So I had my lap band done on July 29, 2011. I loved the protein shakes before that, but afterwards the texture literally made me vomit. I tried to put them in soups, shakes, puddings, etc..but nothing was working. I even tried mixing the concentrate stuff with water and that didnt go well either. I dont know if it was the texture or the taste of them..but I couldnt tolerate them. I went to the doctor a few times and told them what was going on and they kept recommending different things, and I tried them with no luck. So eventually I got fed up and just stopped doing them ( I know, I know so stupid, believe me I am kicking myself now). I dont know if I got a terrible case of the "stupids" but I just didnt take my vitamins or anything.I felt great after surgery and kept telling myself I didnt need all of that. Well fast forward 4 1/2 months and my hair is coming out. Everytime I take a shower I have to clean the drain out. Didnt really notice anything too bad until this last month...so naturally I am in panic mode. I know I shouldnt have been so hard headed (scary thing is I'm a nurse and I know better! I know I am sooo stupid, you can all yell at me later!) So, I am forcing myself now to drink these shakes. I literally hold my nose and drink 8 ounces at a time and then wash it down with some water to get the gritty taste out of my mouth. I am taking my vitamins and even went and got some B5 and Lysine ( I have a friend that had the bypass and this is what she took to help with her hair). I call the doctors office again and tell them and she told me she didnt think my hair loss had anything to do with my surgery..??? She said that she had never seen anyone losing hair with the lap-band before so unless it was a protein deficiency then she had no idea. So..my question is.. has anyone else went through this? And any pointers on how to stop all this hair loss so I'm not bald within the next few months???

Hey, i had my surgery on 7/11/11 i too have lost my hair tremendously. This has been going on for about 3-4 weeks, I don't think it is protein related... because i eat 56 grams or more a day. I have been told that this will pass. i hope so, because i have had to start wearing cute little hair pieces, but i had cute stylish plans with my own hair with this new weight loss. Keep in touch

oh yea, i have started taking biotin for hair and nails

Well I haven't gone through it (yet) but I have heard that it's not all that uncommon. Especially considering we are not getting in as much food as before. If you can't handle the protein shakes, I suggest sticking to protein heavy food and SF Carnation Instant Breakfast (they are super yummy!). If you mix it with skim milk, you get like 13 grams of protein. Maybe eat some more eggs? And definitely take your vitamins...I heard Biotin works as well. Maybe talk to your hair stylist and she if she can suggest a shampoo that might help. I've heard Nexus maybe but that's expensive. The good thing is that I've ALSO heard that hair loss is temporary. This has been worrying me as well which is why I've been trying to focus on getting all my protein in and taking my vitamins. Good luck! I'm sure it will get better soon!

I did go through this and I was in the same boat... In a panic. I started taking prenatal vitamins and it took care of the problem. Only lasted a month and I by no means had bald spots. Good luck

I have been having the same problem. My hair seems to be breaking off though. My doctor says it is a combo of not enough protein and just a side effect of the weight loss. I've been taking 5,000 Biotin once a day. It seems to be helping, took a couple of months to kick in though.

I have heard this happens so from the beginning I have been taking prenatal Vitamins and 5000mg of Biotin. I drink the Gladiator shakes from smoothie King, which are pretty good, high in protien too, but like you don't drink as often as I should, but do eat alot of eggs, chicken, etc which is HOPEFULLY compensating. I too need to get back into drinking them as I should! Good luck! Also try Nioxin, works great and feels great too!

I listen to another member and started Biotin 5000mcg from Target in clear capsules. I've been taking it like a week. I can tell its helping and my energy is increasing too.

My hair comes out in handfuls and has been for the past 2 months. I can tell it is thinner, but I had thick hair to begin with. I heard things get better at about month 8...2.5 more months of this for me. I hope less though.

Thanks for all of the help guys! I have put all my pills in my purse so I wont forget to take any of them. My hair has never been super thick, and I mean it doesnt look terribly bad now but I am freaking out. When I put it back in a ponytail I can tell that its thinning around my temples. I really hope this passes because I dont know if I could handle wigs and all that stuff. I like to shower, scrunch my hair up and go!! Fast and easy! I dont know what the problem is with this protein stuff.. I can stand the carnation IB, but I get really tired of eating and drinking. I know that sounds crazy, but Im just not into food like I was before. I can take a few bites of something and just be done with it. The shakes I was drinking before were like 32 ounces in one bottle but they had 3 scoops of powder in them and I drank it throughout the day which equaled my entire daily amount. I do eat alot of protein, but had fallen off around the holidays with all of the carbs and desserts. I had gotten into the habit of eating my meat first then moving on to something else...but I was putting little spoonfuls of nothing but carbs on my plate!! I swear we know better, so why do we do stupid things like that?? If I could kick my own rear, I really would lol..