Avoid Some Negative Outcomes With Dr Lockie

Hair Loss and Vomiting Can Be Caused By Surgery

Two unwanted but common results of surgery require specific planning and testing to avoid.

Hair Shedding After Surgery

Hair shedding a few months after surgery is very common - it's called telogen effluvium, and surgery is one of the classic triggers.

What Causes Hair Shedding

When your body goes through major stress like

• an operation,
• general anaesthetic,
• blood loss,
• fever,
• the emotional stress around surgical procedures,

a larger than normal number of hairs get pushed prematurely from the growth phase (anagen) into the resting/shedding phase (telogen).

You don't notice it right away, but  it usually shows 2 to 4 months after the operation.

It's then you will see more hair on the pillow, in the shower, or when brushing.

Further Contributors Post Surgery

• Anaesthesia and medications
  • some antibiotics, blood pressure meds, heparin
• Low iron / ferritin
• Low protein / low calorie intake while recovering
• Thyroid changes, rapid weight loss
• Prolonged fever, infection, or heavy stress
• Pressure on scalp if you were in one position for a long operation
  • This can cause a patch at the back of head

Preoptimization

I regularly check metabolic bloods and treat BEFORE all of our surgeries. 

After treatment you still need to maintain good health. Annual checks do this with our set of blood tests and reading the bloods in the context of

• Previous History
• Type of surgery
• Trends of blood results over time

Complete care will minimise this phenomenon.

I Haven't Had Any Vomits!

Vomiting after surgery can be significant if not reported or treated.

Having said that, this is not something we see with our bariatric surgery patients.

There are precise protocols which we carry out to assist with recovery and to avoid nausea and vomiting.

With any kind of surgery, the body can become stunned and present with an ileus.

Ileus Definition

Ileus is a medical condition where the regular, wave-like muscle movements of the intestines stop or slow down, preventing food and gas from moving through the digestive tract without any physical or mechanical blockage.

Symptoms:

• Swollen, bloated, or distended abdomen
• Stomach cramps and pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Inability to pass gas or stool (constipation)
• Reduced or absent sounds in the belly during an examination

Help Is Available

In anticipation of surgery ( this is covered in your pre operative  appointment )

• Keep well hydrated 
• Listen to your body
• Prepare for post operative recovery by having pear juice/movicol available for comfort.

You will have the after hours number to connect to your surgical team if you require further assistance.

Post surgery, checking in is so important to ensure we pick up any signs that trouble may be brewing.