There is a lot of misunderstanding about telogen effluvium (post-surgery hair loss), so I thought I would post about it. Even bariatric clinics sometimes don’t understand or explain this condition adequately.

“It is normal to lose up to about 100 hairs a day on one's comb, brush, in the sink or on the pillow. This is the result of the normal hair growth cycle. Hairs will grow for a few years, then rest for a few months, shed, and regrow. Telogen is the name for the resting stage of the hair growth cycle. A telogen effluvium is when some stress causes hair roots to be pushed prematurely into the resting state.”

”If there is some ‘shock to the system,’ as many as 70% of the scalp hairs are then shed in large numbers about 2 months after the ‘shock.’ This sudden increase in hair loss, usually described as the hair coming out in handfuls, is acute telogen effluvium.”

“Among the common causes are high fevers, childbirth, severe infections, severe chronic illness, severe psychological stress, major surgery or illnesses, over or under active thyroid gland, crash diets with inadequate Protein, and a variety of medications.”

[Quotes from “Biotin and someone else didn’t doesn’t necessary have anything to do with respective amounts of hair loss. Which leads to…

3. You don’t need to do anything other than get enough protein.

“No treatment is needed for most cases of telogen effluvium. Remember that the hairs fall out when a new hair growing beneath it pushes it out. Thus with this type of hair loss, hair falling out is a sign of hair regrowth” [Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss]. You don’t need to take biotin. However, failing to meet your prescribed protein goals can also trigger this condition (see quote above about causes: “crash diets with inadequate protein”).

4. You can’t prevent it.

Even if you get adequate protein, major surgery is still a shock to your body. Almost everyone who has bariatric surgery gets some degree of telogen effluvium afterwards. Someone who has lower surgery stress and thick and/or short hair might not even notice telogen effluvium.

As someone who has been through this several times, I can reassure everyone worried about it that the effects are temporary and don’t do any long-term damage! Cheers

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing

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There is a lot of misunderstanding about telogen effluvium (post-surgery hair loss), so I thought I would post about it. Even bariatric clinics sometimes don’t understand or explain this condition adequately.

“It is normal to lose up to about 100 hairs a day on one's comb, brush, in the sink or on the pillow. This is the result of the normal hair growth cycle. Hairs will grow for a few years, then rest for a few months, shed, and regrow. Telogen is the name for the resting stage of the hair growth cycle. A telogen effluvium is when some stress causes hair roots to be pushed prematurely into the resting state.”

”If there is some ‘shock to the system,’ as many as 70% of the scalp hairs are then shed in large numbers about 2 months after the ‘shock.’ This sudden increase in hair loss, usually described as the hair coming out in handfuls, is acute telogen effluvium.”

“Among the common causes are high fevers, childbirth, severe infections, severe chronic illness, severe psychological stress, major surgery or illnesses, over or under active thyroid gland, crash diets with inadequate Protein, and a variety of medications.”

[Quotes from “Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss” by the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology]

I am familiar with this condition because I have experienced it three times: first after severe double-broncho-pneumonia (coughing up blood and bedridden for 4+ months). The next two times were after major abdominal surgery. I’m prepared to experience it again about 2-3 months after my upcoming gastric bypass. Here’s what you should know:

1. Your hair will grow back.

This condition is a temporary disturbance to the sleep/shed cycle. But none of your hair follicles have been permanently damaged. Your hair will grow back just fine.

2. It is slightly different for each person.

The level of stress on your body that surgery inflicts depends on your overall health and other variables. So the fact that you took Biotin and someone else didn’t doesn’t necessary have anything to do with respective amounts of hair loss. Which leads to…

3. You don’t need to do anything other than get enough protein.

“No treatment is needed for most cases of telogen effluvium. Remember that the hairs fall out when a new hair growing beneath it pushes it out. Thus with this type of hair loss, hair falling out is a sign of hair regrowth” [Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss]. You don’t need to take biotin. However, failing to meet your prescribed protein goals can also trigger this condition (see quote above about causes: “crash diets with inadequate protein”).

4. You can’t prevent it.

Even if you get adequate protein, major surgery is still a shock to your body. Almost everyone who has bariatric surgery gets some degree of telogen effluvium afterwards. Someone who has lower surgery stress and thick and/or short hair might not even notice telogen effluvium.

As someone who has been through this several times, I can reassure everyone worried about it that the effects are temporary and don’t do any long-term damage! Cheers

In my case has nothing to do with weight loss but surgery. 3 this year surprised I have any hair at all. I haven't noticed it as yet this time around but I'm only 9 weeks out. Good to know it isn't permanent though

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That was a very informative article! Must read for all post ops!

Thanks for posting this. 15 Oct 2016 will be 8 weeks post op for me. I have thick hair so hopefully it won't be so bad for me.

Great information!! I knew about the grow/sleep/fall out cycle but didn't know all of these details. Thanks for researching and sharing.

This is a great article and explanation. Thanks for posting it!!!