Hair Loss After Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric Surgery Can Affect Your Hair

Choosing bariatric surgery to lose weight is a difficult decision. You've probably tried every diet, lost and gained weight for many years, and finally decided, after careful consideration, that bariatric surgery was the best choice to put you on the path to a healthier life.

Improving your health is a huge challenge, so it's crucial to be aware of potential side effects that can occur at this crucial stage.

Bariatric surgery involves a radical upheaval in your diet and caloric intake. This leads to rapid weight loss for patients, but surprisingly, most also face "sleeve-type" hair loss as a secondary consequence.

The Hair Growth Cycle

Human hair has a two-phase growth cycle. The anagen phase is the growth phase, and the telogen phase is the resting phase. During the telogen phase, normal hair loss lasts about 3 months on average. This shedding period is usually shorter in women after childbirth and in newborns, about a month after birth.

Besides childbirth, other factors can affect the anagen/telogen cycle:

• Any type of surgery
• Sudden or serious illness
• Trauma
• Chronic illness
• Hormonal imbalance (such as hypothyroidism)
• Extreme dieting
• Chronic iron deficiency
• Heavy metal toxicity
• Medications such as beta-blockers, excess vitamin A, and anticoagulants.

What Causes Hair Loss After Bariatric Surgery?

Regardless of their caloric intake, overweight or obese individuals are often prone to nutritional deficiencies. After bariatric surgery and a significant reduction in their caloric intake, it is highly likely that their bodies will have even more difficulty finding essential nutrients.

During the first six months after surgery, it is essential to drastically reduce calories. This can lead to a decrease in the consumption of all macronutrients, including protein. In fact, many patients have difficulty reaching the recommended daily protein intake. The body can also experience stress and hormonal changes after surgery.

All these factors can lead to telogen effluvium, a type of hair loss associated with bariatric surgery. This phenomenon is common in men and women of all races and occurs during the period of most rapid weight loss.

Due to the stress of surgery, a greater number of hair follicles enter the resting phase. Between 1 and 6 months after surgery, you will most likely lose this hair. In some cases, the old hair follicle is released before new hair begins to grow.

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How to Prevent Hair Loss After Bariatric Surgery?

Take Iron

Iron plays a major role in maintaining healthy hair. If you continue to lose your hair seven months after surgery, it would be good to have your iron levels checked. Iron, considered a micronutrient, is a common factor in hair loss.

The ferritin index is an indicator of the amount of iron present in our body. A low level may indicate iron deficiency. Don't hesitate to discuss this with your doctor or dietitian to ensure adequate iron levels in your body.

Take Your Vitamins

To prevent hair loss in bariatric patients, it is essential to ensure their nutritional intake. Fortunately, vitamins can help you maintain an optimal balance in your body. Your bariatric doctor will be able to advise you on which vitamins to take and how often to effectively combat hair loss. Don't delay taking care of your hair after anesthesia.

Increase Your Protein Intake

To combat hair loss, it is essential to integrate protein into your daily diet. Patients are strongly advised to consume at least 60 grams per day. However, talk to your bariatric doctor for additional advice.

During meals, you should consume plenty of lean protein foods. Here are some examples of foods that are packed with protein:

• Low-fat cheese
• Skinless chicken
• Grilled/baked fish
• Beans
• Protein bars
• Chia seeds
• Greek yogurt
• Lean red meat

Vegetarian options include

• Quinoa
• Beans
• Chia seeds
• Soy
• Peas

Incorporate Zinc into Your Diet

To optimize the health of your hair, it may be necessary to add zinc to your diet if the methods previously used to stop hair loss have failed. This vital element has many benefits for your hair. However, it is important to pay attention to the amounts you consume daily because excess zinc can have adverse consequences on your well-being. To get your fill of zinc, opt for food sources such as poultry, oysters, and red meat.

How Long Does Hair Loss Last After Sleeve Gastrectomy?

When undergoing a sleeve gastrectomy, also called longitudinal gastrectomy, hair loss is common. This can occur between two and four months after the procedure and can last up to six to twelve months. Nevertheless, it is important to note that this hair loss is usually temporary and hair tends to grow back after a while. To minimize this phenomenon and promote healthy hair growth, it is essential to follow the nutritional and vitamin supplementation recommendations of your medical team.

Tips to Minimize Hair Loss After Bariatric Surgery

In this post-operative period, although foolproof methods to prevent hair loss have not yet been determined, certain dietary supplements such as biotin and zinc can help thicken and strengthen hair.

To avoid long-term hair loss, it is advantageous to follow a bariatric diet and nutritional program that recommend calorie reduction and varied protein consumption each day. However, it is important not to overdo it, as this could compromise the desired weight loss results.

It is crucial to choose a multivitamin suitable for obesity that contains adequate doses of B vitamins, folate, zinc, and biotin. In addition to nutritional advice, it is essential to take B12 and calcium citrate supplementation, as well as vitamin D, for better health.

Regular follow-up appointments with your bariatric surgeon are important to ensure your vitamin and mineral intake and blood levels are normal. These visits also help minimize side effects and are essential for long-term maintenance after surgery.

How Can I Minimize/Prevent Hair Loss After Bariatric Surgery?

Many patients and potential bariatric patients seek advice on preventing hair loss after bariatric surgery. However, hair loss will occur after your surgery. The best you can do is be informed about hair loss and follow the surgeon's advice and our team's recommendations to take care of yourself after your surgery.

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