Hair Loss in Weight Loss Surgery Patients

I am often asked about hair loss in WLS patients, so I did a little research and found an article from the Obesity Action Coalition written by Jacqueline Jacques that describes how hair grows, the risk factors and treatments for hair loss.

I am including her conclusion and will provide a brief summary of the article.

Conclusion
Hair loss can be distressing to bariatric surgery patients and many will try nutrition themselves to see if they can prevent it. Unfortunately, there is little evidence that early hair loss is preventable because it is mostly likely caused by surgery and rapid weight-loss.

Later hair loss, however, can be indicative of a nutritional problem, especially iron deficiency, and may be a clinically useful sign. Educating patients about the potential for hair loss and possible underlying causes can help them to make informed choices and avoid wasting money on gimmicks that may have little real value.

Summary:
At any given time most of our hair is in a 'growth phase', but a small percentage is in a 'resting phase'. A number of stressors can cause a greater percentage of our hair to move into a resting phase and WLS patients are at particular risk because we have all had major surgery and experience rapid weight loss which are among the stressors that can impact having a larger percentage of our hair being in the resting phase. Also, if we are experiencing low values of ferritin, zinc or protein or have had more rapid than expected weight loss we may be at greater risk of hair loss.

While some think that supplementing with Biotin, topically or ingesting it; studies have not shown it to be effective in either stopping hair loss or improving regrowth.

i am six years out and still have thin hair.  what do i do 

ruby
3/11/2005  rny
262/125/133
hi/lo/today

Ruby,

Go to the link provided and print it out. Ask your Dr. to run labs to see if your iron and zinc levels are okay. If they are, I would want to see what 'else' might cause thinning hair. There are a number of things that can cause it and it's possible that there is something else that needs to be investigated. 

Please keep in touch and let me know what you find out.

Wishing you all the best,

http://bariatrictimes.com/2008/09/19/the-latest-on-nutrition -and-hair-loss-in-the-bariatric-patient/

check it out gives explanation and possible remedies as well

check your labs