Hair Loss Concern/Vitamin Question
I'm in the process of trying to get insurance approval for Laprascopic RNY (Buffalo NY - Dr. Viliganco) and my main concern with possible side effects from this surgery is HAIR LOSS. I have fine hair now and shed quite a bit already and I really don't want to lose any more hair.
Did your surgeons recommend taking anything or doing anything to try and precent this from happening?
Also, what vitamins do all of you take daily? I've read that you should take chewable vitamins that are specifically designed for individuals who have had gastric bypass and have also read from some that you can get them cheaper off Ebay? That would be nice....
Did your surgeons recommend taking anything or doing anything to try and precent this from happening?
Also, what vitamins do all of you take daily? I've read that you should take chewable vitamins that are specifically designed for individuals who have had gastric bypass and have also read from some that you can get them cheaper off Ebay? That would be nice....
If the only side effect you have from surgery is hair loss, count your blessings. There are many complications that can come with surgery, just read the boards....reactive hypoglycemia, seizures, strictures, etc.
Hair loss is brought on by the trauma of surgery and anesthesia. I don't think there is anything you can really do to prevent hair loss completely, but there are things you can do to make it less drastic.
Make sure you get enough protein
Take your vitamins DAILY.
You can see my vitamin schedule on my profile.
I also have fine hair. I lost a good amount of hair from 3-6 months, but it all grew back. The texture is a bit different (a bit of a curl now), but it's all good.
Hair loss is brought on by the trauma of surgery and anesthesia. I don't think there is anything you can really do to prevent hair loss completely, but there are things you can do to make it less drastic.
Make sure you get enough protein
Take your vitamins DAILY.
You can see my vitamin schedule on my profile.
I also have fine hair. I lost a good amount of hair from 3-6 months, but it all grew back. The texture is a bit different (a bit of a curl now), but it's all good.
Rachelle
Looking for a possible revision.
257/190/150
My drs (surgeon & pcp) told me it's probably an inevitable side-effect but I still felt like you do. I didn't let it hold me back though. Like Rachel, I lost from about 3-6 months & both of my drs said to make sure I get as much protein as possible (min 70grams), all of my vitamins & to try taking 2000mcg of Biotin daily. They said there isn't clear evidence that the biotin does or doesn't work but they put it out there for their patients anyway. I have been taking it since day one & I think it helped me. Maybe it's all in my head but I'll take it!! I also consulted with my hair dresser. We decided to back off the highlights for a while, avoid as much heat damage as possible & only wa**** when absolutely necessary (every 3 days or so). I am pleased with how it is now - still a work in progress but I believe I didn't cause anymore damage than what the surgery did!!! I have since cut a good 3 inches off & gone back to adding a few highlights. We're getting there!!
Good luck & don't worry too much about it... it all comes back!!!
Cece
Good luck & don't worry too much about it... it all comes back!!!
Cece
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... it is about learning how to dance in the rain!"
Everyone has different concerns with surgery, will they be able to eat x food agazin, will they die, will they lose hair..it is personal perspective.
This is not a POSSIBLE side-effect this is a guarenteed outcome due to rapid wt loss, severe malnutrition/diet postop, trauma of surgery to the body, anesthesia..what can u do to prevent it? (nothing aside from Stay morbidly obese and not have surgery)...
So many preops ask aboutthis here is my saved canned response........
You will probably receive a lot of advice on your hair loss question, some conflicting, as we all have opinions I will add mine!
First understanding the nature of the hair loss will help guide your 'solution' (*probably time and best nutrition is all there is!).
Hair loss occurs frequently with any form of dieting/weight loss. After WLS MANY (I have seen 30-50% as the stats) patients experience hair thinning or hair which is easily removed during washing/combing---loss. Once you have the surgery, your caloric intake is drastically reduced to a mere 300-600 calories a day. This puts the body in an "emergency/starvation" mode as it thinks something is terribly wrong, (it used to get up to 10X that amount!) and it begins to focus ONLY on supporting the vital organs that will sustain life. Hair has never been under the category of a "life-sustaining" organ; therefore, the body puts the hair on the back burner until it is sure that the body is going to be okay enough to again send nutrients to the hair.
Protein and iron deficiencies are a common cause, and increasing both can help *BUT that can take 3 months of so!*. It starts generally around 3-6 months and stop around 6-9 months postop (*but can occur anytime there is a deficiency). This is because immediately following WLS adequate protein intake is difficult and it takes about 3 months for the effects to become evident, therefore taking in additional protein via shakes/supplements this minute will not yield results for a few months!. There are also many other things including medications that can cause hair loss, to name a few *not all inclusive):
· Ace inhibitors for high BP (lisinopril, monopril etc)
· Actigall taken to prevent gallstones ***MANY are on this for up to 1 yr postop regularly!**
· allopurinal taken for gout
· anticoagulants, (coumadin)
· anti-depressants
· anti-thyroid medicine
· beta-blockers for high bp & heart disease
· birth control pills
· tagamet for stomach acid
· lithium, depakote, tegretol all are mood stabilizers (last 2 are also anticonvulsants)
Other factors to consider as well:
· mineral/vitamin insufficiency (specifically zinc, Biotin (a B vitamin), Selenium)
· major systemic stress (surgery trauma, anesthesia...)
· Chronic diseases (Syphilis, Cancer, Thyroid disorders, Lupus etc)
Scalp infections (ringworm etc)
I waited 1 yr after WLS to highlight my hair, to avoid any further trauma. I used to do it every 3 months pre WLS. (been gray up front since my 20's!). I can not say if this was the correct thing to do? I recommend you speak with an experienced hairdresser on this if you were wanting to do any treatment to hair ok! Cutting hair may help it look healthier and fuller, so that may be a good start! I wanted my deficiencies/trauma to be minimal so as when dying I wouldn't impose more stress on the hair! *again not sure if this view is correct? any hairdressers out there? basically this is what I have read: chemical hair treatments such as perms or coloring, even blow drying your hair or wearing a ponytail can thin out your hair. http://www.folica.com/Hair_Loss_Overv_d1287.html Traumatic alopecia: This "man-made" form of hair loss is caused by hairdressing techniques that do at least one of the following: pull the hair (tight braiding or corn-rowing); expose hair to extreme heat and twisting (curling iron or hot rollers); or damage the hair with strong chemicals (bleaching, hair coloring, permanent waves).
TREATMENTS: ***NOTE if you know the cause such as low protein or low iron or low zinc/selenium/biotin fine otherwise you may be wasting money).
Increase protein intake (we need at least 60gmsa day according to most sources, remember we malabsorb some we take in! So think protein shakes predigested Whey!), & make sure you are taking a good quality multivitamin. Some people use Rogaine for women and some people take a natural B vitamin product called biotin (5mg 1-2x day), Selenium 200mcg 1-2x day and Zinc 50mg 1-2x day. Also some have reported that biotin shampoo sometimes helps (beware too much zinc for too long can raise cholesterol...and possibly lower your HDL and lower your immunity also)....
In reality treating the underlying cause is necessary (so if from trauma of surgery/rapid wt loss/protein malnutrition then ONLY time will help and upping protein as early as possible for today's hair loss is from malnutrition/trauma 3 months ago, over time if your focused on the protein and vits it will stop and regrow! (no extra expensive vits or minerals/shampoos needed!), people say this vit or that shampoo did it when in essence most likely TIME was the biggest factor! Taking those things are using them may of lessened our worry and helped pass the time better
A little more on this: http://www.ahlc.org/causes-f.htm
There are two different types of hair loss, medically known as anagen effluvium and Telogen effluvium. Anagen effluvium is generally due to internally administered medications, such as chemotherapy agents, that poison the growing hair follicle. Telogen effluvium, is due to an increased number of hair follicles entering the resting stage.
The most common causes of telogen effluvium are:
Physical stress: surgery, illness, anemia, and rapid weight change.
Emotional stress: mental illness, death of a family member.
Thyroid abnormalities.
Medications: High doses of Vitamin A, Blood pressure and Gout medications.
Hormonal causes: pregnancy, birth control pills, and menopause.
When the above causes of telogen effluvium are reversed or altered you should see the return of normal hair growth.
DIET CONSIDERATIONS
Hair loss may also occur due to dieting. Franchised diet programs which are designed or administered under the direction of a physician with prescribed meals, dietary supplements and vitamin ingestion have become popular. Sometimes the client is told that vitamins are a necessary part of the program to prevent hair loss associated with dieting. From a dermatologist's standpoint, however, the vitamins cannot prevent hair loss associated with rapid, significant weight loss. Furthermore, many of these supplements are high in vitamin A which can magnify the hair loss.
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL STRESS
Surgeries, severe illnesses and emotional stress can cause hair loss. The body simply shuts down production of hair during periods of stress since it is not necessary for survival and instead devotes its energies toward repairing vital body structures. In many cases there is a three-month delay between the actual event and the onset of hair loss. Furthermore, there may be another three-month delay prior to the return of noticeable hair regrowth. This then means that the total hair loss and regrowth cycle can last 6 months or possibly longer when induced by physical or emotional stress. There are some health conditions which may go undetected that can contribute to hair loss. These include anemia or low blood count and thyroid abnormalities. Both of these conditions can be detected by a simple, inexpensive blood test.
HORMONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Hormonal changes are a common cause of female hair loss. Many women do not realize that hair loss can occur after pregnancy or following discontinuation of birth control pills. It is important to remember that the hair loss may be delayed by three months following the hormonal change and another three months will be required for new growth to be fully achieved.
MYTHS RELATED TO HAIR LOSS
? Frequent shampooing contributes to hair loss.
? Hats and wigs cause hair loss.
? 100 strokes of the hair brush daily will create healthier hair.
? Permanent hair loss is caused by perms, colors and other cosmetic treatments.
? Women are expected to develop significant hair loss if they are healthy.
? Shaving one's head will cause the hair to grow back thicker.
? Standing on one's head will cause increased circulation and thereby stimulate hair growth!
? Dandruff causes permanent hair loss.
? There are cosmetic products that will cause the hair to grow thicker and faster.
? Stress causes permanent hair loss.
? Hair loss does not occur in the late teens or early twenties.
? Hair loss affects only intellectuals.
? There is a cure for androgenetic Alopecia.
These are only a few of the common myths heard by physicians and other hair loss specialists on a daily basis. The AHLC suggests that you first have your hair loss diagnosed by a competent dermatologist who sees hair loss patients on a regular basis. Once you know the diagnosis you will have a better understanding of exactly which treatment option may be best for you.
YOUR DISTRESS may make situation worse in fact, understanding, surrendering to, accepting and doing all you can will help the most..be well.
This is not a POSSIBLE side-effect this is a guarenteed outcome due to rapid wt loss, severe malnutrition/diet postop, trauma of surgery to the body, anesthesia..what can u do to prevent it? (nothing aside from Stay morbidly obese and not have surgery)...
So many preops ask aboutthis here is my saved canned response........
You will probably receive a lot of advice on your hair loss question, some conflicting, as we all have opinions I will add mine!
First understanding the nature of the hair loss will help guide your 'solution' (*probably time and best nutrition is all there is!).
Hair loss occurs frequently with any form of dieting/weight loss. After WLS MANY (I have seen 30-50% as the stats) patients experience hair thinning or hair which is easily removed during washing/combing---loss. Once you have the surgery, your caloric intake is drastically reduced to a mere 300-600 calories a day. This puts the body in an "emergency/starvation" mode as it thinks something is terribly wrong, (it used to get up to 10X that amount!) and it begins to focus ONLY on supporting the vital organs that will sustain life. Hair has never been under the category of a "life-sustaining" organ; therefore, the body puts the hair on the back burner until it is sure that the body is going to be okay enough to again send nutrients to the hair.
Protein and iron deficiencies are a common cause, and increasing both can help *BUT that can take 3 months of so!*. It starts generally around 3-6 months and stop around 6-9 months postop (*but can occur anytime there is a deficiency). This is because immediately following WLS adequate protein intake is difficult and it takes about 3 months for the effects to become evident, therefore taking in additional protein via shakes/supplements this minute will not yield results for a few months!. There are also many other things including medications that can cause hair loss, to name a few *not all inclusive):
· Ace inhibitors for high BP (lisinopril, monopril etc)
· Actigall taken to prevent gallstones ***MANY are on this for up to 1 yr postop regularly!**
· allopurinal taken for gout
· anticoagulants, (coumadin)
· anti-depressants
· anti-thyroid medicine
· beta-blockers for high bp & heart disease
· birth control pills
· tagamet for stomach acid
· lithium, depakote, tegretol all are mood stabilizers (last 2 are also anticonvulsants)
Other factors to consider as well:
· mineral/vitamin insufficiency (specifically zinc, Biotin (a B vitamin), Selenium)
· major systemic stress (surgery trauma, anesthesia...)
· Chronic diseases (Syphilis, Cancer, Thyroid disorders, Lupus etc)
Scalp infections (ringworm etc)
I waited 1 yr after WLS to highlight my hair, to avoid any further trauma. I used to do it every 3 months pre WLS. (been gray up front since my 20's!). I can not say if this was the correct thing to do? I recommend you speak with an experienced hairdresser on this if you were wanting to do any treatment to hair ok! Cutting hair may help it look healthier and fuller, so that may be a good start! I wanted my deficiencies/trauma to be minimal so as when dying I wouldn't impose more stress on the hair! *again not sure if this view is correct? any hairdressers out there? basically this is what I have read: chemical hair treatments such as perms or coloring, even blow drying your hair or wearing a ponytail can thin out your hair. http://www.folica.com/Hair_Loss_Overv_d1287.html Traumatic alopecia: This "man-made" form of hair loss is caused by hairdressing techniques that do at least one of the following: pull the hair (tight braiding or corn-rowing); expose hair to extreme heat and twisting (curling iron or hot rollers); or damage the hair with strong chemicals (bleaching, hair coloring, permanent waves).
TREATMENTS: ***NOTE if you know the cause such as low protein or low iron or low zinc/selenium/biotin fine otherwise you may be wasting money).
Increase protein intake (we need at least 60gms
In reality treating the underlying cause is necessary (so if from trauma of surgery/rapid wt loss/protein malnutrition then ONLY time will help and upping protein as early as possible for today's hair loss is from malnutrition/trauma 3 months ago, over time if your focused on the protein and vits it will stop and regrow! (no extra expensive vits or minerals/shampoos needed!), people say this vit or that shampoo did it when in essence most likely TIME was the biggest factor! Taking those things are using them may of lessened our worry and helped pass the time better
A little more on this: http://www.ahlc.org/causes-f.htm
There are two different types of hair loss, medically known as anagen effluvium and Telogen effluvium. Anagen effluvium is generally due to internally administered medications, such as chemotherapy agents, that poison the growing hair follicle. Telogen effluvium, is due to an increased number of hair follicles entering the resting stage.
The most common causes of telogen effluvium are:
Physical stress: surgery, illness, anemia, and rapid weight change.
Emotional stress: mental illness, death of a family member.
Thyroid abnormalities.
Medications: High doses of Vitamin A, Blood pressure and Gout medications.
Hormonal causes: pregnancy, birth control pills, and menopause.
When the above causes of telogen effluvium are reversed or altered you should see the return of normal hair growth.
DIET CONSIDERATIONS
Hair loss may also occur due to dieting. Franchised diet programs which are designed or administered under the direction of a physician with prescribed meals, dietary supplements and vitamin ingestion have become popular. Sometimes the client is told that vitamins are a necessary part of the program to prevent hair loss associated with dieting. From a dermatologist's standpoint, however, the vitamins cannot prevent hair loss associated with rapid, significant weight loss. Furthermore, many of these supplements are high in vitamin A which can magnify the hair loss.
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL STRESS
Surgeries, severe illnesses and emotional stress can cause hair loss. The body simply shuts down production of hair during periods of stress since it is not necessary for survival and instead devotes its energies toward repairing vital body structures. In many cases there is a three-month delay between the actual event and the onset of hair loss. Furthermore, there may be another three-month delay prior to the return of noticeable hair regrowth. This then means that the total hair loss and regrowth cycle can last 6 months or possibly longer when induced by physical or emotional stress. There are some health conditions which may go undetected that can contribute to hair loss. These include anemia or low blood count and thyroid abnormalities. Both of these conditions can be detected by a simple, inexpensive blood test.
HORMONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Hormonal changes are a common cause of female hair loss. Many women do not realize that hair loss can occur after pregnancy or following discontinuation of birth control pills. It is important to remember that the hair loss may be delayed by three months following the hormonal change and another three months will be required for new growth to be fully achieved.
MYTHS RELATED TO HAIR LOSS
? Frequent shampooing contributes to hair loss.
? Hats and wigs cause hair loss.
? 100 strokes of the hair brush daily will create healthier hair.
? Permanent hair loss is caused by perms, colors and other cosmetic treatments.
? Women are expected to develop significant hair loss if they are healthy.
? Shaving one's head will cause the hair to grow back thicker.
? Standing on one's head will cause increased circulation and thereby stimulate hair growth!
? Dandruff causes permanent hair loss.
? There are cosmetic products that will cause the hair to grow thicker and faster.
? Stress causes permanent hair loss.
? Hair loss does not occur in the late teens or early twenties.
? Hair loss affects only intellectuals.
? There is a cure for androgenetic Alopecia.
These are only a few of the common myths heard by physicians and other hair loss specialists on a daily basis. The AHLC suggests that you first have your hair loss diagnosed by a competent dermatologist who sees hair loss patients on a regular basis. Once you know the diagnosis you will have a better understanding of exactly which treatment option may be best for you.
YOUR DISTRESS may make situation worse in fact, understanding, surrendering to, accepting and doing all you can will help the most..be well.
Take Care, 
Jamie Ellis RN MS NPP
100cm proximal Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh Albany, NY
320(preop)/163(lowest)/185(current) 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery)
Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com
http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jamiecatlady5/
"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"
Jamie Ellis RN MS NPP
100cm proximal Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh Albany, NY
320(preop)/163(lowest)/185(current) 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery)
Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com
http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jamiecatlady5/
"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"
I agree with the rest....you might lose some hair...but, it grows back. Just make sure you get your daily protein and take your vitamins. My doctor recommends Optisource. They also have another one at Synergy now that they recommend. It costs about $26 a month...but, I figure I'm worth it...and you are too! Good luck!
Rosemary
Rosemary
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