I had breast augmentation on 9/25/15 and about 4-5 weeks later began seeing large amounts of hair loss (at least triple or even more than normal). It is diffuse from my entire scalp - not in patches. I'm only washing my hair twice a week now and cannot use a brush because of the extreme loss. Is this common after surgery? If so, how long does it typically last? Thanks for any info you can provide!
November 14, 2015
Answer: Is it common to have hair loss after surgery? I had breast augmenentation in September & now have significant hair loss I appreciate your question.Occasionally surgical stress can cause this to happen. Please follow up with your primary care doctor for further work up and evaluation. The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam. Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery. Best of luck! Dr. Schwartz
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November 14, 2015
Answer: Is it common to have hair loss after surgery? I had breast augmenentation in September & now have significant hair loss I appreciate your question.Occasionally surgical stress can cause this to happen. Please follow up with your primary care doctor for further work up and evaluation. The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam. Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery. Best of luck! Dr. Schwartz
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November 14, 2015
Answer: Hair loss after surgery does not signify problem! Telogen effluvium is hair loss related to stressful events (like surgery and/or anesthesia) that cause adrenocortical hormone release. This speeds up the normal hair growth, resting, and loss cycle and can put more hairs in the loss stage. Patients who "stress" about surgery don't do as well as patients who are fully educated, informed, and excited (motivated) to undergo elective surgery--one example of this is hair loss, but it can occur even in the calm and totally prepared patient, too.While uncommon, we have noted this in some of our patients, and have recommended pre- and post-operative Rogaine in our surgery patients to help reduce or reverse this unfortunate (but fortunately, temporary) occurrence.You can note hair loss for several months, but not at this rate. The entire hair growth cycle takes about 10 months, so your hair can be expected to return to normal by a year from your surgery. In the meantime, you won't go bald, but some patients find this more than disturbing, which is why we have recommended the Rogaine (available over the counter--no Rx needed--at your drugstore.) Please also realize that the "stress" of hair loss can prolong the very thing you're stressing about! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen
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November 14, 2015
Answer: Hair loss after surgery does not signify problem! Telogen effluvium is hair loss related to stressful events (like surgery and/or anesthesia) that cause adrenocortical hormone release. This speeds up the normal hair growth, resting, and loss cycle and can put more hairs in the loss stage. Patients who "stress" about surgery don't do as well as patients who are fully educated, informed, and excited (motivated) to undergo elective surgery--one example of this is hair loss, but it can occur even in the calm and totally prepared patient, too.While uncommon, we have noted this in some of our patients, and have recommended pre- and post-operative Rogaine in our surgery patients to help reduce or reverse this unfortunate (but fortunately, temporary) occurrence.You can note hair loss for several months, but not at this rate. The entire hair growth cycle takes about 10 months, so your hair can be expected to return to normal by a year from your surgery. In the meantime, you won't go bald, but some patients find this more than disturbing, which is why we have recommended the Rogaine (available over the counter--no Rx needed--at your drugstore.) Please also realize that the "stress" of hair loss can prolong the very thing you're stressing about! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen
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