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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. 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?

Just be careful about eating till you're full. After a bypass "full" feels completely different. You will not feel the same sense of fullness that tells you to stop. You have to measure everything and then stop because you ate you 1/2 a cup, not because you feel full. If you go beyond that it's easy to get sick. At 6 months I still dont feel full, I just stop eating because I know I need to. As far as how much to eat, that varies by doctor and you'll get a lot of different opinions but early on should be around 1/4 of a cup and I think 1/2 a cup after 3-4 months. Try eating 1/4 of a cup and see if that keeps you satisfied for a few hours. You're going to eat tiny amounts but often

Oh, just remembered. was told by experienced bariatric surgeon that did my revision to keep my protein uptake at 60 grams daily, low sugar to prevent dumping. I tolerate sugar fine, only one episode years ago, ate way too much at Christmas. I'm drinking Premier Protein Shakes, can get them down and they taste okay to me. Wonder if I should add a glass of full fat milk daily, I might could get it down, if I split it up. I try to eat a few bites of full fat cottage cheese. I can't even get down a small frozen meal, such as Atkins, etc. Tried this morning, ate about 4 bites and spit it out. I know I need therapy, my husband died in 2014 from cancer, then my only son who was heroin addict in 2015, committed suicide 2015. I am overwhelmed with unresolved grief...but that can take years to solve I need help with getting the best nutrition to be focused enough and well enough to even drive to therapy. Get my drift? I need a registered dietician in bypass patients who are experiencing my specific condition, and take my health issues/age, and the fact I live alone, and find it even hard to get to store, etc. I'm overwhelmed to say the least. Just wanting first step. Getting medical care, but she really doesn't know best core diet to recover from this.

Ha! My surgeon gave me a mini-gastric bypass and told me I have to take omeprazole for life just to make sure I don’t get ulcers (more of a risk with the MGB??) so I wouldn’t necc. make the decision on whether you need to take PPIs for life, only. You might end up needing to take them anyway.

I'm sorry for all you have been going through. I also have a sliding haital hernia, by the way. Makes it possible to eat well some days and some other days, I can't get anything down. Since you had a hernia before the sleeve and it is back now, if repaired again without converting to the bypass, according to my surgery, the hernia will likely return in 3-5 years, unless your diaphragm is supported with a mesh filter. Making the decision to have any WLS is difficult enough, let alone having to decide on a revision. It really comes down to quality of life, from what I've experienced and heard in support group for months now. If you feel you can manage your reflux well enough with medication, then maybe surgery is not worth the risk but acid reflux could lead to other things down the line... In my case, there is a plethora of reasons for revision, so that in a way, has made it easier to decide (scheduled for 9/9/19). Also, regarding your main concern (dumping), I actually have that now with the sleeve (maybe 3-4 times a month). It happens when I make poor choices (high sugar or high fat). Yes, it's more likely to happen with the bypass, but I think managing our intake regardless of surgery type is key to preventing uncomfortable dumping situations. I'll have surgery just 10 days before you, so if you'd like, let's keep in touch and I'll let you know how it goes! I am most likely to have an open surgery (surgeon will try laparoscopic first) due to an obstruction in my sleeve, ulcers, and scar tissue buildup being 7+ years out, so my recovery may be a bit different/lengthy.

I was suffering from January 2019 after a round of steroids, until my revision from sleeve to bypass on 9/11/19. I will honestly say I am very thankful I had made the decision to proceed with the surgery regardless of any possible drawbacks. After 9 months of progressively being able to eat less and less food, sleeping in a chair, to not sleeping at all unless I was at an almost 90 degree angle; the surgery has given me back my life. 1 week after surgery I was able to sleep at a 45 degree angel and 2 weeks after surgery I was finally able to convince myself to try to sleep at an almost flat position. I am now 6 weeks out and I have finally had a week of real sleep after 9+ months of "naps". Like most of everyone who opts originally for the sleeve, I was worried about the bypass dumping syndrome, which unfortunately I have learned the realness of, and how to avoid it at all costs. ( quick lesson - avoid all sugars real and artificial), but I still have the fear of losing too much weight, malabsorbtion, and osteoporosis. I still haven't started solid food for fear of the GERD coming back, but I was told if I were to stay on the high dose pantoprazole for long term it would contribute to osteoperosis, which was my absolute defining calalyst to finally agreeing to the surgery. If you are on the fence, determine what kind of quality of life you wan, then if you are willing to make the changes to achieve it. I knew I wanted to be able to walk independently and not need to be using a cane or wheelchair when I retire, especially if I could make better food choices and take vitamins after surgery to prevent it now. Good luck with your decision.

There is a lot of planning needed for PS, so I advise an early consultation to get the facts and begin looking for the best PS. Its easy to get tied to the scale as a measure of how "successful" you are, but the scale is only a part of the story. A stable weight, where your diet and excercise mesh comfirtable wiht your lifestyle is far superior than starvation to satisfy some number on the scale. I have seen patients (often bypass or DS) thin to the point of Protein malnutririon who will not heal properly from their PS and so I need to get them built up for a safe procedure.

That's how I got my answer from the Lord. I prayed about the gastic bypass years ago before the lapband came out, and got a "NO" answer from the Lord. So this time I prayed about the band I saw someone who prayed and asked the Lord if it is meant to be to work it out thru their ins. company because the ins co would not cover the band. But the ins. co "somehow" changed their mind and covered the band for this lady. So I prayed that prayer too, and my ins co approved me in 3-4 days and all my tests, paperwork "everything" went very fast and smooth. I know it was the Sweet Lord. I hope you get your go ahead from the Lord. Sweet Blessings to you.

Lets not become those surgery people that think "OUR Surgery" is the ONLY way to lose weight and its for EVERYONE ! Because its not . There ARE people who can lose weight with LIFESTYLE Changes not diets. Is Oprah one of those people ? It does not look like it . Am I one of those people ? No it does not look like it. I do not think that the band is the ONLY way to lose weight PERIOD . I have friends who have been sucessful with gastric bypass. Honestly I dont really care HOW people lose weight as long as they keep it off and do it in a healthy way . EVERYONE has their OWN WAY of doing it. I hate to see those people that think THEIR Surgery is the ONLY way to lose weight. Its not true and it gives WLS and losing weight a bad name. Its like i said before. Oprah would be fine w/ me and not have an issue with me if she would just ZIP IT about WLS or show a fair and balanced program on it . You want to show the negatives of WLS , fine but show the positives too !

I'm having band to sleeve revision in Nashville on Monday. How was the recovery?

I can't wait for my plastics I'm terrified of the pain bc I'm a huge baby and had the hardest time with recovery from my gastric bypass but I feel I've earned this i worked my butt off literally to be healthy and fit now I wanna be happy and feel comfortable in clothes I have to constently tuck in my skin and my breasts are like a 100 year old lady my arms don't bother me but the loose skin from my breast and belly honestly hurt the more weight I lost the more pain I was in I can wait to wear jeans comfortably and feel like a 26 year old!! Instead of the old women I feel like now so I'll spend the 18,500 dollars to be comfortable in my own skin I need skin removed from my thighs but that can wait!!!

I had the sleeve and it doesn't help with cravings. The reason I chose sleeve over bypass is because I didn't want to experience dumping. I knew there would be times I would want a bite of something sweet, and didn't want to deal with dumping. I have lost 140 pounds with the sleeve and am at goal.

Since I'm basically a newbie here I'm just trying to wrap my head around all the emotions, frustrations and happiness. I guess it would be nice to be able to talk to others that have been down this path. Voice concerns and questions... What to potentially expect. Etc...

So happy for you! Please update in your progress. I'm just starting the whole thing over. I had lap band in 2011 with not so great results. Now I'm starting the process for a revision to the sleeve. I would have liked to do this earlier, but like you...insurance got in the way. As of January, I'll have a different insurance to cover. I wish you the best of luck.

Hello gina171, I'm a 9 yr Breast cancer survivor and I was required by my surgeon to talk to my oncologist about malabsorption. My oncologist said he didn't see any problem with WLS. He has several cancer patients that are doing well with WLS. God forbid if I have to go through anything cancer related ever again. But it will always be in the back of my mind. I'm due to have my bypass in July. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

@@jazzyjay I'm very conscious of my BP b/c I've had issues for many years & high BP & heart disease runs in both sides of my family. You are new to the high BP family so you aren't as aware of the numbers, lots of people aren't. I bet your Dr will be able to get the insurance to revise the decision after the talk. Try not to stress about it. ❤️ Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I converted from sleeve to bypass almost 2 weeks ago due to severe GERD. My recovery has not been typical. My small intestine swelled almost completely shut at one of the newly created junctions so I had to go back in the hospital for a few days for a lovely tube down my nose and into my stomach, more steroids and forced rest in the form of nothing to eat or drink. I'm fine now, fluids are moving through and my digestive system is fully back on line. The swelling wasn't a big surprise since my sleeve swelled quite a bit when I first had it done 7 years ago. Considering the severity of your GERD, absolutely get the conversion to bypass. The GI doc who did my first endoscopy was worried enough about the results of my second endoscopy (done by a different doc) that he called me to make sure I understood the severity of what could happen if it wasn't surgically corrected. For what it's worth, I've not had any reflux since surgery. Sent from my Z5157V using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi! I was sleeved in 2017 and converted to bypass in 2019. 1) Your reasons for conversion from the sleeve to bypass. I wish I did the revision as soon as my symptoms started (GERD) Instead of waiting couple years but I didn’t understand that I was actually experiencing GERD. I just kept trying to rework my diet to see if the symptoms never occurred to me it was something that I could not fit without surgical intervention. 2) What was the post op period like compared with sleeve? It was a easier than when I was sleeved, I don’t know why but I’m grateful 3) What is the best and worst part of having the bypass? To me the bypass is almost exactly like having sleeved, I can’t tell the difference Until I remember the difference in restrictive feelings during eating. With a slave restriction was high in my chest almost near my throat. With the bypass I feel the heaviness disinterest in food. Some days if I eat and dryer proteins source (like grilled chicken breast) I can feel both types of restrictions. 4) Any dumping issues? Yes I do experience dumping although it’s well managed now. I do have a few additional food restrictions than I did it with the sleeve. I cannot eat really sweet things. Or if I do it is literally one bite and I’m done. I rather not feel terrible over food if I can prevent it.

I was sleeved in 2015 and just went through the revision from sleeve to bypass about 3 1/2 weeks ago. So as I'm still in recovery mode I can't really provide a full answer all of your questions. 1. Reason for conversion: I developed a hiatal hernia where part of the sleeve had slipped up through the opening of the diaphragm into the chest cavity, which was causing chest discomfort and only allowing me to eat a couple ounces of food at a meal. After doing an EGD my surgeon was concerned enough to schedule my revision within a week. He said if they just fixed the hernia there was a high likelihood it would recur with the sleeve. If he converted to bypass he said there was a very low likelihood I'd have any further problems. I also had GERD issues from the sleeve which I wanted to address. 2. Post-op period: I'd say for me it was essentially the same. I had the same surgeon and facility which were both great. Recovery plan is the same for both surgeries (clear liquid, full liquid, puree, soft solids, etc.) I had a bit more pain with the bypass but I'm 7 years older than when I had the sleeve. 3. Best and worst part: Can't really answer this yet, except to say it's nice to lose some additional weight (I never hit my goal with the sleeve) but it's tough to have to start over with the recovery. 4. Dumping: Haven't experienced it yet, but I am just up to about 2 to 2.5 oz of soft protein so I have not been able to even try anything that might cause dumping. My thought on the revision is if you are experiencing significant GERD it is definitely worth considering. GERD can cause Barret's esophagus and ultimately lead to esophageal cancer if not kept in check. Having had a relative who died of that cancer in her early 50's I was concerned enough to want to solve it if I could.

That's going to be super individualized and no one can predict what it will be like until after.(But I personally don't dump often because I'm careful- sidenote I was revised from VSG to RNY for GERD) Ask about the statistics on GERD remission/recurrence after VSG from your Surgeon or research it yourself But really It will all come down to what the surgeon (and you) determine is the best course of action Good Luck 💙

Vegas- It's great not having to shop in the woman's section, you look so great now, you'll be smokin' hot at a 12! I don't think I could look anorexic, but I revised my goal higher because I know that I don't want to look deflated all over like I do in my chest and butt:-)

I had been obsessively looking into being resleeved as well as mine is very large and misshapen as evident in my x-rays, I've now decided to revise to the MGB, I've done a ton of research and while I NEVER imagined even considering a malabsorption procedure, it really sounds very promising. There is a small group on here if you would like more information. However, if you are dead set of resleeving, IMHO, Dr. Wilhelmy in Mexico was by far the best I found for the job. Best of luck to you!

I have been in the hospital for 6 days now. they can't find the problem. I believe its candy cane syndrome? what were your symptoms and i feel worse than when i had the bypass surgery 10 yrs ago.. please help

Wish I could be more helpful. The "Duodenal Switch Surgery" forum on this site has been my go-to. It's a mixture of full DS and Sadi\Sips\mini DS'ers and doesn't get that much traffic, but the vets who regularly post here are informative and not Judgemental ( More than once I've gotten unloaded on at other sites by old school Full DS'er who seem genuinely pissed or threatened by Sips\Sadi\mini-DS'ers. Not pleasant.) I'd say something like 40% of the people on this forum are revisions from band or sleeve. I had both; Sips was my "third time is the charm" solution. Coming up on 1 year anniversary, and so far, so good. Regardless, I encourage you to post your questions, even if you're not sure this is "the right place." We'll do our best to get you the answers you need.

Hi all!! (SLEEVE OR BYPASS).... running out of time! I am scheduled to go in for my sleeve this Weds. I have been learning and reading so much and now I feel that perhaps a bypass might be a better choice for me. My fear is that I might develop bad reflux in the future and would need a revision to a gastric bypass. I don’t have any symptoms of that now, however I have read so many posts from people that have had this happen. My Dr is basically saying it’s my decision. I have fears that I will make the wrong choice..... Any advice would b much appreciated!!!