Question:
Will surgery affect body hair?

I have noticed over the last couple of years as my weight grew, so did more body hair. Will surgery affect the hormones and in turn reverse this or do I need to be contacting an electrolosis?    — karmiausnic (posted on April 10, 2002)

April 10, 2002
Good question, Karen! I've been wondering this myself. I am sooooo hoping that the facial hair will disappear or at least lighten up as a post-op. Both my PCP and my OB/GYN tell me the hair growth is a result of hormones being out of whack because of the obesity. I pray that means once the weight comes off, the hormones will be where they should. Comments from post-ops? Thanks, Anna
   — Anna L.

April 10, 2002
Me again, Karen :) I just read a similar question with a response on today's Q&A list. The other question relates to testosterone levels and facial hair. Not sure how it would apply to body hair.
   — Anna L.

April 10, 2002
I answered a similar question. My facial hair did not go away after surgery. I am doing laser treatments. Did 4 and need to do 2 more. It is wonderful! I have almost no facial hair left. Once you loose some weight, your hormones stabilize and it helps to stop new hair growth. However, hair that you already have will not fall out by itself. You need to take care of it with laser or other ways.
   — Ella P.

April 10, 2002
Hi Karen, I had alot of facial hair (dark) pre-op. Mostly due to PCOS and my hormone imbalance. I am 15 months post op and have had a dramatic loss of facial hair. I know that alot of Post ops say that their facial hair is still there, but I must have been the "abnormal" one as mine is gone. I do have a few "strays" but nothing like it was before. Good luck!
   — Cindy K.

April 10, 2002
Go to the database and do a search on PCOS- then you can see all the replies regarding this subject as this question has been asked a lot.
   — Karen R.

April 10, 2002
Karen, </p> I've have been loosing my body hair as my weight went down. I actually just noticed it about a week ago.. But my head hair has also been falling out for lack of diet there for a while..
   — Elizabeth D.

April 10, 2002
I must be the opposite of everybody or else I'm not post-op enough to have the benefit of slowed growth. I used to shave about once every 1.5 - 2 weeks. Now suddenly, 5 weeks post-op, I'm shaving a least once a week. Armpits are the worst! I'm hoping the hormones even out real soon before I go through a zillion shavers! LOL
   — Katy B.

April 17, 2002
Interesting question! My brothers and father have little body hair. I look like a great grizzly when undressed. I would think that women would lose hair as estrogen is stored in fat and released when losing. For men, no hope, invest in Nair and for you sadomasochists, Nad's.
   — Andrew R.