I am now 5 days post ops and I started eating oatmeal today. Is it too soon? I just am so tired of protein shakes been drinking them since before surgery. Plus I am terrified of losing my hair!! Any suggestions on how to prevent hair loss.

I have been going through the 6 month program pre-surgery & we're told that 60 grams of Protein per day should be your goal. Protein helps reduce hair loss and helps w/the healing process. Good luck.

@vinnie1717- the only person who can tell you if it's "too soon" is your surgeon. I was told not to move myself forward with my diet without his approval, and it was 10 days after surgery before I was allowed foods like oatmeal.

As for hair loss, there are things we can do to lessen the severity if it happens, but if it's going to happen, it'll happen to some degree. The previous post was correct- hair loss is related to Protein intake. When we don't take in enough protein, that deficiency (along with all the other deficiencies your body is being faced with) can cause your system to go into "shock". In other words, this sudden decrease in calories, protein and everything else can send a signal to your body to go into conservation mode. As far as protein goes, your body will use it to try and maintain muscle mass- at the sacrifice of other "non-essential" uses of protein, like your skin, nails and hair. Your hair "lives" on roughly a 3 month cycle, which is why when hair loss happens, it tends to be between 3 & 6 months post surgery, as the hair you had when you went into surgery begins to shed naturally anyway. If you don't have enough protein in your body to "make" new hair, you won't. Hence... low protein can result in hair loss. How much protein should you get? Again, that's a surgeon question. Some say 60, mine says 80. Either way, I get a minimum of 80 grams a day, plus I take a dietary supplement (started about 2 months before surgery) called Biotin. Will it help? It's supposed to- we'll see Good luck!

Edited December 15, 201411 yr by SuzeMuze

I would think that your a little soon on this. Did you call your doctor and check? You don't want an obstruction even more than hair loss!!!!!!