I know there are a million posts about hair loss. But I'm putting this here because I just want to whine about it.

I started shedding heavily at 3 months post op. The last two weeks have been so much worse. Literal handfuls in my brush, in my shower drain, when I run my hand through my hair, in my dryer screen, loose hairs all over my clothes (so professional looking!).

I'm getting my protein in. I've taken biotin since before surgery. I added L-lysine and zinc two weeks ago. I take a good multivitamin. I rarely blow dry or flat iron my hair. I feel like I'm doing everything right.

I don't think it is noticeable yet, in most circumstances. But I can feel it is significantly thinner. It is also thin at my hairline and temples. I was at a industry golf tournament last week, and I pulled my hair up into a pony tail. The thinning at my temples and hairline was completely obvious. I wanted to cry. I hope that my visor mostly covered it up.

If this continues, I'm going to have to do something other than whine. I've googled weaves for Caucasian hair. It seems possible, but it's not common. Seems like there is a serious upcharge vs. salons that specialize in AA hair (not that that is inexpensive!).

The only thing I can see that might be contributing diet wise, is my calories have been very low since surgery. I am almost always under 500 cals/day, except sometimes when I'm traveling and eating every meal out. Some days I'm well under 400 cals. I really don't want to up these cals, because I have a lot of restriction and mostly don't have physical hunger. I don't want to eat just to eat. That's a big part of why I needed WLS. I also want to get to goal as quickly as possible. I have a small window at the end of the year to have plastics. If I'm not at goal by that time then my work and travel schedule will make it very difficult to find the time in 2019 for surgery and recovery.

Ugh, thanks for listening

I've got pretty limited knowledge about locs, but how would you know if your hair was shedding with that hairstyle? Would it show as patchiness on your scalp rather than active shedding (since I assume the shed hairs would be wrapped into the locs regardless)? Or would you mostly know when regrowth starts and there are suddenly a lot of very short hairs that haven't been integrated into the locs yet? What's the indicator you've looked for to determine whether or not you're losing hair? As I mentioned earlier, I'm not sure I would've noted that I was losing hair if it wasn't coming out in my hands all the time - it's only very recently I'm looking at my hairline and thinking it looks thin, and if my hair was already sectioned I'm not sure I would've noticed at all until a regrowth stage. And now I'm just being proactive with the full-on chop (and I've had short hair before and don't mind it).

Shedding would (and has to a very limited amount occurred- look at my profile pic to see thinning at hair line, I'll live) simply deposit into the loc itself, all hairs are self contained, but the danger of that is that the entire section would just pop off when enough hair has fallen out leaving very noticeable bald spots. I decided to go super low manipulation of my hair , it been about a year now ( 2 months prior to surgery + 8 months post op ) in efforts to preserve my hair. I've been growing it in this style for 20 yrs and didn't want to start over. So when I say I've been researching, I mean it.VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 167

2 minutes ago, Tealael said:

the danger of that is that the entire section would just pop off when enough hair has fallen out leaving very noticeable bald spots.

WHOA. Yeah, okay, I can definitely see why that would be worth extensive research. Yikes.

WHOA. Yeah, okay, I can definitely see why that would be worth extensive research. Yikes.

So every time I mentioned something on a hair loss thread its because I care ... A LOT
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 167

I have been doing hair TLC for months leading up to surgery. As soon as I decided to do this, I started on Biotin. It does take awhile to notice a difference with the biotin.

I also worked to get my hair as moisturized and healthy on the outside, by working with an amazing stylist. She turned me on the co-washing and I have not looked back. I use unwash bio-cleansing conditioner and absolutely love it!!!! I also don’t wash it every day.

My stylist also recommended changing my part to hide recesses near my temples. She said thinning hair will be most noticeable there.

I am hoping these steps will help decrease the nearly inevitable hair loss I’ll experience. At the very least my hair currently feels the healthiest it ever has!

50 minutes ago, Tealael said:

the danger of that is that the entire section would just pop off when enough hair has fallen out leaving very noticeable bald spots.

Yeah, if that was the risk I'd have my hair oiled up and silk sleeping cap on 24/7!

Chopping my hair right now! Wish me luck. ??

7 minutes ago, AshAsh1 said:

Chopping my hair right now! Wish me luck. ??

Can't wait to see a picture!

15 minutes ago, AshAsh1 said:

Chopping my hair right now! Wish me luck. ??

Exciting and brave!

For a little perspective
October17
April18
July 18

VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 167

Can't wait for the before and after photos!

Did anyone else end up cutting or changing their hair?

On 07/21/2018 at 15:02, sillykitty said:

Exciting and brave!

3 inched gone!

On 07/21/2018 at 15:05, Tealael said:

Can't wait for the before and after photos!

I will take a pic tomorrow when I style it :)

3 inched gone!

OMG

VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 167