At Advanced Facial Plastics (AFP), our fellowship trained surgeons understand that truly successful procedures must serve both the functional as well as the cosmetic aspects of facial plastics. That’s why each physician specializes in surgery that reconstructs as well as beautifies. It is that combination of care that sets us apart from others
Q: Will my hair look pluggy like a dolls head as was seen years ago?
A: Absolutely not, the new technique of placing individual hair follicles has eliminated the fake or transplanted look. The goal of surgery today is to create a very natural appearance to the front hairline and to reframe the face by increasing the hair density up in front.
Q: Does the procedure hurt - I am not much into needles?
A: The procedure is done under local and only the first injection is uncomfortable. Our gentle injection technique creates complete numbness to the scalp – both in the donor area where the hair is taken from, and the sites of the head that will receive new hair follicles. We provide you with sedation medicine to take along with a few pain pills prior to the start of your procedure and this in conjunction with the local anesthesia ensures a very comfortable day.
Q: When can I return to work – how will the head look on the day after surgery?
A: You will go home with a small dressing on your head and you will be asked to remove it the next morning prior to gently washing the scalp. Often we will see you in the office the day after surgery and remove the bandage for you. Wearing some head cover for the first 3-4 days is not unreasonable but not necessary. You will have small scabs that will fall off within the week.
Q: After surgery what kind of activity is allowed - can I mow my grass and do standard household chores?
A: For the first 4 days post procedure we ask the patient to refrain from heavy physical activity that would elicit either sweating or bleeding. Day 4 usually marks the time in which potential troubles usually are minimal. Sutures in the back of the scalp where hair tissue was taken for the transplant procedure are removed on day 7 and all normal activities are resumed by day 8.
Q: So if I have my hair transplanted July 1 will I have new hair for a wedding in October?
A: Hair follicles are transplanted in their entirety but do undergo a shock phase in which they will hibernate and not begin to grow until the 3rd or 4th month. The hair follicles will usually begin to grow at the 3-4 month mark but density changes and new hair lines are not usually realized until the first year.
Q: Will one session provide me with a full head of hair or will I need more than one surgery?
A: In general all people who are seeking hair replacement surgery have at least a 50% decreased density that will require two separate sessions for correction. Some who are in their early to mid 40’s with loss in the front hair line only, are happy with just one session but two sessions are generally suggested and required for most people to create the results that are being sought. Donor hair is finally the most limiting factor – because the hair that is moved from the back to the front is finite – our ultimate result and the number of sessions is dependent on how much hair is available to move and transplant elsewhere.