If you’re putting off your weight loss surgery (WLS) because you’re worried about Hair loss, you’re not alone! And if you were surprised when you suddenly started to lose your hair a few months post-op, you’re not the first WLS patient to be caught off guard.
Here are a few facts on hair loss after weight loss surgery.
It’s actually a condition called “telogen effluvium,” which happens when more of your hair is in the resting stage than the growth stage, so you end up losing hair faster than it grows.
Telogen effluvium – and hair loss - can be triggered by stressful events like WLS and the WLS diet.
It’s more common after gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgeries than after the lap-band.
Hair loss is most severe around 3 to 6 months post-op.
It’s hard to predict who will lose their hair and who won’t after WLS. Also, there’s no fail-proof protection against hair loss. But there are a lot of promising strategies that work for some WLS patients that may work for you. The best part about them is that they’re also good for weight loss.
Protein: 65 or More Grams Daily
Protein is the foundation of your post-op WLS diet. It’s a nutrient that lets your surgery wounds heal. It also helps you maintain lean muscle mass as you lose weight. And when you get enough of it, it can help reduce hair loss.
Lap-band patients need at least 65 grams of Protein each day. Sleeve and bypass patients need 80 to 100 or more grams per day. Go lean with sources like tofu, chicken breast, tuna, egg whites, and non-fat yogurt and cottage cheese. If you can’t hit your needs with food, go for low-sugar protein shakes, protein powders, and protein bars.
Water: Not an Afterthought
Fluids aren’t always top on your mind when you’re worrying about your weight loss diet, but maybe they should be. When you choose calorie-free ones, they can help reduce hunger and lose more weight. Plus, Water prevents dehydration and symptoms like headaches and fatigue. It also promotes healing and lets your body function - and that’s good news for your hair.
Aim for at least 64 ounces per day of calorie-free fluids, such as water, flavored waters, diet sports drinks, and broth/bouillon. Feel free to go for more, though!
Biotin and Silica: Ask Your Surgeon
Biotin and silica are essential nutrients. You can usually get enough of them from diet alone, but WLS changes that. Some people swear that Biotin and silica supplements can reduce hair loss, but the science doesn’t yet support that. Talk to your doctor before taking these supplements. Biotin is usually safe even in high doses, but too much silica can be a problem.
Essential Fatty Acids: Fats Are Good!
Fats are high-calorie, and they make many foods off limits: think fried foods, creamy foods, and fatty meats. But some fats are good, and they’re the ones that you’re most likely to be deficient in after WLS. The possible results? Scaly skin and…hair loss.
You don’t need huge amounts of fats to stay healthy. You could see a difference just by getting a little more omega-3 fat in your diet. Once you’re into the mushies/pureed foods stage, you can get omega-3’s from pureed boneless salmon and canned tuna. Later, you can add walnuts and flaxseeds. If you’re not eating these foods, you might want to ask your doctor about a fish oil supplement.
The Extras
Why does hair fall out? Stress! So let’s see…what stresses have you already put on your body? There’s the stress of surgery; the stress of starving your body at least, that’s what your body thinks when you drop down to 1,000 calories a day; the stress of changing your entire lifestyle and possibly your relationships.
When you think about all the stress in life, it’s a wonder anyone has any hair left at all! So when possible, try to reduce stress however you can.
Get enough sleep.< br>
Take time for yourself.
Exercise daily.
Laugh it off…whatever “it” is, it’s probably not worth losing your hair over!
Taking good care of yourself after WLS can help prevent hair loss, but not always. Still, you can take heart in the fact that it probably won’t last for more than a few months. And at the other end of those few months, you’ll be down several pounds. Isn’t a little hair loss worth it if the payback is to be healthy?
I am 10 months out and have only loss 5 pounds in the last couple of months (60 total). I have loss quite a few inches though but only 5 pounds. I work out 5 days a week, twice a day two times a week. I eat my Protein Bars and shakes, drink a decent amount of Water every day so what the heck!!! I can tell the difference in my body over the last few months but the scale doesn’t show it. I am trying not to get frustrated and discouraged but it’s hard. I keep telling myself to keep pushing forward… that I feel great and look great but Ugh!
