Search This Blog

Friday, June 18, 2010

Is anyone else losing their hair?

Or is it just me? I mentioned this to a friend of mine who'd had gastric bypass and she said it was because I wasn't getting enough protein.

I've also heard that hair loss after surgery is pretty common.

I've had this happen twice before in my life. Both times were a couple months after I'd given birth. I assummed at the time it had to do with having a little life form sharing my body and stealing my nutrients. In those cases, the hair loss lasted a few months and then it stopped.

What do you guys think? Is it a lack of protein? Surgery trauma?

BTW I am drinking a diet soda right now. Jealous? I'm so BAD!

19 comments:

Steph said...

I haven't had a carbonated beverage in 6 months, so at this point I don't even know if I'd like it anymore and it's probably make me burp outta control! I do miss the taste of an ice cold Dr. Pepper, though

-Grace- said...

I'm losing my hair. I've been eating at least 100 g of protein a day so I don't think it's that...It has to be the trauma to the body.

♥ Drazil ♥ said...

Very normal to lose hair after pregnancy and any surgeries. I've heard a lot of people on here with the band talk about losing hair too due to lack of protein. Hope it gets better for you soon.

Pamela E. Williams said...

My friend who got banded in May is losing her hair. She says it's shedding pretty badly. She says she is getting 60 grams of protein a day in. What I have learned is that because surgery is traumatizing to the body, it is normal to lose hair.

I had a Pepsi today. It was free,but I shouldn't have drank it. I didn't drink it all though.

Jess said...

I have the thickest hair of anyone I know and the last month or so I have noticed that in the morning when I fix my hair I have like 20 strands on my shirt/clothes, which is unusual. I have more than usual in the shower too falling out. So it is possibly a protein issue. Mary asked the nurse that does our fills what to do about hair loss and she said that flaxseed oil and Biotin could help stop hair loss and replenish hair growth. I am buying that today!!!

Janice said...

After I gave birth to my second child (13 years ago) I noticed my hair falling out. I talked to the dr. about it and she checked my thyroid. My thyroid was low. I have 9 aunts with low thyroid and my 17 year old was diagnosed with low thyroid at the age of 5. When my thyroid is aok, I don't notice much hair loss.

Back to WLS, the topic of hair loss came up at the support group meeting earlier this week. They said it helps to get enough protein in and it seems to hit about the third month. One lady commented that when her hair came back in, it was curlier than before.

I agree with Jess, I'm going to get Biotin and flaxseed oil. I want to keep all my hair that I can.

Janelle said...

I have heard it happen to a lot of bandsters but not me, I am fine. I would think that if you are getting a well-balanced diet then you should be ok...

Jacquie said...

I've been taking Biotin since surgery and praying that it helps! I have very thick hair but i do not want to take any chances.

Tina said...

I have steadily lost hair since surgery and I am not bald yet :) Maybe a bit thinner with more gray but not bald.

I have not used anything for it. I try to keep my protein up etc. I have talked to the doctor about it a few times and he always blows me off. He has done blood tests and everything is fine.

I drink diet pop. I enjoy diet pop. I NEVER drink it when there is food in my pouch.

I am more afraid of gum for some reason-never chew that.

Tina

THE DASH! said...

Yup join the club - been to the hair loss club and back again - thankfully it's now stopped. I don't think you're losing it through not enough protein though - its just something our bodies do in reaction to surgery - very common and fixable. Good news is - your hair will return - but it may take a few months of attention. Dont fret :)

Kristin said...

Oh yes, the hair loss. Isn't it lovely, the way the hair clumps into balls and rolls across the bathroom floor? My eyelashes are also taking a hike. Not all of them, but enough that I have to wear mascara every day or I look like I'm having chemo.

Fiona said...

When I did the Lighter Life Diet a few years ago my hair got very thin. I look back at photos and its obvious. And Lighter Life was a complete protein milkshake diet. I have been drinking protein shakes since the band for energy and to add to a balanced diet. I dont think lack of protein is the cause maybe its just the drastic change you are making to your diet overall. Anyway my point is you will not go bald and once your body adjusts to the changes it will come back.

Bianca said...

Hi Amanda,

I recently posted about this as well. I really started noticing hair loss a few weeks ago at around the 4 month post surgery. I've been taking biotin in addition to my regular multi-vitamin. I'm hoping it will slow the loss down. Hang in there, it's supposed to go back to normal.

Sandy said...

I haven't found a really good reason for the hair loss. Best guess is a screw up in body chemistry (ie hormones, vitamin absorption). I started losing the hair about two months ago. Started on biotin and I think it has slowed the hair loss a bit. Some people told me they had no success with Biotin. Right now I try to wash my hair every 4 days instead of every other day. My hairdresser also recommended Omega 3 and 6. Didn't try it though. I don't think protein is the cause for me. They say it will slow and then regrow so have hope.

Andrew said...

I lost my hair 15 yrs ago...well before the operation :-)

Butterfly/Amy said...

I've noticed an excess of shedding the last two weeks or so, but I'm just sticking to my protein and multivitamin, I'm hoping it slows down soon.

susan said...

I had GBS/RNY in October of 2009. I always have had thin hair, but starting this past February or so it has been falling out like crazy. I know from labs that I am low on protein and am trying to get more in via protein drinks/shakes as food and I don't get along too well these days ;-o I have some flaxseed oil and will try that, also will try to find a biotin that I will absorb - any suggestions?

Cindylew said...

I haven't lost it yet but then again, it's not even been two months yet...I'm sure it'll be coming soon enough.

Jenny said...

You could make a wig from what I've lost! I heard its the lack of protein, but who knows. Fortunately my hair is really think so I'm not too worried yet. LOL