Question:
I have had six major surgeries in my life and I don't recall ever having my hair fall

out after any of them. Does the hair loss just go with this surgery? I know my hair is getting alot grayer but hasn't fallen out.    — buhret (posted on July 4, 2001)

July 4, 2001
Hi Terry, You may be very fortunate in the way your body handles the stress's and shock of surgery that your hair dsn't fall out. I had surgery in Aug. 2000 which was LAP for acid reflux and my hair did start to fall out-not bad tho. I'm 3 months out today with an open BPD/DS and keeping an eye on it. I know there's nothing I can do it's just the way my body reacts to the stress it underwent. Many people do experience this but not all. Consider yourself lucky! Best wishes
   — Linda M.

July 4, 2001
The hair loss that people experience is not from the surgery itself, but from the stress the body goes through because of the rapid weight loss. If you were to lose weight as quickly as most people with surgery but by some other method than surgery, you would likely experience hair loss. Not everyone experiences hair loss. Those that do find that about one year after surgery, the hair is back to normal.
   — Gina E.

July 4, 2001
The reason some people experience hair loss is because of the lack of protein after surgery. This is why you probably never lost hair before. After this surgery, you are on liquid diets, then soft foods - it's very hard to get your protein in. Lack of protein causes other problems besides hair loss such as fatigue, and a slow weight loss. This is why you'll hear people talking about how to get that protein in...during the liquid phase it's all protein drinks and some people just can't drink them. Those that can do tend to suffer a slower hair loss. Good luck and try to get that protein in as much as possible. Try to find a protein drink for your liquid phase that you like, but remember your taste buds may change after surgery.
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 5, 2001
I see you've gotten different answers already. There are theories on this. I, too, had a number of previous surgeries and never lost hair. However, I did lose quite a bit of hair from months 3 through 6 months. I really believe it is a combination of factors -- but mainly from the rapid weight loss. I was onto regular foods at 2 weeks post op from open RNY. So, for me, it was not a problem of low protein consumption. During the first 2 weeks, I got my protein in mostly through milk - creamed soups, sugar free puddings and yogurt. Then, after that, I never had a problem getting in the prescribed amount of protein through regular food with very minimal liquid protein supplements. I used the Biotin shampoo and scalp treatment right at 6 months and the hair loss stopped within a week, however, it was probably just time for it to stop. I always took my vitamins just right and got in the water too. So, I think some will lose hair, some won't. For some, they will regardless. However, you CAN make it worse by not getting in the protein you are supposed to.
   — Cindy H.