Hair transplantation is a cosmetic surgery to restore hair in the bald area of the scalp. There are two methods of hair transplantation: Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT).
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is the most commonly used method for hair restoration. In this method, individual follicular units are extracted from donor sites in the back and sides of the scalp. These follicular units are then transplanted into bald areas on top of the head. This is done under local anesthesia, so there is no pain during or after the procedure. The incisions made for extraction do not leave any visible scarring on top of the head as they are tiny and well camouflaged within existing hairline. The transplanted follicles will grow normally like normal hairs do and become indistinguishable from your natural hair after some time.
The natural appearance of your transplanted hair depends on many factors such as type of donor area (i.e., back/sides), number of grafts used, number of sessions required, patient age at time of surgery etc.
Eat a healthy diet.
Eating a well-balanced diet will help you get the nutrients you need and ensure that your body is functioning at its best. If you are deficient in any vitamins or minerals, they can slow down the healing process and cause other problems.
Quit smoking.
The first thing you want to do is quit smoking. Smoking can cause serious side effects during the procedure and in the weeks following. You may find that after the procedure, your scalp is sore, so avoid doing anything that will make it more painful.
Stay hydrated.
One of the most important things to do before your procedure is to stay hydrated. This will help you feel better throughout the day and reduce swelling after surgery. Drinking plenty of water will also help prevent dehydration in the days leading up to your surgery, which can lead to dizziness or fainting during the procedure. If you do not drink enough water before or after surgery, it could increase your risk of infection.
Avoid Alcohol
One of these is alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption before and after surgery can cause complications such as infection and bleeding. You should also avoid smoking for at least two weeks before your procedure. This is because nicotine has been shown to slow down wound healing.
Choose an experienced surgeon
When it comes to choosing a doctor for your hair restoration procedure, experience matters. A good surgeon should have years of experience in performing FUE procedures on both men and women. He or she should also have experience working with patients of different ethnicities and races who have various types of hair loss conditions. Your doctor should be able to provide you with references from past patients who can verify his/her experience in performing FUE surgeries successfully.
Discuss your goals with a surgeon
Be sure to meet with your surgeon and discuss what you want from your surgery. He or she can help you figure out what type of procedure would be best for your needs. Discussing these details ahead of time will help ensure that you’re both on the same page once it comes time for the actual surgery.
Don’t be pressured into making a decision
Before making any decision regarding your health, consult with an experienced surgeon who will guide you through the process step by step. Don’t be pressured into making a decision during your consultation without having all of your questions answered first.
Discuss all of your medications with your surgeon.
If you take any medication, it’s important to discuss these with your surgeon before the surgery. Certain drugs can affect wound healing or alter the blood flow within your scalp, which can have negative effects on the healing process and final results of the procedure.
Stop taking blood thinners.
Blood thinners such as aspirin and warfarin (Coumadin) can increase bleeding after surgery. If you are taking blood thinners, talk to your doctor about stopping them before your procedure. If possible, stop taking aspirin at least two weeks before your surgery; for Coumadin, you will need to consult with your doctor about when to stop taking it.
Learn about the procedure.
The first step to getting a hair transplant is learning about the procedure and talking with your doctor about your expectations. The next step is finding out if you’re a good candidate for hair transplant surgery. In addition to considering your medical history and family history, your doctor will also evaluate your donor area (the area of healthy hair follicles from which hair grafts will be taken), your overall health, and the quality of your donor hair. If you’re considering FUE or FUT, it’s important to understand the differences between them and how they can affect results.
Prepare Your House
You need to prepare your house in advance and make sure that no one disturbs you during this time. This will help you relax and prevent any kind of disturbance during the procedure. You should also inform your friends and family members about the surgery so that they do not disturb you while you are undergoing it.
Avoid caffeine
Drinking too much coffee can cause anxiety or insomnia, both of which can make any cosmetic procedure more difficult and uncomfortable. Avoiding caffeine at least 24 hours before your procedure can help reduce your risk of side effects like these.
Get your blood pressure under control
High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke and heart attack, so if you have high blood pressure you should talk to your doctor about taking medication to bring it down before surgery. High blood pressure can cause problems during the operation itself; if it isn’t under control prior to surgery there’s a higher risk of complications during the procedure or afterward.
Take time off from work
Make sure you have someone to look after your kids or pets while you’re recovering from surgery. You need at least two weeks off work after an FUE procedure because it takes time for your body to heal properly before going back to work. If you can afford it, take even more time off — three weeks or more would be ideal if possible!
Make sure you’re a good candidate
A hair transplant procedure is only appropriate for people with sufficient donor hair density and growth. If you have lost most of your hair, or if your balding pattern is diffuse rather than focal, then you aren’t likely to benefit from a transplant.
Prepare for pain after the surgery.
The donor area will be numb during the procedure, so you won’t feel any pain while your doctor removes follicles from this area. However, once those follicles are removed, they need to be placed in a solution before they can be transplanted into your scalp. This process may cause some discomfort when you get home if you’ve had general anesthesia during your procedure — take ibuprofen or acetaminophen beforehand to help with any discomfort post-procedure.
Stay active as much as you can before surgery.
Stay as active as you can while preparing for FUE hair transplant. Exercise increases blood flow to the scalp, helping to improve circulation and speed up recovery time after surgery.
Make sure your health is in check.
A healthy body is necessary for an effective hair transplant procedure. Before undergoing any surgical procedure, it’s important that you’ve checked with your doctor to ensure that you’re in good health and have no underlying health conditions or concerns.
Get plenty of sleep
Getting plenty of sleep is the best way to prepare for a hair transplant. This is because the body needs time to regenerate and heal after any type of surgery. It is also important not to eat or drink anything for several hours before your appointment. Eating or drinking may result in nausea, vomiting, and discomfort during the procedure.
Be Mentally Prepared
Hair loss can be emotional and sometimes devastating. It is important that you do not lose hope, even if the situation seems hopeless. A good transplant surgeon will be able to provide you with a realistic assessment of your condition and will guide you through this difficult journey.
Do some research on FUT vs FUE procedures.
Both types of procedures can be effective, but they are not the same thing. A FUT (follicular unit transplant) involves taking healthy follicles from the back of the head and transferring them into bald areas; this is considered an invasive procedure because it requires cutting small holes in the scalp and removing small amounts of hair — meaning there will be scars after treatment.
Know About Your Options
You should know about various options available for treating hair loss before deciding on one particular method. For example, if you have limited donor area in your scalp, then FUE won’t be effective for you as it requires a large amount of donor hair from which tissue grafts are taken.
Prepare Your Hairline
The area around your hairline must be shaved before the surgery takes place. This is done so that there are no obstacles in front of the doctor while he or she performs the procedure on you. It is recommended that you shave off all your hair at least two days before going into the clinic so that it can grow back naturally after the procedure has been completed.
Prepare Yourself Mentally and Physically
Before going into a clinic for a FUE hair transplant procedure, it is important that you prepare yourself mentally and physically for what is about to happen. If you’re not prepared for what’s about to happen, then it may cause stress and tension on your body which could result in complications during or after the procedure has taken place.
