Hair Loss after Weight Loss Surgery

Scalp hair is vital to self image and hair loss may lead to psychological distress.

Hair loss is expected following Weightloss surgery. This usually starts abruptly and very seldom lasts longer than 6 months. In most cases, hair will start to regrow without any interventions once patient’s weight is stable.

Many people believe that the hair loss is a consequence of nutritional deficiency. If this were the case, then nutritional supplements could have prevented the hair loss. But this is not the case.

Body fat is a store for Androgenic hormones (Testosterone) which promote hair growth and maintain the existing hair. It’s the loss of fat, leading to a drop in testosterone levels that causes the hair follicles to atrophy and the hair to drop. It is therefore self limiting.

What would help in minimizing the hair loss and promote new hair growth is local application of hair nourishing medication.