The Importance of Following Preoperative Instructions Before Hair Transplant Surgery By Bernard Arocha, MD on December 16, 2015

Hair Loss Treatment Even with the many surgical advances that have been made over the years, all surgeries involve some level of risk and require patients to follow all instructions given to them both before and after the procedure. Strict adherence to pre- and post-operative care instructions can reduce the risk for complications and increase the chance that results will be successful. Here at Arocha Hair Restoration, we provide our patients with a detailed guide that can help them maximize the potential for a safe procedure and a terrific outcome.

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Pre-operative instructions will vary from patient to patient, depending on one’s individual needs and the specific treatment that is being performed. For most of our surgical procedures, including Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), some general guidelines include:

Blood thinners and other types of medication will need to be avoided for about two weeks before surgery. Nutritional supplements such as ginseng, Vitamin E, and others should also be stopped during this period. Our medical professionals will talk more with you about this once your medical history has been reviewed and your customized treatment plan has been developed. You should also consult your primary care physician with any concerns you may have about medication you are currently taking.
Alcoholic beverages and smoking should be stopped at least two weeks prior to hair restoration surgery to prevent complications with the healing process.
Rogaine®/Minoxidil application should be stopped within one week before surgery.
Caution will be necessary with certain types of Beta-Blockers; however, cardioselective Beta-Blockers are generally okay.
Not following the pre-op instructions can lead to “thin blood” and an increase of bleeding during surgery, making it harder to execute a detailed hair drawing that maximizes density. This is especially difficult if working through areas with a lot of remaining hair. Furthermore, these patients metabolize anesthetics faster, making it more difficult to maintain adequate anesthesia. This will increase the amount of necessary injections and prolong the duration of the procedure.

It’s also important to try and avoid potential hazards to the scalp (sun exposure, excessive hair pulling, etc.) in the weeks leading up to your surgery. You will be asked to stop the use of hair products the day before the procedure, and to be sure to make arrangements for an adequate amount of rest at home while you heal.

Once your treatment plan is developed, Dr. Bernardino Arocha will give you a detailed list of pre-operative instructions with more guidance. As always, our team is here to assist you in any way they can, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today for more information, or to schedule a consultation.