Operation Restore
Locks of Love
National Alopecia
Areata Foundation
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THE HAIR RESTORATION REPORT March 2004 Congratulations! You have been selected to receive this issue of the "HAIR RESTORATION REPORT." This report contains tips on how to make the most out of the hair you already have, slow the hair loss process and more effectively plan and manage the restoration of your hair. In This Issue: · Hair Transplant Aftercare · Give Us Your Feedback · Virtual Hair Restoration Consultation · One-On-One with the Doctor ------------------------------------------------- Hair Transplant AftercareYou’ve finally made the decision to do something about your hair loss. You’ve read all you could read, you’ve learned everything you needed to know and you’ve made the best possible decision in MD’s. And now that you’ve had your surgery, what should you expect… how long should it take to heal… what can you do to better insure the quickest, safest and best possible recovery? Although everyone’s recovery is unique, we find that there are distinct stages and average timeframes all of us tend to follow. And there are things we can do, in terms of aftercare, to help us along the way. 65 year old patient, 1500 grafts One week and two weeks following surgery
After Surgery Most patients experience a feeling of “pressure” in both the donor area and graft-incision areas for a couple of days following surgery. The majority of these patients say that a simple Motrin tablet is enough to alleviate any discomfort. For those with greater sensitivity in their scalps, something a little stronger may be in order (Vicodin, Darvocet, etc.), and your doctor can prescribe these for you. In addition to any pain medication, you will be given anti-swelling medication (Medrol, generally) and anti-infection medication (Keflex, generally) that you will take for a couple days following your procedure. You’ll want to “take it easy” physically for two to three days following surgery – bedrest is not required, but limit physical activity to a minimum. Stay away from strenuous physical activity and make sure to squat (bending at the knees) rather than bending over at the waist for seven days following surgery. Swimming activities can be resumed once the donor and graft-incision areas are fully healed. You’ll want to refrain from washing your hair with your fingertips following a procedure. Starting the day following surgery, put 10% baby shampoo with 90% water in a cup and rinse your hair and scalp. (Do not stand directly under the shower head flow of water.) Do this every day for the first five to seven days, then you can begin gently massaging your scalp as you wash. Here are some other post-operative tips to aid in healing:• Eat a normal meal, and drink plenty of liquids. • Begin taking prescribed medications as advised. • Avoid the use of aspirin and alcohol for several days. • Sleep with your head elevated on two pillows for the first night, if possible. • No smoking for five days after surgery. • No sex for two days following surgery. • Apply an ice-pack to the forehead and donor area during the first 48-hours, 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, three times or more per day. • After the third day following surgery, you may apply Neosporin or Bacitracin ointment to the graft-incision areas for any sensation of “itchiness.” Suture Removal The donor area sutures may be removed in eight to twelve days, based on scalp density and elasticity. This date will be provided to you by your doctor during surgery. Hair TreatmentsAvoid alcohol-based hair gels, sprays, etc. for one week following surgery. Any chemical treatments such as hair dyes and perms maybe resumed two weeks after the surgery, once all areas have healed. Rogaine may be resumed on the third day following surgery, and there is no need to discontinue the use of Propecia prior to or after surgery. As you can see, the aftercare and healing protocol is very easy to follow and lasts only a matter of days. This is an out-patient procedure. No muscle, tendons or bones are touched. There are virtually no side-effects or complications, and when performed by an experienced surgeon, the recovery time is minimal and the results will last a lifetime. Choosing the right physician is still the most important decision you can make. Dr. Randall Sword has helped more Southern California men and women recover from hairloss than any other practicing surgeon, and he’ll be your personal physician. If you have any questions or if there is anything we can do for you, don’t hesitate contacting us.Best regards, 
------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- Click here to view our upcoming seminars. Call 1-800-242-6900 for Reservations - By Appointment Only Dr. Sword has helped more people recover from hair loss than any other practicing physician in Southern California. Dr. Sword will be your personal physician. | ||||||||
