I might shave my head by the end of summer

[Viv28]

It has been 20 months since I had my surgery and most of my hair fell out. My Dr said it would grow back but it is growing back slowly. My hair in the back is very long but the top and sides are extremely short. I have an extreme sleeve mullet.

I am taking supplements, vitamins and getting my protein in daily but my hair is not as long or thick as it used to be.

I decided to manage as best I can until the end of summer and then I will have my son give me a buzz cut. Very Very low.

I guess I will need to buy cute earrings.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I still do not regret my decision to have the surgery.

[Christie13]

I lost a lot of hair but not that much. My sister who was sleeved 5 years before me had shaved hers really short when hers fell out. Then she rocked all sorts of cool ass haircuts as it started to grow. She actually looked quite pretty when it was buzzed short.

[SAMom]

Does hair loss happen to everyone? I’ve been making sure I forced down the required amount of protein daily hoping it would help. So it really won’t? I’m hoping I’ll get lucky!

[Stacey03]

I didn't really lose any hair so far, I'm 7 months out but everyone is different. Buzz cuts are cute and gives it a chance to grow back strongly. Also Patties pearls Annie introduced us to... the lady who does the wigs and care. SHE IS ADORABLE and the wigs look amazing so there is always that option too.

[Ann2]

Viv, sorry about your hair. That's very unusual, I think. Maybe you should see a specialist? Maybe it's time for some version of Rogaine? (I actually know nothing about that.)

Another possibility is that you're low in Zinc + Iron. See this medical abstract about how deficiencies in those areas are related to super hair loss after WLS. This article suggests a solution in that kind of situation.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24887725

For newbies who are lurking, the normal hair-loss experience is that starting around 4 months post-op you start losing a little more hair than usual (we all lose hair all the time). And around 9 months post-op, you start seeing lots of new sprigs sprouting everywhere. Eventually, it all comes back.

Here's a good link about what's typically going on re hair loss post-WLS.

https://www.drdkim.net/ask-the-dieti...atric-surgery/

[Luv49ers19]

I love my short hair! It really was a blessing when I started to lose the hair because you couldn't really see the difference. It is now going back and I'm going to try and grow it out....we shall see!

[Viv28]

My Dr said she has only had one patient who has not lost a significant amount of hair. She said the hair loss is the bodys reaction to the shock of surgery and the decrease in protein. She advised me in advance that I might lose hair at the 6 month mark and after 12 months I would see it grow back. My hair loss started at about 6 months after surgery. It has been growing back but my hair had not been cut in 7 years so it was long. Now I have long hair in the back because it never fell out and short on top and sides.

[Viv28]

My Dr said it was normal. I am no upset about but just deciding whether or not to cut it all off and start over. My weight loss happened very rapid and at the 6 month mark I was nearly at the 12 month goal my Dr set for me. I'm getting all my supplements in and eatin well so it is growning back. I guess I am inpatient. I think a very low low cut will be the thing for me. I just don't have the hair line for a low cut. I look like my Dad and my granddad and my brother LOL I will have to figure it out either way. Thanks

[Ann2]

Oh, you're a guy!

Now I feel better about your impending buzz cut.

[Viv28]

I am a woman LOL so feel bad again LOL I have a hairline like the men in my family. deep cowlicks LOL My sister and I learned early on to wear bangs or styles that pulled our hair to the front.

It is OK. I am happy I am down almost 100 pounds and people keep telling me how great I look. Hair does not make me and it is growing back so I may just shave it off.

[Ann2]

LOL!

Oh, well. I'm often wrong. Sometimes more than once.

Nice to meet you, Viv.

[Viv28]

Nice to meet you Ann

[Stacey03]

Or you could just have a shorter cute pixie cut Viv??

[Viv28]

It's way to short in some spots for that. I have a hair consultation o 09/15. I will decide if and when I will cut it all off. Tired of wearing scarves and big head bands to cover the loss.

[sraebaer]

I was hoping from the beginning to the end of his post it has gotten better! That is really unusual, it is very rare that people experience what you're going through. (And I've been on this site for 5 years now.). Sorry it's happening.

I don't know, those big head bands are really cute!