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Post by Peggy on Jun 21, 2012 22:21:50 GMT -5
So my hair has started to fall out someone tell me how long this will go on and if i should take anything to help it or stop it ..
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2012 22:28:29 GMT -5
The amount of hair you will lose was basically "set" at the time of the severe physical shock of your surgery. This is a very common phenomenon called telogen effluvium and there is nothing you can do to stop it. You can Google up "telogen effluvium after bariatric surgery" for an explanation.
The only thing you can do is work on excellent nutrition to support the new growth that will come in as these old dead hairs fall out. They are actually being pushed out by that new growth.
Don't waste your money on lotions and potions and special hair growth miracle supplements. Take some biotin if it makes you feel better and get a crapload of protein and all your supplements in. This will pass and in a year or so you'll have a new head of hair. It's part and parcel of the package.
In the meantime, get your hair cut shorter and in a layered style to help reduce the obviousness of the loss. Consider hats, extensions and/or wigs. This is temporary for almost everyone.
I'm one of the few for whom it was permanent. This was a hell of a jolt, but still a tiny price to pay for being alive and well. So now I collect hats and wigs and have loads of fun with it. It's all in how you see it--attitude is everything.
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Post by Peggy on Jun 21, 2012 22:43:29 GMT -5
Thank you ... i had expected to lose some i just did not know how much i would lose or have any idea how long it would last . i do have really thick hair so knock on wood i can lose alot before anyone can tell.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2012 10:18:54 GMT -5
As with so many things in life, attitude is everything. Somewhere on here I've probably posted one or more of my many soliloquies about attitude and hair, but my main points are:
1. You are not your hair. Hair is nothing more than a bunch of dead cells. It comes, it goes. YOU stay and are the same person regardless of the state of your hair.
2. This hair loss is occurring in the process that has saved your life. Welcome it as a sign of new life. (And if necessary, go be around someone who is bald due to chemotherapy. If that doesn't make you count your blessings, it's time for therapy.)
3. Since hair is a major vehicle for self expression, try something new. Chances are the hairstyle to which you've clung as a fat person is in need of updating for your changing shape.
4. It is totally normal today to use additions of various kinds for our hair--extensions, partials, wigs, etc. Go try on some wigs and see what a totally different look might do for you.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2012 11:33:40 GMT -5
As with so many things in life, attitude is everything. Somewhere on here I've probably posted one or more of my many soliloquies about attitude and hair, but my main points are: 1. You are not your hair. Hair is nothing more than a bunch of dead cells. It comes, it goes. YOU stay and are the same person regardless of the state of your hair. 2. This hair loss is occurring in the process that has saved your life. Welcome it as a sign of new life. (And if necessary, go be around someone who is bald due to chemotherapy. If that doesn't make you count your blessings, it's time for therapy.) 3. Since hair is a major vehicle for self expression, try something new. Chances are the hairstyle to which you've clung as a fat person is in need of updating for your changing shape. 4. It is totally normal today to use additions of various kinds for our hair--extensions, partials, wigs, etc. Go try on some wigs and see what a totally different look might do for you. EXALT. EXALT. EXALT. EXALT. EXALT. EXALT. EXALT. EXALT. EXALT. EXALT. EXALT. EXALT.
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Post by Gail R on Jun 22, 2012 15:55:39 GMT -5
Hi Peggy, It took forever for my hair to come back, but it is now nearly at normal thickness. Be certain to have your thyroid levels checked after a year if that could be a problem for you. Getting my thyroid levels correct was the key to getting my hair to grow.
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Post by Paula on Jun 22, 2012 20:05:01 GMT -5
There really isnt anything you are going to be able to take to stop it. This is unfortunately just something that we have to go through. Some will lose a lot, some will lose not as much. Its going to go on for a little while, but its a temporary thing for a lot of us. When I had my RNY the first time around, I lost a ton of hair. And it was devastating to me because my hair was the ONLY thing I liked about me when I looked in the mirror. But as time went on, I found there was more of me in the mirror I liked seeing and the loss of hair didnt seem as startling as it was at first. This is a great time to experiment with new looks and hairstyles. I dont think Ive started really losing any yet with my revision, but my hair stylist and I are prepared for when it happens Everything will be okay. It really will.
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Post by Band to DS on Jun 23, 2012 18:36:06 GMT -5
I read somewhere on here that hair loss usually starts 2-3 months after surgery. I decided to be proactive & got my long hair chopped off this week. I donated the hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, a program that makes wigs for cancer patients. Now that my hair is short, I figure the loss won't be so dramatic.
Shelli
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citizenk9
Junior Member
Posts: 99
Surgery Type: DS
Surgery Date: 10/13/2009
Surgeon: Dr, John Rabkin, San Francisco, CA
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Post by citizenk9 on Jun 23, 2012 22:10:08 GMT -5
Yes, it sucks! I started losing hair around the 4th month and it lasted about 3 months. It is shocking even when you are mentally prepared for it.
To be honest it has taken about 2-2 1/2 years for it to be completely back to normal. I forgot that once it stops falling out it basically has to grow back from the roots. So it can take a while. Then mine grew at different rates all over my head. It seemed so fragile and different for a while (drier, frizzier, kinkier) than before. I kept feeling like I couldn't do anything with it or it would fall out again. That was probably my imagination.
A short layered haircut will help ease you thru the transition. On the good side, so many great things will be happening to you along the way that the hair isn't quite as important as you think it will be. At least I hope that for you.
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Post by Joanne on Jun 24, 2012 19:47:00 GMT -5
Everything EN said. I think she explained it perfectly in her first post, and then put it in proper perspective in her second post.
I know it's distressing. I cried at the amount of hair I saw in the shower and in my hair brush. I hated it. But even through all that, I would shave my head every day if it's what I had to do to live in THIS body vs my OLD pre-DS body.
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Post by honeybadger11 on Jun 24, 2012 20:46:54 GMT -5
CUT IT!!! Its summer so its the perfect time to get a cut! I LOVED my long hair but when i started seeing clumps come out i decided to cut it short. I love the new cut (mostly) but planned all along to grow it back:)
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Post by horselover44 on Jun 24, 2012 21:06:04 GMT -5
My surgery isn't scheduled until Aug. 22nd but I did lose my hair 3 years ago to chemo. I was initially devastated to lose my hair but got over it quickly because I was alive and in a fight for my life. I did cut my hair very short right before starting chemo so losing it wouldn't be such a shock. When it started falling out I had my girlfriend buzz my hair into a Mohawk and had her take my picture before buzzing the rest of it off. Hey you might as well have fun with it.
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Post by valgroce on Jun 25, 2012 12:37:50 GMT -5
It's gonna be a few months with or without any miracle shampoo or vitamin someone suckers you into buying. Your best action would be a makeover with some layers and texture to blend in the new growth about to emerge (because thats what telogen effluvium is all about -- new hair pushing out old hair). First of all, you deserve a makeover. Second, your pretty shiny sleek hair will start to look like a chia pet before long.
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Post by s00zy66 on Jun 26, 2012 10:24:28 GMT -5
I started losing my hair pre-surgery and it's only gotten worse so I'm ready to make the move to a wig. I have a friend that wears one and I swear it's her real hair.
Does anyone here have any experience with wigs? Good/Bad/Ugly?
(I take a ton a Biotin and shampoo with Nioxin.)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2012 8:10:21 GMT -5
I started losing my hair pre-surgery and it's only gotten worse so I'm ready to make the move to a wig. I have a friend that wears one and I swear it's her real hair. Does anyone here have any experience with wigs? Good/Bad/Ugly? (I take a ton a Biotin and shampoo with Nioxin.) I have a whole wardrobe of wigs and have loads of fun with them. In my experience you can get the best prices by shopping at an ethnic hair store. I only use synthetic hair wigs, don't want the bother of caring for and styling human hair. The synthetics get washed in the sink like your pantyhose, easy peasy, and bounce right back into shape when they dry. Long hairstyles in the synthetics do not last very long, especially straight styles. The material frays fairly quickly in the wind. If you really want to go long, though, you can plan for this and just go get your wig trimmed shorter when it's time.
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Post by smileyjamie on Jun 29, 2012 13:05:23 GMT -5
Well, I just got my hair cut short yet again (did this back in late February, KNOWING my hair was going to fall out). Yesterday was because I will be going in for my hernia repair surgery sometime in August. Another major surgery, so MORE hair loss.
Oh well
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Post by Leonie on Jun 29, 2012 13:11:18 GMT -5
Exactly ten weeks after surgery, and the hairloss has started. I still have not had a haircut so now it definitely is time.
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Post by bugirll on Jun 29, 2012 13:21:47 GMT -5
Yeah, the hair loss has started. Its not as bad as when I had my first child-that was really bad. I need to take the plunge and get another 4 inches cut off, get some layers. It is hard because one of the few things I like about my body is my long naturally blonde hair, Oh well, it grew back before.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2012 13:41:05 GMT -5
Mine started really falling out about 4 months out...I cut it but not as short as it is now. My hair is really short now...but feels thicker and is FAR more curly than it ever has been. The texture has changed some too.
Liz
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Post by cathy811 on Jun 29, 2012 14:16:50 GMT -5
Mine started really falling out about 4 months out...I cut it but not as short as it is now. My hair is really short now...but feels thicker and is FAR more curly than it ever has been. The texture has changed some too. Liz That's hopeful! I'd love to have some curls in my bone straight hair!! Mine is falling out rapidly, much more so than with my RNY and I am facing another surgery in late july, ughhhhhh. However if my hair were to come back in with any curl it would be worth it all!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2012 14:20:19 GMT -5
Mine started really falling out about 4 months out...I cut it but not as short as it is now. My hair is really short now...but feels thicker and is FAR more curly than it ever has been. The texture has changed some too. Liz That's hopeful! I'd love to have some curls in my bone straight hair!! Mine is falling out rapidly, much more so than with my RNY and I am facing another surgery in late july, ughhhhhh. However if my hair were to come back in with any curl it would be worth it all!! Mine was already wavy ...so it just made it even curlier. I wish mine had come back in STRAIGHTER! LOL Liz
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Post by Happy DSr on Jun 29, 2012 18:34:19 GMT -5
pre-surgery I had gotten caught into the "colouring trap". I couldn't stop to allow the hair to grow out without an obvious transition line. I wear longer hair so, I was trapped into continuing.
My thinning DS hair was a great excuse to cut it off, and let the natural grow in. And it seems I really had very little grey to worry about!
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Post by dsnuts on Jun 29, 2012 19:24:09 GMT -5
My hair loss seems to have slowed dramatically. Now it's only a few stray hairs instead of clumps. Hopefully that will be it soon. I didn't get hit too hard.
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Post by chicarita on Jul 4, 2012 19:23:13 GMT -5
How long does the actual "falling out in clumps" stage last? It is absolutely freaking me out to see all this hair in my hands. And they all have little follicle bulbs on the end so I know it isn't breaking.
Omg it's freaking me out big time!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2012 21:21:07 GMT -5
How long does the actual "falling out in clumps" stage last? It is absolutely freaking me out to see all this hair in my hands. And they all have little follicle bulbs on the end so I know it isn't breaking. Omg it's freaking me out big time! Honey, it will last until it is done. It might be weeks or it might be months. Everyone is different. In the meantime, new hair is growing in as we speak. You're just going to have to ride this out. It will be okay. You will not be bald. And even if you wind up as bald as I am, you will still be just fine. You will come visit me and we will have a wig-shopping orgy and I promise that you will LOVE wigs. If you wind up less bald than I am and you have relatively strong hair, you can consider extensions. Those are all the rage and you will have more fun than a barrel of monkeys. But you will NOT be bald. You'll be fine. Now go out and buy yourself a couple of hilariously outrageous hats and relax. I highly recommend tie dye conductor caps myself . Or silver sequin hunter caps. Crap. Now I gotta go dig up a picture or two. No wait, I have a wig thread around here somewhere. BRB when I find it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2012 21:31:18 GMT -5
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Post by chicarita on Jul 5, 2012 2:19:51 GMT -5
Exalt EN! You're right, I'm freaking out, but that just calmed me down.
Not that I hope to be bald, but wig shopping with you sounds like fun!!!!
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Post by chicarita on Jul 5, 2012 2:25:54 GMT -5
And I love that thread you reported, thank you!
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Post by chicarita on Jul 5, 2012 2:26:18 GMT -5
REPOSTED not reported... Autocorrect....
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Post by willowrayne on Jul 5, 2012 10:52:42 GMT -5
This is all encouraging, although I have to put hair loss on my top ten freak outs. Fortunately, dying is higher up on the list. I wouldn't sacrifice my hair for my life.
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