Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
16427564 tn?1447853158

Question about hair options

Hi! I was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation, POTS and EDS in late July of this year. After finally finding the right Doctor for my decompression surgery in Salt Lake, I have scheduled it on Monday next week. I will also be turning 17 that day. Anyway, I have been having the same nightmare everynight multiple times a night, I have not been sleeping because of it and wake up shaking and unable to stop crying. The nightmare is of me after surgery having to pull my hair out of my sutures. This is the by far the scariest dream I've had, and the last nightmare I kept having was about my trip over the summer it came true! I know I am under a lot of stress and this may sound crazy, but I really wish to shave my whole head instead of a strip just to ease the stress and make me feel fully comfortable about getting surgery. I have talked to my parents and they said whatever I want to make sure I am confident going into surgery but have yet to talk to my doctor who lives in a different state. I was wondering if anyone has gone through this? Has anyone shaved their whole head for a decompression surgery? What do you think I should do? And be as honest as you can.
8 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I'm hoping it's Brockmeyer! Primary is amazing, and the only place in UT with accurate Chiari awareness of related issues. I wish I was pediatric to go there. I have friends who are nurses there. You will be in great hands! Prayers for you and your family!
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  That is great...do keep us posted on your surgery date etc...and then post op progress......and let us know who your Dr is so we can see if they are on our list of Drs that treat Chiari.

Helpful - 0
16427564 tn?1447853158
yes I did thank you! my parents and I emailed the doctor tonight and are hoping to hear back by tomorrow
Helpful - 0
16427564 tn?1447853158
I'm just in the children's neurosurgery at university of Utah and meeting the Doctor the day before surgery so I am not sure of his or her name but I'm sure it is online they are supposed to be very good!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Who is your doctor, with the EDS componant?
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Hi I posted to this b4 and in your journal of the same topic...I hope you saw my reply.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I would not shave your whole head before surgery.  Doctors shave different amounts, it depends on your surgeon.  Mine shaved the entire back of my hair from the top to middle of my ear and down.  I have thin hair and when I wear my hair down no one can tell I'm missing all that hair.  Also, I've gotten some hats to wear in windy weather.  

You can always shave your head after surgery if you come to the conclusion that's what you want to do.  I don't think your hair will get stuck in your sutures like in your dreams, they are usually covered with steri strips for a while.  I only had two removable stitches and one dissolvable suture that ran from top to bottom and was knotted and then the knots were cut about 15-20 days after surgery.

My hair isn't growing yet (who knows it may never) where the incision is so if I didn't cover it with my hair it would look like I have a line down my head at the bottom.  Another reason the hair on the rest of my head comes in hand.

Also, not sure where you live and what the weather is like but my head felt really cold without the hair on the back of my head and I remember thinking i'm glad i'm not bald because i'd be freezing all the time.
Helpful - 0
4760166 tn?1398357313
They are concervative as possible with shaving in my experience. My advice would be not  to cut a lot of your hair (just trims) ... And no pulling hair out of sutures. I was amazed by how easy the incision was to hide with longish hair once stitches came out.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Chiari Malformation Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease