Bariatric surgery FAQ: Part 2

Key Takeaways:

• Any hair loss after weight-loss surgery is often temporary and occurs within the first six months after surgery.
• Many times, the stomach does not stretch significantly after weight-loss surgery.
• Going back on a liquid diet is not a great way to increase weight loss after weight-loss surgery.

In the first part of this series, we talked about the safety and efficacy of weight-loss surgery, the types performed at the WVU Medicine Medical and Surgical Weight-Loss Center, determining which is best for you, and whether you will experience weight regain. 

This time, we’re going to answer another round of questions I’m routinely asked about bariatric surgery.  

Is there anything I can do to prevent hair loss after surgery? 

One of the major concerns patients have when we meet them is whether they’ll lose hair after weight-loss surgery. It’s frequently talked about on social media.  

Most people who undergo weight-loss surgery do not have hair loss. About 20 percent of patients in most studies will have some thinning of their hair after weight-loss surgery. It’s often temporary and usually occurs within the first six months after weight-loss surgery.  

As the weight loss starts to slow down, the hair will come back. But again, it’s more of a thinning of the hair. 

Can I stretch my pouch after surgery? 

Many times, the stomach does not stretch significantly after weight-loss surgery. There are ways to get a lot of food in calories through a small stomach. No matter how small the stomach is, liquids will go right through.  

One of the number one reasons for regaining weight after weight-loss surgery is what we call maladaptive eating or eating the sort of food that will slide right through the stomach. That can include liquid calories, soft foods, and soups.  

To really maximize weight loss and health improvement after, it’s important to select the right foods and engage in smart eating behaviors. 

Do “pouch resets” work? 

Right after surgery, there’s a period where the stomach’s healing, and we often have patients on a liquid diet as the stomach heals. Once the stomach is well healed, it’s important to get the majority of nutrition, protein, and calories through solid foods. 

Sometimes, people remember the period when they were having a rapid weight loss after surgery and associate that with the liquid diet they were on. But again, in the long term, going back on a liquid diet is not a great way to increase weight loss after weight-loss surgery. 

Does surgery affect how my body absorbs vitamins and minerals? 

Weight-loss surgery often alters how our body absorbs vitamins and minerals. There’s a very specialized diet that’s recommended after weight-loss surgery. Most people will take vitamins after weight-loss surgery to prevent loss of vitamins and minerals. 

Some doctors advise against carbonated beverages, alcohol, gummies, etc. after surgery. Can I never have those things again? 

We oftentimes try to give recommendations as to what would give the most health improvement from weight-loss surgery. And within those guidelines, a patient has to decide how to proceed forward.  

We recognize that not all patients are going to proceed with every recommendation by the book. There’s obviously no dramatic health loss or severe medical condition from having carbonated beverages or other items that we would recommend against.  

In the long term, if the goal is to really maximize health improvement and weight loss, then it’s often best to follow the guidelines for making sure we’re eating the appropriate items.  

The amount of food someone eats after weight-loss surgery is significantly less, so we want to make sure the items that are being consumed are very nutritious and contain all the minerals and vitamins we need in our diet. 

Getting started 

The WVU Medicine Medical and Surgical Weight-Loss Center offers a comprehensive, surgical program to help you obtain a healthy weight and improve your quality of life. Our nationally recognized bariatrics program has a strong focus on pre-surgery education and long-term weight loss after surgery. 

We offer a team approach to treating morbid obesity with dietitians, clinical psychologists, physician assistants, and nurses who are dedicated to working with you before, during, and after surgery.  

We’re here to help you every step of the way with regular follow-up appointments, a monthly support group, and social media support through our WVU Bariatric Surgery Facebook group. 

The first step on your weight-loss journey is a free, no obligation weight-loss surgery information session, so you can learn more about the different procedures we offer. To register, complete the form here.  

For more information, visit WVUMedicine.org/Bariatrics.