Pre- and Post-Operative Care

THE WEEK BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE:

Stop taking any medications, herbs, or vitamin supplements herbs that increase blood flow or thin the blood. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (e.g. Motrin, Aleve, Advil), Echinacea, Ginsing, Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Vitamin E and any vitamins or supplements for weight training/muscle mass before the procedure.
Stop using any topical hair treatment products that increase blood flow to the scalp, including Rogaine
Refrain from alcohol one full week before and after the procedure.
Refrain from smoking and nicotine products one week before your procedure. Nicotine constricts blood vessels making it difficult for oxygen rich blood to get to the surgical site.
If you are having FUT, do not cut the hair on the back of your head before surgery. This will make it more difficult to hide the suture line. Keep it around 1-2 inches long for best results.

THE DAY BEFORE SURGERY:

Pick up your medications for surgery. Do not take them until the doctor tells you to.
Do not use mousse, gel, hairspray, or any hair products.
Do not use any makeup, this includes foundation, powder, blush, mascara, eye shadow, eyeliner, lipstick, lip gloss, etc.
Leave all jewelry and body piercings at home.
Do not wear contacts; bring glasses and a glasses case.
Bring containers for hearing aids or dentures to be removed prior to going into the operating room.

THE DAY OF SURGERY:

Eat a light breakfast (nothing fatty, fried or greasy).
You will be given light oral sedation during the procedure. This will be prescribed to your pharmacy. You will pick this up before your surgery. Do not take this until instructed to by your surgeon. You will need to have someone drive you home.
Wear comfortable clothing that does not need to be pulled over your head. A button down or zippered shirt is easiest and some patients like to wear sweatpants for comfort. Valuables should be left at home.
Feel free to bring music, podcasts, or audiobooks to listen to during your procedure. Our procedure room is also equipped with music.
YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE A RIDE HOME BY A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND. This is due to the sedation and/or pain medication as well as the length of your day here at our center. A hair team member will call your ride when you are ready to be picked up.

AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE

DAY 0 (THE FIRST 24 HOURS)

Avoid contact with the grafts, as they can be dislodged if you are not careful.
You will leave the clinic wearing a light dressing. You will need to keep this on the first night.
We will provide you with a spray bottle with sterile saline. Start spraying the recipient area every 30 minutes until bedtime. Spraying will speed up the healing, protect against infection, minimize scabbing and relieve any itching sensation. Place the spray bottle in the fridge overnight.
Sleep with your head elevated at a 30-degree angle for the first couple of nights following surgery to help decrease the swelling.

DAY 1-2 (HOURS 24-72)

We will provide you with a spray bottle with sterile saline. Spray the recipient area every 30 minutes while awake.
Sleep with your head elevated at a 30-degree angle for the first couple of nights following surgery to help decrease the swelling.
Remove the dressing from the donor area after 24 hours. If it feels like the bandage is sticking to your wound, pour lukewarm water onto the dressing to get it wet and gently and slowly remove it. Do not rip the bandage off while it is stuck because it can start bleeding. Once you have removed the dressing, gently wash the donor area.
Use the mild shampoo that comes in your aftercare bag. Start by rinsing the donor area with room-temperature water. Apply a small amount of baby shampoo into the palm of your hand and rub your hands together. Spread the shampoo on the donor area using your fingertips and gently massage the area. Do not wash the transplanted area. Rinse thoroughly. Dry naturally. Repeat twice daily. Apply a thin coat of Vaseline, Vitamin A&E ointment, Aquaphor ointment, or Mupirocin ointment to the donor area before bed for the next five days.

DAYS 3-7

You can stop spraying your recipient area.
You may now gently wash your recipient area. Wet your head with a cup of room-temperature water Do not rub or massage the shampoo on your scalp. Instead, apply a small amount to the palm of your hand and rub your hands together. Softly use your fingertips to place the shampoo onto the recipient area. Do not pick or scratch the scabs. Allow your hair to dry naturally. Alternatively, you can pat it dry very gently with a clean towel taking care to keep the grafts secure.
Keep washing your head twice daily until the scabs fall off.

DAY 7+

You may now GENTLY massage your scalp every time you wash it with your fingertips in a gentle kneading motion to remove the scabs. The scabs will gradually fall off.
As the scabs fall off, you may notice that hair is shed with them. This is normal. The hair shafts detach from the grafts and fall out with the scabs.

GENERAL:

Itching on the scalp is common. Please avoid scratching your head. You may take an over the counter antihistamine, such as Zyrtec, Benadryl, Allegra, or Claritin.
Numbness and tingling sensations in the recipient area can appear during the healing process. They are normal and usually resolve after a few days.
Your transplanted hair might shed two to four weeks after the surgery, making you look like you did before the hair transplant began. This is called “shock loss.” This is part of the healing process. You should note regrowth 3-5 months after the hair sheds. At 7-8 monthes, you should expect 50-60% regrowth. Final results are expected at 12-15 months.
This growth may occur at irregular rates, with some hairs coarser, finer, darker, or lighter in colour, and with different textures than those of your original hair. In most instances, this eventually normalises. However, it may take 15 months or more from the starting point before cosmetically satisfactory results are seen, especially if the procedure involved the crown area.
You will be prescribed an antibiotic and a steroid. Start these the morning after your surgery.
Pain management: Your doctor may prescribe a narcotic pain medication. You can take this medication and alternate this pain medication with ibuprofen (aka Motrin or Advil). Alternate each pain medication every three hours (narcotic, 3 hours later, ibuprofen, 3 hours later, narcotic, and so on). You can expect to still feel pain after your pain medication. The goal of the pain medication is to lessen the severity.
Do not drive or operate machinery while on narcotic pain medication.
Constipation is a common side effect from narcotics and over the counter Colace may be used per bottle directions to help alleviate the discomfort.
Avoid lifting more than 10 lbs (about the same as a gallon of milk) exercise, and straining. If you note straining while using the restroom, take an over the counter stool softener. If you are unsure about a particular activity or work-related responsibility during this period, ask your surgeon for clarification.
Avoid smoking or secondary smoke exposure for optimal healing.
Avoid direct sun exposure after your procedure for at least 14 days.
Swelling may occur between the second and the fourth day following surgery. It is painless and will begin on the forehead and over the bridge of the nose. It may proceed to surround the eyes. Do not worry. The swelling will subside spontaneously in 2 to 3 days. You can speed up the process by using ice packs on the swollen areas. Massaging will also help. Use your index and middle fingers. Start at the centre of your forehead and gently move toward your temples.
Avoid hair styling products like gel, mousse, hair fibres, hair coloring, hairdryers and power showers for four weeks.
You may wear a hat 10 days after surgery.

We consider it an honor and a privilege to provide surgical care with the goal of improving your health and overall quality of life.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any questions or concerns that arise before or after your surgery at 833-723-6863.