wash my hair 2x a week most of the time. I mostly air dry and rarely use dryer and even more rarely use curling iron. So I'm very careful with what little I have. I'm 56 and I have hormonal hair loss. Pre-sleeve so I'll do what I can before the sleeve. I put in my body every day, hair skin and nails vitamins, extra biotin, B complex, extra B -12, multi vitamin, calcium, Vit D and marine peptides. So I'll try this to make my dry hair softer, shinier, more manageable. but I don't think it will help with loss. I'll report back but it will be several weeks as I only wash and mess with my hair 2x a week. I will also bring it to my hairdresser next time I go and get her take on it. Thanks for posting this product.

They are right hon. I'm pre-op and we just talked about this in my life skills class. I was working out like you for years, 1000 cal diet MAYBE. Nothing, I built muscle but that's it. Went to my dr...he said (have since only seen women) move more eat less. Wouldn't even discuss what I WAS doing. Sometimes I worked out so hard with a personal trainer, I would vomit on way home on side of the road. My trainer couldn't understand it. Had me do a food diary. STILL didn't pick up on it. I actually read an article while skimming around online about under eating and over working. Your body does shut down. The things he was saying made PERFECT sense to me. I was living them. As are you. I would increase the cals a bit and maybe drop down the exercise just a bit. I know it's scary. It was very very scary for me to eat more. Good luck to you.