I had gastric sleeve surgery almost 4 months ago, and now my hair is starting to fall out. I had my blood work done a month ago and my Vitamins were good. I’m going to call the doctor tomorrow, but I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem? My weight loss is going slow but steady and I haven’t had any other major problems. Any comments would be appreciated.

From what I have heard, hair loss is to be expected. I know some don't lose much but I did. Mine started around my 4th month out. I continued to lose it up t my 9th month. I really thought hard about getting a wig. I kid you not I was looking darn thin on top. I started taking HAIR SKIN AND NAILS vitamins. I have been using a shampoo that is supposed to help with your hair. When my hair started coming back my SIL thought I had gotten a perm because it was curlier. I always had the body but this is more than before. They told me that anesthesia can cause it, also the lack of Protein. Hang in there it will get better.

Dietitian told me today that the people who experience less hair loss seem to be people who are eating enough calories. She said that prolonged periods of eating fewer than 1000 calories can contributes to worse hair loss. I think everyone loses some hair and I'm told it grows back just fine, but keeping track of your nutrition and making sure you're not on the extreme side of low calories can really help I'm told. Avoid malnutrition.

most people experience at least some hair loss. Fortunately, I lost hardly any. It does grow back, though - but you may lose it for a few months.

I have been worried about the same thing although I'm only a month post OP. I have found out that there is little correlation between biotin and hair regrowth in this situation, but L-Lysine seems promising. Also ferritin, iron store levels seem crucial. Please Research Telogen Effluvium , iron, ferritin and L-Lysine, and see if any of this information helps.

OMG. I haven't even had the damn surgery yet, and I have a full brush every week that has to be emptied and cleaned! I swear I'm gonna be bald as a billiard. Skinny and bald...what a way to go through life huh? All magic has a price!

the above poster is correct - a lot of it is due to Telogen Effluvium. I'm sure getting enough protein and vitamins will keep it from being any worse than it would be otherwise, but basically, if you're going to lose it, you're going to lose it. But do make sure you're getting your protein and vitamins in. It can't hurt and again, might keep it from being any worse.

Girl ...

bald can be cute

Wigs can be cute

But healthy is sexy

I feel you, my hair started falling out around month 6. I was eating around 1500 calories a day and taking a double dose of biotin (as well as all my other vitamins). My surgeon says there's nothing you can really do to prevent it. But it's growing back now (and in a new color!). It won't last but a few months, but it's a pain while it's happening for sure.

7 minutes ago, Tealael said:

Girl ...

bald can be cute

Wigs can be cute

But healthy is sexy

You're right of course. *sigh* Skinny, cute, bald--pick any 2.

Thank you, all, for answering my question. I searched “hair loss” on the site and there are a lot of ladies who lost a lot of hair! I don’t feel so alone anymore. And I feel better that most have their hair grow back. Im so grateful for this website. It truly has been wonderful to go on here and just read about everyone’s accomplishments. Thank you again for your positive feedback ❤️❤️❤️

I'm a guy in my mid 40's with the usual receding hairline and getting a bit of a bald spot. I've accepted that I'll have hair loss, but hope that most of it comes back... hair is already thin enough! I'll be working hard at meeting my protein and calorie goals.

I lost a ton of hair! I didn’t think it was going to stop but it did eventually. Months 4-9 were rough but I didn’t go bald! And you won’t either!

Sleeved aug 23 and my hair has started falling out in small clumps. My vitamins are good and I usually eat 800-1300 calories depending on my workout that day. Dietician says it’s “normal” but I don’t understand why if I’m meeting my macros.

However, it could also be an autoimmune relapse. That was my first symptom.

2 hours ago, KateBruin said:

Sleeved aug 23 and my hair has started falling out in small clumps. My Vitamins are good and I usually eat 800-1300 calories depending on my workout that day. Dietician says it’s “normal” but I don’t understand why if I’m meeting my macros.

However, it could also be an autoimmune relapse. That was my first symptom.

As you can see here, it doesn't have much to do with meeting your macros. No one is really sure why, but they guess it's because of trauma and hormonal imbalance--which happens any time there's a major incident like this (many people have it happen after childbirth). It's my guess that if we were able to eat a normal diet after surgery, it wouldn't happen. But 800-1300 calories is starvation level, so the body takes that on as a trauma. No need for hair when you're about to die of famine!

As you can see here, it doesn't have much to do with meeting your macros. No one is really sure why, but they guess it's because of trauma and hormonal imbalance--which happens any time there's a major incident like this (many people have it happen after childbirth). It's my guess that if we were able to eat a normal diet after surgery, it wouldn't happen. But 800-1300 calories is starvation level, so the body takes that on as a trauma. No need for hair when you're about to die of famine!

Totally. I even eat “high” calories for being 5 months out according to my dietician. It’s just frustrating. Emptying my brush every couple days is such a pain in the ass even though it’s a minor task. Surgeons NP said hair loss will basically continue for a year then I’ll notice baby hairs. I’m hoping it’ll grow back sooner because when I reach my doctors goal weight (15-18 lbs to go) and I switch to more of a bulking diet so I can put on more muscle.