The exact size of the strip of hair-bearing scalp will depend on the number of grafts required by the patient. Individual grafts can contain between 1-5 follicles. Because the average person contains 2-3 per graft, we can expect a 1000 graft procedure to contain between 2000-3000 hairs that we can use to restore an area impacted by hair loss.
The strip is handled by a technician responsible for dividing it into your individual grafts. Your surgeon will carefully prepare the treatment area and create recipient sites for those grafts, which are then placed by the technician.
While this is not the only transplant treatment, it can be preferred for those patients who need a higher number of grafts for their procedure. This approach also avoids extensive shaving of the back of the scalp area. Treatments can typically be completed within 4-6 hours. Local anesthesia is provided for comfort; patients can remain awake during treatment. We can provide a sedative to patients to help them relax throughout the procedure.
Before your FUT occurs, your doctor will meet with you and review the details of your consultation to confirm that this is the hair restoration procedure that you desire. You will have the opportunity to see a template drawing of the hairline and treatment area, to approve before the procedure begins. From here, we take baseline photos of the affected areas and then bring you into the room where the procedure takes place. Before placing harvested grafts, we will draw the hairline and make sure we have your approval to proceed.
