Step by Step Walkthrough of the Hair Transplant Procedure

Consultation

Prior to undergoing hair transplant surgery, the patient will first be examined by the physician to determine a number of details. First and foremost, the doctor will need to isolate the cause of the hair loss and insure that it is the result of androgenetic alopecia and not a medical condition or a form of temporary hair loss which could be treated by other measures.

The doctor will determine the root of the hair loss by examining the patients scalp, questioning them about their lifestyle, eating habits and family history. If there are any signs that the hair loss could be resulting from a medical condition, x-rays and blood work may then be ordered. However, should it be determined that the hair loss is the result of androgenetic alopecia, the next step will be for the physician to take a look at the pattern of the hair loss. This is important because not everyone loses their hair in the same manner.

In most cases, men lose their hair beginning with a receding hair line whereas women lose hair in the same amounts over the entire scalp. One method the doctor may use to examine the pattern of hair loss and examine the hair follicle, is a pull test.

A pull test is performed just the way it sounds. The doctor gently pulls on several strands of hair at the same time. Those hairs that are in the telogen phase will come out easily, while those that are actively growing will remain in place.

The doctor will examine the sample of hair and skin, usually under a microscope, to look for indications of infection or anything else that could be causing the loss of hair.

The physician may also compare the appearance of the patients scalp and hair loss to standardized charts that have been developed for the purpose of classifying hair loss patterns.

The patient should anticipate the fact that the surgeon will most likely take several photographs, from different angles, during the pre-operative consultation. These photographs serve multiple purposes. The most important purpose is to aid both the patient and the surgeon in understanding how much progress has been made at a later date when comparing before and after views of the patients scalp area.

Prior to the surgery the physician will provide the patient with information on what they should and should not do the night before the surgery. This generally involves discontinuing the use of alcoholic beverages, etc. Many surgeons may also advise their patients to cleanse their hair and scalp with a special shampoo that will act as an antiseptic and reduce the risk for infection and contamination during the surgery. The patient will also be advised not to use any hair styling products the morning of the surgery.

Most hair transplant surgeries are performed in the office of the surgeon on an out-patient basis. Quite a number of hair transplant surgeons have installed state of the art outpatient surgical facilities right in there offices to facilities the procedure for the patient. These surgical centers are fully equipped with all the same safety measurers and necessary equipment one would expect to find in a standard operating room.

Pre-Operative Measures

The day of the surgery, the physician will make notations on the patients scalp using a marker specially designed for surgical procedures. This will allow the surgeon to see exactly where the donor grafts are to be removed and which areas will receive them.

The patient should be aware that their hair will be trimmed very closely, using scissors, making it easier for the surgeon to remove hairs from the donor site. Following this, an anesthetic will be applied to both the donor and transplant areas. Depending on the surgeons preference, the patient may either be instructed to lie down or sit up. Sometimes, the positioning of the patient may depend upon where the donor sites are located on the patients scalp.

Almost all surgeons use at least a local anesthesia to reduce the level of discomfort for the patient during the surgery. Depending on the circumstances, the physician may also use a mild sedative along with the anesthesia. Any patients who have had a bad reaction to anesthesia in the past should inform their surgeon of this information prior to the surgery. In addition, anyone who has any drug or latex allergies should let their doctor know this as well so that alternate arrangements can be made.

Although a local anesthetic will be used, the patient should be aware that while they may not feel any pain during the surgery they will be aware of what is going on around them and may hear noises as the donor grafts are excised and then later placed in the recipient areas. Since anesthesia has been applied, the patient wont actually feel anything but the sounds can be a bit unnerving, if not prepared for this ahead of time.