Need some advice on FUE post-op

[smiledoctor80]

Just had my first hair transplant last week, an FUE over 2 days.

 

I just wanted to get some post op advice as I feel I might be being too gentle. I use the shampoo my doc gave me a couple of times a day over the recipient area.

 

However, I'm currently in the 4th day post op. There is a small line of dried blood still over part of the recipient area.

 

In my post op instructions it did say to remove any dried blood on day 1 post op.

But I figured by the 7th to 10th day I'll be able to be more aggressive to remove it.

 

Is there really any issue with leaving a little dried blood there?

 

Apart from that I'm healing very well, especially in the donor area. I had my procedure done using the ARTAS robot, so am very excited to hopefully see some great results!

[s2thoudriver]

I'm surprised you are shampooing already at day 4, however, every surgeon recommends different things.

 

I was advised that you should really only be running tepid water over the recipient area at day 4. Shampoo products should be used after day 7 with light rubbing of the fingers, but no nails.

 

A small amount of blood at day 4 isn't an issue. If you want rid of it, just run tepid water over the area and very lightly 'tap' the area to free it enough for it to rinse off.

 

Rob

[Janna]

We advise our patients to start shampooing the day after their procedure - very carefully, of course. There's nothing wrong with little dried blood. Run water over it during your shampoos to break up the dried blood but follow your original plan to wait until post op day 7 to start massaging it away.

Hope you document your progress with Artas as it's of interest to many people. Good luck.

[PupDaddy]

Hi smiledoctor80,

 

Would you mind telling us which surgeon did your FUE with the ARTAS, how many grafts, etc.?

 

We are very interested to know about it and your progress.

 

Thanks!

[NicholasDMiller]

I work for Nu/Hart Hair Clinics as a surgical tecnician and after an FUE procedure we tell our patients to start shampooing 24 hours from the procedure using no shower pressure. We have them fill up a plastic cup and dilute shampoo in it and to then gently pour it over the grafted area and rinse with warm clean water from the cup. We encourage out patients to do this 2 or 3 times a day. Also note It is normal for scabs and blood to take a few days to come off. If you have any other questions im more than happy to help

 

-Nick

[smiledoctor80]

Thanks for the responses everyone and sorry for the late reply!

 

A bit my procedure:

 

I had my FUE done by Dr. Bernstein in NYC with his ARTAS system.

 

The initial plan was to do 2400 grafts over 2 days.

 

However due to my limited donor area Dr. Bernstein decided to do less on the 2nd day.

 

On day 1 1260 grafts were placed

On day 2 about 700 were placed.

 

I had paid for 2400 grafts, so they refunded me the extra money. I know some surgeons would have just taken grafts from outside the donor area and that’s a big reason I picked Dr. Bernstein, because of his high ethical and moral standards.

 

I will be re-evulauted in a year to see if additional grafts can be placed. Dr. Bernstein has put me on propecia. I probably should have taken propecia a long time ago but have always been apprehensive about taking medications of any kind.

 

The ARTAS robot is amazing! I was obviously sedated so don’t remember too much but Dr. Bernstein had a technician with the robot at all times along with his large highly trained staff.

 

Overall a world class experience as I expected it would be with someone of Dr. Bernstein’s reputation.

 

I’ll keep you updated with my progress. But for now a couple of quick questions:

 

I’m 10 days post op now so am looking forward to showering off the remaining scabbing.

 

However I have noticed my scalp especially in the recipient area is extremely dry.

 

Do you think this could be detrimental to the follicles, in terms of drying out?

 

Is it ok so start placing some moisturizing lotion in that area 10 days post op?

 

What about things like hot oil treatments for the scalp. Would these be ok at this point?

 

Its been ages since I’ve had to use shampoo? Anything recommended for someone like me with a scalp on the dry side?

 

Finally. I’ve started on propecia, but wanted to get some comments on possibly using saw palmetto in conjunction. I know that they are both DHT inhibitors, but has anyone read any studies in regards to using both together?

 

 

Thanks!

[NicholasDMiller]

I cant speak on behalf of other clinics doctors but I know at nuhart at the ten day marker you can go back to your normal hair maintance routine. That being said if your scalp is dry aloe vera will help and using a good shampoo can also help soften the scalp. If its flaky and has dandruff then Head and Shoulders is good. As far as the Propecia and Saw Palmetto are concerned the two definitely wont hurt each other, some also use Biotin. Using all of these together is fine they wont conflict with one another.

 

Hope this helps

 

Nick

[twinspark]

Thanks for the responses everyone and sorry for the late reply!

 

A bit my procedure:

 

I had my FUE done by Dr. Bernstein in NYC with his ARTAS system.

 

The initial plan was to do 2400 grafts over 2 days.

 

However due to my limited donor area Dr. Bernstein decided to do less on the 2nd day.

 

On day 1 1260 grafts were placed

On day 2 about 700 were placed.

 

I had paid for 2400 grafts, so they refunded me the extra money. I know some surgeons would have just taken grafts from outside the donor area and that’s a big reason I picked Dr. Bernstein, because of his high ethical and moral standards.

 

I will be re-evulauted in a year to see if additional grafts can be placed. Dr. Bernstein has put me on propecia. I probably should have taken propecia a long time ago but have always been apprehensive about taking medications of any kind.

 

The ARTAS robot is amazing! I was obviously sedated so don’t remember too much but Dr. Bernstein had a technician with the robot at all times along with his large highly trained staff.

 

Overall a world class experience as I expected it would be with someone of Dr. Bernstein’s reputation.

 

I’ll keep you updated with my progress. But for now a couple of quick questions:

 

I’m 10 days post op now so am looking forward to showering off the remaining scabbing.

 

However I have noticed my scalp especially in the recipient area is extremely dry.

 

Do you think this could be detrimental to the follicles, in terms of drying out?

 

Is it ok so start placing some moisturizing lotion in that area 10 days post op?

 

What about things like hot oil treatments for the scalp. Would these be ok at this point?

 

Its been ages since I’ve had to use shampoo? Anything recommended for someone like me with a scalp on the dry side?

 

Finally. I’ve started on propecia, but wanted to get some comments on possibly using saw palmetto in conjunction. I know that they are both DHT inhibitors, but has anyone read any studies in regards to using both together?

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

Can you please advice on the cost. I'm going to NY next Sunday and after the reviews I read, I'm considering this Artas. The only thing preventing me from doing the transplant till now is the post op propecia. Do I really have to take it after the surgery ?

[michaeljames]

Just had my first hair transplant last week, an FUE over 2 days.

 

I just wanted to get some post op advice as I feel I might be being too gentle. I use the shampoo my doc gave me a couple of times a day over the recipient area.

 

However, I'm currently in the 4th day post op. There is a small line of dried blood still over part of the recipient area.

 

In my post op instructions it did say to remove any dried blood on day 1 post op.

But I figured by the 7th to 10th day I'll be able to be more aggressive to remove it.

 

Is there really any issue with leaving a little dried blood there?

 

Apart from that I'm healing very well, especially in the donor area. I had my procedure done using the ARTAS robot, so am very excited to hopefully see some great results!

 

He Smiledoctor80,

 

I hope my title got a smile. I don't think you have a lot to worry about there with a little blood on the scalp. Running mild temp. water over it should help remove it. I hope you will post some pics of your journey...it will be interesting to see some first hand results for HTN forum members from ARTAS. All the Best, Michael.

[Jk11k]

We advise our patients to start shampooing the day after their procedure - very carefully, of course. There's nothing wrong with little dried blood. Run water over it during your shampoos to break up the dried blood but follow your original plan to wait until post op day 7 to start massaging it away.

Hope you document your progress with Artas as it's of interest to many people. Good luck.

 

That contradicts advice I've read on several doctors' sites, at least regarding beard transplants. They recommend keeping the recipient area "dry" for 5 days to avoid dislodging or rotating the grafts. You see "5 days" a lot and I wonder how that came to be recommended? Why not 4 or 6? Healing rates must vary.

 

Maybe they want you to avoid harsh water impact from a showerhead vs. a film of water flowing over the area? They ought to differentiate between the effects of water itself vs. physical impact. And how "stuck-in" are the follicles after X number of days? Details are hard to come by but seem critical.

[tyro]

Yes, Day 10 is great, I am on my day 10 today. Everything feels normal now after few uncomfortable days and night,