Scalp Flap Surgery - Hair Loss
Scalp Flap Surgery Overview
The following information regarding scalp flap surgery should serve as your starting point for research if youÕre looking for solutions to your hair loss problem. The information is general in nature, and for specific answers to your questions, you should contact a medical professional immediately for a consultation.
Background of Scalp Flap Surgery
The background of scalp flap surgery dates back to the 1930Õs. Generally speaking, this procedure was used more for a pure plastic surgery purpose when patients had been severely scarred or burned. However, beginning in the 1980Õs, scalp flap surgery gained popularity to treat male pattern baldness, and has been one of the primary surgical options available since then.
Best Candidates for Scalp Flap Surgery
The best candidates for scalp flap surgery are those patients with a thick pattern of hair on the sides and the back of the scalp, those that are physically and psychologically stable, are completely bald towards the front of the scalp and those who are realistic about the potential results.
Uncertainty and Risk
There is very little uncertainty and risk involved with this procedure statistically, but the most common risk particularly associated with scalp flap surgery is scarring in the area thatÕs been affected. However, this scarring should be concealed by the new hair. Other common risks are present with any surgery, and they include swelling, infection and bleeding in or around the surgical area.
Planning for Scalp Flap Surgery
Planning for surgery is something that the doctor will help you complete, and basically, planning for surgery involves all the often-overlooked details surrounding the procedure. For instance, patients should be sure to allow for enough time in their schedules for proper recovery, and they should also be sure to have a ride home arranged before arriving for the surgery.
Preparing for Surgery
Preparing for surgery involves specific steps that your doctor will provide. These steps are important to ensure that your body is fully prepared to endure the surgery itself and to recover as quickly and comfortably as possible. Preparatory steps include taking inventory of any medication youÕre taking and the cessation of drinking alcohol and smoking prior to and following the procedure.
Where Surgery is Performed
Where surgery is performed is a question that must be answered based on the extent of the scalp procedure. If itÕs a relatively minor flap surgery, it will most likely be performed at either the doctorÕs office or at an outpatient care facility. If itÕs extensive, you may need to have it done at a hospital. Your doctor will recommend a location.
How Surgery is Performed
How surgery is performed is a question that involves very specific steps. These steps take place in three stages, often a week apart. The first step involves cutting incisions into the scalp. The second includes cutting another incision in the back of the head to connect the first two incisions. The final step includes the final incision, and this phase is where the adjustment of the scalp actually occurs.
Anesthesia
Given that this can be a somewhat invasive procedure, most doctors prefer to use general anesthesia, meaning that you will be Òput underÓ as the process is completed. If the scalp adjustment is relatively minor, your doctor may recommend local anesthesia, but that depends on the particulars of your situation.
Post-Op Considerations
Post-op considerations in reaction to scalp flap surgery are quite standard. You will feel sore and experience some swelling and scabbing in the incision area following these steps, but overall, you should be able to return to your normal activities within a week of the final procedure.
Overall, if youÕd like to find out how scalp flap surgery would benefit you personally, the best way to do so is to contact a medical professional for a full and complete consultation.
Scalp Flap Surgery - Are you a Candidate
As you continue to look into the possibilities that scalp flap surgery can bring to your life, the first thing you need to decide is whether or not youÕre a good candidate for this procedure. You should discuss this in detail with a medical professional, but generally speaking, there are three questions that are most common with prospective patients. These questions are, ÒHow can I tell if IÕm a good candidate for scalp flap surgery?Ó, ÒHow will I be evaluated for scalp flap surgery?Ó and ÒWill my insurance help offset the costs of surgery?Ó Each of these questions is answered below.
How can I tell if IÕm a good candidate for scalp flap surgery?
The best candidates for scalp flap surgery are those people who are in generally good physical condition and have no serious psychological issues. Specifically, these patients also tend to have hair loss towards the front of the scalp and who have a stabilized and regular pattern of hair loss. No two situations are exactly alike, however, which is why you should have a medical professional evaluate your situation.
How will I be evaluated for scalp flap surgery?
Your evaluation will involve several specific steps in order to determine if this procedure is right for you. These steps include an examination of your entire medical history to make sure that no underlying health problems are present that could complicate the procedure. Your doctor will also examine your scalp to determine whether or not this process will improve your look. Finally, if the evaluation is positive, your doctor will begin to provide you with instructions as to how to begin to prepare for the procedure.
Will my insurance help offset the costs of Scalp Flap surgery?
This is a complicated question, and contains no easy answers. In general, health insurance carriers will cover any procedure that is considered medically necessary, but most of the time, scalp flap surgery is considered Òelective,Ó which means that most insurance carriers will not cover the procedure.However, you should take specific steps to take care of the financial aspects of this procedure. Make sure you request coverage from your carrier, and document any and all communication. If you will not be covered, there are financing options available to you, and all you need to do is ask your doctor to help you find a source of funding if youÕre ready to move forward with the procedure.
Overall, three of the most prominent questions asked by prospective patients of scalp flap surgery are, ÒHow can I tell if IÕm a good candidate for scalp flap surgery?Ó, ÒHow will I be evaluated for scalp flap surgery?Ó and ÒWill my insurance help offset the costs of surgery?Ó If youÕd like to obtain specific, personalized answers to these questions, the best way to do so is to schedule a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon.
Scalp Flap Surgery Specifics
As you consider scalp flap surgery, the best way to make an informed decision is to find out all you can about everything involved with such a procedure. The aspect of this process that tends to give potential patients the most stress involves the specifics of the surgery itself. Below youÕll find answers to three of the most common questions regarding these specific surgical steps. These questions are, ÒWhere are incisions placed for scalp flap surgery?Ó, ÒWhat are some variations to the common scalp flap surgery method?Ó and ÒWhat are some of the risks associated with scalp flap surgery?Ó
Where are incisions placed for scalp flap surgery?
There are three incisions cut for scalp flap surgery, and these incisions are made at three different times. The first incisions are made in a parallel fashion along the side of the scalp. The second incision, usually made about a week later, is placed in the back of the scalp and connects the first two incisions. Finally, the third incision is made near the front of the head.
What are some variations to the common scalp flap surgery method?
Given that the surgical steps involved with scalp flap surgery are so specific in nature, there are very few variations to the common method. Some of the variations can include cutting more than one incision at a time or cutting the incisions in a different order, but these variations are rare in number.
What are some of the risks associated with scalp flap surgery?
As is the case with any surgery, there are risks to consider, and your doctor should explain them to you in detail. Even though these risks are statistically rare, some patients have experienced deep scarring on the affected area, although most of the time this scarring is successfully concealed with the new hair thatÕs in place. Other risks are associated with any type of surgery, and these include swelling, infections, bleeding and an abnormal amount of pain, but these conditions are usually managed with medication.
Overall, three of the most common questions patients have in regards to the specifics of scalp flap surgery are, ÒWhere are incisions placed for scalp flap surgery?Ó, ÒWhat are some variations to the common scalp flap surgery method?Ó and ÒWhat are some of the risks associated with scalp flap surgery?Ó If youÕre looking for answers that pertain to your specific hair loss situation, the best way to get them is to contact a cosmetic surgeon and to schedule a full consultation as soon as possible.
Scalp Flap Surgery Preparation and Recovery
Two of the most overlooked aspects of any surgical procedure are also two of the most important - preparation and recovery. If youÕre not properly prepared for surgery, it simply wonÕt go as well as it could, and if youÕre not aware of the recovery time and what to expect in general, youÕll incur a lot of unnecessary stress.
Below are answers to examples of the most common questions patients have in regards to scalp flap surgery. These questions 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
What steps should I take to prepare for surgery?
The preparatory steps necessary for a successful surgery will be provided by your doctor. In general, these steps involve specific strategies regarding your diet, vitamin intake, alcohol consumption and the cessation of smoking before and after the procedure.
What can I expect the day of surgery to be like?
The day of your surgery will be very busy, and it will go by very quickly. You will feel several sometimes-conflicting emotions, but remember that these are totally normal. Patients have reported feeling a combination of fear, anxiousness, excitement and jubilation, and sometimes these emotions appear all at once. Your surgery will take a few hours, but you wonÕt remember it, and before you know it youÕll be on your way to recovery.
How will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?
Following each stage of this process, you will feel sore, and your head will be bandaged. However, the recovery time from each of these procedural steps is fast, and you should be ready to proceed to each additional step of the procedure without any physical problems.
When can I pursue my normal activities again?
You should be back up and on your feet within a week of the final phase of this procedure, but you will need to refrain from extremely strenuous physical activity for a period of a few weeks. However, these timetables are generally individual in nature, so consult your doctor in regards to what you like to do and when you can resume those activities.
How long can I expect results to last?
Although there is no strict timetable for your results, most patients report years of satisfaction with their new look. You may need to report for a Òtouch-upÓ procedure as the years pass and your new scalp shifts, but overall, you can expect these results to bring a positive influence to your life for quite some time.
Overall, the best way to prepare for this surgery is to contact a medical professional, and if you have any additional questions or would like more personalized information, a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon will give you the best starting point.