I had my surgery four months and two days ago. I have lost 70 pounds, am training for a 5K and just fit into a size 16 for the first time in.... a long time. This is awesome! I am so glad that I made this lifestyle change.

However. HOWEVER.

My first real hair loss (we're talking half a brush full just now) has really kicked in. And the stretch marks on my stomach look like they have gone Nuclear. Seriously, I think there is a radioactive tint to them in the dark.

I have so many amazing things to be grateful for, and my health is a huge one. Usually I want to focus on that, but had to rant a bit today.

P.S. Fear the unstable atoms radiating from my belly!

Yeah, there are some down sides for sure. The good news is that the hair loss is temporary. The bad news is, the stretch marks aren't. You could try using some shea or cocoa butter on them to try to get them to fade out a bit, but I'm afraind you are stuck with those unless you decide to have surgery at some point. They should definitely become less angry looking over time though.

Just focus on your Protein intake. The hair will grow back, keep it a little shorter, I kept mine at shoulder length it looked thicker. As far as stretch marks go, use a scar or body rejuvenating cream consistently and you will see improvement. Mine are still there but faint.

<SNIP>

P.S. Fear the unstable atoms radiating from my belly!

Sorry, but I laughed. Definitely will remember that line. I'm so used to my tummy stretch marks that I forget about them, but they're about the width of the Grand Canyon and have that white, radioactive hue themselves. Won't even talk about my girls. Pretty sure by the time I'm done I'll be left with stretched out tube socks with another pair of rolled up socks stuffed in the toes. I'll be able to tie them together for a fashion statement!

I got nothing for the hair. People say Biotin won't prevent the loss but will help with regrowth. I had major surgery last year and did lose a ton of hair 3-4 months out, but I think it's been coming back slowly. I might notice another hair loss more than I did that one since my hair's already thinned out.

Sadly the hair loss is what it is. Yes, Biotin will help the regrowth to possibly grow faster but not guaranteed. The stretch marks I consider a reminder of how I will never go back to the weight I was. I do plan on plastics at some point so who knows where they will end up lol. And, yeah, the girls, ugh is all I am going to say.

I take Biotin for hair loss. My surgery not for 4 mo. but take it now. 10,000mg

Should one start taking Biotin before surgery?

Should one start taking Biotin before surgery?

Can't hurt. Probably won't actually help either, though.

I honestly don't know if biotin did anything for me. I had massive hair loss but as someone else said, it will grow back. My hair is thicker than ever however it came back very curly.

Annoyingly so. I would still rather have dealt with the hair loss and loose skin.

I had my surgery four months and two days ago. I have lost 70 pounds, am training for a 5K and just fit into a size 16 for the first time in.... a long time. This is awesome! I am so glad that I made this lifestyle change.

However. HOWEVER.

My first real hair loss (we're talking half a brush full just now) has really kicked in. And the stretch marks on my stomach look like they have gone Nuclear. Seriously, I think there is a radioactive tint to them in the dark.

I have so many amazing things to be grateful for, and my health is a huge one. Usually I want to focus on that, but had to rant a bit today.

P.S. Fear the unstable atoms radiating from my belly!

Great job on the 5K training. Great stuff.....the training.....the preparation......the discipline.

At the 4 month point here, too.

The hair loss part sucks outright. I'm seeing it every time I look in the mirror. I'm trusting and believing that it's gonna be temporary. If not, then.......I guess I'll be rocking the Mr. Clean look. That or maybe growing a skullet. Lol.

Had me laughing at the radio activeness of the marks. My abs (or flabs as they currently are) look like I was in knife fight but survived. 3 hernia surgeries and 9 holes from the sleeve......plus the wrinkling of fat loss. Purty, I tell ya. Real purty.

Oh well......eating my chicken, steak and seafood everyday and will deal with all the after effects once I reach the "after". Had a doctor's visit yesterday and my new doc said he'd help me out on documenting the excess skin and perhaps it'd help with insurance on the removal.....we'll see. If it even covers part of it........

Keep killing it on your training and enjoy the glow-in-the-dark aspects of your marks.

Nuclear powered after sleeve ? Maybe that is what is happening with some of us, because we sure as hell aren't fueled by calories any more. We've become nuclear powered fat burning engines.

Hands down winner over a sludge filled pizza & beer motor that is always backfiring and sputtering and won't go up hills.

I'm seeing the crepe paper wrinkling with the lovely stretch marks on my tummy now, but in certain light - the lamp in my bedroom - it isn't so bad. Guess I'll just have to carry that lamp with me every where I plan on exposing my stomach from now on.

As far as the hair loss.... I ate my Protein like it was going out of style and had very little - like my hairdresser didn't even notice. I was taking Biotin in my bariatric Vitamin, and they said don't bother taking more as it just gets peed out if you take too much (wasting money). The big deal is protein, and also make sure to eat lots of jello/gelatin when cleared for those. Gelatin is excellent for hair and nails (it's basically a protein similar to collagen, which is one of the building blocks hair, skin and nails need). So get your protein in ASAP and the hair loss might not be super bad!

But honestly, I think it's probably genetic how your body will respond - but at least the hair loss thing should be temporary! I wish the stretch marks were too.

Edited February 13, 201610 yr by FrankiesGirl

Thank you so much for posting this. I have been totally obsessing over my hair loss. I had surgery three months ago and my hair is just falling out like crazy! Y'all have given me hope that I won't end up completely bald! I've lost 60 pounds as of today and am excited that my health has completely turned around. No more pharmaceuticals! I know I need to focus on the positive.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Our NUTs told us to expect hair loss at about 6 months post surgery, seems to be pretty common.