ChuchieG.

I believe that this says it all...

I believe that this says it all...

I believe that this says it all...

Hello.
I managed not to lose hair when I was sleeved in May of 2013. I am 5’1 and had a BMI of 35. My weight was 184. I have lost over 60lbs not including the additional 10lbs that I had lost in 2015 due to brain surgery. Before and after my 2013 Bariatric Sleeve surgery, I took the standard Biotin along with prenatal Vitamins. I also took something else after the surgery that I believe made a difference: Ashwagandha. It is an adaptogen that lowers cortisol and stress bringing balance to the body. Bariatric surgery and the aftermath is extremely stressful to the body causing Telogen Effluvium (hair loss). Ashwagandha has many other uses. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center notes it’s benefits on their web site. I waited apprehensively for the Hair loss and thinning to begin. Nothing really out of the ordinary happened. I even let my bob grow below my shoulders that first year. I have done more damage myself to my hair being a high lift blonde having my regrowth done every two weeks. In May of 2015, I tore my ACL and also hit my head. Over the next month I became sicker and sicker. The doctors diagnosed a sinus infection. They were wrong. I had a large subdural hematoma with midline brain shift and herniation. Almost a month later that June, I had to have an emergency, life saving craniotomy. The neurosurgeon for some reason didn’t shave the whole side of my head like he normally would have done; just a rather large strip. After getting out of ICU and Acute Rehab, I started taking Ashwagandha again fearing my hair would fall out and I would be unable to part my hair (a bob again) on the opposite side to cover the huge hole that I was left in my head. Even with a traumatic brain injury, the subsequent stress from it that still continues even today, my hair did not fall out. I have been blessed in so many ways. Ashwagandha can thin the blood. Do not take it before surgery for this reason and wait until you are through with your blood thinners after. Ashwagandha naturally contains Iron which of course is beneficial. Do a little research and speak with your physician. I don’t know for sure if it was the Ashwagahnda that help prevent or minimize hair loss after both surgeries, but I thought I would pass on my positive experiences with it. I still use it for stress. Good luck.

My Insurance is Fidelis New York. I just had gastric sleeve surgery on 5/14. I was a low BMI patient (just over 35) with commorbidities. I started a six month supervised diet on 10/1/12 that ended on 4/1/13. I was approved within a few days after 4/25 (PCP pre-op clearance consult). I recieved the approval letter before my surgeon's office did! Over all, I had to go to the seminar, first office visit/weigh in, meet surgeon, nutritionist, pyschiatrist, cardiac clearance and PCP pre-op clearance. That's it. No referral. I had some bumps along the way, but not with the approval. I changed programs and surgeons. Dr. William Graber from Utica/Syracuse New York now takes Fidelis. I was his first Fidelis patient and his first Fidelis approval (even with a low BMI). I can be done!