Post-Op Healthy Hair & Skin
February 18, 2013Post-Op Healthy Hair & Skin
The number one concern from my patients before weight loss surgery is usually related to their hair and how to keep it on their heads. They either had a friend or know someone who knows someone whose hair fell out after surgery. My usual response is not something they want to hear. Hair loss after weight loss surgery is not always under the patient’s control. This is because our hair has normal cycles of growth, rest, shedding and re-growth. When we have a shock or trauma to our bodies, it sends our hair into the shedding phase. This is called telogen effluvium. Some causes of telogen effluvium include childbirth, severe infections and major surgery. It usually occurs several weeks to several months after the shock and resolves two to three months after it began. So what can you do to keep as much of your hair as possible? Adequate protein is very important. Although it won’t prevent your hair from shedding, it can be much worse than necessary if protein intake is not adequate. Biotin is a supplement that promotes new hair growth, so although it won’t prevent the hair loss, it will make the new growth healthier.
One of the other common questions I get from prospective weight loss surgery patients involves their skin and their concern about wrinkles and elasticity of their skin. Again, the answer is not always what they want to hear. Skin elasticity and wrinkling are genetically related. If you want to know how and where you will wrinkle the most, your best bet is to look at your parents and their skin. In my experience, the amount of excess skin on the arms or abdomen is related to the weight of the patient before surgery, the amount of weight lost and their genetics. It is almost certain that if someone loses 100 pounds or more, they will have excess skin somewhere. Although there are lots of creams and lotions available that claim to remove stretch marks and decrease cellulite, most are not all they claim to be. A good moisturizer with sunscreen for your face is a must and keeping your skin properly hydrated with adequate fluid everyday is also beneficial.
Good advice on hair and skin care is available from a reputable hair salon, but no product is as beneficial for overall health (including hair and skin) as good nutrition. Check out the community tips for hair loss that were shared by ObesityHelp members!
Bryn Hamilton RD, LD has been a Registered Dietitian for nearly 22 years and has worked exclusively with bariatric patients for the past five years. She is certified in Adult Weight Management by the American Dietetic Association.
