.....one thing that I keep coming back to as I explore (and wait....grr) this exciting chapter in my life is the thought of losing so much hair. It's totally not because I'm vain at all. However, I have VERY, VERY thin female pattern baldness (all on the top) anyway. If I lose, it's going to be a severe and very obvious change.

I know this seems like such a small thing, but I'm wondering if anyone could share their experiences if they too had thin hair to begin with....

I am 5 months out and just now have started to lose my hair -- I was hoping to not have to go through this experience - luckily I have very thick hair, and so no one else really notices it -- I'm not sure how long it lasts; I'm hoping not long. I am going to start taking Andrew Lessman's Skin, Hair and Nail Vitamins and see if that helps slow or stop the process.

I am sure others on this site will have stories/suggestions of their own to help you out.

For me, the surgery would still be totally worth it even if I end up bald - that's what wigs are for!

Thanks for the reply!

That's sort of my thought right now, but I'm such a natural girl, I can't imagine wigs. But, I can just feel the positive energy from all of you who have been literally liberated by your weight loss, and it seems as if there are few things that would have overshadowed the positive experience.

Yes- Losing hair is part of it... And Vegas, Thats about the time I started losing mine, about 5 months out.

I also had alot of hair, and didn't think it would effect me... WRONG... it did. So my suggestion is to start taking OTC VITAMINS .. HAIR, SKIN AND NAILS, and I also use Minoxidil ( generic from Wal-mart) its a liquid that you put on your hair twice a day. It has worked and I have alot of new growth.

I'd take the precaution- even if you don't lose your hair- it won't hurt... but could prevent it from happening.

Well. I won't sugar coat it. I have lost hair. I started losing early compared to Vegas and Chancie. I started noticing more of my hairs around the house and on my clothes 5 - 6 weeks out. Then I noticed that instead of needing two clips to put my hair up I only needed one. I cornered my husband and asked him how bad it was. He swore it was thinner but not bad. Yes you could tell the difference.

10 weeks out I am noticing short hairs! So I have new growth. To be honest I don't care if it all falls out. I feel so much better and I am not even at my goal weight yet. The trade-off was worth it. I could be wrong but I have never read or heard that the hair loss is perm unless you are always missing your Protein goals.

I started losing my hair about 2 months ago. I have really coarse, thick hair so it isn't noticeable at this time. But, it does come out in handfuls, and it does bother me to an extent, but being fat bothered me more. I can tell a difference in my hair, and have been using Folicure shampoo, and have noticed just this past week some new hairs growing in. I will probably start taking one of the hair/nail supplements. The hairloss is temporary, and my surgeon said it would probably last 3-6 months. It's the one side effect that was really upsetting at first, but I just have to remember, it's temporary, the other benefits of the surgery are permanent.

I have been dreading this also. I'm only 2 weeks out but I'm already checking my brush every time I do my hair. I'm incredibly vain and I've been wanting extensions forever but my hairdresser refused to do them because she said they'd damage my hair. So when the time comes where the hair loss is noticeable I will have no qualms about going to a wig specialist and getting an excellent quality lace front wig with human hair. I have the money saved and if it makes me more confident (with the hair I always wanted and never had) I'm all for it.

Wigs are really popular now and made better than ever. If it's something that will make you less self-concious and -- best of all -- cut down on the morning routine, give it some consideration. You deserve to feel beautiful!

Hi 2blue,

I have lost some hair too, from about 2 months out it started shedding. Its only noticeable to me fortunately. I now have regrowth happening at 6 months out. This seems to be a problem with any weight loss, its not surgery related as far as I know. I think taking multi vits, collagen, calcium and getting your protein and not stressing your hair any further with dyes or perms is about all you can do. And its only temporary.

All the best, Jane.

Edited November 7, 200916 yr by Jane_J
added protein

I was too worried about this aspect. I've always lost quite a bit of hair just normally, I'll never forget my mom having to call a plumber in 3rd grade after moving into a new place, he couldn't believe how much hair he dug up.

Around 2 months I think I started shedding a little more than normal, and now at 3 months I notice a lot more hair coming out when I brush it and/or shampoo/condition. I've decided to stop stressing it so much by flat ironing for now and am wearing it natural, but if I need to I will look into some high-end wigs. I can tell you, the success of losing weight and feeling so much more healthy is so worth the hair loss in my opinion.

I'm not going to sugar coat anything..you will lose hair. I'm 6 mos out from surgery and I'm losing hair lots of strands at a time. I get my Protein in and from the month after surgery I was taking Biotin, Prenatal Vitamins..using folicure shampoo and conditioner. I thought if I got a jump on things it would not happen to me.

I have extensions I wear and I am shopping for wig this week. I am use to having thick hair which it is not anymore..yes I have new growth but I'm sure it will take time to come back.

Don't get me wrong I don't regret having surgery..in fact its the best thing I've done in a long time..I've lost 50 lbs and wearing sz 6/8 from 14/16.

I know the hair loss is only temporary...thank goodness!!

I started losing hair about two weeks ago. I expect it will grow back...it's worth it, to be free of all that weight.

I know I am not the end all be all but I can provide a tiny bit of info. I am NOT a Dr., but I am in hair school and something we do to promote growth is scalp massages. When you stimulate your scalp you are stimulating blood flow. Better blood flow and circulation bring more nutrients to your scalp, helping hair grow. Plus if you ladies and gentlemen can get your significant other to do it for you, it is extremely stress relieving and relaxing. If not, you can just massage in the shower. Use the pads of your fingers, no nail! You could damage your scalp, and further deteriorate the growth process. Most salons offer this as an add on to any service, and this nice thing about it is some of theirs can last from 15-30 mins. You will never be so relaxed.

-Tiffany = ]

hair loss is something that worries me too like crazy. I have VERY thin hair now & can't imagine what it will be like after surgery. I just keep telling myself it will all be worth it & the hair will grow back... but I can't lie, this is still something that keeps me awake at night & surgery is in a week.

I will just try the Vitamins, shampoos & newly mentioned scalp massages & hope for the best!

Theresa,

I don't know about other hair loss, but another weight loss site had this quote:

"A hair folicle has three phases: growth, degradation, and resting. It is during the resting phase, which can last anywhere from two to four months, that the hair strand falls out of the folicle--but it does grow back! Normally, we lose 50-100 strands of hair everyday. The stress of surgery causes our folicles to go into rest mode in greater, coordinated numbers, but eventually they will all come back on-line and begin to regrow your hair."

That seems to be reassuring that the hair loss from the surgery should come back. It is stressful to think about. (I still thinking about a BM. : ) I am with you, a wig seems so uncomfortable to me.

Barb

I swear if all my hair would fall out I would jump up and down with delight. I have THICK THICK THICK hair (that currently falls out for the fun of it) Since I am pre-op I am so looking forwards to some of this head weight comming off of me.

I know odd, and watch in 5 months I will be back here crying my eyes out cause my hair is falling out LOL... I bet you all!

Okay - I'm only 5 months post-op (tomorrow) and have thick hair to start. I am seeing some hair loss but not horrible. Much less hair loss than post-pregnancy. Now that was a lot of hair coming out.