Is obesity affecting your self-confidence?
Is it hindering you from looking the most beautiful version of yourself?
Don’t worry! We have a solution for you! Visit Dr. Harsh Sheth to get the best bariatric surgery in Mumbai. Yes, bariatric surgery is the key to your weight issues, especially when other methods such as diet and exercise have not proven effective for you!
But what if, instead of gaining confidence, you lose confidence?
What if, along with weight, you also lose hair?
Nothing is all rosy! There is no gain without loss! Yes, hair loss after bariatric surgery is one of the side effects of bariatric surgery! So, instead of gaining confidence, you can end up losing confidence after bariatric surgery due to hair loss.
What! That means bariatric surgery only leads to loss- loss of weight, loss of hair, and loss of confidence!
Though the first loss is actually a gain, the price to be paid for the gain is two more losses (which are actually losses)! Isn’t the loss more than the gain?
But don’t worry, there is ‘GOOD NEWS!
Bariatric surgery hair loss is temporary!
Yes! You read it right! Bariatric hair loss is temporary! Also, there is no problem without a solution. Yes, there is even a solution to treat temporary hair loss after bariatric surgery!
Wait! The good news is not yet over!
Isn’t it said that ‘Prevention is better than cure”?
So, why not follow this advice?
Yes, you are thinking in the right direction! One can prevent the temporary hair loss problem caused due to bariatric surgery!
We understand that you are curious to know about the preventive measures of hair loss after bariatric surgery!
But hold on! Before understanding the solutions and preventive measures, it is first essential to understand the problem! Because only when we have knowledge of the problem, will we be able to seek the right solution! Knowledge of the problem is the first step towards its solution!
So, first, let’s talk about the causes and types of hair loss and know about the hair growth cycle! And then, we will share some ways to prevent hair loss after bariatric surgery!
So, what are the common causes of hair loss?
Hair loss is common in Mumbai! And some of the factors that lead to hair loss among Mumbaikars are as follows-
- Stress
- Genetics
- Nutritional deficiency
- Medications
- Illness etc.
What are the types of hair loss?
There are various types of hair loss. But the hair loss that is commonly experienced after weight loss surgery are as follows-
- Telogen Effluvium: This is the most common hair loss experienced by people in Mumbai who have recently undergone bariatric surgery. Telogen effluvium happens when huge numbers of hair follicles enter the telogen or the resting phase of the hair life cycle, but the next growth phase does not start. This leads to hair fall without new hair growth after the hair fall. Factors that contribute to this type of hair loss are as follows-
- Stress
- Deficiency of nutrients
- Major surgery
- Rapid and sudden weight loss
- Medications
And the above things are a part of the weight loss journey, thus making telogen effluvium the primary cause of bariatric surgery hair loss!
The above factors of bariatric surgery hair loss are discussed later in the article.
- Androgenetic Alopecia: Androgenetic Alopecia is another type of hair loss seen after bariatric surgery. Androgenetic alopecia is one of the most common hair loss seen in people living in Mumbai! This hair loss is caused mainly because of genetic factors. But with proper surgery and medication, it can be treated.
How does hair normally grow?
Our hair goes through four stages that make up the hair growth cycle. The four stages of the hair growth cycle are as follows-
- Anagen or growth phase
- Catagen
- Telogen or the resting phase
- Exogen or the shedding phase
What are the types of hair loss?
There are various types of hair loss. But the hair loss that is commonly experienced after weight loss surgery are as follows-
- Telogen Effluvium: This is the most common hair loss experienced by people in Mumbai who have recently undergone bariatric surgery. Telogen effluvium happens when huge numbers of hair follicles enter the telogen or the resting phase of the hair life cycle, but the next growth phase does not start. This leads to hair fall without new hair growth after the hair fall. Factors that contribute to this type of hair loss are as follows-
- Stress
- Deficiency of nutrients
- Major surgery
- Rapid and sudden weight loss
- Medications
And the above things are a part of the weight loss journey, thus making telogen effluvium the primary cause of bariatric surgery hair loss!
The above factors of bariatric surgery hair loss are discussed later in the article.
- Androgenetic Alopecia: Androgenetic Alopecia is another type of hair loss seen after bariatric surgery. Androgenetic alopecia is one of the most common hair loss seen in people living in Mumbai! This hair loss is caused mainly because of genetic factors. But with proper surgery and medication, it can be treated.
Usually, around ninety percent of hair follicles are in the growth phase at any given time. Only around five to fifteen percent of hair is in the resting or telogen phase at any given time. But for a person suffering from telogen effluvium, many hair follicles remain in the telogen phase without entering the next growth phase, thus leading to hair loss.
What causes hair loss after weight loss surgery?
As mentioned earlier in the article, telogen effluvium is a significant cause of hair loss after bariatric surgery. And some of the major factors that trigger telogen effluvium are stress, lack of nutrients, major surgery, rapid loss of weight, hormonal changes, and medications.
Let’s discuss in detail these factors-
- Stress: Hair loss leads to severe stress. But did you know that stress is not just the consequence but also the cause of hair loss? Yes, stress is one of the significant causes of telogen effluvium. Stress has an adverse impact on hair growth and is one of the leading causes of hair fall in people living in Mumbai.
- Major surgery: When undergoing major surgery, experiencing emotional and physical stress is common. And we just read how stress has a negative impact on hair growth! This makes hair loss one of the common side-effects of major surgeries such as bariatric surgery!
- Rapid weight loss: Why is bariatric surgery done? To lose weight! But with weight, there is one more thing lost! And that is hair! Yes, rapid weight loss leads to hair loss. Thus, hair loss is common after a bariatric or weight loss surgery! Pushing your body to lose weight makes the body stressed out. The stress hormones get elevated, which triggers telogen effluvium. But once your body gets accustomed to such stressors, the hair loss stops, and there is a growth of new hair!
- Medications: Bariatric patients in Mumbai are prescribed certain medications by their doctor that help them lose weight and manage conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and blood pressure. Indeed, these medicines improve one’s health but also deteriorate it! Yes, though they improve one’s physical health, they deteriorate the health of one’s hair! Hair loss is one of the common side-effects of such medicines. If you are experiencing hair loss because of weight loss medications, it is advisable to ask your bariatric surgeon in Mumbai for alternative medicine.
- Lack of nutrients: Just like our body needs essential nutrients to stay healthy, our hair also needs them! Lack of nutrients such as iron, zinc, protein, etc., can affect the health of hair and cause hair loss. Thus, bariatric patients need to include a sufficient amount of protein, iron, zinc, and other nutrients in their diet to avoid hair loss after bariatric surgery. The top bariatric surgeon in Mumbai recommends consuming 45-60mg of iron every day post-bariatric surgery to prevent hair loss after surgery.
- Hormonal changes: Bariatric surgery leads to hormonal changes, which help lose weight. But along with weight loss, hormonal changes also cause hair loss! Yes, hormonal changes are one of the main reasons for hair loss. This makes hair loss a common side effect of bariatric surgery!
But do not worry! After bariatric surgery, one can prevent hair loss by following some useful preventive measures!
What are the preventive measures of hair loss after bariatric surgery?
Some of the ways to prevent hair loss after bariatric surgery are as follows-
- Make sure you get sufficient nutrients and vitamins every day.
- Try to avoid stress as much as possible by doing yoga and other relaxation exercises. Weight loss is a positive change, so why take stress instead of feeling happy!
- If specific weight loss or blood pressure medications are causing hair loss, inform your doctor about it and ask if any alternative medicine is available.
- Include sufficient proteins in your diet. The experienced bariatric surgeon in Mumbai suggests women include 60gms of protein and advises men to include 80gms of protein every day in their diet.
So, if you are avoiding bariatric surgery due to hair loss, you no longer need to avoid it!
Hair loss after bariatric surgery is temporary! In fact, it is avoidable! By taking necessary precautions and including essential vitamins and nutrients in your diet, managing stress, etc., you can prevent hair loss after bariatric surgery!
So, now what is stopping you from effective bariatric surgery?
Visit Dr. Harsh Sheth, the best bariatric surgeon in Mumbai right now!
It is now time to lose weight and win back your confidence and self-esteem!
By providing effective weight loss surgery and guidance, we help you have a smooth weight loss journey and help you reach your desired destination of better health!