A hair transplant can be transformative. Thankfully, they are also minimally invasive and most patients sail through the surgery and post-operative recovery with no complications. However, certain lifestyle choices and “bad habits” may slow and complicate the healing process. Here are some factors you should discuss with your doctor before your hair transplant in Philadelphia.
Smoking Habit
If you smoke cigarettes, you must tell your doctor before surgery. Some doctors ask patients to cut down or quit smoking before surgery. Chronic smoking diminishes small blood vessels in the scalp. This leads to decreased blood flow to the transplanted areas and may slow or complicate healing.
Smoking may also increase the risk of infection after hair transplant surgery. This is, again, because the healing blood flow to the scalp is reduced. Thankfully infections in hair transplant surgery are exceedingly rare, and most doctors provide prophylactic antibiotics. However, it still does increase the risk. Because of this, some physicians may recommend switching to something like nicotine replacement patches, nicotine replacement chewing gum, or oral medications. Speak with your doctor before surgery to determine if you should reduce or quit smoking.
Dietary Supplements
Although daily vitamins and supplements may be good for overall health, they are not good for surgery. Popular supplements like magnesium citrate, garlic, and fish oil thin the blood and may lead to excessive bleeding during and after your hair transplant in Philadelphia. Your surgeon will likely recommend stopping all vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies for 7-10 days before surgery, so it is important to discuss this long before the procedure.
If you are interested in learning more about hair transplantation or making an appointment for a consultation with Feller & Bloxham Medical, please visit our website at web.
