Hair loss no longer needs to be a mark of shame. With the advent of new technology, patients now have a wide variety of treatment options to fight back against the natural shedding of their hair. Dr. Stephen M. Miller offers hair replacement surgery to patients in Las Vegas and the surrounding areas. Call (702) 369-1001 today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Miller!
What Can Hair Replacement Surgery Do?
The slow and insidious loss of hair in both men and women can change their social circles greatly. First impressions are important in today’s world, and the thinning of hair or a receding hairline can impart an older and less youthful appearance. This can cause loss of confidence in a patient, or lead then to utilize other cover up techniques, which may not be the best choice.
With the new technology now available which can transplant single and double strands of hair, a patient can regain the anterior hairline or gain greater density in their scalp which can simulate nature and avoid the “Barbie Doll Hair” that was the stigma of years gone past.
How can I prepare for a Hair Transplant?
Before a hair transplant, patients may be advised to take certain precautions. These are intended to reduce the risk of bleeding and swelling and also to promote the best treatment outcome.
Two weeks before the procedure, patients should stop smoking and refrain from using medications and supplements that thin the blood. Examples include NSAIDs like Motrin (ibuprofen). Alcohol should also be avoided due to its blood-thinning effects. In the few weeks before surgery, patients should also enjoy healthy, nutrient-dense foods. Dieting is not recommended before undergoing hair transplant surgery because putting the body in a catabolic state could diminish its healing capacity.
How is Hair Replacement Surgery Performed?
The harvesting of follicular units, or the hair transplants are taken from a part of the scalp on the back, which is genetically destined not to fall out. This procedure is done under local anesthesia with some sedation to place the patient in a twilight sleep. Professionally trained cutters then prepare the hair transplants. Precise openings are then made by Las Vegas plastic surgeon Dr. Miller to assure a natural orientation and appropriate density.
Typical patients can have anywhere from 500 to 1800 follicular units placed which can amount to 1000-3000 single hairs. The recovery involves some mild tightness in the donor site, which is easily controlled with oral medication. The normal progression is for the transplanted hair shaft to fall out but the transplanted hair bulb remains, and this is where the new hair will grow from.
Depending on the rate of each individual’s hair growth, a patient will see new hair start to grow in a few short weeks with full growth taking place by 6-8 months. Some individuals with advance hair loss need to have more than one session to achieve maximal results, but patients with smaller areas or women that merely need greater density, many times are satisfied after one single hair transplant session.
How long does the hair transplant procedure last?
The length of the hair transplant surgery depends on how many grafts are being transplanted. The procedure can take from 4 to 8 hours. During your consultation, the doctor can discuss the anticipated amount of time you should arrange to be in the office.
What kind of results can I expect from hair transplant surgery?
After the brief recovery period during which pain medication may be needed, patients can expect to go about their normal routine comfortably. It is possible to return to work in 2 to 5 days. The doctor may discuss certain activity restrictions, such as avoiding strenuous exercise, and for how long. Patients should expect their transplanted hair to fall out 2 to 3 weeks after their procedure. This is not a sign of failure but of shock to the transplanted follicles. In time, new hair growth occurs. According to studies, most patients experience 60% new hair growth after 6 to 9 months. This may be facilitated through the use of a topical or oral hair restoration product like minoxidil.
Can I still lose the hair after a transplant?
Technically, pattern baldness should not occur after hair transplant surgery. This is because the nature of the harvested hair follicles, taken from the back or sides of the scalp, are more resilient and resistant to loss. That said, it is possible that hair could thin over time.
Is there any pain involved with a hair transplant?
Hair transplant surgery is far more comfortable than most patients expect. Before the procedure, the doctor administers numbing medication to both the harvest area and the implant area. This is the same type of medication that a dentist uses before filling a cavity or performing a root canal. To numb the scalp, the doctor performs several injections using a very fine needle. It is during this part of the process that patients will feel minor discomfort. It is described as a momentary pinching sensation. Because the local anesthetic is powerful, its numbing effects begin to develop within just a couple of minutes, after which subsequent injections may be less noticeable. In 10 to 15 minutes, the anesthetic reaches full efficacy, eliminating the chances of pain during the transplant.
It is not uncommon for patients to experience minor soreness and tenderness after their anesthetic wears off. To manage this, the doctor may prescribe pain medication. The vast majority of patients need prescription-strength medication only for a day. By the following day, comfort should improve enough to manage with over-the-counter painkillers like acetaminophen.
How accurate is Hair Transplant Surgery?
The advancement in hair transplant techniques has significantly improved the accuracy and natural appearance achieved with hair transplants. Thirty years ago, hair transplants looked unnatural due to the use of large hair plugs. Today, doctors use micrografts that are extremely small, thereby enhancing the accuracy of placement. Dr. Miller uses extreme care to insert hair grafts in accordance with the natural orientation and pattern of the patient's hair.
Patient Testimonials:
"I had the best experience while i was under Dr. Miller's care. His office staff is friendly and very professional. I felt comfortable the moment I met Dr. Miller and his assistant Lacy. They explained each phase of the process to me and was supportive. Thank you Dr. Miller and Lacy" - T.M.
" Dr. Miller is the best cosmetic surgeon in Las Vegas, NV, hands down. Dr. Miller and he was friendly and knowledgeable and the staff was great each time I went in to the office. I have recommend Stephen M. Miller, MD, PC, FACS - Plastic Surgeon to my friends, family and coworkers. Amazing and so satisfied with the results" - W.S.
" Dr. Miller and his whole staff are fantastic. Dr. Miller takes his time and explains the whole procedure step by step. I felt extremely comfortable. But what really speaks for itself is the results." - D.L.
View Our Hair Transplant Photo Gallery.
Will My Hair Transplant Results Look Natural?
The early hair transplant technique involved harvesting large grafts, strips of skin containing healthy hair follicles from areas of the scalp that were not genetically predisposed to hair loss, primarily the back of the head. Once these strips had been harvested, they were directly attached to the recipient area in which balding or thinning had occurred. This hair transplant method couldn't achieve the most natural-looking results due to the large number of individual hairs that were transferred at one time. The hair growth pattern in the recipient site may have been different than the site from which hair follicles had been taken.
Dr. Miller performs follicular hair transplant treatments. In these techniques, even if larger strips of hair follicles are harvested from one area, the follicles are meticulously separated into very small follicular units. This means that the doctor inserts only a few hairs at a time into their new location on the scalp. Also, Dr. Miller performs hair transplant surgery with your natural hair growth pattern in mind. Customizing your procedure to that and to your needs, he can achieve remarkably natural-looking results.
A Timeline of Recovery After Hair Transplant Surgery
Understandably, you want to know what to expect at every stage of your post-treatment recovery. A few guideposts can alert you that you're on your way to healthy new hair growth and that every side effect you're experiencing is a natural part of the process. Know that your total recovery time after your hair transplant may be about 12 months.
Initially, you will need to give your body extra rest. If you notice you're more tired than usual, don't have your normal level of stamina, or need more hours of sleep every night, don't panic. Your body is expending a great deal of energy establishing healthy circulation to your transplanted hair follicles. Also, you may feel a little more tired than usual because you're not sleeping as well as you normally do. After your hair transplant, you may experience soreness and tenderness that make it somewhat difficult to rest well.
In addition to mild to moderate discomfort, which can be managed with medication, expect some swelling in both the donor and recipient sites. Usually, swelling is mild enough to be relatively unnoticeable. However, some patients develop swelling that can be seen around the eyes. The scalp may also itch for as long as 14 days after the hair follicles have been transplanted.
During your initial recovery from hair transplant surgery, it's imperative that you sleep with your head elevated. It can be helpful to also use a neck pillow, such as one you would use on an airplane or long road trip, to prevent accidental disruption to the scalp in the area where hair follicles need time to integrate. Generally, this initial stage of recovery after hair transplant surgery doesn't last long. You may feel well enough to return to work within a week, provided you do not have to perform strenuous activity.
Around three months after your hair transplant, after you've gone through some natural shedding of the transplanted hairs, you may begin to see a new normal hair growth cycle developing. At this time, however, new hair growth may be spotty and rough. Your recovery can vary based on several factors, right down to the climate you live in and your daily habits. You'll have some follow-up appointments during this time. It's important to attend these visits to ask questions and to allow Dr. Miller to note your improvement. We may do so with documentation as well as images.
Your new hair growth pattern should be well-established by 10 months after your hair transplant procedure. Around one year post-treatment, we may schedule your final follow-up to assess your end result.
Call Dr. Miller For Hair Transplant Surgery In Las Vegas!
Learn about hair replacement surgery treatment in Las Vegas by calling 702-369-1001 today. Or, you can fill out our appointment request form by clicking here! Your initial consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Stephen Miller is free. We proudly serve patients in Henderson, Summerlin and nearby areas of Nevada.