Something weird is happening.

Before surgery I was very hairy. I had to shave my legs and armpits a few times a week. I also had laser hair removal on my face.

Now after surgery....my leg and armpit hair has literally stopped growing. I haven't shaved in months. I no longer have to get laser hair removal on my face. But the weirdest thing so far is that I am losing my pubic hair? At first I thought I was crazy, but then my hubby noticed it too.

Is this happening to anyone else after surgery? Why is this happening? Does having WLS change your hormones?

I would definitely get a full sex hormone panel to see if something is off. Have you been diagnosed with PCOS before? Losing larger amounts of weight will lower PCOS symptoms (excessive hair growth being one of them) for many people . How far out from surgery are you? There’s also the possibility of a vitamin or nutrient deficiency.

Get your iron and Vitamin D checked.

how old are you? It could also be age-related. Some people lose body hair as they age. I'm in my 60s. I used to have hairy arms, enough that I was embarrassed by them, but now I can't see any hair at all. I haven't had to shave my legs in forever. I do have some hair on my legs, but it's very sparse, fine, and blonde - I can feel it, but no one would be able to see it.

if that's not it, I guess it could be hormone-related, although I haven't heard of this particular symptom before.

UPDATE: I just found this. It says thyroid changes can also cause hair loss. I'd just check with your PCP - maybe they can run some tests and figure out what's going on:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926

Edited June 4, 20215 yr by catwoman7

19 hours ago, Soon2bFit21 said:

I would definitely get a full sex hormone panel to see if something is off. Have you been diagnosed with PCOS before? Losing larger amounts of weight will lower PCOS symptoms (excessive Hair growth being one of them) for many people . How far out from surgery are you? There’s also the possibility of a Vitamin or nutrient deficiency.

I know I do not have PCOS, I am Greek and Egyptian and my entire family is hairy. LOL I am 9 months out. My labs are all great. I do not have any deficiency in any vitamins.

19 hours ago, GummyBearQueen said:

Get your Iron and Vitamin D checked.

Just had my labs done and everything is great.

12 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

how old are you? It could also be age-related. Some people lose body hair as they age. I'm in my 60s. I used to have hairy arms, enough that I was embarrassed by them, but now I can't see any hair at all. I haven't had to shave my legs in forever. I do have some hair on my legs, but it's very sparse, fine, and blonde - I can feel it, but no one would be able to see it.

if that's not it, I guess it could be hormone-related, although I haven't heard of this particular symptom before.

UPDATE: I just found this. It says thyroid changes can also cause Hair loss. I'd just check with your PCP - maybe they can run some tests and figure out what's going on:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926

Well that could make sense. I do have Hashimoto's. After the WLS my doctor has decreased my meds twice. I will have to ask about that. Thanks Also I am going to be 52 this year so age may have something to do with it like you said.

That's interesting. I haven't noticed body hair loss but my menstrual cycle has been lighter and shorter... like when im on birth control. I'm not on birth control now so I was also wondering if I was experiencing some kind of hormonal shift after surgery as well.

I don't think it's all that crazy. They talked to us a lot about hair loss before surgery. Granted, they were mostly talking about the hair on your head. But, if it's possible to suffer hair loss of the hair on your head after surgery, it stands to reason that the hair in other places on the body might also fall out a bit too.