Hair loss

SalmakMember

Hi All,

This afternoon I had my first haircut since my colectomy. Had been 11 weeks since my last visit, was definitely looking like a yeti.

After the hairdresser had finished she showed me the back using the mirror. To my surprise I noticed a very obvious crown on the top of my head where my hair had thinned dramatically.

I understand this can be a normal occurrence for males however for it to change since so dramatically since my last haircut seems suspicious (in my completely uneducated eyes).

I was on azathioprine for 4 or so years prior to my surgery. I have also been taking long term high dose steroids (up to 50mg). Could the effect of these drugs/the stress of the surgery have caused this? If so, the million $ question is will it grow back/thicken up?

Many thanks.

9/6/132:27 AM

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shortjoshMember

Mines not got any thinner (I have a very thick head of hair) but since the first time I shaved mine after my colectomy what's grown back has changed colour to a much darker brown and gone very wiry in texture. I've also started going very grey in a few patches, moreso than I'd expect since I'm only 30. So maybe not having a colon any more does have an affect on your hair?

9/6/135:14 AM

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KeepFighting(Manny)Member

Very interesting question... I too have noticed a lot more hair coming out in the shower lately... Now I do have long hair that I have been growing for almost 2 years... But I cannot recall before having my colon removed (in March of this year) losing that much hair... Now fortunately for me, I am blessed with a head full of thick hair... So you don't even notice it, but I can honestly say I think you are on to something here... I too was on a high dosage of steroids (prednisone) for a long time leading up to surgery... It'll be interesting to see if any other members have noticed a connection...

9/6/135:51 AM

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Scott FMember

There have been many posts here about hair loss following the surgery. Almost all seem to have been temporary.

9/6/138:57 AM

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PluotMember

It's a side effect of general anesthesia, even healthy people without prior med use will experience temporary hair loss after undergoing general. It seems to be associated with the length of surgery, I had significant loss after Steps 1 and 2 but no issues after Step 3. A derm I visited after Step 1 told me that 6-12 months after the last use of general anesthesia your hair should return to normal as long as you have adequate levels of Vit D, B12, iron, and folate.

9/6/1311:20 AM

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LesandiegoMember

My hair came out in chunks 4 months after my initial surgery.

It started to grow back 3 months after falling out and it is now super thick and curly (totally different than before).

So, since it fell out at the 4-month mark, I blame the loss on Lexapro (anti depressant). No more problems since I quit taking that medication.

9/7/139:54 AM

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