Question:
can an epidoral be given for open rny to minamize hair loss?

The reason why I ask is because I have a thin hair problem. Male pattern baldness and I am a woman. If general anastetic causes hair loss, what about an epadural instead. Is there any that I can have that won't promote more thinning of hair. I don't want to go bald but have a good shape after surgery. Help.    — [Anonymous] (posted on February 18, 2002)

February 18, 2002
I'm afraid that the rapid and massive weight loss is the primary cause for the hair loss, not the anesthesia. The only way to minimise the loss (hair that is) is lots of proteins and taking your supplements religiously. Some of the post-ops are also taking special supplements, go in the data-base and do a search with the words "hair loss" you'll get more information than you'll need...LOL Best of Luck Diane
   — Diane B.

February 18, 2002
I had a baby a couple of years ago and they gave me an epidural. I had alot of hair loss the months to follow. It did grow back but I find my hair is very fine now. It used to be thick. I think the reason you have the hair loss is because of the trauma to your body (meaning surgery) I don't think it's the medicine they give you. I'm not a doctor but I thought I would share what I have learned.
   — Jamie J.

February 18, 2002
And yet another perspective: my surgeon says the trauma of surgery causes the hair follicle to shut down for a while, causing the hair at that point to be very thin. Then, later, as that part of the hair grows out of the scalp it breaks off at that weak point. I'm getting my hair cut to 1/2 inch all over my head before surgery; not Sinead O'Connor but close. But I'm an old bat and it doesn't matter... Nina in Maine
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