I have been reading about VSG and trying to decide if I should do this surgery. I think that this is the surgery for me, but then someone mentions their hair loss. No one seems to really talk about it which makes me nervous. Does it happen to everyone? How much hair loss? Can it be avoided? When it grows back, is it different? I have very thick hair, will it be the same when it comes back? I know this shouldn't be high on my list of issues, but it is. I know that this is a big surgery and it will be good for me to lose the extra weight I have on me, but I can't seem to get past the hair loss. Someone please set me straight. Thanks.

Do a search for "Hair Loss". It's discussed daily here.

I had the surgery on December 27th. I have had hair loss but I take vitamins and also have hair growth as I have baby hairs that come along the face. So it does grow back. I don't have any bald places but my hair is a little thinner. I hope this helps.

It is talked about quite a bit. This is where I learned about it! From what I've learned it is mainly due to the shock of major surgery and the rapid weight loss. If you keep up on your Protein and take a Multivitamin & Biotin before surgery, you might be able to avoid losing a lot, but everyone is different. Most people say they start losing at around 4-6 months out from surgery. Unfortunately, from thing I've read, it can't be stopped completely, but it grows back just fine. Some people say it grows back better than their previous hair. Many people say they get a shorter cut during the time it's coming out.

I just had surgery 2 weeks ago, so I haven't lost any yet. I'm hoping it doesn't get too bad since I already have a short cut. However, to me it's worth it to lose hair if I'm losing weight & getting healthy.

Do a search for "hair Loss". It's discussed daily here.

I will check it out now. Thanks for the response.

What you MAY suffer (or if you are lucky may not) is actually called Diffuse hair loss,,or loose anagen syndrome(growing stage) gets a week conection between the hairs cuticle and the inner root sheath..hence it doesnt grow so hits the telagen stage (resting ) for a longer period of time where the hair follicle shrinks and the papilla seperates from the bulb which ends up in hair loss.. the theory is to go back 3 months previous to find out what caused it.. it can be one of many things including

1. high fever 7.loss off blood

2. crash dieting 8.poor diet

3. oral contraceptives 9. low Vitamin B12

4. operations 10. low copper levels

5. food (lack of nutrients) 11. low folic acid

6. extreme stress.. 12. low Iron

well as you can see fron the list above we will go thru pretty much all of this and the effects hit between 3 +6mths after our surgery,,the good news is that DIFFUSE Hair loss does get replaced.. just up your Vitamins,, take some silica and Vitamin C, up your clacium levels, get a good quality proffessional range of shampoo and conditioner (i recomend Nioxin as it is specially formulated for thinning hair to help it regrow) and a really good head massage to stimulate the scalp..can take up to another 6months for regrowth but it will regrow. hope this helps x

From what I have read, it happens with all wls procedures. It does concern me because I have very fine straight hair. But, the benefits definitely outweigh the hair loss, and it does to seem to come back.

I too have very fine, but dense hair. My hair loss started about a month ago. I've noticed more coming out, but to be honest, my clog hasn't choked up yet. Take your vitamans, biotan, and protien. It will come back.

Ohhhh we talk about this one, I promise you I think we've all worried about it and I think we've all had different experiences with the amount we've lost. I have lost little to no hair and I'm 7 months out....I'm hoping that means I'm in the clear! I had made up my mind that even if I lost a lot it would be worth it to regain my health!

My hair loss started at about 2 weeks post-surgery. At first it was a bit frightening, but other folks don't notice it (except the lady that cuts my hair) - she said not to worry about it, she has seen this a lot with WLS folks. It DOES grow back. I had worked really, really hard at letting my hair grow out, and now it's the longest it's been since I was a kid. But for me, thinner hair is on the low end of concerns compared to my over all health. I'm 4 months post-op and the hair is still coming out, just not as much now. And again, no one seems to notice it except me. My hair is thin and still looks fine. The good news? It's starting to grow back in, and I've been considering cutting it off short again, for the time being.

LOL... we DEFINITELY talk about it!!! I started to lose my hair around 4 months out. I am not 7 months out and it is definitely starting to grow back in. I have "baby" hair growing in. Even though my hair thinned out quite a bit, it wasn't catastrophic. I don't think any of else are walking around with bald heads. I am also pretty sure that it pretty much effects everyone in some way. But again, it really isn't that bad. Definitely easy to live with and deal with and it seems like it grows back!

Like his2my2our4 says oh yes this is a definate topic which is talked about alot. I had my surgery 3 years ago, 3 months into it, my hair started falling out and hasn't stopped. it's slowed down, but have never stopped. it's very very thin, not bald thin, but my braid which used to be very thick is now the size of my pinkie. . . i dare not cut my hair, i'd have nothing left. . . but this is just one of the sacrifices i chose to be thin. . .

I had a little hair loss and my hair is really thick. It wasn't like chunks of hair was falling out in the shower or anything but it is something you recognize. It seems to get a little thin but now my hair seems just fine. I take vitamins all the time and drink protein drinks to this day. I think that has helped me.

This is a hot topic here search around. I experienced it at around 3 months and it's not anything I worry about. I rather look hot with a wig or weave than be fat and unhealthy with a full head of lovely hair.

Thanks to all who took the time to answer my hair loss question. I guess I thought that when your hair stars to fall out, it was in big clumps. Happy to read that is not the case.

Hi,

I too had great concern about hair loss so i decided to do my research prior to my surgery. I had surgery on 4/24/2012 and I learned to hair is expected to thin by months 3 to 6 and supposedly began to grow back the next few months. I also learned to take supplements as directed and drink your Protein shakes. I also journeyed to my pharmacy and began to seek out a hair Vitamin that has both Silica and Biotin, which works to provide longer and and stronger hair and nails. This product is also a supplement that requires that you take 2 soft gels daily. Also, to prevent early hair loss I began taking this supplement prior to surgery in order to get it into my system. This is all that I know at this time and I encourage you to to do your home work/research and go on with the surgery because it is worth having and do take one day at a time and make sure you pray to God for direction because you will need it. I will think of you as you make your decision about thaving the surgery. Jesus is able to help you!