Our bariatric nutritionist answers:
Hair loss is something that a lot of people go through and typically begins around weeks 6 through 12. Because this time period coincides with when many people are eating very low calories and may not be reaching their protein goals, it is frequently automatically assumed that the two are related. However, this very well may NOT be the the case.
Losing hair after bariatric surgery is called Telogen Effluvium and is usually related to emotional of physical stress/changes that the body experiences and not from a lack of protein, vitamins, or minerals. Hair loss typically slows at 4-6 months after surgery and unfortunately always seems to take longer to grow back than it did to lose it. The good news is that it will come back with time.
If you continue to have significant hair loss for one year after surgery or the hair loss begins 6 months or more after surgery, it may be related to a nutritional issue and in that case it is a good idea to reach out to me or your physician to help determine a cause and course of action. To help decrease your risk of nutritional hair loss start taking your recommended vitamins immediately after surgery. If you have tolerance issues, please let me know and I can assist you. While we typically focus on reducing calorie intake, it is important to make sure that you are getting in enough calories. At 3 months post-op, most individuals will be eating around 1,000 calories per day and should be having 60gm protein.
