Q.

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Q. Does this work?
A. Yes!! The hair on the top of your head is genetically programmed differently than the hair at the back of your head. This is why most men are left with a ring around the back of the their head. We are simply taking that hair and moving it to a bald or thinning area where it will continue to grow just as it did at the back of your head.
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Q. Is it painful?
A. Pain is minimal. We use a local anesthetic that is injected very slowly to avoid any discomfort during surgery. After surgery you are sent home with sufficient pain medication. Most patients are surprised by how little discomfort they experience both during and after surgery.
A. As a number of patients have said, “The discomfort is less than going to the dentist.” The use of local anesthetic permits painless removal of donor tissue, seldom is there any actual pain after the procedure. Any discomfort that may occur is mild and readily relieved by analgesics.
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Q. How do I know if I am a candidate?
A. The best way to find out if you are a candidate is to meet with Dr. Gillespie. A rule of thumb would tend to be someone who is in their mid or late-twenties or older with thinning hair or is bald. They would also need to have no severe health problems or risks.
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Q. How long will a hair transplant last?
A. Transplanted hair will last a lifetime. This conclusion is based on the examination of transplanted hair more than 30 years after the first procedures were done.
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Q. How important is the use of microscopes in the process of follicular unit sectioning?
A. The use of microscopes is an essential component to the precise sectioning of follicular units and preservation of the donor tissue. Every hair follicle in the donor area is precious and is not to be wasted. Given the techniques of today and our commitment to providing the best possible result; we would not perform this procedure without the use of microscopes.
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Q. What happens to the donor site from which the hair is taken?
A. After the tissue is taken, the donor area is sutured, it heals quickly, leaving a fine line that is well hidden by the surrounding hair.
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Q. How much does this procedure cost?
A. This varies with the individual and depends on the extent of the hair loss. Generally speaking, this procedure is no more expensive than a good hairpiece that would cover the same area.
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Q. Can women have hair transplant?
A. Yes they can. Some woman suffer from male pattern baldness and are candidates for this type of surgery. Others may have had facial surgery resulting in scars or loss of hair that can be covered or restored with hair transplantation.
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Q. What other options are there?
A. Hair transplantation is the only permanent solution to hair loss. There is a medication called Propecia, which blocks the effects of DHT, the hormone that causes your hair to fall out. This is the only product that is scientifically proven to stop hair loss that we know about. Be cautious of things that sound too good to be true.
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Q. Do you use lasers for hair transplantation surgery?
A. No we do not use lasers; they have not been proven to be of any benefit. They have been shown to cut off blood supply to the graft which is essential for the growth of the hair.
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Q. How long has Dr. Gillespie been doing hair transplants?
A. Dr. Gillespie has been doing hair transplants for over 25 years now and is well respected amongst his peers.
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Q. How long is the recovery time?
A. Recovery time is usually about one week, during which time you feel fine but will have small somewhat noticeable crusts in the recipient area. Most patients will take a few days off due to appearance. If you are able to wear a hat to work, no-one will notice.
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Q. Can I use someone else’s hair in my head?
A. While this may be possible, one would have to take the same type of rejection pill’s necessary for a heart transplant. The risks involved in taking these drugs are very high and in some cases deadly. 
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Q. Do you choose the way in which the grafts are dissected.
A. No, we cut the grafts in accordance to the way the hair naturally grows. The hair usually grows by itself, in groups of 1, 2, 3, or 4 hairs. These groups are called follicular units.
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Q. How long does it take before the hair begins to grow? 
A. The hair starts to grow in 3 to 4 months. It will grow in finer at first and will continue to thicken over the next few months. Your optimal result will be evident in 6 months.
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Q. Do you transplant eyebrows?
A. Yes we do. This procedure is very similar and works well for any individual looking for thicker or fuller eyebrows.
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Q. Are there sutures at the top of the head?
A. No, the doctor makes tiny slits that the grafts are carefully inserted into. The grafted area forms small crusts / scabs that fall off in approximately 7 days.
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Q. Does the hair begin to grow right away?
A. No, the hair usually falls out in the first two weeks. Although the hair falls out, the follicle is still dormant and you will begin to notice growth in 3-4 months.
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Q. Are there any scars after surgery?
A. Yes, you will have a very fine scar line, similar to a line drawn by a pencil at the back of your head which is easily hidden by your remaining hair.
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Q. When can I go back to work?
A. Appearance is usually what keeps people away form work for a few days. If you can wear a hat you could return to work in a day or two. Otherwise most people usually take 4-7 days before returning to work.
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Q. When are the stitches removed?
A. The stitches are removed 8-10 days after surgery.
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Q. How many grafts can you do in one surgery?
A. Our sessions range from 500 grafts – 2500 grafts depending on the patient and area.
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Q. How many grafts are done in an average session?
A. An average session is usually between 1000-1500 grafts.
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Q. Are you awake during the procedure?
A. Yes, the surgery is preformed under local anesthetic.
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