Since the sleeve does not cause malabsorption, why do people experience hair loss? Can it be avoided by taking vitamins and do all experience this?

That is a very good question that we all wish we had the answer to.

I believe that it's just the shock of surgery to your system. Some people get it and some people don't. I lost half my hair when I got my band and it has still not recovered. I took every Vitamin and supplement I was advised to take for a few months prior and after the surgery. Nothing seemed to help.

If anyone has any answers, I would really be happy to know what the answer to preventing hair loss is.

There was a great debate on another forum about weight loss and hair loss. Some people say it's Protein, some say it's rapid weight loss, some say (like Daisy stated) that's a huge shock to your system.

I didn't experience any hair loss with my band surgery. I'm a month out from the sleeve, and haven't noticed any hair loss.

I am told is it is normal reaction to anethisi about 6 weeks out. COurse I just started loosing mine from the baby (about 4 months late) right before I went to Mexico.

However none of my children experieinced this with their open heart procedures.....but they all have chromosomal diffeneces so a lot of things that happen to us "normies" do not happen to them and vice versa!

I will see if mine slows down or stops this time.... I never really lost it with the band surgery or with either of my other two pregnancies.

I suffered hairloss when I did a "Lighterlife" diet which is a Meal Replacement program. I had lost 7 stones when I noticed my hair was falling out and was told that this is the body's natural reaction to the weight loss; i.e. trying to preserve energy where it can and not replenishing hair which is low down on priority for survival.

My hair did grow back to normal when I stopped losing weight.

Purdy

My hairdresser today told me this: Your hair is basically a protector of your body and when you cut down or cut own Protein or other "shocks" to your body, that your hair will be the last to take whatever your other organs don't need and thus will fall out. She explained much better than this as she learned about it a nutritional class she took.

She said my hair had barely grown in four weeks (surgery was 3 weeks ago) and if I didn't start getting in my protein, it would start falling out -- so far it has not -so I am hoping I get my nectar samples soon and can tolerate them and start packing in the protein. I don't want to lose my hair!

It's called telogen effluvium and it's caused by:

-sudden shocks to the system (i.e., surgery, general anesthesia)

-rapid weight loss

-hormones

-nutritional deficiencies

With WLS, we have the first three no matter what. Nutritional deficiencies can be a factor, if you aren't getting in your Protein or taking your Vitamins. But, if you are, taking a bunch of supplements and eating more protein won't help.

Here's an article about it:

Telogen effluvium (hair shedding). DermNet NZ

Thanks Mac -- interesting article.

yes thank you. It was very interesting to read.

Not being a smartie, but got no hair to lose! But interesting discussion...

Interesting read, Mac. Bob, I had to laugh at your post!

Not being a smartie, but got no hair to lose! But interesting discussion...

Interesting read, Mac. Bob, I had to laugh at your post!

Must be the name BOB -- my bob doesn't have to worry about losing any hair either!