Question:
On the road to lap-band an worried about hair loss.

I am wondering if most of the people who are experiencing hairloss post-op had gastric bypass or lapband? Or does it matter? It is a big fear of mine. Also- is the amount of hair loss related to how much weight you have to lose? Is it really only temporary? Any help would be really appreciated. Thank you:)    — LindaV. (posted on October 18, 2009)

October 18, 2009
Hi Linda, I had RNY..and had hair lose. I had another family member have Lap Band and also had hair lose. You can have hair lose after any regular surgery. But, you need to keep up your vitamins & protein after surgery. All my hair came back..I now have some with waves! It was poker straight before!
   — tootsie52

October 18, 2009
I also had hair loss, esp. during the first couple of years after my Lap-Band surgery. Any time you lose a lot of weight quickly, you'll have some hair loss. Genetics will determine how much and how fast your hair will come back. Menopause will cause hair loss also. Face it, as we age we keep changing. I have no joint pain, am not short of breath, no longer suffer from sleep apnea, have a normal blood pressure, have plenty of energy, am at my goal weight, and feel 20 years younger. I have no problem living with a scar or two and a slightly thinner hair. With 2 relatives who died from diabetes the year I had my surgery, and 2 relatives who had a heart attack, I would much rather be bald than have to worry about diabetes and heart disease. I hope that helps. God Bless.
   — KimM

October 18, 2009
There is usually not hair loss associated with LapBand surgery since you don't have near the problems with vitamin absorption. With my RNY surgery back in March I have had very little hair loss. Just make sure you follow your doctor's orders regarding vitamin intake and have you vitamin levels checked with blood work every three months for the first year post op.
   — rkurquhart

October 18, 2009
I had my lap-band surgery on Sept. 23rd and have had NO hair loss.. I have lost 30 pounds since I started this.
   — LinnieJean

October 18, 2009
When I had Lap Band surgery... it wasn't until 3-4 months afterwards that I had hair loss, and that was strictly because of the surgery. It stopped after about 1 month, then grew back. BTW, I always go thru some hair loss after any surgery. I didn't know about Biotin then, now I do, going to get some and start taking it as I hope to have RNY surgery soon.
   — Kathleen O.

October 18, 2009
just my opinion...I thought the hair loss was related to amount of protein and vitamins you absorbed. Make sure u have enough protein daily.
   — Linda R.

October 19, 2009
Hi, letting you know that it comes back for sure and like the other gal mine was as straight and thick as horse tail hair and it came back thicker and wavier like I had a body wave. Which was kinda cool, cuz having such thick, straight hair was difficult to curl or stay curled. Anyway, my suggestion is dont worry about the hair loss, think of all the benefits of having the surgery. It will be great!!!! Good luck
   — Banded7-27-09