Hair loss

[IamDetermined]

Hi all- I haven't been on this site in while. Not since I've had my surgery anyways. Well, one of my many concerns about having the gastric sleeve, was hair loss. It didn't take long for that to come to fruition, much to my dismay. My surgery was 9/4 and within weeks the hair loss has tripled what it used to be. I'm not sure what I can do to stop it. I had been taking Biotin long before the surgery, because I was having some hair loss ( minor in comparison to what is happening right now). If anyone has any advise for me would be greatly appreciated. I'm so worried I will lose all my hair and it will never grow back. :-(

[Ann2]

Don't worry. The hair loss will stop on its own. Really. I promise. I'm not kidding.

You can learn all about this on the interwebz if you google "telogen effluvium". That's what the process of hair loss post WLS and other surgeries is called.

A.

[KiwiGal]

Some people have a little hair loss, some have a lot, some none at all. I'm not sure of the scientific reason behind it. I guess our bodies are changing quite a bit and there are all sorts of hormonal things happening.
I started losing hair about 3 months after surgery. I have a lot of hair and it is short so it thankfully wasn't a big deal for me. I only really noticed because there was quite a bit of it in the hand basin in the bathroom in the morning. I didn't take anything specifically for it.....just my regular multi vitamin.
Mine has most certainly grown back. I haven't heard of anyone who has had total hair loss and that it hasn't grown back.
There will be others along shortly who will be able to give some advice.

[ThatGirlKat]

I had loss from about month 4 to month 8-9. It has definitely slowed and I see some growing back in. You can also take Collagen along with Biotin. Also, be gentle on your hair. I try not to dry it or use heat as much as I can. I also switched to a different kind of ponytail holder that is gentler on hair.

[EllisM80]

My doctor & nutritionist told me that there is no amount of vitamins or Biotin that will help you keep your hair loss from happening. He told me not to waste my money. I've lost quite a bit myself but I don't care. I used to before my surgery but I'm so excited about getting my health back that I am fully prepared to buy a wig.

[Christie13]

To be clear biotin will not stop hair loss. It just helps with the regrowth. I can tell you I started to take biotin pre op and I could see my hair getting thicker and fuller. It was obvious to the point that even co workers were noticing how great my hair was looking. That being said the bulk of my hair loss was between months 4-9 but still had some loss for a bit over the following months. It definitely grew back. I cut mine short while it was growing back out. It is not forever and with creative styling you can kind of hide it.

[sraebaer]

Most people only have slight hair loss, so sorry this is happening to you. But I promise, it does grow back. I never took anything extra for hair loss, but have thick hair so it wasn't noticable. I was lucky.

Now let's look at the bright side, are you losing weight? Feeling and looking better? That's what I got excited about!

[AnnieG]

i had pretty severe hair loss -- I had a 2nd surgery and blood transfusions on the same day as my surgery, so lots of stress.

My hair now is coming in thicker than before, and still curly, still nice. Just very short as it seems to be taking a while. Then again, it had to "kcik back" into activity. So don't be discouraged. Be gentle to the new hair coming in. Keep your scalp clean, but consider co-washing. Theree are also hair fibers that can fill in the "blank" spots. And I got a couple of wigs.

But it does come back!

[Stacey03]

I didn't really think I had lost much but my hair is so much thicker now that I think I did! I took biotin for a while and then stopped but I do take a heap of supplements. I think it is just all part of the process and I'm sure it will stop and get better. I also use the whole opolex system and my hairdresser uses it in my colour and this has made a massive change to the condition of my hair... but that's not really to do with hair loss but might be nice for later. Try not to worry too much. I also like christie had my hair cut short and am now growing it long again. I think it benefitted from a good chop and short haircuts are chic.

[Sandra3]

Genetic does play a big part in our locks. I lose my hair for many reasons..pregnancies, fever etc..

For example, if I have surgery, the anesthesia will make me find my hair on the pillow the very next morning..I lost my hair for a few days right after VSG, then from month 4 to 8..
But I stopped the biotin (took it before the surgery, until my be month 6), since hair was growing on my chin and not on my head!!

I also got a short pixie hair cut in August 2017 because my hair being too long it looked bad. my hairdresser also saw a big difference when I had my iron infusion in September, my hair was so much better!! anemia is bad for your hair!! Make sure your ferritin level is ok!

So don't worry, enjoy your sleeve, and in the mean time just get some Toppik or other brand of keratin powder, it will hide the "bold spots" really well.

[Loveangel104]

Genetic does play a big part in our locks. I lose my hair for many reasons..pregnancies, fever etc..

For example, if I have surgery, the anesthesia will make me find my hair on the pillow the very next morning..I lost my hair for a few days right after VSG, then from month 4 to 8..
But I stopped the biotin (took it before the surgery, until my be month 6), since hair was growing on my chin and not on my head!!

I also got a short pixie hair cut in August 2017 because my hair being too long it looked bad. my hairdresser also saw a big difference when I had my iron infusion in September, my hair was so much better!! anemia is bad for your hair!! Make sure your ferritin level is ok!

So don't worry, enjoy your sleeve, and in the mean time just get some Toppik or other brand of keratin powder, it will hide the "bold spots" really well.

Sandra,
this makes so much sense! THANK YOU! I'm anemic with low ferratin levels. Ive always had thin hair which just sheds.

Just finished a course of infusions and my levels are normal. Been taking biotin too since before surgery since I wanted to help it out, and it had done wonders. It still falls out, and as I'm approaching 3rd month from surgery, it makes sense. Ill live with it. I'm due for a haircut. Haven't had one since October 2017....

~*~Chrisitna~*~

[IamDetermined]

Thank you to everyone who responded. I'm trying to stay hopeful. I just hope I don't go totally bald before the hair starts growing back, if it ever will. I will take your advises. Thanks again.

[MissSparkie]

In June 2013 I had my sleeve done. I started losing my hair around month 5 and continued for about a year. I have always had thick hair so I wasn't to concerned at first. But after a year it was super thin and I started wearing hats and caps, but it did slowly grew back.