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FAQ's |
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Q. Am I a candidate for a hair transplant? |
With a few exceptions, this procedure is suitable for any male or female who is experiencing balding or thinning of the scalp hair. Your individual results will be dependent upon a number of factors that will be determined by the doctor during your personal consultation. At this time, he will advise of what you can expect to achieve.
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Q. Won't my new hairs fall out just like the old ones? |
No. When we perform a procedure, we take the hair bearing skin from the back of the scalp where it is abundant and resistant to the effects of your testosterone and transfer it to the areas where thinning or balding has occurred. In its new location it will last as long as it would have in its original location. It will still go through the various phases of growth (Anagen, Catagen & Telogen) and shedding, but the hair will continue to grow in its new position as long as it would have in the old, which in most cases is a lifetime.
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Q. Is it painful? |
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic administered by our doctor during the operation. As part of an ongoing pain management study, we ask all our patients if they would be more, just as, or less apprehensive if they were to have another procedure? In excess of 97% have said that they would be less apprehensive if they were to have another procedure. The anticipation of pain for this procedure is far worse than the actual event. People who undergo this procedure are just like you, none of them look forward to the operative part of the procedure, but nearly all concede that their fears were unwarranted. If this is a big concern for you, you are welcome to speak to some of our past patients who have been through it before and they will be happy to share their experiences. Gas is available at the start of the procedure if required.
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Q. Will my hair at the donor area grow back after the procedure or will I be left with a bald patch at the back of my head? |
The answer to both questions is no. At the start of the procedure we remove a strip of hair bearing skin from the back of the scalp and then utilizing the elasticity of the skin we are able to suture that area closed. After the procedure you are left with a fine linear scar at the back of the head that is covered by your existing hair and providing your hair is approximately a centimetre in length will not even be noticed directly after the procedure.
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Q. Can I use somebody else's hair, who has a more abundant supply of it? |
No. It is possible to transplant vital organs for people with life threatening cases. However they are then required to take immune system suppressants for the rest of their life leaving them more susceptible to illness and disease. These suppressants are required to stop the body killing what it recognises as being foreign to it. The use of immune system suppressants would be the same for someone that had hair donated by someone else. So whilst this is theoretically possible the disadvantages do not justify it.
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Q. How much time will I need off work? |
This really depends upon the individual. It would be possible to return to work within one or two days after the procedure if required. However if you are sensitive about your appearance it is recommended to take at least a week off and allow the visible signs to heal. It is possible to wear a cap after the procedure to conceal the top of your head if this is feasible in your work environment.
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Q. Is this the best alternative? |
Hair transplantation is the only permanent medical solution to hair loss. There are many other quick fixes and “cover ups” but all are short-term solutions.
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Q. I've been told that large sessions (in excess of 1500 grafts) produce poor growth or inadequate results. Is this true? |
Definitely not! In the early years of the megasession some surgeons experienced poor results from procedures with between 1000-2000 grafts. But this was most likely due to the infancy of the procedure and a poor technique. The recognised world experts in this field were unanimous over 6 years ago that procedures with 1000-3000 grafts can consistently produce excellent growth and the most undetectable results available. Unfortunately some doctors continue to “undermine” the megasession because of the increased costs in time and money required to implement such practices. The intensive training, extra staff, long learning curve and specialized equipment is a formidable barrier to many surgeons, as is the requirement to work a 10+ hour day that a 3000 graft session requires. Particularly those that perform hair transplants in addition to other cosmetic procedures such intensive restructuring and considerable expense is just not viable. With all due respect to others in the field their comments may be justified when viewing the work of some megasession patients. To get the best results from these procedures a number of highly skilled technicians well practiced in the use of the Stereoscopic Dissecting Microscope are required together with a great deal of attention given to graft handling and insertion. Without the adequate skills, knowledge and training, inadequate results are not only possible, but also, most probably inevitable.
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Q. Can the blood supply support a large number of grafts? |
Another misconception is that the blood supply to the scalp is insufficient to support such a large number of grafts. Past results prove this to be inaccurate. Because the grafts are placed into a hole made by a very fine hypodermic needle there is minimal interruption to the blood supply and in the vast majority of cases growth rates will exceed 98%.
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Q. Is a megasession expensive? |
Relatively speaking no. When you consider that in most cases we can produce the desired result for the patient in only one session as opposed to 3 or 4 procedures as may have been required using older technology. Much of the expense is taken up by the set up, preparation and clean up which is only required once with the megasession. Over time the expense of having these smaller procedures can quickly outstrip the cost of having a larger one. In addition to this, having a megasession will give you results in approximately twelve months with only one period of time off work.
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Q. Is this type of surgery dangerous? |
No. Hair transplantation is very minor skin surgery. All procedures are performed with disposable sharps and all reusable instruments are autoclaved as per standard medical practices with staff trained in sterilisation techniques. In Dr. White's twenty-year history no patient has been infected with any transmittable disease (AIDS, hepatitis etc.) or suffered any serious complications as a result of surgery. If our doctor feels that a patient due to ill health is an unacceptable risk, surgery will not be performed.
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