Completion of the Hair Transplant Surgery

Donor Harvesting

The first step that will occur during a hair transplant procedure is the removal of grafts or plugs from the donor site of the patients head by a qualified surgeon. This is commonly the sides and back of the scalp, because these areas are not usually as affected by the balding process.

The hair transplant surgeon may use a variety of instruments in order to achieve the desired results; however a scalpel and other specialty tools are quite common. One of the tools that may be used by the doctor is a small hand tool that is pressed against the scalp. The tool contains an interior engine that allows it to spin against the scalp and extract the donor plugs. This transplantation technique is known as punch harvesting.

Depending on the procedures the hair transplant surgeon determines are needed in order to produce the best results, an excision method may also be used. This involves the utilization of a surgical scalpel. Strip harvesting by the surgeon may also be necessary, using a scalpel mounted with multiple blades in order to excise strips.

Regardless of whether a single method or a combination of methods are used in order to obtain the donor tissue, the samples will commonly be further dissected by the doctor before transplantation to the recipient site occurs.

Once the donor hairs are removed, it may be necessary for the hair loss surgeon to close the donor site area with stitches or staples. The patient should be aware that this commonly results in a scar, however it is usually not noticeable since it is covered by new growth hair.

Transplantation

To facilitate insertion of the donor tissue, the hair transplantation surgeon will need to score the section of the scalp where the transplant is to take place. Again, the surgeon may use a single method or a combination of methods. In the frontal area, it is more common for the hair transplant doctor to make slits in the scalp using a single scalpel. Another method that is common along the frontal area of the scalp is the dilation method.

The surgeon will use a special tool that will move the skin of the scalp to the side so that the donor tissue can be put into place. Other methods include punch grafting to create a recipient site and laser assisted grafting. There has been some controversy over the use of punch grafting by surgeons because some experts feel the utilization of this methods may lead to a less natural appearance.

After the recipient site is created, the hair transplant surgeon will simply place the donor tissue inside the flap or pocket that now exists. Following the procedure the scalp will be cleaned using an antiseptic solution to defend the area against infection. Like all surgery sites, the scalp will be wrapped in gauze, which will also prevent the area from becoming infected by dirt and bacteria.

The patient may be given pain medication as well as a prescription for antibiotics for a few days following the surgery. Some physicians will cover the transplant area with gauze to aid in healing while others recommend the use of a baseball cap. However, baseball caps can rip the new grafts out of place, check with the hair transplant doctor before wearing any types of hats or head gear. Within a couple of days following the surgery, most patients will be able to shampoo their head; although care will need to be exercised when doing so due to the fact that both the donor and recipient areas will likely still be somewhat tender.

Usually hair transplant patients are able to resume normal activity about this same time as well. For this reason, many patients elect to have their surgeries performed on a Friday so they can rest and recuperate over the weekend.

As with any type of incision or cut, the area where the transplants were placed will crust over within a few days following the surgery. This is perfectly normal and should not cause any alarm. Within a few days the scabs will fall off.

The patient should also expect that there will be some itching in the days following the hair transplant surgery. This is most likely do the incision areas begin to heal and scab over. As tempting as it can be to scratch these areas, it is extremely critical that the patient refrain from the urge. Scratching at these areas can easily result in loosening one or more of the transplanted hairs.

Permanent new hair growth will not begin until some 2 to 3 months after the surgery. Keep in mind all of the healing and phases that the hair and its components must go through in order to begin an active growth phase. This wait period can be distressing for some individuals who expect to begin growing hair immediately. The ability to grow hair is not an overnight process and should not be viewed as such. Permanent healthy hair takes time to grow.

Instead of focusing on the wait for growth to begin, patients can instead use this time to insure they are giving their bodies the necessary nutrients and vitamins it needs to sustain the growth process of healthy hair. Remember that all hair, regardless of whether it is original or transplanted, must have essential vitamins and nutrients to aid the growth process. Now is not the time to go on a crash diet, pickup or continue bad eating habits. Refer back to the information in Chapter One on the essential vitamins needed for healthy hair.

One of the most alarming parts what occurs after the hair transplant surgery, if the patient does not know to expect it, is the resulting hair loss; sometimes called shock loss. Sometime within about two weeks to a month following the surgery the patient can expect for the original hair from the transplant to begin to shed. Again, this is natural and to be expected.

This hair must fall out in order for new growth to begin. Within about a month or two later, the patient should begin to see a very fine growth of new hair. This growth will continue consistently.

By 6 to 8 months, most patients can expect to see some significant results in the hair growth process. Full results will not be achieved until approximately 9 to 12 months following the surgery.

Patients should be aware that there may be some post-operative bleeding following the surgery. This should be minimal, however. Should more substantial bleeding arise, the patient should contact their hair loss physician immediately.

Summary

Prior to the actual surgery, the hair transplant surgeon will meet with the patient in at least one pre-operative consultation. The purpose of this visit will be to determine 1. Whether the patient is a suitable candidate for hair transplant surgery based on a number of factors, 2. Determine the cause of the hair loss and whether it is temporary or permanent, 3. Discuss options with the patient, including long term planning should the patient decide to have the surgery, 4. Explain the procedure and tell the patient what they can expect and not expect from the surgery.

Almost all hair transplant surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis in the surgical center of the surgeons office. A local anesthetic is usually applied to make the procedure more comfortable for the patient. The hair transplant surgeon will begin by making marks on the patients scalp using a surgical marker. Hair on the patients head will be trimmed very closely. The procedure will begin by removing the donor hairs and sections. Once this has been accomplished, they will be transplanted to the recipient area. The hair loss surgeon uses a variety of tools to accomplish both tasks, including a scalpel. The donor area will be sutured using either stitches or staples. Depending on the surgeon, the patient may either leave wearing a gauze dressing or a baseball cap to protect the area from infection. Again, check with your hair transplant doctor to determine which type of head dressing is best for your new grafts.

Find out more about the price of hair transplant surgery and what the hair transplant recovery process is like.

Theres no time for a man to recover his hair that grows bald by nature.

William Shakespeare

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Completion of the Hair Transplant Surgery