Bye bye hair....

[Indigo1991 1,612]

And so it begins. Noticed increasing Hair loss in last few days and today BIG lots going down the plug...

Am I sad? Yup, I love my hair. Am I going to freak out? Nope. Knew it was likely, irrespective of what protein/vitamins/biotin/water I have taken since the surgery. I suppose that as there's no such thing as a free lunch, there's always a price to pay for something that is working for me as well as my sleeve is. Have lost hair before when taking a chemo drug (although hope not to lose my eyelashes this time!), so been here before and hair recovered. Like everything in life, this too will pass...

So as I watched the hair swirl away this morning, I thanked it for making the ultimate sacrifice. Then I stood in front of my mirror and looked at the bright eyed, healthy woman looking back, who I still struggle to recognise as me. No diabetes, no pain from arthritis and no nasty meds any more. I put on my trousers and T, which are 5 sizes smaller than in April, along with the high heeled sandals that are a size smaller than then. And smiled.

Je ne regrette rien, I have no regrets as Edith Piaff sang, not even hair loss. Got my hair Fiber product ready to fill in any really thin bits, have even found a local place that does infills for hair loss. So I am cool and relaxed because when this phase is over, I will still be healthy, slimmer and well - and my hair will be regrowing.

To all losing their hair, hang in and don't stress ... will just make it worse.....others have been here before us and have come out the other side just fine. x

[rickyc 3]

Thats an awsome attitude .. !! it helped my diabetes as well . good luck

[Molly3 495]

LOVE your attitude & Thanks for sharing!

[Indigo1991 1,612]

Thanks for the nice comments :-))))

[mykeld2 11]

Thank you for this post! I've been losing my hair for about a month now and have been trying to maintain a positive attitude about it. I too am using the hair fibers and try not to worry about all the hairs in the bottom of the tub. I cut my hair short so it wouldn't look like so much in my brush every morning. Trying to embrace the new me and be confident that the hair will return...any idea how long it takes to see regrowth? I'm 4 mos post-op now. Thanks!

[Indigo1991 1,612]

From seeing what others say, it varies. For some it's a few weeks, for others it can be months - and in a few cases, quite a while. Some lose very little hair, others lose a lot. But you seem like you're on top of it irrespective of what happens :-)

Stressing doesn't help, which is why I am staying pragmatic. Life has changed sooo much for the better, this is just another bump in the road to where I am meant to be be x

[Pixie Dust 526]

Thank you for turning a negative into a positive! I'm only 2.5 weeks out & I already think I'm losing more hair than normal but I do have a ton so maybe it won't be noticeable. Even if it does thin out, I would still rather be healthier & be around longer for my children.

[fh61 20]

Wow I didnt think Hair loss would happen so quickly. I'm a week out and just starting to feel better, feeling positive, now i guess dealing with hair loss is coming too.

[Indigo1991 1,612]

Most people, if they are going to experience hair loss, see it start around 3 -4 months out. But some people don't lose hair, some lose it later, some lose it earlier and the amounts vary hugely.

Like most things in life, it's your reaction to a situation that dictates whether it goes well or badly... If my hair's going to fall out, it's going to fall out no matter how I feel about it. I am a great believer in not wasting energy on the things I can't change - am keeping it for my new dating life, lol!!!!

[fh61 20]

You are so right - i knew about hair falling out - was just suprised to hear so early! Just having a bad day today, my 20 year old son had to get his tonsils out today and i was a bag of nerves. he is home now and all is good - so i really dont care if my hair falls out - your right - nothing i can do about it. thanks for your post and your perspective

[Jen35 283]

Great attitude. I worry about everything even when I try not too! Just my personality, but I'm working on being more laid back about things I can't change. I am 2 1/2 months out or so and I have just started noticing more hair after each shower. So, I think I'm starting this process early. In case I need it, do the hair fibers work well? I'm assuming this is what I've seen at salon stores that cling to your real hair.

[fh61 20]

what are hair fibers?

[Indigo1991 1,612]

Yup, fibers seem to do the job. Google them and there are a number of companies that offer this as a treatment for hair thinning/loss. It's keratin fibers (which is what hair is made of), they are in a powder (like a dry shampoo), puff them on the thinning bits and they stick to individual hair shafts to bulk them up. It creates the impression of more hair and they don't blow away in wind or rain - they need to be shampooed out. From reading others posts, including Mykeld 2 on this thread, a good haircut can also help...

fh61, we are in the same boat, my 22 year old had knee cap stabilisation surgery four days ago and I wish it was me not him going through it... He looked after me so well after my surgery, I am doing the same for him now. He was in such pain this morning that when I was showering and watching my hair disappear, it really didn't seem as important...

Jen 35, the fact that you are trying not to fret about things you can't change is a great start. When I was young, i worried about everything, as I have got older, I am more selective about what gets my time and energy - and there's not much... lol!!!

[NewSetOfCurves 1,555]

Love, love, LOVE your attitude! I'm going to come back to this thread for your optimism when my hair starts to shed. Thank you!

[Beach Lover 1,084]

Thank you for the wonderful perspective!! I have never heard of the hair fibers but I will remember this tip when my hair begins to fall out. I am going to go through this with style and grace (and a little hair fibers)! Thank you for sharing your morning with us we will benefit from it!!