The week before your hair transplant procedure is when preparation makes a measurable difference to the smoothness of the day and the quality of your recovery. Here is a practical checklist of what to do and what to avoid.
Seven days before: Stop any aspirin use (if your prescribing doctor has cleared this). Avoid ibuprofen and other NSAIDs for the same reason — they affect platelet function and increase bleeding risk. If you are on any blood-thinning medication, confirm the plan with both your surgeon and your prescribing doctor at this point if you have not already done so.
Five days before: Stop vitamin E supplements and fish oil supplements, which have modest antiplatelet effects. Stop any herbal supplements including ginkgo biloba, garlic supplements, and ginseng — all of which affect coagulation to varying degrees.
Three days before: Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo each day to ensure the scalp is clean and free of product buildup. Have a haircut if your donor area hair length needs to be adjusted — most FUE procedures require the donor area to be shaved to 1-2mm before extraction.
The day before: Do not drink alcohol. Eat normally — you should not fast before the procedure unless your surgeon has specifically asked you to. Prepare your bed with extra pillows for the elevated sleeping position you will need for the first week.
Morning of surgery: Wash your hair but do not apply any product. Wear a loose-fitting button-up or zip-up top — nothing that needs to be pulled over your head. Eat a normal breakfast. Arrive rested.
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