Hair Transplant Recovery Period
Following a transplant procedure, patients generally report mild pain and discomfort, which is easily controlled with medication. This will vary somewhat depending on the extent of the transplant procedure and the tightness of the cranium. Swelling, which is generally minimal, may move down around the eyes. Scabs and/or crusting over the grafts generally resolve over seven to ten days. Some redness of the head and graft area is expected, but will subside over days to weeks. Sutures from the donor area are removed in two weeks from the time of the transplant. Varying degrees of numbness, usually temporary, resolve over weeks to months.
Most transplant patients will lose the shafts from the transplanted grafts. However, the follicles remain and will grow new hairs in several months. Light exercise may be resumed in two weeks, however, more strenuous exercise, such as weight lifting, should be avoided for four weeks. Generally, it takes four to six months for early growth, with full results not achieved until eight months to one year.
Follicle Transplant Complications
Modern transplant surgery is comfortable, predictable, and the results are very satisfying to the vast majority of patients. Multiple transplant sessions over time may result in more obvious scars in the donor areas if careful guidelines and decisions are not followed. Varying degrees of numbness are usually temporary, resolving over weeks or months, but may be permanent. Serious problems of bleeding, scarring, and infection are rare.
