Hair Loss Post-Op

[Life is Good in WY 1]

I am 3 1/2 months post op..... and losing massive amounts of hair. Anyone else?? Any ideas on supplements or hair products that I could try?? TIA

[CANDI254 31]

I am in the same boat. I had surgery on June 22nd and am losing my hair like crazy mad. Its horrible. I called my nut and she said to make sure I am getting in all my Vitamins and plenty of Protein and to take Biotin. Hopefully it helps. My hair is falling out my the handful

[JamieLogical 8,699]

The bad news is, there is little you can do NOW to stop or prevent hair loss. It's due to things that happened to your body months ago. My Hair loss started right around the same time as yours, 3.5 months post-op. The good news is that it slowed down bu about 5 months post-op and started to re-grow immediately. Make sure you are getting in all your Protein and Vitamins and be patient. Mine never got so bad that anyone else could tell by looking at me. Though our bathroom floor and shower were a horror show.

I did cut my hair pretty short a couple months post-op in preparation for the inevitable hair loss. I figured the shorter style would make it less noticeable and that did seem to help.

[shellyd67 198]

I am dreading this because I already have very thin hair. I have been taking Biotin and will continue to take it hoping it will help some ?? I just decided I will get a few cute hats since it will be cold soon.

[Elode 8,093]

It's normal, it sucks, it WILL stop.

[heynowkc 329]

I never had a lot of hair loss. I think this is because in the years prior to surgery, my body had already gone through the ringer in terms of anemia and being not only completely vitamin/mineral deficient but being so low on Iron that I had to have blood transfusions. I'd experienced some hair loss/excess shedding in the past due to these issues, but this was an extreme case and I'm lucky it was never noticeable to anyone else during that time. I suspect that the Hair loss that many experience after surgery is somewhat related to the same issues. My only suggestion would be to make sure to take all of your Vitamins, make sure you get in your Protein and veggies, and closely watch your numbers and take extra Iron IF NEEDED. (Too much iron is bad for you, so don't take it unless your numbers indicate you need it!) If your numbers are still low, it's worth it to get them up to where they should be so that you can hopefully see results (in less hair loss) in a couple of months.

I didn't write any of this down, but I would say my excess shedding probably started a few months out from surgery and tapered off by 6 months out. I did get a shorter (not super short, just slightly above shoulder-length) hair cut around that same time. I can't imagine that would have stopped it completely so it must have just been timing. Everything is fine since then. I was nervous about the hair loss like everyone else, but honestly, my experience was so mild that if I hadn't been looking for it, I might not have noticed it at all.

Edited September 28, 2015 by heynowkc

[Proud2BMe 1,016]

This is one of those questions that keep getting asked over and over again simply because people are anxious about it.

hair loss after weight loss is not due to Vitamin or Protein deficiency. Instead, it's caused by hormonal changes brought on by the stress of losing weight.

There's nothing you can do to stop it. The good news is that it's temporary. As your body adjusts to the weight loss and your weight stabilizes your hair shedding will stop. Eventually it will grow back.

Cut your hair short so your Hair loss won't be as noticeable and so you wont get freaked out in the shower with all this hair in your hands after shampooing.

[JamieLogical 8,699]

hair loss after weight loss is not due to Vitamin or Protein deficiency. Instead, it's caused by hormonal changes brought on by the stress of losing weight.

I think it's due to a combination of factors actually and not all apply to every patient. Anesthesia, rapid weight loss, low Protein intake, and vitamin/mineral deficiencies can all cause Hair loss. WLS patients usually experience more than one of these factors at the same time. Some are within our control and some are not. Which is why it's important to at least take what active steps we can.

[Barry W 336]

You want to emphasize Protein content and Vitamins and minerals in the reduced portions you eat following bariatric surgery. So that would be lean meats, nonfat dairy, legumes/beans, low carb Protein shakes, as well as a spectrum of vegetables of all colors - to get a spectrum of Vitamins and minerals.

I am still on the fence but am doing my due diligence and the literature seems to indicate that nutritional deficiencies (AKA malnutrition) are common with such small portion sizes, when people are not receiving or following good nutritional advice. The less that you eat, the more important that you really eat the right things in what you are taking in.

[CANDI254 31]

OMG, I just looked on the floor beside my chair and there is so much hair. I am so stressing about well a lot right now. I want to be skinny and healthy but I will look so bad bald. Please let this stop soon.

[MrsKarenC2008 622]

Another question along these lines ... has anyone noticed less eye lashes ?

I've been noticing that putting on my mascara ... that there isn't as much bulk in my eye lashes as there used to be ...

[NewNewMe 277]

Just hit 5 months and it is still coming out steadily. My hair is soooooo thin now. It feels really weird. And there is not much to put in a pony tail when I work out. I don't have bald spots, but my hair is very thin and unmanageable. I keep hoping it will stop soon.

[krista132 213]

My hair is pretty thin to begin with but luckily haven't had issues with clumps coming out. But, I definitely notice how unhealthy my hair is now. It is breaking like crazy and looks like I have layers in my hair when I don't. Its a small price we pay for what our futures will hold with being healthy, but I understand the concern. I want my hair to go back to normal too!