Hair falling out!

**JLNorris** · 09-18-2014 10:36 AM

I cannot agree more about the GS . I was a 26 now my 18's are bagging and sagging! 16 here I come!

**Ann2** · 09-18-2014 11:13 AM

The deal about the hair loss is this ... we set up the conditions responsible for the hair loss LONG before we lose the hair.

And I have YET to see anyone who has had the surgery AND took Biotin who avoided the hair loss.

Come to think of it, I have only rarely heard of anyone who did not lose hair.

And in all cases I can recall reading about here, the hair does grow back. It's just a pain in the meantime.

Here's a good writeup about the causes, process, and timing of both our hair loss and hair regrowth:

Obesity Action Coalition » Weight-loss Surgery, Nutrition and Hair Loss

**BillyJ** · 09-18-2014 02:22 PM

Biotin doesn't stop the process it just helps your hair grow back stronger and healthier. We start to lose hair 3 months in and regain it after another 3-6 months.

**Terps** · 09-22-2014 10:21 AM

Okay, since I responded to this my hair loss is getting worse! It feels like a ton of it is coming out. My shower drain is NASTY! Looks like I will need to shop for cute hats for the fall and winter.

**apythia** · 09-22-2014 11:45 AM

Terps, you can always do what I do and buy clip in hair extensions for less than $10 on Amazon. lol.

**JLNorris** · 09-22-2014 09:06 PM

Now that's what I'm saying! Lol! Some days are worse than others! We will get through this! " This to shall pass". Wish it would hurry up!

**Ann2** · 06-11-2015 05:56 AM

WLS patients suffer hair loss for very specific reasons: the stresses of surgery, anesthetics, and rapid weight loss halt the growth of new hair and hasten the (temporary) release of old hairs. Hair loss happens to most patients, but women understandably notice and complain about it much more than men do.

You can read much online about hair loss after weight loss surgery, including an excellent write-up found at http://www.laparoscopic.md/bariatric/surgery/hair-loss. Here are a few excerpts from that write-up:

"Post-bariatric hair loss usually occurs between 3 to 6 months after surgery, and may persist for 6 to 12 months or more, depending upon the underlying cause. Diagnosis is usually based on medical history and clinical examination, with pattern and onset of hair loss, concomitant symptoms such as skin and nail abnormalities, and the use of medications potentially of significance."

"Some degree of hair loss is relatively common following bariatric surgery, usually occurring 3 months or more after surgery and affecting around athird of all patients. The precise causes of post-bariatric hair loss are unknown; factors including changes in nutritional status and the impact of surgery upon the hair growth cycle are thought to be involved. In most cases, hair will begin to regrow without intervention once weight has stabilized."

FYI, my own hair loss started at 4-1/2 months post-op. I'm almost 10 months post-op now, and my hair loss is almost over. Yesterday after washing my hair I found very few hairs on the shower floor.

**tomigyrl** · 06-14-2015 09:18 AM

Interesting...I chatted with my NUT about this and she advised that the cause, especially for women, is the release of estrogen. Apparently, estrogen is stored in fat. So when we lose it, the estrogen is also released. This is what may also be a contributing factor in (women) being affected by depression and mood swings post-op, as well as being super fertile - thank goodness for hysterectomies. At any rate, it's probably a combination of a million things, all unique to each of us. Three months from now I may be complaining about the same thing. Who knows? My NUT did advise, however, against any supplement that was taken to combat this, advising the zinc levels would be too high and that after the blood work comes back she can always tell who didn't follow her guidance, fwiw.

Surgery is scheduled for a week after Tuesday, the 23rd. Not looking forward to recovering over the lovely Seattle summer, but excited nevertheless - woot woot.

**Damasyn** · 06-15-2015 12:32 AM

I am losing quite a bit of hair too... its not coming out by the root, but breaking off... ugh.

**Sleeveroo** · 06-15-2015 09:21 AM

I am 3.5 weeks post op and very concerned about the possibility of future hair loss. I had a hair transplant years ago and have been advised to take 2 medications to keep the hair loss to a minimum. I have no idea if that will help now. All I can do now is take bariatric vitamins, biotin and 80+ grams of protein per day. Apparently many of us will have hair loss within the first year. Not looking forward to it but at least it will grow back.