Chronic hair loss/thinning 3 years after VSG--will it ever stop??

Hi-

I am new to this site so I hope I am posting in the right area. If not, I apologize ahead of time. I had bariatric surgery--a lap-band to VSG--back in 3/2011. Along with many others, I started to experience the "dread shed" about 6 months post-op. It has slowed down (I can no longer pull clumps of hair out when shampooing or have to worry about clogging the drain--maybe because there isn't much left?) but I still have severe hair thinning.

I have read from many people that their hair returns back to normal with time but I'm over 3 years out and mine hasn't. I'm starting to really panic and am just wondering if anyone else out there has experienced this or heard of anyone experiencing this?

Different parts/sections of my hair feel thinner than others and sometimes my scalp will feel "tingling" or like I have a sunburn on my head that comes and goes.

I went to see my PCP 12/13 for a full work-up just to make sure there wasn't something else causing my hair loss. The only thing that cane back as being low was my feritin level--11 at the time. I started taking oral iron and had it re-checked in 6/14. My ferritin actually dropped to 10. I received 3 IV iron infusions and now my ferritin is within normal range.

I have been to 2 different dermatologists (both    in 12/13) who said my condition was chronic Telogen Ellfluvium and to wait it out. But, after 3 years, I'm scared I'm going to be bald.

I was fortunate to have a big thick head of hair prior to my sleeve. Now, I have lost over 3/4 of my hair and it is dull, no longer wavy, and just looks unhealthy.

Yesterday I was looking at different photos of myself and couldn't help that notice that as my hair has gotten thinner and thinner I have developed bags under my eye that are now very noticeable. I don't know what to do, am scared that I'm going to lose all of my hair, and am almost regretting having my VSG :(

Anyone out there that has experienced this?? 

I'm so sorry you're experiencing this :-(   Most people on here have stories of how their have "came back".  I started off with fine, thinning hair and it immediately started coming out post-op and at month 5 it became horrendous....to the point that I lost half of my hair according to my hair guy.  I actually ordered a wig and sent it back because I just couldn't pull off the look.  

I'm closing in on 15 months post-op and went to my hair guy last night.  For the first time he says he can tell I'm growing new hair (it's coming in gray, but who the hell cares).  I still have to use Toppik to cover up the thin areas but I finally have some hope.  

I had tried all the tips/tricks:  biotin for months before surgery (and I still take it), other various supplements, scalp massage, special oils/shampoos, etc.  I tried it all!  One of the things I did a couple months ago is go on a prescription drug called spironolactone.  Since I had male pattern baldness BEFORE surgery this has seemed to help my regrowth in the crown area.  

I would like to offer you hope but at 3 years out I would say you may want to get a full hormone workup too if that hasn't already been done.  That's the other thing my hair guy says - "hair is all hormones".  If they are out of whack, your skin and hair will be too.  

Thanks for your response and feedback. I am glad to hear that you are getting new hair growth. That's great!

My PCP ran all sorts of tests (including thyroid) and everything came back fine with the exception of my ferritin. I was referred to a hematologist because of my low ferritin and he ran more but nothing came back abnormal. I take a proton pump inhibitor for acid reflux and was told that may be one of the reasons why my ferritin did not come up with oral iron (because of an impairment of absorption of the iron). 

I had 2 surgeries since my VSG where I underwent general anesthesia and have heard that that could be an issue. However, two different dermatologists (one who is a hair specialist in NYC that I had to pay an arm and a leg for a consultation with) I went to said that was nonsense. That there was no direct clinical correlation. I've been taking all sorts of vitamins (biotin, b complex, fish oil) in addition to my bariatric vitamins and calcium. Nothing is working. NOTHING!

I located another dermatologist who specializes in hair loss who I am going to see which will cost me another $500 just for the consultation alone (my insurance company doesn't cover treatment for hair loss) to get another opinion. I color my hair and can see my roots so I know that it is growing but more is falling out than is coming in. And, it is so thin. I am praying that something will change!

What were your protein levels?  How many vials of blood did they draw out of you for all of these tests?  I have concerns that they didn't test enough, for that bad of hair loss that far out is common for malnutrition..specifically protein for one.  I, for example, give at least a dozen vials of blood when I do it.

At almost one year post op my hair hit a major fall out due to the quick weight loss (IMO). Hair growth is recyclable, it has been slow for me. Very thin up front, than about a year ago, five years after the initial loss and 6 since surgery, I started to see a change, today, I can say that I see a difference in thickness and volume. I'm not saying it's the same for everyone, I'm in my early sixties, a younger person will likely have a different experience, but for me it has taken a bit of time but it HAS happened. I have had good checkups every year and my labs have been normal. 

Hi,

I'm only 3 months out and mine has started falling out a lot.  It's made me very nervous and I've been wondering if it was due to the very rapid weight loss of the first few months, and hoping that since my weight loss has gotten really slow this month (stalled) that maybe the hair loss will too?  But reading all your posts that doesn't seem to be the case.  Has anyone found good vitamins that are not horrific tasting like the bariatric advantage ones? Eeewww, toxic!  Makes it tough to take.  I'm hoping that the kind you swallow will be effective because I just cant handle chewing the BA multivitamins!

Hi olessgn,

You should try juicing. These are the best vitamines and enzymes. Plus juice goes good with liquids protein.

Remember fresh is best.

OK, I'm not trying to be an alarmist or scare you, but do you have any other symptoms that you are just assuming are part of your VSG like feeling very tired or muscle pains or weakness?  Do you have any rashes, particularly on your face?  If so, and even if you just have fatigue, you might want to rule out Lupus too (anemia and hair loss are some of the symptoms).  I'm not a doctor, but a couple years ago I thought I might have Lupus, but it turns out I have MS.  I feel like in my case (because I was heavy then too and I haven't had my surgery yet), all of my symptoms were blamed on my weight, and I hope they won't do that to you because you had weight loss surgery (although you did say they ran other tests).  

I'm wishing you all the best, health, and happiness and hope your hair comes back really soon!