I was banded on 12/01 & all is going well. I remember reading about almost unavoidable hair loss that will occur at some point due to the trauma of surgery & etc...I also remember reading that some people would take something called Biotin, I believe, to treat this. (I was just unable to locate where I had found this info on the site again). Could anyone enlighten me? How much Biotin should I take? How long should I expect to have to take it? Should the hair loss/thinning thing pass. I haven't experienced it yet, but would love to avoid it if possible. Thanks :biggrin:

I use a Vitaman B Complex with has 500 mcg of Bioten in it. I have very thin hair to begin with due to hypothyroidism and PCOS and can't afford to lose anymore. I have noticed it has helped and for awhile my hair was getting thicker and then about 4 months after surgery (which I have read is the time it starts to fall out) I started to get thinner. I am still taking the vitaman daily and I hear it grows back after a few months and it's normal after any surgery to go through it. I would advise to start taking them now, I also does wonder for the nails. I used to have very thin and brittle nails and they are strong and grow fast that I actually have to cut them now...before they would be so weak and break I never even had to bother cutting them! I got the Vitaman B Complex at vitacost.com they are very reasonable, I think I paid $10.00 for 160 capsules and I just break them apart and put the powder in one of my protein shakes in the morning.

I too have experienced hair loss and I have a lot of hair, but when I shower I see a clump in the drain. I take Biotin, 1 tablet, I bought them at GNC so I am not too sure how many miligrams it is. I have noticed that I now have small hairs popping out so I guess it is starting to grow back. I am 4 months out and have lost 60 lbs so far so I guess that is what happens. As far as I am concerned, if I lose too much hair, I will get a weave or extensions or something BUT I WILL NOT BE BALD!!!!! LOL :wink_smile:

Good Luck!!

Angcal26

Oh make sure you eat plenty of protein!!! Your hair, skin and nails need that too!!

Thanks everyone. I will be off to GNC, Walmart or Vitacost.com today to check out a Vitamin B Complex with Biotin. Further research also suggests Zinc tablets or Nioxin could be helpful as well as keeping in mind a minimum protien intake of 60 grams.

It mightnot happen - I never had any hair loss. And you know funnily enough, I have NEVER seen this discussed on an Aussie board. I wonder what it is that we do differently or whether the subject has simply never come up.

I've never had a problem - but made sure to eat my 70 grams of protien daily.

For me this started right after surgery and although I had prepared myself for it, I was devastated when it actually started happening! I ran out the first time I noticed it in the shower and bought biotin from rite aid (1000mg tablets). I noticed some improvement after about 3 weeks but I was still "shedding". Alot. I went and got a trim and then I found Frederic Fekkai's protein products (shampoo, comditioner, and treatment kit sold on QVC.com) and after 1 week it completely stopped falling out. It's been a lifesaver for me (lol, I'm a little vain where my hair is concerned!). Good luck!

Wow,I had not heard of this and I mavery upset to hear about it now. I lost a lot of hair after I had my 2nd child and I was taking a medication that cause it also. It is finally at a point where it does not look like an electrouted cat. I will be so sad to go through this again. Thanks for posting this so I can hopefully prevent if possible.

Hi.. I'm 3 months out.. and for the past few weeks I've noticed I am just shedding all over the place. At first I was really upset.. but now.. I just sigh and know it's only temporary. I was really REALLY hoping I'd be one of the lucky ones that doesn't have this lovely side effect. I was diligent about my protein intake.. and took/take biotin.. but still I shed.. I am the only one that notices it though.. and i can't actually see it when I look in the mirror, I just notice all the hair on my clothes and in the drain. I am going to get it cut next week.. maybe if the hairs falling out are shorter it won't look like so much!