Question:
Does the texture of your hair also change after surgery?

Hi.. It's been almost 3 months since my surgery in mid-July, and my hair is really starting to fall out significantly. I'm worried about the texture and quality of the hair I still have left. Will it continue to look and feel the same, besides just being thinner? A friend told me that she knows someone who had the surgery a couple years ago whose hair ended up looking and feeling like straw a few months after the surgery. Is that what normally happens to the hair of gastric-bypass patients? In general, does the hair just look thinner, or does the quality/texture of the hair also deteriorate? And if the quality/texture DOES generally deteriorate, does anyone have any tips on making it look better? Thanks so much for your help! -Renee    — Renee M. (posted on October 6, 2002)

October 6, 2002
Sorry I don't have any real advice for you. My hair is thinning and the texture has changed. Most people can't really tell unless I mention it. Before my hair was very bushy in the back and thin in the front. The texture is a bit different but not courser. It's almost more limp. And my hair is filling in in the front although I'm still losing some in the back. Also before my hair dried very fast. Now it takes forever. I've been taking the hair, skin and nails vitamins. I don't know if that's helping anything but I figured it's worth a shot. Good Luck! Lisa - open rny 4/26/02 -93lbs
   — LisaTaz

October 6, 2002
I haven't made it to the falling out stage yet as I am only 8 wks out but my hair was like horse hair, it was so course..I have used some major conditioners for several weeks now and it has improved tremendously..I called my surgeon and they said most of that was from the anethesia..
   — Sharon1964

October 6, 2002
My hair is normally extremely thick and coarse, after surgery it was fine but after about 9 mos. out it started thining and the texture changed a little also. I am now 21 mos. post-op and my hair is back to normal: thick and coarse. I believe it's the lack of vitamins/protein we absorb from the operation + the operation.
   — Betty Todd

October 7, 2002
I am about 16 months post-op and went through what I feel is the inevitable period of lossing some hair. But, now my hair is back in full force and I do think that the texture has changed as it is much curlier than prior to the surgery. That's why I keep it so short because I don't like my curls. Good Luck!
   — Molly S.

October 7, 2002
I have noticed that mine is dryer and has also developed curls........I have always has very healthy STRAIGHT hair....this curl thing has just got me all upset. LOL
   — RebeccaP