Dealing with the hair loss

Many folks who are researching weightloss surgery ask questions about hair loss. I know the feeling, as I was worried about it too! I have pretty good hair, and when you're overweight, the thought of losing your one redeeming quality can be quite frightening.

Hair loss does seem to be a pretty common problem with any bypass surgery. Basically, your body thinks you are starving, and it shuts down anything that it feels is not absolutely necessary. Hair being one of those things! What is wrong with our bodies?! Don't they know how important hair is!!! Anyway, the follicles seem to go into a hibernation mode, and you do lose some and it's slow growing back in. Some people lose more than others. It can help to get in your protein, wash your hair with Head and Shoulders and some people take zinc - although it is known to upset your stomach.

I tried the zinc, and it did not sit well with me. I do use the Head and Shoulders Intensive shampoo. My hair started really coming out at about 4 months. I thought I'd go bald for sure! But now at almost 10 months, the loss has slowed tremendously. However, what used to be a pretty good ponytail became a rat tail instead. I could see that my hair looked kind of stringy in the front, and finally looked backwards in a mirror and saw that it was REALLY stringy in the back. (Asked my husband why he didn't tell me how raggedy it looked...mmmm he hadn't really noticed. Men.)

So, today I went and got my hair cut short. I haven't had it short in many years, as my man likes long hair. However, my friend Peggy got hers cut off really short a couple of weeks ago, and it looked so good - well - Louie said I could cut it off as long as I grow it back when it thickens up again.

I'm happy with the cut, might even add some layers after I play with it for a couple of weeks. All in all I would tell anyone who is looking into the Mini Gastric Bypass - don't let the hair issue hold you back. It's a temporary problem! I've not had anyone say, "Wow! Your hair sure looks thin!" But lots of people have said, "Wow! YOU sure look thin!" Go for it, you'll be happy you did!!