Of all the side effects you read about before gastric sleeve surgery, hair loss is one of the least discussed – yet one of the most worrying when it happens. Before our surgeries, we rarely saw it mentioned. But around four months post-op, we started noticing it ourselves.
Whether you’re preparing for surgery or already on your post-op journey, hair loss can be unsettling. The good news? It’s usually temporary, manageable, and almost always a sign that your body is still adjusting – not that something’s gone wrong.
Here’s what we’ve learned about why hair loss happens after gastric sleeve surgery, what you can do to minimise it, and how we handled it personally.
Why Hair Loss Happens After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Post-surgery hair loss is known as telogen effluvium, a temporary condition triggered by physical or emotional stress. It’s your body’s way of conserving energy while healing.
There are four main reasons this can happen after bariatric surgery:
1. Surgical Stress
Major surgery puts your body under stress. During recovery, your body prioritises healing over non-essential processes like hair growth. This can temporarily push hair follicles into a “resting phase,” causing thinning or shedding.
2. Rapid Weight Loss
After the gastric sleeve, most people lose weight quickly – and that rapid change can shock your system. When calorie intake drops drastically, your body has to work harder to get nutrients, especially protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins, all of which are vital for healthy hair.
3. Nutrient Deficiencies
Even if you’re eating well, your new stomach absorbs nutrients differently. That’s why supplementing is so important. Deficiencies in protein, iron, zinc, folate, biotin, and vitamin B12 can all cause or worsen hair loss.
In our case, James began noticing more hair shedding around month four. Tests later showed low iron and B12 – once corrected with supplements, the shedding gradually stopped.
4. Hormonal Adjustments
Significant weight loss can temporarily disrupt hormone balance – particularly thyroid and sex hormones – which can also influence hair growth cycles. This usually stabilises naturally over time.
How Long Does It Last?
Most people notice hair loss between three to six months post-op, with regrowth starting a few months later. By 12 to 18 months, your hair should return to its normal cycle and fullness.
For us, the shedding phase lasted roughly three months, starting around the four-month mark and improving by month seven. Now, at 18 months post-op, both of us have full, healthy hair again – though it took time (and patience).
How to Reduce Hair Loss After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
You can’t prevent hair loss completely, but you can reduce how much you lose and help your hair recover faster.
Here’s what’s worked for us:
1. Prioritise Protein
Protein is the single most important nutrient for hair growth – and it’s often the hardest to meet after surgery.
Aim for 60–80g per day, depending on your surgeon’s recommendation.
Our go-tos include:
- Lean meats and fish (especially chicken, tuna, and salmon)
- Protein shakes and yoghurts
- Eggs and low-fat dairy
2. Take Your Vitamins and Supplements (Properly!)
We can’t stress this enough – never skip your supplements.
The ones we take daily include:
- A complete bariatric multivitamin
- Calcium with vitamin D
- Iron
- Vitamin B12 (injection or sublingual tablet)
- Biotin (for hair and skin support)
We’ve also written about our supplement journey in more detail on our Supplements & Vitamins page, including the additional stack we added after James experienced fatigue and nutrient issues around the 11-month mark.
3. Stay Hydrated
Hydration is often overlooked, but dehydration can make hair more brittle and prone to breakage. Aim for at least 2 litres (around 64 ounces) of fluids daily. Water, herbal teas, and sugar-free electrolyte drinks all count.
4. Manage Stress
Stress – physical or emotional – can make shedding worse. Light exercise, gentle yoga, and getting enough sleep made a big difference for us. If you find yourself anxious or self-conscious about hair loss, speak to your GP or bariatric nurse; they’ll often reassure you and check your levels.
5. Be Gentle With Your Hair
While your hair is shedding, treat it kindly. Avoid tight hairstyles, heat styling, or harsh dyes. Use a mild shampoo and conditioner, and detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb.
We also switched to silk pillowcases – it sounds small, but it really helped reduce friction and breakage.
6. See a Professional if It Persists
If your hair loss continues beyond nine months or worsens instead of improving, speak to a GP, dietitian, or dermatologist. They can run blood tests to rule out deficiencies or hormonal imbalances and adjust your supplements accordingly.
The Emotional Side of Hair Loss
Let’s be honest – losing hair, even temporarily, can be upsetting. It can feel like yet another hurdle after everything your body’s already been through.
We both found it hard at first. After months of progress, suddenly noticing hair coming out in the shower was disheartening. But remember: this is a sign your body is healing, not failing.
Once your weight stabilises and your nutrition catches up, your hair almost always grows back – thicker, healthier, and stronger than before.
Focus on the positives: better health, improved mobility, and renewed confidence. The hair will come back – and the progress you’ve made will stay.
Hair loss after gastric sleeve surgery is common, temporary, and completely manageable. It’s not a sign that something’s gone wrong – just that your body is adapting.
By staying on top of your supplements, hitting your protein goals, and looking after your overall health, you can minimise the impact and help your hair recover naturally.
If you’re currently going through it, hang in there. We’ve been there too – and it really does get better.
Disclaimer:This post shares our personal experience with hair loss after gastric sleeve surgery and general post-operative care. It is not medical advice. Always follow the recommendations of your surgeon, GP, or bariatric team before making any changes to your supplement or nutrition routine.