Do I need to stop taking Finasteride 15-20 days prior to my hair transplant surgery? Does it cause more bleeding during surgery?

Question

Do I need to stop taking Finasteride 15-20 days prior to my hair transplant surgery. Does it cause more bleeding during surgery if I don't stop taking.

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Dear Zurich1984,Thank you for writing in with this question. The short answer is no, you don't have to stop taking finasteride prior to a hair transplant surgery. It will not cause more bleeding. Your surgeon should provide you with a list of pre-operative instructions to guide you prior to your procedure. I hope this information is helpful to you.Kind Regards,Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS

Kirk Moore, MD · Answer

You can still take that Medication prior to your surgery, it will not cause extra bleeding. Blood thinner will cause more bleeding.

Emrah Cinik, MD · Answer

You can continue to take Finasteride before the surgery which not have an effect during HT. Usually blood thinners are not suggested.

Christopher Varona, DO · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is perfectly fine to take your finasteride before and after surgery. It will not thin your blood and will not cause any negative issue with your surgical outcome.

Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS · Answer

We recommend that all of our hair transplant patients begin taking Finasteride at least one month prior to their hair transplant. Adidtionally, we recommend continuing on that medication after the hair transplant procedure to help prevent shock loss (loss of surrounding normal healthy hair).We have not noticed increased bleeding due to this medication. Best of luck to you!

Joseph MacDonald, MD · Answer

I would encourage you to continue finasteride use. There is no need to stop it before your surgery. It does not affect bleeding. Stopping it for several weeks may actually result in hair loss, something you obviously want to avoid.

Jon Ver Halen, MD, FACS (license suspended) · Answer

Dear Zurich1984,Hello and thank you for your excellent question. No, you do not need to stop taking your finasteride. If you have any questions, call our office for assistance. Good luck!
  
Best,
  
Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS
  
Harvard educated plastic surgeon
  
Texas “Top Doc” 2017, 2018
  
RealSelf100
  
America’s Top Plastic Surgeons, Consumer’s Research Council, 2010 – 2018
  BeautyAdvisor Top Contributor

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

If you are a male and are having a hair transplant, the drug finasteride will most likely prevent shock loss, a common complication for young men who have hair transplants.  No more bleeding will not occur

Do I need to stop taking Finasteride 15-20 days prior to my hair transplant surgery? Does it cause more bleeding during surgery?

Answers (8)