Would a doctor allow me to forego (donor area/recipient area/both) local anesthesia during an FUE procedure?

Question

Me: 37 yo w/ ~1” of thinning along hairline. I read that anesthesia is a stressor & can result in shedding, & that “Most of the hairs lost from post-surgical shock loss may never grow back, particularly in young balding men.” Also: “If you’re experiencing early hair loss but with a significant amount of miniaturization, a minimal hair transplant won’t compensate ... for potential shedding” Wayne Rooney appeared to have forsaken anesthesia in the video of his surgery.

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Dear brian00001,Thank you for posting your question.  Interesting thought.  Couple of important facts to keep in mind. Post-surgical shock loss tends to occur in young men, which in this context means men in their 20’s.  This should not be as much of an issue for you.  Further, the amount of shock loss is typically dependent on your surgeon, his experience, talent, and dedication to the field of hair restoration surgery.  With many of the bio enhancements in many areas of the procedure (eg: use of platelet rich plasma and ACell in conjunction with your procedure) the shock loss can be dramatically minimized.Regarding your question about anesthesia, I imagine that some doctor somewhere would allow that, but I personally think that would be unethical.  Cruel and unusual.  I would never allow it in my practice.  The amount of pain and suffering you’d have to endure would be unforgettably substantial, and is not something I think any doctor would consciously do.I hope you find this information helpful.

Kevin Ende, MD · Answer

I am not aware of any case reports on hair transplants without anesthesia.  In fact, the term unethical comes to mind when even thinking about this.  If you find someone to do a surgery on you without local anesthesia, please let us know your experience.  Surgical videos can be edited just like any video.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

If you don't want any anesthesia for your surgery, it's your prerogative.  Please let us know about your experience afterward.

Ilker Apaydin, MD · Answer

Without local anesthesia the hair surgery will be a torture and I personally would not let any patient have hair surgery without anesthesia.Eventhough your concerns with anesthesia may have some points I can't imagine how stable a patient could be during the surgery without local anesthesia.I would like to hear your experience if you had the surgery or will have it.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

i though I heard everything before. Your rational does not make any sense to me. I would not do it without anesthesia unless, you were al gaeda or an ISIS soldier and wanted FUE. Still, I think I would not. I have not heard that local anesthesia in the donor area causes any problems.

Would a doctor allow me to forego (donor area/recipient area/both) local anesthesia during an FUE procedure?

Answers (5)

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