Excessive hair shedding after surgery

Hi Roger, 

This is not unusual but it does add insult to injury.

Surgery(the shock to the system) and/or anesthetic could be at the origin of it but also malnutrition, illness, meds etc.

I have found that it lasts about 6month for me. I have a first post-op shock reaction where within a week I lose handfuls of hair and after about 6 months it tapers off. I also tend to have weak nails, dry skin and general tiredness.

Upping your nutrition level, taking supplements (check with a nutritionist on which supplements can help) and increasing blood flow to the scalp are great ways to start. 

Upping blood flow can be done by massaging the scalp with your head hanging down (causing the blood to rush to your head)...I have found that the easiest way to do this on a regular basis is to work it into your hair washing routine. 

I started to use H&S shampoo on my dermatologist's advice (something about the zinc in it stimulates growth). I wet my hair, apply the shampoo and hang my head down while massaging in circles with all fingers. (shut off the water before you do that or you may drown yourself ). I do it for 2 minutes each time that I wash my hair. 

It seems to work. 

By the way, men can lose their hair at the back or their heads too.  It is less frequent than the receding hairline but it happens.

Sharon

I lost a ton of hair after my surgeries. I seriously thought I would go bald. But it started to grow back after about 4 or 5 months. Many things factor into it. Mainly the anesthesia and the stress/trauma the body deals with going through a major surgery.  My hair texture has changed though. It's now wavy and it always used to be straight. 

I didn't notice much hair loss after my first operation but roughly 2-3 months after my second operation when my j-pouch was formed and rectum was removed, I began to notice strands of my hair falling out. I was genuinely worried but I had a strong feeling it was due to the meds. I gave it a month and got my hair cut and this actually helped as it got rid of the dead ends, etc... Bear in mind, I'm only 22, (21 when I experienced this hair loss). My receding hairline has got slightly worse it seems but that's the least of my worries I suppose. Hair is fine now though.

Roger,

i do believe its related to the stress of your surgery. I had hair loss- significant, about 6 months after an infusion that I expected to be the cause. Several,of my doctors assured me that it would grow back and that it was due to surgeries within previous year. My hair also changed texture but is growing back in. I used a special shampoo and other product by Davines and my hair is growing back- still not as thick, but doctors don't  think it's due to product I used -that it will naturally grow back in. Typically, hair loss common 3-6 months after surgery or other stressful time. But unlike baldness, does grow back. Good luck!

ljz