Scalp Expansion & Excision Surgery - Hair Loss
Scalp Expansion & Excision Surgery Overview
Of the many emerging options for hair loss reversal, scalp expansion & excision are two procedures that are producing extremely positive results. As such, below youÕll find an overview of the procedures that will allow you to begin the process of researching whether or not these procedures are right for you.
Background of Scalp Expansion/Excision Surgery
The background of these procedures does not go back extremely far in time, even though foundational procedures and strategies were in place long before the prevalence of these surgeries grew. In the past 10-15 years, scalp expansion & excision have become two extremely popular strategic choices for hair loss reversal.
Best Candidates
The best candidates for these procedures are those patients with a large bald spot on the scalp and those who have a thick patch of hair growth along the side and the back of the scalp. The best candidates are also those who are generally in good physical and psychological health, and those who understand the realities of the expectations that come with these procedures.
Uncertainty and Risk
Although the amount of uncertainty and risk involved with these procedures is statistically minimal, patients still need to be aware that there are in fact risks involved. These risks are generally in line with those associated with other hair loss procedures, and they include a stretched-back scalp, heavy scarring, bleeding and infections.
Planning for Surgery
Planning for surgery involves making sure that the details surrounding the procedure or procedures are handled properly before the surgery takes place. For instance, patients need to be sure to allow themselves enough time to properly recover from these surgeries, and they also need to make sure that they have arranged for a ride home when the procedure is complete.
Preparing for Surgery
Preparing for surgery involves specific steps that you will most likely discuss with your doctor at the beginning of the entire process. Preparatory steps always include instructions regarding diet, vitamin intake, alcohol consumption and the cessation of smoking both before and after the surgery for a period of time to ensure the best possible result.
Where Surgery is Performed
Where surgery is performed never involves a uniform answer. Your doctor will explain the facilities to be used, and these procedures are typically performed in an out-patient care facility. They can also be performed at the doctorÕs office if itÕs equipped to properly handle these types of surgeries.
How Surgery is Performed
How surgery is performed depends on whether youÕre having a scalp expansion or excision done. In an expansion, the scalp is ÒinflatedÓ and stretched with a balloon so that the bald areas of the scalp can eventually be removed. In a scalp excision, the bald portions of the scalp are removed and replaced with scalp portions that will grow new hair.
Anesthesia
Although certain exceptions will apply in certain situations, generally speaking, local anesthesia is used for patients undergoing either of these surgeries. The patient will be comfortable and awake during the surgeries, and he or she will feel some slight tugging or pulling as the procedure is completed.
Post-Op Considerations
The post-op considerations for these procedures share some similarities. In either case, the patient will experience some soreness and swelling to the affected area, but within a matter of a week or two, most patients are able to resume their normal activities.
Overall, these general considerations should form a foundation for your research into either of these possibilities that are in place to deal with your hair loss. If youÕd like a more specific set of answers to your questions, contact a cosmetic surgeon today for a full consultation.
Scalp Expansion & Excision Candidacy
If you are tired of watching your hair continue to escape and youÕre ready to do something about it, you need to perform some research regarding all the possibilities that are now available to you. Two of the newest and most quickly-emerging strategies regarding the reversal of hair loss are scalp expansion and excision surgeries.
The first thing you need to decide is whether or not youÕre a good candidate for either of these procedures. As such, youÕll need answers to a few common questions, including, ÒHow can I tell if IÕm a good candidate for scalp expansion & excision?Ó, ÒHow will I be evaluated for scalp expansion & excision?Ó and ÒWill my insurance help offset the costs of surgery?Ó Each of these questions is answered below, but youÕll also need to contact a medical professional for a full consultation.
How can I tell if IÕm a good candidate for scalp expansion & excision?
The best candidates for these procedures are those patients who have lost too much hair for a transplant surgery to be a practical solution. These patients should also have a thick growth of hair around the side of the scalp, and they should also be in good physical and psychological health.
How will I be evaluated for scalp expansion & excision?
You will receive a full evaluation from your doctor before any procedure is recommended. Your entire medical history will be reviewed, and your scalp will be examined closely to make sure that the conditions present offer an opportunity for substantial improvement.
Will my insurance help offset the costs of surgery?
Every insurance company is a bit different in how they approach coverage of procedures. Generally, carriers will not cover procedures that are considered Òelective,Ó but will cover procedures that are medically necessary. The best way to proceed is to request coverage from your carrier before proceeding with the surgery, and to get any answer in writing to avoid confusion.
Should you not receive coverage, there are still options available to you. There are financing companies in existence that may offer assistance if you need it to pay for these procedures.
Overall, three of the most prominent questions prospective patients of these procedures ask are, ÒHow can I tell if IÕm a good candidate for scalp expansion & excision?Ó, ÒHow will I be evaluated for scalp expansion & excision?Ó and ÒWill my insurance help offset the costs of surgery?Ó If youÕd like specific answers to these questions, you need to contact a medical professional immediately for a consultation.
Scalp Expansion & Excision Specifics
As you continue to research possible solutions for your hair loss, you no doubt are realizing that the more you know about the specifics of a potential surgery or surgeries, the more assured youÕll be of the final decision of whether or not to move forward. Along those lines, three of the most common questions involving scalp expansion & excision procedures are, ÒWhere are incisions placed for scalp expansion & excision?Ó, ÒWhat are some variations to the common scalp expansion & excision method?Ó and ÒWhat are some of the risks associated with scalp expansion & excision?Ó Each of these questions is answered below, but for a fully personalized set of answers to these or any other queries, you need to contact a medical professional for a consultation.
Where are incisions placed for scalp expansion & excision?
This is a complicated question, and the answer depends on the procedure chosen. For a scalp excision, the doctor will cut an incision at the top of the scalp and then remove the excess and balding skin and cover the area with the surrounding scalp that is still growing hair. In a scalp expansion, the scalp portion that still grows hair is stretched for a period of weeks over the area thatÕs no longer growing hair and then the excess balding scalp portion is removed.
What are some variations to the common scalp expansion & excision method?
There are very few variations to the common methods associated with these surgeries, and the most common variation with scalp excision involved the shape of the incision thatÕs cut. Some doctors will use a football-shaped incision while others prefer the ÒMercedesÓ cut, but regardless, the goal is the same. In scalp expansion, variations would only include the amount of scalp tissue that is expanded and ultimately removed.
What are some of the risks associated with scalp expansion & excision?
As is the case with any surgical procedure, there is an element of risk involved. The general risks that would be associated with any surgery are the possibilities of swelling, infections and bleeding to the affected areas. Risks specifically associated with these surgeries include unwanted stretching of the scalp after itÕs been reduced, deep scarring in the affected areas and the need for further replacement of scalp areas that may ultimately stop growing hair.
Overall, three of the most important questions patients ask in regards to these surgeries are, ÒWhere are incisions placed for scalp expansion & excision?Ó, ÒWhat are some variations to the common scalp expansion & excision method?Ó and ÒWhat are some of the risks associated with scalp expansion & excision?Ó If youÕre wondering how any of these questions would fit with your situation, all you need to do to get the answers you need is to contact an experienced cosmetic surgeon for a consultation, at which time all the answers you need will be provided.
Scalp Expansion & Excision - Preparation and Recovery
Two critical components to understand before deciding to move forward with any surgery are the preparation and recovery periods associated with it. In regards to scalp expansion & excision procedures, examples of extremely common questions regarding these issues include, ÒWhat steps should I take to prepare for surgery?Ó, ÒWhat can I expect the day of surgery to be like?Ó, ÒHow will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?Ó, ÒWhen can I pursue my normal activities again?Ó and ÒHow long can I expect results to last?Ó Answers to each of these questions are provided below.
What steps should I take to prepare for surgery?
There are always specific steps that any patient should take to properly repair for surgery, and in this case, your doctor will provide you with specific guidelines that need to be followed. For instance, your preparation will most likely involve making sure that your diet and vitamin intake are managed, that your alcohol intake is monitored closely and that you stop smoking before and after the procedure to promote a successful result.
What can I expect the day of surgery to be like?
The day of your surgery will go by quickly. YouÕll feel several conflicting emotions, which is common with any surgery, and these feelings will range from anxiety to extreme excitement. The procedure itself will most likely not be a clear memory for you, as youÕll be under local anesthesia, and absent any complications, youÕll end your day where you started it - at home.
How will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?
Immediately following your surgery, youÕll be a bit groggy, but thatÕs simply a by-product of the medication. Your head will be bandaged, and you will feel a bit sore and tight in the affected area. Again, these are normal results, and each of them will most likely be managed with medication.
When can I pursue my normal activities again?
You should be able to return to such routine activities as work within a week or so, but youÕll need more time to resume more strenuous activities. For instance, if youÕre a runner or a weight lifter, youÕll need to wait for at least a few weeks before getting back to training. The reason is that when you physically exert yourself, blood tends to flow to the scalp area, and this could be risky just after this type of surgery.
How long can I expect results to last?
There is no guaranteed timetable for the enduring results, but the vast majority of patients have reported years of benefits from these successful surgeries. You may need to follow up in a few months or years for a small follow-up procedure if your scalp shifts to any degree, but generally speaking, these procedures have improved patientsÕ quality of life.
Overall, examples of prevalent questions patients ask in regards to preparation for and recovery from these surgeries include, ÒWhat steps should I take to prepare for surgery?Ó, ÒWhat can I expect the day of surgery to be like?Ó, ÒHow will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?Ó, ÒWhen can I pursue my normal activities again?Ó and ÒHow long can I expect results to last?Ó Please contact a cosmetic surgeon today to see how these questions and answers apply to your specific situation.