Some hair loss is to be expected after any weight loss surgery, but don't fret...it's only temporary! Hair loss can occur for several reasons. One is because the emotional, physical and hormonal stressors of surgery can cause the life cycle of your hair follicle to shift from Anagen (growth phase) to Telogen (rest phase). Hair follicles in the "Telogen phase" shed their hair more easily. Additionally, nutritional deficiencies like protein, zinc, biotin, iron, essential fatty acids, vitamin A and silica can also contribute to hair loss. So, what can you do about it? First, don't panic. Understand that this is normal and temporary. Second, take all of your recommended supplements, especially you protein! Adding biotin (available over the counter) to your supplements is not a bad idea, and many of our patients say this really helped slow or even reverse their hair loss. Check your labs regularly. If your vitamin A or iron is low, you may need to up your dosage. And finally - at least for a little while - avoid hairstyles that pull your hair tightly, or treatments like perms or coloring your hair, which can make your hair more prone to breakage.