Hair Loss after Bariatric Surgery

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Hair Loss after Bariatric Surgery
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• You may not be aware, but hair loss is a common
  occurrence after weight loss surgery. So, youre
  excited about the weight falling off, but when
  your hair starts falling out, it can be very
  stressful.
• Is this normal?
• Its okay, hair loss after bariatric surgery is
  normal. It usually starts happening from month
  three to six post-surgery and can last up to
  twelve months. Hair loss associated with
  bariatric surgery is called telogen effluvium and
  has to do with the regular hair growth cycle. It
  usually starts abruptly and very seldom lasts
  longer than six months.

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• How often does hair loss happen in patients
  undergoing bariatric surgery?
• Hair loss after gastric surgery can happen in
  30 to 40 of patients. However, this situation
  is merely temporary if you follow the advice of
  Dr Gounder and our dieticians.
• The Hair Growth Cycle
•   Hair grows from hair follicles. During its
  growth, hair goes through different phases.
• Anagen phase
• This is the growth phase of the hair and can
  last up to 7 years. This growth phase allows the
  hair to grow, sometimes reaching up to a metre in
  length.

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• Catagen phase
• This is a transition phase lasting 2 to 3 weeks
  where the active growth of anagen phase slows
  down.
• Telogen phase
• This stage lasts for about 100 days. The hair
  starts forming a thick white club-like base, then
  starts falling. During this stage, its normal
  for between 25 to 100 to drop per day. The
  follicles then remain inactive for a few months
  before the cycle starts again.

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• Why does it happen?
• Due to stress on the body, more hair follicles
  can enter into the resting phase. This is
  important because the hair in the resting phase
  at the time of surgery is most likely the hair
  you will shed. This stress is why your hair drops
  between 1 to 6 months after surgery (usually
  about 3 to 4 months).
• With rapid weight loss happening due to your
  surgery, the anagen phase is cut short, and many
  follicles go into the catagen phase at the same
  time, resulting in increased hair loss.

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• Fortunately, the hair loss is usually temporary.
  In the early stages post-surgery, it is mainly
  due to the shock of your procedure and resulting
  rapid weight loss. If it persists for longer,
  then it may be due to nutritional deficiency.
• It will be okay!
• The good news is, you can count on hair
  returning unless you have a chronic illness or
  genetic reason for the hair thinning. The
  following suggestions are the best advice I can
  give anyone with telogen effluvium, now that we
  know what it is.

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• Relax and dont worry consider your hair loss as
  a natural response to the stress of surgery and
  weight loss. It rarely lasts more than six
  months, and it will grow back.
• Visit your GP if your hair persists, its worth
  checking in with your GP to be evaluated for any
  illness or non-nutritional reason for hair loss
  (thyroid disease or other chronic illnesses).
• Follow our dietary advice make sure you stick to
  the guidelines outlined by Dr Siva, limiting
  calories and including a diverse protein intake
  each day.

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• 4. Dont add lots of protein or increase your
  calories if you do this, you will not only
  sabotage your weight loss but may also suffer
  from instances of dumping or other side effects.
• 5. Take your vitamins we suggest taking a
  bariatric specific multi-vitamin with adequate B
  vitamins, folate, and biotin. Dont forget your
  B12 and calcium citrate with vitamin D
  supplements.
• Eat oily fish ensuring you are eating fish rich
  in omega three fatty acids several times a week
  (supplement with fish oil supplements in
  consultation with your healthcare provider) can
  help the regrowth process.
• We understand that losing your hair can be
  stressful, but we want to reassure you that you
  can manage your hair loss.