Hairloss?

Just started noticing recently some people talk about hair loss around 3 months out. This is the first that I have heard about this! Anyone with some personal input on this? What's the cause of this and is it avoidable? I'm worried because I was already losing a lot due to hypothyroidism :( I'd imagine the weight loss makes it all worth it but I'm wondering why no one on my medical team has mentioned it to me?

Thanks guys! You're all so wonderful and helpful :D

Some people don't lose hair after surgery. Most do. There is nothing you can do to stop it. It happens from the stress on the body from having surgery and anesthesia. It's called telogen effluvium. People lose hair with any surgery. Bariatric patients have the added stress of not eating enough which causes even more stress on the body. You will notice the hair loss at around 3 months out from surgery and it lasts until around 9 months. I lost a lot but my hair is as thick as it was before surgery now. It does grow back.

Don't believe it when someone tells you to take biotin or spend money on expensive shampoos. Biotin will grow hair, but it will likely be on your upper lip and chin. Getting your protein in will be the most important for your hair to grow back strong.

Here is a link to explain it.

don't recall if medical team discussed with me, but i definitely knew about the possibility from posts on this board. Some told me it was result of anasthesia, you can read the prior posts on it. I'm convinced, that for me, it's from the ursodiol (med to prevent gallstones). My hair loss is noticeable to me, but not drastic-i have thick hair... but all have said it's temporary.

Curious why you're having side effects of hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed with this years ago, but it has been controlled with synthroid.

I was just diagnosed when I had to do my lab work just a couple months ago :) the hair loss has slowed now, but for a good 2 years it was falling out (also didn't help that I had a baby 2 years ago as well!)

Wow! Hope they figure out the correct dosage for you, & get you're symptoms taken care of! I just lowered my dose for the first time in 15 years. Good luck!

Listen to Rocky :)

This is telogen effluvium and totally normal.

I avoided it by shaving my head to raise money for St. Baldricks 6 weeks post-op. If I lost hair, I was totally unaware of it AND I raised $1500 for a great cause! Woo!

It's sort of funny, since I've kept my hair short ever since. I'm starting to grow it out now, four years post-op. This has led me to realize that there are people in my life now who never knew me as super morbidly obese OR with long hair. :)

Mine seemed to be okay (I take Synthroid), and then suddenly -- or viola! huge hair loss on the crown and front. I've gotten a shorter cut, and tried Toppix (hair fiber powder) but finally decided to get a wig for the next few months. Short of a "comb over", which I am not going to do, its good that wigs look way better than when you could only get them at Montegomery Ward!

And yes, I am a bit vain so hence the wig. But I know it grows back.

It's pretty common and not really avoidable. They say hydration, taking vitamins, and getting protein in helps, but I wonder about that. They actually don't know the exact reason it happens in weightloss patients. Many refer to a blanket term for hairloss called telogen effluvian which is a pretty vague term that attributes stress, and rapid weightloss (in the bariatric patient's case). Well duhhh!! I really don't think anyone has a clue as to the actual pathophysiology of this issue. I lost hair with lapband over a decade ago. I'm at the very beginning of signs of hairloss (more hair in the shower drain) now. Don't worry too much because it comes back, and if you have thin hair already get yourself one of those sassy lace front wigs. You can also buy clip in hair extensions that look super natural if you do them right! I also saw at ulta they have a spray on hair color (for got what it's called), that helps hide the thinning hair by coloring the scalp. It's washable. There are options!

Telogen Effluvium is what occurs about 3 months after surgery, lasts a couple of months while the body's hair growth cycle reboots itself, and it stops when the new hair emerges. There is no vitamin or expensive shampoo that will prevent or treat this phenomenon. It just is what it is, and intensity varies. It's usually more dramatic for the person and the shower drain, but few else really notice. My best advice is a makeover with some layers to blend in the new growth so you don't look like a chia pet.