Can someone please tell me when I expect to start noticing the common side effect of hair loss! As I've read in previous comments, it's something inevitable :-( I am doing everything possible to prevent this from happening but it's my understanding that no matter what I do, it's bound to happen. I understand that the impact is more serious that others but my main concern is at what point after surgery, can I expect to experience this, if at all?

Mine started to thin out around the 5th month. I am at 8 months now and it has slowed down. No one notices but me and my hairdresser, but I had very thick hair to begin with

I take Biotin everyday and it helps with regrowth, I also only wash my hair about 2 times a week as to not cause any extra stress on it..

good luck on your journey

Can someone please tell me when I expect to start noticing the common side effect of hair loss! As I've read in previous comments, it's something inevitable :-( I am doing everything possible to prevent this from happening but it's my understanding that no matter what I do, it's bound to happen. I understand that the impact is more serious that others but my main concern is at what point after surgery, can I expect to experience this, if at all?

From what I have gathered I think people say they start loosing their hair at around month 3. I am so afraid of this myself . Everyone does say that they were the only ones that noticed. I hope that is true.

What I don't really get is why would this hair loss begin after 6 months when we should probably be eating better by then and also taking the various vitamins. Basically why does this happen so much later after the surgery?

Guys, I lost LOTS of hair - it started around 4 months or so and from what I see (at 8 months out!) has not stopped yet! My hair is so thin on top you can see SCALP all the way back! I'm thinking of buying some of that "spray on" stuff guys use for bald heads! lol Seriously, it is bad. BUT I've lost 100lbs and gone from a size 20 to 8 so it's worth it!

Nannie, first of all congrats on your weight loss! That's awesome! So have you been taking any of the suggested supplements to slow down the process at all?

I brought this up with my doctor at the monthly support group. He said that the hair will fall out if you don't eat enough protein because you hair uses protein to grow but if you don't consume enough, the body sends it to the muscles work. He also said there is no scientific evidence that biotin works. My sister in law had RNY and her hair thinned out and now had regrown back. She had surgery in October 09. Good Luck and get your protein in

Actually the hair loss is due to anesthesia and rapid weight loss -- I started losing around month 3 -- and am still losing at almost the 6th month (which is next week). I have thick hair, so no one notices but I do . . . but anticipate it -- you can start to take Biotin which helps ONLY with regrowth (not preventing loss) -- I have all sorts of short little hairs growing back in . . . . I too try to minimize loss by only shampooing twice a week.

What I don't really get is why would this hair loss begin after 6 months when we should probably be eating better by then and also taking the various Vitamins. Basically why does this happen so much later after the surgery?

This is why:

http://emedicine.med...071566-overview

Mine started at 3.5 months, and last a full 3 months. It has all grown back in. My hair grows extraordinarily fast and it's pretty much to pre-op volume.

No amount of Protein, snake oils, shampoos, pills, will stop it if you are going to experience. It's the shock to your body, the anesthesia, the major dietary change. I experienced hair loss after my gallbladder surgery 8 months post- sleeve so it's not just protein amount, or Vitamin intake or anything else.

Zinc, Biotin, staying on top of your protein will help with regrowth, but I only know of 2 people that didn't deal with hair loss after bariatric surgery. And, they did nothing special.

So basically if we get enough protein in our diets, it should limit our overall hair loss?

Tiffy Thanks for the info....I can only hope that I fall in that small % that doesn't lose their hair! lol

So basically if we get enough Protein in our diets, it should limit our overall hair loss?

Nope. There are plenty of people on here that got in more than the required protein grams immediately post-op, and lost more hair than I did and for more months than I experienced it. I didn't get my protein in until I hit mushies, and could eat food around 5-6 weeks out. Protein shakes made me puke so they were a "no go" for me to use immediately post-op.

Honestly, there really is no rhyme or reason, no way to predict how much or how little you will lose.

It's just a temporary, yet alarming side-effect, but I promise, hair grows back. I had gorgeous, thick, wavy hair pre-op, and it was the one thing I loved about myself. I was bothered by the losing, but looking back, it was well worth it.

I'll trade a little hair loss, a little loose, wrinkly skin to be rid of the back fat, joint pain, and size 22/24W pants.

Tiffy, never thought of it that way. I guess I'll just have to be patient and see when or if my hair does fall out! Thanks for the information :-)

Ive read that people who get enough Protein still lose hair. That your body is in shock so losing hair just happens because you dont need it to survive.

I'm 2 months out and it's started

Hi, It is not inevitable I am six months out I have always had very fine very thin hair so this was a major worry for me. I have heard hair loss can start anytime after surgery up to six months so hopefully I am beyond it now. I was very careful to make sure I am getting enough protein. I have been taking biotin, a B complex, and collagen caps. I also have been using Nioxin shampoo and conditioner which I swear by.

Hi what are collagen caps and Nioxin shampoo? Really? Never thought of that....hmmm

Hi, It is not inevitable I am six months out I have always had very fine very thin hair so this was a major worry for me. I have heard hair loss can start anytime after surgery up to six months so hopefully I am beyond it now. I was very careful to make sure I am getting enough protein. I have been taking biotin, a B complex, and collagen caps. I also have been using Nioxin shampoo and conditioner which I swear by.