Is it normal to feel depressed after Neograft surgery?

Dear C_list,Thank you for writing in with your question. The short answer is yes, this is common. Feelings of depression are normal following significant elective cosmetic surgical procedures. Having a surgery like this is emotional no matter who it is. Some people feel depressed following surgery. It is for this fact that when I used to perform face-lifts and full-face laser resurfacing I would send my female patients a bouquet of flowers on the morning following surgery.However this may also be a side-effect of one of the medications that you’re taking related to the transplant procedure. This is something your surgeon definitely will want to know about, so I suggest you meet with him or her and discuss your concerns.I hope this information is helpful to you.

Hello there- no need to worry!  Feelings of decreased energy and sadness are common after any surgical procedures.  Many stress hormones are released during the trauma of a procedure and it can take a week or two to feel normal again.  Energy levels after larger surgeries can take a month or more to return.  So go easy on yourself and know this is totally normal!

What you are describing is not common but it can happen.  However, any cosmetic case can be emotional for men or women.  Steroids like a Medrol dose pack are often the culprits and should be stopped.  These make people very, very emotional sometimes.

Thank you for your question, C_list. You will feel more confident about your aesthetic appeal as you continue healing. Please follow up with your doctor to ensure you are not experiencing complications from your medication. Always see a board certified facial plastic surgeon.Best wishes,

You should contact your doctor for a recheck. Any cosmetic surgery can have an emotional impact.  Having to shave your head (as a female) probably is not helping.  

Hello and thank you for question about NeoGraft FUE and mental health symptoms. It is completely natural and common to have many feelings both positive and negative immediately after any medical procedure, including cosmetic procedures. You may feel more tired than usual while your body heals and that alone can affect your mental health. You also may be in some degree of pain and wonder if you “did the right thing” by electing to undergo surgery. These feelings are natural as we adjust to the new, but temporary, reality of recovery. Once you regain your energy, experience less pain, and begin to see the great results your surgery has produced, you will feel significantly better. However, if your mental health symptoms persist or get worse, contact your board-certified facial plastic surgeon immediately. You may be experiencing an adverse reaction to a medication; or these symptoms, brought on by your recovery, might have other causes. Schedule a follow-up appointment with your board-certified facial plastic surgeon to discuss this issue further. Good luck with your recovery. - Elbert T. Cheng, MD

Many people experience depression after cosmetic procedures and other surgeries. You have spent a substantial amount of money to look better and may even feel guilty about it. Unfortunately, it will take a while to see your results which makes matters even worse. Some of your fatigue may be from the procedure itself. I find that the less invasive our procedures have become , the less we appreciate what our body has been through. That said, be proud of what you have done to improve your confidence and self-esteem. If you truly feel depressed, don't hesitate to see a physician to seek help.

Having an elective cosmetic procedure is a decision that involves many emotions, some of them positives and some of them not. Some patients do experience symptoms of depression after elective cosmetic procedures, but it is not related to the actual procedure. NeoGraft did not cause you this. As you continue to heal you will start to feel better and better. Stay strong! Good luck.

I wouldn't say that it is normal, but patients can feel depressed after any cosmetic procedure. First of all, you don't see any results at 24 days post operatively. As you know, it takes about 3 months before you see any new hair growth.  Another frequent factor is that mothers are often not used to spending large sums of money on themselves. For years their concentration has been on their children. Just keep in mind that virtually every patient is thrilled with the procedure when the hair starts thickening up and that it takes about 18 months for maximum density. However, you will probably be happy with it at 6 to 9 months or so. Get out of bed and get busy. You had a great procedure.

It is really normal to feel down, listless and even somewhat depressed after any surgery, even ones that ultimately make us feel better. Though Neograft is a relatively easy process, it can be a long procedure and your body needs to heal and recover.  Relax, recover and know that the depression will resolve.  Good luck.