I've been trying to keep this in perspective but the amount of hair that left my head today is alarming!!! Im frightened and in tears. I had surgery Oct 23rd. This is freaking me out. I get handfuls coming out. Im over concerned now because I have eyebrow alopecia and waxed my arms years ago and the hair never grew back. Im so scared im going to lose my hair and its not gonna come back. Please share some encouraging words.

Some hair lose is normal with rapid weight loss, the key to slowing it down is to make sure you take in enough protein, during the early months while learning to eat this is difficult so I would suggest you add some protein shakes maybe twice a day to your daily intake. Also you can goggle this because this is what I did. Goggle: hair loss after weight loss surgery, they say the lose should not be as much with lap band but it does happen. The recommended vitamin for hair and nails is Biotin. I take a chew-able one from GNC and I take 2 of them a day. After a couple of weeks of starting this I noticed a reduction in the amount of hair I was losing and I also was losing hair rapidly. Talk to your physician also they may have other suggestions.

It does tend to happen about 3 mo out from surgery. I too take 10,000 mg biotin- one little (size of a tic tac) capsule in the AM and one at lunch. It has helped. It will slow down, but it will be several months. It's normal. Also, make doubly sure to keep up your protein, at LEAST 60 g a day, try for 80 +. That will help.

Nicki

I also have experienced hair loss. My hair had already been thin due to hypothyroidism. I have always been so embarrassed to get even a haircut and when I started to lose weight I really noticed a difference! I spoke with my surgeon and he said since I lost weight at a rapid pace that can happen and try biotin which I've started abt five months ago and I can see a small difference. I take 10,000 mcg daily. My nails are growing fast if only my hair would!! I comb it on the side to cover up the baldness in the front, I've thought abt extensions, etc. But I will just continue to take biotin and keep protein intake up because if this is the only side effect from the band i ll live with it. Been banded since May of this year lost 107 lbs hit goal last month and I love my new bff. Hang in there it will get better..I also by fat hair shampoo by Sammy and some of his hair care products at walgreens

I have had some hair loss, but my hair is thick and coarse to start with. they make some really natural looking hair pieces now. I feel so bad for anyone who is so thin you can see the scalp. Weight causes enough self esteem issues without having to deal with thinning hair. If it where me I would treat myself to a nice hair piece. You can get them to look like your natural hair. If you can get one close enough no one would probably notice.