my wife has discovered she inherited her mom's alopecia areata. her hair started falling out in clumps after she had her surgery.

this is incredibly devastating for someone who has only cut her hair a handful of times in her life (her hair goes down to her feet)

I'm sorry to hear about your wife's hair loss.  Has she spoken to her doctor about the possibility that the surgery might have triggered the alopecia areata, or is it more likely just coincidental with the timing? There might be tests or treatments available depending on the cause.