I am about 6 months post-surgery and have lost about 50 lbs. Unfortunately, a lot of that weight loss seems to be my hair!!! of course I'm being dramatic, but I am losing a SERIOUS amount of hair! Even my hair stylist (who saw me for the first time last week since my surgery) is astonished and upset by how my thick hair has now thinned so much!

It is truly distressing. I am eating my protein and Biotin doesn't seem to be helping. I now hate to take showers because of the cascade of hair that is left behind. The hair that has managed to stay on my head is so brittle and delicate that all I need to do is look at it crooked and it splits and breaks! Ugh. Thinner, but bald. What a trade off.

Any suggestions, solutions?

2 hours ago, amboyle728 said:

I am about 6 months post-surgery and have lost about 50 lbs. Unfortunately, a lot of that weight loss seems to be my hair!!! of course I'm being dramatic, but I am losing a SERIOUS amount of hair! Even my hair stylist (who saw me for the first time last week since my surgery) is astonished and upset by how my thick hair has now thinned so much!

It is truly distressing. I am eating my Protein and Biotin doesn't seem to be helping. I now hate to take showers because of the cascade of hair that is left behind. The hair that has managed to stay on my head is so brittle and delicate that all I need to do is look at it crooked and it splits and breaks! Ugh. Thinner, but bald. What a trade off.

Any suggestions, solutions?

Research Telogen Effluvium for more info on why this is happening

Research solutions for Telogen Effluvium

Request that labs are run to confirm (especially iron/ ferritin) levels are in range

Try to wash hair less often or only Co wash (conditioner only) for a bit

Try low manipulation hairstyles (ballerina bun)

Try to be patient and understand it will grow back it just takes some time

❤

I feel for you. I’m a little further in my journey and am still losing a ton of hair. I knew going in it was likely and I accepted it as a cost of the surgery, but it is still really disturbing. I’m using a thickening cream after every wash to fake it a bit and I plan a cut once salons reopen.

1 hour ago, loridee11 said:

I knew going in it was likely and I accepted it as a cost of the surgery,

Yeah, I just wish my doctor would have forewarned me a little better. They told me if I didn't get my protein quota in every day, I would lose my hair, but they didn't tell me I would lose it regardless of how much protein I ate Oh well--can't say it would have changed my mind but at least I would have been more prepared for the inevitable.

When did you start Biotin? Also, how much Protein is your goal. My bariatric center says 80g per day. I have been taking 10,000 mcg Biotin since day after surgery and 90g Protein per day. Am only 8 weeks postop so probably have a month yet to see how bad my Hair loss will be. I heard limiting hair washing and brushing as much as possible will help from pulling out hair. Don't think Biotin Shampoo will be helpful as biotin not absorbed through skin. It is just part of the process. Do the best you can and know that it will be over in couple months.

My hair started thinning years ago. I'm going to be having gastric sleeve surgery soon so I can only imagine how thin my hair is going to get. Last year I found a powder that fills in the thinning areas and it really works. The one I found is the consistency of eye shadow but came with a stiff brush to kinda dapple it on. Maybe you can find something like that to use until your hair starts getting thicker again?

On 7/25/2020 at 8:19 AM, amboyle728 said:

Yeah, I just wish my doctor would have forewarned me a little better. They told me if I didn't get my Protein quota in every day, I would lose my hair, but they didn't tell me I would lose it regardless of how much protein I ate Oh well--can't say it would have changed my mind but at least I would have been more prepared for the inevitable.

My Dr. mentioned it the prepared materials, but I haunted this site for months before surgery and knew about it from here and from video's on YouTube. But yes, it would be great if the Dr's would share a little more on the side effects (3 week stall, hair loss, etc...) so it wouldn't be a shock when you have them.

This is a fear of mine as well. My wedding is currently planned for April of next year, and I've only just had my surgery. I have lots of curly hair, so maybe it won't be as obvious... otherwise I'll just wear the veil all night!

I lost alot of hair starting around the 3-4 month mark. I cut it pixie-short to reduce the carpets of hair that would accumulate on my bathroom floor.

At around the 7 month mark (around the same time I stopped the “rapid” weight loss) Little chicken hairs started to sprout.

Now, I’m almost 2 years out, and all those chicken hairs are now about the same length as my regular hair (about chin length), and the fullness of my hair is the same as pre-surgery.

So yeah, it sucks to lose some hair, and is unavoidable for most. But again, in time it will grow back.

Good Luck!

Edited August 7, 20206 yr by ms.sss