Surgery day
Month 1 of 18
Day 0 after a hair transplant: Surgery day
The grafts are in. Your scalp may feel tight, numb or sore as the local anaesthetic wears off, and a little oozing from the donor and recipient areas is expected. Tonight is about rest, keeping your head still and keeping the grafts untouched.
What you can do now
On day 0
What's typical
- Numbness, tightness or aching in both areas
- Spots of blood or pinkish fluid on the dressing or pillow
- Feeling tired after a long day
Call your clinic if you notice
- Bleeding that keeps going after 15 minutes of gentle, steady pressure.
- Chest pain, trouble breathing or fainting: call your emergency number.
- Pain that gets worse each day instead of easing.
Not yet reviewed by a doctor — verify with your clinic.
Sources
- Hair transplantNHS, 2023
- A hair transplant can give you permanent, natural-looking resultsAmerican Academy of Dermatology, 2026
- Hair transplantation surgeryIndian Journal of Plastic Surgery, 2008
- Complications in Hair TransplantationJournal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2018
- Hair Transplantation: Preventing Post-operative OedemaJournal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2010