Hiding hair loss for surgery

[Allison.]

I will be having surgery next week. I know it should be the last thing on my mind, but I have never showed my hair loss to anyone. It is very noticiable, crown and right side of head. I think I do a great job of covering it up when I am awake . I fear waking up to a roomful of visitors with my bald spots showing. Last time I woke up from surgery the nurse removed my surgery cap (Shower cap type thing) I grabbed it out of her hand and immediately put it back on. Do you know where I can find a turban type thing? I have seen small terry cloth material ones. Do you know where I can find one of those???

[DiamondInTheRough]

I'm not sure they will let you wear anything but the surgical nets. I'm Muslim and they wouldn't let me wear my head scarf, but they did allow me to double up on the surgical nets. I wasn't intending on wearing my scarf into the surgery itself, but they wanted me to take it off even in preop waiting, before going to the OR. I thought that was a little premature.

I know you are feeling apprehensive about your hair loss, but doctors/nurses have seen it all. Try to concentrate on your surgery and recovery, and perhaps tie your hair in a way that will hide the bald spots the best.

[strongernow]

ask them that before waking up if they can tie a scarf around your head or something, before anyone visits you. I'm sure they cant oblige to that.

[Eva37]

hi

I can understand how you feel, id be the same. I think that strongernow has a brilliant idea, to ask the nurse . All the best for your op.
Eva

[cec414]

I will be having surgery next week. I know it should be the last thing on my mind, but I have never showed my hair loss to anyone. It is very noticiable, crown and right side of head. I think I do a great job of covering it up when I am awake . I fear waking up to a roomful of visitors with my bald spots showing. Last time I woke up from surgery the nurse removed my surgery cap (Shower cap type thing) I grabbed it out of her hand and immediately put it back on. Do you know where I can find a turban type thing? I have seen small terry cloth material ones. Do you know where I can find one of those???

I had surgery in 2004, and I was pretty nervous about looking au naturel while in the hospital. Let me tell you something, once you get out of surgery, all your cares and inhibitions go out the door, I was in ICU as a result of a complication during my surgery, and I had to be fully bathed by a nurse, and I wound up having to pee in front of my mom and a nurse, because I wasn't allowed to walk to the bathroom and had to use a commode(I know you wanted to read this.) My hair was a wreck, and the coarse hairs were on my chin, and then since I was in the hospital for five days, my legs were hairy, and I just didn't care. I decided to ban all visitors beforehand as well because I just didn't want to deal with anyone but my Mom and the hospital staff and I am glad I did because I really did look like swamp thing, but you know what, so did everyone else!!!

If you are so upset about your hair-loss showing, just tell people to come visit you at home after you're feeling better. The last thing you need right now is more anxiety, so feel free to be very firm in doing whatever you need to do to feel relxed when it comes to vistor policies. Also, don't worry about hospital personnel, they have seen it all believe me, so please don't be embarassed, just focus on relaxing before the procedure. You will probably not be able to wear the turban into surgery, but I guess afterwards would be okay. You could also ask the nurses/doctor before the surgery to leave on your cap.

Good luck and again, don't worry about looking perfect for the hospital!!!

[Allison.]

Thank you all for your replies. I know I am being silly. I will just ask the nurse to leave the cap on beforehand, and make sure my sister has my turban for me post-op.
This morning I looked at my hair loss-REALLY looked at it. I have a lot of new hair growth Just last month it all looked shiny to me. Something positive for me to focus on. I have so much to do before surgery, I haven't even done my taxes yet! I better get going. Thanks again.

[Sarah E.]

Good luck on your surgery!! You are not being silly at all. When I have been in the hospital I always worried about the hair on my face. I realized that it is a part of me and if someone was disturbed or bothered they would have to get over it. It is a part of me. Love me, love my facial hair.
When I was in the hospital for depression I had to be watched while I shaved in the am. Talk about humiliation. Laser treatments did help but I find that a lot is growing back all of a sudden.
I am happy your hair is coming back.

[Jen K]

Hey there Allison,

You're not being silly at all. I'd be concerned about it too. However, I think that the other suggestions are good - if it was me, I would mention it to the nurse(s) and your close family members and friends. I have always found that just being up front with those concerned, really alleviates a lot of the aprehension and nervousness. Let the nurses know your concerns about your thinning hair. I am sure that they will be extremely sensitive and understanding about it and they will really help to set your mind at ease.

On another note, you mentioned that you're starting to see new hairs sprouting up? What do you attribute your new hair growth to (if you don't mind me asking)?

Best of luck!!

Jen K

[Allison.]

Hey there Allison,
you mentioned that you're starting to see new hairs sprouting up? What do you attribute your new hair growth to (if you don't mind me asking)?

Best of luck!!

Jen K

Jen,
I don't know what is up with my hair. I did suffer from low iron last year. Anemia. I had a 10 hour iron infusion. I feel so much better with normal iron levels. My Dr. said that hair loss is cyclical and the reason I would lose hair is something that went on in my body a few months ago.
When I was first diagnosed I had elevated Testoserone levels, but I have been able to keep them in the normal range for over two years, but still suffer from occasional hair loss. My scalp is real itchy right now, I hope that is from hair regrowth. I wish that all my hair would come back.