Hi Mona - I'm not sure if the hair thinning is related solely to the anesthesia, or if it's just a part of the body's reaction to the overall stress of surgery. I know that when I had my gallbladder removed several years ago I too experienced hair loss that was more than the norm for me. Perhaps it's the culmination of two surgeries that your body is still in the process of recovering from?

I don't think it's crazy to color it silver or just to "let it go" naturally and wear it short and spikey. That's what my mom has recently started doing and it's adorable on her. But it's all a matter of what you will be comfortable with. Are you willing to give it some more time to see if your hair will rebound as it did before?

I wouldn't cut my hair real short because I'm concerned there'd be just too little of it and I know mine isn't coming back. It sounds like yours will rebound again in a couple of months. You might enjoy trying a new temporary style. Here's an excuse to go wild, knowing you can always return to the classic you.

Have you tried any of the root sprays or volumizing sprays? Thin hair per se is not so bad, but when your scalp shows....

Is it falling out? I hated seeing all that hair in the shower drain, so I made sure I brushed like crazy before shampooing.

I think you should give it some time, Mona. Auntjen's correct about the effect of stress on hair, and you've had quite a bit of stress lately. I had my gallbladder removed in spring, followed by a summer of my mom's rapid decline, and then her death in September (she was 98 and lived a great life). I also noticed an increase in hair loss over this time, but it's gotten better. You'd still look great in spiky hair, though, whether you're losing it or not!

Stress definitely does cause hair loss-- I have long thick hair, and have had a couple times in my life when it has come out in wads. It is scary! But it does get back to normal.

Mona, you are beautiful, we have seen your pics! Do whatever makes you feel good with your hair! I think you could pull off spiky hair no problem. If it's really bothering you, go talk to a good hair stylist and get their advice.

:) Jen

If you will like a short spiky do, then I would go for it! I do think that when you cut your hair shorter, it does give the illusion, believe it or not, of more hair. Yes you are taking away length, but keeping it where it is healthiest. If you are experiencing thinning from anesthesia or surgery, stress, whatever, I think it looks much better to have healthier short hair, than longer not so great hair that shows a significant loss of hair.

Ask your regular sylist what she would do if it were her? I say this as I will cut my hair short for the summer without much thought, other than it is hot and shorter hair will make me cooler. No more. Rest assured, your hair will grow back, and you may even return to your hair pre-surgery thickness.

You are a beautiful woman, so whichever style you choose will look great! You know how to "merchandise it up" to get the look you are trying to achieve.

You must post a pic of your new do should you decide to go that route!

Thanks for the advice. I thought about what to do and yesterday I had the color lightened to a light blonde with some low-lights around my face. This already helped with hiding the thinning at the crown. Today I'm going to get the hair at the crown and in the back cut shorter and that should give me some lift and bounce.

If this doesn't work then I'll go back next week and go much lighter in color and shorter as well.

Again, thanks for putting up with my hair craziness!

mona - your plan sounds great! I really admire women who are willing to try different styles as opposed to holding onto the too long hair after the age when a shorter style would afford a more up-to-date look.

Not trying to get slammed here about the long hair/age topic. I have at least 2 close friends that immediately come to mind who've not yet been able to let go of the long (mid-back length) hair. They are 60+. They are beautiful women, but seem to be holding onto the long hair for some reason? Unless you are Carmen del Orifice, I think it is hard to pull of long hair after 60 and have it look great.

I know alot of men who prefer women with long hair. Just a pet peeve as I am one of those old fashioned women who believe that very long hair on a woman isn't flattering after a certain age. Sadly, more times than not, hair that is too long takes away from very pretty faces. The hair becomes the thing that catches your eye, rather than the woman's facial/overall beauty. I think hair that is too long, or not styled tends to make you look older after a "certain" age. JMHO

Short hair can be a PIA, or totally embraced, depending on your attitude. Accessorizing is an easy and fun remedy for those with short hair who may be feeling a bit "manly". When my hair is short, it means making sure I wear a pair of nice "drop style" earrings, and usually involves a couple of velcro rollers strategically placed to get some fullness if I am going to an event:0) A bit of cosmetics help too. Never go anywhere without a bit of mascara and lip color regardless of the length of my hair.

At the moment, I am growing out a very short hairstyle from this past summer. Trying to grow the layers out to enjoy a bit longer fall/winter version - bob that stops under my jaw line. But, I know myself, I will return to the shorter cut when the dog days of summer set in once again next year! For me, it is about what is practical, easy to blow dry, as well as what is most flattering on me.

Can't wait to see a pic of your new do. You are a very beautiful woman with a great sense of style, so I am very sure that you've gotten a very chic look with your new cut and color.

Well, I did it! My haircut turned out better than I expected and it does give the illusion of more hair.

I may still go back to get the color lighter, but it is in the blonde family. Heck! I'm getting brave enough that I may go really a light blonde. I'll live with this color for a couple of days before I decide.

Thank you for the votes of confidence in saying I could pull this new look off.

Work, I agree that to avoid a manly look one needs the earrings and the make-up to get a "with it" look. I, too, need some height at the crown and the spikes give it to me.

I'll post a pic when my DH takes one of me. Tell me what ya'll think.... and BE HONEST. You won't hurt my feelings.

You are such a beautiful woman that you could be bald and still be stunning. Seriously. I'm glad you're happy with your new haircut, and look forward to seeing a pic of "the new you!"

Mona- by any chance were you on Prednisone after the surgery to reduce inflammation? Hair loss is a very common side effect with that.

I remember the photo you posted from your reunion and I think short hair would be stunning on you. Can't wait to see the photos.

Maire

I haven't logged on for months and months but I did today and came across this thread which is exactly where my head is. I have had five(!) anesthesias in the last 18 months (all ambulatory, nothing terminal, though nothing was elective either) and my hair is thinning and thinning. I'm obsessed. My hair is thin and fine. What about rogaine? They haven't tested it on women over 65 (that's me) but I have friends who use it. But who knows. Hairdresser keeps recommending it. Yay or nay?