[mlg78]

I've yet to have surgery but one of my concerns, like most people, is hairloss. How long after surgery do you notice the hairloss beginning? How long does it last before you notice your hair be back to normal?

I've read all the threads about how to slow it, prevent it from being as bad, etc...but nothing with time questions like I've asked.

Thanks in advance! You guys are a wealth of information!

Megan

[A new me]

Hey Megan.........Well I too was very worried about this part of the surgery. First of all everyone is different. But for me it started just about at 3.5 months. I would be in the shower and notice alot of hair or espcially when I would put mousse or gel in my hair and rub it in and there would be tons just on my hands. Very sad. And my poor bathroom floor. I have never cleaned my bathroom floor as much as I have lately. I
am now at a bit over 5 months and it is still coming out but doesnt seem as much to me. So I hope Im on the downward spiral of this. Luckily I have very thick hair. So the loss hasnt been too bad for me, at least not yet.
Im sure some of the longer veterans will come on with what they have experienced.

[DocSanae]

Most people start noticing around 3 months out, and the peak seems to be from 3-6 months, then notice some slowing down and new hair growth around 9 months, but still going on. It's probably around a year out that it seems to stop completely.

[beckamarie]

I am almost 2 months out and just now started to notice hair loss, its not horrible but its enough to be annoying

[fr1endly2]

this for me was one of the hardest parts to deal with post op.
FOR me i took pride in my hair as a heavy gal.

FOR me my hair thinned starting between month 3 and 4
and didnt ease up till my rapid weight loss stopped
at 12 months.
I didnt go bald but i did have some heavy thinning
and the scalp showed were i style more on top.

THIS happened to me (not as bad ) when i did atkins too.
I started biotin well before my surgery which doesnt prevent
the hairloss but made my new hair grow in faster and healthier.
MY hair stylist gal recommended no hair color, pony tails and stressful
things on the hair during this phase.

YOU wont go totally bald
but u did a thinning.
IM growing out all my layers now
from it and my hair is very healthy
and came back nicely!
THE best day was when i first started
feeling peach fuzzies.
WITH this being said
this still would never change my
mind on having the surgery.
the benifits of being healthy
and slim out way this little
issue!
hugs

[Denise57]

I was scared also about loseing my HAIR.. As I took take pride in my hair. It started falling out around the forth month for me. Just a little at a time. My hair is thin, so I was scared. I am now 6 month out and it still come out some, I Still have my hair colored each month and it hastn seem to bother it. Hang in there!! I say that each day and try to keep a smile on my face.

[Kenyar]

mine started at 2 months or so. it got me nervous around 3 months. but it seems to have slowed down now. i dont notice it at all in combs or in the drain etc. it was traumatizing eventhough it was to be expected and all. you are never turly prepared for all that you sweep up or that gets caught in the drains etc. you wont go bald though

[BOOTS]

Well With Me It So Far So Good Thank God. Because When I Gave Birth To My Daughter Last Year I Lost So Much Of My Hair. Go Figure Your Hair Is Suppose To Get Thicker When You Pregnant. But Mine Was Falling Out Like Crazy And Only Let Up A Few Months Ago. Boy It Really Thinned Out.

But Now That My Hair Is Back On Track And Starting To Look Decent Again I Hope I Dont Go Thru This Hair Loss Stage Everyone Is Going Thru

[FemmeMode]

This was definitely my extreme focus early on....and I thought around month 3 or 4 and didn't start to lose hair - I thought I was in the 'clear' but then about 5.5months.....was when I noticeably saw the hair loss after I colored my hair! WOW..... Here's my blog on that day: "Beauty Shop & Hair Loss"

Thankfully the hair loss slowed down considerably in January...Month 9 for me....and then in month 10 (February) I noticed all the little "sprouts" ~
Especially around the front....I lost a TON of hair around my temple...and front top....(that is why I normally stick to wearing headbands now....b/c my hair is sooooo thin in those regions!) Thankfully I didn't go bald ...but it was all quite emotional.

I don't think I've ever heard of Anyone going totally bald - but a lot of us did a lot thinning. This summer my hair dresser told me to cut off all my layers....where I thought my layers would help and look better....it really didn't work that way. Now I feel like my hair is thicker....the only part I don't like is that in the front...I'm very very thin. It's gonna take about another year for it all to get back to normal. (my beautician said 2 full years if I keep cutting it short!)

Even though I've had to deal with the hair loss and now the sagging skin - I'll never regret having the surgery. I feel soooo amazing...and it doesn't compare to when I was 158#'s heavier!

Good luck to you.....you will survive it all - just like we have , and are!!!

[mlg78]

Thank you to everyone for your replies! Many of you mentioned your hair was your pride which I thought was true of many of us who are or have been overweight. You pride yourself on your hair, nails, makeup, etc...things we have more control over, if you will. I guess that's where the comments come from, "You have such a pretty face!"

You guys have made me feel better about the hairloss issue. I know it's only temporary...but I'll also not be the only person in the world having dealt with this issue when I'm suffering. I know y'all will be there for me! Thanks!