Hair loss after gastric sleeve?

Question

I'm considering having gastric sleeve surgery this summer. Can you tell me how frequently there are cases with hair loss following gastric sleeve? My hair is already thin and this concerns me very much. Thank you!

Gabriela Rodriguez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hair loss after a surgery is call telogen effluvium. There is a misconception that this type of hair loss after bariatric surgery is associated to malnourishment, but no, this is more associated with the stress on the body from the surgery perse than because of the type of procedure itself, in this case bariatric. Hair loss can be even trigger by a immense phycological stress, trauma or even fever. Usually, the hair loss begins around 3 months after the precipitating event (in this case bariatric surgery). Elderly women are more vulnerable so present this condition.
Normally up to 95% of the hair follicle in the scalp are in a growing phase, and they can be like this for 2 to 7 years. In the growing phase the hair has direct blood supply at a point the hair loses the blood supply and enters a transition phase and afterwards a resting phase before shedding, usually this happens in around 3 weeks while the new hair pushes the old one.
So, there is persons that are more susceptible to different kind of stress causing a disruption in the hair cycle making it to start the shedding phase earlier, though there is a temporary decrease of hair density. This will self-limit, between 3 to 6 months all hairs are replaced.
Although spontaneous improvement is expected, and emotional well-being is important, taking supplements like Biotin, Vitamins B, Iron and Zinc could not hurt.

Myur Srikanth, MD · Answer

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.

Wiljon W. Beltre, MD · Answer

About 40% of sleeve and bypass patients can have temporary hair loss.  This tends to occur the first 4 to 6 months after the surgery.  There are some things you can do to help.  For example, take biotin and zinc before your surgery.  Also making sure you are taking in enough protein after your surgery.

Steven Fowler, MD, FACS · Answer

Hair loss after bariatric surgery is very common. Most patients notice hair loss starting 2 months after their operation, and lasting about 6 months before a slow return. This is a normal response to the stress of significant weight loss. It's not like clumps of hair falling out and going bald, but for some people it is quite significant. Most surgeons would agree that the rate of weight loss and amount of weight loss effect the degree of hair loss. Hair loss does occur after a sleeve gastrectomy, but probably slightly less than a gastric bypass.There are a couple things you can do to minimize hair loss:1) stay up on your multivitamin recommendations2) stay up on your protein intake recommendations3) you can try adding biotin to your diet. (there is no article in the bariatric surgery literature that supports its use..., but it is a water soluble cofactor, B vitamin, that can be taken safely at relatively high doses. It's cheap and seems benign. My patients generally take 5 mg a day supplement. Some patients swear by it, many do not see any difference)

Hair loss after gastric sleeve?

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