Hair loss after surgery

I think hair loss is quite common after a major stress to the body. A friend of mine lost a lot of hair over the 6 months after a serious episode of gastroenteritis. However, it all grew back and she has a thick head of hair now.

The stress of surgery can be a trigger for hair loss. Alopecia UK is a helpful resource. My hair thinned considerably but it was die to vitamin D deficiency. I hope you recover well from your bowel operations l

www.alopecia.org.uk/telogen-effluvium

*due

I get that if I have had a GA...

If you had chemo your hair will probably grow back curly but it does go back to normal in due course.

Do consider a wig, even as a short term fix. They are so realistic these days. I have had alopecia for over 20 years. At first I wore scarves but my daughter persuaded me to visit a wig salon and I was amazed at the quality and choice. Now I wear wigs all the time and I don’t care who knows it. You can buy over the internet if you don’t want to visit a salon. Two good sites are:
www.simplywigs.co.uk/
www.valentinewigs.co.uk/

Romola

I had an operation for bowel cancer back in August. The surgeon described it as " major major" surgery, as I had to have a second operation to repair stitches in the muscle wall.
Now, I'm losing a lot of hair. I have in other respects made a good recovery but this is quite upsetting. At this rate I'll be bald in a few short weeks!
Has anyone else experienced this? And has anyone got any hints as to how to encourage hair growth eventually?

Yes, it happened to me after a big operation and it was very distressing. I always had good, thick hair until then. I did the wrong thing and avoided my hairdresser of 25 years out of embarrassment until I just had to have a haircut. She agreed right away there was an issue. She said it was a reaction from my body to a big operation which she'd seen before. She gave me a product without charge to help thicken up the hair. She advised to cut the hair shorter. She advised to check any medications for loss of hair as a possible reaction to the medication. She advised to take vitamins. My hair did not recover right away. I still keep it short for convenience. But after some months my hair is such a lot better, virtually back to normal. I was despondent but it just takes time to recover. I wish you well

I know someone who ordered wigs over the internet. Sorry dont know which site.
She was very pleased with them.
She ordered 3, and said she could decide what hair colour she wanted to be each day!

Hi Romola ,
I am very sorry that this has happened to you .
After major surgery or shock -this is a common problem.
Buy an attractive wig for going out ,but don't wear all the time.
Your hair follicles need to breath .
Have a short cut .
When brushing your hair with a nice soft detangling brush- bend forward and brush it forwards to stimulate the circulation.
When watching TV gently tap your scalp all the with your fingertips.
Either make or buy nettle and horsetail shampoo to stimulate growth .
Ensure a good diet .
Take a multivitamin with iron .
Make sure that your general activities aren't stressful.
Keep happy and positive.
Wishing you a lovely new head of hair .
Take care of yourself,
Esmay .

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. It's good to know that hair can grow back again. I live in hope and am making sure to take all possible vitamins, minerals etc.