Does Bariatric Surgery affect your hair?
Divya Meghani - Bariatric Nutritionist (Aastha Bariatrics)
Table of Contents
One of the most frequently asked question related to Bariatric Surgery that Patients have; especially female patient is about hair fall. Often it is feared that weight loss may lead to hair fall. Well hair loss may happen due to varied reasons –Crash Dieting, Stress or Anorexia, High Fever, Infection, Major Surgery, Deficiencies of Nutrients and Proteins.
After undergoing any Bariatric Surgery, be it Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Bypass or any other it is ensured that patient is provided with nutritious, high protein and essential vitamins in their diet plan are covered. This reduces the chances of hair fall after surgery. When patient start losing weight, out of excitement they start to take moreover deficit calorie diet and hence body does not get the required nutrition. Hence it is patient responsibility to follow proper diet plan prescribed to them to ensure they are getting all the essential vitamins and proteins.
Understanding of Hairfall after Bariatric Surgery – Telogen Effluvium
Telogen Effluvium is a condition which is related to Hair Fall after Bariatric Surgery during weight loss. This hair loss is actually a normal cycle. It is also said that Telogen Effluvium takes place due to stress to the body and hormonal changes that occurs. There is 5%-15% of hair fall upto the period of 6 months post surgery on an average for 3 months.. Hair growth cycle has 2 phases. The Growth Phase is Anogen and Dormant phase is called Telogen . And 5%-15% of our hairs are always in the dormant phase which may fall out after surgery due to changes that body may be undergoing through. However, hair starts to grow again when the older hair follicle is released and you lose hair.
Hair fall due to under nourishment –
Our hairs are more important to us than it is to our body. So when forced to make choice our body gives priority to functioning well of organs and so provides all the nutrition first to the body and then to hairs. After Bariatric Surgery, patient’s appetite is reduced and so with this little appetite it is necessary for the patient to consume nutritious meals. Diet Plan provided to patients post surgery ensures that overall Health Stays well and issues like Hair Fall also does not take place.
Prevention of Hair Loss post Surgery
Hair growth requires vitamins which are rich in Iron, Folic Acid, Zinc, Vitamin A and C and Copper which can get through nutritious meals. For healthy hair it is also necessary to include adequate amount of proteins. Hence protein should be included in all the meals. Still if hair fall takes place, Doctor should be consulted, who will prescribe for multivitamin.
So to conclude, patient should not be scared of the hair fall before going to the surgery;