FAQ
Q. WHEN AM I GOING TO FEEL NORMAL AGAIN (EFFECTS OF MEDICATIONS)?
A. Around 24 hours which is why we request you do not drive
Q. WHEN WILL THIS NUMBNESS GO AWAY?
A. The Marcaine should wear off within 8 hours but it is typical to feel slight numbness in the scalp for a few months. If it seems like it is lasting longer, call us at 518-581-1872.
Q. AM I GOING TO BLEED TONIGHT?
A. There may be some slight oozing from the donor area tonight which is why we give you the blue pads to place on your pillow. Remember white side up to absorb any drainage. If you lay on the blue side, it will not absorb and you will sweat!
Q. IS IT GOING TO HURT WHEN THE MEDS WEAR OFF?
A. Generally, no, but there may be some discomfort in the donor area tonight so make sure you take 1-2 of the Lorazepam/Ativan, it will help you relax and sleep. If you feel pain or a headache coming on, take the Acetaminophen with Codeine (Tylenol with Codeine) or you may have to take an OTC pain killer instead like Extra Strength Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, etc.
Q. HOW SOON/OFTEN SHOULD I WASH MY HAIR AND HOW DO I DO THAT?
A. If we do it, you can come in anytime after 9:30 the following day. If you are doing it, wait as close to 24 hours as possible. The reason being, if we’re washing your hair and a graft comes loose, we can put it back in but that really isn’t possible for you. Therefore the 24 hour rule so we can give those grafts a chance to really set in place before you wash it yourself.
Q. WHEN WILL IT START GROWING?
A. Generally, it will begin to grow in 3-4 months. Until then, it will be in a rest phase. As it starts to grow, you will probably experience a little itching as the hair begins to break through the scalp.
Q. IS THIS GOING TO BE NOTICEABLE TO PEOPLE?
A. It always depends on the patient. With all FU’s the scabs are usually off in 5-6 days. The larger scabs may take up to two weeks to fall off. If you use the Saline spray we provide you with (a few spritzes every hour throughout the day on your grafts for the first week or two) it can speed the healing process for you.
Q. CAN I WEAR A HAT?
A. Absolutely! You just want to make sure it isn’t too tight or form fitting in the donor or hairline area.
Q. AM I GOING TO SWELL?
A. During surgery we use a Kenalog mixture and we also give you Prednisone pre-operatively to prevent swelling. For three days post surgery, you will take 2 Prednisone tablets with your breakfast. This usually works to prevent swelling. Some of our patients who have a lot of hairline/temple work have found that taking a bag of frozen vegetables (preferably peas), wrapped in a hand towel and placing it on the forehead for 10 minute intervals on the first night, can relieve and prevent swelling.
Q. WHEN CAN I START EXERCISING AGAIN?
A. Walking is fine but we recommend waiting at least 5 days for any heavy lifting or excessive sweating. 7 days would be ideal.
Q. WHEN DO THE SUTURES COME OUT AND DO I HAVE TO COME IN FOR THAT?
A. Generally, the sutures can be removed in 2 weeks time. You can come back into our Saratoga office, our Latham office or we can provide you with a suture removal kit with instructions and you can have a friend or family member remove them for you. You can also go to a walk in clinic or your primary care physician (they do generally charge a fee).
Q. DO I NEED TO COME BACK FOR A FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENT? IF SO, WHEN?
A. We do recommend returning for a follow up appointment 10 months to a year from now to meet with the doctor, so he can take some photos and re-evaluate your progress.
Q. WHEN CAN I GO BACK TO WORK?
A. That is up to you, depending on your job. If there is heavy lifting involved, we recommend that you wait at least a week. if you can cover your head with a hat or scarf/bandana, you can go back to work the following day, depending on how you feel. Most patients give themselves a few days to a week of rest, that way, if you have swelling it will be gone by then. Also note, swelling is most pronounced on day 3 after surgery.
Q. CAN I GET A NOTE FOR WORK?
A. Yes, of course! Be sure to let us know what you would like the doctor to say.
Q. WHAT IF I HAVE AN EMERGENCY?
A. If an emergent situation occurs, please call our emergency contact number on the blue post-op sheets.
Q. HOW SOON CAN I PUT PRODUCT IN MY HAIR?
A. We recommend waiting a few days until the scabs are formed. We advise you never apply product on open wounds.
Q. DO I NEED TO KEEP MY HEAD ELEVATED TO SLEEP?
A. It is perfectly fine to sleep on an extra pillow for your first night of recovery. Graft size is much smaller in modern procedures and therefore there is little chance of loosening the grafts.
Q. DO I NEED TO USE A SPECIAL SHAMPOO?
A. Any shampoo is fine but we suggest holding off on medicated shampoos for at least a few days.
Q. HOW SOON BEFORE I CAN DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?
A. As long as you are not taking the pain medication, the day after your surgery should be fine.
Q. HOW SOON CAN I DRIVE?
A. The following morning! The sedation medication can have effects for up to 24 hours in your system. You may feel fine but your abilities may still be impaired.
Q. HOW SOON CAN I EAT?
A. You may eat whenever you’d like as there are no food restrictions after surgery.
Q. HOW SOON CAN I RETURN TO RETURN TO SEXUAL ACTIVITY?
A. We advise you avoid strenuous activity or excessive sweating for at least 5 days. 7 days is ideal.
Q. HOW SOON CAN I USE MY BLOW DRYER?
A. As long as you keep it on a cool setting, it should be fine. Be careful when using a comb or brush, do not let them touch your scalp because they may dislodge a graft or snag a suture.
Q. WHAT DO I DO IF A GRAFT COMES OUT?
A. If it is dried up, there is nothing you can do. If it is still moist, put it in a saline solution and bring it in if you live close. The longer it is out of the body, the less the chance of viability there is. If it is bleeding, hold pressure until it stops.
Q. CAN I GO SWIMMING OR SIT IN A HOT TUB?
A. Chlorinated water in a swimming pool is not good for new grafts. Wading in the ocean is okay, but keep your head covered with a hat or bandana as you won’t want to sunburn your scalp. Hot tubs can increase blood pressure and cause grafts to loosen and/or pop. We advise you wait at least a few days to a week.
Q. HOW LONG BEFORE I CAN PUT MAKEUP ON (FOR EYEBROW TRANSPLANTS)?
A. We recommend you avoid rubbing or applying any pressure or friction to the area for at least two weeks. You may return to your daily makeup/skincare routine, just make sure to avoid the transplant area.
Q. WILL MY EYEBROWS GROW LIKE REGULAR EYEBROW HAIR?
A. After your transplant, your eyebrows will grow at the speed of your normal hair, as this is where the graft came from. After an eyebrow transplant you will have to regularly trim the new hairs, as they grow.
Q. WHEN CAN I BRUSH MY HAIR?
A. You may brush your hair the following day, but you must avoid the scalp for at least 2 weeks.
Q. IS IT PAINFUL?
A. Due to the local anesthetic, there is minimal pain and minor discomfort for the first few days but if you experience anything extreme, please contact us.
Q. DOES IT REALLY WORK?
A. The success rate of hair transplant surgery relies upon the experience of the surgeon and their team. Our team has over 30 years of combined experience and uses a very artistic surgical technique, yielding natural looking results, which separates The Saratoga Hair Center from other hair transplant facilities.
Q. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
A. Every patient requires a customized treatment plan to suit your individual hair needs. In order to get an accurate quote, please give our office a call to schedule a consultation. We also offer financing options, which you can access here.
Q. WHEN CAN I COLOR MY HAIR AGAIN?
A. You may color your hair up to two days before your surgery and can color it again 2 weeks following your surgery after the sutures have been removed.
Q. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FUE AND FUT?
A. FUT is a Follicular Unit Transplant where the strip is harvested from the back of your head. FUE is a Follicular Unit Extraction where each individual graft is harvested one graft at a time and does not leave a linear scar.
Q. HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE DO THE SURGEONS HAVE?
A. Dr. Beehner, Dr. Slaughter and our team of skilled professionals have over 30 years of combined experience.
Q. WHAT IS PRP?
A. PRP is platelet-rich plasma, also known as autologous conditioned plasma. It is a concentrate of platelet-rich plasma protein derived from whole blood, centrifuged to remove red blood cells. We utilize a state of the art micro needling device on the scalp with your own platelet-rich plasma to stimulate the growth of new hair follicles.