Bariatric Surgery: Preventing Hair Loss Post-Surgery

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Michelle Phelan, nutritionist at Blossom Bariatrics, responds to a question about how to prevent hair loss after bariatric weight loss surgery.

“Hair is inherently inscribed with meaning.”

In 2013, Cornell University hosted an exhibition in the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art dedicated to hair.  “Hair: Untangling Roots of Identity” examined hair, “Be it on your body, face, or head, whether removed, replaced, relaxed, dyed, bound, loose, long, short, curly, straight, or synthetic,” and explored how,  “style can define and distinguish individuals [...] hair is at once universal and distinctive.”

Hair has meaning.  Hair is part of an individual’s identity.  Hair communicates uniqueness.

It is no wonder that when considering weight loss surgery, Lisa from Honolulu, Hawaii, expressed her concern about hair loss, “When my sister had her gastric sleeve surgery by another surgeon last year, she lost weight.  But her hair started falling out and now she has thinning hair. What if this happens to me?”

Hair grows in cycles and certain stressors, like weight loss surgery, can interrupt the cycle and lead to hair loss.  Michelle Phelan, nutritionist at Blossom Bariatrics explains, “Well Lisa, although hair loss, or thinning hair, can be a side effect of any bariatric procedure, typically it is because of malnutrition.”

“Iron, zinc, and protein are essential to the proper creation of and upkeep of hair [...] Other nutrients associated with hair health include vitamin A, inositol, folate, B-6 and essential fatty acids,” reminds Jacqueline Jacques, ND, author of “Weight-loss Surgery, Nutrition and Hair Loss.”

Elizabeth Krieger highlights in her article, “Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair,” that nutrition has far-reaching effects on hair.  “The nutrients you eat today help fortify the hair follicle -- from which each strand is born -- and the scalp that surrounds it.”  Krieger assures that “you have a lot more leverage than you might think. If you eat a balanced, varied, protein-rich diet [...] you'll be giving your hair the TLC it needs and deserves.”

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Phelan concludes, “In our practice, at Blossom Bariatrics, we really educate our patients in the proper supplementation, vitamins, minerals, and other ways to get the nutrients you need for complete nutrition and to prevent hair loss.”

About Blossom Bariatrics:

Blossom Bariatrics is a weight loss surgery center located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Award winning surgeon, Dr. Thomas Umbach, is dedicated to helping individuals improve their health, and live more fulfilling lives by losing their excess weight.  His gastric bypass practice specializes in both advanced and traditional laparoscopic (minimally invasive) procedures.

Contact Info:
Name: Dr. Tom Umbach
Email: Send Email
Organization: Blossom Bariatrics
Address: 3235 East Warm Springs Rd. Suite 100 Building 24 Las Vegas, NV 89120
Phone: 702-463-3300
Website: http://blossombariatrics.com

Release ID: 69058

CONTACT ISSUER
Name: Dr. Tom Umbach
Email: Send Email
Organization: Blossom Bariatrics
Address: 3235 East Warm Springs Rd. Suite 100 Building 24 Las Vegas, NV 89120
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