Hi guys! What tips do you all have to preventing or lessening hair loss after surgery? I know it varies a lot from person to person, but just trying to think of what I can do to increase my chances of not losing too much hair. I've heard Biotin is good, but not sure how much to take? Thanks!

Biotin will not stop hair loss but it CAN help what you lose grow back faster. One thing you can do to help is to make sure you get your Protein in every day. Lack of protein will lead to more shedding of your hair. Sorry there is no prevention for the shedding altogether but it is only temporary.

I did not have any unusual hair loss at all, but it's a crap shoot as to why. I took 20,000 mcg of Biotin every day (two 10,000mcg tablets from Walgreens), got in 60-80 grams of Protein, plenty of Water, and had sugar free Jello or bone broth Soup everyday (for the gelatin). I was prepared mentally for the hair loss and was quite surprised that it never happened, especially since I am older and post-menopause. Go figure.

@ Nothing! Just nothing! Trust me I tried EVERYTHING, the only thing that worked for me was acceptance. But hey, you make be one of the lucky ones. If not its just a phase and it grows back. Keep distracted by the weigh loss!! Sorry I know that's not very comforting but I'm not going to lie to you.

No sugar coating it, NOTHING WORKS. I did all of everything that you are supposed to do. I lost a TON of hair. It seriously looked like I was going through Chemo. At first I used "Halo Hair" (extensions). Then, I resorted to a wig. Yes, it was that bad. Now it is finally growing in, but I still wear my wig. I'm just not ready to not wear it yet. Probably another few months more.

I feel the same way. I take 10k of biotin and 500 mg of zinc. I also get my protein in and my hair is thinning:( I am 52 and early menopause.

I am right there with the others, there is nothing you can do to prevent it if you are one of the unlucky ones. There are some things you can do to ensure it is worse and that is get your Protein in every day, watch your Iron counts and take Biotin which will help with regrowth.

I am one of the unlucky ones and have had massive hair shedding. Thank goodness I had an extremely thick head of hair. I now have about 1/4 of the hair I once had and it is still shedding 10 months post op.

The shedding will stop when the weight loss stops.

The thing is, I would rather have thinning hair vs. my unhealthy self that I had before. I can put a wig on if it gets bad enough. For me, it is totally worth it.

One hint, cutting your hair shorter does help to make it less noticeable.

Thank you everyone for the tips and for telling me the truth!

Nothing worked for me. I think it is just the luck of the draw on who is going to have hair loss. My hair started falling out at about six months. I had very thick hair so I was ok with it falling out in handfuls for awhile. My hair is about 1/3 of what I used to have.

I do biotin, get all my protein (some days more), take my vitamins, drink my water, all my lab work is great. I have tried coconut oil, emu oil, castor oil, almond oil, various essential oils, liquid silica, massaging my scalp...

I am 13 months post op and have been maintaining my weight for the last few months so the huge weight loss isn't a factor anymore.

My hair is pitiful, but it is still so worth it to have the weight loss and regain so much energy, health, fitness. It's amazing. I can always get a wig.

Next step I think I am going to try Nioxin shampoo.

I have some close friends who had WLS and their hair is great.

Next step I think I am going to try Nioxin shampoo.

I'm sorry to break it to you, but Nioxin sucks now. My sister worked there for many years while they produced incredible products that everyone in my family swore by. But then the owners decided to sell the company. Proctor & Gamble bought it, liquidated the Atlanta-based plant and outsourced production to Mexico. Since then, the quality of the products has plummeted. My sister rounded up every bit of product she could find before the plant closed and has been hoarding it in her basement. I'm begging her to send me some of the old stuff so I can use it post-surgery!

@ thanks for the info. Maybe I will bypass the Nioxin choice at this time.

Has anyone had any luck with any other shampoos?

I'm new to this sight. I am having the gastric bypass next month and this is the first I have heard about hair loss. My doctor never told me about this. Can someone tell me does hair loss really happen.

Yes it!s true but everyone experiences different degrees of hair loss. I just started noticing mine- I'm 3 months out from surgery.