Many people suffer from hair loss. Several factors can cause this aesthetic problem. Stress, medical conditions, health treatments, and lifestyle choices can affect the health of your hair. Shampoos, conditioners, and some over-the-counter products are often ineffective. This may lead you to consider a hair transplant to improve your hair situation. Here are some things to expect from this form of surgery.
The Assessment
Your hair doctor will check your scalp, hair, and medical history. Expect to answer questions about your lifestyle, work, and diet. Your doctor will explain how painless the procedure will be. You will need local anesthesia for your scalp. This will remove the pain, but you will still feel some pressure and pulling.
General anesthesia is for more extensive hair transplant procedures involving tissue flaps or expansion. This will allow you to sleep throughout the procedure. General anesthesia is good for those who have high anxiety during treatments and procedures. By the time you wake up, the treatment will be over.
Preparing One Month Before Your Hair Transplant
Booking a hotel near the facility will be helpful if you do not live nearby. Traveling back to a place of rest near the clinic is ideal after the hair transplant procedure. This can help correct any side effects right away.
You will need someone to take you to and back from the clinic. Booking a cab service is a good alternative. The effects of the anesthetic or sedative can make it dangerous for you to drive by yourself. You should avoid driving about a day after the surgery.
Filing a sick leave will be necessary for your procedure. A few days to a week will be enough to recover. You will need time to deal with the effects of the anesthesia. This can be more taxing than recovering from a hair transplant procedure. You may need to have an ECG or a blood test to ensure your good health after having general anesthesia.
Preparing Two Weeks Before the Procedure
You should stop taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications two weeks before your hair transplant procedure. The same applies to anti-depressants and beta-blockers. These medications can delay your healing. Avoiding alcohol during this time is a good thing.
Alcohol can impair blood oxygenation and circulation. Consuming them can delay your healing. This substance can also widen your blood vessels. This will increase the swelling and pain in the transplant site. You can also start taking vitamin C at this time. Doing so can speed up your healing. You should also resist the urge to have a haircut. Your long hair can hide the incisions.
Preparing a Week Before the Procedure
Stop taking vitamin E and B supplements. These vitamins can make you bleed more, delaying your healing. You should also stop tobacco consumption at this time. Nicotine in the blood makes it difficult for oxygen to reach the transplant site. This will delay your healing. Nicotine also increases your risk for infection.
Surgery Day
Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner before the hair transplant. Avoid using other hair products after. Doing so will keep your hair natural. A hair transplant surgery can take about four to nine hours. Your doctor may tell you to eat something light. This can help sustain you during the lengthy treatment.
Avoiding anything with caffeine right before or after your hair transplant is important in stabilizing your blood pressure. Caffeine can raise your blood pressure. This can delay your recovery because of inadequate blood circulation.
Caffeine can also block the hormone that helps keep your arteries wide. Some scientists also believe that caffeine can stimulate the production of adrenaline. This hormone can increase your vital signs. These reasons are enough to abstain from drinking or eating anything with caffeine. Wearing loose-fitting clothes can help you avoid damaging the incisions while changing. Expect to feel groggy right after your treatment.
Hair Transplant Recovery
Healing and recovering from this procedure can take some time. Your hair doctor may need to take some skin from your donor area. This invasive process can happen at the sides and in the back of the head. This can make these areas sensitive to touch. Expect sleeping to be challenging.
Recovery time depends on the case and the patient’s ability to heal. It can take about two weeks for some people to recover. Others only take a week. Complete recovery will allow you to return to your routine. Refraining from strenuous activities is necessary while healing. Keeping your blood pressure from rising and avoiding sweating can also help in your quick recovery.
Staying Realistic Can Help You Go Through Your Hair Transplant Journey
This type of surgery is a permanent way to correct your hair loss. Even so, the results may vary depending on the patient’s case or general health. Some shedding may happen, but you must continue the aftercare instructions from your hair doctor. Lifestyle and diet changes may be necessary to help with your recovery. Working with your doctor can help ensure the possible success of your hair transplant procedure.
References:
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/hair-transplantation-and-restoration/preparation
https://www.fueclinics.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-your-hair-transplant/
https://www.hairrestorationinstitute.com/patient-resources/preparing-for-your-procedure/ https://www.healthline.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/everything-to-know-about-a-fue-hair-transplant
