FUE Hair Transplant Post-Operative Instructions

Important Instructions

• Do not touch the newly placed grafts or allow the shower stream to hit them during the first week.
• Mist the recipient area with the BLUE SurgiHEAL PRO® bottle every 1 to 2 hours while awake.
• Sleep with your head elevated at approximately 45 degrees for the first four nights.
• Use the cup method described below to wash your scalp during the first week.
• Do not exercise during the first week. Light aerobic activity is permitted during the second week, but do not lift weights.
• If you smoke, do not smoke for two weeks after surgery.
• Protect the grafts from sunlight for six months by wearing a cap or applying sunscreen.

The Cup Method

Use this method to wash the recipient and donor areas during the first week:

1. Fill a clean plastic cup with warm water from the shower.
2. Add a few drops of the provided baby shampoo and mix.
3. Pour the mixture over the grafts and donor area several times. Do not touch or rub the grafts.
4. Refill the cup with warm water only and pour it over both areas several times to rinse.

Day of Your Procedure

After surgery

• A driver is required to take you home because of the medications given during surgery.
• Do not touch the surgical area or bandages.
• Rest and take it easy. You may feel groggy or tired.
• Clean your hands before and after caring for your scalp.
• Before leaving, make sure you understand how to care for your newly transplanted grafts.

Medications and vitamins

When the local anesthesia wears off, the recipient and donor areas may become sore or tender. Take your first acetaminophen/hydrocodone tablet or plain acetaminophen (Tylenol®) at that time, as directed.

Take one 220 mg naproxen (Naprosyn®) tablet twice a day with food, including one at bedtime, as directed. This will help with discomfort and swelling.

We strongly recommend taking a multivitamin or hair-support vitamin, especially for the first 10 days after surgery. Nutrafol® hair vitamins are available for purchase in the office if needed.

Graft care

You may remove the bandages when you get home. First moisten the bandages over the grafts with the BLUE SurgiHEAL PRO® bottle. After removing the bandages, lightly mist the grafts with the same solution every 1 to 2 hours while awake. If you leave the bandages on, you do not need to spray.

Sleeping

If prescribed and desired, you may take one 10 mg zolpidem (Ambien®) tablet. Keep your head elevated at approximately 45 degrees in a recliner or with pillows. You may lie on the donor area. If you wake in pain, take an acetaminophen/hydrocodone tablet as prescribed.

Post-Operative Day 1

Medications

With breakfast, take one 220 mg naproxen (Naprosyn®) tablet. Take another tablet at bedtime. You may also take either Tylenol® or acetaminophen/hydrocodone as directed.

Graft care

If you did not remove the recipient-area bandages the night of surgery, spray them with the BLUE SurgiHEAL PRO® bottle until very moist. Carefully and slowly remove the bandages, misting them with additional solution if needed.

Use the cup method with the provided baby shampoo to clean your scalp. Do not replace the bandages. Lightly mist the grafts with the BLUE bottle every 1 to 2 hours while awake. You do not need to spray while sleeping.

Donor area

Use the cup method to clean the donor area. Spray the donor area with the ORANGE SurgiHEAL PRO® bottle four times during the day.

Laser cap and sleep

If you have a laser cap, begin using it for six minutes each day. Do not let the cap touch or dislodge the grafts. Continue sleeping with your head elevated.

Post-Operative Day 2

Continue all medication, graft-care, donor-area, laser-cap, and sleeping instructions from Post-Operative Day 1.

• Small amounts of alcohol are permitted, limited to 1 to 2 beers or glasses of wine.
• Swelling of the forehead, temples, and area around the eyes, with possible light bruising, may appear today or tomorrow.
• Do not bend over because this may worsen swelling.
• You may allow the shower spray to hit the donor area beginning today.
• Gently massage the donor area with baby shampoo using the pads of your fingertips. Do not scratch.
• Continue using the ORANGE bottle on the donor area four times a day.

Post-Operative Day 3

Continue all Post-Operative Day 1 instructions.

You may begin wearing a loose cap, provided it is wide enough that it does not touch the grafts. You may also wear a silk scarf. It is acceptable for the scarf to touch the grafts.

Post-Operative Days 4 Through 7

Continue the first-week instructions, including the cup method, BLUE bottle recipient-area care, ORANGE bottle donor-area care, and your medication schedule.

Continue elevated sleeping through the fourth night. Do not exercise during the first week.

Post-Operative Days 8 Through 13

Medications

You may stop taking naproxen (Naprosyn®).

Washing and graft care

Allow the warm shower stream to reach your entire scalp. Apply any conditioner to the scalp, including the grafts, using the pads of your fingertips. Do not scratch. Leave the conditioner on for approximately five minutes, then rinse and shampoo under the shower while rubbing the grafts with your fingertips.

The grafts are locked in place by this point. This washing helps loosen and remove the scabs. You may lightly towel dry your hair or use a blow dryer on a low, cool setting.

Continue misting the grafts with the BLUE bottle every 1 to 2 hours during the day.

Donor area and activity

You may wash the donor area normally with baby shampoo. Continue applying the ORANGE bottle to the donor area four times daily.

You may begin light exercise during the second week, but do not lift weights.

Day 14 and Beyond

Most scabs should have fallen off. If any remain, rub the grafts more vigorously with shampoo or conditioner while showering.

You may now return to your normal routine, including exercise, weight training, and cutting your hair.

What to Expect During Recovery

Swelling

Swelling may appear on the second or third day and should resolve within several days. Stay upright and avoid bending over. You may apply a bag of frozen peas or vegetables to the brow, but never place it near the grafts.

Itching

Itching in the recipient area, donor area, or both is very common. The provided BLUE and ORANGE sprays are the best way to help relieve it.

Numbness

Numbness in the recipient area, donor area, or both is common. It may last for several months, but sensation will return.

Light drainage

Light, possibly bloody drainage from the donor area for a day or so can be normal. If the drainage seems excessive or concerning, call or text Dr. Lee.

Hair Growth After Your Procedure

The small hairs transplanted with the grafts are likely to shed during the first three months. This is an expected part of the process.

• Months 0 through 3: Transplanted hairs are likely to shed.
• Around month 4: New hairs typically begin growing.
• Months 12 through 15: Allow 12 to 15 months for the expected growth to occur.

A laser cap may also help support healing and growth. If you do not already own one, laser caps are available for purchase from Lee Hair Restoration.