Humans experience shedding of old hair follicles every day as new hair grows in. This is a continual process, however, after bariatric surgery hair loss is a common concern. Hair loss, mostly painless, can still be a distressing and traumatic event for those experiencing it. Unfortunately, even under normal circumstances, this is a nagging problem of everyday, especially for women, as they associate hair with beauty.
Hair loss after any surgery occurs mainly due to the aftereffects of anesthesia and is temporary. With bariatric surgery though, it can be more drastic because of the changes in the nutrition pattern of the body. Due to the restrictive and malabsorptive nature of these surgeries, your body simply will not absorb the same amount of nutrients that it did prior.
If you notice more than "normal" amount of hair loss, your body is most likely experiencing some sort of deficiency, whether protein, iron or other minerals or vitamin deficiencies. Stress plays a big part in hair loss, as well. Don't worry, this should normally be a temporary phase. Your body will tend to stabilize with the changes over time and will start to respond favorably, where eventually one may notice regrowth of hair.
As hair is primarily composed of a protein called keratin, it is imperative that you correct these deficiencies by eating the proper amounts of healthy proteins and supplement your diet with good quality vitamins and plenty of water. Biotin plays a large part and is highly recommended as the number one supplement to ward off hair loss. In addition, vitamins C, D, A and E are also good for hair loss and for hair regrowth.
Proper monitoring and supplementation after surgery are key factors that will help limit hair loss and help regrowth of new hair as well as keeping your overall body systems functioning properly. Another key factor is keeping your body physically active, as well as keeping your emotional well-being elevated.
Striking the right balance between weight loss and health is individual to each person and may take some time to find what works and what doesn't work for your body after surgery. Be patient as your body adjusts, fill it with nutrient rich foods and supplements and stay low-stress. You are on your way to a healthier you and the long-term benefits will greatly outweigh the small bumps you may experience along the way.
