Question:
Hair Loss

Does everyone expirence hair loss after GnY surgery? When does it start, how bad does it get? Does biton help it to grow back? I am 2mo out and have not expirenced it yet but am worried. Thanks!    — MyOrchids (posted on July 20, 2009)


July 20, 2009
Hi Heather, according to my surgeon, not everyone experiences hair loss. You just must make sure you get your required protien, vitimins and b12. I am also 2 months out with no hair loss, my hair actually feels thicker at this point but I am also trying to make sure I get my proper vitimins. I am sorry I don't know what biton is.
   — sallie H.

July 20, 2009
I was told that if you had the RNY you will lose some of your hair..at about 4 months or so.. Biotin will not prevent hair loss it will help it grow back healthier..Try not to worry, it will come back..Its just the shock of your body going through all of the deficiencies and losing so much weight so fast. I haven't met anyone who didn't lose some hair. But try to hang in there if you do..Like I said, it may start about month 4 post op..
   — okbuffy

July 20, 2009
Hi Heather! I don't think anything applies to everyone, but from what I understand, hair loss is a natural result from any major surgery including RNY. I started losing hair at 2.5 months out, and it was falling out in large amounts. It's very scary at first. Biotin or Hair & Nail vitamins can not prevent hair loss, but do help in the aid of generating new hair growth. The most important thing is to make sure you are getting all of your protein in daily. Otherwise, your hair loss may be greater. I invested in a good mesh drain cover for the shower, increased my biotin intake and got in my protein, but I still lost hair....and plenty of it. My NUT assured me that no one had ever gone bald, but I was afraid of being the first. Well, glad to say that I am now 7 months post-op and my hair is growing back in. I still lose some when I shower but the amount is drastically reduced, I had thin areas on top of my head but no one noticed but me; instead everyone noticed the weight loss! Don't worry, it too shall pass! Good luck!
   — Fircrkr64

July 21, 2009
Hi Heather, I am 5 mo post and had thin hair to begin with. I am losing hair and prayed that the Lord would remind me that He would forgive me for being distracted from the hair loss and saggy skin. I know the hair grows back and please consider this to be yet another blip in the journey. You are being made more healthy from the inside out. Take Care, Pam
   — prdurham

July 21, 2009
I AM ALMOST 3 MONTHS POST OP OF GASTRIC SLEEVE AND I HAVE JUST STARTED LOSING LARGE AMOUNTS OF HAIR, AM VERY NERVOUS ABOUT IT BUT I AM TAKING IN MY PROTEIN AND JUST PRAYING I DON'T LOSE IT ALL. SO I AM BELIEVING IT IS THE STRESS FROM THE SURGERY THAT JUST ABOUT ALL OF US GO THROUGH.GOOD LUCK AND I WISH YOU THE BEST. LIZ
   — joy2others2

July 21, 2009
You will experience some hair loss, but don't worry. I use a shampoo called Nioxin. It won't make your hair grow, but is sure does make it feel fuller and thicker. I have thin hair and I use the shampoo still after 3.5 yrs post op from the RNY so the hair loss is caused by many things, not just weight loss. It is caused from the trauma to your body having a major surgery, the vitamin deficency. You can't really prevent you can only cover it to make it not so noticable. Full hair gives you security that no one knows it is falling out. You won't go bald. It will come back when your body recovers from the surgery and such.
   — Kristy

July 21, 2009
It started around 3.5 months out and stopped around ... just shy of 6 months. It wasn't horrible loss, but there was hair loss. Everyone is different, it's a matter of how your body reacts. Everyone will loss hair (not only WLS, but other major surgeries, can give you hair loss a well) - but your body and my body will react differently. Above was my time line. The trick is to keep taking your vitamins! Increase your protein and keep it up. Get plenty of fluids. Don't freak out. I did you Biotin and the shampoo - can't remember the name. Nioxin, I think.
   — jammerz

July 21, 2009
I am almost 8 months out from RNYand have had absolutely no problem with hair loss. I make sure I get more than the minimum amount of protein a day (100 grams +) and never miss my supplements. Try not to worry. Stress can cause hair loss.
   — GingerKS

July 23, 2009
I am a5 5 months August 5 and have been losing so much hair for the last month. Huge handfuls when I shampoo, huge handfuls when I comb out my wet hair. My stylist said she sees lots of new growth, but it is freaky and scary. I can see the difference. I used to barely be able to get the covered elastic bands around a pony tail twice, now I can go to almost 3 .5 times around. That is a skinny little pony tail! lol. But the weight loss is awesome and I can always get clip in extensions if needed. Wouldn't trade the 100 lbs lost for hair ever! And I do get all my protein and vitamins and calcium, so I think it is different for each person. My 4 month labs came back good and not deficient in anything, so go figure. Amanda
   — amanda_g

July 23, 2009
I had surgery once and had hair loss. I was told by the surgeon that hair grows in seasons and the hair you lose at around 5 months has something to do with the hair that grew when you were having the surgery and was in shock from the surgery. It will last a month or two and then will stop falling out.
   — Stephanie T.




Click Here to Return
×