If I get an FUT hair transplant for 1000 grafts, how do I know that I am getting the ACTUAL 1000 grafts?

Question

The process of an FUT hair transplant requires cutting a strip of tissue in the donor area, from which folicular units will be extracted. How can a hair surgeon precisely determine how much grafts exist in the strip he removed? Since I am paying per graft, I would be appalled if only 900-something grafts could be extracted and I payed for a 1000! What if the strip has 1200-something grafts and I only payed for 1000....what will happen to the remaining 200? Can I take legal action against this?

Tim Neavin, MD · Answer

You really don't know how many follicles you are getting.  You must have trust in your doctor.  If you have doubts, perhaps you should go somewhere else.  I'm confident there is a Center you can find that will put your concerns at ease.  The "right place" is one where you know you are getting top quality care (which means, 1,000 grafts harvested and placed properly).

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

If you choose to have a doctor to perform surgery on your own body, you should trust that the doctor to carry out the surgery as discussed.  If you have doubts about your doctor's honesty then you may want to find another doctor.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. I suggest that you move forward and consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon.
Best wishes,

Munir Somji, BSc, MBBS · Answer

I guess you have to have trust in your surgeon. To remove any confusion we perform a live count in front of the patient and the number is written in the notes. I measure the number of hairs in the donor area through magnification prior to strip removal in three separate areas and these figures are used to make an estimation of strip size. Generally patients are always given 100 follicles extra to further avoid confusion.

Sean Behnam, MD · Answer

The doctor counts and keeps track of the number of grafts they insert during the procedure. Afterwards they should tell you this number and be able to provide the medical record which would confirm that amount. If you do not trust your doctor to do so then you need to find another doctor.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

To find out how many grafts you received, you should ask your doctor for a copy of the surgical record which your surgeon is required by law to provide to you.  It will have the number of grafts and the number of hairs that were in each graft. If you do not trust your surgeon that is another matter. Bonding with your surgeon is critical BEFORE the transplant gets done. Your lack of trust makes this a foregone conclusion.

If I get an FUT hair transplant for 1000 grafts, how do I know that I am getting the ACTUAL 1000 grafts?

Answers (6)

More Hair Transplant Questions

Is it okay to play soccer after a hair transplant? (Photos)

How should someone decide which hair transplant surgeon to select when technicians do most of the work?

When can I expect results after DHI method? 10 weeks post-op.

Risks of doing a second FUT into new areas of my head only 9 months after the first FUT?

Would I be able to donate some of my hair follicles to my mom to get a hair transplant in case her own hair couldn't do the job?

Does this look like 3000 grafts? (photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS