Expert: Jacqueline Jacques, ND - 8/17/2011

Question
In april of this year I had a gastric bypass now my hair is falling out. I can't tolerate the protein shakes but I do try to take in as much protein as possible in other ways and generally get around 50 - 70 grams of protein a day I dont take any other supplements other than a weekly b-12 shot. Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Pollie,

A couple of things...

1) Hair loss after gastric bypass usually starts at about 100 days post op, continues for a few months and then stops.  This hair loss is not nutritionally associated and will not be stopped by anything (basically the hairs are already programmed to fall out at this point).

2) You are separately putting yourself in a position of great health risk by not taking your other vitamins.  Deficiencies of iron, vitamin D, calcium, and much more are very common after gastric bypass and can lead to very serious health issues.  If you have trouble supplementing, please go talk to your program dietitian and try to find something that works for you.  If you do not do this, at some point it is likely to make you sick.  And since deficiencies like low iron can also make your hair fall out, it can even keep you from regrowing the hair you are losing now.

I hope this is helpful to you.

This is an article I wrote a few years ago on hair loss after surgery that might be helpful for you:
http://bariatrictimes.com/2008/09/19/the-latest-on-nutrition-and-hair-loss-in-th

In health,

Dr. Jacques