Guidelines & Pre-operative checklist for hair restoration surgery

Hair restoration preparation Pre hair transplant operation checklist

Pre-Operative checklist for Hair Restoration Surgery

One to two months before the hair transplant

This is not intended as a comprehensive guide and each clinic has its own particular preferences so check with the clinic conducting your hair transplant to find out the all the guidelines you need to follow.

· Grow you hair long ready to comb over the donor and recipient sites once the bandages come off.

· Talk to the clinic about potential drug interactions and find out what drugs, herbs, vitamins, and foods you should avoid or keep to a minimum in the month before surgery.

· Find out the time your procedure will start and the approximate time it will end. The exact time the hair transplant will be complete cannot be guaranteed. Most transplants start early in the morning and take a full day to complete. Make sure to avoid arranging appointments etc around the time of the procedure. Leave some days after the procedure free so that you can get your bandages and sutures removed as and when required. You might have this done at the transplant clinic or it may be done by your family doctor. Find out which and make the appointments for bandage and suture removal.

· If you do not live close to the clinic make arrangements to travel and book a hotel room. Many clinics have special deals with hotels nearby and can arrange a place for you to stay. They might also arrange airline flights for you too. You should stay for at least one day after the procedure so the surgeon can follow up with you.

· If you do not live close to the clinic make arrangements to travel and book a hotel room. Many clinics have special deals with hotels nearby and can arrange a place for you to stay. They might also arrange airline flights for you too. You should stay for at least one day after the procedure so the surgeon can follow up with you.

· Fill any prescriptions prescribed by your surgeon. These may include antibiotics and/or pain medication for after the surgery. You may want to get a pill case with a time chart for taking medications.

· Notify your surgeon if you develop any skin infections or other irregularities on or around your anticipated surgery site, or if you otherwise become ill. Early treatment may help to prevent cancellation of the surgery.

One to two weeks before surgery

· Stop drinking alcohol.

· Possibly stop smoking and limit your exposure to second-hand smoke.

· Stop taking medications and drugs as defined by your surgeon, particularl drugs known to reduce blood coagulation. Remeber to consult with your doctor and hair transplant surgeon first before stopping drug use. Make sure that both your doctor and hair transplant surgeon are fully informed about the hair transplant and all of the drugs you are taking so that they can give you their full advice. Aspirin and other blood thinning supplements and vitamins; anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, Alleve, or Motrin; and Vitamin E are common drugs you may be asked to stop taking.

· Start taking any supplements and/or vitamins as recommended by your surgeon and begin any specific preoperative diet your surgeon may recommend. This may include a low-sodium diet or the restriction of unfavorable carbohydrates.

· Do not have permanent waves, hair coloring, or hair relaxing procedures.

· Buy some bags of frozen peas or similar that you can apply to your scalp as a cold compress after the hair transplant.

· If your surgery is to take place in a hospital and you have not yet called the admitting department to confirm your arrangements, do so now.

· If you have children or pets, make arrangements for their care during preoperative and surgical visits.

· If necessary (depending on your general health), arrange for someone to care for you for at least the first 24 hours following surgery, possibly longer. This may even involve hiring a nurse. Make sure this person has read both the preoperative and postoperative care instructions provided by your doctor.

· Plan meals for up to 2 weeks following surgery. This may include preparing and freezing meals. You may also want to consider quick snacks such as soup, jell-o, applesauce, protein shakes, yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, and juice. Have flexible straws for easier drinking. Consult your doctor with any questions about post-operative nutrition.

· Purchase a thermometer, antibacterial soap, dressings, gauze, or any other post-operative necessities.

· Pay any bills that will be due during your recovery and take care of banking matters.

· Clean your house if necessary and arrange for any housekeeping services needed during your recovery.

· You may want to place a small stool in your shower for easier showering. These can be rented from a local medical rental company.

One to three days prior to the hair transplantation

· Travel to the clinic where the transplant is to be done if you are not living nearby.

· Don’t party all night - gets lots of sleep. If you take sleeping pills check with the clinic in advance that the type of pills you use are okay and won’t interfere with the drugs used in the hair transplantation.

· Wash you hair with an antiseptic / antibacterial soap / shampoo each day for the two or three days prior to the hair transplant. There are several over the counter products available. The hair transplant clinic should advise you of the best one to use. However, do not use Nizoral shampoo as it can interfere with some antibiotics. You may be given antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection in the hair transplant procedure. Do not use hair gel or mousse, or hairspray.

· Start taking any antibiotics if they are prescribed by your surgeon.

· Arrange for taxis or for someone to drive you to and from the clinic before and after the operation. The drugs involved will likely impair your ability to drive so you should avoid this. Make sure you can get to the clinic on time for the start of your operation. Check the route and the time it takes to get to the clinic.

· Stop using any skin creams, such as Retin-A, per your doctor's orders.

· Stop any exercise as recommended by your surgeon.

· Your surgeon may ask you not to eat in the 6-12 hours prior to surgery. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight, including coffee, tea, water, gum, mints, hard candy, or lozenges. Your doctor will provide specifics on food and drink intake - it varies from clinic to clinic.

· Set up a home recovery area. These may include pillows, books, magazines, television and remote control, videos, favorite CDs, telephone, journal, stationery, a bucket in case of vomiting, and/or a bell or other device for requesting help.

· If you will be staying overnight in a recovery room, pack a bathrobe, slippers, favorite pillow, toothpaste, comb or brush, loose clothing, and prescribed medications.

On the day of hair transplant surgery

· Wash your hair with an antiseptic / antibacterial soap / shampoo. It is probably worth taking a shower too! Do not use hair gel or mousse, or hairspray!

· Have a normal breakfast. It may be best to avoid caffeine so you are as relaxed as possible for the procedure. If you are a liquids only breakfast person you should eat something.

· Take antibiotics if they are prescribed by the clinic.

· Wear clothes that can be removed without pulling them over your head. Ie. wear a shirt with a button or zip front, don’t wear a T shirt or sweater. After the surgery you will probably have a big bandage on your head (though in some clinics no bandage is applied to the scalp) and you do not want to dislodge the bandaging as you remove your clothes. Wear loose, comfortable clothes as you will be in the clinic for a long time and may be asked to lie or sit in various positions for the donor and recipient procedures. Pants with an elastic waist band and flat, slip-on shoes are a good idea. Do not wear jeans, sweaters, jump suits, pantyhose, or girdles!

· Prior to the procedure, go to the lavatory – I’m not kidding! There will be long periods when you have to lie / sit still for removing the donor area and for implanting the hair follicles. You can't go for a leak half way through.

· If you wear contact lenses, eyeglasses, or dentures, bring the case with you and be sure that your name is clearly printed on it.

· Do not wear jewelry or other valuables. Leave your wallet or purse at home if possible.