FUE and FUT hair transplants are typically day case procedures with minimal recovery time, so you won’t have to stay in the clinic overnight. Crown Clinic is a Manchester hair transplant clinic with excellent transport links, meaning that we get patients from all over the country choosing us for their surgery. As such, many of our patients are interested in knowing if they can travel on the day of their hair transplant.
Can I drive after hair transplant surgery?
You are allowed to go home 30 minutes after a hair transplant, but we recommend avoiding driving for 24 hours after surgery. This is because although you will be awake and conscious during the procedure, as you will be under local anaesthetic, you are likely to still be drowsy from enduring hours of surgery. You also may have been given a sedative before your hair transplant, which can have an adverse effect on your reflexes and thought processes – even if you feel fine, you must refrain from driving for at least a day after your surgery.
Many of our patients find hair transplant surgery to be surprisingly relaxing, with many falling asleep during the procedure, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t taking a toll on your body. It is normal to feel very tired afterwards, which means that driving home can potentially be dangerous.
You should arrange to have a partner, friend or family member drive you home after your surgery if possible or arrange a taxi to pick you up from the clinic.
Can I fly after hair transplant surgery?
Although technically you can fly after hair transplant surgery, there are a few potential issues you should be wary of. In an aeroplane, the cabin pressure can make the body swell slightly, which can be uncomfortable on your sensitive scalp. There is also the risk of your head getting bumped by people reaching for luggage in the overhead compartments, which happens more than you might think!
If you have flown long-haul before, you no doubt will have been advised to do regular leg exercises and wear compression stockings to reduce your risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis, where blood clots can form in the body. Generally, undergoing surgery can put you at a slightly increased risk of DVT, but as hair transplants are carried out with local anaesthesia – which only numbs the area where the surgery will be taking place – it’s not as much of a concern as those who have undergone surgery under general anaesthetic. However, every airline has different rules about flying after surgery, so it is worth checking with them directly.
Remember that as tempting as the free alcohol offered on flights can be, you must refrain from drinking after your surgery as it thins the blood, which could potentially lead to bleeding in the donor area.
Can I walk home after hair transplant surgery?
If you are lucky enough to live close enough to the clinic to walk home after your surgery, you will still need to proceed with caution. Even light exercise can cause you to sweat, which can irritate the scalp and potentially lead to infections, so it is recommended to rest whenever possible for around a week or so after surgery.
If you have any questions about the aftercare for your hair transplant, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. Or, if you’d like to book a consultation with Dr Shahmalak, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.