Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

BariatricPal

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
  • Appearance

Join BariatricPal free

  • Ask your own questions
  • Reply and follow topics
  • Message other members
  • No cost, no spam

Dealing with unpleasant side effects

Has anyone else started experiencing unpleasant side effects of weight loss? My hair has started falling out and I've got horrible bad breath now! :) I've read that both can be side effects of rapid weight loss, but I'm not sure how to deal with them! Any suggestions?

I'm taking Biotin and Vitamin D to hopefully help my hair (but I was taking that before it starting falling out), and I'm using Listerine strips between teeth brushings. Any other ideas are greatly appreciated!

TIA!

  • Replies 5
  • Views 1.1k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Featured Replies

hi spidey,

i found whenever my hair started falling out, i wasn't taking in enough Protein. the Biotin didnt help me (altho' i have heard others where it did help them.)

whenever my hair started falling out i started taking Protein shakes and/or the protein bullets. it stopped the hair issue immediately.

hope this helps

josie

Some people say not enough fat in the diet or not enough protein. I think it is just something that happens 3-5 months after surgery. Happened to me 4 months out. Subsided after a couple of months. Came back in thicker than b/4 (seems like it anyway). I, too, took Biotin and Vit E but to no avail. I faithfully ingested enough fats and at least 75gr of protein/daily. Try not to worry about it. My doc says he has never had a patient that needed a wig!

  • Author

Thanks for the advice! I've had it happen before when I was on WW and lost a lot of weight. I'm doing pretty well with my protein, but maybe I should start checking my fat intake.

The bad breath comes from your body being in ketosis. I've never had the "bad" breath, but I had a sweet taste in my mouth all the time back when I lost a bunch of weight real fast on MediFast. Besides adding in some carbs to your diet to bring you back out of ketosis, the best thing I know to do is drink more Water. Being dehydrated seems to make it worse. And use alcohol-free mouthwash/breath treatments for the same reason.

As for your hair, I've had that happen as well, no matter how much Biotin I took. My doc told me it's your body's natural reaction to stress, in this case what it perceives to be starvation. Your hair will grow back, but it might some time. But just to be on the safe side, have your doc run some tests. As I found out a little too late, hypothyroidism can cause hair loss as well!

Best wishes to you!!

  • Author

Thanks, Juniper! I appreciate the advice! I do know that I need to be better about my water! :smile2:

Join the conversation

You can post as a guest; create a free account to track replies, follow topics, and be part of the largest weight loss surgery community.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.