I am having the bypass on Monday Oct. 10th. But I am second guessing it all because of the hair loss. I know it's a common thing that happens with something this traumatic with you body and it happens suddenly. What has anyone done to help the hair loss not be as bad? My hair is super thin as it is and I am just scared it will completely fall out.

Sent from my SM-S906U using BariatricPal mobile app

Not everyone loses hair. I didn’t. And for those who do it’s not like they lose big chunks of it or anything. It’s like the same hair that would’ve fallen out probably the next season or whatever just falls out sooner. And new hair is still growing, just not as fast as you lose it so it does thin some. From what I was told only things that help are to stay on top of your vitamins and protein. I was able to do my protein from the very beginning so that could’ve played a part in why I didn’t really lose any??

Many females consider partial wigs or extensions before surgery (I know that extensions were my plan), but so far I haven’t really Heard of anyone actually getting them? Maybe the loss is not as dramatic as expected, I’m guessing. I have heard of a few people cutting their hair shorter and coloring it a lighter color though and that seems to help give the illusion of fuller hair.

if you had more time I would strongly urge you to go try some human hair extensions (if your female or have longer hair). They are pretty simple to use and can be cut and dyed to match your hair if you can’t find them in your exact color. They are actually kinda fun and they add volume and length if you want to add length. I purchased mine at Sally’s beauty supply and took them to my hairdresser to teach me how to put them in. For shorter hair I know they have hairpieces that I assume have gotten better over the years as well.

Maybe google extensions or partial wigs/ hair pieces and look for before and afters. The focus of the extensions may be on the length because that’s the primary use but it depends on how many you add how much volume it adds. You can use two packs and add twice the volume.

Edited October 7, 20223 yr by ShoppGirl

As @ShoppGirl said, if it happens, it's temporary. Even if you do lose some, you'll get past it.

As to what, if anything you can do about it, there are some things that may help? Research on this is kind of sparse, but collagen, as well as biotin (a.k.a. vitamin B7), supplementation may help. Collagen is the main protein found in bone broth, so you could get extra protein from the bone broth, and potentially help ease the impact of post surgical hair loss. If you don't like or want to use bone broth, you can also buy collagen powder that you can add to other foods. Some collagen supplements have B7 in them as well.

There are a few minerals such as iron & zinc that are also helpful. In addition, vitamins C, B2, B9 & B12 are important to hair growth. In short, make sure you're taking your bariatric multivitamin and it should keep the shedding to a minimum.

it will grow back. I had the sleeve and my hair is just thinning a bit. Nothing major. the hair is nothing to worry about. Getting healthier is

I’m losing a lot of hair even with eating a lot of protein, drinking a lot of water, and taking vitamins. I already was having issues with hair loss prior to surgery. I would honestly prefer balding than feeling like a prisoner in my body. I thought about cutting my hair, getting extensions, dying my hair - but I am using a bonnet at home with oils to moisturize my hair, no heat products, no hot water in shower, and trying volume mousse with cold air blow dryer if going out with husband. I need to remind myself not to brush my hair when wet as well.

The stress, change of diet, weight loss, hormonal changes, etc. accelerate your natural hair loss cycle. So the hair the you lose you were going to lose anyway. And yes your new hair is still growing but just at is usual rate. This is the same sort of reaction some women experience after child birth & if you are experiencing a lot of stress.

The hair you’re losing is already dead so taking supplements & additional ‘hair growth’ vitamins aren’t going to save it. (Doesn’t matter how much fertiliser you use you can’t save a dead plant.). The additional supplements may only benefit new growth.

Many of us cut our hair if it was long. The hair loss isn’t as noticeable & it takes less time for the new growth to catch & be the same length.

Keep meeting your protein goal, take your multi vitamins. And don’t worry too much about it - you don’t need the additional stress & anxiety which could only make it worse. Some temporary hair loss is a small price to pay for your weight loss.

All the best.

I did absolutely everything both in the months leading up to and after to stop hair loss. Did ALL the bells and whistles diligently. Still lost hair. Perhaps I didn't lose as *much* as I may have had I not done all the supplemental support, but without a clone of myself who didn't do all that, I'll never know.

I have thin hair naturally. I was probably the only person who noticed the thinning. What helped IMMENSELY was getting a short pixie cut. That is a forgiving haircut for thin hair and disguised the thinning perfectly. I had probably a total of four months where my hair fall was causing thinning. Then it stopped, and now it's grown back. And it will grow back.

And honestly, four months of wearing scarves/hats is a small price to pay for the relief and freedom of not being morbidly obese. THAT is WAY scarier than hair thinning, for me. Just remember, it's temporary.

11 hours ago, dlparrott89 said:

I am having the bypass on Monday Oct. 10th. But I am second guessing it all because of the Hair loss. I know it's a common thing that happens with something this traumatic with you body and it happens suddenly. What has anyone done to help the hair loss not be as bad? My hair is super thin as it is and I am just scared it will completely fall out.

Sent from my SM-S906U using BariatricPal mobile app

You might lose your hair. But what will you gain? Why are you having this surgery? Would you be willing to lose your hair, if it meant adding 20 years to your life?

I lost half of my hair when I did keto and it never grew back. I might lose the other half of my hair after I have surgery. The way I see it, my hair is a small price to pay for better health and a longer life. Would I be willing to be bald, if it meant being able to see my grandchildren? You betcha.

The people whose opinions matter to me, will still love me even if I don't have hair. Everyone else can kiss my grits. I'll invest in some fun wigs. My husband can have a different woman, every night! LOL!

But, chances are, my hair will grow back - and yours will too.

I lost very little hair. I barely noticed it, let alone anyone else.

a lot of pre-ops and post-ops worry incessantly about hair loss (and loose skin, too). I was one of them. But i think I can speak on behalf of most - if not all - of us who are more than a year out. Hair loss is but a blip on the screen - a minor inconvenience - if we're even affected by it much at all. I'm pretty sure all of us would take the temporary hair loss any day of the week over being morbidly obese again ANY DAY!!

Mine started to drop and I was worried it would never slow down. I went from long hair to shoulder length and finally pixie cut which I am rocking if I say so myself. I may never go back. It lasted 4 months and no body but me and my hairdresser noticed anything different

I had no hair loss at all. Kept my vitamins up and was fine. Also no side effects with wind etc and I panicked before surgery thinking I’d have both. WLS Bypass is exactly what it is, you have a smaller stomach so smaller appetite. Everything else more or less stays the same.

Best thing I ever done and to think I could’ve cancelled because of my fears.

Go for it. It will be wonderful

15 hours ago, bluebellblue said:

I had no Hair loss at all. Kept my Vitamins up and was fine. Also no side effects with wind etc and I panicked before surgery thinking I’d have both. WLS Bypass is exactly what it is, you have a smaller stomach so smaller appetite. Everything else more or less stays the same.

Best thing I ever done and to think I could’ve cancelled because of my fears.

Go for it. It will be wonderful

You may not be in the time zone for hair loss yet. Mine started from 4 months out. I agree with you, its still the best thing that I ever did for myself

You may not be in the time zone for Hair loss yet. Mine started from 4 months out. I agree with you, its still the best thing that I ever did for myself

My experience as well. My hair loss didn't start till 5th or 6th month. Lots of shedding after this particular surgery. None with the previous surgeries. I thought I was in the clear too.