What's the deal with hair loss?

[Soexcited 64]

So......just wanted to ask as Im considering revising from my band to bypass. How many of you have experienced Hair loss? And was it really bad? Does it grow back? If you are getting all your nutritional needs met after bypass why do you even loose your hair?

[armywife79 123]

HI! I went band to bypass myself. I am about 4 months out and have not lost any hair. I had a bit of extra shedding right after surgery but, that's usually due to anesthesia anyway. My hair dresser even comments on how my hair hasn't been effected at all from the bypass. She sees several people with WLS and they have lost hair but..they also admit to not following diet too! It really seems that people who get in their Protein , especially from real foods (once you can) do the best as far as Hair loss goes. I was REALLy worried about this myself but, my hair is doing great! In fact...my nails are longer and my eyelashes are longer and fuller! Even my nurse practitioner at the surgeon who had sleeve said she had the same effect after surgery. I think if you get your Protein and take your Vitamins, this wont be an issue and you may even see improvements! Good luck!

[samelton68 64]

with my sleeve I did experience it, nothing will stop it but Biotin has helped a lot. There was a period there that I couldn't even color it as it would just frizzy up, and break off, I am not going to lie I cried many days, I babied my hair up'd my Biotin, started taking collagen, and pre-natal's, and used oil's and special shampoo/conditioners to bring it back from the dead. I began this last year and I am going to get it colored again in two weeks now that it appears healthy

[glitter eyes 1,398]

I have to chime in.. I had the gastric sleeve and I have been very diligent about meeting and exceeding my Protein goals every day. I take all my recommend Vitamins, all my lab work post surgery has been perfect. I have taken high dose Biotin since pre op, make my Water requirements, track all my nutrients and adjust my diet to meet my goals. My hair has still fallen out. So not everyone will keep their hair just because they are eating enough protein.

I think it may be the luck of the draw. I just happen to be one of those with thinner hair who has followed all the rules.

That being said the weight loss has been worth the Hair loss.

Good luck to everyone.

[LessOfMe0503 157]

Just for the record, I had hair loss after my son was born. My doctor said that sometimes it's a reaction to a trauma to the body. I know most surgeries are laproscopic, but i would think any surgery would be considered a trauma to the body.

I think it probably just boils down to everyone being different and having different reactions. I am anticipating that I will have Hair loss and trying to prepare myself mentally. After all, if a few grey hairs want to jump ship on me, I'm ok with that

[samelton68 64]

I agree and hormonal changes can cause it, lol, I have my aunt flo visit prior to the surgery but guess what she came and visited right after surgery and stayed for a month.

[Oneyearout 43]

Hello, I had surgery I year ago this month and have lost almost 100 lbs. Passed my goal. I lost weight pretty fast and lost hair. That was really the only problem I really had. Which wasn't THAT much of a problem compared to how much better I feel. It has started growing back in. I drank all my Water, took my Vitamins, ate mostly Proteins and always fresh vegetables. No carbs no sugar exercise and now jogging 4 miles a day. Everyone I know who has had the sleeve lost some hair. I just wear it different and go on. Still the surgery is the BEST thing I ever did.

[tanyamann32 84]

My locs fell out but I am also on coumadin. Going to cut my locs out in about a week.

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[BunnyJean 123]

My surgical nurse said that yes anesthesia can help cause it but it's mostly caused by your body's reaction to low calorie intake. You body is a wonderful machine that was built to withstand famine. No one doing WLS is in famine status, but after WLS, your body thinks OH NO WE ARE GOING TO STARVE. And shuts down non-essentials. hair is non-essential. Your body sends hair into "resting" phase. Next comes "shedding" phase. And regrowth doesn't start until your body "realizes" it's not going to starve that this is the new normal, and then tells hair...hey dude you can start growing again! If you look up hair growth/shedding phase, there are technical terms to what I've stated. Yes get in all your Vitamins, extra Biotin, make sure your zinc and Iron levels are good, get your Protein in and I agree, when you can eat real food vs a Protein Drink, do it. Exceed your protein levels. Most who have battled the hair seem to feel that at least 80 grams protein a day. Of course, this is going to ease and stop as a natural progression of your body coming to terms with the new limits. So do these things (biotin, extra protein) etc work? who knows. Even the surgeons and nurses are not 100% sure. They can't HURT that's for sure. Normal start to shed seems to be anywhere from 3-7 months out with most about the 4 month mark. And most stop before the 1st year mark. I'm pre-surgery and this is actually a huge concern of mine because I have 4 yrs of hormonal Hair loss. I've already lost 1/2 my hair. May need to look into a wig for myself. SO, not only have I asked any dr or nurse I can get ahold of, I've trolled the living heck out of these boards trying to find an answer or help. I was just on another thread and she suggested human hair lace wig styled by your hairdresser etc. I'm going to discuss this with my hairdresser as I feel sure my self-esteem will need this. If your part is getting bigger and you have "white" spaces that are larger, you can use Batiste dry Shampoo, they make colors, so use a color close to your hair color. Practice before you go out. This makes hair just a tad fluffier. Also, for the big parts/white spaces, I use Eclipse hair fibers in a color close to my natural. I order eclipse at Amazon. Not sure if you can get it at Ulta etc. Batiste you can get in Walmart etc. Ulta may have more colors. I got mine at Amazon for the color. Just a couple items to make it easier to deal with. Good luck