Why Preparation Matters
Patients who follow a structured pre-op protocol report 60% fewer post-op surprises. Proper preparation optimizes graft survival, reduces complication risk, and sets realistic expectations before you sit in the chair. Most of the work happens in the 4 weeks before your procedure.
This guide covers the full pre-op timeline: what to stop, what to start, what to arrange, and what to bring on surgery day.
4-Week Pre-Op Timeline
Week 4 Before Surgery: Medications and Supplements Review
Stop these medications and supplements (with your doctor's approval):
| Substance | Why Stop | When to Stop |
|---|---|---|
| Aspirin | Increases bleeding risk | 2-4 weeks before |
| Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) | Increases bleeding risk | 2 weeks before |
| Vitamin E (high dose) | Blood thinning effect | 2 weeks before |
| Fish oil / Omega-3 | Blood thinning effect | 2 weeks before |
| Ginkgo biloba | Blood thinning effect | 2 weeks before |
| St. John's Wort | Interacts with anesthesia | 2 weeks before |
| Prescription blood thinners | Increases bleeding risk | Per your doctor's guidance |
Do NOT stop these without consulting your prescribing doctor:
- Finasteride (usually continued, supports transplanted and native hair)
- Minoxidil (some surgeons stop it 1-2 weeks pre-op, others continue)
- Blood pressure medication
- Any prescription medication
Talk to both your hair transplant surgeon and your primary care doctor if you take prescription blood thinners like warfarin or clopidogrel. Never stop a prescribed medication on your own.
Week 3 Before Surgery: Lifestyle Adjustments
Alcohol cessation: Stop all alcohol consumption at least 1 week before surgery (2 weeks is better). Alcohol thins the blood, increases bleeding during the procedure, and impairs healing afterward. Even moderate drinking in the week before surgery can affect graft survival.
Smoking cessation: Stop smoking at least 2-4 weeks before your procedure. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and reduces oxygen delivery to the scalp, directly impairing graft survival. This includes cigarettes, vapes, nicotine patches (discuss with your doctor), and cannabis.
Why this matters for outcomes: Smokers have measurably lower graft survival rates. The vasoconstriction from nicotine reduces blood flow to the tiny vessels that supply newly transplanted follicles during the critical first weeks of healing.
Week 2 Before Surgery: Hair and Scalp Preparation
Hair length requirements:
Your surgeon will specify the required hair length for both donor and recipient areas. Common requirements:
- Donor area (FUE): Usually trimmed to 1-2mm on surgery day. Some clinics offer "unshaven FUE" where only small sections are trimmed.
- Recipient area: Length varies by surgeon preference. Some prefer it short for visibility, others work around existing hair.
Ask your clinic for their specific requirements. If you need to grow your hair to a certain length for an unshaven technique, start planning now.
Scalp health:
- Treat any active dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis
- Avoid chemical treatments (coloring, perming, relaxing)
- Do not get a sunburn on your scalp
- Use a gentle, non-medicated shampoo
Week 1 Before Surgery: Final Preparations
Confirm logistics:
- Transportation to and from the clinic (you should not drive yourself home)
- Time off work (plan for at least 5-7 days for desk work, 2-3 weeks for physical labor)
- Post-op supplies (neck pillow for sleeping elevated, saline spray if recommended, soft button-up shirts to avoid pulling over your head)
- Prescriptions filled (antibiotics, pain medication, anti-swelling medication if prescribed)
Capture your pre-op baseline: Upload comprehensive photos to HairLine AI from all standard angles. This is your Day-0 reference for tracking everything that follows.
Arrange your recovery space:
- Extra pillows to sleep at a 45-degree elevation (reduces swelling)
- Spray bottle for saline misting
- Soft foods for the first 1-2 days (some patients find chewing uncomfortable due to forehead swelling)
- Entertainment (you will be resting, not exercising)
Day-Before Checklist
Run through this checklist the evening before your procedure:
- No alcohol consumed in the past 7+ days
- No smoking or nicotine in the past 14+ days
- All blood-thinning supplements stopped per timeline
- Hair at the required length for your technique
- Comfortable, button-up shirt selected for surgery day
- Transportation arranged
- Post-op prescriptions filled
- Recovery area prepared (pillows, spray bottle, supplies)
- Baseline photos uploaded to HairLine AI
- Clinic phone number saved in case of questions
Surgery Day Preparation
Morning of the procedure:
- Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo (no conditioner, no styling products)
- Eat a normal, light breakfast (do not fast unless instructed)
- Wear a button-up or zip-up shirt (nothing that pulls over the head)
- Bring entertainment for breaks during the procedure (sessions can last 4-8 hours)
- Leave jewelry at home
- Arrive well-rested
What to bring:
- Photo ID
- Your medication list
- A charger and headphones
- Your button-up shirt
- A travel pillow for the ride home
- A hat or loose head covering for the drive home (provided by some clinics)
What to Expect During the Procedure
A typical FUE session follows this structure:
- Consultation review (30 minutes): Surgeon confirms hairline design and graft count
- Donor area preparation (30 minutes): Trimming and local anesthesia
- Extraction (2-4 hours): Individual follicles removed from donor area
- Break (30-60 minutes): Rest while grafts are sorted and prepared
- Recipient site creation and implantation (2-4 hours): Grafts placed in thinning areas
- Post-op instructions (30 minutes): Aftercare review and first photos
Total time in the clinic: 6-10 hours depending on graft count. Up to 5,000 grafts can be completed in a single session with experienced teams.
For a detailed comparison of FUE and FUT techniques, see our FUE vs FUT comparison. For the full overview of what FUE involves, read our FUE complete guide overview.
Start Your Preparation Today
Good preparation starts weeks before your surgery date. Upload your pre-op baseline photos to HairLine AI now, so you have a clean reference point for tracking your results from day one.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always follow your surgeon's specific pre-operative instructions, which may differ from general guidelines. Never stop prescribed medications without consulting your prescribing doctor. Consult a board-certified hair restoration specialist for personalized preparation guidance.