The Pantovčak Polyclinic - Hair Clinic was founded in 2005 and is the only surgery polyclinic in Croatia and in the region specializing in hair transplantation procedures and treatment of hair loss. All members of our surgical team are specialized and daily exclusively perform FUE hair transplantation procedures according to the latest world standards. Our goal is to offer patients all that modern hair transplantation can, regardless of the extent or cause of hair loss. The FUE hair transplantation is available both to men and to women with depletion or loss of hair on the scalp, loss of eyebrows or beard as well as to patients who had undergone in earlier decades classic hair transplantation surgeries. With many years of work we have also trained fellow surgeons and their teams from Great Britain, Slovenia and Italy to perform FUE hair transplant surgery. On a daily basis we perform and improve microsurgical FUE hair transplantation procedures in accordance with the standards and recommendations of the ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery), the IPRAS (International Confederation of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. 1
FUE hair transplant FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) is the most modern and least invasive hair transplant technique available today in the world and since 2005 it is being performed in Croatia. FUE hair transplant technique allows for excellent control of each stage of the procedure. It is applicable to both men and women with hair loss problems, as well as on all types of hair. In this technique there is no need for scalpels, seams and folds. From the areas of the scalp where the hair is permanent and thick enough (back of the head or left and right sides) a small part of the hair in its smallest units (1-4 hairs) is taken and transplanted into the area where hair loss is noticeable. The FUE hair transplantation results in the growth and the natural appearance of new hair, the difference between the old and the new transplanted hair cannot be seen, which is not the case with the old techniques of hair transplantation. After the FUE hair transplantation procedure there are no visible, often thick linear scars as in the old STRIP (FUT) technique but there are hundreds or thousands of invisible or barely visible micro dots, scars evenly distributed throughout the donor region, thus it is possible to have even short hair. The procedure is painless and the only discomfort or minor pain that can be felt during the FUE hair transplant is when before the surgery local anesthesia is being administered, and the sensation is the same as anesthesia at the dentist. After the FUE hair transplant there is no need of folds or bandages and the patient returns on the same day to his/her daily activities. The growth of transplanted hair is visible after about 16 weeks, and the transplanted hair in its new location grows naturally for life. 2
FUE hair transplant procedure Although each FUE hair transplant procedure is different, we outline the basic steps of each and they are further explained in our videos about the FUE hair transplantation. The donor region is a limited resource. It is possible to transplant only your own hair from one part of the scalp to another, i.e. from the area where the hair is permanent in an area where it falls out. The hair can be transplanted in areas of thinned hair or complete loss of hair. In a standard large all-day FUE hair transplant procedure we can transplant up to 2000-2500 hair follicles. In some cases, we decide on a two-day procedure when a larger surgery is needed. Just before the procedure we cut the donor region on the back or on the sides of head. This lower part of the scalp is usually cut short in men. Traces of hair harvesting are visible for several days, and, if desired, it can all be covered with longer hair from the upper parts. In women usually only the part that can be covered with longer hair is cut until it grows back. It is not necessary to cut the receiving region and all the other. The area from where the hair has been taken and the area where the hair is transplanted, the so-called donor and receiving regions, are anesthetized in a simple local anesthesia (the 3
same as during a dentist s procedure). A slight pain that is felt when administering the anesthetic is the only discomfort you will feel during the whole procedure. The patient is usually awake and can exchange a few words with the surgeon or go to the toilet, and since the procedure takes up to six hours often patients fall asleep. After a few minutes when the anesthetic takes effect the first phase of the procedure starts, that is the extraction (removal) of individual follicular units with the use of special microsurgical equipment with titanium extensions of a diameter of 0.8 to 1 mm. Only a very small portion of healthy, permanent, life-long hair is taken, so that the thinning of the area is not visible. Hair is taken in the smallest units from which it grows, the so-called follicular units. In one follicular unit usually there are 2 or 3 follicles (hairs), and rarely 1 or 4 follicles (hairs). If necessary, the procedure can be repeated from the same region or other donor regions. All the resulting material, i.e. follicles for transplantation, are then in the second phase of the procedure microscopically analyzed and classified according to the number of follicles under a magnification of 15 times (15x). The microscopic preparation includes getting clean roots from which 3 mm long hairs protrude and shaping the follicular units for implantation. In the third stage of the FUE hair transplant procedure we micro-surgically mark the place, scheme, depth, density, angle and direction of implantation of the follicles. In the fourth stage of the procedure with the help of implanters which are used to monitor the earlier set parameters, the follicular units are implanted one by one. In the first line of the scalp individual follicular units are placed, and in all other areas multiple follicular units. Traces of hair transplantation in long hair are invisible while with shorter hair traces of the work can be seen for a few days. The whole procedure is minimally invasive, i.e. mild for the tissue and the patient, and there is no need for folding and analgesics after surgery. 3-4 hours after the procedure you may feel tension or pressure in the scalp, but in the next few hours the pressure disappears. There is the possibility of swelling in the forehead area, which is normal with no inflammation and no blood so that it is not necessary to use ice. If desired, after the procedure the scalp can be covered with a cap. The patient goes home after the procedure with the instructions and everything necessary for the post-operative care at home: an antibiotic is taken for 4 days (every 12 hours 2 pills), the receiving region is moisturized with a saline spray for 4 days (every 3 hours) and sterile pillow covers must be used. Often patients come and go by car by themselves, although we would recommend having company or call a taxi. Most or all of the hair that has been transplanted will fall out within two weeks of the procedure. The aim of the procedure was of course not that hair but the hair root from which 3-4 months after the procedure new hair will begin to grow. 4
The recovery is very short, usually within 5-7 days all signs of FUE hair transplant will disappear. The success is not only the natural hair growth but the subsequent natural looking results. The check-up, if necessary, is within a month. 5
Pre-operative and post-operative instructions Preoperative instructions: o One week before the procedure do not take aspirin or similar drugs (Lekadol, Andol, Paracetamol). o One week before the procedure avoid alcohol and two days before the operation stop using it completely. o Patients, who are taking any other medicines, especially as directed by a psychiatrist or a cardiologist, must consult their physician before accessing the procedure. o Patients over 45 years are recommended to have a cardiological examination (ECG) before coming to the procedure. o Patients can rub in Regaine/Minoxidil 2-10 weeks before the procedure to improve circulation in the receiving region. o Two days before the procedure stop using Minoxidil, and you can continue using it seven days after the procedure. o Reduce smoking 24 hours before the procedure. o On the morning of the surgery wash your hair and after shampooing rinse it thoroughly and dry it with a clean towel, and do not use sprays or gels. o Do not wear wigs to surgery. o We advise to patients to have a usual breakfast before undergoing the hair transplantation, while to patients coming in the afternoon to have a light lunch. Postoperative instructions: o After the procedure, eat light food. o The day after the procedure, do not drink alcohol. o Do not take aspirin or similar drugs (Andol, Lekadol, Paracetamol) four days after the procedure. Also avoid taking non-approved substances, four days after the procedure. o Follow the instructions for the use of prescribed medications. All medications should be taken with meals. o For the rest of the day after the procedure take a rest. o Do not scratch the scalp to avoid transferring dirt from the fingers (nails) to the donor or the receiving region because an infection could occur. o If you wear hair inserts, wait at least two weeks prior to their reuse. o Avoid more demanding exercise 14 days after surgery and lighter exercise seven days after. o Do not turn upside down the day of surgery and two days that follow. 6
o Do not expose your head to strong direct sunlight 14 days after the procedure; we recommend wearing caps or hats for going out into a strong sun 14 days after the procedure and avoiding sun burning the head 2 months after the procedure. o Try sleeping on your side or back and sleep on the sterile cover over the pillow that we will provide you. o Spray the receiving region with a saline solution four days after the procedure every 3 hours (first 2 days during the day and night, and the next two while you are awake). o Wash your hair according to the instructions that you will receive after the procedure. o The disappearance of signs of surgery in the week after the procedure is enhanced with regular washing and showering in accordance with the doctor s instructions. 7
Consultations We highly recommend a free consultation examination for insight into your situation and assessment of the justification, the size and the cost of a possible FUE hair transplant procedure. If you are unable to reach us, you can send us a photo and we can comment it together over the phone. Consultations are possible and free in Zagreb, Split, Ljubljana and Trieste. Why do we recommend live consultations? At the consultation examination it is possible, in addition to the insight into your specific case, experience the patient as a person, explain the realistic achievements of hair transplant because nowadays Google and marketing can give a wrong idea about the possibilities of transplantation. The patient is able to explain exactly what he wants and get answers to questions. It is possible to see the procedure live, and get an impression of the surgeon and the Polyclinic. Discretion is guaranteed; the patient does not encounter other patients nor are his photographs shown to others. At the consultation examination we do not generally schedule the term of the procedure. We advise patients to take time before making a final decision, see the procedure live or contact some of our patients. We recommend planning the procedure due to available dates three to four weeks in advance. In some cases with photos and a telephone consultation the surgery can be arranged without a prior consultation examination. The goal of the surgery is to use as efficiently as possible the available hair of the back and the side regions of the head. If the hair in these donor areas is healthy the procedure is probably possible, but it is important to assess the quality of the hair and the size of the donor region in relation to the receiving regions. Besides the direction and the angle of hair growth, the characteristics such as waviness, color and texture can also affect the result of the procedure. Hair transplantation is the art of the possible and thus to individuals with a limited donor region we do not recommend the surgery, whereas very young patients may be advised to delay the hair transplant surgery. To most men in one day, depending on the quality of the hair, we can transplant 2000-2500 follicles; with thick, dark, straight and short hair also over 3000 hair follicles. The procedure can last up to 6 hours. In a two-day procedure that lasts for up to 12 hours up to 5000 follicles can be transplanted. In women, it is possible to transplant 1500-2000 follicles in one day. 8
Consultations and check-ups after surgery are free. Payments can be in cash, with credit cards (up to 36 installments) and via a transaction account. Prior to coming for a consultation we recommend getting the basic information about hair loss and FUE hair transplant via our website. Poliklinika Pantovčak Hair Clinic ZAGREB SPLIT LJUBLJANA TRST +385 1 48 22 091 +385 99 48 22 091 +386 41 48 22 20 +39 349 63 05 838 Pantovčak 38a Terzićeva 7 Pot za Brdom 55 Riva del Mandracchio 4 9