Hair surgery risk, what you should know when considering hair replacement surgery, what are the possible risks and problems that may be associated with hair transplant surgery.

Hair transplant is a surgery, and as such, it has certain risks that every patient should carefully evaluate if this is the right option for them.

STRIP - If you are considering the traditional STRIP technique, please be aware that this is a quite invasive procedure and can be fairly traumatic to the patient to say the least. Some clinics will try to downplay this by saying that the surgery is no more involved than a trip to the dentist. Well, there are many who will dispute that statement. Below is what the patient's scalp looks like immediately post op after a strip procedure. It doesn't take much to realize that it will take a long time before the patient can recover from the surgery. Many patients who had undergone strip technique will attest to the fact that sleeping will be a problem for at least the first few weeks because you will be sleeping on the donor scar (on the back of your head) which is an open wound sutured tight. In some instances, patients complain about nerve sensitivity in their scalp even a year after the procedure.

donor site under strip technique

Because of the way the donor follicles are harvested under the strip technique, this type of procedure comes with a lot of potential complications even years after the procedure. Some of the possible complications are:

• incisions inappropriately placed

• incisions too deep

• damage to occipital or temporal vessels

• damaged nerves pain

• incisions too wide

• problems in suturing the wound

• high tension on the edges of the wound (unsightly wide scar, alopecia in donor area)

• pain more acutely perceived

• inappropriate dressing of the bleeding vessels

• inadequate dressing (early and late haemorrhages)

In addition to the above, there is also a tendency for the strip scar to widen or stretch over time depending on the patient's scalp laxity. This may force the patient to go for repair procedure.

FUE - while FUE is also a surgical procedure, contrary to the traditional STRIP technique, it has fewer problems or potential for complications than STRIP. In comparison, FUE is many times more patient friendly and is a lot less invasive than strip technique. No knife, no scalpel, and no stitches required. Patients who had undergone FUE do not have to worry about or deal with the permanent linear scar across the back of their heads. There is no such scarring under FUE. There is also less of a chance for complications such as nerve damage because you are not "cut open" under this type of hair surgery.  

donor site under FUE

If you have questions about hair loss or hair surgery, please email me at hairsite@aol.com or fill out the form below for a prompt response. There is no charge whatsoever for asking questions.