Question:
Is it true that you shouldnt color your hair after surgery or your chances of hair loss is higher?

HAIR LOSS IS HIGHER? I JUST MET WITH THE NUTRITIONIST TODAY (I'M PRE-OP) AND SHE SAID NOT TO COLOR IT FOR 6 MONTHS. ANY THOUGHTS IF THIS IS TRUE? THANKS    — [Anonymous] (posted on November 14, 2001)

November 14, 2001
I had my surgery 08/28/01 and on 09/28/01 got highlights and lowlights in my hair and my hairdresser knew I had WLS and never said anything to me about not getting my hair colored. I have not had any problems so far.
   — trtorrey

November 14, 2001
I had surgery Aug. 31 last year and colored my hair for the first time post-op the first part of December. I didn't seem to have any problems with it. I did have some hair loss (I have tons so it wasn't a problem for me) but I don't think it had anything to do with the coloring as it had started before that. It did as much for my self esteem as the weight loss I was experiencing (if you look at my profile you can see the difference that no white hair and the weight loss has made).
   — georgiacarol

November 14, 2001
I dyed my hair about 3 weeks after my surgery and every month since then. I have lost some hair but not much. I don't think that the dye hurt my hair in any way. Good luck.
   — Norma Z.

November 14, 2001
I think if someone wanted to go from a really dark natural color to blonde, they might have a problem because they have to bleach your hair first to strip all the natural color out before they color it blonde. Coloring to get rid of gray or using darker colors like brown or red should be OK because you are actually putting color back into the hair shaft instead of removing it like for Blondes. Heavy highlighting would not be a good idea either. Perms are a definite no no...not all stylists are knowledgeable of the effects of nutrition and medications on hair... BE CAREFUL!!! Go to a professional colorist!
   — Karen B.

November 14, 2001
I have colored my hair since 3 weeks post-op and it hasn't affected hair loss one way or the other. It did help me feel human again after surgery. The nutrition issues didn't affect the ability to take color well either.
   — blank first name B.

November 14, 2001
I continued to get my hair touch-ups after surgery with no probelms at all. I had some hair loss from months 3 through 5 but not severe hair loss. I am now 6 months and it has stopped. The hair coloring didnt seem to affect it at all. Just my personal experience.
   — [Anonymous]

November 23, 2001
I colored my hair shortly before and after surgery. I'm over six months post op and have'nt had any hair loss. So if you do lose hair, I doubt coloring you hair will have anything to do with it.
   — Danmark