A complete pre-procedure checklist — what to start, what to stop, what to expect. The full version is included in the surgical confirmation packet sent after your Zoom consultation; this page is the public-facing summary.
Stop: aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin), naproxen, fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, garlic supplements, and any other blood-thinning agent unless otherwise instructed by your physician. These can increase bleeding during surgery.
Don’t stop: prescription anticoagulants (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, etc.) without consulting your prescribing physician. We’ll coordinate timing with them directly.
Start (or continue) finasteride and/or minoxidil if you’re on them. Don’t start them new in the week before surgery — wait until two weeks after.
Stop alcohol 48 hours before surgery — alcohol thins the blood and worsens swelling.
Stop smoking for at least 7 days before and 2 weeks after — nicotine constricts blood flow to the donor and recipient sites and meaningfully impacts graft survival.
Sleep. Going into surgery rested produces a better experience and better recovery. Aim for 8 hours the night before.
Don’t cut your hair for at least 3–4 weeks before. We need the donor area at standard length so we can plan extraction properly.
The day before: eat normal meals. Stay hydrated. Avoid heavy alcohol or unusual food. Get to bed early.
The morning of: eat a real breakfast (you’ll be at the clinic 8+ hours, lunch is brought in). Wear a loose-collared shirt or zip-front top — you won’t want to pull a sweater over your head at the end of the day. Bring a hat for the trip home.
Bring: glasses (we ask you to remove contacts), a phone charger, headphones, anything that helps you relax during the long day.
The complete pre-procedure protocol — including specific medication tapering schedules and any case-specific notes — is in the surgical confirmation packet you’ll receive after the Zoom consultation. This page is the public summary.