How you feel after surgery depends on the extent and complexity of the procedure. Any aching, excessive tightness, or throbbing can be controlled with pain medication prescribed by your physician.
If bandages are used, they will usually be removed one day later. You may gently wash your hair within two days following surgery. Any stitches will be removed in a week to 10 days. Be sure to discuss the possibility of swelling, bruising, and drainage with your surgeon.
Because strenuous activity increases blood flow to the scalp and may cause your transplants or incisions to bleed, you may be instructed to avoid vigorous exercise and contact sports for at least three weeks.
To make sure that your incisions are healing properly, your doctor will probably want to see you several times during the week. It's important that you carefully follow any advice you receive at these follow-up visits.
Getting Back to Normal
You may feel well enough to go back to work and resume normal, light activity after several days.
Many patients who have had transplants (plugs or other grafts) are dismayed to find that their "new" hair falls out within six weeks after surgery. Remember, this condition is normal and almost always temporary. After hair falls out, it will take another five to six weeks before hair growth resumes. You can expect about a half-inch of growth per month.
Follow-Up Procedures
You may need a surgical "touch-up" procedure to create more natural-looking results after your incisions have healed.
