With research suggesting that people who have undergone gastric sleeve or band surgery lose approximately 35% of their excess weight in just six months, it’s no surprise that this semi-permanent, medical intervention has proven popular in recent years.
Whilst we’re the first to promote non-surgical alternatives in the quest for a look that leaves you feeling more confident – read why wearing a wig or hairpiece is always a better alternative to hair transplant surgery – supporting the decisions of those who want to undergo gastric band surgery or feel they have no other option is something we are equally passionate about.
There are after all many challenges people with gastric bands have to face post-surgery. Unbeknown to most, hair loss is a common side effect of this type of procedure. Here we explore why hair loss and gastric band surgery are so closely linked and how you can recover successfully as well as conceal hair loss in the meantime.
In short, very common. The body is after all very sensitive to any type of change, especially internal alterations caused by surgery. The rapid and dramatic loss of weight and necessary dietary changes are further factors that make hair loss and thinning a given after gastric band (or bariatric) surgery.
The type of hair loss you may experience after gastric sleeve surgery depends entirely on its underlying cause. Hair loss may be the result of telogen effluvium, which is commonly caused by the impact of significant changes.
Telogen effluvium causes the body to redirect nutrients from the hair to support other functions or areas of the body. This means follicles enter their dormant phase, stop growing and eventually fall out.
The stress of undergoing surgery and the various lifestyle changes related to these weight loss interventions have also been linked to the onset of hair loss.
The restrictive diets that go hand-in-hand with weight loss surgery can also cause nutrient deficiencies which impact how certain vitamins and minerals are absorbed by the body.
Nutrient deficiency hair loss is particularly common with malabsorptive gastric surgeries and mixed procedures such as the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the latter of which can have a far-reaching impact on your health as this medical study found:
“Weight loss surgery, particularly the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (REYGB), has become a popular treatment strategy for obesity… Unfortunately, the nutritional adequacy of the postoperative diet has frequently been overlooked, and in the months to years that follow, nutritional deficiencies have become apparent, including protein-calorie malnutrition and various vitamin and mineral deficiencies contributing to medical illnesses and limiting optimal health.”
There are several steps you can take to minimise the risk of hair loss after gastric sleeve surgery. Following the nutritional guidelines set by your doctor and ensuring that the intake of all the essentials is where it needs to be is vital.
Many patients need to take additional supplements (including zinc, iron, and vitamins A, B9 and C) to keep the negative effects of surgery at bay. Beware of taking too many supplements, however, as this could have the opposite effect and increase your risk of post-surgery hair loss. You should also boost the amount of protein in your diet to aid recovery, healing and muscle preservation.
Making sure that your diet complements your surgery and supports your body is crucial both before and after the procedure.
Suffering from hair loss after such an extensive and life-changing surgery can be particularly distressing. Many people experiencing gastric band surgery hair loss struggle with the fact that they are gaining control of their weight whilst losing control of their hair. Purchasing and wearing a wig is a great way to keep you feeling confident and comfortable as your follicles recover.
Shop our range of ladies’ wigs and men’s wigs today, and discover the confidence boost you need when experiencing gastric band surgery hair loss.
