During last 8 months since I
started writing this blog, I received many queries regarding hair transplant.
So I decided to write a FAQ post. This post is a summary of all previous posts.
The answers below are based on my personal experience. So please consider them
as reference only.
1. Which
hair transplant procedure should I select?
There is no rule as such for
selecting the type of procedure, but in general, if you need large number of
hairs to cover up the bald area (more than 2000), then its better to go for FUT
method (strip) and if smaller area is to be covered ex. a bald patch, then its
good to go for FUE (one by one hair extraction and implantation).
Still, your doctor will suggest
based on your situation. Some doctors suggest to go for FUT as there is chance
of follicle loss during FUE since hairs are extracted with some punches without
any view if the root is getting damaged inside. This is avoided in FUT as the
roots are separated rom each other under a microscope. During my decision
process, I decided to go for FUE for most of the time but ended up undergoing
FUT. My fear was the scar on backside. But fortunately, the scar doesn't
show up if you keep hair length more than 3-4 mm.
2. How to select the
doctor/clinic?
This is very important part. From
my point of view, select a clinic where a large number of surgeries if performed
daily.
This is because experience of
performing a surgery counts. Every clinic specialized in Hair Transplant
tries to attract patients based on a STAR doctor. That is their USP. But
the doctor himself never performs the complete surgery. His assistants (who are
not necessarily doctors) are involved throughout the surgery. The STAR doctor
only performs the important parts like hairline or
strip stitching etc.
So its better to select clinic
with high density of surgeries daily so that you are in safe hands even if the
main doctor is not involved completely during surgery.
3. What
should I clarify with the doctor before surgery?
This question is related to above
question. You should clarify how much time the doctor will spend with you during
the surgery. Insist on more time with you.
You should also confirm the
action the clinic will take in case the results are not good after 8-10 months.
When they are charging huge amounts, you should ask for guarantee of the
results. Discuss how follow ups will be done post surgery.
4. What should I be aware about?
(Marketing gimmicks)
Do not ever fall pray to the confidence
boost gimmick. Your confidence is within you and not based on your hairs.
Some doctors provide an option of
reducing the surgery cost if you allow to be filmed during surgery. They will
use that for advertising. It's up-to you if you go for it. I found it not so
attractive option. They use your surgery as a training for the students. So if
you select this option, be very specific that the surgery should be
performed without intervention from trainees.
5. What care should I take after
the surgery?
Eat well, follow healthy
lifestyle, take sound sleep, do some Yoga, stay away from pollution and keep
calm. I would say these practices will help maintain good health which will
lead to success of your hair transplant. I am not a doctor to advise this but
my experiences says these practices compliment the hair growth.
6. What to expect in 1 month
after the surgery?
Do not expect transformation in 1
month. You will see transplanted hairs falling out by 1 month.
My experience was that the single
stranded hairs did not fall. They were transplanted in frontal part. In fact
they are still growing after 8 months. The double and triple stranded hairs
fell. So you can go for hair cut after 1 month so that you have uniformity
on the head.
You original hairs will grow
faster than transplanted hairs. So you can have a haircut to make whole length
equal. The cut on doner area heals quickly. By 1 month, the pain is gone and
scar starts disappearing. It is advisable to stay away from pollution
during this period. Better to stay and work from home.
7. What to expect in 2 to 9
months after the surgery?
By 9 months, you should change in
appearance.
In my case, since the single
stranded hairs never fell, they grew to full length. The double and single
stranded hairs have also started growing but still very small. I suppose by 12
months, they should be up.
You can have haircut at usual
intervals as you have now. But special attention should be paid to the haircut
as hairs grow with different lengths in different areas on head now.
If you have to attend a function
or a ceremony or party, you might have to use Hair Fibers to look fine. Else
you might become talk of town there. But its case by case and not applicable to
everyone.
8. What is hair style dilemma
after the transplant.
Well I explained this already in
last question. Since the hairs are growing at different lengths on head, you
have to be careful while having haircut so that you look uniform in the hairs.
I used to call it as hairstyle dilemma.
9. Should you inform friends and
family about your decision?
I would suggest to do your
homework well and decide based on your conclusions. Do not ask everyone weather
its good for you or not etc questions. Its good to be away from regular place
while the hairs are growing. But its not possible for everyone. Try to keep IN
so that you don't have to explain to everyone meeting you. Remember that
you decide to go for HT for yourself and not for others. So don't be
responsible for explanations.
Take the Hair Transplant as a 1
year challenge and take every effort to make it successful. I told above that
doctor should give guarantee about success. But its equal responsibility of you
to take every possible care post surgery.
Please let me know if you have
any other questions. I will try to answer based on experience.
