Nervous about shedding before starting — did your hair thin out?

For what it's worth, I completely understand the hesitation. I track weekly average weight and also keep a simple hair log—same lighting, same day each month—because daily shedding can feel alarming. For me, the shed showed up around two to three months in, was noticeable for about six weeks, then settled. What seemed to help was consistency with protein and not letting my weekly loss average get too steep; I aimed for steady rather than fast. A question that might be useful: does your past shedding tend to follow quick loss, low intake, or stress? If you can identify your pattern, it may make your loose plan feel less like a gamble. You are asking the right questions ahead of time.

i’m in the same pre-start boat, and hair is my big fear too. One thing I’ve started: a low-tech wash-day log—rough strand count in shower + brush, plus protein and water for the day. I want a baseline before anything shifts, because my post-surgery shed hit around month 3, not right away. Do you notice that same delayed pattern when your weight drops? If so, tracking the lag might help you tell what’s driving it. Also, I’m aiming a bit higher than 90g for my own size, but that’s just me; I front-load breakfast and lunch so I’m not cramming it at night. Gentle hug—the uncertainty is so real.

I’m 5 months in. My shed didn’t hit at the start; it showed up around week 10 after a stretch where my weekly average loss jumped to 1.6 lb and my protein slipped to ~70g. I went back to weighing protein, aiming for 100–110g, and started counting wash-day strands with a cheap hair catcher. Monthly photos, same part and lighting, plus a log with wash day, protein, weekly avg loss, and sleep

I did a baseline before starting: shower hair count for two weeks, part photos, ferritin/TSH/vit D. My shed spiked weeks 8–12 when loss averaged >1.5 lb/wk; it calmed once I held loss to ~0.5–0.75 lb/wk and protein at 1.2–1.6 g/kg. 90 g may be enough depending on your weight—if you’re ~90 kg, it’s lowish. What weekly loss rate do you mean by “slow”? That’s the variable I’d track, not just protein.

For what it's worth, I’m at goal and maintaining now, and I did have a shed around month four — noticeably more in the shower, a wider part for a bit. What helped me not spiral was tracking it practically: same lighting/part photos on the first of each month and a loose ponytail circumference, not daily mirror checks. Mine started easing once my weight leveled off, and by around month nine I had all the little baby hairs along my hairline. I also had my iron/ferritin and thyroid checked since low levels can pile on. If you already shed with fast drops, that delayed telogen effluvium pattern is worth knowing. Slow loss + protein is smart, but it’s not a guarantee — for me, the waiting was the worst part.

The post-surgery shed is a good clue — mine from a big loss a few years back kicked in around month three and looked scary, then filled back in by month nine. That lag is what messes with your head: you're doing everything "right" and then it starts falling anyway. What helped me stay sane was tracking it rather than eyeballing it — I take a monthly photo of my part under the same bathroom light and count strands on wash day only, since daily counting made me nuts. Honestly, 90g protein plus slow loss is a solid setup. Question: how long did that surgery shed last for you, and did it come back fully, or did it settle thinner than before?

i’m pre-start too, and I’m trying to baseline before anything changes: ponytail circumference every 4 weeks, plus a rough shower shed count on the same wash day. I also price protein by cost per 25g serving, since 90g/day adds up fast if you don’t compare. What weekly loss rate are you actually aiming for? “Slow” can mean 0.5 lb/week or 1.5, and that number would change how nervous I’d be about shedding.

I get the hair fear. My last big loss (before regain) gave me a shed around month 3, and I’m still weirdly vigilant about my brush. Something new I’m doing this time: a photo on the 1st of every month, same bathroom light, plus a cheap drain catcher so I can actually see if it’s changing instead of spiraling. I’m also trying to hit 90g protein by front-loading breakfast, because when I save it all for dinner I never make it. Curious—are you spreading your protein evenly, or is 90g more of a daily total? And have you noticed your shed is seasonal? My autumn sheds always scare me more.

I lift 4x/week and did the hair panic too. Mine shed around moth 2–3, but it lined up with a too-steep deficit, not the med itself. Slow loss + protein spread over 3–4 meals + sleep kept it from getting dramatic. Gross tracking trick: drain catcher and a photo of the hairball every wash for 8 weeks—it showed the shed was temporary and already slowing. If you’re lifting and over ~140, 90g was too low for me; my hair and recovery both noticed. What’s your current weight/rough body fat? That makes the protein target less theoretical.

For what it's worth, I regained about 25 of the 50 lbs I lost, and the shed hit me around month 3—handfuls in the shower, which scared me. What helped me cope was switching to a wide-tooth comb, washing less often, and taking a monthly close-up of my part. The photos showed it wasn’t as bad as my panic said, and it filled back in once my weight leveled. Have you noticed whether your past sheds were tied more to fast loss or to the surgery/stress itself? That pattern might tell you a lot.

My shower drain briefly became a goth art installation. Cheap protein rotation kept me sane.

cafe owner here, so I get the constant nibbling problem. What helped me was tracking the “quality-control bites” during prep—they added up and made my loss sputter, whch is exactly when my hair felt worse. I started making a real tiny staff bowl instead of grazing, and I keep cooked chicken or tofu ready so protein isn’t a 9 p.m. scramble. I also snap a monthly photo

I started a “hair baseline” before my last loss: one shower-shed photo, ponytail circumference, and a note of how much protein I got at breakfast vs dinner. Mine thinned most during weeks I was under-eating early in the day and lifting hard, even with decent daily protein. Front-loading breakfast and not skipping my afternoon snack helped me stress less. What did your post-surgery shed feel like timeline-wise—did it start while you were still recovering, or a few weeks later once your appetite and routine changed? That might help you tell stress shedding from weight-loss shedding.

The post-surgery shed detail stands out to me—mine was similar after a major surgery and resolved gradually over about six months. What helped my anxiety was tracking two weekly averages: rate of loss and protein, rather than daily numbers. When my weekly loss crept above about 1.5 lb, my part looked wider; when it stayed closer to 0.5–1 lb, shedding felt much more like my normal turnover. I also took a photo of my part in the same light every Sunday, which stopped me from panicking over shower hair. Have you noticed whether your past sheds had a predictable end point? That might tell you more than any single difficult morning.

I run a cafe, so I get the portion-control circus — I graze on pastry edges all day and then wonder why my real meals are tiny. What helped was pre-logging my own lunch before the rush and keeping a weighed protein portion in the back fridge so I actually eat it. Hair-wise, my shed was worse when my overall intake and sleep tanked, not just protein; protein alone didn’t fix it. Are you tracking total calories and fat too, or just aiming for the 90g? That’s the piece I wish I’d watched earlier.

I really understand the worry. One thing that helped me was setting a baseline before starting: photos in the same bathroom light, same part, and a ponytail circumference measurement. I also kept a simple note of my weekly weight average and protein, so I could see whether any shed lined up with a faster-loss week rather than guessing. It did not stop the shed entirely, but it made it feel less frightening because I could see it was finite. A question for you: when you shed after surgery, did it seem worse at your part or temples? That might give you a useful comparison point later.

mine did the month 3 shed then respawned, try not to spiral yet

I completely understand the hesitation. One tracking trick that eased my mind: I log a 7-day average for weight and protein, and I take a same-light photo of my part every Sunday. For me, shedding lined up with weeks my protein average dipped below my target, not with the scale dropping overall. I also kept a simple note of stress and sleep, since those muddy the picture. Have you considered tracking your weekly average loss rate alongside a protein average? I’d be curious whether the speed or the consistency matters more for you.

Mine shed after surgery too, so I get the dread. Braiding it back helped me quit counting every strand.

The post-surgery shed is the tell — that's classic telogen effluvium, and the trigger is usually the stress/rate of loss, not the drug. Mine started around week 10 and peaked near month four, then recovered by month six. Two things I'd add to a baseline: ferritin and vitamin D. My ferritin was "normal" at 28, but shed and fatigue improved once it was higher — worth asking about. Also track weekly rate of loss, not just totals. Any stretch where I dropped faster than about a pound a week, the drain told on me. Slower loss, less shed, consistently.

Not the ponytail-circumference type, but I’m a dorm-dwelling student and did a slow loss last year. My shed showed up around month 3, mostly at my temples—looked like I was growing tiny horns when it came back. What helped me not spiral was washing 2x/week with a wide-tooth comb and a $3 drain catcher, then glancing at it weekly intead of every shower. Also kept easy 90g-ish protein: Greek yogurt, tuna packets, eggs from the dining hall, lentils. Have you figured out your dorm-friendly protein lineup yet? That was the part I underestimated.

i’m only week one, so no verdict yet, but I’m right beside you checking the shower drain 😅

I wish I’d taken a baseline pic before my loss—do it! Then you can watch trends instead of panicking.