HAIR TRANSPLANTS ­ EMPLOYING THE WORLD-RENOWNED MICROGRAFT METHOD

• ANAESTHETIC - LOCAL
• RECUPERATION ­ 7 TO 10 DAYS

THE MICROGRAFT HAIR TRANSPLANT: The Micrograft technique is the most positive advancement in the history of hair transplantation.

The biggest problem relating to hair transplants prior to the Micrograft technique concerned the size of the incisions into which hair was transplanted and which in turn created an artificial appearance to the hair.

The Micrograft system however, although more time consuming, due to employing far smaller grafts of hair and as a result many more of them, results in a fine head of natural looking hair for the recipient.

YOUR MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

HOW WILL I CHOOSE THE RIGHT SURGEON FOR MY PROCEDURE?

Although all South Africa’s leading cosmetic surgeons are highly trained and experienced in all cosmetic / plastic surgery procedures they naturally have individual, specialist areas of interest and expertise.

Once Surgical Attractions has assessed your particular desires and aspirations concerning the outcome of your procedure we will marry them to the surgeon best suited to your special needs. The surgeon’s CV details will then be sent to you for your perusal and acceptance.

HOW WILL MY SURGEON ASSESS MY PARTICULAR SURGICAL REQUIREMENTS?

When you complete the Medical History section of the General Enquiry Form you will be asked to submit it together with a clear and reasonably close-up digital photograph (in colour) of the area of your body requiring surgery.

Once your recommended surgeon has assessed your particular requirements along with your medical history and digital photo, Surgical Attractions will arrange an obligation free teleconference between the two of you.

At this stage your surgeon will not only be in possession of all the facts relating to your particular case but also be in a position to recommend the exact method to be employed to achieve the results you desire. Your surgeon will also be available at this point to answer any questions you may have as regards your surgery and the outcome.

You will be encouraged at all times prior to your surgery to continue getting to know your surgeon by asking as many questions as you like.

On arrival in South Africa Surgical Attractions will arrange a personal meeting between you and your surgeon. Once again the method of surgery and the desired outcome will be discussed along with any other questions you may have. If at this point you decide not to go ahead with the procedure your decision will be respected.

AM I SUITED TO A MICROGRAFT HAIR TRANSPLANT?

Historically it has been mainly men who have availed themselves of hair transplants and generally speaking they have been in the twenty something to sixty something age bracket. However these days all men and women who are balding from either an hereditary cause or as a result of injury or illness could be good candidates for this procedure.

Each individual case is examined in detail by a specialist hair transplant surgeon and thereafter the potential outcome, taking your desires and aspirations into account, will be discussed with you. You will also be encouraged to ask as many questions as you like prior to surgery.

IS THE PROCEDURE GOING TO BE VERY PAINFUL?

Every individual has a different threshold of pain but generally speaking the only real discomfort experienced in hair transplantation is by way of the initial localised injection in the scalp. This discomfort only lasts for a few minutes however and thereafter there is no pain at all for the duration of the operation as the scalp becomes completely numb. If a patient requires additional sedation it can be administered prior to the localised scalp injection.

HOW IS HAIR TRANSPLANT SURGERY PERFORMED?

The first stage of the operation is concerned with establishing the perfect donor area, which is located in non-balding sections either at the back or sides of the head. A strip of hair bearing skin, the size of which varies depending on the bald area to be covered but which generally results in between 400 - 800 grafts, is then removed from the donor area. Once this has bee done the area is closed with fine stitches that produce an equally fine hairline scar.

A number of very tiny incisions equal to the number of prepared hair grafts are then made in the bald area of the patient’s scalp and the hair grafts transplanted at a ratio of one graft to one incision. Great care is taken to ensure that the incisions are placed in such a way as to create an extremely natural appearance. The natural appearance is further enhanced by the use of single grafts only along the hairline and bigger grafts at the back of the head for the purpose of creating hair density in this area.

The length of the procedure is of course dependant on the size of the area to be covered however it usually takes between two to five hours ­ although some exceptionally long procedures have been known to last as much as seven hours.

ARE THERE ANY PRECAUTIONS I SHOULD TAKE PRIOR TO SURGERY?

It is advisable to avoid the intake of alcohol 24 hours prior to surgery.

HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER THE PROCEDURE?

As the surgery is performed under local anaesthetic you will be free to leave after completion of the procedure and will be driven back to your hotel.

A long lasting local anaesthetic is generally used to ensure that the patient will be free of pain for four to six hours after the procedure. Thereafter either a strong analgesic or anti inflammatory (or a combination of both) will be prescribed to minimize any further potential pain or discomfort.

As a rule patients experience very little discomfort in the recipient area following surgery, most discomfort coming from the donor area. This however seldom lasts more than a couple of days.

Fortunately there is no bruising associated with hair transplant surgery. However you will more than likely experience a certain amount of initial swelling in the forehead area and around the eyes (particularly if extensive work has taken place in the vicinity of your hairline). This will neither look or feel great but will soon settle.

HOW SOON BEFORE MY LIFE’S BACK TO NORMAL?

You should be feeling fine within days following your hair transplant surgery and can as a result resume your normal lifestyle and return to work if you wish. However it is strongly recommended that you avoid strenuous exercise for between seven to ten days following surgery. The reason being that strenuous exercise can easily cause your blood pressure to rise and the incisions into which your hair grafts have been placed to bleed. If this happens the very tiny hair grafts may well become dislodged. So if you can avoid strenuous movements and generally take it easy for a while following your hair transplant surgery, all the better for the final outcome.

RISKS

As with everything else in life there are also risks involved in surgical procedures. No matter how good the Surgeon performing the Surgery may be, complications can arise. Therefore before proceeding with any surgery of any kind please discuss all your concerns with your surgeon and ask as many questions as you like so that you are in a position to make an informed decision.