Question:
What causes the hair to fall out?
I have heard that many people can or have lost their hair. What causes this and have many people experienced hair loss? — Jennifer L. (posted on June 2, 2001)
June 2, 2001
I wouldn't know how many have lost hair as a result of weight loss, but it
has a lot to do with the amount of protein you take in (hair and nails are
keratin, which is, I think, a form of protein), as well as your general
condition - the amount of nutrients you are taking in. So you got to take
your supplements and stay with the program!
— [Anonymous]
June 2, 2001
I disagree with the previous post. The reason for the hairloss is the
malnutrition that your body goes through after the surgery, NOT the
protein. I does not matter if you take in 60 grams of protein or 160
grams. If you are destined to lose your hair, then you will. You can't
predict who will lose and who will not.
— [Anonymous]
June 2, 2001
I was told by my surgeon & dietician that its a little of both. Protein
deficiency and fast weight loss, and the shock your body is going thru from
the surgery itself. And since I have MS...I was told the shock could stress
my body and cause the MS to flareup as well. Your body goes through alot
very quickly.
— Karla K.
June 2, 2001
There are many schools of thought about this. I REALLY did not want to lose
my hair post op so I supplemented my protein post op and have followed my
vitamin and mineral supplelments. I am actually losing all of my hair at a
rapid rate. I have had labwork that shows that my nutrition status is
perfect. However, I am going bald. I had extremely thick hair preop,
otherwise I would be completely bald by now. So as far as why it falls out,
I have to put more emphasis on the stress of surgery, as does my surgeon.
However, since this is such a controversial subject and I feel no one knows
for sure, I also supplement. I see only positive things to adding
protein(60gm supplemented + food). If there actually IS a need for
supplementing and some benefits, then why risk it?
— Shelley.
June 2, 2001
Frankly...protein is all bunk. I lost my hair at age 19 after my wisdom
teeth were surgically removed. Then again at age 24 after sinus surgery.
I lost my hair yet again after I had a tubaligation. And then again after
WLS, and now again since my Gallbladder came out. Coincidence? I don't
think so. Since I was neither malnourished nor was I lacking protein
before WLS then why did I lose my hair? Surgery can do many things to a
persons body and losing hair is one of them.
— [Anonymous]
June 2, 2001
Funny how many 'anonymouses' we have on this question. hmmmm? Well, I
believe it is surgery stress. This is the biggest single change that I can
imagine a body undertaking -- cutting away the stomach, bypassing much of
the intestine! Wow! What a shock! In addition, many of us also have things
removed -- gall bladders, appendix, some have tubal ligations at the same
time. Any one of those things can shock the body, add it up! Now as to
protein, lack of sufficient protein, I believe, can worsen the hair loss.
And, some people don't experience hair loss at all. Why? They don't exactly
know. The best advice is to follow your doctor's advice and roll with the
punches. Whatever happens to your hair, it gets better later.
— Cindy H.
June 2, 2001
There are many theories on what causes the hairloss after WLS here is
mine!!!! .. Thyroid hormone abnormalities, and certain surgical procedures,
which place a lot of stress on the body, can also cause hair loss. A high
fever that lasts several days, severe infection, rapid weight loss,
protein- and iron-deficient diets and some medications... So if you look
at that list, already we have three strikes there!!! WLS (a surgery
procedure) and Rapid Weighloss (self explanatory) & protein & iron
deficiencies (Yep again) .. Medications can also be a reason (such as
anticoagulants, isotretinoin, etretinate, lithium and birth control pills)
can cause hair to fall out, too. Generally, hair loss associated with
telogen effluvium stops two to three months after its cause is pinpointed.
If a specific medication caused the condition, your doctor may be able to
recommend a substitute drug.. When my hair started raining down, which by
the way is around the 3rd month post-op, I talked to my surgeon about my
hair loss and he recommend Z-Bec and Biotin (Both are at Walmart) and
protein, that combination slowed my hairloss at 6th month post-op and at 10
months post-op started getting new growth...
— Victoria B.
June 3, 2001
I am currently in the throws of major hair loss, I am 5 months post-op
today. My hair is not only falling out but the texture has also changed to
baby fine and curly. I have heard the protein thing, that can't be it, I
have been religious about 60+ grams a day since pre-op. I have heard the
anesthesia theory before-makes sense, can't do anything about it. I have
recently started a zinc supplement as I was zinc deficient, a cause of
alopecia. I am using Nioxin also. Bottom line, it happens to some of us!
Quite frankly, I would rather be bald as a bowling ball, then as fat as I
was 5 months ago. Apparently, the hair loss is temporary and does grow back
6 months post-op, until then, I have gotten creative with my hairstyle!
— Margaret S.
June 3, 2001
I had open RNY with general anesthesia. Post-op, I faithfully took 60 gm of
protein supplement a day, as well as a vitamin/mineral supplement with lots
of vitamin A and zinc. At 3 months (to the day) so much hair came out when
I shampood that it was the size of a softball. I increased my protein to 90
gm and, a week later, only 1/2 as much hair fell out. I added 900 mcg of
biotin and, a week later, hair loss stopped entirely. I continued this
regimen and now (8 months out) I have thick, shiny hair -- much better
quality than pre-op. In my opinion, good nutrition is the answer.
— Linda B.
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