Hair Transplant Operation: Complete Guide from Start to Finish
You've decided to get a hair transplant. But what actually happens on operation day? What stages will you go through? This guide explains everything from the first consultation to the recovery process.
Before the Operation: Preparation Process
Consultation
Everything begins with a detailed evaluation. Your surgeon:
- Determines the type and stage of hair loss (Norwood scale)
- Evaluates graft potential in the donor area
- Calculates how many grafts are needed
- Explains realistic expectations
1 Week Before Operation
- Blood thinners like aspirin and ibuprofen are stopped
- Alcohol consumption is ended
- Smoking is reduced or quit (affects graft survival rate)
- B and E vitamin supplements are stopped
Operation Day: Hour by Hour
First Hours: Preparation (1–1.5 hours)
Upon arrival at the clinic:
- Hairline design is done — this stage is very important, decided together with surgeon
- Blood values are checked
- Photos are taken (for records)
- Donor area is shaved
- Markings are made
Local Anesthesia
Donor and recipient areas are numbed. This stage takes 10–15 minutes.
Graft Extraction and Placement
Follicles are extracted one by one from the nape and placed into channels. Total operation time: 6–10 hours.
Recovery Timeline
| Period | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 0–2 weeks | Crusting, swelling, donor area healing |
| 1–3 months | Shock shedding — transplanted hairs may shed, normal |
| 3–6 months | New hairs start to grow |
| 6–9 months | Significant visible growth |
| 12 months | 85–90% result visible |
| 18 months | Final result |
Shock Shedding: No Need to Panic
2–6 weeks after operation, most of the transplanted hairs shed. This is completely normal and does not indicate treatment failure. The follicles are healthy, they have simply entered the resting (telogen) phase. New growth begins within 3–4 months.