I'm losing my hair

[shana23]

After about 6 months after my operation I'm losing all my hair.I'm feeling good but this new problem doesn't help the moral!!!!I'm taking vitamins and fresh yeast that they say is good for hair and nails.Has anyone else had this happen?If so when does it stop?I imagine that it is due to stress of the valve transplant and am trying hard to take it in stride but...... Life some times now adays isn't always so rosey to say the least.And I'm still having some teary days is this normal after 6 months time ??I've never been a negative person and I really don't know myself these last few months.Shana

 

[Gerry Dorrian]

hair today

hair today

Shana,
Is the hair thinning or coming out in patches. I lost a patch of hair about the size of a quarter when I had surgery. The dermitologist said it was alopecia, probably brought on by stress. (Stress, what stress?) She gave me a couple of cortizone shots and the hair came back.

Gerry

 

[MelissaM]

My hairdresser wanted me to go see the doctor because so much hair came out when she shampooed. Then, when I explained that I had had heart surgery recently, she relaxed and said that hair came out as a result of the anesthesia. He husband had gotten a bald spot after his. If you are concerned because of the length of time post-surgery, you might want to call your doc. Otherwise, I think hair loss post-surgery is pretty normal.

Melissa =)

 

[Christina]

Hi Shana,

I also lost quite a bit of hair for some months after my surgery. I thought it was the Coumadin doing it. Now I am not sure. Maybe it was stress, but after a while the hair didn't fall out anymore and I have more than ever. I have to have it thinned out at times, because it is difficult to get a comb through.

Hope the hairloss will stop.

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi shana!
joey also lost some hair after his surgery, but was told it was as a result of the trauma the body goes through during and recovering from this major surgery (anesthesia included). some has come back though.
wishing you all the best, sylvia

 

[shana23]

Thank you all for your words.It's a help to know I'm not the only one.So I'll just wait for this to pass too as everything does. Things can only get better,Shana

 

[HFK]

Hi Shana, I also lost some hair after surgery,it seems like the texture has changed too.I did some research and al;so went to the dermatoligist but mine was really thinning,many things can cause hair loss. Stress of surgery ,medications especially blood thinners, high bp meds,antidepressants,stress in general. Also hormones play a major factor I am also in perimenepause which can effect hair. My hair is better now,I take alot of vitamins and am careful as to what I use on my hair. Its really hard to see your hair going down the drain ,but it will more than likely get better. Hang on.hfk

 

[Kevin M]

I didn't notice any hair loss, but my hair had the most dry texture for about six months after my surgery. It also lost a lot of it's curl.
It's back to normal now.

My hairdresser told me that this happens a lot with surgery.

I've also heard of people whose hair goes completely gray.
Kev

 

[Kim]

Shana,

I too lost lots of hair after heart surgery. I noticed it especially when shampooing my hair. It was not in one spot, but all over....like a major thinning event! I had a hysterectomy 5 years ago and the same thing happened then. I think it is either the trauma of surgery or I thought I read somewhere that hair loss can occur with Coumadin. I was began Coumadin after both surgeries. (I had a pulmonary embolism after the hysterectomy.)
Oh well, whatever the reason it got better! Hang in there! This too will pass.

 

[MelissaM]

Here is an article that talks about the reasons for post-surgical hair loss. . .

http://www.keratin.com/ao/ao007.shtml

Additional medical articles are cited at the bottom. The official term is "alopecia"

Melissa

 

[Kevin M]

Thanks for posting this Melissa. It's great to hear the reasons in laypersons terms like that.
Kev

 

[Bob]

Yes it is normal to have down days six months after surgery. For some of us this continues up to a year. It is hard to internalize but you have survived a huge impact on your body and it needs time to balance. Be carefull that you dont start to anticipate the negative, eg. "Tomorow may be a bad one". The thought is,"I may feel down now but tomorrow will be better because I am going to make it so" One day at a time my friend, one day at a time. If down days are all you are having that is a different thing and you need to see a thereapist. Good luck!

 

[catwoman]

I was glad to see the article that Melissa linked to. It backs up what I've observed in 14 years of showing pedigreed cats. Most of those have been shorthairs.
I'm showing a Persian this season. "Rocky's" co-owners, a veterinarian and wife, have advised me NOT to have his teeth cleaned while I'm showing him the anesthesia would cause his coat to "blow," as we describe it. Even inhalant anesthesia (isofluorathane sp?) could cause such, I've been told.
I've "shed" a little since my MVR surgery 4 months ago. <VBG>

Marsha

 

[Scottie]

Hi Shana

Hi Shana

My hairdresser noticed I had some bald patches in my hair and when I asked my doctor about it she said it could be due to the fact that I had a low blood count at the time. I took some iron tablets and my hair grew back ....this may not be the reason for you but I just thought I'd let you know .
Take care
Scottie

 

[Anne-Marie]

Hi Shana, do you know what your iron and feritin levels are? I've been anemic and my doctor asked if my hair was coming out. It wasn't, but he said that's a frequent side effect of anemia.

I hope it gets resolved soon. **big hugs**

 

[Christine]

Hi Shana, I too went thru a major thinning period for about 6 or so months post op.. the texture changed too, now a year and a half later it's back to normal, except i'm more grey now.. at 36, not a favorite change for me.. thank God for hair salons.. color, color, color....

Christine

 

[MelissaM]

Look at how much hair I've lost!

The surgery changed the texture of my hair and it was falling out in droves, so I chopped it off. If the hair offends thee, chop it off!

Melissa

 

[Ross]

......but when it starts to grow, it GROWS! Be sure to set aside at least $1000 for haircuts over the year.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Ross is correct! My hair was falling out after surgery. It is so thick now they charge me double for a haircut

On a serious note.....I have recovered. And then some. Always thought it was from the stress or introduction of the Heparin. Will never know.