Hair Loss After Bariatric Surgery – What To Do About It

Hair loss after bariatric surgery is inevitable. But there are certain things you can do when you decide you are going to have bariatric surgery to minimize it as much as possible. Because no one wants to lose all their hair! I guess I should say that hair THINNING is inevitable. My hair got thinner but I didn’t lose all my hair or even half of my hair. Because I babied it from the minute I found out I was having gastric bypass. Here is what I did.

The Basics

When I found out I was having surgery, my stylist stopped thinning my hair. We started adding Olaplex strengthener to my bleach, as I was determined to remain a blonde. This can only be purchased by a licensed cosmetologist and added to professional bleach. My hair used to be very thick and we used to thin it every time I went to see her. So we immediately stopped doing that and let it grow as long as we could.

The Vitamins

Besides protein intake, I think that vitamins are key to maintaining hair health. I have tried tons of vitamins. Right after surgery, I used Flintstone chewables with iron, a vitamin D supplement, calcium chews, sublingual B-12, and chewable biotin. I actually stuck with this for a couple years. I also added in a probiotic stick after the first year for regularity and gut health! After that, I was ready to move to capsule vitamins. I have tried TONS of companies.

I wanted to find a company that was ONCE DAILY, affordable, had a chewable option, a capsule, and offered calcium chews. A one stop shop for everyone. I LOVE THESE VITAMINS and they are approved by all of my doctors and dietitian. They are the absolute most affordable once daily vitamins you will ever find. I take ProCare once daily Bariatric Vitamins with 45mg of iron. I also take 2 of their calcium chews (one in the morning and one at night). They are delicious. If you use the code Maddie10 – it will save you 10% on your entire order and it comes out to be about $12 a month for the multi vitamin!

The Hair Products

Products are so important. Crazy tidbit- I was a hair stylist before I became a nurse. I have had a lot of careers! Let’s go over my product line up.

The holy grail for shampoo, conditioner and hair mask treatment is OLAPLEX! It has transformed my hair! I have been using an 8 oz bottle of the shampoo (Olaplex #4) and conditioner (Olaplex #5) for 5 months and JUST finished them both off. It is pricey but it is WORTH IT! Over the past 5 months my hair has thickened, grown longer and become stronger. THIS STUFF IS LIQUID GOLD. I wash about every 4 days and use a very small amount.

I recently started using Olaplex No.4P (which is their purple shampoo for blondes) – I AM OBSESSED! You just can’t leave it on for too long!! Maybe one to two minutes max. If you are a blonde, finding a purple shampoo that does not dry out your hair can be challenging. This one is BOMB!

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I also started using Olaplex Hair Perfector (Olaplex #3). This is an at home concentrated treatment that you put on DAMP hair when you first get in the shower to strengthen your hair and helps to rebuild and restore compromised hair. I started using this two months ago and I use it every two to three weeks.

When I get out of the shower, I use this Perfecting Spray from Living Proof. It is a detangler and also a heat protectant. This bottle has lasted me almost three years! Then I use this Color Care Whipped Glaze for blondes from Living Proof to help keep my blond nice and bright.

The Hair Tools

When my hair is wet, I use this Wet Brush. I have used this brush for about ten years! It is amazing. The best brush for getting tangles out. I also recommend using these pantyhose material hair ties from Amazon. They are super affordable and don’t leave a crease in my hair.

My styling tools are investment items. I did not purchase them all at one time and occasionally they will go on sale. But they are so worth it to have good tools to use on your hair. Especially when preparing for bariatric surgery and post op bariatric surgery.

Right after surgery, I tried to use minimal heat on my hair and used dry shampoo to go longer between washes. I SWEAR BY THIS DRY SHAMPOO by Living Proof. The key is to shake the can very well, put it on at night and let it “marinate” and then your hair will look and feel cleaner in the morning. It is also very important to rub the product in your roots because it actually has chemicals in it to CLEAN YOUR HAIR! This is the only dry shampoo that has actually worked for my hair. It can leave a little white residue if you do not rub it in the morning after applying it.

I invested in this T3 blowdryer almost a year ago and it is worth every penny! It has multiple heat settings and my hair is NEVER frizzy after blowing dry with it. I never realized the need for a good blowdryer until I actually purchased one.

When I curl my hair, I only use this T3 Singlepass curling iron. It also has multiple heat settings and has negative ions to protect your hair. It is ceramic and I use a lower heat setting.

When I straighten my hair, I only use a Paul Mitchell Flat Iron. I have actually had my Paul Mitchell Flat Iron for over 13 years and they do not even make the one I have anymore. My sister has this one and loves it. Their flat irons are absolutely my favorite.

To Sum It All Up

It can be a lot of work to prevent and maintain keeping your hair healthy. But I am so glad that I took care of my hair along the way during this journey. My hair is almost back to normal now and I was able to remain a blonde!

Just remember, hair loss and hair thinning is inevitable with gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery. It can take an emotional and mental toll on you when you are losing hair during this journey. Alway talk with your dietitian and surgeon before taking any medications for hair loss, even over the counter medications.

It is also extremely important to have a stylist that you trust. My hair stylist helped me so much along the way. I would much rather have thinning hair than be back at my highest weight. All in all, I would never trade anything for my bariatric journey and new life that I have.

As always, thank you for reading and thank you for being here!

Love and hugs,

xoxo

Maddie

The best place to follow along for all the daily updates/goodies is on my Instagram – @maddie5088

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The Basi