Is hair loss due to weight loss or the surgery itself?

My surgery was only 5 days ago, but over the past few weeks, I've started shedding more than a Persian cat! When I wash my hair, entire handfuls come out. From what I've heard, WLS doesn't cause hair loss for at least a few months, so I'm wondering if it's not even related. On the other hand, I've been losing about 10 lbs a month since last October, so if the hair loss is related to the weight loss, not the surgery itself, I would be right in the "butter zone" to start molting. Any words of wisdom? Is it surgery that causes hair loss directly, or is weight loss the culprit? I'm not bald yet, but I don't know how I still have any hair left!

it is actually a side effect of anesthesia. It is really too early for it to happen. Don't know why you are experiencing loss from losing weight unless you havent been getting enough protein.

Thanks for the info; that's interesting! I've definitely been getting enough protein -- I was aiming low-carb during my pre-op diet and regularly topped 200g a day. I did have an EGD in early March that was under general anesthesia though...I wonder if it could be a reaction from that. The timing certainly matches up.

Some people experience hair loss from any time of surgery.  You might be experiencing that.  Since you had been dieting for several months before your surgery, though, you might also be losing hair because of a vitamin deficiency.

The actual telogen effluvium, though, does indeed not begin until about the third or fourth month post op, so that is not the culprit for your current hair loss.

I would recommend speaking to your doctor about getting vitamin lab work done if you did not have any before you had surgery.

Lora

Telogen effluvium can be caused by any trauma; often the anaesthetic and although the damage is caused at the time of the trauma, the effect doesn't show until about three months later - so it can't be that. 

However, a very rapid and dramatic weight loss can also cause TE. But I wouldn't have counted 10lbs a month as dramatic or rapid. 

So it could be nutritional? Check with your nutritionist. 

I personally think it has to be the weight loss. I have had numerous surgeries, with anesthesia, and I have also had 2 pregnancies, all without losing any hair. I have been getting sufficient protein, water and vitamins since surgery 5 months ago and i still went from 2 1/2 months to about 4 months post op losing hair. it seems to have stopped now. I also had my vitamin levels checked at 4 months and they were good. it has to be the weight loss, at least in my opinion.

I've also been losing hair since I started my supervised weight loss phase on 10/1. Hair loss started 12/1 like clockwork and is still in full force. I'm only a month our from VSG so I know mine is associated with low carb/weight loss combo. My vitamins have been checked and doctor feels it should stop soon. Hang in there!

I will be at month 5 in a week and my hair has been coming out by the handful for a month. Luckily I had very thick hair to begin with.  It seems that no one has noticed but me as of yet. I remember my hair shedding after I had my son but nothing like this. I am just happy it is not permanent.  I generally shed in the spring and that is what it could be for you too.  Who knows.  

Congrats on your surgery and good luck on your journey

I am not sure that it is surgery or weight loss, it is my understanding that it is your nutrition intake.  A good multi-vitamin will help with a lot of that.  Good luck on your journey :)

I have had 3 major surgeries starting with the RnY. Each one I had significant hair loss about 2 to 3 months out. I had an anesthesiologist tell me that was a normal reaction to anesthesia and adding on the severe loss of calories it's a recipe for hair loss.

The good news is after the "trauma to the body" is over the hair grows back.