5 Hair Transplant Questions to Ask Your Surgeon
If you've decided to undergo hair restoration surgery, congratulations! This is the first step in restoring lost hair volume. Before your operation, you will meet with your surgeon for a consultation where he will learn about your goals and create an effective treatment plan tailored for you. What you discuss in this meeting dramatically impacts the outcome of your procedure. To help this go as smoothly as possible, here are five questions you should ask your surgeon before hair restoration surgery.
1. Am I the Right Candidate for Hair Transplantation Surgery?
It might surprise you to learn that not everyone is the perfect candidate for hair transplantation surgery. The best candidates have been experiencing thinning hair for at least five years. That may seem like a long time, but it's the most ideal situation because it helps establish a balding pattern and gives your doctor more information when designing a treatment plan for you. Your doctor will also rule out other contributing factors to hair loss, such as stress and depression, which wreak havoc on both your body and your hair. Be upfront and honest about your current situation in order to get the best results possible.
2. How Long will My Results Last?
Today, results from a hair transplantation procedure is virtually undetectable and permanent. That's correct! If you want a permanent solution to restore lost volume, hair restoration surgery is the way to go. You and your doctor will talk more about how you will personally benefit in your consultation.
3. What Procedure Options Do You Provide?
There are many more hair restoration procedures available today than ever before, and each provides amazing results. Since not everyone's hair thins the same way, having different options to pick from means you will get the best treatment plan for you.
Surgical options include:
FUE
Follicular Unit Extraction, or FUE, is a technique which involves extracting individual hair from donor areas and using it to restore hair in balding spots. The process is relatively tedious and time consuming.
FUT
Follicular Unit Transplant uses larger strips of skin and hair to cover more significant bald spots including the crown area. This is ideal for those who need to cover large areas of hair loss.
Non-surgical options include:
Platelet Rich Plasma
The procedure targets the blood, which is made up of two components: red cells and plasma. The process uses a mixture of your blood, which is then injected to help "heal cells," and increase hair count, hair thickness, and growth.
Scalp Micro Pigmentation
The process deposits small dots of colored pigment matching your hair color on your scalp. It simulates the appearance of hair. It is incredibly intricate, and the effect is so realistic that it is nearly impossible to distinguish what is a hair from what is pigment
There are more options available too. Ask your doctor during your consultation about which one is right for you.
4. What Does the Procedure Look Like?
Hair transplantation is a multi-step process. It usually begins with shaping a suitable hairline based on your previous hairline, so it looks as natural as possible. Next is a preparation of the donor's hair. This step removes hair from either the back or side of your head or neck. These areas work perfectly as they are not affected by pattern baldness and grow back quickly. Before you engage in the procedure, your doctor will walk you through the process so you'll be ready on the day of the surgery.
5. What can I Expect After the Surgery?
Recovery is slow. If you want the best results, you'll need to follow your post-op instructions very carefully. Most surgeons will recommend abstaining from exercise for at least 72-hours. Limit your use of blood thinners like aspirin or ibuprofen because it can cause bleeding. You'll experience some natural tenderness to the scalp. If it's unbearable, a mil-narcotic will be prescribed and possibly other medications to reduce the chances of infection. Each patient is different, so you want to speak with your doctor about what you need to do after the surgery to keep your amazing results.
Are you ready to see what hair restoration surgery can do for you? Contact Nashville Hair Clinic today by calling 615-635-0892.