Hair Loss

[debbei]

Ok I'm starting to freak out. I read about hair loss after the surgery, and I did expect it. I don't' think it started with me for at least a month after surgery. But now...OMG. Sunday will be my 5 month post op date, and it's still falling out like nobody's business. My hairdresser (last month) said it isn't bad, but how much hair can one lose without me starting to look like a bald lady??? It also doesn't help that my hair is very fine. I've just always had a LOT of it, but now as I said, I'm starting to FREAK.

[LynnMarie74]

Hey Debbe....I hear ya on the hair loss thing. Ive noticed that Im loosing a little bit more than usual. In the shower when I run my fingers thru my hair w/the conditioner to get some tangle out, I get a decent size clump of hair in bewteen my fingers. And when I brush thru it after....yikes! Im also noticing lots more grey too. Ive aquired a few strands over the last couple of years, here and there, and now that Im doing my hair again, Ive noticed alot more. Arent we lucky?!?!?!?!??!

[discombobulated]

Hi Debbe,

To rule things in or out & to get to the bottom of it, do see a doc (it doesn't need to be your surgeon, just your GP / family doctor). That said, to give you some ideas - there are two common causes, post-op - malnutrition or thyroid problems.

On the first front, hair is especially sensitive to low levels of protein. The thing is, even several months post op, your body is likely still using a LOT of protein & many other nutrients to repair itself. It can take months to show up because it takes heck of a lot of depletion before the effects start showing outwardly. In fact, hair is one of the last things in the body to suffer when the body is low on protein, so if this is the problem, it needs to be addressed quite quickly (i.e., see your doc in case!). Unless you have any medical conditions that would contraindicate doing so, you might try increasing your protein intake - that might mean protein / nutrition drinks; much increased intake of protein via grains, nuts & pulses; &/or increased intake of animal products (esp. red meats). Esp. the last option would also help to increase levels of other vitamins & minerals that get used a lot with healing - e.g., B vitamins, zinc, iron, healthy fats, etc.. All of that is presuming that you're absorbing nutrition adequately, & just not getting a high enough intake. If you have any reason to think you're absorption is poor, definitely raise that with you doc. Low protein levels can be detected with a blood test.

Alternatively (or as well!), temporary thyroid problems are very common after major surgery. Your doc can check this via blood test & advise you best on what to do if there's a problem. Usually this resolves within a few months. It's unlikely that it would require meds, but if you have a pre-existing thryoid problem & this has exacerbated it, you may need to work with your doc to tweak meds for the moment.

Hope this gives you some ideas. If it's any consolation, when you get to this point, I find it's better for unhealthy hair to fall out. That way, once you're back on top of things, new, super-healthy hair will grow back in (& healthy hair grows Fast!)....heck of a way to get a spiffy new hair do though, lol! And, on the real upside, once you get this sorted, if it's either of these probs, you'll find yourself recovering so quickly & with so much more energy

Goodluck, Debbe. Hope you're feeling better soon. Take care.

[LindaRacine]

Hi Debbe...

I didn't have hair loss after my spine surgery, but I started losing my hair after a major illness when I was 50ish. The illness seemed to plunge me into menopause, and I'm pretty certain the hair loss is a result of a hormonal shift. Like you, I started with a large amount of hair, and was pretty shocked at how much I lost.

I've been using Rogaine for the past 7-8 years. Without it, I suspect I'd be pretty bald.

I hope your hair loss isn't the same thing, but if it is, it's not the end of the world.

Regards,
Linda

[Louisse]

Hi Debbe

I was sorry to read about how upset you are about some of your hair falling out - I'd be freaked too. I haven't had this happen to me after my op but it did happen after I had both my kids. Try not to stress too much (hey, who the heck am I to say this?!!) but listen to what your hairdresser said to you.

saying that, I think a trip to your GP would be a good idea to put your mind at rest.

I have been following your recovery with interest (as we are quite close post op wise) and wish you all the best.
Louisse

[Singer]

Debbe, I lost good-sized clumps of hair when I showered from about 3 to 5 months post-op, then it gradually stopped. I have fine hair and not a lot of it so I got really concerned but I never lost enough to make much difference in how it looked.

[briarrose]

Hi Debbe,

I hope the hair loss stops soon. Have you tried taking biotin (vitamin B7)? It can supposedly help with hair loss. I started taking it after my surgery and have excessive hair loss.

Shell

[debbei]

Hi Debbe,

I hope the hair loss stops soon. Have you tried taking biotin (vitamin B7)? It can supposedly help with hair loss. I started taking it after my surgery and have excessive hair loss.

Shell

Shell,

How much are you taking? Did it slow down the loss?

[briarrose]

Shell,

How much are you taking? Did it slow down the loss?

I just saw what I wrote above. I meant to say that I didn't have excessive hair loss.

I was taking 1000mg once a day. I'm not sure if it slowed down the loss or not because I didn't lose a significant amount of hair. It could have been from the biotin or I was one of the people that didn't lose hair from the stress of the operation.

Shell

[Linda W]

Hi Debbe,

I had quite a bit of hair loss post op, my appetite was also off and I was not eating a balanced diet. I was a walking commercial for bad hair. The texture of my hair was also funky, dry and brittle and my color was dull. Dr. Rand told me he was pretty certain I would not be bald and that the trauma of a lot of surgery frequently set off a cycle of hair loss. My hairdresser gave me some foul smelling cream to use that she said would accelerate what was going to fall out. My PCP told me to make sure I was eating a balanced diet and to take Biotin 5000. Eventually I stopped seeing as much hair in the shower and on the floor. More than a year later, I'm still taking Biotin, but I'm thinking I can probably discontinue using it soon. Hang in there. It takes a while but it does get better.

Linda W.

[txmarinemom]

Debbe,

In my experience (>14 times completely under for various procedures ... and those are just the ones I can count off the cuff) general anesthesia in and of itself causes hair loss. Unless you were losing hair at this rate before, it isn't permanent.

Your body will recover. Time, a balanced diet (a multi-vitamin probably wouldn't hurt, but ask Dr. N), gentle treatment of your hair (stay away from ponytails, blowdrying, etc. as much as possible), and a little TLC on your scalp (like light, gentle massages) should get you back on track.

Regards,
Pam

[asccbodypro]

hair loss

My goodness what else is there to think about post-surgery, there seems no end to it all! I must say in this department I am always happy to loose a little. I have enough to pass around to you all. I am not looking forward to my husband tending to the hair post-surgery. Since he doesn't want me to cut it he better prepare himself for some conflict lol....it's long/curly and I would love to cut it a bit and he swears he would die.....what is it with men and long hair I wonder!? It's getting close to surgery day and I must say so far still not nervous like I thought I would be. It is definitely ALWAYS on my mind but so far I am feeling really good about it. I keep getting into better shape thanks to the chiropractor and have finally passed the hurdle of the baby weight. However, I must say that tonight my neck is NOT GOOD at all. It wouldn't adjust due to the muscles being so tight and I am paying the price right now. Currently I am on the heating pad, have taken valium and so far no relief! Bed can't come soon enough so I can take my valium again. This is not the weekend for a sore neck, my son has a big St. Patricks Day hockey tournament......many games to get through :O) Hope everyone has a great weekend.

[txmarinemom]

I'm always glad to thin mine out too, Susan ... fine textured, but WAY too much!