Any elective procedure should be thoroughly researched before you invest your time and money. However, researching the process can only take you so far. It’s important that you choose a surgeon with experience, that is willing to listen to your concerns and answer your questions. If you haven’t invested in hair restoration surgery before, there are some questions that you should ask your surgeon before committing to the procedure. To make sure you’re in the right place, consider these questions to ask your hair loss doctor.

Will a surgeon be the one performing the procedure?

It may not be open-heart surgery, but it’s surgery none-the-less so you want to make sure that you’re being treated by an actual surgeon that has had surgical training and is experienced in hair restoration. If they hand off the surgical responsibility to an unqualified staff member, you should look elsewhere.

How many years of experience does the surgeon have?

Especially when it comes to procedures that can affect your appearance, you want to have a surgeon that has extensive experience in this specialty. You don’t want to trade your confidence and appearance for a cheap procedure and inexperienced doctor.

Can I see before and afters of procedures the surgeon has performed?

Ask to see photos of the work they personally have performed, not images provided from one of their vendors. It’s not worth it to save money but end up with a botched hair restoration procedure. The results are permanent, so you want to look permanently good, not permanently bad.

Am I a good candidate for this procedure?

Some surgeons use the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method for harvesting while others use the linear strip method, and it differs from patient to patient as to which will work best for you. For some patients, neither is a good option, and this is something you want to know before you spend the money. Be wary of sales pitches and overly ambitious doctors, because they may not have your best interest in mind.

How long is the surgical recovery period?

For any procedure, it’s important that you have proper accommodations and expectations. Be sure to ask your surgeon about hair transplant recovery time so you can be prepared for missed days at work. Though the recovery period isn’t extensive, you want to be sure you have all of the proper information before your surgery. The amount of recovery time can vary between the two different types of procedures. There is also a significant difference in medical downtime and social downtime. Your surgeon and their team should be able to explain both to you.

What are my non-surgical options?

Whether you decide surgery is right for you or not, you should also ask about other non-surgical options that can potentially slow down hair loss, or even help regrow some of your hair. Some of these options include PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy and LLLT (Low-level laser therapy).

Will it look natural?

With the improvements in robotic technology in the last few years, you may think it’s easier than ever to create a natural-looking hairline. However, the use of robotics only improves the tools a surgeon can use. The key to a natural hairline is picking a surgeon who understands both medicine AND aesthetics and is trained to use those tools to create an aesthetically appropriate hairline for your face.

Does it hurt?

It’s always good to prepare for yourself for what’s to come. When done correctly, Hair restoration should cause only minimal discomfort both during and after the procedure. Ask your doctor for their opinion about pain levels and how you can best prepare for time-off.

It’s Time!

If you have found the right surgeon for you, congratulations! We hope you’re happy with the results of your procedure. If you’re still looking, we highly recommend looking into Dr. Anderson or Dr. Lee. These surgeons have all of the experience, credentials, and information you could possibly need.

Check out our video on What to Expect at the Anderson Center for Hair to learn more about the consultation and hair restoration process! If you’re looking for hair restoration in the Atlanta area, we would be happy to have the opportunity to meet with you!

Do you want a chance to ask Dr. Anderson or Dr. Lee these questions? Schedule a consultation today!