Post surgery hair loss

by Razi
(united kingdom)

I am a 45 year old woman, in good general health. In March 2010 I became suddenly unwell with a very high temperature and severe abdominal pain in the lower left quadrant. I should also mention that I had been menstruating with very heavy blood flow for three weeks compared to my otherwise normal monthly cycle.

I visited my doctor who advised that I was probably suffering from some sort of infection and was sent home to bed and told to take Paracetamol. A blood test was arranged for the following week. With the reassurance that it was nothing serious. I returned to work. However, the pain increased and I attended the A&E dept of my local hospital two days later as I could no longer walk or function properly. I was admitted as they could not detect the source of the high temperature.

Following major surgery involving a laparotomy, I was diagnosed with a large abdominal abscess and was told that I was lucky to be alive. The recovery has been slow. Two days after surgery, I was helped to the bathroom to take a shower and was shocked to see that lots of hair was falling out. I had waist length, very thick healthy hair of which I was very proud. The hair loss continued for the weeks following surgery with a peak at around three months. Volume wise, I have lost about 60% of my hair from all over the scalp. I was and still am extremely distressing as I feel like a shadow of my former self (how vain?).

It’s now been four months since the operation and things seem to be settling down a little. I'm still losing hair, but not at such an alarming rate. I'm hoping that things will continue to improve. All in all, I have two arms, two legs and all my faculties so should really be very grateful. I just wanted to share this in case it helps someone else.

Editor’s Comments,

Thank you for sharing such a personal story with us. We hope that everyone out there that share a similar plight like yours will have the willpower, optimism and strength to carry on their lives normally. Recovery starts from within. Good luck!