Head bleeding 17 days after HT surgery, while exercising.

[eh123]

When I had my sutures removed I was told that I could start working out again. I asked if I had to moderate my workouts and I was told no. I started out light and started to build up from there. I was doing a gymnastics routine (on still rings) on day 17, and I noticed my head started to bleed. I called the doctor's office immediately, and a nurse said that it seems that I might be putting too much stress on it. I would have gone in to get it checked, but it's 60 miles away.

 

I have read multiple studies indicating that grafts are secure around ten days post op, and that they can only be removed surgically. So, I'm not that worried that I lost a graft. Besides putting "too much stress" on my head, what could have caused the bleeding? I go back to the doctor in a few weeks to get checked and I'm going to ask him, but I would like another opinion as well. Has this or something similar happened to you or to anyone you know?

 

Thanks.

[Cam Simmons MD ABHRS]

eh123

 

That sounds like a Canadian name, eh?

 

You were worried enough to post about your experience so it might be worth driving 60 miles to get some reassurance. Nothing beats a face-to-face meeting with your doctor to diagnose and possibly correct any problem.

 

However, to answer your question , we would need more details. How much blood was there? Where did you notice it? On your skin or on a towel? Was it bright red or darker brown? Was it thick or watery? It happened at Day 17 but how long ago was that? Could you tell if the bleeding was from the donor site or the recipient sites? Did you ask a friend or family member to check the donor and recipient areas? Is everything else OK?

 

All of these questions can stear the diagnosis toward or away from a possible cause. The answers to these questions may also generate more questions before the possible cause can be figured out. The diagnostic process is much faster and more accurate in person than "by forum or blog"

 

I hope that this is just a tiny bump on the road to your recovery.

[eh123]

Dr. Simmons:

 

The blood was red, watery and coming out of a recipient site. I noticed it when I went inside to use to use the restroom. I noticed it on my face while looking in a mirror. I would say there wasn't a lot of blood, to me anyway. Day 17 was Monday, October 4. I did ask someone to take a look after I cleaned it and was told it looks fine. So far everything is fine.

 

Thank you kindly for the response.

[Cam Simmons MD ABHRS]

eh123

 

My best guess, without seeing you in person, would be that you lost a single graft that didn't take. We don't expect 100% survival and the loss of 1 graft should not affect your final outcome.

 

At 18 days, the vast majority of your grafts should have taken and will be in the resting phase. It is more fun when you get to see growing hair at the 4 month stage and it gets better each month after that.

 

Happy growth

[Tom60]

doc,

 

did the actual exercise have anything to do with the bleeding or were they completely independent of each other?

[Cam Simmons MD ABHRS]

Tom60

 

First, I have to say that this is educated guessing because I haven't met eh123 and we don't often hear about patients bleeding from a recipient site 17 days after their hair transplant.

 

In fact, on reflection, the bleeding could more likely have been a pimple from an early ingrown hair that broke open during exercise. They are more common after a month but could happen earlier. The same thing can happen in the shower, when brushing or combing your hair, or even rubbing your head with your hands.

 

I tell my patients that they can do cardio at 5 days and regular exercise at 2 weeks. I do ask them to avoid forcefully stretching their donor area for 3 months so they should avoid situps with their hands behind their heads, pull-downs, or lifting weights where they have to put their whole head and neck into it to get that last rep. It is best to follow your own doctors instructions because they have a vested interest in your outcome second only to yours.