Things to Avoid After Transplant Surgery

If you’re seriously considering a hair transplant in Dubai, congratulations! But before you go ahead with the procedure, there are a few things you need to know to make sure it’s the best option for you.

Post-transplant care is the best way to ensure the success of the surgery and minimize the risk of infection. Post-transplant care includes paying attention to what you eat, drinking lots of fluids, and performing breathing exercises. In this article, we’re going to cover some things you’ll want to avoid once you come home.

Driving

When you come to the office for your surgery, your doctor will discuss any instructions with you. In most cases, you'll be able to go home and drive following your surgery. However, if your surgery was performed under strong sedation, avoid driving for the next 24 hours or as recommended by your surgeon.

Sleeping Flat

Sleep with your head elevated for the first 5 to 7 days after surgery to reduce the risk of swelling. Elevating your head reduces the amount of blood and fluid accumulating in your face and neck. Remaining in an upright position may help keep airways open during sleep.

Ignoring Medication Labels

Ignore medication labels at your own risk. Though tempting and usually resulting in no ill effects, taking prescription or over-the-counter tablets in the wrong dosage or order can cause serious problems ranging from unintended recreational use of medications to life-threatening infections.

Forgetting RICE

We’re all familiar with the RICE technique (rest, ice, compression and elevate). We know that for most injuries, turning down any pain medication is always best. When it comes to sprains or strains from your ankle to your fingers to even just a slight injury that was used too much, we always need to look after them.  

Washing Your Hair

You will be told by your transplant surgeon not to wash your hair for the first 48 hours post-transplant. This is to reduce the chance of infection and respiratory complications, as well as encourage the scalp wound to heal properly before putting any undue pressure on it.

Dyeing Your Hair

A few weeks before your procedure, immediately stop straightening and/or curling your hair with heat. This addition to the hair dye will increase the amount of stress placed on your new grafts during the time it takes for them to take root.

Sleeping on Your Stomach

Sleep on your back for the first week after hair transplant surgery. If you toss and turn in your sleep, try a weighted blanket or sleep on a recliner that conforms to your head and neck.

Getting Some Sun

When people get a hair transplant, they want to look great as soon as possible. However, you should take precautions to protect your new hair from the sun. Many patients find that the scalp itches after the surgery, and many lay in their shady backyard hammock during the day with no protection from the sun’s rays. To protect your scalp from the sun, we recommend avoiding direct sunlight for a couple of weeks — especially between 10 AM and 2 PM when the sun’s rays are strongest. 

Exercising

When you’re home and you no longer feel the effects of anesthesia or pain medication or start to feel uneasy about your recovery, avoid rigorous exercise or any form of exertion that makes you sweat and increases heart rate in the days immediately following surgery. Keep your heart rate and blood pressure in a normal, safe range.

Drinking and Smoking

If you have surgeries scheduled for the near future, and are a smoker, or drinker of alcohol, you should know that drinking alcohol is a diuretic. It means it will make you use the restroom more often…even if, ironically, you don’t feel the need to go. Plus, it can elevate your blood pressure and smoking does too. If you can quit at least 30 days before your surgery (and ideally even 3-4 months) it can help reduce your chance of complications.

Ignoring Diet

If the thought of losing your natural hair to male pattern baldness frightens you, then you may want to consider some choice words I learned from a nutritionist: "eat well to look well". In other words, diet matters when it comes to growing thick, healthy hair. Diet is key in preventing hair loss and promoting hair regrowth. As far back as ancient Egypt, there were writings on the connection between food and hair growth.

Yes, there’s a lot to keep in mind both before and after hair transplant surgery, but the good and experienced folks at Hair Transplant Dubai Clinic are here to guide you every step of the way. Take the next bold step and call today to schedule a FREE consultation.