20 days until Transplant w/ Dr. Keene

[worrywart]

So I made an appointment on the 26th with Dr. Keene in Arizona. I am super excited with some trepidation. I can't really think of anything else besides the hair transplant. I wanted to ask those who have had a transplant if they shaved their head before the surgery? I'm doing FUT. I still have some light miniaturizing hairs on my head and I told her I don't care if they fall out due to shock loss and don't come back, as long as I achieve density with the new stuff. Despite extensive research, I still don't get how they can give you density when you have follicles, albeit dying, in the way. If anybody could explain that would be great. She was very informative during our consultation but it was a lot of information to take in. I'm shooting for 3400 grafts, flying in on the 25th.

Yes scared and excited, but most of all impatient. Any tips from experienced transplant recipients would be greatly appreciated.

 

[arfy]

I'm doing FUT.

Every doctor who does decent work does "FUT" (follicular unit transplant). If it wasn't FUT it would be an outdated procedure like "Mingrafts" or "Micrografts". You haven't really told us anything (everybody knows Dr Keane uses follicular unit grafts - that's good - but doesn't say what method she uses to harvest the grafts).

I don't know why you would be shaving your head for this, unless maybe Dr. Keane is doing FUE now?

As far as getting prepared, eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, get plenty of sleep, try not to to get stressed out. Vitamin C is supposed to be good for healing - you might add 250 or 500 mg on top of your daily diet. Don't smoke - smoking kills capillaries, and has a negative impact on healing.

As far as transplanting with your existing hair, if the original hair looks reasonably healthy they probably work around those follicles. If those hairs look like they are basically worthless, they might transplant right over (into) them. Not sure, and it may depend on the individual.