Has anyone experienced hair loss after an ostomy?

@adlib071 I also had a colon that busted had tons of infection I had to go in twice for surgery the Dr. Said he did not think I was going to die I was in the hospital for two weeks then to rehab for 21/2 months I lost a lot of my hair and I have long hair I would use dry shampoo and put my hair up to keep from combining it.It was a horrible time I have flash backs of all this I'm wanting a reversal? Was scheduled for one but postponed it and I know you have to have the reversal in a certain amount of time but not sure if I want to go through the procedure may just wear the bag the rest of my life I'm 76 I'm glad to here that I wasn't the only one having questions hope things go well with you.

@catbaloo76
Yes. Scary times. I had no idea I was so sick--thought it was pneumonia, and my nurse practitioner came to see me, called EMS and essentially forced me to go to the hospital. In doing so, she saved my life. I was there several days before the diagnosis of diverticulitis with a perforated colon, sepsis, major kidney impact, and yes, pneumonia, was made. Moved to the surgery service, and operated on that night and in the ICU and one step down for several more nights for a total of 2 weeks, also. I learned later that the hospital staff wasn't sure I was going to make it, but I did!
At first, I was determined to have a reversal, and was terrified by the bag. I was blessed that the mother of that same nurse practitioner had recently retired as an ostomy nurse, and started working with me a step at a time so that I was comfortable with the process. Now, almost a year later, I would not even consider a reversal--it just seems like too much risk at 82, and no guarantees that there will not be complications. I will just keep on keeping on with Buddy (that is the name of my ostomy) and cope with the occasional mishap.
I tried different appliances and arrived at a version that works very well for me. It is a single use Coloplast bag (oh, how I hated squeezing the other type) and, while it takes care to keep my skin healthy, it just comes off, goes in a heavy black plastic bag (Seal and Toss System I get from Amazon) and I replace it once or twice a day as needed. This process is likely not what others find workable, but it is for me.
Now for my hair, which had been enviable, and is again! I started taking Biotin vitamins and using Biotin shampoo and conditioner, and I am almost back to where I was before. EXCEPT that my head is now covered with curly hair that I am having to learn what to do with it! But as my hairdresser tells me to be, I am grateful for just having my hair back and I am learning to manage the curls.
I hope things go well with you, too, and with everybody on this board that have shared the same situation. We are alive and well--and that is what counts. Best wishes, and enjoy every day. Bette

I had hair loss, but I did not lose all of my hair. While losing hair, the new hair that did grow was coarse; my hairdresser called it Chemo Hair. After 2-3 months, the new hair grew out softer, darker, and curlier!

This is so interesting for me I have had my surgery two years now and i am 87 so I am not even going to evaluate for a reversal I also use a coloplast closed end pouch and just change it a couple of times a day I had curly hair before surgery and now it has come back but now it has no curl at all it is just straight I miss my curls which was easier to handle

@bettes I am so happy to hear that the hair will come back! You are not the first one to say their hair came back curly. I wonder why that happened? At this point, I just want my hair back!! I am embarrassed to go out in public like this. I had thick, fine hair before my 10-hr. surgery in November. It really upsets me to see my pink scalp in the mirror - may have to buy a wig for now. I am 72.

@adlib071 I say, if you want to, then bite the bullet and get a wig. Life is just too short.

@piki So true! Thank you

I think I have sometimes replied to the wrong person in here by accident as I have tried to navigate thru this blog. Sorry ‘bout that! However, it doesn’t matter….I am so happy to find this group who share similar problems. I can’t tell you all how much better I feel by comparing our stories. Thanks to each of you! I now have hope for my hair! Now, I just pray my “plumbing” will work when it is reconnected Monday!

@adlib071, how did the reconnecting go? Any update?

Yesssss!! I went into hospital Monday morning, March 9. They were done with the reversal in just 45 minutes (OR was reserved for 2 hours) ! I was not in a lot of pain, was just a little sore where the stoma had been....but of course I was on all kinds of meds for muscle relaxers/nerve pain/antibiotics, etc. Well, at 4 am Tuesday, I woke up with 6 hours of uncontrollable diarrhea. I was so upset and crying.....wondered if surgery was a mistake. But my doctors told me to not worry, this was normal, it will get better. They said usually takes a week or so.

Well, after that 6 hour disaster, I was exhausted and went to sleep. The diarrhea stopped. They sent me home on Wed. afternoon (just 2 nights in hospital). I got home and started to have more normal poops. Couldn't believe how soon. I have had no "accidents" at all! Now, in my case, my rectum was removed, so I was very worried about being able to control myself. My surgeon repaired muscles down there and told me the muscles are actually more important. That relieved my anxiety somewhat. I can tell when I need to go, and "the going" is rather smooth and easy, no discomfort or pain. Once in a while, I think I'm done, but here comes more! I had one time where I stood up and sat down 4 times. LOL!!! But after that, I didn't need to go any more that whole day. WHAT A RELIEF!! I feel like I am born again. I am SO HAPPY to be able to live normal life again! I had heard/read that some take about a year or so to become more regular. This happened to me in less than a week!

I'm telling you, the reversal surgery is a piece of cake compared to the big surgery we all had! I am so happy to be rid of that ileostomy bag!

Now, if my hair will just grow back, I will be on cloud 9!