NOTE: We do not offer this option at HLTCOA. We provide information about this option for educational purposes only for those who are researching all hair growth options currently available on the market today.
Surgical Hair Transplant
During a surgical hair transplant, Terminal hairs are surgically removed from the scalp by various procedure types from the donor site then transplanted into the balding/recipient site. A team of medical personnel typically work in tandem to complete the process, and laws vary by country and by state regarding which team member can perform which aspect of the procedure. The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons (ISHRS) recommends the surgeon create the transplant plan, administers anesthesia (numbs the scalp), removes harvest tissue and hair grafts, and creates the receptor sites. Other medical personnel prepare and place the harvested grafts into the recipient sites.
Post-op swelling is common and can be mitigated by following all doctor pre-op and post-op instructions.
Pros of Surgical Hair Transplants:
- Terminal hairs are surgically transplanted therefore those hairs will never die
Cons of Surgical Hair Transplants:
- Uncomfortable recovery due to swelling and healing requirements
- Downtime to heal from surgery
- Takes 12 months for complete results
- Costly; up to $10,000 depending on how many grafts are transplanted
- Hair transplantation does nothing to prevent future loss of non-transplanted hairs
- Not everyone is a good candidate for hair transplantation
Good Candidate Characteristics:
- In good general health
- Has excellent terminal hair for harvesting
- Has good scalp elasticity in the harvest area
- Willing to undergo a surgical procedure despite possible complications
- Willing to wait 12 months for the full fruition of the transplant
Possible Complications:
-
Bleeding
- Infection
- Swelling of the scalp
- Bruising around the eyes
- A crust that forms on the areas of the scalp where hair was removed or implanted
- Numbness or lack of sensation on the treated areas of the scalp
- Itching
- Inflammation or infection of the hair follicles, which is known as folliculitis
- Shock loss – sudden but typically temporary loss of the transplanted and/or surrounding hair
- Unnatural-looking tufts of hair
pb//CAUTION//
Any medical doctor can legally perform a hair transplant…even if they have never been shown how! Be very cautious when searching for a surgeon. At HLTCOA, we highly recommend ONLY board-certified plastic surgeons who are members of ISHRS for this delicate procedure. We also recommend you interview at least 3 surgeons prior to your final decision.
Questions to ask the surgeon:
- Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
- Are you a member of ISHRS?
- How many years of transplant experience do you have?
- How many transplants do you do each month?
- How many transplants have you performed in total?
- What types of hair transplant surgeries do you perform?
- Which procedure is right for me? Why?
- Do you have hospital rights at a nearby hospital? If so, which hospitals?
- How are complications handled?
- Do they have before and after photos of procedures they have performed?
- Do you offer payment plans?
Find A Provider Near You:
HLTCOA’s FEATURED PROVIDER – DR. JESSE SMITH
Dr. Smith is an Assistant Fellowship Director of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Fort Worth, Texas. His private practice encompasses the entire spectrum of facial rejuvenation and reconstruction, from minimally invasive treatments to the most complex surgery — including rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, facelift, browlift, hair transplant, fat transfer, facial augmentation, wrinkle treatment, corrective surgery for facial defects, ear reshaping, microsurgery, reconstruction of cancer patients and post-traumatic deformities. He is also an expert in non-surgical facial treatments, including injectables and laser resurfacing.
Dr. Smith received his undergraduate degree from Baylor University. He began his medical education at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas where he received his MD degree. Dr. Smith completed his internship in general surgery followed by a residency and specialization in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, including Parkland Hospital System. Dr. Smith was then chosen for a highly specialized Fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery sponsored by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles. During his fellowship at UCLA, his entire experience focused on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, head, and neck. Here, he honed his skills in the latest techniques in rhinoplasty, cosmetic surgery, and facial reconstruction including microvascular reconstruction of complex facial deformities.
Dr. Smith is Board Certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is one of a small group of surgeons that has achieved Dual Board Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery. He joined Texas Health Care in 2005, and became an Assistant Clinic Professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He also became the Assistant Fellowship Director of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery soon thereafter. He is one of the busiest facial plastic surgeons in North Texas and is the Assistant Director of the only fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery in the Dallas and Fort Worth area.
Dr. Smith regularly lectures in a wide variety of topics in Facial Plastic and Reconstruction each year within the United States as well as internationally.
Dr. Smith is proudly involved in several humanitarian organizations. He is one of five regular surgeons serving the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute and Surgery Program (www.crispfoundation.org) and Futuro de Nicaragua. He started traveling routinely to Central America to treat children with facial deformities in 2004.