Question:
Is it true you can lose your hair after surgery?
I was talking to a personal trainer that is against the bariatric surgery and she said not to do it because i can lose myhair. is this true? — KimOT17 (posted on June 10, 2006)
June 10, 2006
Oh for heaven's sake it really annoys me when people say things without
knowing what they are talking about. First of all, yes, many of us do have
some hair loss - with some it is very minimal, others more, but IT GROWS
BACK! And it can happen with ANY surgery my surgeon told me. But without
this surgery, many of us would have lost our lives sooner than necessary,
or we may have lived our lives poorly. If you ask me, the small
inconvenience of a little hair loss is WELL WORTH the incredible difference
in my life this surgery have given me. I would do it again, again, again.
My only regret? Not having done it sooner. This surgery can not only be a
life saver, but more than that ~ it is a rebirth ~ a life changer. Talk to
your physician. That trainer is uninformed. Sorry to be blunt about it
but we are/have all been at risk here. It is up to us to decide if it is
something we need/want to do. This surgery is life altering and in a good
way the majority of the time. Hope this helps give you the conifdence to
do more research apart from that trainer! Pat
— patgels
June 10, 2006
It could happen, yes. It didn't to me and it didn't to my mom either.
Chances are, if hair loss does happen - you aren't getting enough vitamins
and protein...so easy solution. Take care of yourself! =o) Like Pat
said, it is very irresponsible for this trainer to have said that to you.
WLS is a very serious decision but one that can change your life forever!
I have no regrets whatsoever. And I'm only 9 wks post op and still having
some very rough days... =o) Haha. Do your own research, talk to your
doctor, talk to us. You'll make the decision that is right for you. It
was certainly right for me. And congrats to you for seeing a personal
trainer, by the way. I have a hard time motivating myself to exercise so
bravo to you!
— platypus
June 10, 2006
Kim;
I had my surgery on October 5, 2006. My surgeon and nurses advised me that
there would be some hair loss if and only if I did not get enough protein
in my diet. I have not gotten enough protein and have shown a little
thinning in the hair. But guess what, I am alive, feeling great, chasing
my grandkids all around and have lost 156 pounds so far. My hair loss is
due to my not eating enough protein, it is not the fault of the surgery, I
wish I had done this years ago instead of waiting until I was 55. Bob
Smith
— robert S.
June 10, 2006
I had surgery last September to remove some pre-cancerous growths from my
uterus and weeks later I noticed big brush-fulls of hair coming out. This
freaked me because my hair was thinner because of having PCOS anyway. Well,
it came out until it was satisfied then I watched as it started coming back
in. It didn't make me look bald or gross or anything, I just didn't like
it. If anyone noticed, they didn't say. I couldn't go get a shorter hair
cut on top and sides to cover the fact because my hair is down to the small
ov my back. So I just let it run it's course. Now that it's grown back
where I lost it, I want surgery again! I don't care if it makes me Kojac,
it will So be worth it! I know it will come back. Good luck... and don't
listened to the uninformed about this surgery. A LITTLE knowledge is a
dangerous thing.
Peace
— Sandy~Diamond
June 10, 2006
Yes, losing hair is a possibility after WLS. Mostly caused by lack of
protein. However, my doctor also gave me a perscription for Biotin, 3.0mg
and told me to take one a day after surgery. If you can't get the
perscription you can buy it OTC in 1.0 mg tabs and take 3 daily. This will
make your hair stronger.
I am going in this Wed. for my surgery, so please realize that this is
coming from what I was told by my doctor and not what I've personally
experienced as of yet.
— cburky911
June 10, 2006
It's all about the Protein. You get in your 6 oz total protein a day you
should be fine. If anything my hair has grown more and thicker since WLS,
who would guess. I need a haircut every 2 weeks, but maybe woman are
different, or maybe someone prone to hairloss already this might help it
along. I guess its hit or miss, but I have not heard any real horror
stories about the hair. Great choice getting this Operation, would do it
over and over and over again, the depression lifts and much more sunny days
ahead.
Good Luck!
— MikeL
June 11, 2006
You can possibly still lose your hair even with enough protein and Biotin
but even if it does happen it's not permanent. It can happen with many
other types of surgery as well so your trainer is misinformed. It can occur
because the shock to your system alters the growth cycle of your hair. The
medical condition is called Telogen Effluvium. Take a look at this link -
it will answer a lot of questions about your concerns:
http://www.emedicine.com/DERM/topic416.htm
— Rick Bedard
June 11, 2006
Kim,
First of all people that are against the surgery will say anything to get
you not to have it. Yes some hair loss is possible but it is due to the
hormone imbalance right after surgery. My surgeon told me that if you do
have any hair loss it will all grow back after your hormones even out
agaiin. Please don't let anyone talk you out of WLS if it is something you
really want to do. I am only a week post op but before I had surgery I had
someone telling me all the stuff that could go wrong. Her statement was
that all of my hair would fall out, My answer to her was that I guess I
would have to buy a wig. Almost every negative that people can come up with
is a cosmetic issue that can usually be fixed eventually. Good luck in your
journey I don't regret doing it for one minute.
Tonia
— turtlewex
June 11, 2006
Like everyone said, you may experience mild hair loss.... but I seriously
doubt that it will make you bald (if your concern is that).
Best wishes.
— mrsidknee
June 11, 2006
The hair loss issue has been covered by everyone else who answered this
question. But as for the trainer who is against WLS: of COURSE s/he is!
They'd rather you spend a small fortune paying them to train you for years,
and ultimately you won't achieve long-term results.
— nicolerod
June 11, 2006
That is soooo funny! Don't have weight loss surgery because your hair will
fall out! Let me tell you, the only thing I felt good about before my
surgery, was my hair. It was soooo thick, straight and blonde all the way
down to the small of my back. My hair was my pride and joy - and the only
physical attribute I was proud of. The thought of my hair falling out
petrified me.
Yes, it did fall out. Not just a hair here and there, it came out in
handfulls. Keep in mind, my hair is extremely long and very thick. I got
in my proteins, vitamins, etc. I was on Biotin - didn't help. I was
starting to get a little freked out because hair was everywhere. I was
amazed I still had any left at the rate it was coming out!
I must tell you - after loosing 105 lbs - I would go bald to feel this
great! The hair loss has no stopped ( I am 11 months out) and my hair
never really stopped looking great. I noticed how much more thin it was,
but no one else did. Honestly, it cut down on my hair drying time, and it
is much easier to style now - and still looks great. It was a little
scary, and I hated that it fell out so much because it was a real pain to
keep the house cleaned up of it, but it is now starting to thicken up
again.
Everyone is different, if you experience hair loss, it will grow back, so
don't panic. Rest assured, once you expereince that weight loss, you won't
care how it is falling out because you will be so happy with your new
self!
All the best!
— apriltragesser
June 11, 2006
Hi Kim, I'm pre-op and I have heard that you could lose some hair,
regardless of why. And that's kinda scarey, to me. I know I won't be bald
or anything that severe, but I do worry, and let me tell you why. I have
lived as a morbidley obese woman for around 14-15 years now, I look and
feel like hell and do not want to look worse. i.e losing hair....To some,
that worry seems vain, but you're human, you want everything to go right,
and to look good. You and many others to come will not know how much hair
we may lose, and the unknown is intimidating. We all just want to look good
after surgery (and be healthier of course) and the hair loss poses a
personal concern. But you know? I would listen to all the other responses
that you've received, and try not to worry TOO much about the unknown. As
for the @#$h&le that deliberately tainted your decision process, most
people find WLS a terrific "change of self", as mentioned, and
losing hair ought not turn out to be that bad. I agree with everyone else,
it's worth the risk of surgery. Me? I'm collecting bandana's and
hat's.....IF I should need it. :-) Just look at the WHOLE picture, from
now, until your decision, and through the rest of your life. These
wonderful people at OH have helped me so much, TRUST THEM!
— [Deactivated Member]
June 11, 2006
That choice should be a no brainer. Hair grows back...The WLS will give
you a tool to loose weight and keep it off. I would go bald to have the
success I have now...
— vhoupt
June 12, 2006
personal trainers have no reason to lose weight and are consumed with their
looks. You will lose your hair, I did. It does grow back. I lost about half
the hair on my head but you couldn't tell and it is growing back curly and
fine. There is nothing bad enough about this surgery other than the general
risks of surgery (Death) to NOT have this surgery. if you really need it,
do it and don't listen to other peoples ideas and opinions.
— [Deactivated Member]
June 13, 2006
For some reason, some folks seem to think this surgery is
"cheating." It is not the easy way out, though. It is difficult
to go through, and you still have to exercise and watch what you eat for it
to work. It is not cheating any more than someone having surgery for
candcer is cheating by having their needed surgery.
Some people do lose some hair, as with any major surgery, but it grows
back, especially if you follow your diet and get enough protein!
If you need it and will stick to your diet, go for it!
— Novashannon
June 13, 2006
A friend of mine wants to have wls but is worried about losing what little
hair she has, so she is "thinking about it." She has
hypertension, diabetes, and high blood pressure ... My hair is super thick,
so I could lose half of it and still have enough, but I'd wear a scarf or
wig if I have to rather than feel like I feel now as MO woman. Hair grows
back ... Get a different trainer that supports your overall health rather
than the health of your hair (LOL)
— peacefuldaizy
June 14, 2006
Some folks lose some hair, but no one goes bald and its temporary in any
case. Perhaps your trainer fears losing a good customer?
— bob-haller
June 16, 2006
Yep - count on it! :o) It's normal, usually result of surgery, very high
stress of any kind.
It grows back, and you *won't* lose all of it. Up to 2/3, but it falls out
*as* new ones are coming in.
http://www.hairlosstalk.com/research/alopecias/telogen_effluvium.htm
I'm currently shedding, result of late Jan. tummy tuck.
— rayehawk
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