Hair transplant surgery is a very involved process. It can last half a day or even the entire day (the so-called megasession). The length of the procedure depends on the number of follicular units transplanted and the technique used to harvest the donor hair (strip harvest takes less time than FUE).
The Day of the Hair Transplant
The hair transplantation takes place in a chair, similar to a dentist’s chair. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, which means you will be awake during the procedure and numbing medication will be injected into the scalp (both in the donor area and in the recipient scalp). The hair transplant takes place in two phases, harvest followed by implantation. In order to speed up the process, the hair transplant surgeon will have a staff of several technicians that will assist in the extraction and help prepare follicular unit grafts. Most surgeons have televisions set up in the operating room, which allow you to watch television or movies during the procedure. You will have a lunch break, but are also allowed to take breaks during the procedure if necessary.
Does it hurt?
Despite the fact that the scalp is a very sensitive area, the pain associated with hair transplant is minimal. Pain medications and sleeping aids will be prescribed to ease any scalp soreness that may arise.
The Day After
You will need to return to the surgeon’s office the day after surgery for a follow up evaluation, and to carefully clean the site. If any of the follicular unit grafts have become dislodged, the medical staff will return them to their intended location.
There may be a few restrictions on activity. For example, you will not be able to wash your hair until the third day after the hair transplant. Recovery time depends on whether you had sutures or not. In a strip procedure, activity may be restricted for up to thirty days but with FUE, patients can return to mild to moderate exertion about the same time they can resume washing their hair.
