Gastric bypass Hair Loss! Has this happened to you?
Oh please! Say it isn’t so! Could it possibly be that by having Gastric bypass procedure done, I will also increase the chances of having hair loss? While this side affect may be important to men, the possibility is nearly unimaginable for a woman! Often times, an obese woman’s face and hair are her most beautiful features. Losing one of these features can be devastating to a woman’s self esteem, especially during the vast transformations taking place in her body.
When would hair loss happen following gastric bypass surgery? Do I have time to go out and buy a wig? Hair loss generally happens around the fourth or fifth month following the surgery. Keep in mind, your body is experiencing rapid weight loss at this point and reduced caloric intake. In effect, your body has gone into starvation mode. The hair loss is your body’s way of combating starvation mode. Your body shuts off production of nonessential parts of the body to conserve nutrition for the most vital body functions. Unfortunately, your hair falls under that category.
But exactly why does gastric bypass surgery increase hair loss? Hair loss is caused by a number of reasons. For one, you are developing different eating habits, you eat less food and have eliminated many other foods altogether. Ultimately, hair loss is caused by a lack of certain vitamins and minerals. Zinc is one of those minerals vital to good hair growth. Other important elements your body needs to maintain healthy hair are calcium and magnesium.
Take heart. The hair loss you will experience is temporary. Your body must be given time to stabilize and adjust to the changes in your diet and ultimately, your weight. You can also invest in certain products designed to promote hair growth to try to ward off some of this loss.
While it is frightening to find clumps of hair in your hairbrush or on your bathroom floor, just remember, this is a temporary situation. My advice about the risks of losing your hair after gastric surgery? Try not to focus on losing your hair, but on how beautiful the new you will be!
