I knew that hair loss was a side effect of the surgery, but i truly was not prepared for this. My hair is falling out EVERYWHERE. I really am not sure how I don't have bald patches. I eat my protein everyday and take my vitamins. I also take Biotin each day. How long does this last? Will I lose all my hair? I'm freaking out a bit.

Just read that it's a double whammy of major surgery/anesthesia and rapid weight loss, and there's nothing you can do about it!

Not getting enough Iron or Protein makes it even worse apparently.

"Hey, you're looking hot in those jeans...too bad about that big BALD SPOT." LMAO

Yep some people get hair loss from any surgery with anaesthesia. All you can do is eat your protein and take supplements and hope for the best, but you ultimately can't control whether you're one of the people who loses hair or not. I still don't know how I'll go - I feel like I'm losing more than usual but I might just be a little hypervigilant. I figure if it gets bad, I'll wear some kooky hats for a while. Totally worth it in the bigger scheme of things.

I am 4 1/2 months post op. i started shedding lightly around 3 months and now its pretty steady. Pretty much exactly what sassafras wrote. When I was pre op I swore I would not cut my hair. Everyone i know who had wls cut their hair and i have long thick silky blonde hair that i refused to give up. That didnt last long! Chopped it about 3 weeks ago!

I have such thick hair I am actually liking the fact that i dont spend an hour blow drying it!

Trying to look on the bright side ha ha

I'm expecting the worst and hoping for the best. I'm preparing myself for the worst case scenario...extremely thin hair, maybe even bald spots. If I get lucky and it's not so bad, then I'll be pleasantly surprised.

I plan to color it (thickens the hair shaft) and cut it shoulder length when it gets bad. I'll just tell everyone it's my "summer cut" a little early.

Should hit me in the next month or so...

My stylist said she definitely notices its thinning, but so far no bald spots! Fingers crossed!

My hair loss started at two months out and has been very steady for the past month to 6 weeks. Not letting up at all everymorning or everyother morning when I shampoo I end up pulling handfulls out. It must be happening pretty evenly because I haven't found a bald spot either. I was going to cut it short but decided to keep it long incase I needed to pull a Donald Trump and use the long length to swirl it up on my head like an ice cream cone to cover a bald spot. Everyone tells me it will stop and grow back. It is just getting a little scary when there is so much day after day. I am trying not to panic yet. It is worth it. I would much rather be bald than fat.

I sooooo know it's not funny but your Donald Trump scenario gave me a good chuckle. I hope you keep a good humor about this and it ends quickly.

My very thick hair is down to my waist and I've had numerous surgeries including 2 lapband surgeries and huge weight losses and never experienced any hair loss. I wonder if it will be if will be different this time?

Hope not

ms. antiband this time u had major surgery a part of u was cut out. I've read many post and watch shows where people has had massive weight loss whether its the band or on their own and haven't complain about massive hair loss as with the sleeve. Really giving me something to think about.

I have fine hair and I'm HORRIFIED at the thought of losing HALF of it. :'(

Yep, I'm the same way. One of the few people I told about this surgery is my hair stylist, because I wanted to prepare her for this and her response? "You don't have any hair to lose!"

However, what shampoo you use CAN help, at least a little, because the more expensive shampoos actually have Protein in them.

For those curious about why we lose our hair, etc., here is a helpful article on the subject of hair loss after WLS that explains exactly why it happens and what you can do to lessen it (you can't stop it): http://gastricbypasstruth.com/life-after-gastric-bypass/hair-loss-after-gastric-bypass-tips-for-losing-less-and-regrowing-more-faster/

Also, Dr Alvarez has a Q&A video about hair loss: