Category: Post-Operative

How long until the new grafts are secure and safe from loss?

For example, If I take a week off from work and return to work on day 7 post-op, are the new grafts secure?

Beyond day 7 post-op, is there anything in normal day to day activities that can damage the new grafts (excluding any type of catastrophic accident)?

Unless you actively pick at the grafts, the newly transplanted grafts are generally secure after the first 24-48 hours. If there are scabs on them, they can be pulled out by pulling on the scabs, so we always wash any scabbing away so that there is no graft anchoring to the scabs. Normal day to day activity should not affect the grafts, unless your normal day to day activity requires you to wear abrasive helmets or bounce soccer balls on your head… you get the idea.

Hi Dr. Rassman, I had a strip procedure done 3 months ago. How long should I wait before I start lifting weights? I’ve been hearing so many different things. Any info would be greatly appreciated…thanks

You can start lifting weights now. By 3 months, the healing is fairly secure in the strip area.

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How soon after a procedure can a patient wear a baseball hat to conceal the procedure?

Would a slighty oversized, baseball hat, placed gently on the head be OK?

You can wear a cap on the same day. In fact, at NHI we discharge almost all of our patients with a baseball cap. Written on the baseball cap is, “Look at me! I just had a hair transplant!”

Hey, I’m kidding!

All joking aside, as long as you wear the cap loosely it is OK and a good cover for even the most extensive hair transplants we do. The baseball cap we supply is plain blue with no markings on it.

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I am into my 6 month since my procedure of 3571 grafts and notice that the donor hair excised from the rear of my scalp which was previously long and straight are now growing out somewhat wavy and wirey – similar to beard/pubic hair.

Is this something to expect and that is normal at this time frame? Will these donors eventually be “re-trained” and straighten from regular combing/styling to evenly match my surrounding hairs???

It is possible that the microscopic scars at the level of the recipient graft is influencing the direction of hair growth and the character of the hair. Also, I have seen some changes in the texture of the hair shaft after a hair transplant which often (when it happens) corrects after one hair cycle (approximately 3 years). Also, many people have reported that the recipient area is more wavy than it was originally which might be the manifestation of what I just discussed. It could be that the hair was just thicker and healthier, so what you could be observing is just the normal hair (not the miniaturized hair that was normally in the front which is finer and may have a very poor character). Rarely, transplanted hair can become kinky, but I only recall having seeing this a couple of times. The use of gels, mousses, and good conditioners will help you gain control over this new hair — just experiment and find out what works for you.

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Hello-

It seems like every HT Doctor recommends someting differenet for post-op care of the new grafts…..such as…..Biotin Spray…..Saline Spray…..Graftcyte….Vitamin E Oil…..to nothing….etc.

What do you recommend for post-op care of the grafts?

Thanks

You are correct. Nearly every hair transplant doctor seems to recommend something different. There are no scientific studies that indicate that one post operative care is better than the other.

It is important to note the most critical part of a hair transplant surgery is during the procedure itself (the peri-operative care). Making sure that the surgical staff kept the grafts moist, wet, and cool at all times so they have the maximum chance at survival. Once the grafts have been transplanted in to the recipient area, it should be fine. All of the post-operative care is not as important as the peri-operative care. Even if you do nothing to at all, the transplanted hair should grow just as well. In my practice, I make sure the recipient sites are kept clean with daily washings with a mild soap. For over 15 years, we’ve consistently had great results! Perhaps it was the ritualistic hair growth dance and chanting I teach to all my patients. Ha!

Hi. I just wanted to know if you have a hair transplant most surgeons tell you after 3 months the transplanted hair start growing. Is it possible it could take longer and if so how long would be the maximum?

My friend had a 3000 graft trasplant done and its been over 4 months, but not much has happened. He says he was very sick on the 2nd day after surgery and the pressure going to his head from vomiting made him feel as if the grafts were going to pop out. Is it possible something could have gone wrong due to vomiting? Thanks for your time.

Some people can have some side effects of drugs that are used for sedation after a hair transplant. Every medication has side effects, but most of the medications we use have few detectable side effects at the doses we utilize. If there are any lingering effects from these drugs, they may last a day or two at most. There has been a rare occasion where a patient was recently sick with the flu just before a transplant, so it would be logical that the same thing could happen after a hair transplant. Perhaps he caught the flu and it was coincidence. I really can’t tell you, as I have no idea.

Concerning your friend, hair starts growing at between 1-5 months after a transplant. I doubt that your friend lost any grafts or did any damage from being sick after the transplant.