Last updated: 11/24/2009

The first step after scheduling a follicular hair transplant procedure is to stop smoking if you are a smoker. Also avoid non-prescription blood-thinning medications and food supplements that may cause excessive bleeding during surgery. A thousand...

or more tiny incisions are made on the scalp during micrografting surgery, and rapid blood clotting keeps the scalp relatively free of blood during the procedure; this allows the surgeon to work more effectively. Some medications are used during surgery to slightly reduce bleeding; however, it is helpful if the patient takes some additional measures as well. Smoking can affect blood-clotting and certain over-the-counter medications such as aspirin and vitamin supplements such as vitamin E can interfere with blood clotting, which can result in extra bleeding during surgery. Excessive bleeding during micrografting does not present a significant medical risk; however, it does slow down the procedure. Ask your doctor about the use of aspirin prior to and after surgery.

After scheduling the appointment, prescription medications including pills for pain and antibiotics will be prescribed for use after the surgery. It is best fill to the prescriptions before the scheduled surgery, as you may not feel like waiting in a pharmacy after surgery.

On the day before surgery it is courteous to call the doctor’s office or leave a message and confirm your appointment.

The morning of the procedure, shower and wash your hair, but do not use any conditioners or styling products. Use a shampoo without conditioner if possible. If you plan to pay for your surgery with a check, be sure to bring your checkbook. Generally it is good to eat a light meal prior to surgery so that medications provided just before surgery are not taken on an empty stomach, unless advised otherwise by your doctor. Fruit such as grapes, bananas, or apples are good choices. Avoid drinking excessive quantities of liquids, and avoid stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine.

Select layers of comfortable clothes for the surgery. Loose-fitting pants, and shirts with buttons that do not pull over your head are recommended. Jogging outfits with zippered tops are ideal. Operating rooms are frequently heavily air-conditioned and can be very cool, and you will be lying in one place without moving much for several hours. Without some layers of clothing, you may feel chilled. Wear a few layers so that you can adjust what you are wearing easily, and consider bringing a pair of warm socks as well.

Get a ride to the doctor’s office, and be sure to arrive on time, or even a little early. After surgery you may still feel a bit drowsy and your reaction time may be slightly impaired. For safety, doctors recommend against driving yourself home after surgery. So it is best to get a ride to the doctor’s office, and arrange in advance for a “designated driver” to give you a ride home following the procedure.

Once you’ve arrived at the office you will put on a surgical top over your other clothing, and will receive medication for the surgery. A tranquilizer pill, and other medication to reduce pain and swelling will be administered at this time. This is also a good time to use the bathroom, even if you think that you don’t feel like it. It is inconvenient to have to get up in the middle of surgery to use the toilet.

The surgeon will reconfirm the surgical plan with you, and will mark the area for treatment directly on your scalp. Some photographs will be taken.
You will walk into the room where the surgery will be performed, and lie face down on a special vinyl-covered foam mat designed to keep you comfortable and in the proper position during the procedure.