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Has anyone experienced hair loss after an ostomy?

Posted by bettes @bettes, Aug 4 9:50am

I realize I am almost 82, but I have always had a thick head of hair until my colostomy. I have shed so much it is shocking. I know it is a relatively small problem, and my hairdresser says it is normal after a trauma. But I guess I need a pep talk from others who have experienced this and gotten through it okay. On the bright side, what I have left of my hair has turned curly!

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bettes | @bettes | Nov 8 9:46am
In reply to @sallys "I had telogen effluvium type hair loss after my surgery. I too was told it is..." + (show)
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I had telogen effluvium type hair loss after my surgery. I too was told it is common after major surgery or pregnancy. I lost about a third of my hair, but it grew back.

I hope yours comes back too. Make sure you get your ferritin checked next time you are having blood tests, as this can be another culprit.

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Thanks, Sally! Good to know. I will. Yup, every time I combed my hair for weeks it would fill the comb but then that stopped and my hair is growing. But it has turned crazy curly and unmanageable. But who cares. It is hair! Will check the ferritin level for sure. Thanks! Bette

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summerlibra | @summerlibra | Nov 8 10:27am

I’m 76. I had major colon surgery two times in October 2023 keeping me 27 days in the hospital and discharged with 60% less large colon, and a stoma and ostomy pouch. I found my hair was falling out every time I brushed it. My hair dresser told me the body reacts as a whole and a natural response for stress like that is hair loss. She said as I recovered things would improve and showed me the very short new hair already coming back in. My research took me to try Evening Primrose oil and Black Currant oil supplements. My hair loss lessened gradually and I was happily on the road to recovery! I decided against reversal and possibly unwanted results as things were working just fine as is. Then In January of this year I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Hair loss again and as I recovered, so did my hair. So far I am a cancer survivor having cystoscope procedures every 3 months after successful BCG treatment. I am eternally grateful and blessed now having a full head of hair albeit of different lengths, free of cancer and master of my ostomy pouch. Hope is out there. As Emily Dickinson said, … “Hope is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all.” Keep a positive attitude no matter what challenges come your way my dear. You are not alone.

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bettes | @bettes | Nov 8 1:46pm
In reply to @summerlibra "I’m 76. I had major colon surgery two times in October 2023 keeping me 27 days..." + (show)
Profile picture for summerlibra @summerlibra

I’m 76. I had major colon surgery two times in October 2023 keeping me 27 days in the hospital and discharged with 60% less large colon, and a stoma and ostomy pouch. I found my hair was falling out every time I brushed it. My hair dresser told me the body reacts as a whole and a natural response for stress like that is hair loss. She said as I recovered things would improve and showed me the very short new hair already coming back in. My research took me to try Evening Primrose oil and Black Currant oil supplements. My hair loss lessened gradually and I was happily on the road to recovery! I decided against reversal and possibly unwanted results as things were working just fine as is. Then In January of this year I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Hair loss again and as I recovered, so did my hair. So far I am a cancer survivor having cystoscope procedures every 3 months after successful BCG treatment. I am eternally grateful and blessed now having a full head of hair albeit of different lengths, free of cancer and master of my ostomy pouch. Hope is out there. As Emily Dickinson said, … “Hope is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all.” Keep a positive attitude no matter what challenges come your way my dear. You are not alone.

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You are truly an inspiration and a blessing to us all. Thank you for your insights. Bette

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