DFW Bariatrics and General Surgery, Dr. Sachin Kukreja’s practice, posted this video on its YouTube channel on June 27, 2025.
From the video’s description on YouTube
Trust me, I know how upsetting hair loss can be. Let’s talk about how bariatric surgery affects your hair’s health–and no, you won’t go bald.
Why do bariatric patients lose some of their hair?
Hair loss is a normal side effect of bariatric surgery, seen in about 50% of patients. It’s called “Telogen effluvium” which is just a fancy name for your hair follicles going temporarily dormant and shedding. This can happen with any significant weight loss, but procedures that affect the way you absorb nutrients have a higher risk (ex: Roux-en-y gastric bypass and duodenal switch).Will the hair grow back?
Yes! The shedding usually starts 3-6 months after surgery. It can sometimes be another 6 months before your hair returns to its full volume.Can I do anything to prevent it?
Again, yes! Most of the patients who experience hair loss have low levels of certain key vitamins (iron, zinc, biotin) and protein. Luckily, these key nutrients are found at adequate levels in bariatric grade multivitamins, so as long as you take your vitamins and meet your protein goals, you can minimize any shedding.Remember to follow me for all things bariatric surgery!
More videos from the practice are on Dr. Sachin Kukreja’s profile.
