Preparing for hair transplant surgery involves a few important steps that will set the stage for successful results. First, it is crucial you have a thorough consultation with Dr. Robert Niedbalski to understand the procedure and set realistic expectations. Then, leading up to the surgery, you may be advised to avoid certain medications and limit alcohol and tobacco use to ensure optimal healing. On the day of the procedure, come in comfortable clothing and ready to embark on this journey towards reclaiming your confidence.

For an FUE procedure, Dr. Niedbalski uses the WAW power punch system developed by one of the foremost FUE experts in the world, Dr. Jean DeVoyre of Belgium. The donor area is prepared by trimming the hair very short and the scalp is numbed using injections of local anesthetic. Follicular unit grafts are isolated and extracted with the power punch device. This creates a tiny 0.7- to 1.0-mm circular incision where each graft is removed. Once the grafts are harvested, the rest of the procedure is the same as previously described for the FUT surgery.

For an FUT procedure, the donor strip is measured and trimmed, and then your anesthetic is administered. Your anesthesia consists of oral sedation and scalp injections of lidocaine anesthetic. Once your scalp is fully numbed, Dr. Niedbalski will excise the strip of targeted follicles and close the wound with sutures, leaving a narrow linear scar that is concealed by your own hair.

The surgical staff uses microscopic dissection to separate the hair in the donor strip into follicular unit grafts (naturally occurring groups of 1 to 4 hairs). While the grafts are being trimmed and counted, Dr. Niedbalski creates the recipient sites where the grafts will be placed by making tiny incisions with specific angles and directions to match the natural pattern of your hair growth. Once the recipient sites have been completed, the surgical staff begins to insert the grafts into these tiny openings according to the design Dr. Niedbalski has created.

After your hair transplant, you will receive post-operative care instructions on how to take care of your scalp while it heals. You will leave the office with a small bandage (or none at all in some cases) and will be able to shampoo your hair the next day. Occasionally, patients may experience slight swelling a few days after their hair transplant procedure. This will resolve on its own within a few days.

The type and extent of hair loss, your hair type and ethnicity, and how you prefer to wear your hair, will all make a difference in the type of hair restoration surgery you choose. Dr. Niedbalski will take all these factors into consideration when creating your personalized hair restoration treatment plan during the time of your private, complimentary consultation.