Question:
Another hair loss question...

Just curious about something. I am having lap RNY in a couple of weeks and have heard others mention about their hair loss. Exactly how much hair are we talking? Have other women actually had bald patches or gone bald. Silly question but I need to know if I have to save for a wig, lol. Thanks!    — lindadougherty (posted on January 16, 2003)

January 16, 2003
Hair loss can be significant. However, it does not continue forever. It usually starts 3-6 months post-op. I am a licensed hairstylist and i used Nexxus Vitatress Vitamins which are specially formulated to promote hair and nail growth. They work great.
   — Stephanie H.

January 16, 2003
I'm going to repeat my standard answer to hair loss questions. First, after having read many, many posts from people who are post-op, I can tell you this. There are many people who did all the 'right' things, used Biotin, Nioxin, ate lots of protein, took zinc, etc., etc. Many of these people still lost significant amounts of hair. Others didn't do any of those things and didn't lose any hair. I'm not convinced that there is anything you can do or take that will definitely prevent hair lost. I lost quite a lot, but it is coming back in. Barbara Thompson, who wrote a book about her WLS and travels the country talking about it was in Denver a few weeks ago. Someone asked her about hair loss and she answered that in all her travels she has yet to see a bald woman. If you lose a lot of hair, it will grow back. I had mine cut very short, although I normally wear it fairly short, so it wouldn't be quite so noticeable.
   — garw

January 16, 2003
I am only starting my journey like you, and I have very thin hair now, so I figure I will have even less after my surgery, I am ordering a real nice wig to wear now and after surgery. Check out PaulaYoung.com some of the wigs are on sale. Just a idea, if you are really concerned.
   — cindy

January 16, 2003
Keep up with the B-12 intake,,,and keep eating protein..I found egg whites, tuna, and salmon are easiest to digest...I have extremely thin hair, and after one year and 100lbs lighter, I only lost a few strands..I believe this "hair Loss" potentional is hederity...what will be will be..Keep the intake of proteins to the daily standard and get blood work done bi-annually...Good Luck
   — irene B.

January 16, 2003
My surgeon's response to this question was that "some do and some don't....there's really nothing you can do to prevent it...if you are one of those patients that experiences hair loss, be assured that it does grow back." As a nurse, it has been my experience that many, many patients experience post-op hair loss as a result of the "shock" of a major surgery and general anesthesia....just as many women will experience hair loss following the birth of their babies. I have had many surgeries over the years and experienced some degree of hair loss after each one. Two of my daughters have had RNY surgery and had little or no hair loss. Increasing vitamins and using specialized hair products will likely make your hair stronger, shinier and healthier, but will not prevent the hair loss if you are one of those people whose bodies respond to "stress" by losing hair. Most people report post-op hair loss starting about 4 months post-op and continuing to the 8th or 9th month post-op. Lots of folks state that their lost hair returned in a different texture or color than it was before (like chemotherapy patients). If it happens, it is not permanent, and in my experience with a large support group over the past three years, I have not personally known anyone who needed to purchase a wig. This is a relatively small trade-off for the weight you are going to lose and the new life that you will be gaining. Follow your surgeon's instructions to the letter regarding protein, vitamin and mineral intake....keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best, but try not to fret unnecessarily :-)
   — Diana T.