I'm 3 months post op and I'm losing my hair, like A LOT! Prior to surgery the dr. had told me it was going to happen, I just didn't realize it was going to be this bad... Does you hair grow back to like it was pre op? How long does this hair loss phase last? Anything other than Biotin that could help me?

All of my hair has fallen out. Like all. I went to the doctor for my 3 month follow up and he checked labs early bc of how much had fallen out. They all were normal. I did add biotin but I basically have bald spots. I ordered a wig bc there’s nothing I can do. ? I’m 4 months out. This all came out at once and it hasn’t stopped.

That's a lot of hair loss. Just goes to show how differently our bodies react to major surgery. {{hugs}}

I did have some hair loss in the first year after surgery and I had to cut my hair twice because of it. Now, more than a year after gastric sleeve, my hair looks normal again although maybe not quite as thick as before. Even my mom, who is generally pretty critical, said today that my hair looks good.

So, if you're only a few months from surgery, this will get better.

Glad to hear that you are not left with that forever. I never had clumps of hair coming out but starting at 3 months I had a pretty good amount left on my comb. And I use a wide tooth comb. Never pull or ripped at it even in the past to avoid split ends. Never a brush since it tends to pull out all my curls.

Now at almost 8 months out from surgery I notice the hair loss is finally slowing down. I would suggest some trying a wide tooth comb and combing out from the ends up avoiding tugging hairs out at the scalp with a brush. Also washing too often can strip hair of its natural oils and dries out the scalp.

21 hours ago, pintsizedmallrat said:

I've since been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder and I lose hair again every time I have a flare-up mostly because it makes it so I can't eat. I just keep it short now,

Sorry to hear this. Maybe find a good quality protein drink that you can stomach during those times you can't eat? I know most say taking extra supplements don't help with WLS hair loss, but in your case It couldn't hurt.

On the bright side, there are a lot of really good, cute short hairstyles out there. I bet you rock it

I think I have been blessed to be one of the lucky ones. I'm 6 months out and the hair loss is barely noticable. It's just slightly more than normal. I also have really thick hair - I get it thinned out with every haircut. I wonder if my vitamins have something to do with it . I take BariSlim and Caltrate. Whatever the case, I can live with this.

19 minutes ago, KathyLev said:

You are very lucky. My hair was on the finer side originally but long and healthy. I also take Caltrate and biotin. I started with the barifusion chewables and have now switched to a one a day. But I’ve also had my levels checked and they were all normal. My hair loss has been extreme.

I'm so sorry you are going through this @Ashley Amari!! That is a LOT of hair loss. It is so shocking the things our bodies do when under stress.

When I was in my early 20s I had an autoimmune flare and lost over 1/3 of the density of my hair. I've always had fine hair but a lot of it, that's no longer the case. In time some of it came back, but I kept having autoimmune flares and with each one I'd lose more and more. It has stabilized now that I'm on a biologic to stop the flares, and it is growing back now though I don't think it'll ever be as thick. But I am DREADING the shed from surgery. I had one after having a hysterectomy. It has all come back from that, it wasn't any worse than the autoimmune triggered ones, but at least it all came back from that!

I have high hopes for you that while you have lost a lot for now, it should come back, and often comes back even healthier than before, probably because of all those vitamins we are taking! LOL There is *nothing* we can do to avoid this shed cycle, it is natural after a major surgery and serious weight loss, so don't worry it is something you did. It isn't. It will come back in its own sweet time and until then I bet you'll rock the hell out of that wig!! ❤️

I’m at 5 months post & down 90 pounds. I’m at regular diet with pretty much everything except fruit or starchy vegetables.
But the amount of hair I’m losing is insane!! Wads of hair at all times everyday! I see it thinning drastically & keep telling myself “this too shall pass” because it’s driving me insane. I take my vits, protein shakes, and collagen but I hope like everyone says here, it’s a phase and soon it’ll start growing back! Yikes!!

Hi Viviana,

I think for some of us, the hair loss is inevitable. I started loosing at 3 month mark. I’ve always hit my protein goals. I lost so much hair that my surgeon checked labs early. Everything was basically normal. I think it is a phase. Many people say it lasts a few months and hair will grow back beautifully. That is my hope because I literally have bald spots. I was really upset at first as well but it doesn’t seem to be much we can do to change it for some of us. I just keep up with my protein and collagen. Hoping the shedding stops soon. ((HUGGG)

On 11/16/2023 at 8:05 AM, BabySpoons said:

Glad to hear that you are not left with that forever. I never had clumps of hair coming out but starting at 3 months I had a pretty good amount left on my comb. And I use a wide tooth comb. Never pull or ripped at it even in the past to avoid split ends. Never a brush since it tends to pull out all my curls.

Now at almost 8 months out from surgery I notice the Hair loss is finally slowing down. I would suggest some trying a wide tooth comb and combing out from the ends up avoiding tugging hairs out at the scalp with a brush. Also washing too often can strip hair of its natural oils and dries out the scalp.

Sorry to hear this. Maybe find a good quality Protein Drink that you can stomach during those times you can't eat? I know most say taking extra supplements don't help with WLS hair loss, but in your case It couldn't hurt.

On the bright side, there are a lot of really good, cute short hairstyles out there. I bet you rock it

My incident of hair loss was very similar to yours. It started about 3 months post surgery and continued to about 8 months. I cut my hair to shoulder length and that helped restore some fullness. I am now noticing hairs about an inch long growing all over my head! Good news, its coming back!!!

Edited January 24, 20242 yr by NCL04321

13 hours ago, NCL04321 said:

I am now noticing hairs about an inch long growing all over my head!

Me too. My hair is wild and curly, so I use hair gel to try to keep them in line. When I was a kid we used to call them the frizzies. LOL

I just had my hair cut today. Mine's in a long shag a bit below shoulder length and so the layers help to create fullness.

Glad to hear yours is growing back. I feel bad for those who lost their hair in clumps. Yikes!

On 11/15/2023 at 5:35 PM, Ashley Amari said:

All of my hair has fallen out. Like all. I went to the doctor for my 3 month follow up and he checked labs early bc of how much had fallen out. They all were normal. I did add Biotin but I basically have bald spots. I ordered a wig bc there’s nothing I can do. ? I’m 4 months out. This all came out at once and it hasn’t stopped.

Update***** It’s been an extremely difficult process. I’m emotionally defeated?. My hair has continued to fall out not shed but completely fall out to the point I look sickly. I have seen derm. Had a biopsy done. Basically all my hair entered the shedding phase at once. On top of that I have some hormonal issues that has resulted in female/male pattern hair loss as well. Only thing left to do is take the clippers and even then there’s not much left. My surgeon actually looked me in my eyes last week and said he was so sorry I was going through all this. It’s not a lack or protein, biotin, or any nutrient deficiencies. I’ve literally done everything right according to my surgeon. I am literally in tears every time I look in the mirror. Just wanted to voice my frustrations in a safe place.

7 hours ago, Ashley Amari said:

Update***** It’s been an extremely difficult process. I’m emotionally defeated?. My hair has continued to fall out not shed but completely fall out to the point I look sickly. I have seen derm. Had a biopsy done. Basically all my hair entered the shedding phase at once. On top of that I have some hormonal issues that has resulted in female/male pattern Hair loss as well. Only thing left to do is take the clippers and even then there’s not much left. My surgeon actually looked me in my eyes last week and said he was so sorry I was going through all this. It’s not a lack or Protein, Biotin, or any nutrient deficiencies. I’ve literally done everything right according to my surgeon. I am literally in tears every time I look in the mirror. Just wanted to voice my frustrations in a safe place.

Oh Ashley, I am SO very sorry!! It must be quite rare for that to happen, my heart hurts for you. I'm glad your surgeon was so proactive about ensuring this wasn't being caused by vitamin deficiencies. Hair is one of those things that for many of us is part of our identity and to lose it all so dramatically on top of the stress of bariatric surgery is a huge load. I hope you are being very gentle with yourself. This isn't your fault. I've heard of this happening on occasion with autoimmune patients... Have you thought about seeing a therapist to help support you as you go through this? I've found them incredibly helpful when my body has done rare, weird things that caused a lot of mourning and grief.

I'm glad you updated us, this is a safe place for you to come vent and mourn. I wish I had wise words to offer you in solace, but some things are really beyond our language. Just know I am sitting here alongside you with a generous measure of empathy. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to support you. I just want to give you the biggest hug!

11 hours ago, ChunkCat said:

Oh Ashley, I am SO very sorry!! It must be quite rare for that to happen, my heart hurts for you. I'm glad your surgeon was so proactive about ensuring this wasn't being caused by Vitamin deficiencies. Hair is one of those things that for many of us is part of our identity and to lose it all so dramatically on top of the stress of bariatric surgery is a huge load. I hope you are being very gentle with yourself. This isn't your fault. I've heard of this happening on occasion with autoimmune patients... Have you thought about seeing a therapist to help support you as you go through this? I've found them incredibly helpful when my body has done rare, weird things that caused a lot of mourning and grief.

I'm glad you updated us, this is a safe place for you to come vent and mourn. I wish I had wise words to offer you in solace, but some things are really beyond our language. Just know I am sitting here alongside you with a generous measure of empathy. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to support you. I just want to give you the biggest hug!

Thank you so much for your most kind words. It’s has been a rough road to say the least. It’s been so hard to focus on the weight loss journey with everything else, but I’m trying. I will definitely take your advice and go see a therapist. Again, THANK YOU ?

I went through something similar after my surgery too. It can be really alarming to see your hair falling out like that, even when you've been warned beforehand. In my case, the hair loss phase lasted for a few months, but eventually, it started growing back to its pre-op thickness. One thing that really helped me during that time was exploring different options beyond just Biotin. I stumbled upon this amazing natural supplement called BatanaBio. A friend recommended it to me, and I decided to give it a try. I noticed a significant improvement in the strength and thickness of my hair after incorporating it into my routine.