Question:
Is there anything that can be done to prevent Hair Loss?
I am 4 moths post op and the hair loss is driving me crazy! I can't even comb my hair without leaving a mass of hair around! Are there any pills I can take to prevent this?HELP! — Carmen E. (posted on May 19, 2002)
May 19, 2002
I don't know about preventing it, but my loss isn't too bad and it just
started about two weeks ago (I'm about the same time out as you). I take
ONE Biotin 2500 pill every day. That's my secret. lol I also use Clairol
Renew 5X shampoo and conditioner. It's supposed to stregthen your hair.
— Paula Prichard
May 19, 2002
I have read a lot on this topic, esp. when I was going through it (coming
to a close at 6 mo. post), and I have seen differing opinions on this.
Some say that they have tried everything from the biotin and zinc pills,
hair skin and nail pills from GNC, Nioxin shampoos and other products, and
increasing protein. Some swear by some of these, others say they have
tried them all with no improvement. All you can do is try. Some say it is
going to fall out no matter what you do and it would be a waste of money.
The loss generally lasts 3 months. Mine started at month 3 (to the day)
and has pretty much stopped at 6 months. 'Pretty much' meaning I don't
wake up with tons of hair on my pillow, then comb a glob out after tons
falling out in the shower with washing it and then again when conditioning
it, and then more when I put mousse in it and then even more when I dry it.
It seemed endless and I *swore* that I would go bald at that rate. Well
I'm not bald, thank heavens. I even started with fine, thin hair. Now it
seems as if only a few strands end up on my towel when I towel-dry my hair.
No other probs. I know it will drive you absolutely crazy, but it will
end.
— Cheri M.
May 19, 2002
I am 6-1/2 months post op and my hair loss is worse than ever! It's all
over my bathtub, bathroom, etc. I will be watching your replies. I
thought it would be slowing down by now but it's not. I am the only one
who notices -- fortunately. But still, it's enough to worry you.
— Annie H.
May 19, 2002
I don't know if there are any pills you can take to curb hair loss, mine
lasted about 4 months. I asked my hairdresser what to do about it. We
decided to lighten and highlight my color (which was quite dark), so that
the loss would not be quite so noticeable, and to make the style shorter so
that the length would not pull the hair flatter against my scalp. We also
put in many more layers so that no area would look thinner than any other.
I towel-dry my hair, and run my fingers through it, even when using the
hairdryer. I do not use either a brush or a comb because that pulls out
more. At 8 mos.+ out, my hair seems to have stabilized and seems to be
growing in again. And it's so much easier to take care of!
— Marjorie B.
May 20, 2002
Carmen, I feel for you. I'm 10.5 months post-op and just had an
appointment with my dermatologist last week, who said that my loss is bad
enough to qualify me as possibly suffering from female patern baldness.
She recommended that I continue taking my zinc tablets, my biotin tablets,
my other vitamins supps, keep up the protein, and to continue what I'd
already been doing: got my hair cut very short (looks like my days of long
hair are over), using only shampoos and hair care products from salons, and
had it lightened so that the loss looks less apparent. What I will say,
though, is that I'm willing to forgo the hair I've lost in exchange for the
132 lbs I've lost (still losing) and the better health otherwise.
Blessings to you.
— CaseyinLA
March 7, 2003
Hey, I feel your pain! I am almost 6 months post op and my hair is
everywhere but on my head. I saw my doctor about it, he said that
hopefully it will end in the next couple months, my fear is that I won't
have hair left in the next couple months. The other part is that I have
had no other side effects except weight loss after the surgery, I think my
hair loss is something I will deal with for being so lucky. I have
friends, who have gone through every side-effect known to man. Good luck
— Leslie G.
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