Repairing a Poor FUE Surgery With FUT
A prevalent problem that disturbs the lives of millions and diminshes the level of their self-esteem and quality of life is hair loss. Two hair transplantation surgery approaches to solve this problem are FUE and FUT techniques. While most hair restoration surgeries are very successful, failures can happen because of several reasons. Below is a discussion on how the failure of FUE hair transplantation can be effectively repaired using the FUT method, thereby giving new hope to those who have experienced negative results.
FUE is a less invasive hair restoration procedure involving the extraction of hair follicles individually from the donor site, which is usually at the back or sides of the head, and is then implanting them into areas of baldness or thinning. The extraction is performed using a punch tool which results in minimal scarring. FUE has gained unparalleled popularity because of it being minimally invasive, having a better recovery time, and it does not leave a linear scar. On the other hand, FUT is performed by resecting a t strip of scalp from the donor area. This strip is further broken down into individual follicular units under microscopic dissection before transplanting them in the recipient area. While FUT leaves a linear scar, remarkable improvements in the surgical methods have considerably reduced its appearance. FUT is also well-recognized for its larger number of grafts it can provide in one session (mega-session) and is thus suitable in conditions where hair loss has been quite extensive.
Despite its popularity, FUE can fail due to a number of reasons.
Common complaints include insufficient donor hair. When the donor area is over-harvested, thinning of the donor site might occur, along with visible scarring that reduces further availability of healthy follicles for transplantation. The second is poor surgical technique: less-experienced surgeons could cause damage while extracting or implanting follicles, which could reduce the survival rate of grafts. Then there are unrealistic expectations: FUE solely cannot satiate the desired degree of density in cases where the baldness is high. Poor after-care techniques again result in infections or graft rejection, not by design but due to not adhering to instructions regarding post-surgical care to the letter.
Deep-seated consequences exist for a botched FUE transplant. Aesthetic views include incongruous hair growth, very noticeable scarring, and unnatural hairlines. From a psychological perspective, feelings of disappointment exist, and there is a decrease in self-esteem, which is all a consequence of unmet expectations. There is also the problem of financial losses; the higher the initial fee, the angrier corrective surgery patients become over time.
When a FUE transplant does not work out, FUT presents a few advantages for repair. FUT maximizes graft yield by providing more grafts, something very critical in extensive repair work. It saves the donor area because taking one thin strip means the rest of the donor area remains almost untouched, thus saving hair follicles if one needs further procedures later on. The follicles being dissected piece by piece under a microscope mean that with FUT, one gets healthier grafts and thus better transplantation.
FUT starts off with a consultation and diagnosis by a qualified surgeon. The surgeon will, at this stage, assess the degree of damage, such as scarring, hair density, and the state of the previous transplant. They also check the availability of an adequate number of healthy hair follicles in the donor site and discuss realistic expectations with the patient while coming up with a personalized plan. It also involves the planning of the surgery, including creating a natural look for the hairline to fit the facial features, placing grafts according to the desire of the patients for perfect density and coverage. Scar revision is also integrated into the process, if required.
Local anesthesia is used to provide comfort during the surgical proceedings. A thin strip of scalp is removed from the back of the head in the donor area and utilizing a microscope, this strip is then dissected into individual grafts.
The recipient area is prepared with tiny incisions, and the follicular units are carefully placed into those incisions. Then comes the time for post-operative care, which is very crucial for a transplantation to be successful. Infections and swelling are controlled by medications. Detailed care instructions regarding washing, avoidance of strenuous activities, and protection of the scalp are also provided by the surgeon. Regular follow-up is required so to keep track of the progression of healing and hair growth.
Consider the case of John Doe, a 35-year-old male who had undergone FUE transplantation with patchy growth and subsequent visible scarring. His surgeon chose FUT for repair, during which 3,000 grafts were harvested to give him a fuller and more natural-looking hairline. His post-operative care allowed for successful hair growth, eventually restoring his hair density and confidence.
On the other hand, Jane Smith developed the condition of thinning hair due to traction alopecia; an unsatisfactory FUE was performed with almost no improvement. By means of FUT repair, her surgeon was able to transplant enough grafts into the recipient sites to achieve a dramatic increase in hair density and aesthetic appearance.
Choosing the right surgeon is the most important factor in any successful repair. Patients should check the background of the surgeon to assure themselves of board certification and specialized training in hair restoration. Find out experience by reviewing history of cases on the FUT procedure and repair cases of the surgeon. Reviews and testimonials of patients and before-and-after photos of the surgeon can prove their expertise. A detailed consultation will inform the patient of what to expect and set them at ease on the surgeon’s proposed plan for them.
While effective, there are associated risks with FUT. Scarring is a given, but the linear scar is usually hidden by the surrounding hair. Recovery from FUT may be longer in comparison to FUE and thus requires more planning on the part of the patient. Infection, bleeding, or numbness could also result but are very rare. These risks are considerably low if the instruction provided by the surgeon are followed and all follow-up appointments attended.
A botched FUE hair transplant doesn’t need to be the end of one’s journey toward hair restoration. More often than not, FUT provides a good and sometimes better alternative when repair of an unsuccessful transplant is necessary. The FUT technique gives the possibility not just of restoring hair, but also restoring one’s confidence and peace of mind, because of the potential to extract more healthy grafts and maximum utilization of the donor area. Of course, this is after one has selected the right surgeon and has been informed about the procedure.
