Key Pre-Operative Guidelines (Summary)

Eating & Drinking

• You may eat and drink normally before your procedure.
• Fasting is not required, as only oral sedatives—not IV or general anesthesia—are used.

Sedation & Transportation

• If you plan ahead to take a sedative: Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home.
• If you decide mid-procedure to take a sedative: You may take an Uber/Lyft home if cleared by staff and stable upon discharge.
  If you do not take a sedative: You may drive yourself home.

Medications

• Avoid NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve) for 7 days before surgery.

• Tylenol (acetaminophen) is safe.

• Follow the plan discussed during your pre-op call if you take blood thinners.

• Do not stop prescription blood thinners unless directed by our team.

Medications Requiring Special Handling

Notify us if you take any of the following, as they may interact with medications used during your procedure:

• MAOIs (e.g., Nardil, Parnate, Marplan, Emsam patch)

• Nitrates

• PDE-5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra)

• Certain antidepressants or psychiatric medications

Hair Preparation

• Wash your hair the morning of surgery.
• Do not apply oils, conditioners, or styling products.
• Arrive with clean, dry hair.

Lifestyle

• Reduce or stop smoking/vaping for 1 week before and after surgery for the best outcome.
Nicotine reduces blood flow to the scalp and slows healing; even small reductions help.
• Reduce or avoid alcohol for 1 week before and after surgery.
Alcohol can increase swelling and delay recovery.

Suggested Supplies:

• Tylenol (acetaminophen)

• Aquaphor

• Baby shampoo

• Gauze pads

• Loose, non-compressive hat

Key Post-Operative Guidelines (Summary)

Pain & Medications

• Use Tylenol for discomfort; avoid NSAIDs for 7 days post-op.

• Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed.


Incision & Donor Site Care

• Apply Bacitracin or Polysporin once daily for the first 3 days.

• Switch to Aquaphor 2–3 times daily until scabs resolve.

• Avoid stretching or tilting your neck back forcefully.


Graft Care

• Keep grafts completely dry for the first 48 hours.

• Begin gentle “cup technique” washing on Day 3.

• Do not rub, scratch, or pick at scabs.


Swelling

• Ice the forehead (not the grafts) for 15–20 minutes, 4–6 times per day for the first 48–72 hours.
Always place a thin cloth between your skin and the ice pack.
• Sleep with your head elevated for the first 3–5 nights.


Activity

• Light walking: Day 3

• Normal showering and gentle circular washing: Day 7

• Cardio & heavy lifting: Day 14

• Swimming, sauna, steam room, hot yoga: Day 14

• Avoid direct sun on grafts and incisions for 3 weeks


Hair Care

• Hair gel, mousse, hairspray: After Day 7

• Hair coloring or chemical treatments: After Day 14

• Rogaine/minoxidil: Continue before surgery; pause after surgery and restart on Day 14