Did any ladies lose a ton of hair? I’m pre op, but I’m trying to figure out what might PREVENT hair loss after having the gastric sleeve? Any advice?

Hair loss is the only thing I dislike about the surgery. I am almost a year out and I have half the hair I used too! I have tried all the expensive shampoo's and none helped. It's finally slowing down now. 12 weeks up to my 1 yr mark. Take the vitamins and get your protein in. :)

1 hour ago, MissTimeIsUp said:

Did any ladies lose a ton of hair? I’m pre op, but I’m trying to figure out what might PREVENT Hair loss after having the gastric sleeve? Any advice?

There is no guaranteed anything that will prevent this. You can take all sorts of things and if your body decides to put more follicles into "hibernation" than that's exactly what it's going to do.

Google "Telogen Effluvium" It's not "hair loss" exactly either. Your body shuts down follicles all the time as part of the normal shedding process, surgery, drastic diet changes, stress, etc can cause your body to shut down a much larger percentage of follicles than it would normally. So when those follicles finally do turn back on and start producing hair again, the hair that it was holding onto, gets released... so you folks end up shedding much more than they normally would.

Once it starts, it's way too late to even attempt anything... You can try to take biotin and keep your protein levels high pre-op, but again, there is absolutely nothing that will guarantee you won't "lose hair"

1 hour ago, Matt Z said:

There is no guaranteed anything that will prevent this. You can take all sorts of things and if your body decides to put more follicles into "hibernation" than that's exactly what it's going to do.

Google "Telogen Effluvium" It's not "hair loss" exactly either. Your body shuts down follicles all the time as part of the normal shedding process, surgery, drastic diet changes, stress, etc can cause your body to shut down a much larger percentage of follicles than it would normally. So when those follicles finally do turn back on and start producing hair again, the hair that it was holding onto, gets released... so you folks end up shedding much more than they normally would.

Once it starts, it's way too late to even attempt anything... You can try to take Biotin and keep your Protein levels high pre-op, but again, there is absolutely nothing that will guarantee you won't "lose hair"

Definitely this.

The brain doesn't consider our hair to be a priority, so when stress hits us (losing weight, surgery, stress, etc. . . ) hair is usually the first thing to go. Instead of directing nutrients to promote hair growth, it's now being redirected to another job in your body. Hair loss after a major weight loss event affects people in different ways. Some will lose a little, some will lose a lot (like I did when I lost 90 lbs), and some won't lose at all. It's a horrible genetic lottery.

It may sound a little dire, but the only thing to help you prior to this event is to be prepared for it. Make sure you're getting the protein amount recommended by the doctor, drink plenty of water, and get your vitamins in. If your hair is still falling out in clumps a year out - then there could be a nutritional aspect to your hair loss. Find a shampoo/conditioner set that builds volume and learn that you don't need to wash your hair every day. Manipulating your hair to make it seem fuller will be difficult, but the hair will grow back.

Me? I mean, I lost a ton of hair back when I lost 90lbs through the keto diet. I am not looking forward to losing it again, but I've talked with my husband and will likely shave it off + find a really nice quality wig. I've been wanting to shave my hair anyhow, so it may be the perfect opportunity.

I was worried about that also. I started Monat hair products when I had surgery (my BFF is a rep). I also work with my hairdresser and she doesn’t process my hair as much. Also try to wash my hair very 2-3 days and not blow dry or do a lot of brushing. While I have had a lot of hair loss, I also have a lot of regrowth. I am coming out of it 5.5 months out. While I have lost a lot of hair, it is not sparse.

I started spraying Biotin under my tongue 2 days after the surgery and I haven't lost any hair yet...but I'm only 3 months out. Fingers, toes - everything - crossed!?

I am just about 3 months out. Certainly noticing an uptick of hair coming out in the shower and it’s feeling a bit thinner.

I started biotin back in January. While this has improved the health of my hair strands, as Matt mentioned, it doesn’t do anything to combat telegon effluvium...

The good news is hair loss does stop eventually and will grow back (to varying extents).

1 hour ago, insta_adventurer said:

I started Biotin back in January. While this has improved the health of my hair strands, as Matt mentioned, it doesn’t do anything to combat telegon effluvium...

Oh well...let's hope my cheek bones reappear before it all drops out, so I can have a pixie cut! ?

On 10/06/2018 at 12:59, looly said:

Oh well...let's hope my cheek bones reappear before it all drops out, so I can have a pixie cut! ?

That was my plan!!! However, I’m a dummy that ripped a patch out in the back somehow that left a nice little bald spot (not surgery related)... so sticking with a short bob instead.. ??

Thanks everyone!