Cut my hair, or not?

[Mojo's Mom]

Okay, my hair is halfway down my back...do I cut it shorter before surgery, or just ponytail it to keep it out of my way?

[mabeckoff]

I had long hair during my July surgery and regretted it very much. I got my hair as soon as I could. I would cut it if I were you

[Sueac2]

I liked having my hair long so I could tie it back out of my face after surgery.

[debbei]

I had hair about your length and I cut it to shoulder length prior to surgery. It was shorter, but still long enough to tie back. It worked out well.

[djkinkead]

I always have shorter hair, and I did have it cut before the surgery. You wanna know the truth? The first week when you are in the hospital, you REALLY don't care about your hair, teeth, etc. If your hair is a length to keep in a pony tail without it getting out, I'd think that'd be a perfect length.

Now, I will give one caveat to my statement about you won't care about hair, teeth, etc., in that apparently I was lacking needed blood the first few days, (they gave me one transfusion day after surgery and another two days later)...so that may be why I felt like that in the hospital.

Did others feel like that in the hospital...or was it just me and my lack of blood?

[Marina63]

I had long hair for my surgery in July as well and also regretted it very much. It constantly got in my face and I could barely move to get it out of my way. I should have braided it or something first. It got so tangled up, ugh! Then after surgery I was afraid to get it cut since I couldn't lean back into that bowl at the salon where they wash your hair. Finally went last week.
I reccommend either cutting it or pull it back in a way where it will stay while you are in bed those first few days. I couldn't wash my hair for a week or so and I honestly did not care one bit.

[kennedy]

i have alway had short hair cuts. my hair grows fast so i have to get it cut every few weeks. I had my hair cut about to weeks before my surgery

[Mojo's Mom]

Please understand, I was not concerned about appearances whatsoever. But my hair drives me crazy sometimes getting caught under my shoulders or back when I am in bed, or it is in my face, and I thought if I cut it as short as I could while still being able to pony tail it, that would be better.

Thanks, you ladies answered my question. Good bye, three or four inches.

[Elisa]

I got my son's hair totally buzzed off before his surgery and it was so easy to care for but I'm sure that would not be flattering to you or most any other woman, heh. I think if it were me, I'd cut a bit of length off, and perhaps take some of the bulk out by thinning it if your hair is thick like mine. I did that just before my daughter's graduation in June and I couldn't believe how much easier it was to deal with; it's not nearly as heavy and hard to manage as it once was. Also, for stay in the hospital and after, you could do two French braids so they will hang down the sides of your head instead of having one bumpy braid at the back.

[Susie*Bee]

I always have shorter hair, and I did have it cut before the surgery. You wanna know the truth? The first week when you are in the hospital, you REALLY don't care about your hair, teeth, etc. If your hair is a length to keep in a pony tail without it getting out, I'd think that'd be a perfect length.

Now, I will give one caveat to my statement about you won't care about hair, teeth, etc., in that apparently I was lacking needed blood the first few days, (they gave me one transfusion day after surgery and another two days later)...so that may be why I felt like that in the hospital.

Did others feel like that in the hospital...or was it just me and my lack of blood?

I was the same way, dj... so you're not alone. I think it was about the 4th or 5th day that a nurse said very kindly "honey, you might want to consider brushing your teeth today." It had never crossed my mind... Of course, I had an ileus and hadn't eaten anything either. As for my hair-- pshaw... if anyone looks at "my pics" (signature) in the hospital, until right up to the very end, you can tell I didn't give a hoot. (oh my!)

About hair length. I always had hair clear down to my derriere until a few years before my surgery, then whacked it all off very short. I felt so glad that I had when I had my surgery... I couldn't dream of the nightmare it would have been to wash and care for long hair in the post-op period-- not to mention getting tangled up in it at night, etc. My short "do" was perfect for me.

[loves to skate]

I mostly have had short hair my entire life and had it cut just before my surgery. The only trouble with short hair in the hospital is that it pushes up in back from the pillow, as one nurse called it "hospital hair". HaHa Anyway, it was easy to wash and care for after I came home.
Sally

[sidrid]

I had shoulder length hair before my surgery but cut it rather short before going into the hospital. I didn't regret it because I didn't have to worry about my hair during my stay. I should add my hair grows very fast and was down to my shoulders again by the time I completed my rehab a few months later.

I think it's personal preference. It was no big deal for me to chop off my hair.

[lisazena]

Coloring Hair

How about coloring hair? How does that work? Is it still comfortable to get your hair colored four weeks later?
Lisa

[nanut]

coloring hair

At four weeks post op I did a cut and color. As I am friends with everyone at my salon, they knew of my limitations. I would get up and "do a lap" around the salon at frequent intervals as sitting for any period of time was a challenge. My washout was abbreviated but doable. I hope this helps.
Soon I will post more with regards to my recovery thus far.

Nan -53 y/o
T10-L5 fusion with instrumentation-July 12, 2011
Posterior with BMP
55 lumbar curve
Dr. Michael Daubs
University of Utah

[Mojo's Mom]

I have known my hair colorist/stylist for so long that she told me she will come to my house to do my roots, or whatever it takes. I figure having roots showing is not going to be good for morale.