Hair loss Ds vs. Vsg

I am right there with you, I have very fine hair and experienced hair loss following a medical condition about a year ago.  I had the sleeve surgery in Dec 2014 and have not had any complications with hair loss.  The informational packet from my surgeon said if you don't get enough protein following surgery that's when you can experience hair loss.  I've been really good at keeping my protein at 60-80mg daily so I think that has helped.  

I lost 70% of the thickness of my hair. The more protein you consume the less hair you lose and the faster it fills back in. It sucks and I am almost 2 years post op and very little hair has come back. My hair length is to my hips which took me 16 years to grow, so very upsetting. But still better then being over 300 lbs! I have no regrets with having the VSG. If anything I would of had the bypass to lose more weight (stalled at 50 lbs from goal, a year ago). 

Wow Nikky,  Your hair is super, super long and thick - I wouldn't want to lose it neither.  But being over 400lbs is a good reason to have a DS.  You may be able to hold your weight now and be fairly ok but as we get older our bodies begin to age and are less tolerant to our weight and we begin breaking down.  At 5'5 I could not hold 267lbs and diabetes was knocking at my door.  I'd rather take bald and fit.

By the way, I lost lots of hair with the Lap Band - this is adhering to protein rule and very healthy diet and taking vitamins,  biotin and every topical treatment available.  This was way past the anesthesia stage.  I was 2+ years post-op when I finally began to lose weight and hair with weigh****chers support (62lbs lost  in a year).  For me I believe I lost hair and texture change when my body began to release hormones as the fat cells began to deflate.  My hair came back beautifully - I never appreciated my hair texture so much (if you into the natural thing, I am a mostly 3c some 4a curl texture).

I have experienced no hair loss with my VSG - but I too have not lost weight  (still down from where I started,but not my lowest).  It sucks losing hair but the weight loss is so worth it and our hair actually grows back when we let it be, stop being afraid of our roots and stop traumatizing our scalp and hair with chemicals, extensions, weaves etc.

All the very best to you Nikky with your upcoming surgery.  All success for you 

Thank u but Im not doing well this size! I don't have any major health problems (thank God) just SMO so this surgery is prevenative for me! But can I get kudos for losing 50lbs on my own im 386 as of today!! 

Bad news is that there is no way to predict if you will lose hair or not.  The odds are you will, the question is "how much"?  Some people get away with a little and there are a few people - like me - who lose a ton of hair.  I lost over half my hair and my scalp was very visible and had to be hid with clever styling and Toppik hair fibers.  

Losing hair is related to telogen effluvium and no vitamin or shampoo is going to prevent it.  Google it, do your research and don't be afraid to use hair pieces to handle any short-term loss.  

From Harvard Health Publications the reason for Telogen Effluvium:

Surgery

• Major physical trauma

• Major psychological stress

• High fever, severe infection or other illness

• Extreme weight loss

• Extreme change in diet

• Abrupt hormonal changes, including those associated with childbirth and menopause

• Iron deficiency

Given that we all fall under Extreme change in diet, extreme weight loss, and surgery, it's just about a given that it will happen.  Interestingly enough, anesthesia is not mentioned as a cause.

• Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism

sometimes hair loss happens after any surgery, but with WLS you need to keep up your protein intake. i take vitamins with biotin and use a keratin shampoo to strengthen my hair. It seems to be working.