If you are thinking about bariatric surgery to reach a healthier weight, you may have read about the recovery and common side effects. A question many people ask is, “Is hair loss after bariatric surgery normal?”
Yes. Hair thinning and shedding can happen and are quite common after surgeries like gastric sleeve or gastric bypass, and many bariatric patients begin to notice extra hair in their brush or shower a few months after their surgery.
This can feel scary and often causes a great deal of anxiety, but there is good news. Normally, losing hair after weight loss surgery is temporary, and it may help you to understand why it happens, how long it lasts, and what you can do to help regrow healthy hair.
Why Does Hair Loss After Bariatric Surgery Happen?
The most common reason is a condition called telogen effluvium, which can occur when your body goes through physical or emotional stress. Surgery, rapid weight loss, illness, vitamin deficiency, or major changes to your diet can all trigger hair loss.
When your body is stressed, it switches into a pre-programmed “survival mode,” which is designed to preserve energy and resources, so it places priority on taking care of your vital organs, like your heart and brain. Hair growth becomes less important, so more hairs than normal move into the shedding phase at the same time.
Hair Growth Cycle and Bariatric Hair Loss
Your hair is designed to grow in cycles, and not all strands of your hair grow at once. Each follicle goes through three main stages:
Anagen phase: The active growth stage that can last several years.
Catagen phase: A short transitional stage that usually lasts a few weeks.
Telogen phase: The shedding stage, when hair falls out, and new hair starts forming underneath. It is considered normal to lose up to 100 hairs a day during this phase.
Studies show that after undergoing bariatric surgery, more hairs may shift into the telogen phase at the same time and trigger hair shedding between three and six months after surgery.
Common Causes of Hair Loss After Bariatric Surgery
Losing Weight Fast
Losing a lot of weight in a short amount of time can make your body think that it is in danger, and it will trigger your “fight or flight” response. Your body senses a high amount of stress and basically turns off functions in your body that are not vital to your survival. Sending resources to your hair follicles is way down on the list of priorities, and as a result, more of the follicles may switch to the telogen phase.
Deficiencies In Vitamins/Nutrients
After bariatric surgery, you eat much smaller portions, and the surgery may change the way your body absorbs nutrients. If you do not get enough protein, iron, zinc, biotin, and other nutrients, it can lead to thinning hair and hair loss.
Hormonal Changes
Losing a great deal of weight can affect your hormone balance, which may trigger increased hair shedding after bariatric surgery.
How Long Does Post-Surgery Hair Loss Last?
Hair shedding usually begins to improve, and many people start to see new growth within six to twelve months after bariatric surgery. If your shedding lasts longer than a year, talk with your doctor because ongoing thinning may be due to a nutrient deficiency or another medical issue and should be looked into.
Can You Prevent Hair Loss After Weight Loss Surgery?
You may not be able to stop all hair shedding entirely, but you may be able to reduce how much hair you lose by taking certain proactive steps before your surgery and during your recovery. Some of these steps include:
Make Protein a Priority
Most bariatric patients need about 60 to 80 grams of protein each day, but with your much smaller stomach, it will be challenging to accomplish this. Experts recommend that you eat your portion of protein first at mealtime to ensure you get it in before you get full. You can find protein in lean meats, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt, beans, and protein shakes.
Take Your Prescribed Supplements
Daily supplements can help your body get all the vitamins and nutrients it needs to function properly. Supplements your doctor may prescribe include:
- A good bariatric multivitamin
- Iron
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
- Vitamin B12
The LESI team of experts will keep an eye on your lab work and adjust your supplements as needed.
Drink Enough Water
It is important to stay properly hydrated. Drinking enough water helps your circulatory system deliver much-needed nutrients to your hair follicles.
Lose Weight Gradually
If possible, lose weight slowly and at a rate of about one to three pounds a week. Gradual weight loss is easier on your body and may prevent the shock to your body that triggers prolonged hair shedding.
Take Extra Care With Your Hair
Use a mild shampoo that is designed for thinning or delicate hair. Try to avoid color treating, styling with heat, and tight hairstyles.
Manage Your Stress Level
High stress can cause high cortisol levels in your body and disrupt your hair growth cycle, redirect energy away from your hair follicles, increase inflammation, and make shedding or hair loss worse. Getting some light exercise, like walking, doing deep breathing, or concentrating on some relaxing hobbies, can help lower your stress levels.
When Should I Talk To My Doctor About Bariatric Hair Loss?
It is important to stay in touch with your LESI weight loss team after bariatric surgery and report any ongoing side effects. Some of the things you should report include:
- Severe or patchy hair loss.
- Shedding that lasts longer than 12 months.
- You feel chronic tiredness or weakness.
- You struggle to meet protein or supplement goals.
Your doctor may order lab tests to check iron, vitamin levels, or thyroid function and create a treatment plan if needed.
Minimally Invasive Options and Hair Loss Risk
Some people are looking for less invasive weight loss procedures that can help them lose weight more slowly, which may put less stress on their bodies and lower their risk for hair shedding and loss.
The expert bariatric team at Laparoscopic Endoscopic Surgery Institute offers both surgical and minimally invasive weight loss treatments in Atlanta. In addition to bariatric surgery, they perform endoscopic gastric balloon procedures that offer a slower, more controlled rate of weight loss and an easier recovery, so you may experience fewer stress-related side effects.
Where Can I Learn More About Weight Loss Options In Atlanta?
If you are looking at weight loss options in Atlanta and want professional guidance you can trust, the specialists at the Laparoscopic Endoscopic Surgery Institute provide expert care backed by decades of training in both bariatric and minimally invasive procedures. Their team of experts includes board-certified surgeons, Dr. Michael Williams and Dr. Brenden Curtis, who are highly skilled in laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures that are safe and offer shorter recovery times and results that last.
The LESI team prioritizes the needs of their patients, so they receive the level of personalized treatment that meets their needs and circumstances. If you are ready to take the next step in improving your health, set up a consultation with the weight loss experts at LESI. We will explain all your options in great detail and answer any questions you may have. Start your journey to better health today.
FAQs
How Much Hair Loss Is Normal After Bariatric Surgery?
It is normal to lose several hundred strands of hair per day after bariatric surgery, usually peaking around the 3 to 6 month mark.
Normal hair shedding is usually around 50 to 100 strands per day, so losing hundreds can feel like an excessive amount of hair, but it is most always temporary and will usually resolve itself within a year after surgery.
Will My Hair Grow Back with The Same Texture and Thickness as Before Surgery?
Most people find that their hair grows back after bariatric surgery, but some patients report that the texture or thickness of their new hair feels slightly different at first. As your body completely heals and your nutritional needs are being met, hair typically returns to its original thickness and texture. Eating enough protein, staying hydrated, and keeping up with your vitamins will all help your new growth be strong and healthy.
How to Grow Hair Back After Bariatric Surgery?
The best way to help your hair regrow after bariatric surgery is to make sure your body is getting the nutrition it needs to heal and thrive. This means following a post-up diet, achieving your daily protein goals, taking all of your prescribed vitamins and supplements, and staying well hydrated. Taking care of your hair during this time and avoiding heat styling, tight hairstyles, and harsh chemical treatments is also very helpful.
