Question:
I am considering gastric bypass surgery, once of my concerns is losing my hair.

I am an African American who already has VERY thin hair. I have heard post-op, that patients tend to lose their hair. What can I do to minimize my hair loss, how long does it take to grow your hair back, and will I see growth in the areas that are VERY thin once my hair starts to grow again?    — cxperr01 (posted on February 19, 2009)


February 18, 2009
Take your vitamins Biotin and hair and nail vitamins. Make sure you get all your protein in. You should be fine. Good luck on your journey
   — msdebbs

February 18, 2009
I think you should seek out answers from African American women, because it might be different. I am caucasian, and lost a lot of hair for about six months, but it was not noticable to anyone but me, and I have really thin, fine, hair. It has stopped and my hair is growing back better than ever. Getting your protein, and vitamins are key to making this process as short as possible. Good Luck!
   — Shirley D.

February 19, 2009
I know with me I lost hair for several months but After the seven month line it began to grow back.
   — trible

February 19, 2009
Yep, this is one of the first "possible" things that I read about that could happen when I started researching RNY. I freaked out! I will be honest...I have always been very vain about my hair. As a matter of fact I think my whole family is vain about their hair!! It sounds so silly when you look at what you will be gaining, or removing as the case would be, but having been fat for so long and that being a source of embarassment now I would have to worry about my hair too??!! About the 4th month after surgery I started "shedding" pretty good. My protein was up where it was supposed to be. I was not yet on vitamins. The docs put me on a regime of Vitamin D, that I was lacking and I was good to go. Yes, it was a lot. Yes, it scared me. But it works out. To answer your questions...talk to your doctors when this starts to happen. It went on for about 30 to 45 days (I don't know what is typical at all). Yes, it looked visably thinner to me. No one else seemed to notice. It took several months for my hair to look "normal" to me again. I don't know if you will see growth areas when your hair grows back in as African American hair may show differently. I have very course, dark, thick hair. Honest, it will be fine. Work with your docs the whole way. What you will obtain will make the hair loss pale in comparison. I wish you the best!
   — JaimeK

February 19, 2009
First off ...There is nothing as important as your health. Secondly you can wear wigs, extensions, etc... to hide any loss that you may have. When I had my RNY my hair was to my waist and I had a 3 inch round ponytail today my hair is growing back in nicely and very strong. I was and still am very anal about my hair it always has to be done and highlighted but even if I knew I'd be bald after RNY I'd do it all again in a heart beat--nothing is as important as being healthy.
   — teresaNnyc

February 19, 2009
Cyndolia, You will probably have hair loss - most WLS patients do. Also, most have hair growth back but I've been having trouble with my hair growing back any longer than stubbs and I do watch my protein intake. If it's of any peace to you, the reason for the hair loss is because of reduced caloris intake and reduced protein intake. Your body decides where to send the protein and vitamins you do take and the body decides that your heart, liver, etc need the protein before your hair. Isn't the body amazing?! The best to you and let me know how everything is going. Maureen, Akron, OH
   — Muggs

February 19, 2009
Good day and I hope you are doing well. As you can see every "bodies" reaction is different and yours will be different from everyones elses too. I had RNY Aug 08 and my hair did thin out a little bit however, it is now growing out so fast I can hardly keep up with it. It is still a bit thin but the length of my hair had never reached below my collar but it is now down my back. It could be that I am obsessive about taking my supplements and protein intake but even if it thinned out more I would be ok with it. If I had to do the Donald Trump thing or go bald, so be it. I feel and look GOOD.
   — Rosettagrace

February 20, 2009
I've heard Hair, Skin and Nails helps. Haven't lost mine yet.
   — lorannw

February 22, 2009
I am just about 6 mos out (VSG). I have not lost very much at all and I was concerned as my hair is very thin on top already. I get lots of protein every day - 70-80 and take all my vitamins - faithfully. My sister had a gastric bypass and lost a lot of hair. But she did not have a minimum amount of protein to get in each day. I hope this helps. Good luck on your journey.
   — lekennedy

February 25, 2009
You will most likely lose hair after having WLS. It will most likely grow back. It is unlikely that you would start growing thick hair in places that it was thin before WLS. WLS does not promote hair growth.
   — mrsidknee




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