Has anyone experienced hair loss after an ostomy?

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!

@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

@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.

@adlib071 P.S. Forgot to say that I rapidly lost nearly 40 lbs. and only weighed 104 when I had surgery. My body looks like a deflated balloon…. Skin is wrinkled and very dry all over. This illness aged me at least 10 years😢

I am so glad to find this blog and to find I am not alone! I had diverticulitis first of August 2025 and thought all I needed was antibiotics and would be fine. I ended up so sick and in pain, sudden weight and muscle loss, This went on for 3-4 months before surgery. Thought it was going to take 3-5 hours for colon resection and removal of a fistula. Turns out there was a lot of inflammation, my rectum and appendix was removed, and they had to do muscle repairs. Surgery took 10 HOURS, a long time under anesthesia, plus I had anesthesia 3 times for colonoscopy and two sigmoidoscopy procedures! I have lost more than half of my thick fine hair! I cry over it a lot because my scalp is showing in several places. Globs of hair come out every time I gently wash or brush. I am scheduled to have an ileostomy reversal surgery in March…more anesthesia…and am scared I will lose what is left of my hair! Several friends have said it will grow back. I am 72 and don’t want to look like this the rest of my life. 😢

@angeleyes777fun, I see that you were diagnosed with melanoma. You may also wish to follow the related support group and join these discussions here:
- Melanoma & Skin Cancer Support Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/melanoma-skin-cancer/

@angeleyes777fun Losing your hair is for a woman one of the most traumatic things which could happen to her. It just is. It happened to me when I was 18 and overdosed with sulfa (now I'm 84). I hope you can come out the other side of it all. I'm sure you can...life sure throws us some mean pitches.

Yes I did about 9 months after surgery which was march of 25.
One day I was brushing it and a big clump came out. The following days more came out.
I had shoulder length hair and it went from curly thick hair to bald spots on the back of my head and about 1/4 of hair on my head.
It is slowly growing back but it’s all white.
I cried because it seemed like I was loosing everything but then I realized this is your life now so put on your big girl panties and deal with it.
I had 3 surgeries ( not planned )as went to Dr with a mole on palm of hand and was melanoma and thank God it was contained but Dr gave me one set of drugs for immunology therapy and within a week and giving me 50 mg of prednisone it blew my large intestine up !!
Im hoping this month to finish up therapy and go home.
It will soon be a year since I left there !!
Sorry if I shared too much !!!

Your hair should return. Perhaps even discuss the hair loss with your doctor.

Hi, all, and I hope your holidays were kind to you. I thought I would do a quick update on my hair loss problem. It has now been 9 months since my colostomy and about 4-5 months since my hair stopped falling out by the comb-full. I started taking biotin vitamins and using biotin shampoo around that time, and a month or so ago, a friend said “you have got to stop taking those vitamins!” I hadn’t had a hair trim in 5 weeks or so, and I noticed that my hair seemed to be getting longer. But when my hairdresser said “Whoa!” when she saw me a few days later, I realized it wasn’t my imagination. My hair is regaining its fullness, as well as growing fast. I am sure the biotin helped (I got an off-brand from Amazon). Now I just need to recognize myself when I look in the mirror and see a head full of curls instead of my straight as a pin hair. Small potatoes problem. Hope those of you who responded to me know how much I appreciate your kindness and support. If I live another 18 years to 100, I will still be grateful for all of you. Bette