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The hair loss is something you can't really prevent. It occurs due to a process called telogen effluvium. Bariatric surgery shocks our systems, resulting in temporary trauma to the hair follicles. Basically, the hair follicles go dormant for a while and the hair sheds. The hair shedding due to telogen effluvium usually starts at 3 to 4 months post-op and stops before the 1-year mark. Some swear that biotin supplementation and Progaine shampoo works. However, the only proven treatment is time and healing.

No, you haven't lost restriction. Unless your stomach has stretched to the preoperative 40+ ounce capacity and you can easily accommodate 10 bacon/egg sandwiches at one sitting, your restriction is still there. People seem to be under the impression that the immediate post-op phase in which their tight, swollen sleeves allow them to become full off 3 to 5 bites of food lasts forever. Nope...the stomach continually relaxes and accommodates more food over the years. Per bariatric surgeon Dr. Matthew Weiner's videos, this is a normal phenomenon. By 3 to 5 years out you can expect to accommodate three-fourths to 1 entire plate of food (8 to 12 ounces). But just because you can eat this much doesn't mean you should. Good luck to you.

What happens is your body was shocked by the surgery. When the body is shocked, it thinks the world is ending, and it shuts down all non-essential functions. Hair growth is non-essential, so it threw the "off switch". The hair stays on your head for about 3-6 months, then will fall out. After it falls out, it takes another 6 months to start growing again. (These are all approximations). So by the time you are 12 months postop, you should start seeing it regrow. The losses, when caused just by the surgery, should not be permanent. If you are low on iron or some other nutrients, it may have trouble coming back. But you won't know that unless a blood tests shows a deficiency. Do not take extra vitamins, especially iron, because it's possible to take too much. In the meantime, you could try a shorter hair style that will allow the remaining hair to fluff up more. You can try a wig or hats, or... I wouldn't recommend Rogain.. but I don't know anything about it really. I've lost at least half my hair, and am almost 7 months postop. It's still falling out, but might have slowed down a smidge. I cut mine shorter so it fluffs up more.

Hair loss usually happens a few weeks to months after surgery because of the 2 different phases that your hair can be in at any given time. Each phase lasts a certain amount of time and depending on how much hair was in a certain phase DURING surgery determines how much you will lose. Biotin will help with regrowth, but it won't prevent hair loss. This explains it well: https://www.drdkim.net/ask-the-dietitian/understanding-hair-loss-after-bariatric-surgery/# Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

I had thought about which surgery to have also. My doctor suggested bypass due to better results and since I have heard. He said my heartburn may get worse with the sleeve. I have a father in law that had bypass several years ago and he still has problems with vomiting, diarrhea. I chose the sleeve and haven't had single problem. I am so glad I did this. 53 lbs down since July. Nancy C

Are you required to exercise during pre-op? I'm not.

When I got my surgery date I went on a food farewell tour. Went to all my favorite restaurants and ate my favorite foods. I felt that I probably wouldnt be going back to those restaurants or eating those foods. Six weeks post op I’m feeling good about the surgery and best of all I dont miss the restaurants or food. From what I’m reading food funerals or farewell tours aren’t unusual.

@Mersh eeeeeeek!!! almost 6 years PO 63 years young i have all my teeth no cavities in years keep smiling!!! good luck kathy

What app do you use to track your weight? Sent from my SM-N920T using BariatricPal mobile app

@dreamingsmall it does stretch. But it's supposed to. You have to watch the videos for a full answer. They have scoped (camera down the throat into the stomach) WLS patients and found that sleeve size really has no effect on weight regain. Everyone's pouch stretches in time, it's the diet and activity level that will create lasting change. He also has a video on re-sleeving and revision procedures. Research shows that these revision surgeries (including the re-sleeve) end up with minimal results. He calls WLS a "one-time restart button" and emphasizes that we must be ready to make change and do the mental work because we get one shot at this.