Hello all,

I was wondering if hair loss is a definite once you are sleeved? I have a lot of hair and could lose quite a bit of it without anyone noticing, but I would like to keep my length so that I am able to wear ponytails when I dont feel like getting my hair professionally done. This is not really a big concern because I am a true believer that hair will grow back, I just want to be as prepared as possible if this is something that I will experience.

The bariatric nurse I spoke to recently said that not everyone does, but a lot of people do and she claims it has to do with people following their recommended intake of food and protein, she said many people don't follow the protein rule. I have read though from most who have had the surgery that month 4-6 it happens. I have had PCOS in the last 2 years and I experienced hair loss due to it not noticeable BUT I know...I had a lot more hair, part of my weight loss surgery is to do with my PCOS. My doctor said age is a big factor and how people react to the weight loss the younger he said the better they bounce back, hair, skin, etc. I have my surgery on Dec.8 so I will let you know how it goes with the hair, though I have started on vitamins already mostly I wanted to get used to taking pills everyday and so I take a Multi and Biotin. Can't say what it is doing...but I will say my hair not falling like it was a month ago due to PCOS. Good luck.

It's not truly the surgery that causes the hair loss. No amount of Protein, Vitamins, fluids, magic pills will guarantee you won't lose hair. I have not met one sleeve patient that didn't endure some sort of big "shedding" some lasts longer than others.

Here's other threads that discuss the topic of hair loss

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/9817-the-hair-diaries/page__p__85627__hl__+hair++diaries__fromsearch__1#entry85627

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/9393-hair-today-hair-tomarrow/page__p__83200__hl__+hair++loss__fromsearch__1#entry83200

The 2nd topic link I posted has actual medical articles and explanations to why we experience hair loss. Yes, part of it is related to the drastic dietary change, and lack of protein in the beginning, but there are patients that got in their required protein grams plus and they lost hair longer and more than I did and I didn't get in my protein until I was 6 weeks out.

I even lost hair after my gallbladder surgery in February 8 months post sleeve, and my hair had finally stopped falling out 2 months prior.