Diabetes does not automatically disqualify a patient from hair transplant surgery, but it introduces specific considerations that must be assessed and managed to ensure the procedure is as safe and effective as possible.
The primary concern is wound healing. Elevated blood glucose levels impair the function of the immune system and slow tissue repair. In the context of a hair transplant, this means that graft sites in both the donor and recipient areas may heal more slowly, carry a higher risk of infection, and potentially result in lower graft survival rates if blood glucose is not well-controlled.
Diabetic neuropathy — nerve damage affecting sensation — can sometimes mask the discomfort signals that would normally indicate a problem during recovery. Patients with neuropathy may not feel pain that would otherwise alert them to an issue, making careful visual monitoring of the scalp even more important.
Patients with well-controlled diabetes — HbA1c below 7.5% — are typically assessed on the same basis as non-diabetic patients, with the awareness that healing may take slightly longer. Those with poorly controlled diabetes should focus on stabilising their condition before considering elective surgery.
Inform your surgeon of your diabetic status at the outset — not at the end of the consultation. It affects anaesthetic planning, recovery guidance, the need for more frequent follow-up appointments, and in some cases the decision about whether to proceed at all. A good surgeon will work with your diabetes team if needed to ensure your blood glucose is optimally controlled around the time of the procedure.
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