Hair loss???

[Lola Belle]

For those of you who are several months out from surgery, have you had any hair loss?

My sister who had gastric bypass, lost a lot of hair and has bald spots on top of her head. So I want to know if the sleeve has the same side effect with hair. I don't want to be bald if I can prevent it, so if it does happen, I want to figure out what causes it so I can try to prevent it. Maybe its a fast loss of weight in a short amount of time, or lack of some sort of vitamen or protein or is it just shock to your body?

[5DogMa]

Yes, I've had huge hair loss because of this surgery. 1 year 4 months out and it's slowed down but my hair is still very thin. Bought wigs I like but only wear out in public. Can see my scalp all over especailly when the light is right. I took in all the protein as required but I think it's a combinatin of shock and starvation. Taking 10,000 mgc of biotin a day has helped some. I also read my blood which is type A who has GERD blocks the absorption of biotin. I think there is some truth to that. I had thin hair to begin with, now it's worse than ever.

[Jingles]

Hair loss is normal with the sleeve too. I began losing hair at about 5 months but it has really slowed now at 7 months...no one noticed the loss but me and it is a bit disconcerting. I did start to take 10,000 mg of biotin and always took multis, calcium citrate, iron so thinking the Biotin helped.

[LisaI]

my post from another thread...
i'm one of the unlucky ones. ive lost half my hair, its evenly spread on the scalp...so its just THIN. very very thin. biotin will help the hair stay healthy and grow in healthy but will do nothing for the actual loss. its related to several factors...here is a good explanation:

Telogen Effluvium

When your body goes through something traumatic like child birth, malnutrition, a severe infection, major surgery, or extreme stress, it can impact your hair. Many of the 90% or so of hairs in the growing (anagen) or transitional (catagen) phases can actually shift all at once into the resting (telogen) phase.

About six weeks to three months after the stressful event, the shedding phenomenon called telogen effluvium may begin. It is possible to lose handfuls of hair at a time when in full-blown telogen effluvium. (taken from webmd site)

On the bright side, it DOES stop. Absolutely NOTHING can be done to prevent it though...although lots of us tried. You can do several things to help it grow back in quickly or slow the loss, but what is going to fall out, IS going to fall out. Once it goes into that stage, there is no going back.

[Its_Me]

I am almost 5 months out and I have not experienced any hair loss. I'm not sure when I would be considered past the hair loss stage. I did not lose any hair in my previous surgers or child birth so maybe I am just lucky???

[robsgal]

Thats very interesting and good to know! Thanks for passing along that info!

[Lola Belle]

I have had many surgeries in the past and never experienced any hair loss, so hopefully I will be a lucky one.

[Lola Belle]

Lisal, I am sorry your hair loss experience has been so severe, you look great in your picutre!!

[LisaI]

lol thanks lola belle! hats hats and more hats.

[LisaI]

Jill, i would bet if you made it to five months, you are in the clear, thats awesome!

you know, i read one one of the medical sites that the hair goes into the resting stage all at once for the same reasons some women restart their periods on surgery day or day after, its like a full body clock reset. they don't know WHY it happens, but it happens to a large percent of ladies.

[WaywardSmiles]

I am a supplement addict! I have taken various supplements over the years and have 15 that I take on a regular basis. I also spoke to my dietician (who is on my bariatric team) about hair loss to confirm what I have read/heard. I was also provided a 2" binder from them that has a wealth of info regarding my post-op diet and lifetime diet.. Protein is key-regular amounts at regular times, iron, zinc, vitamins E and C, and Biotin. Using gentler shampoos and conditioners and not washing your hair every day.

[chillinlikejello]

I will be 14 weeks out from surgery tomorrow and I have not had any hair loss yet. I don't know if I am just lucky or if that's normal, but I have seen some people not have hair loss.

[robsgal]

This is so good to know!!! That is my biggest fear as I have my hair thinned when i get it cut so you can see why this scares me!