Okay, the surgery is over. Now let’s go home and grow some hair! Now, I’m sure your doctor gave some detailed instructions. Of course one reason for the written instructions, is you were pretty groggy during your hair transplant procedure and probably don’t remember any details the doctors mentioned during the surgery.

Since, these instructions are designed to maximize success of your follicular unit transplant, you may want to review your instructions several time and maybe commit them to memory.

Remember, there are two areas of concern: the donor area and the recipient area. After the donor strip of scalp removal, the donor area was most likely sutured together. The recipient area is the scalp area of hair follicle implantation. After the first couple of days, the donor area is the most likely source of recurring pain.

For this reason, your doctor will prescribe enough pain medication for a couple of days. After the initial pain subsides Extra Strength Tylenol may be all that is necessary to curb the pain.

As part of your instructions, your doctor included instructions on washing your hair. Many patients believe washing may loosen the implanted hair follicles. Nothing could be farther from the truth; especially if the cleansing is done per your doctor’s instructions, the chances of loosening the grafts are minimal. Moreover, shampooing gently will remove normal oils, residual blood and dirt from your scalp. This will also reduce the chances of infections.

After your Follicular Unit Transplant, your instructions will most likely include keeping the scalp moistened with humectants. One of the most commonly used is GraftCyte or a common saline solution. For the donor area, this also tends to reduce the itching normally occurring during the healing process.

Hair Transplants - What’s coming next?

Did anyone tell you that a majority of the transplanted hairs would fall out?

As a matter of fact, they may also fall out with the hair bulbs attached. This is a normal occurrence and should not cause alarm. In general, these hairs will fall out within 3-4 weeks, and they return as very fine hairs three to six months later.

As they continue to grow, the hairs gain strength or diameter and are nearly indistinguishable from native hair after about a year or eighteen months.

COUVRe Alopecia Masking Lotion

Prior to your hair transplant procedure the key thing to do to prepare for it is careful planning. There are a number of important decisions that need to be made in consultation with your Doctor to ensure a result that you are going to be happy with for the rest of your life.

From an aesthetic, cosmetic point of view, probably the most crucial issue will be where to place your new hairline and what shape to make it. What you decide however will depend on a number of factors including what age you are, what type of hair you have and your individual pattern of hair loss and how much hair has been lost at the time of the transplant.

A 25 year old will have a totally different expectation of where he wants his hair line than say a 45 year old, but a responsible Doctor will need to find a solution that will still look good at 70 years or more.

To do this he will need to take into account the potential for further hair loss behind the transplant area and possibly the need for additional procedures at a later stage. This will mean careful conservation of the donor area to ensure there will be sufficient permanent hair left.

To be able to have a more meaningful input in the planning process, the more you understand about your particular hair type and the stages the balding process is likely to go through, and the causes behind it, the better.

The greatest risk with transplant procedures is in things not turning out the way you expected. The best way to eliminate this risk is through understanding what to expect and why.

For an excellent article covering these basic issues follow this link http://www.forhair.com/patientguidecontents.htm

Once you have a grasp of what is needed and why, you will want to discuss with your doctor the exact process you will go through during the procedure. He should be able to provide you with a detailed plan of the day and what to expect at every stage.

One factor which can limit the available quantity of hair for transplanting is how tight or loose the scalp is on the scull. The looser the better as far as ease of harvesting the donor strips is concerned.

One group of surgeons recommends the patient perform a simple exercise to promote this scalp ‘laxity’ which involves interlacing the fingers on the back of the head where the permanent hair is located and pressing firmly enough to slide the scalp forward and back for about 5 minutes at a time several times a day. This can also be done to the sides of the head as well. This practice should begin as soon as possible once the decision to go ahead with the transplant is made.

Deciding to use a surgical hair transplant technique is something that is going to effect the rest of your life so this is a decision that must be entered into thoughtfully and reasonably and with a working knowledge of the procedures and the possible outcomes good or not .

Who you choose to carry out the procedure is obviously of crucial importance. Technical expertise is vital but so also is the aesthetic understanding and long term vision to help you make the right decisions that you will be happy with for the rest of your life.

Taking this step towards boosting your self esteem and refining your image could be the most profound step you ever take in improving your physical appearance and emotional wellbeing. Enjoy it!

Once you’ve decided that a hair transplant is what you want, there are several things to consider. One of the main ones, of course, is HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

The initial answer to that question is , ” It depends. ” Let’s look at some of the factors that could impact the final cost of your transplant surgery.

1- Your overall health;

First and foremost, is to always remember, that surgery, any kind of surgery, always carries with it a certain amount of risk. As a result, no reputable surgeon will operate on you unless he understands your complete medical history.

You can expect to fill out a lengthly form telling the doctor of any pre-existing medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, skin conditions,etc. ; This is for both of your protection. Neither one of you want any surprises while the operation is being performed. Complications cost more.

2- The size of the area to be treated.

a- Most surgeons charge by the number of graphs they have to make.

b- The number of graphs required run from 300 to 2500, generally speaking.

c- The graphs’ prices range from around $3.00 to $10.00 a graph.

d- Naturally, the larger the area, the larger the price.

3- The amount of times you’ll need to be treated.

a- Large areas, or multiple areas, will require several operations to complete the procedure.

b- This will require post-operative office visits, each time, so added costs will be necessary. Medication is also likely.

4- The expertise your doctor brings to the operation?

a- Just because a doctor is more expensive, does not mean he is necessarily a better surgeon. He may be at a location that has a very high overhead, and thus the price, is a reflection of his business acumen, and not his surgical skills.

b- Seek a surgeon who has performed several thousand hair transplant operations. Make sure he/she is Board Certified.

5- What State of the Art equipment is being used, and what other professionals will be assisting in the procedure? Are their fees separate, or are they included in the package price? Make sure you find out BEFORE HAND.

6- What are your expectations? Make sure you communicate you desires to the doctor, BEFORE, the transplant. Most people are happy with 50% hair restoration; However, if you want more, that will cost you.

7- Will you need Post-Operative treatment? If so, what kind, and for how long? Whatever it is, that will be added expenses. Plan ahead. You don’t want any unessary surprises.

Note;

Most surgeons have interest free, or very low interest payment plans for those who need financing. Payments can be adjusted to meet your financial needs.

Another option, if you don’t want to go into debt, is to get your surgery done in stages. You don’t have to have it done all at once.

However, there is a word of Caution: If you have too many procedures, over different time frames, the hair may not blend as well. This will defeat you purpose. You want to look as natural as possible.

Generally speaking, your looking at between $5000.00 and $15,000.00 for a hair transplant operation. Sounds like a lot of money, and it is, but why look older if you don’t have to?

By all means, be realistic. Set your priorities, correctly. If you find that you cannot afford the transplant just now, postpone it; You can have it done another time; However, if it’s within your means, GO FOR IT!