Guest guest Posted November 29, 2001 Report Share Posted November 29, 2001 In a message dated 11/29/01 7:08:57 PM, duodenalswitch writes: << I am almost 4 weeks post-op and starting to notice that my hair is becoming a different texture. Over the past couple of days I have notice that my hair is getting drier and drier.....It is starting to feel like straw.... Anyway, here is my question.....Is this a sign of low protein???? Has anyone else had this happen to them????? I could really care less if my hair fell out, I am just worried my body may not have what it needs, if that makes since.... >> : This is a good question. I think brittle hair and massive hair loss *can* be a sign of low protein, but it doesn't NECESSARILY have to be... My protein levels have always been fine and I started having hair loss at about 1 month post-op, too... I also noticed it really lacked it's former lustre --- not that I had Barbie doll hair or anything but it didn't have any shine, became brittle (like you mentioned) and just hung there. I ended up always putting in up b/c I was sick of the hairs all over and looking like a scarecrow! ROFL How much protein are you getting in? It definately depends on sex/starting bmi/weight, etc. but I started at 75 and moved up to 80 (where I am now). You *may* require more. I'd ask my nutritionist if you haven't already and shoot for that goal every day. Now, I was told that it's really the three day average that counts, so if you aren't able to get enough in one day, that's ok. Just be sure to make up for it so the average is about what it should be daily. I think I would only be concerned if you know you aren't getting enough protein in... I know it can be difficult especially in the first weeks post-op but if you know you are low then I'd up it with shakes/bars and high-protein foods that you can eat now (like tuna or soft meatballs.. I think I began eating regular meats at 3 weeks post-op --- with surgeon's approval. I'm not sure what your surgeon recommends, though). Once you start experimenting with meats (and SHRIMP became and still is one of my all time favorites!!!), the protein will be a bit easier to get in. So, from my experience, I had dry, brittle LIFELESS hair and it fell out quite a bit. I never got bald or anything but it just looked horrid. I'm 10 months out now and it's starting to get back it's old self!! FINALLY! I think this turned around at about 9 months. I was told it can begin about a month post-op and lessen at around 9 months. It is caused mainly by rapid weight loss (but I think low protein can also be a cause -- just not sure in your case). BTW, I was on zinc supplements for about 1 1/2 months post-op and really didn't notice much difference... I've heard that Nioxin can help reduce the hair loss but I don't know if it really helps with the lack of texture, etc. All the best, lap ds with gallbladder removal January 25, 2001 Dr. Gagner/Mt. Sinai/NYC 10 months post-op and still feelin' fabu preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45 now: 201 lbs/size sweet 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2001 Report Share Posted November 29, 2001 My hair did that. My skin was really dry too. I think it's just an side effect of anesthesia and stress of surgery. My hair is fine now. My protein levels are fine. It'll get better in a few months. KathleenF Open DGB/DS Dr. Rabkin/Dr. Jossart 01/02/01: 374# 11/29/01: 230# http://www.webniche.com/wls > Howdy all, > > I am almost 4 weeks post-op and starting to notice that my hair is becoming a > different texture. Over the past couple of days I have notice that my hair is > getting drier and drier.....It is starting to feel like straw.... > > Anyway, here is my question.....Is this a sign of low protein???? Has anyone > else had this happen to them????? I could really care less if my hair fell > out, I am just worried my body may not have what it needs, if that makes > since.... > > Thanks, > Goff > 11/05/01 > Dr. Oakley/Bowling Green, OH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2001 Report Share Posted November 29, 2001 , My hair and skin did that very same thing...my doctor said that I wasn't getting enough fat...After surgery, I was eating high protein low fat, and not getting it into my head that we can eat fat...so that may help you. Also, when my hair did strt falling out, I got something called Folicure at Sally beauty supply...it has zinc and folic acid in it...it seemed to help...but who really knows if it did... You may also find at about 6 weeks post op that you get a bit of a rash of pimple like things on your face, and back...and my doc said Folic Acid is great for that too... Hope you figure it out and that the hair texture gets better...it's always hard to say since we are all so different! Be well. Mulvaney Rossell San Obispo, Ca OPEN DS/ Dr. Keshishian 282 then / 198 today R on www.duodenalswitch.com > Howdy all, > > I am almost 4 weeks post-op and starting to notice that my hair is becoming a > different texture. Over the past couple of days I have notice that my hair is > getting drier and drier.....It is starting to feel like straw.... > > Anyway, here is my question.....Is this a sign of low protein???? Has anyone > else had this happen to them????? I could really care less if my hair fell > out, I am just worried my body may not have what it needs, if that makes > since.... > > Thanks, > Goff > 11/05/01 > Dr. Oakley/Bowling Green, OH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 2001 Report Share Posted November 30, 2001 Hi Jeff, It could be dehydration. I did not notice it so much in my hair, but my skin got so dry everywhere, even the tops of my feet. So I started trying to get more and more liquids in. It finally cleared up at about 7 weeks. Sheri lap/open DS 9/28/01 Dr Herron/NYC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 2001 Report Share Posted November 30, 2001 Hi - At about the same time I started having terribly dry skin and hair - for the first time in my life. It was amazing! It's proof that the surgery is working like it's supposed to. You just aren't absorbing much fat. Rejoice in this! You need to get a good moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Also (don't know if you macho guys do this) but use something like Aveeno products for your bathing. They really do help condition your skin, their bodywash is great. You might also need to start using a good unscented lotion as well. If you have callouses on your heels they might start cracking and peeling soon. My local health food store had a great product (can't remember now) with very little scent that helped moisturize those feet. I still have to use it because my feet seem to get drier than any other area. P post-op 05-30-01 Dr. Kim, Ocean Springs, MS pre-op wt 330, now 237! down 93 lbs > Howdy all, > > I am almost 4 weeks post-op and starting to notice that my hair is becoming a > different texture. Over the past couple of days I have notice that my hair is > getting drier and drier.....It is starting to feel like straw.... > > Anyway, here is my question.....Is this a sign of low protein???? Has anyone > else had this happen to them????? I could really care less if my hair fell > out, I am just worried my body may not have what it needs, if that makes > since.... > > Thanks, > Goff > 11/05/01 > Dr. Oakley/Bowling Green, OH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2001 Report Share Posted December 1, 2001 I have been using nioxin for a long time and my hair did not fall out with the surgery. I also take zinc and folic acid. I still have a sheen to my hair and my skin is not dry. Hope this helps. Ellen(Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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