Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) or Strip Harvesting - Plastic Surgeon in Nagpur | Cosmetic Surgeon in Nagpur | Dr. Suresh Chawre

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Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) or Strip Harvesting.

FUT hair transplants – otherwise known as Follicular Unit Transplantation or strip harvesting – are a popular type of hair restoration.

As opposed to an FUE Transplant, which involves harvesting individual hairs, an FUT allows the surgeon to safely transplant thousands of grafts in a single session to maximize the cosmetic impact of the procedure. During the hair loss procedure, a strip of hair is removed from either the sides or back of the scalp and transplanted to the affected area.

Why have an FUT hair transplant?

A third of men lose their hair by the time they are 30; 40% lose it by the time they are 40 and over half of the men over 50 show signs of baldness. Nine out of ten patients at Saundarya City are men who are seeking a permanent remedy to their baldness. However, around 10% of our patients are women, and many women do struggle with hair loss at some point in their lives, which is why anyone can benefit from an FUT procedure.

Many people find that hair loss can damage their self-esteem and even their career prospects. Hair transplantation is a permanent solution to this problem, as transplanted hair is highly durable and should last the patient for the rest of his or her life.

Virtually all men – even those in the advanced stages of baldness – have a permanent horseshoe of hair on the back and sides of the scalp, which gives the surgeon a stable supply of donor hair that can cover current and future areas of hair loss.

It is worth noting that we only tend to operate on patients aged 25 and over, as by this age, we can establish what the eventual pattern of hair loss might be. Prior to the age of 25, the pattern is not fully formed, and it is not in the patient’s best interests to operate.

Is an FUT transplant safe?

Yes, undergoing an FUT hair transplant is safe if the surgery is performed by a qualified and experienced surgeon, such as Saundarya City’s Dr. Suresh Chawre, who is one of the most respected hair transplant surgeons in the India.

Although this hair restoration technique requires great precision and care, for a professional clinician such as Dr. Suresh Chaware, it is relatively simple.

Will I need my head shaved for an FUT hair transplant?

Many people worry that they will have to shave their head before an FUT transplant, but actually it can be performed with little to no head-shaving involved. If you have long hair and are thinking about FUT surgery, rest assured that you won’t need to have your head shaved. In fact, as FUT can leave some scarring, having longer hair can help disguise this.

What to expect from your hair transplant consultation.

Whether you’re considering a FUT hair transplant or another hair loss procedure, it’s critical that you firstly book in a consultation. A consultation is not only advised to discuss the procedure, but it is also a fantastic opportunity to meet and speak with your surgeon.

Your first meeting will help us to prepare for your case and assess what we’re working with. It’s also a great opportunity to ask any questions and iron out any concerns you may have. The consultation will also help both parties plan the next steps, manage expectations of the procedure, and highlight any risks or issues that may occur.

Once the hair transplant has finished, within 20 minutes, you can go home. However, we strongly advise that you don’t drive and have someone available to pick you up.

There is a possibility of swelling following the procedure, which is usually around the forehead and generally appears between the second to the fourth day of recovery. However, this is normal and a temporary phase; it is not a sign of further issues. If you do have concerns, it’s important that you contact Saundarya City.

Sleeping at a 45-degree angle will ensure there are no further unnecessary complications.

Like with any surgical procedure, there is always some risk of infection; however, these are generally low. Infections from hair transplant surgery are unlikely to happen. It is important to avoid dirt and bacteria or tampering with the donor area or the planted follicles during the healing process.

New hair growth will start to grow back around four months after the procedure. However, it will take at least six to eight months for the new hair to make any significant difference to your appearance.

If you are interested in a hair transplant or have any questions, contact us today to arrange a consultation with Saundarya City.

FUT hair transplants – otherwise known as Follicular Unit Transplantation or strip harvesting – are a popular type of hair restoration. As opposed to an FUE Transplant, which involves harvesting individual hairs, FUT involves removing a strip of scalp from a donor area, typically the back or sides of the head, where hair is more resistant to balding. This strip is then dissected into smaller grafts containing hair follicles, which are subsequently transplanted into the recipient area where hair loss has occurred.

The FUT procedure begins with the surgeon numbing the donor area with local anesthesia. Once the area is sufficiently numbed, a strip of scalp is surgically removed. The incision is carefully closed with sutures or staples, leaving a linear scar that can typically be concealed by surrounding hair. The harvested strip is then dissected under a microscope to create individual grafts, each containing one or more hair follicles.

Meanwhile, the recipient area is prepared by creating tiny incisions where the grafts will be placed. The surgeon strategically places the grafts to achieve natural-looking results, taking into account factors such as hairline design, hair density, and hair direction. Once all the grafts are implanted, the surgical site is cleaned and bandaged.

Recovery from FUT surgery varies from person to person but generally involves some discomfort and swelling in the donor and recipient areas. Patients are advised to follow post-operative care instructions provided by their surgeon to promote proper healing and minimize the risk of complications. It may take several months for the transplanted hair to start growing, with full results becoming apparent after about a year.

Despite its effectiveness in restoring hair, FUT surgery does have some drawbacks, most notably the linear scar left in the donor area. While this scar can usually be concealed by surrounding hair, it may be visible if the hair is worn very short. Additionally, some patients may experience numbness or tightness in the scalp following surgery, though these side effects are usually temporary.

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