PRE-OP INSTRUCTIONS

BEFORE SURGERY

• Please arrive at the office no later than your specified appointment time. In the event that you may require medication, it is required that you be dropped off and picked up after your procedure
• You may wash your hair the morning of your surgery with your regular shampoo
• Do not drink alcohol or caffeine the night before or the morning of your procedure
• Eat a light breakfast prior to arriving for your procedure
• Wear a button-down shirt or something easily removable • If medications were given to you by your physician prior to the procedure, please bring them with you on your procedure day
• Upon your arrival to the practice, please complete your medical questionnaire and sign your consent forms
• Speak with your physician about any medications you are currently taking • Prior to your surgery, avoid any supplements or medications that could cause blood thinning such as, asprin, Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) etc.
• Pre-operative photos will be taken for your chart only unless other arrangements have been made
• Please consider what hairstyle you will wear for your procedure. The donor site will need to be shaven down using a 1 or 0 guard.
• Smoking is strongly prohibited as this will delay your wound healing time
• If you color your hair, it is recommended that you color your hair a few days before your procedure. After the procedure, you must wait 6-8 weeks before you can color your hair again and a semi-permanent color should be used instead of a permanent hair color that may cause damage to your new grafts. Permanent hair color can be used 3 months post-op.
• Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like. We want you to be well-informed.

DURING THE PROCEDURE

• You may bring your own audiobooks or music as long as it is appropriate for everyone
• At any time during the procedure you may get up for breaks, such as restroom breaks or a brief stretch
• We will break for lunch if your procedure is scheduled for the entire day. Please discuss lunch arrangements with the practice staff prior to your procedure.
• Friends and family are not allowed in the surgery room when the procedure is being done, however, they will be allowed to visit and check on your progress. By having others in a surgery suite lends to a non-sterile environment and is not encouraged by OSHA.

AFTER SURGERY

• You will be given all required prescriptions, medications and detailed post-op instructions. Please follow those instructions carefully.
• Should you have any questions concerning any aspect of your procedure, please call the office at (713) 401-9701

POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS

24-48 HOURS POST-OP

AVOID ALL CONTACT TO DONOR SITE AND NEWLY IMPLANTED GRAFTS

• There should be no direct water pressure from the shower head on the newly implanted grafts
• Do not wash your hair until at least 24 hours after your procedure
• To wash your recipient area, combine 2-3 drops of baby shampoo with lukewarm water in a cup. This will create a lather that should be poured gently over the recipient area, tilting your head back and pouring from your forehead to your crown. You may massage the donor site ONLY, but do NOT touch the recipient area with your fingers for 7 days post-op as this may cause the grafts to dislodge. You may gently wash the sides and back of your head using Johnson and Johnson Baby Shampoo. You may then rinse your recipient sites by gently pouring lukewarm (NOT hot) water from a cup over your scalp. Avoid direct water pressure on newly implanted grafts. After 7 days you may begin to wash your hair normally. This particular method of hair washing should be performed for the first 7 days following your procedure.
• Do not consume any alcohol for the first 24-48 hours after your procedure
• Sleep in an elevated position for the first 2 nights following the procedure. It is best to use 3 pillows under your upper body or sleep in a recliner
• Consult with your physician before resuming any medications, including vitamins and herbal supplements
• No ibuprofen (e.g. Advil, Motrin), aspirin, or blood thinners of any kind. Tylenol may be taken to help manage pain. Speak with your physician to see if prescription-strength pain medication is needed.

AFTER 48 HOURS POST-OP

THE DONOR SITE SHOULD NOW BE CLOSED UP AND HEALING. YOUR PHYSICIAN MAY SUGGEST REMOVING THE BANDAGE AT THIS TIME

• There should still be no direct water pressure from the shower head on the newly implanted grafts.
• As your scalp begins to heal, you will start to see scabbing on the donor site as well as the newly implanted graft site. This is perfectly normal
• A very loose-fitting hat/cap (that does not come in contact with the grafts) may be worn
• After the bandages are removed, apply a triple antibiotic ointment, such as Bacitracin, over the donor area at least 3 times a day for the next 3-4 days to keep it moist and promote scab healing
• Only use hair products that are recommended to you by your physician for the first 14 days
• You may massage the donor site, but do not touch the new grafts with your fingers for 7 days post-op as this may cause the grafts to dislodge

2-3 WEEKS POST-OP

AFTER 2 WEEKS, THE SCABS SHOULD HAVE FALLEN OFF

• Avoid excessive sun exposure to the grafts for the first 90 days. After 14 days you may use spray-on sunscreen or an adjustable hat if you will be out in the sun for more than 30 minutes
• Avoid exposure to water (e.g. swimming), which may result in submersion of the newly implanted grafts, for at least the first 3 weeks
• No helmets, wigs, or fitted hats/caps/beanies for the first 14 days, unless otherwise cleared by your physician
• Avoid activities that cause excessive sweating, such as running, weightlifting, intense workouts, or the use of a sauna within the first 14 days. However, minor workouts can be added to your daily regimen
• Only use hair products that are recommended to you by your physician for the first 14 days
• Refrain from using bleaches or any type of hair dye for the first 6-8 weeks following your hair restoration procedure. Even afterward, it is recommended that you only use a semi-permanent dye so as to not damage your grafts.
• Check with your physician before resuming Rogaine 5% foam or Propecia at this time

3 WEEKS POST-OP

• Check with your physician before resuming Rogaine 5% foam or Propecia at this time

AFTER THE FIRST MONTH

• Check with your physician before resuming the use of supplemental hair products, such as Topik or Rogaine
• Continue to refrain from using bleaches or any type of hair dye for the first 6-8 weeks following your hair restoration procedure. Even afterward, it is recommended that you use a semi-permanent dye so as to not damage your grafts.

FOR ITCHING & DISCOMFORT

SCABBING OR ITCHING AT THE DONOR AND TRANSPLANT SITE IS NORMAL

• Do not pick or scratch at these scabs as this can hinder healing and could cause scarring or infection
• Scabs will naturally fall off within 2 weeks and may contain small hairs. (Do not be alarmed as this is normal. The hair bulb remains in the skin)
• A diluted saline solution (in a spray bottle) can be used as a skin-soothing mist that may reduce discomfort, itching, and inflammation. Spray the mist as needed up to 2 times a day for 2 weeks post-op to keep the scabs moist.  It is recommended to use the diluted saline solution on the irritated area immediately after showering.

FOR SLEEP

BY FOLLOWING THE DIRECTIONS BELOW, YOU WILL CONTROL SWELLING IN THE FOREHEAD/BROW REGION

• Frontal Hairline Restoration: Sleep in an elevated position for 2 nights following the procedure. It is best to use 3 pillows under your upper body or sleep in a recliner.
• Crown Restoration: Sleep with a neck pillow or rolled-up towel under your neck

FOR SWELLING

SWELLING IS A PART OF THE HEALING PROCESS AND TYPICALLY OCCURS ON DAY 2 OR 3 AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE. IT USUALLY DISAPPEARS IN 5-7 DAYS.

• Do not apply ice directly to the graft area
• For swelling around the eyes and forehead, apply an ice pack on the eyebrow area and below
• Do not use hot compresses
• Do not remove the pressure bandage from the back of the scalp. Discuss with your physician about the best time to remove these bandages.

FOR MINOR BLEEDING

IN OCCASIONAL INSTANCES, MINOR BLEEDING MAY OCCUR FROM THE TRANSPLANT SITE AND/OR DONOR AREA

• To control bleeding, apply gentle, but firm pressure on the area for 5-10 minutes with a dampened gauze pad. Press only, do not rub.