Question:
Is hair loss caused by anesthesia?
if they have had open RNY or lap RNY and what there hair loss experience has been. The reason I am asking is so that I can determine if the hair loss is due to lack of protein or if it could be from the anesthesia. Thanks for your responses! — Sarah D. (posted on December 26, 1999)
December 26, 1999
I'm 5 months post-op and had an open RNY. I've been losing hair for about
6 weeks. I thank God I had thick hair to start with. I lose hair all day
but when I wash it it really comes out! It looks like I've put thinning
shears in it! My doc says it's from the anesthesia but I've had 6
operations in 2 years and this is the only one that I've lost hair from! I
think it has to do with the rapid weight loss. I've had my vitamin and
minerals levels check and everything is fine. The doc says on the bright
side, it will come back, sometimes the loss if for up to a year! If that's
so with me I'll be bald in another few months :(! I really don't know what
causes it! I'm down 81 pounds, so what's a little thinning hair! (Ha) Good
Luck!
— VickyTaylor
December 26, 1999
Well if you would talk to your doctor, you would know that hair loss is due
to not getting 50 grams of protein in a day after surgery. I have never
heard of people losing their hair from anesthisia??? I am 4 months
post-op, and have had no hair loss, never knew you could lose it from
anesthisia, where did you get an idea like that? What a dumb question
— [Anonymous]
December 26, 1999
I just want to say I am sorry I said anything about this being a dumb
question. I had just never heard of anesthia being the cause of hair loss.
And I have also had a really rotten day, and probably shouln't have
responded to any postings when I was in a bad mood. I am truly sorry.
Next time I won't say anything unless it's nice and supportive. I didn't
mean to be unsupportive. Everyone here on this site has been really nice
to me. I don't know why I said what I did. I am truly sorry.
— Krista C.
December 26, 1999
my hairdresser introduced me to Nioxin products. I am pre-op, having an
open RNY on 03/15/00, and have already started using this product.
Shampoo, conditioner and treatment (left in hair). In reading the
instructions, it stated that major hair loss was due to several reasons -
one of them being RAPID MAJOR WEIGHT LOSS. That's what I learned, but
again, who knows? I had hyperthroidism and lost quite abit of hair at that
time, that never came back and I do worry about losing even more with WLS.
— Sandy C.
December 26, 1999
Hi everyone: For those who claim to have had general anesthesia and no hair
loss during previous surgeries, I'll bet you did. You weren't looking for
it as you are now. Anesthesia does cause hair loss. So does major rapid
weight loss. Combine the two, and you're bound to see an increase. I am
almost 5 months post-op (actually post-op twice as I had a kidney stone
removed under general anesthesia at 4 1/2 weeks post-op RNY) and my hair
loss started about a month ago. I'm blessed with extremely thick hair, and
I know it will be back to it's old self soon. I also take my protein
supplements, to try and help minimize the loss. Good luck everyone, happy
holidays! I'm melting......Jaye Carl, RN, open proximal RNY 7-29-99, 86
pounds gone forever!
— Jaye C.
December 26, 1999
Hi, I am 5.5 months postop from an open RNY. About a month ago, I started
losing hair (a real problem for me because my hair was thin to begin
with)--now I have several spots which are bald looking. I bought a good
wig and will use it until my hair grows back. As a side note, I have
always concentrated on adequate protein intake since the surgery, even
drinking supplements. Hope this helps!
— charlene M.
December 27, 1999
Hi Sarah, I have not had surgery yet, but I am preparing. BTC of Ann Arbor
sent me this: not my own words.
Major surgery, rapid weight loss, and changes in your eating habits can all
produce stress on the body. Hair thinning can be a natural reaction to
this stress. When this happens, it usually occurs three to five months
after
surgery. Remember that any hair thinning is temporary. No one has ever
lost all of his or her hair, and in most cases it is only noticeable to the
individual. As your hair starts to grow back, usually in two to three
months, it may be thicker than before.
You can minimixe andy hair thinning by taking the recommended
vitamin/mineral supplements and making sure you get enough protein each
day.
If you do experience hair thinning, you may be able to speed hair growth by
taking additional zinc and vitamin B complex. Zinc is available in tablet
or capsule form as zinc sulphate. Up to 45mg of zinc may be taken daily.
A vitamin B complex should have 100-200% of the U.S. RDA. Tablets should be
broken up so they are no larger than the size of an "M&M".
I hope this is helpful , and as they always say. Do what your Doctor says.
— C S.
December 27, 1999
My doc explained hairloss like this...your body thinks it's starving right
now, so it has decided to devote energy to protecting vital organs, and
unfortunately hair doesn't fall into this category. So, hair production
just stops for a while. It will resume in a few months when your body
adjusts to it's new caloric and nutritional intake.
— [Anonymous]
January 17, 2003
I'm 2 weeks post-op and immediately started losing hair 2 days after
surgery. Now I'm almost bald on top and I look like someone whose had
Chemotheraphy .The rest of my hair which is longer in back is extremely
brittle ,even though I keep it oiled and conditioned daily . The Dr told me
this wasn't due to the WLS but to the anesthsia. It is so bad that I have
had to purchase a wig . I never thought this could happen but for those out
there that don't believe it can happen ,I'm living proof. I'm so depressed
over this because my hair wasn't long to begin with .My Dr has told me that
in 3-4 months I'll lose hair again from the WLS, gee this gives me
something to look forward to ! Despite this , I would still have the
surgery because I have already dropped 12 lbs. I'll just be the "bald
skinny chick" this summer !
— cinnamongirl
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