Botched hair transplant surgery can be a nightmare. It is prevalent enough to possibly deter a potential patient, or at least add to the existing anxiety that comes with the pursuit of hair restoration. Hair transplant technology has come a long way over the past 50 years, and many of these botched procedures may have happened before newer techniques, like follicular unit extraction, were invented. However, even with the most sophisticated tools and techniques, there is no guarantee of a successful outcome. To minimize the chance of complications or subpar long-term results, choosing the right surgeon is paramount.
How To Determine A Good Hair Transplant Surgeon At A Glance
First and foremost, a good surgeon will have:
- The proper licensing and board certifications
- Experience!
- Enduring SUCCESS and video/photo documentation of said success
The proper tools, namely handheld extraction devices since technical features of currently available robotic devices for FUE are still being refined.
What To Expect of A Good Hair Transplant Surgeon
Once you’ve chosen a surgeon on a preliminary basis, ask for a consultation. Through your consultation, you should discuss the “look” you’re after, your goals and expectations, and your financial capabilities. Make sure to review the photos and/or videos of previous cases similar to yours to gauge the realistic outcome. In a nutshell, your surgeon is responsible for:
- Not over-promising. He or she should be upfront with you about having realistic expectations.
- The overall design of your new hair, especially hairline design. Artistry is key when it comes to hair transplantation. Your surgeon should be able to place each follicular unit at the appropriate angle and direction, with the proper symmetry and evenness. He or she should build a hairline that appears gradual and natural in and of itself while it also compliments your facial features and bone structure. Both science and artistic vision are components in hair transplantation.
- The integrity of the grafts extracted, namely in follicular unit extraction. In FUE, each extraction is considered a (micro) surgical procedure, thus the surgeon (a properly licensed/certified associate is also acceptable) is the one who does the extracting. This means that the number of grafts that survive, as well as the number of grafts that die or go to waste (due to transection, for example) are the surgeon’s responsibility.
If you are interested in hair transplantation, Dr. Umar offers a free online consultation, and is happy to answer any questions you may have.
