Major Hair Loss After Ostomy Surgery - Insights?

Anyone else experience major hair loss after their ostomy?  It's not coming out in clumps ... just losing lots of hair generally in my hand, brush, and after shampooing.



I'm taking vitamins (multi, E, D, C, Omega Oil).



Any insight, info appreciated.

Hi Beatrice, me too.... not sure if as a result of ostomy, fibromyalgia, general trauma or menopause though! Knowing me, it is probably something else to add to my list ..... hey ho...xx

Hi Beatrice!

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   Well, I've had minor hair loss after each surgery but it lasted only a week or two, ....also tend to 'shed' more during times of heavy stress...when that happens, I take Biotin!!  It definitely helps!

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  Biotin is fantastic for skin and hair and is well known for assisting in hair growth, even prescribed by doctors.  



This is something a couple of friends have brought up to me in the past, stating that since they have an ostomy, their hair has thinned....this is interesting.  I know our bodies now need a bit of help to maintain vitamins 'n such so this is worth looking into a bit more.  But Biotin is worth it's weight in gold for this problem!

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Yes, I have this awesome shampoo, can't remember,i'll have to check and make sure, i mean i pull glob and globs of hair out daily, but i can't eat, along with the ileostomy i'm sure that has something to do with it. I'll let you know about the shampoo and hopefully it will work for you too.

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Beatrice, your body has gone through some major changes, so it is very possible that the hair loss stems from that.  How long ago did you have your surgery?

In your list of vitamins I did not see Calcium.  We women really need to add extra calcium to our diets.  After my chemo, radiation, surgery etc., I was told that I had osteoporosis.  I took a prescription for a while but now just taking a supplement in the morning and at night.  And as one of the girls said, biotin is great for the hair also.  Hope it gets better for you soon.

Take care, Debi

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the wonderful peeps on this site.   It's ironic that whenever I have an 'issue' , the answers  I need I find here. Firstly it was information re fistula, today it was hair loss. I have been losing hair since September & had a feeling it had something to do with ostomy/surgery/meds. My suspicions have been confirmed. Thanks to all.

I had hair loss after ostomy surgery too but it grew back so I think it was due to the surgery and not the ostomy. Cheers Julie

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Hi all, after surgeries I lost a lot of parts but mostly it was the grey matter between the ears, if anyone finds some extra let me know, keep smiling, Ed.

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Oh Ed - you are so good! I've lost some of that too ... I'm more concerned about the hair - it shows, the other I can fudge

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Never heard of Biotin - not even sure what it is, but will look it up in a minute - thanks. Calcium - I'm not taking any extra of that and I should - again thanks.



At first I thought that the hair loss was mostly as a result of the surgery (Dec 15, 09) ... but it was first noticeable a good month post op.



Shampoo - now that you mention, sweetkat, I remember there being a good shampoo for hair loss ... think it starts with an "N" ... that's all I can remember ... no doubt due to that grey matter loss Ed mentioned

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Thanks all.

Would that be Nano Shampoo???

I started losing my hair approx. 3 to 4 months after my surgery (and initial sickness). I was totally freaked out as it seemed so random and I was so healthy by then. However, Dr Google reassured me that this is quite common after surgery and sure enough, the hair loss is decreasing as each month goes by.

Hi all mane loosers, the only thing I have really noticed was my forehead seemed to be getting longer and longer and now I think I know why. Ed

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Nioxin was the shampoo I was thinking of .. bought it and the conditioner.  



Giblert - hope I'll be like you and stop shedding soon - I've always had a thin head of hair but this is scary.



See GP tomorrow for other reason and will bring this up.