Hair loss and Gastric bypass surgery....any suggestions aside from protein?

[Mandy0423]

I had Gastric Bypass surgery in September of last year and have lost Alot of weight and then before I was completely healed (the day before Christmas eve) I had to have my gallbladder removed as I developed gallstones. I have been drinking protein shakes and eating things with protein in them but it doesn't seem to be helping much. I have always had a problem with thin hair but after the surgery it started coming out alot. I am looking for some suggestions that people have tried and it worked. I am willing to try Almost anything lol....thank you in advance and best of luck to all of you guys and gals with your goals! It's a new year to make a new you, go for it!

[Inga]

Sorry you haven't gotten any responses, I assume that as your body adjusts your hair will grow back. Best of luck to you!

[KJScarp]

I would discuss this issue, ASAP, with your bariatric surgeon.  It is a symptom of deeper problems, i.e. inadequate vitamin absorption, which is common in bariatric surgery patients.  Most of your nutrients are absorbed in the intestine, and during the gastric bypass procedure, much of the intestine where vitamin absorption takes place is removed and/or bypassed. 

If your hair is thinning to that extent, then you are most likely severely vitamin-deficient, and you may need to start getting vitamin shots.  One of my friends had gastric bypass done and she is now permanently anemic, and must have regular blood transfusions to correct the problem.

Please, contact your doctor now and advise him/her of what is happening.

[Inga]

Excellent advice, KJ! 

here is an article that talks about the difference between early and later onset hairloss and recommends talking to your doc rather than trying useless OTC stuff. 

http://www.obesityaction.org/wp-content/uploads/Weight-Loss-Surgery-and-Hair-Loss.pdf

[steff]

Changing diet, changing hormones, healing, can all have a detrimental effect on hair.  Please talk to your doctor.   Take a picture of your hair loss, ie the amount in your brush or drain, etc to show your doctor.  Sometimes, we become overly concerned when it is normal under the curcumstances.

[SueUpNorth]

I had RNY in May 2011. 3 months later I started with hair loss. This happens with all gastric bypass surgery patients (or most). Be sure you are getting quality protein, Whey protein isolate, not concentrate or soy. Our bodies don't absorb those well at all. I still try to get 100g of protein a day. If I don't, I feel like crap and I will notice hair loss. The main reason for hair loss in gastric bypass patients is a lack of quality protein.  I have tried protein shakes from GNC and some of the others. The one that works best for me and has less garbage in it, is Unjury. I mix 1 scoop with 8oz fat free milk (if you are able to tolerate milk) for 28g of protein. I also take 5000mg Bioten daily..no proof this helps but can't hurt either. Do some research on different protein shakes. Unjury is not available in stores but at www.unjury.com. Listen to your body. My dietition was surprised at the amount of protein I require, but she also told me to do what I need to do to feel good. My labs are excellent without supplemental vitamins. I do take 2 multi vitamins daily and that is it. I have lost 126lbs since surgery and I have maintained all but 5lbs. I also eat 1400-1700 calories a day. If you have any questions, please ask!!

[PheonixRizing]

I had my roun Y 10 years ago and I have never had the large hair loss that other people have had. My hair did become very brittle which resulted in me having to cut it short and regrow it out. I lose a normal amount in the shower, I have talked to other women about this and it seems that everyone (especially those with longer hair) experience this. If you are having large patches fall out then speak to your doctors immediately. The first year is tough and your body goes through some really crazy stuff. I lost 197lbs in the first year and as amazing as it was it wrecked havoc on my hormones and sometimes my emotions. If you need someone to talk to feel free to contact me anytime. I always like new friends but you should definately keep your doctors abreast of whats going on so they can help you through this too. Good luck to you:)

[demarya]

I had the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy [a newer type of weight loss surgery] in July, 2013. Though with the sleeve we don't have quite the same absorbtion issues as with the gastric bypass, we still need to take supplements as well as quality protein every day.

And we also can have hair loss. Mine started about 2 months after surgery. A number of people have suggested taking Biotin [found in the vitamin isle of your local drug store]. Though some people take more, I 'only' take 1,000 micrograms [mcg] once a day and I have noticed a big improvement.

I would recommend talking with your surgeon, dietician, and/or your PA [Physician Assistant, if you have one] and see what their recommendations are.

[zelek]

This is common after any type of surgery or childbirth.  Your hair will grow back!  Been there!   You can also read posts on the many Weight Loss Surgery boards out there such as Obesity Helper, etc.  They have so many great people out there that will answer your questions.

Best of luck on your weight loss journey!  I'm almost 4 years out and loving life!

[sbgrimes]

I found that I wasn't getting 70 to 80 g of protein as required, but also I take calciun  supplenents and two chewable vitimins.  My hair has been falling out also, but w these additions, my hairdresser says it is coming back.  I was sleeved, 6/2013.  Good luck

[BarbaraForcebit]

I had gastric bypass surgery and I went from 321 to 119.  I lost a significant amount of hair.  I was told this could happen.  I usually have a lot of hair.  It eventually grew back to it's normal thickness.  Make sure you eat healthy, get the vitamins in your doctor ordered (especially vitamin B12) and you should be just fine.  Don't freak out it is very common with this surgery.  It is just a shock to your system.  You're body isn't absorbing the nutrients it once was.  Discuss with your doctor how you can get in the neccessary nutrients such as vitamin C, calcium, vitamin D, multivitamin, etc.  

I just saw this post.  I'm so sorry you haven't had an answer until now.

Barbara, barbararooney5@gmail.com

[biggermann]

Trying omeaga oils, or vidiams d and b12 , I have had hair loss also, but I think this may slow down

[SheRho]

Yes I had my gastric bypass July 1 I have been going through the hair loss as well. They said it's normal going through months 3-6. If you haven't already started taking it get yourself some "BIOTIN" I got mine at WalMart for like $6 take 10,000 mg once a day. Good Luck. Sheila 

[Onmiwei]

When was the last time you had labs drawn?  Is your provider drawing vitamin panel labs?  These are things you should be asking your provider. Take in all the info on what you are eating and drinking...ask for updated labs.

[SueUpNorth]

Labs are drawn yearly and vitamin panel is excellent. Have taken food diary in and doing what I'm suppose to be. Thyroid checked, its normal as well.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID

[Amanda2212]

Oh my god, I'm so sorry! There's no feeling worse than feeling your hair starts falling off as a woman. You definitely need more supplements in your life.

Sorry for chiming in to this thread so late, but I used to dread taking showers all the time. Now I don't mind.

This is my story and some of my best advice which I hope is going to be of much help.

I'm a woman in her 50's and I didn't give much thought to my sprouting gray hairs and my hair loss in my 30's during my first pregnancy because they were virtually undetectable; however, as my patch turned into a streak, I began to question whether or not I should address them although it was the last thing I wanted to do...

Should I color them? Should I stick to natural hairstyles where they'd go unnoticed? I was really on the fence, yet I didn't feel particularly rushed to conceal my grays...

I'm glad there are finally solutions out there for doing something about it that actually work!

This is a daily hair growth supplement that quite quickly helped me and my bestie to improve our hair and stop our hair loss with a few important but natural ingredients.

It wasn't until we found it we were able to make our hair stop falling off as fast although it doesn't stop completely!

I finally feel a lot more confident in my hair!

Wishing you the best of luck in your journey, sis.

Hope my advice was of help to you ❤️

Debbie

[RobP1]

These consequences after surgery are normal after prolonged use of various drugs affecting the hairline. After the operation, I lost almost all the hair on my head, and I could not restore them. I discussed this problem with my doctor, and he referred me to this clinic -- newjerseyhairtransplantclinic.com, which deals with hair transplantation. I had an operation about a month ago, but I have already noticed that my hair has started to grow. Finally, I will grow the long hair that I have been dreaming about for a long time.

[Glenda]

All of the suggestions offered here  sound excellent to me, but in the meantime consider looking into wigs.  They are so amazingly better than they were years ago.   They used to be so huge and uncomfortable.  They became cap-less and a much more reasonable size.  Years ago I had a really cute one, just for the fun of it.  I have no idea what they cost now either.  Maybe you could google to see what is available.