Understanding the average cost of hair transplant FUT surgery largely depends on several factors. The average cost of hair transplant FUT will vary depending on the extent of your hairloss, the expertise of your surgeon, and the area where your hair clinic is located, and whether or not you will need to travel there. In this article, we will explore the details of FUT hair transplant surgery and what to expect. We will also discuss the average cost of hair transplant FUT, and what you can anticipate as far as costs.
What is Follicular Unit Transplant Surgery?
FUT surgery is a type of hair transplantation surgery in which hair follicle grafts are removed from one part of the scalp and transplanted in another. They come from small horizontal strip of skin from the back or sides of the head, where the hair tends to be thicker. These follicle grafts are then transplanted into the recipient areas of the scalp where the hair is thinning or balding. This surgery works well covering up a receding hairline that is typical of male pattern baldness.
The size of the strip removed from the scalp will depend on the number of follicles required to cover the thinning or balding area. In general, the strip will measure between 1 to 1.5 inches wide. After the strip of scalp is removed from the donor areas, the incision site is sutured and the follicular grafts are prepared for transplantation. The individual follicles are then transplanted into the recipient area of the scalp where the hair has been thinning or balding.
Hair transplant surgery usually takes somewhere between four to eight hours. This depends on the number of grafts transplanted. During this outpatient procedure, many patients choose to use headphones to listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks during their surgery in order to help pass the time.
What to Expect on the Day of Your FUT Surgery
On the day of surgery, the surgeon will start by re-drawing your hairline to the desired area. They mark the area of extracted and take photographs for your medical records. Some doctors may prescribe a mild sedative to help relax the patient before surgery. Application of a numbing agent as a local anesthetic for the scalp is common.
From there the surgeon will remove the strip of scalp that contains the hair follicle grafts. Then a technician will remove the hair follicles from this strip of the scalp and prepare the follicular grafts for transplantation. This is a delicate process. They must preserve the viability of the hair follicle grafts. The surgeon will close the area of the scalp with sutures. Then it is time for the actual transplantation process to begin.
The hair follicle grafts are carefully inserted into the thinning or balding areas of the scalp. The surgeon takes great hair to make sure the grafts are transplanted in such a way that the hair grows in a direction that appears completely natural after the patient has healed from surgery. Once the surgery is complete, topical antibiotics and bandages are applied to the scalp.
Some Discomfort is Normal
It is normal for the patient to experience some soreness, redness, and swelling. Your doctor may recommend that you sleep propped upright in the first week following in order to reduce swelling. Your doctor will also recommend against wearing hats, wigs, hairpieces, or any time of hair concealer in the initial weeks of recovery. They will also provide you with special care instructions as far as how to keep your transplants clean so that you can avoid any type of infection or complication.
Some doctors prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medication as well. It is important to avoid sweating, swimming, and vigorous exercise as your sutures are healing as well. After you’ve had your post-operative evaluation your doctor will clear you for all regular activities.
After Your FUT Procedure
In the first few months after surgery, you may experience increased shedding of hair at the transplanted area. This is called shock loss and is a completely normal phenomenon. This is actually a good sign that your transplant was successful because as the old hairs are shedding, the follicle grafts are growing new hairs from under the surface of the scalp.
After four to six months the new hair will be well established and you should be able to visibly see more fullness. Within a year’s time, the new hair will have grown in and you should see increased density. Your doctor may prescribe topical medication such as minoxidil or laser therapy to encourage the new hair to thrive and to prevent any further loss. This is something you can discuss in greater detail with your doctor at your consultation.
Some patients choose to schedule their FUT hair transplant in several stages in order to stretch their budget. Similarly, some patients may choose to get multiple hair transplants in order to reach their desired look of fullness. Ordinarily, FUT is not a procedure that is covered by insurance as its considered cosmetic surgery. However, in some instances, if you’re experiencing hair loss as a result of burns or some other type of trauma, your insurance may make an exception. Most hair clinics will be able to give you an estimate of their services when you schedule a consultation.
The Average Cost of Hair Transplant FUT Surgery
Hair transplantation requires patience over the first year of recovery post-surgery. However, they boast high rates of success. As long as aftercare instructions are properly followed, there is a low risk of complications. The average cost of hair transplant FUT depends on several factors.
These include the amount of hair being transplanted. Most clinics charge by the number of follicular grafts that are being harvested and transplanted. The cost will also vary depending on the surgeon, and their level of expertise as well as their business model. Some clinics price their services more accessible than others.
The average cost of FUT hair transplant generally ranges between $6,000 and $12,000. Some clinics may even price their services higher. Keep in mind that super high prices do not always equate to higher quality services. While there are many hair clinics that are passionate about ensuring that their patients can gain access to affordably priced services, there are some unscrupulous clinics that intentionally keep their prices high as a status symbol.
These are usually outliers though, but be sure to do your research. Read customer testimonials, research surgeons who specialize in hair restoration, and connect with other patients who have had hair transplant surgery to gain greater perspective as far as choosing the best surgeon.
Remember to Ask Questions
If the clinic you are consulting with gives you vague answers about their pricing structure or uses terminology such as graft splitting, these could be red flags that you may be stuck with hidden fees. There is no reason why you should not be able to get a clear estimate from a hair restoration service.
Some big chain hair clinics are really high-priced training centers for surgeons still learning how to perform hair transplant surgery. In other words, you’re the guinea pig. This isn’t like a beauty school haircut that will grow out if it gets botched by a trainee. When it comes to cosmetic surgery such as hair transplantation, it is best to trust an experienced professional.
Hair transplantation is a big decision. For those suffering from hair loss, the opportunity for hair restoration can completely upgrade one’s confidence and quality of life. Many hair loss sufferers report that their self-esteem was an impediment to pursuing both personal and professional goals. While FUT hair transplants are a big expense, the change they offer is priceless.
SUFFERING FROM HAIR LOSS?
Best Hair Transplant is the best place to schedule your hair transplant in Los Angeles. We’ve helped both men and women regrow their lost hair. But don’t take our word for it. We suggest learning as much as possible about hair restoration. Do so prior to making a decision on how to address your hair loss. Not every procedure is right for everyone.
At Best Hair Transplant, we’re proud of our results and happy to provide hair restoration services. Additionally, we’re proud to make hair transplants affordable and help you save money on a variety of hair transplants. To ensure your ease of mind, you can view our customer recommendations HERE. Furthermore, you can also see our Google reviews and Yelp reviews. We can’t wait to help you start restoring your lost hair.
YOUR HAIR RESTORATION SOLUTION
Best Hair Transplant
1970 S. Prospect Ave., Suite 2
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(213) 403-0455
