Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS) requires the cutting of a large strip of scalp skin from the patient’s donor area. The incision is then closed with stitches /staples and the grafts are harvested from this strip through stereoscopic dissection.
- Invasive procedure
- Higher complication rate
- Leaves linear scar at the back of the head
- Limits graft harvesting due to pulling of the scalp in future procedures
- Longer recovery time and painful procedure
FUT HAIR TRANSPLANT STEPS
STEP 01
The first process of Follicular Unit Strip Surgery involves a thorough assessment by LIASC’s hair transplant consultant or the hair restorative surgeon. Before Follicular Unit Strip Surgery complete history of the patient is taken with background checks on possible influences such as hereditary causes, stress, or disease-related hair loss. This is made through a physical examination of the affected scalp area itself, with an additional assessment of the density of hair in the donor area, which includes the back and side of the head. An important part of the process is the understanding of the patient’s own expectations from the treatment, the amount of hair he or she wants restored, and the addressing of the patient’s concerns regarding the procedure. The physical assessment has been completed, the patient is requested to have certain blood tests conducted before the actual surgical process can take place.
STEP 02
The actual hair restoration process begins with the freezing of the donor area, which is usually the back of the scalp. The process of freezing the donor area and then harvesting live hair tissue from that area takes 20 to 25 minutes. The entire process of Follicular Unit Strip Surgery is conducted under local anesthetic and the patient remains awake during the entire procedure, conversing with the surgeon, watching television, or reading a magazine.
STEP 03
The rest procedure of Follicular Unit Strip Surgery requires microsurgical techniques to separate the harvested tissue into single follicles that can be easily transplanted into the desired areas. This process is performed by a highly skilled team using the latest in hair transplantation technology, ensuring that there is no loss of live tissue between the time of harvesting and transplantation.
STEP 04
Transplanting the single-hair follicles into the transplantation area is carried out under the expert guidance of the LIASC hair restorative surgeon. It is ensured that the laying out of hair follicles is according to the predetermined hair and scalp lines, resulting in the growth of hair with the most natural look. The entire process, of Follicular Unit Strip Surgery during and after surgery, is made completely relaxing and comfortable for the patient who may watch TV, read magazines, have lunch or simply relax and enjoy the luxury of having a full head of hair again.
STEP 05
All Follicular Unit Strip Surgery takes is a few hours of pre-surgery preparation and post-surgery observation. The Follicular Unit Strip Surgery is usually carried out in the morning and the patient is discharged by the evening. Once discharged, patients can even drive home by themselves, with a bandage covering the front of the forehead for the first 24 hours. A minimum dose of pain medication for five days helps the patient cope with any discomfort. The patient is provided post-operative consultation and information about post-operative care and other details.
