How much hair did you lose after surgery and when was it noticeable?

[longhaul68 27]

Hi - Could you tell about your Hair loss experience after surgery- when/how much/ and when it tapered off? Also, did it all come back eventually? I’ve lost hair in the past after a stressful time and it came back in a few months so wonder if that will be similar. Thanks for your replies!

[RaiderRhode 36]

1 hour ago, longhaul68 said:

Hi - Could you tell about your Hair loss experience after surgery- when/how much/ and when it tapered off? Also, did it all come back eventually? I’ve lost hair in the past after a stressful time and it came back in a few months so wonder if that will be similar. Thanks for your replies!

I'm only two and a half months out, but I've noticed its gotten a bit thinner. Nothing serious, but I make sure to hit my Protein goals as my dietician and doctors said that would be the best way to help prevent more major Hair loss. Either way I think it's normal to experience it to some degree as our body is going through some major changes and recovery. From what I've seen on this forum and with the people that I know personally who've gone through the surgery, its not permanent and tapers off. Everyone is different.

[SleeveToBypass2023 1,960]

From about 3 1/2 months out through 9 1/2 months, I saw my hair thin out A LOT. It was noticeable and I had to change up how I wore it to try and hide that you could see my scalp. I also cut my hair shorter and started using volumizing hair care products to try and hide it. It finally slowed down and 9 1/2 months and now and just over a week away from 1 year out, it's starting to regrow.

[Arabesque 6,584]

It started at about month 3 or 4 & lasted about three months. This tends to be pretty common in terms of starting & finishing times regardless of taking supplements or additional ‘hair growing’ Vitamins. I didn’t lose so much it was noticeable to others (beside my mother & hairdresser) but I had lots of hair to begin. I cut my hair to just above my shoulders so that it wouldn’t take the new growth as long to reach the length of my hair. (Remember your new growth is still growing g at it’s usual rate while your shedding cycle has been accelerated.)

I did notice a slight change in texture from the anaesthetic (can contribute to your Hair loss too). It eventually grew out.

I lost hair in the past after a stressful time like you too and this time seemed pretty similar… except I didn’t freak out as I knew what to expect.

Edited April 25, 2023 by Arabesque

[pintsizedmallrat 470]

I had my surgery in September 2021, and my hair started falling out pretty bad around Christmas of that year. I do want to add that I got REALLY stick in late November and was really struggling with keeping mysel fed the first few months. I lost probably 50-75% of my hair, and I am a fair-skinned brunette so it was VERY noticeable. I ended up cutting it extremely short (think Winona Ryder in Girl, Interrupted) to save my plumbing and vacuum.

It started growing back around March 2022. I supplemented with collagen and extra-strength Biotin gummies. Before my surgery, my hair was thinning anyway due to probable PCOS and it is actually much thicker and healthier than it was before it all fell out. It's already past my shoulders again!

[catwoman7 10,939]

I lost hair from months 5-9, but it wasn't much and it wasn't noticeable. I noticed about double the amount of strands in my comb every time I combed my hair out after washing it, but looking at my hair in the mirror, no, I couldn't tell - so no one else would have been able to tell, either.

I didn't take anything extra since most people claim taking whatever didn't help, so I didn't bother - but I did make sure to keep on top of my Protein and Vitamins to keep it from getting any worse than it otherwise would - but again, my Hair loss was very minimal.

Edited April 25, 2023 by catwoman7

[SuziDavis 544]

My Hair loss started at about 3-3.5 months and slowed at about 6-7 months. But the amount of hair loss is crazy. I luckily had very thick hair, so while most people didn't notice, I definitely did. The amount of hair left in my shower after one wash, was what I used to lose in almost two weeks of washing. It's alarming to see.

I almost shaved it all off to be honest.... but it is temporary, and worth it.

[Lisa XO 117]

I am about 4 months post surgery and my hair is shedding like crazy. Started about 2 weeks ago. I can def see a difference along my hairline. I have salt and pepper hair and where I have a streak of salt, my scalp looks bald. I am going to try baby powder there so that my scalp doesn't shine in the sun. lol I'm not freaking out much. If it gets too much thinner, I'll cut it all off. I'm trusting that it will grow back some after things stabilize.

[bluemather 9]

I’m 3.5 months post sleeve surgery and my hair shedding started right at 3 months! I always take my Bariatric daily Vitamins and also collagen Protein Powder daily. It is nerve racking when it happens but I know it will grow back. Just part of the process and patience is key!

[Smanky 743]

About 3 months out for me. I already have fine hair, so the thinning out did make me a bit paranoid. I always wore a cap outside and was close to buying some chemo/alopecia scarves. I instead got my hairdresser to give me a short platinum blonde pixie cut and that made all the difference. It grew back, but it took a few months to do so, and I was and still am meticulous with hair and skin Vitamin supplements and collagen support, which may have lessened the severity, but certainly didn't stop it from noticeably thinning. It's just part of the process.

I couldn't say if my hair regrowth is the same as it once was, however, as I've kept my hair platinum and super short because I like it.

[ms.sss 14,835]

mine started at 3 months...and i lost quite a bit (you could see my scalp). i cut it all off into a pixie to camouflage it a bit.

started seeing little chicken hairs sprout up around 6-7 months.

those chicken hairs grew to be about the same length as the rest of my hair (about chin length) in another year.

and now (4.5+ yrs post op) i have a lovely full head of underboob-length hair. and it even grew in with a bit if a wave to it, so bonus!

hang in there, its only temporary. in time it will be just another annoyance in your rear view mirror.

Good Luck! ❤️

[NP_WIP 274]

There is a saying that you loose 100 strands of hair per day, and I swear before surgery that was true for me. To avoid noticing it much since I have thin hair, one month post op I cut my hair from my hips to an inch or two below my shoulder. I can't really pin point when it did start, maybe 2 months post op and it doesn't seem so bad now, or maybe I'm just used to it by now.

It does fall easily, I will run my fingers through my hair and a bunch comes out, but there is no specific spot and I do not think its noticeable to me or others if I'm loosing it. I always had those baby hair which is growth because my hair is brittle and breaks easily. I'm taking the recommended Biotin and sometimes collagen, I was washing my hair once a week instead of the 3 times prior to surgery (now doing 2), and leave my hair loose or with a clip that's not too tight, goodbye messy bun lol.