Medications You will be provided with the following : Keflex (antibiotic) Take as directed to prevent infection. Prednisone (anti-swelling) You will take 7 tablets before you leave the office on the day of the surgery. Take 6 the next morning, 5 the morning after that and so on (decreasing by one tablet each day) until there are none left. Take each day's Prednisone pills all at once, in the morning, with food and/or milk. Take exactly as directed. Triazolam (sleep) Optional, to help rest more comfortably the first night or two. Tylenol 3 (mild discomfort) Use as needed for mild pain or discomfort following surgery. If you feel you need something stronger a prescription will be provided. Percocet (moderate discomfort) Take 1 tablet every 4 - 6 hours for discomfort during first 2-3 days post-operatively. Please call the office if you have any questions concerning medication (956-7709 or TOLL-FREE 1-888-237-4247).

Swelling
To help prevent swelling, keep your head elevated at a 45 degree angle for at least the first night. For the first 3 days after the transplant, apply ice packs or a bag of frozen peas around the forehead and temples as frequently as possible to help minimize swelling. Some swelling is quite normal and may occur despite these preventative measures. On occasion, swelling can be severe enough to cause a large amount of puffiness around the eyes. Generally, the swelling begins 2-3 days after the procedure, and is most noticeable after the first session. With subsequent treatments, it usually occurs in a milder form or not at all. The swelling lasts for 2 - 4 days.

Sutures
Sutures will be removed in our office 7 - 10 days after the surgery. You may want to take Extra Strength Tylenol one hour prior to suture removal.

Activity
For the first 3 days following surgery, refrain from heavy work or sports related activities. Weight lifting or any heavy lifting should be avoided for 7 days following the surgery.

Numbness
Many nerve endings are cut during each procedure, sometimes resulting in temporarily decreased sensitivity or numbness in both the donor and recipient areas. These nerve endings will begin to regenerate themselves immediately and feeling will be restored over the next few months.

Hair Care
Starting on the 1st day after the surgery, and until your stitches are removed, we ask that you wash your hair once a day in the following manner:

1. Fill the bathtub with warm water.
2. Lay back in the water until it covers the donor area - the stitched area.
3. Soak and massage the stitched area for 10 minutes. This will help the crusts heal and fall off.
4. Wet the rest of your hair with a bowl or cup. Shampoo your whole head. Do not be afraid to get a good lather on the grafted area as well. If, after the soaking, you prefer to have a shower, make sure the water does not beat directly down on the newly transplanted grafts.
5. We recommend Neutrogena Shampoo(which we supply) to be used for 7-10 days after surgery.
6. Conditioners may be used with every second washing. Other hair products(gels, mousse, etc.) are best avoided for the first week.
7. To encourage the crusts to fall off, we recommend that you apply K-Y jelly(we supply) to the grafts and stitches twice daily.
8. When combing your hair, do so carefully to avoid dislodging the grafts. A soft brush is preferable to a comb.
9. On the 4th day after your surgery start washing your hair twice a day until the stitches are removed.

Healing

1. Leave the transplanted area open to the air as mush as possible. However, it is fine to wear a hat or hairpiece in public if you feel more comfortable.
2. The scabs on the grafts will begin to fall off in 7 - 10 days.
3. If desired, an oil-free, water-based cover-up makeup can be applied to camouflage the grafted areas. You must shampoo off the "cover-up" as soon as possible.
4. Do not expect any hair growth for 3 months.
5. It is not uncommon for some people to experience mild disorientation for a few days due to the pre-operative medications.
6. You may notice a small amount of bleeding from the incision line. Simply apply pressure for 5 minutes and protect your pillows.
7. It is normal for a mild case of "pimples" to develop in the recipient area 6 weeks to 6 months post-op. If the problem persists or worsens, please call our office as an antibiotic prescription may be warranted.