*This blog is a transcription of a video covering a Modena Hair Institute patient who saw Dr. Yazdan for a FUT hair transplant procedure, also known as follicular unit transplantation. We’ve included the video itself here as well*

Jake has arrived at Modena Hair Institute in Orange County, California for his first hair transplant surgery. After careful research, Jake has chosen Dr. Amir Yazdan & Modena to perform his surgery. “I’ve been losing his hair since I was [in my] early 20’s, and it’s really bothered me, so it’s time to make a change.” 

In his office, Dr. Yazdan carefully studies the condition of Jake’s follicles, their viability, and the density of his hair. By taking the time to note these specific details in advance, Dr. Yazdan ensures that the procedure will not only have the best possible results, but go by smoothly, quickly & painlessly. Jake is also given the opportunity to see his information on a monitor, allowing him to go into the procedure with confidence as well. Upon inspection, Dr. Yazdan finds the patient’s donor zone looks perfect, and that it’ll take approximately 2500 grafts to fill in the transplant area and lower his hairline. They’ve decided to have Jake undergo an FUT, or strip transplant, which will allow the surgeon the necessary amount of grafts for the procedure, and only leave the patient with a thin cosmetic seam along the donor area. 

It’s not necessary to cut your hair before a transplant surgery using the strip method; it’s only necessary to shave the donor area. Once the strip is obtained, there’ll be no evidence the area has been shaved. Afterwards, Dr. Yazdan carefully constructs an outline for a natural hairline, and the procedure begins once the patient & surgeon reach an agreement. 

The first step is anesthesia. At Modena, under the direction of Dr. Yazdan, we’ve developed a unique process for its administration. The patient feels no pain during the course of surgery or after, and the area isn’t subject to swelling, as is typical with transplant procedures at outside clinics. It’s necessary to precisely define the width of the donor sample, which, on the one hand, will give the required quantity of grafts, and, on the other, will not cause tension in the scalp as the seam heals.

Excision is the next stage; the surgeon has to carefully cut out a hem so the donor zone shows as little sign as possible of surgical intervention. This technique prevents the seam becoming too wide, which can lead to unacceptable scarring. The stitches used to close the donor area are made using degradable thread, allowing the cut to heal without any need for the surgeon to remove the stitches after the procedure.

Once the seam is closed, the area already looks presentable. The thin strip shows little to no sign of bleeding, and no part of it protrudes beyond the surface of the skin. While Jake takes a break, the rest of the team works to process the grafts. It’s a laborious task to say the least, and attention to detail is key, along with the use of precision tools. Speaking to the patient’s condition during this point of the procedure, Jake is even able to watch the preparation of these grafts.

The quality of graft processing is essential for a successful hair transplant, right along with the success of their extraction. Speed is a key part of this; the longer a hair remains out of the human body, the more stress it experiences, leading to an increased likelihood of transplant rejection. At Modena, to ensure this all happens quickly & professionally, between three & five assistants work on graft processing for each surgery, which is notably substantial in comparison to outside clinics. In turn, even more intensive procedures like Jake’s are able to be performed in a short span of time without sacrificing attention, guaranteeing near total graft survival.

Halfway through the procedure, Jake praised the lack of pain he encountered during the process. “Virtually painless. I fell asleep during the thing. I didn’t feel any pain at all. They’re cutting the grafts right now & I’m getting ready to eat some lunch. Things are going great.”

In beginning the second phase of the procedure, the surgeon starts to create the apertures where the patient’s grafts will settle & reform his hairline. In doing this, Dr. Yazdan makes a specific note of the direction in which the patient’s hair will be growing. He also utilizes state-of-the-art tools to ensure the most extensive transplant possible in a minimal amount of time, along with preserving the direction of the apertures we mentioned earlier, and maintaining natural density in turn. 

Each aperture is counted by a special device that displays the amount on a monitor the surgeon can check as he’s working, allowing him to note & maintain accuracy. He remains lucid & comfortable throughout the procedure, and he continues to show virtually no signs of bleeding the whole time, even after a total of 2,968 grafts are placed.

On the day after the surgery, when we see Jake for a follow up, he not only shows no signs of hypostasis, a common side effect at outside clinics, it’s impossible to tell that he had undergone hair transplant surgery the day before. After a quick hair wash courtesy of the assistants, along with final instructions from the surgeon, Jake says goodbye & goes on his way.

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Jake’s story is just one of many to come from Modena, and your story can be the next one we tell. Located in Orange County, Beverly Hills & Las Vegas, we’re willing to do whatever we can to help you regain your hairline & confidence. Visit our website to schedule a free consultation, learn about our many different services, & call us whenever you’re free during business hours.