Hair Loss Question for Kelly - or anyone else who might know

A coworker of mine who had lap band 5 years ago and then a revision to RNY a month ago (I know of him but I do not know him) heard that I was going to have WLS and told our mutual friend to tell me he wanted to talk to me. So, we met yesterday. It was a very interesting conversation. His main goal seemed to be to talk me out of lap band if that was the surgery I was planning on having. He had a HORRIBLE issue with the lap band and he was concerned about my health and safety (that was nice, I thought).

But, he also wanted to share his RNY experience with me, answer any questions that I might have about the procedure and share some of their "lessons learned". He and his wife both had lap band and then she had a revision to RNY 2 years ago and he 4 1/2 weeks ago.

One of his tips was to take a supplement called biotin post op. He said that when his wife had RNY 2 years ago, she had hair loss issues. He said that after she started taking this supplement, the hair loss went away and she actually claimed her hair felt better than before.

Does anyone else know anything about this supplement? Has anyone else used this supplement post op? Any success or fail stories that they are willing to share?

Thanks!!!

Not Kelly, but I have a smidge of info to offer.

Biotin may help with hair regrowth. Inositol and choline may help you retain what hair you have. Dave C. has talked about the inositol and choline before so maybe he'll chime in. That's where I learned about it.

Hair loss is common after major surgery, not just after WLS. It is called telogen effluvium.

Thanks! Do you know if the inositol and choline are okay to take post WLS?

My NP says they are both fine for post WLS.

I have thin hair to begin with and take it daily. I can tell a huge difference- when I started taking it a few months back, I got compliments on my hair. I will continue to take it pre and post op. That has been my experience with it. I take the brand from walmart...it doesn't cost alot at all.

Thank you for sharing!

I just quickly read up on Inositol and cholin and they are part of the b-complex... We will need to take sublingual b12 afterwards, should/could we also take a b-complex with this included? I already take a biotin supplement... waiting for the guru on these two supplements to chime in and give their knowledge...

The ASMBS says a B complex is optional.  If you take one that you swallow, or a chewable B complex, you will not absorb the B12 in it.  You'll still need to take your sublingual B12 (or nasal spray or shots).

Biotin is one of the B vitamins.  Biotin deficiency can cause hair loss and some people believe taking biotin will prevent hair loss after surgery.  I haven't seen any research that verifies that, but it won't hurt you to take extra biotin if you want.  Hair loss after surgery usually only lasts a few months so it could be that his wife's hair loss would have stopped around that time anyway, whether or not she took biotin.

Also, you should be getting biotin in your multi even if you do not take extra.

Thanks Kelly!