Question:
loosing your hair after WLS

why does this happen? i have read posts of people that have had this happen, but i cant find info on it.. can some one please tell me about this where to look in the net about it    — Rebecca73 (posted on October 1, 2004)


October 1, 2004
Many patients are suffering from increased hair loss during the first six months after surgery. This is also caused by the relative starvation, decreased levels of protein and other vitamins and minerals needed from strong hair, and the relative stress of major surgery on the body. This (according to what I have read online) however never leads to baldness and normal hair growth will eventually return. If you go to google.com and type in the words "Weight Loss Surgery hair loss" you will get TONS of hits for websites that mention hair loss, people's personal expierences with it and what to do about it. I have heard at my support group meetings of people taking a hair supplement called Bioten Extreme (sp?) and it seems to help them. I am preop so I am just giving you the info that I have found myself. HTH! :-) Jamie
   — MagickalMom

October 1, 2004
from everything that I have read this happens due to the anestesia they use during surgery and like previously stated it is only temporary I have read lots of people that take zinc and the B3 6 & 9 vitamins to keep it to a minimum. Mostly I hear that Zinc helps. Best wishes Shell
   — Shell G

October 1, 2004
Well I am not exactly sure why it happens but everyone has their own ideas. For me, I am convinced it's hormones because the same exact thing happened to me after having my son pre-op and there was no anesthesia involved, so it can't be that. And the amount and time frame of the hair loss was about identical and the two times it's happened have nothing in common. I was pretty sure I'd lose hair with wls since I did with my son, and I was right. It sure it scary when it's happening, but it really does grow back and it will not all fall out until you are bald.
   — Dee ,.

October 1, 2004
I haven't had surgery yet. But Last year I lost 81 pounds in about 3 months through dieting (it's all back now!) and I had also tried IVF just before this. I lost about half my hair which is just thickening up again now. I was concerned and looed for answers on the internet. I found a site which explained that there 3 main reasons why a person may temporarily lose a lot of hair: 1) stress (losing weight and IVF??); 2)hormonal changes (IVF??) and 3) rapid weight loss (diet??). So I think for me it was inevitable that I would lose the hair - luckily it grows back and it seems to be thicker than it ever was before! I don't remeber the exact site I got the info from but it was something like: American Hair Loss Institute. Good Luck with it Anne B
   — AnneB

October 1, 2004
well, I just went for my one month post op visit today and my surgeon told me that hair loss, along with flaky skin and brittle nails are all common with WLS patients when they do not get enough protein in their diet. If you get enough protein you should not have much problem with hair loss.
   — gerardlovesjoy

October 1, 2004
I lost hair after my original WLS, after my TT, after my revision and after my mom died. Right at 4 months, each time. I used to think it was anesthesia, but I'm not so sure. I can tell you that I don't believe there is a product made that can prevent it or stop it. BUT since it's going to happen to about 99% of us, what we CAN do is work at how that new growth is going to come in. My hair is thinnish, anyway, but I didn't go bald. The panic was in what I saw on the floor, in the brush, not what was missing on my head. I had pre-loaded with protein AND dry vitamin E for my revision. Still had hair loss, but have not had the crispy hair, skin and nails since I found the right formula for me in vitamins and protein. And the final word: it comes back.
   — vitalady

October 1, 2004
I was told it is a common condition among WLS patients at about 3-6 mos. out due to the changes/stress on our bodies following the surgery, sometimes from anesthesia and I would lessen my hair loss if I loaded up on the vitamins they were telling me to take and make sure I got my recommended protein in each and every day. For me it worked like a charm. I had no hair loss. But many are not as fortunate as I was. Don't know what makes the difference but I'm sure glad it worked for me.
   — Cathy S.

October 2, 2004
At exactly 6 months I started losing my hair. Hairloss continued for 2 months. I lost a lot of hair! You couldn't tell by looking at me, I still had a full head of hair although it seemed to thin around the temples a bit; it was mostly in my hairbrush, shower drain and on my clothes. My hairdresser recommended Nioxin. I don't know if that made a difference or if it just stopped on its own. Eventually it all grew back. I am now 2 years 8 months post-op and have not had a problem since.
   — Melissa W.

October 7, 2004
Was just at my surgeons complaining of the same thing....PROTIEN was his answer. Said to get 60-60 grams a day and it should stop. I know I dont get that and my hair falls out by the hand fulls. Im going in to get it cut in a week or so cause Im so fed up with it. I have been tryin to up the protien, hopefully it works! Good Luck. 1/8/04~255~165
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 7, 2004
Oops...should have been 60-80 grams of protien, Sorry!!!
   — [Deactivated Member]




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