10 Tips In Planning Your Hair Transplant
By: baytechTotal Views: 294, Word Count: 786,
1. Find Old Pictures of Yourself- Memories fade and it is very common that men and women remember their hairline to be much lower than it really was. It is very useful to come to your consultation with old photographs in order to plan an appropriate hairline restoration.
2. Identify Clearly What Aspect of Your Hair Loss Bothers You the Most- Take a look in the mirror and decide where you want more hair. Most people want a thicker or lower hairline, and this is usually appropriate. However, some men care more about hair loss in the crown or on the sides. It is commonly not possible to restore all of the thin areas in 1 procedure so it is important to prioritize.
3. Make Sure That You are Healthy Enough for Elective Surgery. Most people who decide upon hair transplant surgery are relatively healthy and the procedure presents little risk. However, if you have active heart disease, chronic lung disease, severe diabetes, or are on anticoagulants (blood thinners), it is important that you talk with your personal physician before proceeding. In such cases I make a point to speak with your doctor immediately after the consultation in order to discuss risks and medications.
4. If You Have a Scalp Condition, Talk to Your Dermatologist First- There are several uncommon skin diseases that result in hair loss. Put another way, not all hair loss is genetic. If you have been diagnosed with a scalp disorder, talk with your dermatologist about hair transplant surgery and come to your consultation with a copy of your medical record and results of any scalp biopsies.
5. Choose the Right Doctor for Your Hair Transplant- Hair transplant surgery is minor surgery, but there is an art and science associated with achieving good results. Some doctors perform this operation every day and others do it rarely. It is best to choose a specialist in hair restoration surgery who is dedicated to this practice. In addition, since hair loss is progressive, you are going to have a long relationship with this physician. Make sure that you doctor is someone you enjoy talking with and who is available when you need him.
6. Think Locally- It has become common for patients to travel long distances for elective surgery and this practice has its benefits and risks. If you are thinking about choosing a doctor a plane ride away from your home, you must understand that if problems arise it will be difficult to access your doctor and you may have to seek consultation from a less committed provider nearer to your home. If you are considering this option, ask your surgeon to recommend someone in your area and make a game plan.
7. Strip Method vs. Follicular Unit Extraction- Most hair transplant surgery involves the removal of a donor strip of skin from the back of the head which provides the hair grafts. This leaves a fine scar which is hidden by your existing hair. Follicular Unit Extraction is a technique in which the grafts are removed individually from the back of the head, leaving no linear scar. The Strip Method is faster, less expensive, and allows for more grafts to be transplanted at once. FUE leaves no visible scar and can be the right choice in patients with poor donor density and those who do not require large numbers of grafts to achieve the desired cosmetic result.
8. Propecia First- In patients who are in their early twenties and have lost less than 30% of their hair, or in patients with isolated crown thinning, it may be wise to try Propecia prior to embarking on hair restoration surgery. In some cases the Propecia can result in a significant cosmetic benefit and prevent enough hair loss to delay the need for surgery and allow your doctor to observe the natural course of your hair loss.
9. Prepare to take a Few Days Off- Although hair transplant surgery is a minor procedure, it does require 4-7 hours of surgery. Expect to be a little tired the next day. Additionally, the recipient area in front may be a little swollen and pink, and depending on the amount of your existing hair, may show. Decide whether you can go to work with a hat or if you care about your associates noticing that you have had a procedure. Many people choose to take 2-5 days off and then return to work.
10. Get Recommendations from Prior Patients- There is no better way to feel comfortable about your choice of doctor than talking to his/her prior patients. Most doctors are happy to give you the number of 1-2 patients who have agreed to provide advice and recommendations.
About the Author
Dr Gorrin is a hair transplant doctor at Bay Area
http://www.gorrinsurgical.com/contact
Advice Rating: Not yet rated
Login to vote