Question:
How much hair do you actually lose?
I was wondering how much hair do you actually lose. I have read alot of postings that people have hair loss after surgery, but how bad does it really get? Is it very noticeable? I will be having surgery Nov. 23rd, is their something I can do right now to prevent from having lots of hair loss. Does this only happen to RNY patients? Is there anyone that DID NOT have any hair loss. My hair is long, but thin. — Nora R. (posted on November 14, 2001)
November 14, 2001
No, it doesn't just happen to RNY patients. I had a VBG 3 mos ago and have
started losing my hair. I, too, have long thin hair so I feel like I can't
afford to lose much. I haven't lost enough to make it real noticeable.
Blow drying my hair after I wash it covers it up pretty well. I've heard
it's because of the rapid loss of body fat. I have heard of people having
bald spots, but I haven't experienced that yet. Also, it is temporary. It
will stop falling out and will grow back. And it doesn't happen to
everyone! Best of luck to you!!
— Amy E.
November 14, 2001
I've started losing enough on the top that I can see through to my scalp!
My hair was already fine to begin with. My husband, who is taller than me,
says that looking down "from above" the scalp in the front is
quite visible. I had my PCP put me on prenatal vitamins on Monday. I've
also ordered chealated zinc, biotin tablets, and special shampoo from GNC.
I'm also planning on a cut.
— CaseyinLA
November 14, 2001
According to the statistics I have read 35-40% of wls patients will lose
aprox. 40%of their hair. This is do to the double body trauma of the
surgery itself and the basic starvation afterwards. The normal person
shedds 100 hairs per day. Hairloss starts at 2-4 months, and grows back 2-4
months after loss starts. This is due to the growth cycle. Unlike chemical
damage (a bad perm or bad coloring for example) the hair actually falls out
from the hair follicle. When one has chemical damage the hair only falls
out from what has grown out of the scalp. That is why you get almost
immediate regrowth, it doesn't interfere with the growth cycle itself. This
is part of what makes wls hair loss so noticiable, it actually falls out
and waits for the next cycle before beginning to grow back. Nothing really
helps. People who used biotin, rogaine, ate extra protien or rubbed
snakeoil on their heads and chanted under the full moon were in the 60% who
were never going to lose it anyway. Protien does help strengthen hair, a
diet low in protien will show in brittle nails and brittle hair with split
ends. However, it won't helps the trauma damage. Most people notice thier
hair thinning much more than anyone looking at them notices. I have done
extensive research on this, Being both a licensed beautician in illinois
and having lost my hair twice now, once to a thyroid problem and once to
symptoms of pcos. Both times my hair came back and I am going to assume it
will this time:) Some tricks to make hair look fuller are color or
highlighting, or both. Color, even the very same color your hair already
is, will coat the hair shaft, giving hair a thicker look. Highlighting will
give your hair depth, and make it look thicker. One should wait a full 6
weeks after surgery before getting the hair chemically altered, because
anesthesia in the body can actually mess with body chemistry giving odd
results. Best of luck
— Becky K.
November 14, 2001
Hi Nora. Like you, I read about the hair loss on this site before I had
the surgery. I just happen to see a woman whose haircut I admired and,
when I told her, she told me her hairdresser had recommended a shampoo to
her to stop her hair from thinning (just naturally, she was not a WLS
patient). Anyway, I got the shanpoo and started using it, according to
directions, immediately. I believe noticed a difference in my hair and
I've been using it ever since. (I had surgery on 7/30/01). The shampoo I
use is Queen Helene Garlic Shampoo (don't worry, it's unscented) and I
found a garlic conditioner to go with it. I'm running out so I bought new
shampoo today and this is by a company called Nutrine (the same company
that makes the conditioner). Also, my nutritonist, whom I trust to the nth
degree, just prescribed biotin, but he didn't want me to start taking it
till 3 months post-op. I do believe I've had some hair loss, but very
minor. Whether it's due to the shampoo or not, I don't know for sure, of
course - but I don't believe it could hurt! Good luck with the surgery and
I hope you won't suffer any hair loss. If you do, remember it is temporary
and worth the other benefits!
— Nancy Z.
November 14, 2001
I think what Becky said sounds very accurate. I did probably lose close to
40% of my hair. My hair started out long & quite thick. It was
traumatic losing it, but the weight loss & fast results were worth it.
As soon as the hair loss became REALLY noticable & frightening, I could
see it was beginning to grow back in. I did have to cut my long hair very
short, but it has grown back very nicely & I am OK with my short hair,
especially now that I'm not so embarrassed by a fat face, many double chins
& a thick neck. I actually look OK in short hair; can't decide if I
should grow it back out or keep it this way... I hope it turns out you
don't lose much, but I think the odds do make it likely. BUT, by then
you'll have lost so much weight you'll look like a whole new person anyway!
good luck.
— Kathy W.
November 14, 2001
My father works in the industry and he said there is only one sure thing
that will stop my falling hair--the floor.lol It is distressing, but it's a
price I am willing to pay. I decided that this would be a good time to try
a new style to go with my overall changed (for the better) new look. This
too shall pass.
— blank first name B.
November 23, 2001
You may be lucky like I have and not have any hair loss.
I would'nt waste any time or energy worrying about something that you
probally can't control anyway. Not everyone has hair loss, and you may be
one who does'nt. :)
— Danmark
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