One of the most important things to achieve the best result from the FUE hair transplant method is the correct consultation, examination, and planning. Our consultants will answer all your questions and insist on the right treatment for you in order to coordinate your expectations.
During the consultation, we evaluate your case taking into account your genetic family history, your age and medical history, your Norwood scale, thinning of existing hair, your donor area capacity, and the treatments you have already tried. At ChoiExpert, we believe that every patient should be fully informed about how realistic their expectations are, what can and cannot be done, and why. We will ask you comprehensive questions in order to make the best treatment choice for you.
Not everyone is a good candidate for hair transplantation; sometimes the donor area is sparse, or because you are at a very early stage of hair loss. During the examination, the scalp and hair are checked under magnification, which facilitates diagnosis and reveals hair abnormalities. Hair density and follicle density are calculated, and hair diameter is taken into account, because they play a vital role in the treatment plan.
It is possible to show and discuss cases similar to yours, so you can see results of people with a similar problem. Based on this assessment, we can recommend any medications that can help you maximize your treatment outcome. A decision regarding the use of medications like minoxidil or Propecia can lead to a different surgical plan.
The day begins with a light breakfast at the hotel, and then you are welcomed by the clinic staff and your consultant at the clinic. Immediately after, you meet the doctor, who checks your health questionnaire again and discusses with you the desired design.
Your nurse guides you to the changing room and prepares you for the procedure. She counts you if necessary, and you are ready! The procedure begins under local anesthesia, and after a few moments, you will not feel any pain at all. Extraction of the follicles can last between 1–3 hours depending on the case. During the procedure, it is, of course, possible to take a break for the restroom, to eat, or simply stretch a little.
After lunch, the doctor will place the grafts in the balding area according to the plan agreed upon in advance. Unlike the traditional FUE method, in the CHOI technique, the grafts are implanted in the same direction and angle according to the previous natural appearance. Grafts of different sizes are separated and arranged according to the purpose set to create density and naturalness. Single-hair follicular units are used for the frontal hairline area to provide a soft and natural appearance.
An important step we emphasize in hair transplantation is maintaining the follicles’ moisture during their transfer for their maximal survival by using a special triple storage box, which provides a convenient temporary holding place for them. In the next step, we transfer the follicles to CHOI syringes in preparation for their implantation in the recipient area.
After the procedure, the area is cleaned and disinfected, and then the doctor carefully examines the recipient area to ensure that the graft placements are perfect. At the end of the treatment, the staff provides you with post-procedure care instructions.
A care kit is provided, containing post-operative medications, gauze, an ice pack, and a bottle of ATP liposomal spray. After completing the following steps the next day, you will return to the clinic for bandage removal and a check-up.
Usually, before starting a hair transplant procedure, you will be asked to cut your hair to a uniform length of 1 millimeter. At ChoiExpert, it is possible to perform the procedure without any haircut at all. The doctor measures and diagnoses the donor area and prepares a unique treatment plan for each patient.
In assessing hair density, it is necessary to consider the number of grafts per cm² and the number of hairs per follicular unit from different scalp areas. The doctor discusses with the patient the design and height of the hairline, taking into account the patient’s age, progression of his hair loss, facial structure, and of course the donor area capacity, since the hairline after the treatment remains and does not fall out throughout life.
The patient’s goals and expectations are taken into account, but the doctor consults with the patient on the best option considering many variables. Afterwards, the new hairline design begins, which can be adjusted until the patient and doctor reach agreement. After the patient’s approval, the hairline is photographed from different angles, and the procedure can begin.
Before starting the hair transplant procedure in the treatment rooms, we use only sterilized or disposable equipment. Depending on the needs of each type of treatment, and regarding the decisions made during the surgical consultation with the doctor, the room is prepared and all the necessary instruments are ready.
Extraction of hair follicles is performed using the FUE method without scars or suture marks after the procedure, unlike the FUT method. The grafts are extracted in a lying position to maximize the use of the donor area. We use only high-level surgical tools and minimally invasive manual extraction instruments.
The size of the FUE extraction tool (punch) ranges from 0.6 mm to 1.0 mm according to the donor area needs of each patient. We believe vertical follicle extraction minimizes donor damage and produces higher-quality grafts. Additionally, the combination of depth control, punch type (manual or electric), and punch size varies according to the patient’s characteristics, and this combination usually results in minimal risk of follicle damage.
At ChoiExpert, we use our own protocols for graft extraction because we respect the donor area and every hair follicle is important. This allows us to minimize, and sometimes reset, the loss during the transfer of grafts to the recipient area. Although speed is far from our main goal, for some patients, it is possible to extract a thousand grafts or more per hour without causing any damage to the donor area.
As part of our unique medical protocol, we carefully maintain about 70 hairs per square centimeter in the donor area around each follicle we extract! During the procedure, all graft parameters are checked and reported by the nurses so that at the end of extraction, the doctor will know how many follicles form a single hair, pairs, triplets, etc.
Donor limitations and graft preservation, as well as maintaining homogenization, are carefully evaluated during recovery. To ensure results with this approach to extraction and control, we combine manual and electric extraction tools according to the needs of each donor. After graft extraction, the donor area is bandaged, and the patient is ready for a lunch break.
The cost of a hair transplant at CHOIEXPERT in Greece or Cyprus starts from €3,600. The exact cost varies according to the patient’s needs and expectations.
Our address
4 Aristotélous 54623, Thessaloniki Greece
+30 694 9658242
info@choiexpert.com
