Connect
Has anyone experienced hair loss after an ostomy?
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!
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ostomy & J-Pouch Support Group.
Connect
Biotin vitamins (I get them from Amazon) and Biotin shampoo and conditioner saved the day for me. The thickness has returned and I need a haircut every three weeks. Took about nine months, but I am thrilled. Bette
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionForgot to say—when my hair grew back in, it went from straight as a pin to as curly as Little Orphan Annie!
@jej55555 I just feel ugly…it’s depressing.
Years ago, when I was embarrassed about my weight during a massage, the therapist said “Love yourself where you are.” I have never forgotten those words and remind myself of them when I am being hard on myself. Do your friends and family still love you? Hold onto that and realize that the condition of your hair is transitory. Love isn’t, if you’re lucky❤️
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@adlib071 for what it's worth I experienced hair loss after my colectomy. I was 25 and had had shoulder length hair. I had lost 30 lbs in a month and was skeletal prior to the surgery.
Someone told me it's not so much that it fell out (although it did), but that stress, malnutrition, and long illness stopped the hair from growing.
Which I could see, it didn't get any longer. Eventually my hair started growing again, and new hair came in. I cut off the remaining long part and it looked a lot better.
I've had many other surgeries since then, but never experienced the dramatic hair loss.
I had my surgery two years ago and lost a lot of hair, My hair was curly and grew back very straight. All of a sudden in the past two months the curl has returned and i can just wash and go again. It is not as thick as it was but I am 87 and as a former hairdresser I can tell you that as we age most of us will find our hair is finer and thinner than it was just a normal aging process and changes to our system taking more meds etc I am just going to enjoy what I have while its there The alternative is they sell beautiful wigs today so please check them out