Hair loss is primarily caused by a combination of aging
and a family history of baldness. Dr. Burt Greenberg provides a wide
range of hair restoration techniques for both men and women. Hair replacement
surgery can enhance your appearance and self-confidence. Before deciding
to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss
them with Dr. Greenberg.
Generally, hair replacement techniques use the patient's existing hair
which is removed in a strip from the back portion of the scalp. Hair
replacement candidates must have healthy hair growth at the back and
the sides of the head to serve as donor areas. Factors such as: hair
color, texture, waviness, curliness, all affect the overall cosmetic
results. New techniques in hair transplantation surgeries are micrografts
and slit-grafts, which very accurately restore both the frontal hairline
and the vortex (top of the scalp). Generally, two to three sessions
are required in the facility under local anesthesia with intravenous
sedation.
Planning your surgery
During the initial consultation, Dr. Burt Greenberg will
evaluate your hair growth and loss, review family history of hair loss,
and ask about previous hair replacement surgery. Your life style, expectations,
goals, and medical condition will be thoroughly discussed. Uncontrolled
high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, and a history of smoking
all may disqualify you from hair replacement techniques.
Avoidance of certain vitamins and medications will be required before
the procedure. Carefully following instructions will help your surgery
go more smoothly and ensure a better outcome.
The surgery
The procedure is performed in Dr. Burt Greenberg's plastic
surgery facility, The Great Neck Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Facility,
which is accredited at the highest level ("C" level) by the
American Association of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF).
Patients are mildly sedated during the time of the graft harvest and
then, while preparations for transfer are underway, they can relax,
listen to music, and rest within the facility. Grafts are meticulously
oriented so that the transplanted hair will grow in a natural direction.
Following the final transfer, care is taken so that both hair growth
and the donor site are not adversely affected.
Should you be a candidate for a scalp reduction technique, sometimes
referred to as an advancement flap, then sections of the hair bearing
scalp will be pulled forward or "advanced" to fill in the
pulled crown. Scalp reduction is for coverage of bald areas at the top
and back of the head, but is not beneficial for coverage of the frontal
hairline. After the scalp is injected with a local anesthetic, a segment
of bald scalp is removed. It is likely that you will feel a strong tugging
at the point where the scalp is restored, but this will relax in time.
After your surgery
After the grafting session, the scalp will be cleansed
and covered with gauze. A ski cap and a mild pressure bandage are worn
for a day or two. Treatment of the recipient sites with daily peroxide
will ensure that no scabs form about the graft site. Generally, hair
will fall out from the recipient areas and then, over the next two to
three months, gradually start to grow. A second session is best performed
between the third and sixth months following the hair restoration surgery
so that the new hairs can be identified and avoided when filling in
the restored areas with new micro-transfers.
Following any hair restoration procedure, you will be instructed to
avoid vigorous exercise and contact sports for at least three weeks.
Several checks during the first month after the hair restoration surgery
should be planned with Dr. Burt Greenberg. Patients can expect about
an inch of growth per month after any of the hair restoration techniques.
