I have got 2 FUT surgeries done within a year. Can anything be done to get back hair on shock loss area at donor site? (photo)

Question

One on October 2 2016 for 2700 grafts and another on last month August 25 2017 for 3300 grafts. Before my second hair transplant i felt hairs were shedding on sides and back. I have shock loss on donor area close to stitches. I am applying minoxidil on this area. But is there anything can be done like acell, prp or hair may come back on its own in 4 months time?

Amir Yazdan, MD · Answer

First, I want to address the scarring evident in the pictures you posted. The linear scar left behind by the FUT/Strip hair transplant(s) you received is quite severe. It is wider and more obvious than we typically see with FUT scars. I would consider this scarring to be the result of a botched hair transplant surgery. Scar tissue causes hair loss in the effected area and is likely contributing to the linear pattern of hair loss. Sometimes, with time, scar tissue can heal and the hair loss will not be as obvious. But, more often than not, the scar tissue is permanent as is the hair loss it causes. The only remedy for this would be to have a corrective FUE procedure done where grafts are placed directly in the scar. Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) may also be a remedy, wherein ink is used to create the appearance of hair follicles in the areas of baldness. As far as shock loss goes, it is sometimes permanent and sometimes temporary. It depends on the health of the surrounding native follicles prior to surgery. If these hairs were weak and programmed for hair loss eventually, they will not come back. Time will tell. In the mean time, the use of minoxidil and medications may help. Shock loss often occurs after an overly-aggressive hair transplant surgery. We sometimes refer to these as mega-sessions or botched procedures. You should meet with an experienced hair restoration surgeon that you TRUST. I would be cautious in seeing your prior surgeon for any future procedures due to the severity of the scarring and hair loss.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

Shock hair loss in the donor area may recover in 6 to 12 months.  There isn't much you can do to speed this up.

Robert Jones, MD, FISHRS · Answer

You are having donor shock secondary to a tight closure after FUT. Hopefully most of it will regrow over the next few months. If not, your options include SMP, FUE, or scars removal with a balloon expander,
Dr. Robert Jones

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

This is an unusual complication from strip surgeries. Unfortunately, if the strip wounds were closed under tenstion, this happens. This is best treated with scalp micropigmentation (see below).  We have lectured on this very subject. An alternative to Scalp Micropigmentation is with the use of a balloon expander which would stress your scalp enough to excise these bald areas

I have got 2 FUT surgeries done within a year. Can anything be done to get back hair on shock loss area at donor site? (photo)

Answers (4)

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