The Hair Transplant Procedure: What to Expect

The Hair Transplant Procedure: What to ExpectPerhaps you are part of the two-thirds of all men who experience male pattern baldness.  Or, maybe you are one of the 20 million women who suffers with hair thinning or balding.  Male or female—you are not alone.  Hair loss affects a vast majority of Americans and may lead to serious personal, social, and professional setbacks.  Hair loss may profoundly affect the way we feel about ourselves and others, making our self-image, confidence, and quality of life suffer.  Fortunately, treating hair loss has never been more effective.  Today, hair transplant procedures create beautiful results that look and feel identical to your original hair.

It is our pleasure to welcome you to our website, and we invite you to get to know us a little better.  If you are considering a hair transplant procedure with the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, here’s what to expect:

Initial Transplant Consultation

In the initial consultation, Dr. Nusbaum explains in detail the nature of the procedure and answers all your questions.  He examines the pattern of your hair loss and reviews the hair growth patterns of your family members.  Dr. Nusbaum also offers an honest evaluation of whether or not he considers you a good candidate for hair restoration.

During a discussion of your expectations, Dr. Nusbaum addresses the feasibility of meeting your personal goals.  He provides an estimate of the number of grafts required to complete the transplant and how much time to set aside for the procedure.  The overall timeframe for the treatment is based on such factors as your age and lifestyle as well as the type and quality of your hair.

You will also receive a cost estimate based on the number of grafts needed to achieve your desired goals.  After performing thousands of successful hair transplants, Dr. Nusbaum’s estimate is generally very close to the final cost.

The Actual Hair Transplant Procedure

Your comfort is our top priority.  Once you arrive at our Institute, you will be escorted to a private room where the actual transplant will take place.  Dr. Nusbaum will explain each step of the procedure once more, and Dr. Rose will begin to outline the area on your scalp to which hair will be transplanted.  This is all done in accordance with the plan set forth by Dr. Nusbaum in the Initial Transplant Consultation (above), and the transplant procedure continues only after you give final approval.

Next, you will be given medication to help you relax and a surgical gown to wear while the procedure is performed.  Then, your scalp will be prepped in a relaxing manner that minimizes anxiety and discomfort.  A technician will implement a special massaging technique that uses the principles of acupuncture to relieve the scalp of tension, pressure, and pain.  This technique has been developed by Dr. Nusbaum and does not involve the use of any needles.  Rather, the massaging creates a vibration that works in conjunction with the anesthesia to minimize any discomfort associated with the procedure.

While your scalp is anesthetized, the grafts are surgically removed from the donor strip at the back of your head and transplanted to the chosen sites.  The amount of pain felt during this portion of the procedure is minimal.  Most patients say the pain experienced is subtle and on par with a visit to the dentist.

Sophisticated Technology: No More “Plugs”

Dr. Nusbaum is a proponent of follicular unit transplantation, a refined and proven procedure in the field of hair restoration.  Follicular unit transplantation represents a huge departure from the plugs that were grafted years ago, both in technique and, most importantly, results.

During the procedure, the donor strip area is carefully evaluated under the microscope.  Small, specifically sculpted follicular-unit grafts are removed and implanted into the recipient area, one at a time.  Tiny openings no larger than a pinprick are made in the recipient area to receive each unit.

To learn more about the advanced technologies and results of this procedure, please visit this guide to Choosing a Hair Transplant Procedure.

Post Procedure

Your hair transplant procedure may take 3 to 6 hours from start to finish, depending on the number of grafts required to achieve desired results.  You will be ready to leave our clinic after a brief rest period.  We advise all patients to make arrangements for a driver to take them home safely, as there is a mild sedative used during the procedure that may have a lingering effect afterward.

Most patients return to work the following day and resume full activity, including their fitness and sports regimen, within a few short days.  In most cases, evidence of the transplant goes undetected by others until months later when they notice your fuller, natural looking head of hair.

Many patients opt for a second or third procedure to optimize their opportunity for a full head of hair.  Procedures can be done as gradually or as frequently as you wish provided favorable medical conditions for prime hair growth are taken into account.

Learn More about Hair Transplantation

Our friendly staff includes South Florida’s finest hair transplant surgeons, microscopists, technicians, and registered nurses.  We understand the agony and frustration that accompanies hair loss, and we are committed to helping you develop a customized plan that will create natural results.

To learn more about Miami hair transplant procedures at the Hair Transplant Institute, please contact us online or call us directly at 1.877.443.9070.