Question:
Hair loss question

Does anyone know specifically what minerals and vitamins we are missing that causes the hair loss post-op? I see a lot of people talking about the effects of anesthesia etc. and I'm sorry I do not buy it. I've had 3 general anesthesia surgeries, all about 2 hours, which is what my surgery should take barring any complications and never had any hair loss. I have also gone cold turkey and lost 200 lbs in 13 months with no hair loss, but I did it on normal food and the standard pyramid system, so I wasn't likely missing some nutrients that I will after WLS. So I feel it has to be from lack of certain minerals, vitamins, nutrients and a multi-vitamin is not enough to compensate. I've tried to figure out what are the vital components to try and load up on those in hopes of eliminating or minimizing the hair loss. I assumed it would grow back but I just talked to someone tonight who's sister now wears a wig. That I did not want to hear. So what has everyone tried with success and are there any nutrition experts out there that can help me figure this out? Heck I finally just dyed my grey hair and I don't want to lose it now! Getting ready for my new look early!    — zoedogcbr (posted on January 6, 2003)

January 5, 2003
Hey there Chris. My surgeon said I might want to start taking some Biotin and Zinc pre-op. He said it MIGHT help hair loss. I like you have had two MAJOR surgeries on my abdomen and I DID lose hair each time for no other reason, I was told, than anesthesia. My hair is very fine and looks thin, altho it really isnt, just fine and it is just now coming in from my last surgery. Guess what, it is coming back in silver. Bummer. But I also worry about hair loss with this surgery. Mine is Jan. 30th. Also, about your groceries, I saw one of those food savers in the K-Mart paper yesterday for $69. they are 120. everywhere else. It seals your food in and takes the air out for great leftovers. I might get one. This has also been a concern of mine. My best friend had surgery in November and you should see the big pots of beans, soups, and chili she makes. lol. Says she just cant get the hang of cooking less. Good luck. also. thanks for your supportive e-mail yesterday. I sure got a few hateful ones. But I can handle it.
   — Delores S.

January 5, 2003
Hi Chris, I am 11 months post-op, down 92 lbs. I starting losing my hair at around 6 months post-op. My surgeon recommended I take 50mg of Zinc every day. I did that for about 3-4 months, then stopped taking it. My hair loss has now stopped. I didn't lose enough to have to wear a wig, although my hair wasn't super thick to begin with. Now I have hardly any hair loss (I can tell by what's in the shower and in my brush). I think everyone is different. I don't know if the zinc helped or not, but I was willing to give it a try. I also had two major surgeries (C-sections) in the past and had NO hair loss either time. Who knows??? I wish you the best of luck!!
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 5, 2003
I have been reading posts for over a year now and have learned one thing about hair loss. No matter what anyone says, there are no guarantees about whether you'll lose hair or not or on how to prevent it. I have read posts from people who did all the 'right' things, lots of protein, Nioxin, Biotin, zinc, etc. and still lost their hair. I have also read posts from people who did none of those things and didn't lose their hair.<p>Barbara Thompson was in Denver to speak a few weeks ago and someone asked her about hair loss. She replied that in the time she's been speaking all over the country, she has yet to meet a bald woman.
   — garw

January 6, 2003
Hi Chris...I think you raise a very good point. Just what does cause our hair loss after WLS? I would also like to know! I've also had general anesthesia once before with no hair loss afterwards. I'm going to do some research on the Internet and see what I come up with. <P> For me...my hair fell out from months 3.5 to 7 post-op. At any given time I was sporting about 2/3rds of my normal hair volume, with 1/3 of it out, on the floor, in my hairbrush, in the sink. It got kinda scary for a while there! I took Biotin (still do...it's easy to take and cheap to buy) from about month 4 forward. I THINK it has helped. I can see little wispy bangs growing in at my hairline in front that are now about an inch long. So if your hair grows 1/4 inch a month normally, then it's been growing since about month 4 (I'm 8 months out). So basically, it falls out once, and then grows back. What I'm trying to get at is, that new growth isn't falling out. Hope this helps, and I'll let you know if I find out anything about post-op hair loss with WLS. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 6, 2003
I disagree with you and think the hair loss is a combination of trauma to the body caused by the surgery and the anesthesia. If you did not experience hair loss with a previous surgery, then perhaps the type of anesthesia used did not react that way with you. I had two previous major surgeries, one each year preceding the WLS surgery and BOTH times, just like clockwork, the hair started falling out at exactly 3 months. And my diet was no different the first two surgeries so I do not believe it has to do with vitamins and minerals. My hairdresser also told me that it is quite common for hair loss 3 months after a trauma to the body, and that hair grows in 3 month cycles. Best advice I can give for the hair loss-get a cute short doo and ride it out. It does grow back in..
   — Cindy R.

January 6, 2003
Chris, I was told that while the lack of vitamins, anestheics, etc., can and do contribute to the hair loss, however a lot of the hair loss is due to the body thinking that it has gone through and going through a trauma (its survival is in jeopardy)and it starts to shed those things that it doesn't need to survive,i.e. hair, slows nail growth and so on. That is why the surgeon says to maintain your protein to help. The continuous ingestion of protein helps to keep your body from reacting as if there was trauma, I.e. if it feels it is NOT in jeopardy, then it won't need to feel like it needs to conserve its energy and won't shed the hair. This also helps to explain why some people lose hair and some don't, it is based upon each individual's body. I lost hair at about four -six months and then it stopped and it started to grow again. That three to six month timeframe is the time it takes your body realize something has changed, the quick weight loss must mean "bad thing happened" and I better conserve my nutrients! I hope this helps!
   — Kelly L.