Questions to Ask at Your Consultation: Complete Checklist

Patients who research clinics independently have 45% lower revision rates. The questions you ask during a hair transplant consultation directly determine how well you can evaluate a clinic, compare options, and avoid costly mistakes. This checklist covers every question you need, organized by topic, so you can print it and bring it to every appointment.

Before the Consultation: Know Your Baseline

Before asking a clinic anything, establish your own data. Use the free AI analysis at myhairline.ai/analyze to determine your Norwood stage and estimated graft range. Write down:

• Your AI-determined Norwood stage: _____
• Your estimated graft range: _____
• Your hairline recession measurement: _____

This baseline lets you compare the clinic's assessment against objective data.

Surgeon Credentials (5 Questions)

1. "What is your board certification, and in which specialty?" Acceptable: Dermatology or plastic surgery with hair restoration training. Concerning: General practice without specific hair restoration credentials.

2. "Are you a member of the ISHRS?" ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) membership indicates ongoing professional education in hair restoration specifically.

3. "How many hair transplant procedures do you perform per year?" High-volume surgeons (200+ per year) generally have more refined technique. Very high volume (500+) may indicate the surgeon delegates portions of procedures to technicians.

4. "Will you personally perform my entire procedure?" In some clinics, technicians handle graft extraction and/or placement while the surgeon supervises. Know exactly who is doing what.

5. "Can I see your medical license and facility accreditation?" Legitimate clinics display these openly. If they hesitate, that is a concern.

Hair Loss Assessment (6 Questions)

6. "What Norwood stage do you classify me as?" Compare against your AI assessment. If there is a discrepancy, ask for their reasoning.

7. "How many grafts do you recommend, and how did you arrive at that number?" Reference the standard ranges:

8. "What is my donor area density?" Average follicular unit density varies by ethnicity: Caucasian 200 FU/cm2, Asian 170 FU/cm2, African 150 FU/cm2. Your density affects how many grafts can be safely extracted.

9. "What is the safe extraction limit for my donor area?" The safe extraction limit is approximately 45% of available donor grafts. Exceeding this risks visible donor thinning.

10. "Am I a candidate for a single session, or will I need multiple procedures?" FUE allows up to 5,000 grafts per session. FUT allows up to 4,000. Higher Norwood stages may require two sessions.

11. "Do you anticipate I will need a future procedure as my hair loss progresses?" Honest surgeons plan for the long term, especially for patients under 30 whose pattern may not be fully established.

Procedure Details (8 Questions)

12. "Which technique do you recommend: FUE, FUT, or DHI?" Each has trade-offs. FUE leaves small dot scars with 7-10 day recovery. FUT leaves a linear scar with 10-14 day recovery but may yield more grafts per session. DHI uses a Choi implanter pen for precise placement.

13. "What is your graft survival rate?" Industry standard is 90-95%. Ask how they measure this (follow-up density scans vs. patient self-report).

14. "How long will the procedure take?" Typical FUE sessions run 6-10 hours depending on graft count. Unusually short times may indicate rushing.

15. "What anesthesia do you use?" Most hair transplants use local anesthesia with optional sedation. Ask about pain management during and after.

16. "Do you use magnification for graft placement?" Microscopic or loupe-assisted placement improves precision and graft survival.

17. "What is the maximum number of grafts you will extract in one day?" Clinics that promise 6,000+ grafts in a single day may be overextending the procedure and risking graft quality.

18. "Do you design the hairline before surgery, and can I approve it?" You should see and approve the drawn hairline before any extraction begins.

19. "What happens if we cannot extract enough grafts from the donor area?" A good surgeon has a contingency plan and will communicate mid-procedure if adjustments are needed.

Cost and Financial Questions (6 Questions)

20. "What is the total cost, including all fees?" Get an all-inclusive number. Ask specifically about facility fees, anesthesia, medication, and follow-up visits.

21. "Is the quote based on per-graft pricing or a flat fee?" Per-graft pricing in the USA runs $4-6, UK $3-5, Turkey $1-2, India $0.50-1.50.

22. "Are follow-up appointments included in the price?" If follow-ups cost extra, factor that into your total budget.

23. "What is your payment and cancellation policy?" Understand deposit requirements, refund terms, and rescheduling options.

24. "Do you offer financing?" Many clinics offer payment plans. Understand the interest rates and terms before committing.

25. "What does your guarantee or touch-up policy cover?" Ask for specifics: What graft survival percentage triggers a free touch-up? What is the time window?

Aftercare Questions (7 Questions)

26. "What does your aftercare program include?" Compare against the standard: first wash at the clinic, multiple follow-ups over 12 months, dedicated coordinator. See the full aftercare programs compared guide.

27. "Who performs my first post-op wash?" Clinic-performed first washes reduce graft damage risk.

28. "What is your follow-up schedule?" Ideal: 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months.

29. "What medications will I need post-surgery?" Expect antibiotics, pain management, and a recommendation for finasteride (80-90% halt loss, 65% regrowth) or minoxidil (40-60% regrowth).

30. "Do you recommend PRP therapy after transplant?" PRP costs $500-2,000 per session and may enhance graft survival. Ask if it is included or an additional cost.

31. "What is your emergency protocol for post-op complications?" Know who to call, how quickly they respond, and whether in-person emergency visits are available.

32. "When do you consider my case complete?" Full results take 12-18 months. A clinic that closes your case at 3 months is not providing thorough follow-up.

Results and Track Record (6 Questions)

33. "Can I see before-and-after photos of patients at my Norwood stage?" Request at least 10 cases with 12-month follow-up from multiple angles.

34. "What is your revision rate?" Industry averages range from 5-15%. Lower rates for mild to moderate stages are expected.

35. "Can I speak with a previous patient?" Reputable clinics connect you with past patients who can share their honest experience.

36. "How do you handle cases where the patient is unsatisfied?" Listen for specifics, not generalities. A vague "we make it right" is not a policy.

37. "Do you document every case with standardized photography?" Standardized documentation shows the clinic tracks outcomes systematically.

38. "What percentage of your patients continue finasteride or minoxidil post-procedure?" This indicates whether the clinic prioritizes long-term results or just the immediate procedure.

After Every Consultation

Score each clinic using this table:

A clinic scoring below 30/38 has gaps that warrant further investigation. Watch for clinic warning signs to watch for at every stage of your research.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a board-certified dermatologist or hair restoration specialist for personalized guidance.