Question:
WLS hair loss vs. post-pregnancy hair loss vs. rapid weight loss hair loss

I have searched the library, and haven't seen anything relating to a correlation between previous hair loss due to pregnancy or rapid weight loss and the hair loss that many WLS patients suffer. I have lost copious amounts of hair exactly 3 times in my life: The first time was while I was living in the desert in Africa during the dry season when food was extremely scarce. I lost 45 lbs. within a matter of months (the only "diet" that ever worked for me!) and half of my hair. The other two times were after the births of my children. Only one response to any hair loss question in the library(that I could find) addressed post-pregnancy hair loss. Can anyone comment? Did you lose hair post pregnancy or weight loss and also post WLS (or one but not the other?). Is there a strong correlation (a loser is a loser is a loser), or is there some bit of hope for previous losers of hair? Thanks! waiting for surgery...    — nkate (posted on April 9, 2003)

April 9, 2003
I too would like to know, I lost quite abit of hair after the birth of my son, and then when I took the diet drug Redux, I am now figuring that my protein intake was poor during the time I toke Redux.
   — Diane M.

April 9, 2003
I have been wanting to ask this question too! I have very thick hair. And I loose a ton of hair daily. My husband jokes with me and tells me we have a Wookie (from Star Wars), living with us. I have ALWAYS lost a lot of hair. And I have never really noticed the thickness of my hair changing any. I would like to know if anyone with thick hair,(that normally looses a lot of hair), has noticed that it is REALLY bad? Can you see your hair thinning out? Or is it pretty much the same as it was pre-op? I am still pre-op, and was wondering what to expect. Sorry I couldn't answer your question for you. But this is something that has had me wondering too!
   — Maria S

April 9, 2003
Great Question- I, too, have lost significant amounts of hair several times in my life. Once, on Atkins diet when I lost 109 lbs.. I know there was no shortage of protien in my life then. Also, after the births of ALL of my 4 children. Now, 4.5 months post-op, I have been loosing hair again. Thank goodness it grows back, or I would have been bald years ago. I think for me, the hair loss is related to hormones and not related to a protien deficit. Best of luck to you! Leslie -84 lbs!! 295/211/145
   — Leslie M.

April 10, 2003
Anesthesia is the culprit for me. I've been "put under" for surgery twice in my life, and both times I've had hair loss. My last surgery was six months ago, and my hair loss has just begun to slow. Fortunately, both times, the hair loss wasn't noticeable to anyone except me, but if people could see my bathroom floor! Right now I'm taking a vitamin supplement for hair that I got from GNC to prepare for wls. I'm not sure if it'll help, but it's worth a try.
   — Leni M.