Post surgery watchlist - those who had their HT already, what would you wish you knew / did different back then

[Rooter]

Hi all,

 

its done. 2nd day post OP, FUE 4097, Hattingen (or so, dont have the exact 4000+ number in front of me right now). Feeling alright, some few swollen areas but really minor.

As my question suggests, I am looking for any additional advice from people who had their surgery already in regards of what to watch out for / do additionally to what the Dr said what you wished you had known right from the start  etc to create a maximum healing process environment.

Maybe there is nothing else to do then what I have been told but why not ask. Citizen Science is a thing

What I have been told (pretty obvious / same for everyone I guess)

- Washing and creaming procedure

- Wet towel on top of your head as long as possible during the day. Helps with early crust disposal per clinic.

- Avoid physical activity for at least 1, better 2 weeks (no sex included). When have you guys started sexy time again ?

- I dont take Fin or Min, I know about the theory to at least do it for 6 months post surgery but to quote the doctor "its not necessary, if you arent finished with family planning yet rather just let it be. (he is not anti Fin in general)

- I can wear a bandana but the more fresh air the better for healing

- I usually supplement a good amount of VitD3 (min. 10k i.e) along with the co-factors Fish oil, Vitamin K2 Mk7, Zinc, VitaminC 1000, Magnesium, Vitamin B complex, Calcium & Quercetin (powerful natural anti histamine). I take this regime for other reasons as well not because of hair loss only since many years and found it quite helpful for a multitude of things. On that one for example the Doctor said dont take anything of that for 3-4 days. I dont think thats correct as each of these things do generally help to keep inflammation at bay and boost healing (besides various other things)

- Dont bump your head ( or course  

As said, its all pretty obvious but maybe there are some small tweaks that help additionally.

For example I head to a dermatologist today to have another look if all looks alright and I will ask him for a top notch scar creme - I believe creaming the dots with some really good stuff may help for visual appearance at a later stage.

Since this is such a nice community here I of course will try to update with progress. Will start a new thread for that in some time when its worthwhile to show progress & that its easier to search for anyone interested in this clinic.

Any questions also shoot.

cheers

 

 

[Rooter]

Alright, no action on this post so apologies again if my question was stupid or if I just was unclear. But hear me out. Just returned from the Dermatologist to have a look at my early recovery and asking for some tips to prevent donor scaring as good as possible early on.

He had an interesting view. Most if not any scar creme is silicon based which isnt good for hair follicles in general. Scar tissue i.e on your arm isnt affected much by it, but hair follicels are. He recommended to get a solution from the pharmacy which is a simple mixture of hyaluronic acid and dexamethasone (anti inflammatory), no other ingredients. (i am talking about donor area recovery, my grafts will continue to get the anti septic creme from post surgery day)

Well basically thats what my post is about. I cant tell yet if what the dermatologist said is BS but it sounds not too off.

The dermatologist I seeked out is a specialist for scar healing, whilst he obviously is not practicing HTs he sounded like he still knows a fair about about the procedure. He also said per his view its best to leave the scar healing (donor) alone as long as possible for around 14 days and to consider not even using the shampoo provided by the clinic. (yes i understand it has an antiseptic purpose as well but that does the hyaluronic acid and dexamethasone as well. Undecided, will continue with the shampoo for now but maybe stop in a couple of days)

Of course I do trust my HT Doc but I believe no one can know everything and there is always room for tweaks eventually (in that case how to best treat your wounds)

Another question - how did you deal with face swelling aside from cooling it. Any other advice ? (it starts to sit in now, guess its normal 2 days post OP as the fluid sinks down from the head) I dont mind much for the appearance, its just should I do something or also wait it out.

Anyone any other tips, happy to hear and to discuss. 

 

 

[Dr. Glenn Charles]

You can use general anti-inflammatory medications for the swelling. But it will dissipate on its own in a few days. Did you have an FUT or FUE procedure? My pst-op instructions for donor scar prevention is a little different for FUE vs FUT.

[Rooter]

Fue 4k 😍 (wrong smiley but can't delete it on mobile for whatever reason ) 

[TEXAN35]

I havent heard of people applying anything for donor scarring in FUE these days. If done correctly it should be minimal and not visible . I dont think you should worry about it.