Introduction of Marie

[mariemoore]

Hi:
My name is Marie and I've had the sleeve gastrectomy surgery on September 26, 2016. It's been just about four months since the procedure and I've been having a lot of hair loss in that time. Has anybody else had this happen to them? I am taking the vitamins that I'm suppose to take. I believe I'm eating enough protein but maybe I'm not drinking enough water. I have to go to doctor to make sure it's not another issue like alopecia or part of the aging process, since I am 58 years old and post-menopausal. I just would like to know if this is a possible side effect of having the sleeve gastrectomy procedure. Please help with whatever advice possible. Thank you.

[Leslieann]

Yes it is and it happens around your post op time. It will stop and your hair will be fine. We all hope when it happens that's it's not too bad. Have you used the vitamin Biotin?

Welcome Marie!! You'll learn a lot from this forum and people are super nice!!

[mariemoore]

Why thank you Leslieann for letting me know so soon. I was getting really worried because it's alot of hair that I'm losing. That is a relief to know. I'll see my surgeon on March 1st and bring it up to him also. Yes I've heard of Biotin and I'm going to go to vitamin shoppe and buy a bottle today. Thank you again Leslie - I truly appreciate it.

[Shirl]

Hi Marie,

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your successes so far!

What do you mean "you believe" you are eating enough protein??? If you are tracking you macronutrients you would know for sure, if you are playing it by ear you may be missing on necessary quality calories and nutrients.

If you are tracking, at four months out you should have upped your protein to at least 80g more if you can.

My hair loss happened slowly, starting at 3 months post op and stopped, has restarted. I dropped the ball in December due to travel, there was about two weeks that I hardly ate because I was having stomach issues. There has been constant regrowth even when my hair has fallen. I started tracking my food again and averaging about 83g of protein daily.

Another thing that you need to keep in mind is that hair is not essential for human survival, so when we experience trauma in any form including major illness, surgery, reduced diets and stressful events our hair is first to forgo nutrients because our body goes into survival mode.

Sometimes genetics, gender, medications and age plays a role too.

Just make sure you are eating a high quality and protein dense diet, drink plenty of flyids and water (at least half of your current weight in ounces), taking your recommended multivitamins and supplements wouldn't hurt.

I keep my hair shorter than what I'm used to, and I use essential oils drops on my scalp nightly, wash my about twice a week with special shampoos and use products (Philip Kingsley and Just Natural) to enhance my hair. I don't know if it's helping but it makes me feel proactive and my hair feels, smells and still looks fabulous :-D (according to me... though I may be in denial lol!)

[Christie13]

Happens in about 40% of sleeve patients. Usually lasts a few months and will eventually grow back. Totally normal.

[Sandra3]

Hey Marie!
Nothing to worry about, hair loss is pretty commune for bariatric patients.
I lost a lot of hair between month 3 and 6. It's starting to grow back now, for may be 2 or 3 months. Frankly biotin didn't help much and it actually help grow hair on my chin and not my head. I stopped it a few months ago. But My hair grows back now, in the mean time to hide my thin spots I use a keratin powder the color of my hair and nobody can notice (brand Toppik or Fusion).
Just stay on top of eating enough protein daily (I eat 60gr per day min) and have a blood test regularly to check your vitamin levels. When my anemia was at it's worth, so was my hair loss.

[Luna354]

Hi Marie,
I was told hair loss is pretty common around months 3-6 but then it should stop after that. I thought I read biotin helps new hair grow, not prevent hair loss. I'm fairly concerned about hair loss because I was losing a lot before I think due to perimentapause.

[Romandona]

Hi, I was sleeved on March 15, 2016 and I have had hair loss, apparent to me, but not to others. Mostly around my crown area where my hair parts. I started readjusting the part and spoke to my hairdresser about it. Biotin does not help prevent hair loss, but assists in hair growth. I have had new hair growth in that area for the past two months and it looks better, but I constantly monitor it. I find the Biotin helped me. I take 1000mg a day. I'm so happy to say that after 10 months I've lost over 100 pounds and feel great.

Good luck to you.

[mariemoore]

Congratulation Romandona on your weight loss!! Thank you for responding and letting me know about the hair loss. I feel a bit better about the hair loss from surgery because I was imagining all kinds of other thoughts. I will definitely buy a bottle of Biotin. Thanks for your advice.

[Emmeraldas]

This is a video that another member posted in a different message base. I found it informative and enjoyable. It explains the issue of hair loss very well in a way that is easy to understand. Hope it helps.

https://youtu.be/gI6li4nBpws

[mariemoore]

Thank you so much Emmeraldas - I really appreciate you sending me that link. It was very informative. Thanks again.

[Emmeraldas]

Just a little follow up..... The hair loss seems to have slowed down.... the shower drain only has half a critter in it when I am done. LOL. I noticed the shedding is less. Hopefully I will be back to normal in a few weeks.