Question:
Is hair loss a normal side effect of this surgery?

   — Evelyn S. (posted on March 28, 2001)

March 28, 2001
You can have some hair loss around the 4 month period because that's when your body begins to realize it is not getting enough protein....if you notice the loss you should up your protein.
   — [Anonymous]

March 28, 2001
Hair loss following WLS does not happen to every patient, and those that do experience hair loss have it in differing degrees. Although there is a great deal of emphasis on how protein intake effects hair loss, most physicians/surgeons identify post-op hair loss as the body's response to the "shock" of major surgery, general anesthesia and metabolic changes following extremely rapid weight loss. Most women can remember that they also experienced some degree of hair loss following childbirth...others can recall hair loss following experiences with different types of major surgery. Whatever the cause, it generally starts at the 3rd or 4th month post-op and lasts until the 8th month or longer. It is temporary, and the new hair may return a slightly different color or texture than before...chemotherapy patients frequently experience these types of changes. My new hair definitely returned grayer, and my daughter's new hair was MUCH curlier :-) Good luck!
   — Diana T.