Goodbye Hair :(
Lisidy
Posts: 130 Member
My entire adult life, I've had very thin, very fine hair. Basically, I don't have even a strand of hair to spare. I've been fanatical about getting enough protein and taking my vitamins since my surgery 2.5 months ago, but I'm afraid I'm losing hair anyway. I haven't noticed much coming out, but like I said, I wouldn't have to lose much to be totally bald.
I haven't been taking biotin, but I'll start. I think I'm going to end up needing a wig or something. Has anyone else had to go down that road? Any good resources you know of for learning about wigs? I'm sure they're pricey, so I want to make sure I know what to look for before I have to buy.
I know it's just hair and it'll grow back (hopefully), but this has me gutted. I'm embarrassed to be out of the house without a hat on.
I haven't been taking biotin, but I'll start. I think I'm going to end up needing a wig or something. Has anyone else had to go down that road? Any good resources you know of for learning about wigs? I'm sure they're pricey, so I want to make sure I know what to look for before I have to buy.
I know it's just hair and it'll grow back (hopefully), but this has me gutted. I'm embarrassed to be out of the house without a hat on.
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I know I had quite a bit of hair loss that didn't start until I was about 6-8 weeks out. I was getting all of my protein, plus vitamins, plus biotin and it was still coming out. The good news is, it has started coming back in, it just takes some time. My husband had the same surgery and had no hair loss (the jerk. lol).
Suave has a biotin shampoo, conditioner, and oil. I started using that about 2 months ago, and have more pronounced regrowth. i.e. all those annoying baby hairs around my hair line appear/are thicker and stick straight out and my hair seems like it's fuller. I'm not sure if it's wishful thinking on my part, or if it's actually helping, but I'm ok with it.
An option I've been looking at but haven't pulled the trigger on is a product called Monat (shampoo, conditioner, styling products). A friend sells it, and all of the progress photos make it really darn tempting. It's expensive though, so I've been hesitant.2 -
I've talked to numerous doctors, one with hair loss herself. They agree there isn't much you can do about it. I take biotin. I am 18 months post surgery. My hair seems better, but as it was fine to begin with, who knows. I just leaned in and cut it really short and enjoy dying it fun colors. I have heard a lot of people say it gets better after a year or so. I will say I have been told by numerous people that wearing hats (so I'm assuming wigs, too) makes the problem worse. It makes the head warm and that retards hair growth. Just look into that if you think you want to wear a wig.4
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I didn't have any noticeable hair loss, but I did take the Hair Skin and Nails vitamins for a while, I am sure those helped.1
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@martabeerich - you make a good point that the wig will probably make the problem worse. I'm just feeling super self-conscious so I don't know what else to do. I already wear my hair very short (I'm due for a cut now). I know there are worse problems, but... ugh.2
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Unfortunately there is really nothing you can do about it, you'll either lose some hair or you won't as a result of the hormonal changes post surgery. However the good news is, it is not permanent and it will grow back. I noticed I started losing hair about 3 months out and started seeing regrowth about 6-9 months out (new short hairs around my hairline). Got myself a shorter, new 'do so it was less noticeable to me. No one else noticed the loss. I am 14 months out and have a bunch of regrowth.2
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Look at Toppik. They make a statically charged fiber powder that you shake onto balding spots and it totally fills it in and looks natural. I have lost a lot of hair on previous weight loss attempts and with PCOS, so I feel your pain! For me, it comes back, though the middle bit between loss and regrowth is the awful.
I listened to a podcast with a doctor who deals with nutrition and supplementation in wls patients and she said the loss is the middle of a cycle that started back when you had surgery. Those hairs went dormant at that time, about 100 days later they fall out, and the process of regrowth begins (end of the cycle). But it takes a while for it to really show. And if you are still losing weight, you'll have other hairs going dormant in response to low calories and begnining the cycle of dormancy, shedding, then regrowth. But once your weight stabilizes, you should stop seeing losses and be growing lots of hair.4 -
I started taking Hair Anew which you can buy on Amazon and that's also helped2
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On top of taking the MAX amount of biotin, try using Nioxin, Viviscal or Keranique. I have used both Nioxin and Keranique and recommend both. Viviscal is supposed to be really good as well! It probably won't stop it, but it will certainly help tremendously.
If you're feeling self-conscious in the meantime, I would experiment with something like Toppik, which is a hair building fiber spray. It makes your hair appear fuller while helping with regrowth.
Go to Ulta's website and take a look around. Then price compare with somewhere like Amazon.2 -
If a wig can cause problems (I don't know), I know my grandma wore hers when she went out,(chemo treatments) but at home she wore a pretty scarf to hide her baldness. I am having hair loss and not even had surgery yet, but I learned about biotin, and started that. I see a lot less breakage, and less in the hands and hairbrush. I have low iron and that's something I will have to continue to deal with until menopause.1
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I haven't pulled the trigger on a wig yet (still doing some research), but I did pick up a hat to hide under in the meantime. Honest opinion... if you saw me in this hat, would you assume I had cancer?
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My doctor recommended Nioxion I buy it online, it has helped greatly!!!1
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If I saw you in the hat I'd assume you were cold. I think it's adorable!2
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Nah, it looks good on you!0
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Nope, very cute!0
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@Lisidy I wouldn't ASSUME you had cancer but it could cross my mind. That wouldn't change how I would communicate/interact with you. I think most people wouldn't think anything of it.3
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Just a quick update... I pulled the trigger on a wig. I'm still getting used to it, but I think it's going to work. I found a ton of resources to educate myself on wig wearing. I'm happy to share if anyone else ends up needing help with hair loss.
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LOVE the wig!2
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that's very cute on you!1
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I really like it!1
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Love it!1
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I have had thin fine hair my entire life. Hereditary I think. Thanks dad and grandma! I have had complete strangers ask me if I am sick. (Incredibly rude by the way and I do not suggest doing that!). I have tried always to keep my hair in a cute bob style and keep it styled in a way that hides most of the thinning. But losing my hair after surgery has been a HUGE concern of mine. So I did start Biotin although I understand it probably wont help. It made me feel better and proactive. I also have about 10 super cute hates I wear frequently so that when I DO need to wear them more people wont be weird about it. AND I did buy a wig pre surgery so that I could play and experiment before I was in the middle of a hair crisis. I also got a great shampoo and worked with my stylist prior to surgery so she could help me after. So far, I feel I am doing all I can. But in the end, it all depends on where my hair was at the time of surgery. I am 3.5 weeks out and I just hope hope hope when the time comes I can handle it with as much grace as possible.0
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It looks great! I honestly thought you had just had your hair restyled; I never would have guessed.1
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Also check out Hair Anew which you can buy on Amazon0
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The wig looks great! Very natural. I would never guess it wasn't your hair! Are you still happy with it?
I've suddenly joined you in the hair loss department, and even though I knew it was a possibility, and it will grow back and be just fine, it is FREAKING. ME. OUT. I've always shed a lot of hair but suddenly when I wash it or brush it I'm pulling out far more than I used to. I tell myself to calm down, it's normal and was expected, but I hate it! I'm 5 months from surgery and I thought I would escape the dreaded hair loss. All at the same time, I hit 100 lbs lost, hit my very first stall, and started losing hair. It's been a rough two weeks. I know I shouldn't complain too much because I had fairly thick hair to start with and it's not noticeable to anyone but me. It'll just be cooler in the summer, right???1 -
I'm not looking forward to any hair loss. I also have thin, straight hair and can't afford to lose any
I've been taking a Hair, Skin, and Nails vitamin for a few weeks. Hopefully it will help out after surgery.
I like the hat and the wig. Rock it, girl!
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Definitely check out Hair Anew - it helps!1
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@AllisonMart At five months out, it sounds like you were forced into telogen effluvium. It was the anesthesia and the shock to your body from the surgery. Our hair follicles have a natural growth-death cycle. Something like surgery will force our hairs to the death cycle all at the same time. The good news is, they will all recycle themselves to different timings naturally and you should be good. The most important thing is to make sure your nutrition and vitamins are on point, stress is as low as possible, and you stay active and hydrated. It's when people start the hair loss within a few weeks of surgery, or after that six month point that usually points to nutrition.
I'm not an expert, but I research the hell out of everything and my BFF is a master colorist and educator for a world brand.
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Thanks @NicoleL874 and @jcavanna2! I will pick up some Hair Anew. I know it's nothing to worry about, and I was adequately warned about it, but being ready for it and it suddenly happening are two different things! I was surprised it seemed to come on so suddenly and so late, I would have thought it would have started closer to the surgery. Oh well, it is what it is and I'll try to be patient and not panic.
Funny you mention the anesthesia, I did have a really hard time shaking it off. It took me about 13 hours to actually wake up and be coherent. Someone mentioned my red hair that day and I didn't think anything of it, but I learned later that redheads generally need more anesthesia. I'm actually a blond, so maybe they gave me too much, assuming it was a natural color. You'd think they'd ask!
I'm on track and doing everything right that I know of. Just gotta wait this hair thing out.2 -
Losing my hair is probably my biggest fear with surgery. Your wig looks amazing though! How much weight have you lost if you don't mind me asking.1
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@Shull_rachael - thanks! At first, I was pretty down about having to wear a wig, but now I'm kind of enjoying it. I get lots of compliments on my hair and I just ordered my second wig (a tiny bit longer and more fun). I've lost 62 pounds since Thanksgiving, but the hair loss really started to hit around Valentine's Day when I was down about 42 pounds. I'm not noticing as much hair falling out now, but I also don't notice any growing back yet. The hair loss sucks, but I'm trying to stay in a positive place. I'm grateful wigs have come a long way in the last decade. And obviously, even knowing I'd lose my hair, I'd still have the surgery in a heartbeat. It was the best decision I've made for my health.4
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