Excision and Transplantation

The Transplantation Procedure (FUT) is carried out with minimal sedation and local anesthesia. Follicular grafts are usually extracted from the back and sides of the head in the "Safe Donor Area". The patient is positioned face down on the procedure table and given sedation through oral and IM medications. The donor scalp is numbed with local anesthesia, and a strip containing the Follicular Units (FU) is surgically removed by Dr. Fernandez-Tatum. Care is taken to preserve blood vessels and nerves. The scalp is sutured without tension, leaving a discreet linear scar that is typically hidden by hair. Sutures are removed 2-3 weeks later. The strip is dissected into individual Follicular units, grouped based on hair count, and stored in a special solution. The patient is then seated, and the recipient scalp area is anesthetized for the transplantation process. Grafts are meticulously placed to achieve a natural look. The procedure duration varies depending on the number of grafts needed. Patients are kept comfortable with sedation and can relax during the procedure. Meals and movies are provided during the process. 

 Follicular Unit Extraction, or FUE, is performed with local anesthesia and minimal sedation. Donor grafts are usually sourced from the back and sides of the head, known as the Safe Donor Area. In some cases, beard hair can be used if scalp donor hair is insufficient. The donor area is numbed before using a handheld punch device to extract individual follicular units. Each unit contains 1-4 hair strands with the entire follicle and root system intact. Grafts are stored in a solution with nutrients for preservation and inspected for quality under a stereomicroscope. After harvesting a safe number of grafts, they are transplanted into recipient areas on the scalp to achieve a natural look. The procedure lasts 2-8 hours based on the required number of grafts. Over-harvesting should be avoided to prevent cosmetic issues. FUE results has less noticeable scarring compared to Linear Strip Excision (LSE) or FUT methods. Post-transplant, the scalp may be red, swollen, and tender for a few days. Patients should avoid touching the scalp to prevent graft displacement. It takes about 7 days for the grafts to fully integrate. Scabs will form and naturally fall off as the scalp heals. Patients are advised to elevate their head while sleeping to reduce swelling. Recovery is typically quick, but caution is necessary for optimal results. Taking 2-3 days off work post-procedure is recommended for proper healing.