As most know I had surgery back at the end of August. Since then I have been losing more hair than I care as I guess excessive shedding is common following surgery. It was a warm day today here in the northeast so I got out and took a few pics. Many will say I still alot of hair, but I would say I may have lost close to 1/2 of my thickness, and I also think most of my longer hairs are now gone as my mane appears and feels shorter.
First photo is of my hair in a ponytail, which is now quite thin compare to the thickness I once had.
Second photo is all my hair pulled forward ... appears better than the ponytail but I am still shedding quite a bit each day.
Third photo is just an attempt at something artsy. Due to still healing I really could not do any mane flipping or hanging off rocks, trees or picnic tables.
If the excessive shedding does not stop soon, and hair contines to thin I may consider trimming to mid-back.
Karsten
To me your hair still looks great!
Second, I am glad you didn't chop it off despite the sheding. You have way more hair then me! LOL
Mike
Thanks Mike,
Won't cut any length unless it's gets looking very, very, thin - hope it doesn't get to that point.
Karsten
Sorry to hear you are slowly losing your beautiful thick hair, if it gets really thin and stringy around the ends because so few hairs make it that far then i would consider getting your hair trimmed, but if it stays somewhat thick (which to me it looks quite thick right now) then i would say leave it, as far as i know trimming your hair has no benefit unless it is damaged or looks bad because it is uneven/many thin strands reaching further than most of your hair.
Beautiful head of hair all the same, and i hope the shedding ceases soon and over time you gain your full thickness of hair back.
Thanks Ryan,
No trim unless (like you suggested) it gets really thin and stringy. I would still be happy with what I've got left right now if the shedding would just stop.
Karsten
In my opinion it still looks great. If it was me there's no way Id be able to get a trim, but thats just me. Ultimately it's up to you, but as I said I think it still loks great.
Hope it gets better
~Jarvis~
Thanks Jarvis,
Trim will only happen if the excessive shedding does not let up soon. (Just yesterday alone I have a handful of hair that came out and that has been happening everyday for the past few weeks.)
Karsten
I can truly feel your loss Karsten for as you know the same happened to me following surgery in June. Oh well, at least we are still around but it really sucks to lose nice thick hair which at one time was taken as "normal the way it always is" and then suddenly be left with much less. Hope you don't lose anymore other than just the usual shedding to be expected.
Take care Karsten-
Justin~
Justin,
Are you still losing excessive amount of hair or has it stopped, and if so how many weeks did you go before you noticed it getting better?
Karsten
Hi Mark,
Maybe it's the photography but your hair looks great to me.You may be shedding a lot of hair but I still see a fabulously thick mane my friend.I've been shedding a lot myself but it happens this time of year like clockwork.Also I see you are much thinner too but you still look awesome:)Wishing you a full and healthy recovery.Take care of yourself.Cheers buddy and do stay in touch.
Mark
Mark,
I lost about 40 pounds due to the whole ordeal. I agree that my mane looks good in the photos, but when I look at it at home I just keep seeing more and more of it disappearing. I really do not know how much loss is due to natural shedding and how much is due to the stress of the surgery, but combined it's more than I care to lose if I had a choice.
Mark (aka Karsten)
You have shed more than I will grow in a lifetime !!
Still looks darn impressive to me.....
Keep Well
Walter
Thanks Walter,
I appreciate the observation and compliment.
Karsten
Looking really good Karsten, by any measure.
That's still a thicker ponytail than I can pull off.
Glad that you are steadily recovering from the surgery.
- Oren
Thanks Oren,
I did trim my beard back as it was much longer when I went into the hospital. I don't know if a long beard is for me but may give it a try again. Also, I guess no rollercoastering for awhile either.
Karsten
A friend a me who has the same hair lenght as you had the same after anti-biotics. He said he shed like crazy but it stopped after a while and his and your hair still look awesome.
Thanks for the info Vincent, it's good to know that their is still hope the shedding will stop. Glad your friend is OK.
Karsten
Karsten, your hair always was and still is absolutely beautyfull. The important is that your surgery went well, and I'm sure your thickness will grow back...
Thank's for the inspiring pictures =)
I agree, at least the surgery went well - and thank you for the compliment on the photos.
Might I say that your hair is also beautyfull and I hope you will never have to undergo any medical procedure which may cause you to lose any of it.
Take care,
Karsten
Ah, I feel for you, Karsten. I felt the same after I discover my bald patch (alopecia areata).
Surgery generally produces a huge stress on the whole body, and huge stress usually increases shedding a lot. Hopefully the shedding will decrease with time. I guess it doesn't last. Cross the fingers ! :)
Anyway, your mane is great. Your hair color fits perfectly in these autumn colors ;)
Bye
Vivien
Thanks, I missed getting out during the peak of the fall colors. I too am hopping the shedding will start to decrease.
Sorry to hear about your bald patch, hope it improves and does not get any worse.
BTW, your mane looks awesome!
Karsten
Hi Karsten,
Of course I am sorry to hear about the shedding, but I am sure it will stop soon, since this is quite normal after surgery. In these photos, you still have a mane to be proud of, and it is still a lot thicker than mine. In my opinion, no trim is necessary, and with time, your thickness should return.
Take care,
David
Thanks David, and I hope you are right that I will not have to end up trimming. And may I say that you too have a mane to be quite proud of.
Karsten
Karsten I hope the shedding slows to normal soon and can imagine how it feels to loose so much fullness. I'm hopeful the hair will regrow in time and you'll be back to normal. I know that will take years but better than not at all.
Kevin
Thanks Kevin,
I too am hopeful the shedding will start to stop. For years I've wanted long hair and had many failed attempts. When I finally achieve my goal of waist length and was striving to go even longer this happens. I hope I do not have to end up trimming, but if the hair starts looking too thin and very stringy I may end up doing so. Hope not.
Karsten
Karsten,
I've had 2 surgeries in my life so I feel your pain brother man! Just take it easy for awhile and I'm sure your hair will recover nicely. Hair looks awesome as always!
Glad you recovered from your two surgeries, one was enough for me :)
How long was it until your shedding began to stop after surgery?
Karsten
Karsten,
These 2 surgeries were back when I was a kid. Long before long hair and discovering MLHH. I do apologize If I sounded misleading.
Hi Karsten,
I hope the surgery went well and I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering alot of schredding at the moment. I'm sure in time things will improve and your hair will thicken out again. Just remember you have a great head of hair and a wonderfl inspiration to others. I'd certain wait about before any talk of reducing the length and see how things improve.
Cheers,
John.B
Thanks John, I do plan on waiting before doing any length reduction, right now it's just a thought that I really do not want to think about. If the shedding would just stop, but each day I have globs of hair ending up in the trash. I hope it stops soon and I can start noticing the new hair growing in and not so much of my older hair falling out.
Karsten
Too bad to her your hair is getting thinner. You still have an excellent head of hair right now though. I always loved the way you had a nice clean even cut when viewed from the back. I hope you have a speedy recovery and can show more pictures with your hair being flung around soon.
Thanks Garth, I always had mixed feeling on the even cut instead of the natural v-shape. Nice to hear that you liked it and thanks for the wish of a speedy recovery. I appreciate it very much.
Karsten
Hello Karsten,
Maybe your hair isn't as thick as it was, but it still look wonderfull.
The sheding was probably caused by your body fatigue, so it will grow back, maybe it will take time but hair is about patience isn't it ?
The more important thing is that your surgery went fine.
I hope you will be fully healed soon and that your hair will recover its thickness quickly.
Thanks for these inspirating picture of your still thick hair.
Haven a nice day.
François (Formely Angel)
Thanks for the compliment. I actually am still quite happy with my hair at this time - if only the shedding would start to let up.
Karsten
Looks good to me man, I would love to have your head of hair.
rob
Thanks Rob, I appreciate the compliment.
Karsten
Hi Karsten. Your hair in the picture looks good, but since I am not you, and I did not have surgery outside of my ears, I don't know what it feels like. I don't see any thinning in your hair. My suggestion is giving it time and your hair will regain thickness.
Matthew
Thanks Matt, I do think we are all more critical of ourselves and see small imperfections that others do not notice. I know the thickness will return in time. Thanks for the response.
Karsten
Even if your hair is somewhat thinner, it is still glorious!
I hope the road to recovery has been smooth.
Bruce
Thanks Bruce, recovery had a number of road blocks and bumps, but now seems to be proceeding smoothly except for the hair loss and night sweats.
Karsten
I make all natural products for a living..mostly cosmetics so that doesnt apply here:) but I do have very long hair and know a thing or 2 about it:) I absolutely adore a man with long hair and am simply not attracted to any other type ( yes, I am female:) so I HAVE to help you:) hehe there just simply are not enough beautiful longhairs on the planet:)
ok...stop washing your hair so much! stop using over the counter shampoo:) I make my own so I know what is in in:) oil, water, lye:) I used to sell it but I dont any longer...if you want to contact me I will help you find a source:)...or go the no poo route...yup..maybe stop shampooing:) if you use over the counter products you are striping all that good natural oil out of your hair and if it has been through a trauma it is not going to recover as quickly or as well:)
final tip...once a week, twice a week...whatever your hair can handle take some nice oil...preferably jojoba and just slather it on your hair. leave it in for awhile...possibly wrap it in a warm towel and keep it warm for awhile..then shampoo. I will help you with adding some essential oils if you'd like as well to help more if you need it:)
good luck luv:) you have a gorgeous head of hair:) keep it up. there just arent enough beautiful men out there with locks:) my heart is a little sad by this:) so dont give up:)