I am 5.5 months out and have lost about 80 pounds. I am shedding my hair like mad and its getting noticeably thinner. I am taking Biotin supplements but I don't believe that's for regrowth. Has anyone had the same issue? Is it lack of protein or from rapid weight loss? Did you use anything that helped? Did drs recommend any supplements or anything? Help!!!

Stand down from panic...It happens to a lot of us. There are a lot of different theories about why we lose our hair...some say it's the anesthesia, some say rapid loss, malnutrition, etc.

My doc says this: Hair is optional to your body. When it need to work on other things like recovering from surgery, healing itself, etc., it stops taking care of the hair.

I started losing at 3 months and it continued thru 6 months. Some days it was horrifying what came out. I can remember looking at my hair covered hands in the shower thinking "Is there any left on my head?" Looking down at the floor after fixing my hair brought tears to my eyes as it appeared there was a small animal on the floor, but it was just my hair.

My doc OK'd me to use Biotin and Folic Acid - this is for regrowth, not stopping the shedding. I also used a product called Toppik. Go to their website - it works exactly like the video shows. It may seem expensive, however, I am just nearing the end of my first mid-sized bottle, so you don't use much, it should last you for months and months.

I'm 10 months out and I can see tiny little hairs growing all over my head. I wear it as a badge of honor!

I also lost a ton of hair. I'm a year out now and it's slowly starting to grow and thicken-up again. I tried a few varieties of extensions and nothing really worked out well. Before surgery I had long, medium thickness hair, that was beautiful, and at six months I had really thin, brittle hair, that I wasn't thrilled about every wearing out of a ponytail. At a year, my hair is growing again. It's frustrating, but once your body recovers from the trauma of surgery and the diet, it will start directing resources to your hair again.

Thanks guys!!!

I will be checking out this Toppik. Cause I have my Sleeve this Friday. I have already begun my biotin and I have some b12 with folic acid.

I suffered from hair loss myself post surgery and my doctor said it was natural as the body was recovering from the surgery and needed time to heal the operated portions first. After about six months I upped the protein intake which helped a bit. Then I started taking hair skin and nail supplements from vita4life on my doctor’s advice and it really helped me in boosting hair growth.

I'm going through this too. It's really scary even though I guess it's normal. I just pray it comes back.

My hair has been thinning out for the last year or so (hormones?). The past week or two it's starting to be hand fulls and it's not thick to start out. I was hoping the Vitamins, Biotin, and hitting, and often exceeding, my Protein goals would keep it at a minimum. Nope. And I started at about 6 weeks, not 3 months like so many. Arghhh.

I'm thinking of going back to short/shorter hair, but wonder how thin it will look if I do that. Is long hair less revealing than short??

I don't believe it's Protein or rapid weight loss. I get plenty of protein and have lost weight quickly before without wls. Never lost my hair then.

I started to lose hair at 2 months post op and the worst of it was at 5-6 months. Handfuls. I cried. I'm 7 months out now and not losing nearly as much. I had thick hair to start so I just rolled with it. I only take Flintstones Vitamins and don't use any special shampoo or vitamins. There's hope. Just ride it out. I know it's hard.

Well I have been doing a lot of protective styles so keep down on the manipulation. I'm moisturizing and taking my protein and biotin as I should. Well trying. I have been struggling lately with my water in take, so I am trying to do better. I pray to God my hair staying with me

I'm going through this too. It's really scary even though I guess it's normal. I just pray it comes back.

My hair has been thinning out for the last year or so (hormones?). The past week or two it's starting to be hand fulls and it's not thick to start out. I was hoping the Vitamins, Biotin, and hitting, and often exceeding, my Protein goals would keep it at a minimum. Nope. And I started at about 6 weeks, not 3 months like so many. Arghhh.

I'm thinking of going back to short/shorter hair, but wonder how thin it will look if I do that. Is long hair less revealing than short??

I believe that less manipulation during this process is also best. I am added extension to my hair, and not putting heat or anything on it. I am also taking my biotin, vitamins, and hair, nail supplement. We just have to monitor it. Also cutting your hair won't hurt. But you have to do what works for you. This is your journey. I think short hair is great. You can always add hair to make it fuller. Don't worry too much about it. Especially if you are doing all that you can. Just add some more to it, and keep it moving.

I believe that less manipulation during this process is also best. I am added extension to my hair, and not putting heat or anything on it. I am also taking my Biotin, Vitamins, and hair, nail supplement. We just have to monitor it. Also cutting your hair won't hurt. But you have to do what works for you. This is your journey. I think short hair is great. You can always add hair to make it fuller. Don't worry too much about it. Especially if you are doing all that you can. Just add some more to it, and keep it moving.

the hair extensions aren't too heavy for your hair? I want to get some as well but worried that'll it make my hair even thinner when I take them off or try to maintain them.

Well, I had the same issue, but I was able to avoid it by consuming vita4life’s hair skin and nail vitamin. You can give it a try too.

YES!! hair Skin and Nails from It Works....over 5000% of your daily value of Biotin!! This stuff was a savior to me after the dreaded after surgery hair loss (I lost a lot of hair after my c/s's too with all 5 of my kids)!! AMAZING STUFF.

http://miraclewrapswithrhietta.myitworks.com/shop/product/322/

I am 12-yrs out from gastric bypass surgery. I take a ton of vitamins/nutrients and eat healthy. I use premium hair care products. I exercise and drink plenty of water and mineral water. I used to have very thick hair but ever since my surgery it has been thin. I don't think there is anything more that I can try. So just to let folks know, thin hair may be permanent. Of course I don't have to tell you that the trade off is worth it.

Breathe! I know it’s scary. J The same thing happened to me after my tummy tuck but not when I had my bariatric surgery and I can definitively say that it’s SCARY but it will stop. I PROMISE! Your hair is not going to keep falling out forever and you won’t go bald despite the fact that you’re completely convinced of it right now. You’re going through Telogen Effluvium. Essentially, at any one time, 90% of your hair follicles are in the growth phase and 10% in the resting (or fall out) phase. When your body goes through some sort of trauma or shock or you go through some sort of emotional trauma, your follicles can suddenly go in to a resting phase. Not all of them… only at most 40%. These follicles will shed the hair and then, go back in to the active phase and begin regrowing. There’s really nothing you can do other than take Vitamins to assist your new growth. Keep taking your Biotin and just be good to yourself. It’ll grow back. Keep telling yourself that. It’ll grow back! J I don’t know what brand you’re taking, but I took Vita4Life. It was excellent and I actually still do take it. Just a personal recommendation. J http://vita4life.net/bariatric-vitamins-hair-skin-and-nail-support.html

I lost a lot of hair and am still losing. I was told if I keep up with my protein I wouldn't lose, wrong!!! Very depressing!