Hair Loss After Weight Loss Surgery

Going through a weight loss surgery which is also known as bariatric surgery is a good treatment for obesity and can greatly affect and boost one’s physical and mental health, this good treatment however comes with its own risks and complications as well and one of them is the hair loss after weight loss surgery.

Hair loss after a weight loss surgery is a common side effect which is mainly due to telogen effluvium which will force the hair to enter its resting phase; another reason can be having a low protein or low-calorie diet after the surgery.

Having enough sleep and doing some exercises while taking iron and zinc supplements can greatly help with minimizing the hair loss after weight loss surgery.

Why Do Patients Experience Hair Loss After Weight Loss Surgery?

In the majority of cases after the weight loss surgery people will experience a condition which is called telogen effluvium, which will greatly affect the hair growth cycle by putting the hair into the resting phase which is called telogen instead for the growth phase which is known as anagen, and this causes the hair loss after weight loss surgery.

Overall people who go through weight loss surgeries such as bypass surgery are more likely to experience this condition which is due to drastic changes in diets and reducing nutrition levels and eventually causes hair loss.

Reasons of Hair Loss After Weight Loss Surgery

The biggest reason which causes hair loss after a weight loss surgery is drastic change in diet and having a poor one as well, as many patients tend to have a low-protein and low-calorie diet after their weight loss surgery and this leads to conditions such as underactive thyroid and iron deficiency which play major roles in hair loss.

However, there are other common reasons for hair loss after weight loss surgery such as:

•Chronic diseases

•Acute illness

•Imbalance hormones

•Major metal toxicity

•Some prescribed medications such as anticoagulants.

How to Prevent Hair Loss After Weight Loss Surgery?

There are some tips which if followed can minimize the hair loss greatly which are:

1.Having Protein in Daily Diet

It is always advised to keep enough protein in diet for people who has gone through a weight loss surgery to minimize the hair loss, as protein in needed for body to generate new cells and especially those who grow the hair, in the majority of cases people need to have a minimum of 60 grams of protein every day which can be achieved by adding high protein foods to the daily diet.

The best sources of protein are meals which include, grilled fish, red meat, skinned chicken, low fat and cottage cheese, chia seeds and protein bars.

2.Paying Attention to Having Enough Vitamin Intake

Another important reason of hair loss can be related to vitamin deficiency, which patients have to increase their daily vitamin intakes in order to avoid it, however aside of gaining the vitamin with the daily diet which includes fruits, patients must include vitamin supplements as well and that because vitamins too have an important role in the hair growth.

It is recommended for most patients to start the vitamin intake around 2 weeks prior to their surgery which will not only help with minimizing hair loss but also it will get rid of the fatigue which most people experience after their weight loss surgery.

3.Knowing the Importance of Zinc and Iron Supplements

Iron deficiency can have a major role in hair loss in many cases, and that is why people who experience hair loss for a long time after their weight loss surgery should have their iron levels checked out.

It is advised to the majority of patients to add iron to their diet prior to the surgery to prevent iron deficiency foods that are iron-rich include, green vegetables, red meat, peas, beans and cereals. 

4. Having Enough Sleep is of Great Importance in Preventing Hair Loss

In order for you to fully recover you must take care of your mental health as it is as important as the physical health, therefore aside of getting a balanced diet including vitamins and minerals a good sleeping pattern is essential as well in addition of some relaxing activities such as walking or yoga.

How to Recover from Hair Loss After Weight Loss Surger

There are some important tips which if are followed by the patients can be a huge help in the recovery process and making it easier.

•The first and most important step in recovering from hair loss after weight loss surgery is relaxing and taking care of your mental health as around 15% of hair loss is because of stress after the surgery and in the recovery period.

•Consuming health and nutrient rich foods can have a great impact in the recovery process and making it easier while minimizing the hair loss after the weight loss surgery.

•Vitamin supplements are often prescribed to patients in the recovery process as well as iron supplements which are for people who have iron deficiency, however, aside of taking these supplements it is important to include vitamin and iron rich foods in the daily diet to help with the recovery process.

•It is advised to all people to consume around 80 grams of protein each day which can be achieved by including protein rich foods in the diet and taking supplements which in the end will speed up the recovery process.

When to Worry About Hair Loss After Weight Loss Surgery?

You should only worry about your hair loss condition only if:

•Your hair loss condition is continuing after 1 year.

•It is difficult to eat sufficient amount of a specific variance of food.

•Your hair loss condition has started later than 6 months after the weight loss surgery.

•You have not followed having the prescribed medicines and supplements.

•If your blood tests include any deficiency in zinc, iron and proteins or any other deficiencies.

•You are experiencing weight loss a lot faster than expected.

Is the Hair Loss After Weight Loss Surgery Dangerous?

While hair loss itself is not dangerous its underlying causes can be, and those causes can be nutrient deficiencies and too much calorie restriction which will eventually lead to serious health problems such as muscle loss and iron deficiency anemia.

Iron deficiency anemia can lead to brain functionality problems, heart conditions and problems with the immune system.

Summay of Hair Loss After Weight Loss Surgery