Question:
My protein intake is good...why am I losing hair @ 3mos post op?
2 wks after my WLS, I noticed hair loss and attributed it (correctly) to insufficient protein intake. Got that problem corrected...have been zooming along with my weight loss...supplementing with protein drinks/bars to keep my protein intake up...and for about 4 days I've noticed a significant amount more of hair loss. What gives? Does it pass? Will it come back? Help!! — Lucky B. (posted on July 2, 2000)
July 2, 2000
Yes! And yes! You WERE wise to up your protein supplement and think of
where you'd be NOW without what you did THEN! We ALL lose hair about 4-6
months. Yes, it stops. Pretty soon you see this little "halo" of
peach fuzz all around your head! And sometimes the hair comes back BETTER
than before. Shinier, just BETTER, because your eating is actually better
than it was all those years of "dieting", leaving out fats or
carbs or whatever the trend was at the moment. Now you're getting plenty of
protein supplement and hopefully eating the broad spectrum of foods, (minus
milk & sugar, of course), so better balance all around. Many of us use
a hair supplement, but you'll be OK without it, too. I'm nearly 6 yrs
post-op and I still use "Hair, Skin, Nail" by Futurebiotics. My
hair is so much shinier than it was before, so I just never stopped.
— vitalady
July 2, 2000
My nutritionist has said that almost everyone loses hair at some point,
even if you are doing well with the protein. Don't worry - it will come
back.
— Paula G.
July 2, 2000
Hi Lucky: I'm 11 months post-op, and although my hair loss has finally
slowed, it still continues. I think that general anesthesia is a lot to
blame for it. In addition to my open RNY, I had surgery at 5 weeks post-op
for a kidney stone, then again at 7 months for a hernia repair. Thankfully
I have thick hair, but it's definitely falling out faster than it ever did.
My protein intake is excellent, lots of water, zinc, beta-carotene,
biotin, vitamins A&D, the Bs, Cs, multivits, etc. On the plus side, my
nails are gorgeous! LOL......
— Jaye C.
July 2, 2000
I think that it's important to stress that hair loss frequently, but not
always, happens whenever our bodies are subjected to physiological
stress...childbirth, severe emotional stress, acute or chronic debilitating
illness, general anesthesia, and surgery of any kind (not just WLS). I'm
not in any way minimizing the importance of adequate protein intake, but
some patients experience hair loss in spite of maximizing their protein
intake. If hair loss is going to happen at all, it generally starts 3-4
mos. after the surgery or stressful event. It may last only weeks or for
several months, but rarely is permanent or irreversible. I experienced
moderate hair loss after the births of my children, but have not noticed
any 14 weeks post-op lap RNY...maybe I'll just be luckier this time! Even
if it happens, I see it as a small price to pay for this brand new life and
hope that perhaps others can find that same perspective. Best wishes!
— Diana T.
July 3, 2000
Yes, it will pass, in about 6 to 8 weeks. It is caused from the anasthetics
they ues to put you to sleep and the stress your body has under gone with
the surgery. Try a product called Power X plus, you can get it from you
hairdresser. It will speed the time it takes to regrow you hair back.
Kim
— Kim N.
July 3, 2000
Lucky,
I had read about hair-loss prior to my surgery and was petrified to think I
might loose some hair. Before surgery I started hair pills,zinc, and Nioxin
hair treatment. Sure enough...2 mo. post-op I started losing some hair, at
3.5 mo. post-op it was falling our terribly. I thought for sure I would go
bald... I didn't, and now at 5.5 mo post-op it has slowed. Very few people
notice how much hair I've lost, though it has been a significant amount. It
is scary. My Dr. says it is from the stress of surgery and anestisia, but
most of all from the rapid weight loss and shock to our bodies. Don't worry
it won't last. Good luck, Dani
— Dani J.
July 3, 2000
I too had significant hair loss between 3 months and 9 months. I am now 10
1/2 months post and it has slowed way down. I condsidered buying a wig, but
I think I am on the road to regrowth now. No one else seemed to notice, and
I have always had fine thin hair. I didn't have much to lose in my opinion.
I have always tried to keep my protein intake up. I think the rapid wt.
loss was the reason. Now that I am down to 1 lb. per week, I'm ok.
— Cheryl H.
July 3, 2000
Before I started resembling a cue ball, I went to see a dermatologist.
(I'm 4 months post op, and can see the outline of my scalp thru my hair).
My surgeon/doc kept telling me "it will grow back" - well I think
its SILLY to lose it all to begin with.
The dermatologist told me to buy over the counter Rogaine FOR MEN (5%
minodoxil). Its about $30 for a month. He said to be very careful, as
this is the stronger dose and some women have had problems with it dripping
on their foreheads, and having unwanted hair growing there(!) - so its
packaged "for men only" (Like we are too stupid to apply it
correctly). He thinks I will have to use this long after the hair loss has
stopped.
I'd rather do it now than wait untill I'm totally bald - hope this helps
someone else.
— Toni B.
July 3, 2000
Thanks to all who responded to my question. I appreciate the time, thought
and effort you spent to come to my aid. I'm scared too death of being
skinny and hairless...no kidding!! Anyway, thanks again for being here.
— Lucky B.
July 6, 2000
When I noticed my hair falling out at 3 months post op, I talked to my
doctor about it and he suggested B-12 shots. I get a B-12 shot once a week,
it has helped my hair and it gives me a lot of energy. I too, take in a
lot of protein. But my hair still fell out from the 3rd month to the 6th
month. But it is coming back in now, it is just taking time. My friend
who is an RN said that the anestesia also causes your hair to fall out.
Unfortunately, I was under anestesia FOUR times in 8 weeks. My surgeon
messed up on my first surgery and I had to have it redone 8 weeks later.
However, between the two Gastric Bypass Surgeries, I had to have other
tubes taken out and re-inserted for my TPN (food bag) that I had to have
since I was unable to eat or drink for 8 weeks.
So, just be calm about the hair loss, it does come back. Its just a royal
pain in the butt for 3 months while it is falling out. Talk to your doctor
about the B-12 shots, maybe it will help you too.
Good Luck,
Linda
[email protected]
Victorville, CA
— Linda F.
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