Question:
Should I change my hair back to it's natural color before surgery to avoid hair loss?

I know that Vitamins, and Protein will help with hair loss post op, but I am currently a brunette that dies her hair blond and then highlights it, so it is a 2 step process...very hard on the hair, but I use good conditioner and it looks and feel fine. My case is currently under review by my insurance, and I was wondering if I should try to get my hair back to it's natural color pre-op, so that I won't have to do so much to it post op? I once lost 60 lbs on the Atkins diet in 6 months and I had a very significant hair loss then...so this worries me a little. I have a lot of gray in my hair and chose to go blonde to try and hide it, and would like to stay blonde, but at least if I went back to brown it would only be a one step process. Any suggestions?    — Deana R. (posted on June 14, 2001)

June 14, 2001
I wouldn't worry about changing your hair color.. The hair loss has nothing to do how healthy your hair is or damaged.. It is the shock to your body when losing alot of weight that makes you lose hair.. I am one year out and yes I did lose alot of hair.. but only for a couple of months and no one noticed it but me.. And it all came back.. So I wouldn't worry to much.. Good Luck and don't worry. That is one nice thing about hair > it does grow back.. (hugs)
   — Debbie R.

June 14, 2001
Don't bother. It won't help. I was Natural when I had RNY, C-section and hysterectomy, and I lost it every time. It's from the anesthesia and basically shock from any major surgery.
   — Amy K.

June 15, 2001
How would that help you keep your hair? I'm confused just wonder what your thinking? The healthier your diet and the healthier your hair is the better off you are. Coloring or treating your hair does cause some damage.. typically minimal.. so why cause more.. help your hair to get all the vitamins, protein and supplements it needs to be healthy. So many people experience some hair loss though.. I've never heard of it being to a huge extent and I've always heard it will grow back. Except in the case of male pattern balding.
   — [Anonymous]

June 15, 2001
Don't color for about two months prior and after your surgery. It is hard on the hair, and so is the stress of the surgery. Some lose it, some don't. Just don't do anything that would help the process along.
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 15, 2001
Hi Deanna... I lost some hair from the third month through the sixth month after surgery. Not alot, I was expecting to lose more, as I had read alot about it here. I also lost hair whenever I would go on a medically supervised fast. This loss also occurred between 3 and 6 months into the fast. The doctors didn't know why the hair loss occurred. Blood tests are done monthly on the fast and your nutritional level is watched very closely, so I don't think that the hair loss is due to nutritional deficiencies, although I have read that more than once on here. I also color my hair monthly, and have done so for twenty years...and I don't think that has any bearing on the amount of hair lost, either. It seems that people with the thickest hair have the most hair loss. The good news is, that it grows back. The only piece of advice I might offer on this is perhaps to cut your hair as short as comfortable before surgery, then any loss won't be as noticeable. It's also easier to take care of for those first few weeks when you are just too tired to fuss with your hair.
   — Anne G.

June 15, 2001
Hair loss is common and honestly there is nothing you can do to prevent it if you are going to have it. The reason it happens is your hair folicles have the ability to "shut down" when your body requires healing in another area of your body. This can happen anytime in a 3 month period as your hair grows in 3 month cycles. It may happen for as long as three month once it starts but it will come back usually thicker and more curly. Everyone is different and you may be one of the lucky ones. I thought I was home free but as 11 weeks I started to see extra hair around the bathroom! It is still happening but just a little a day. As for the hair color. I did mine right before surgery and have done it once more since then. That doesn't seem to be a factor. The bottom line is if it is going to happen it will and there really isn't anything you can do or take to prevent it. It is a small price to pay for your wonderful new life! Good Luck
   — Raylene B.