Has my hair transplant been over harvested?

Question

I had a hair transplant and from what it looks like, it looks like there was far more hair taken from the back of my head than what got put back in at the front even though there are slightly more gaps at the front and I’m worried that they’ve taken too much which will lead to patchy hair as I have it shaved short, how many grafts does it look like we’re taken at the back? I got told I had 2000 grafts

Munir Somji, BSc, MBBS · Answer

I have to say I do not see a problem with you donor area at all. It doesn’t appear overharvested. You may have some temporary shock loss in the donor area but this will soon improve. The key after a hair transplant is patience!

Mark Waldman, MD · Answer

How long ago was your transplant? The donor looks weak at this point but your hair is still looks short- it could look fuller as the hair grows out.   The answer will show itself when you hair is it’s normal length- not the answer you probably want now.  If you plan to leave it short it appears that is may have a decreased fullness.
Did you ask them how many attempts they made to get the 2000 grafts?  That would give you your answer. For example if they made 4000 attempts to get 2000 grafts that could be an issue down the road for further transplants and your current fullness of the donor area

Dilan Fernando, MBBS · Answer

At 2 weeks post surgery it is difficult to say and you may also be suffering a degree of shock loss. Reassess your donor area in 1-2 months time and you should have an idea of whether your hair has been over harvested or not.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Usually 2000 FUE grafts taken from the donor area in a typical Caucasian male is not enough to cause donor site depletion. The scarring you are seeing may be the result of the size of the instrument used in the FUE.  Ask your surgeon about this. Usually, some hair length should cover 2000 extracted grafts from the donor area

Has my hair transplant been over harvested?

Answers (4)