significant hair loss???

i just read in one of the books that my surgeon's office recommended that gastric bypass patients almost always have significant hair loss between months 4 - 8 after surgery.  is this true?  i have not read this anywhere else and it's never been on a risk list that i've seen.  as a woman with a fully, healthy head of hair, i can't imagine that this will be as bad as they make it sound in the book.  (they said clumps!).  did this happen to anyone here???  had you heard this before??  is there anything one can do to prevent this from occuring?

It can be true, some people lose hair and others do not.  I happen to be one that lost hair and I am 14 months out and still losing it.  Its not horribe, only I really notice it but it is a pain

well that doesn't sound as drastic as the author made it sound.  i think the word "clumps" alarmed me a little!  i was just discussing it with my daughter and we decided that losing some hair is not exactly too high of a price to pay for wellness.  cancer survivors handle much worse and are happy to be alive in spite of complete hair loss sometimes.  i guess i just needed to get things into perspective in my mind.

I tought the same thing, so I lose some hair.  It is a bit of a shock, and I talked to my deratologist about it and here is what she said.  When you lose extreme amounts of weight, your body gets out of balance.  Once you level off in weight loss, steady weight for 4-6 months, your hair will start growing back, we really won't notice it for a 6 months because of the cycle of hair growth.  so I figure, i will level off in weight loss around the 18 month mark and hair will grow back.  just make sure you get the biotin and protein!!  Funny how i did not eat a lot of protein prior to weight loss and had no issues with hair loss and now I do.  So that is why I don't think it is all related to protein intake.

I am losing a lot of hair.  It just started about a week or so ago.  But from what I have read, the hair loss is less if you are getting all of your protein.  Which I am not so great about.   I notice most of it coming out when I wash my hair.  It covers my hands when I rinse the shampoo/conditioner out.  I hate it.

Hi. I am very new here, but was looking at other messages regarding this issue and some folks spoke of taking Biotin starting a month before the surgery. I know I was worried about it too, but like you said, small price to pay for better health, however, I TOTALLY understand being worried about it.  Search it on this website and you'll find a few good tips for trying to battle it. Good luck!!

Yes this is true.  I has to do with being put to sleep, your body going through big change and your vitamins.  I lost a lot the first couple months and I just had surgery again in May and it is coming out again.  BUT I am also taking Zinc, you have to keep up on your blood work to see what vitamins you may need or what you are lacking.  Zinc helped the first time.  I am not to sure about this time.  I am still working on that.  My NUT wants me eating a little veggies and fruit if I can.  Keep in mind everyone is different and every surgery is different when it comes to hair loss.  I still have a ton of hair but I can see there is a major problem. Hugs Kristen

well it would be a lie to say that doesn't concern me.  it really does.  however, at least i'm aware of it now and have some good advice on how i might be able to deal with it.  i think i would have completely lost it if this started happening without prior knowledge.  thanks everyone.  this is exactly why i like coming here.

I have been experiencing the hair loss. In my case, my hair was already quite thin. So it is quite noticable on me. It does not come out in clumps on me. But there is a definite change in texture and density. I read about Biotin online after I was already experiencing the loss. I started taking this supplement. (My surgeon confirmed this was OK and could help. It does not make hair grow back, but it can help make the hair you have stronger and less likely to fall out. It is also good for your nails. I am going to wait and see what happens after I am over 1 year post op to see if it comes back like they say or not. Still, even with this, I am still so much happier that I had the surgery. I do not regret it. Debbie

Pamela, Let me start by saying, " I'm not bald.  Nowhere near". I too already have very fine hair and have been losing hair since about 4 months out.  I am still losing at 9 months.  I take an additional vitamin supplement called Hair, Skin and Nails by Puritan's Pride.  My nut also told me to go ahead and use Rogaine if I want.  I had used Rogaine a few years ago when my thyroid problems led to hair loss.  Although, I am seeing some regrowth at the hairline and temples; I am still filling my brush and hands with lots of hair.  The worst, as others have said, is when I wash my hair. Everyone agrees that keeping up your protein is the most important thing to fight the hair loss issue.  And, Kristen's right, the surgery itself just whacks out the body. All in all, it's a fair trade off for better health. Keep the faith. Hugs ...