Numbness four months after hair transplant strip method. Advice?

Question

I'm four months post op from a hair transplant strip method. The back of my head above the incision site is still completely numb. Is this normal?

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Dear annaschu,
Thank you for posting this question. It is 100% normal to have numbness following a FUT strip harvest hair restoration procedure. This numbness should resolve completely by 12 months, and usually is resolved by 6 months. If between months 8 and 12 you don’t have any return of sensation then there could a problem. The tiny nerve branches are severed in a hair restoration procedure of this type. The main nerve trunks should not have been severed, but there’s a small chance they were. If they were severed then the feeling may never return, and I’d consider that a surgical complication. When correctly performed, the sensation fully returns 100% of the time. So, give it a few more months and you should start to sense a return of the feeling of your scalp above the scar. I hope this information is helpful to you.
Kind Regards,
Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you annaschu for your question.  Numbness after a strip method hair transplant is normal.  Typically the numbness should start to go away around the 6 month mark.  Gentle massage in the area of the incision can help.  Consult with your provider with any additional questions and concerns.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

It is best to contact your doctor about post operative issues.In rare cases, if major nerve was damaged there may be permanent numbness.

Hannah Vargas, MD · Answer

Temporary numbness is common around any incisions, most of the time feeling will slowly return. There may always be some loss of feeling right on the scar or around but typically this does not cause any long term problems for people.  I'd give it at least a year but always contact your Dr. about any post op healing concerns,

Karl Hekimian, MD · Answer

It can take six months to a year for feeling to return to normal after the FUT procedure.  Numbness at four months isn't unusual.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

If you are numb, find out if the nerves in the back of your head are functioing. If they were cut, your scalp will be insensitive to pin pricks.  Go back and see your surgeon and ask him about the numbness.  Often small nerves are cut, not the major nerves, and this feeling will return

Numbness four months after hair transplant strip method. Advice?

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