FUE Scheduled & Question About Timing and Post-op Swelling

[Florence]

Hi All,

I have a FUE procedure scheduled with Hattingen in March 2022. Did a round of consultation and was open for both FUE and FUT, however everyone suggested I go for FUE due to my exceptional donor area.

What does everyone think of March for the procedure? I was hoping to have it in autumn/winter (when its dark outside; I live in Europe), but due to work had to push it.

My biggest actual fear is of the post-op swelling; when exactly does it happen, how long does it last and how bad does it get? Does it actually hurt or is it just not pretty to look at?

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

[Al - Moderator]

7 minutes ago, Florence said:

My biggest actual fear is of the post-op swelling; when exactly does it happen, how long does it last and how bad does it get? Does it actually hurt or is it just not pretty to look at?

 

swelling usually occurs after a day or two and it lasts 2 to 3 days, so you're looking at possible swelling from day 2 through day 5 or 6. Some people hardly get any and others get it really bad where they can hardly open their eyes. In any case it's gone in less than a week. The swelling doesn't hurt, but you may be hurting in the donor and recipient areas for the first week and after that you can get some lingering itchiness in either the donor or recipient areas.

 

[Melvin- Admin]

Swelling doesn’t hurt, but you will look pretty bad. The whole you’re fine in a few days is not true. Expect to be out for two full weeks. FUT healing times are longer.

[Florence]

On 7/6/2021 at 6:57 PM, Melvin- Moderator said:

Swelling doesn’t hurt, but you will look pretty bad. The whole you’re fine in a few days is not true. Expect to be out for two full weeks. FUT healing times are longer.

Do you mean out of work for two weeks?

I am having FUE, so does that mean swelling also goes away quicker than with FUT?

[Florence]

Thank you both for your input. Much appreciate.

[gillenator]

Discuss with your surgeon about using ice or frozen gel packs on your forehead immediately post-op which can help minimize the swelling related to trauma....probably the main factor behind swelling is the fact that gravity will pull down the fluids that were injected into your scalp into the forehead zone...this cannot be helped...but another helpful agent is an oral steroid that you can take which also helps with post-op swelling.