A hair transplant is a minor, clinic-based surgical procedure in which healthy hair follicles are safely moved from the back and sides of the head to the thinning and balding areas in order to restore hair loss. To encourage new hair regrowth on a thinning scalp, follicles from healthier and fuller areas, including the neck and chest, can be effectively removed intact and placed somewhere else. Successful hair transplantation results in hair regrowth and is typically performed to treat male and female pattern baldness.

Dr. Goran Jezic is a double board-certified physician who has extensive and specialized training in hair restoration procedures. At Houston Hair Transplant Center (HHTC), he provides patients in Austin, Houston, TX, and now San Antonio, TX, and surrounding areas with custom hair restoration treatments. People even travel from San Antonio, the Rio Grande valley, Mexico and South Texas to receive his services. A fuller head of hair positively impacts a patient’s confidence and self-esteem. If you are struggling with hair thinning and baldness, schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Jezic today by calling (713) 864-2300. You may also fill out our online form and a member of our staff will correspond with you quickly.

Before and After Photos

About Hair Transplants 

What is FUE?

Here at HHTC, Dr. Jezic specializes in and performs Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), also known as Follicular Unit Excision (FUE), the most advanced and most comfortable hair transplantation technique. Its predecessor, Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) harvests hair by removing a strip of hair-bearing skin from the back of the scalp. In contrast, FUE does not require a long or large, linear incision to harvest follicles, making it less invasive but just as effective. With the addition of the latest ATERA FUE technology, Dr. Jezic restores thinning hair with great precision and skill. 

FUE hair restoration involves harvesting individual follicular units (FU) of hair from the back and side of the scalp. Using manual or technology-assisted punches, the units are extracted fully intact through very small, almost imperceptible incisions. The FUs are then carefully transplanted into small recipient slots made in the thinning and balding areas of the scalp. Since the donor hair is taken from an area that is not thinning and genetically resistant to hair loss, they have a higher chance of survival in their new position. (1)

FUE is traditionally performed manually, requiring the surgeon to remove and place each FU individually. With recent technological advancements, FUE can now be performed with the help of automated hair restoration systems such as the NeoGraft and ATERA.

What is NeoGraft Hair Restoration?

To make the long and taxing process of FUE less demanding, NeoGraft is a semi-automated system that extracts donor hairs with great precision. NeoGraft removes FUs at the correct angle, eliminating the need to touch them. 

During traditional FUE, the surgeon punches each FU with a sharp tool, careful to preserve the unit as a whole, and then removes it at the optimal angle. NeoGraft automates this step, as well as the placement of the FU into the thinning areas or hairline. This “no-touch” system improves the efficacy and safety of hair transplantation, while keeping it extremely sanitary. It allows Dr. Jezic to conserve energy and dramatically shorten the amount of time necessary to perform FUE. (2)

What is ATERA FUE?

The ATERA FUE method involves extracting individual hair follicles from the donor area using a robotic system that precisely selects and removes grafts without leaving visible scars. This highly advanced approach allows for greater accuracy and efficiency in harvesting hair follicles, ensuring a natural-looking result for patients seeking hair restoration. One of the defining features of ATERA FUE is its unparalleled precision, enabled by the robotic system’s meticulous extraction process. This precision contributes to the natural appearance of transplanted hair and ensures optimal growth post-procedure. 

What is the WAW FUE System? 

The European WAW FUE system was designed to harvest all types of hair including curly and wavy hair. It greatly reduces the transection rate, making it easier for the clinician to harvest follicular units. The end results is a higher rate of graft survivability and growth. The Wireless WAW enables the clinician to navigate the head with ease. 

Benefits of FUE Hair Restoration

Receiving an FUE hair transplant in San Antonio benefits patients in the following ways:

  • Restores thin or patchy hair
  • Restores a receding hairline
  • Natural-looking results
  • Minimally-invasive
  • Extremely accurate
  • Short recovery time
  • No visible linear scar
  • Does not require sutures

Am I a Good Candidate for Hair Transplants?

The ideal candidate for a hair transplant is in good health with no serious medical conditions that could impact the procedure or healing. They may be experiencing male or female pattern baldness or hair loss due to scarring or injury. However, they must have enough healthy hair follicles to be donated, and the treatment area must be healthy enough to receive the new follicles. Successful hair transplants often require a large amount of FUs, so those with little viable and donatable hair will not qualify. Patients with certain types of alopecia, auto immune disorders, and unpredictable hair loss often do not make good candidates for hair restoration procedures.

Personal Consultation with Dr. Jezic

Dr. Jezic will meet with you privately to discuss your hair transplantation options. He will take a detailed report of your hair loss and general medical history. He will perform a physical examination of your scalp to determine the health of your donor area. If FUE treatment is determined suitable, he will then explain the details of the procedure. This consultation will be your chance to ask questions and voice any concerns you may have. Dr. Jezic will walk you through the process step by step to make sure your cosmetic concerns can be met. For those in San Antonio and who cannot commute the hour and 30 minutes to Austin, Dr. Jezic offers virtual consultations

Preparation

Leading up to your hair transplantation procedure, avoid Vitamin E. Consult with Dr. Jezic and your primary care provider regarding any blood thinners and other medications that you take. If you smoke, refrain from all tobacco and nicotine use for at least one week before your procedure at HHTC. Avoid drinking alcohol at least two days prior to the procedure and stop taking certain herbal supplements that may affect the procedure or your results. Get a good night’s sleep and have a light breakfast on the morning of your procedure. 

Dr. Jezic may require you to shave your hair short before your hair transplant. This usually means a hair length of around 1mm. A member of our staff may do this for you when you arrive for your surgery. Make sure your hair is clean. 

FUE Procedure Steps

After the donor and receiver areas of the scalp are at the correct length, Dr. Jezic administers local anesthetic for numbing. FUE does not require general anesthesia. After your scalp is numb, the team harvests the donor follicular units either manually with a punch, semi-automatically with the NeoGraft device, or robotically with the ATERA system or WAW FUE system. They are then stored in sterile saline until implantation. The team makes tiny punctures in the thinning areas of the scalp with a small blade or needle. During NeoGraft procedures, this step is also automated. The donor follicular units are then carefully placed, one by one, into their new positions. Manual FUE hair transplantation typically takes around 4 to 8 hours to complete but this length is much shorter when using semi-automated and automated systems. 

Recovery & Results

The recovery period after FUE hair transplants is typically short. You may experience some swelling and discomfort for 2 to 3 days, so you may need to take a few days off from work.  Avoid strenuous activities for at least 1 week and stick to short gentle walks to ensure healthy blood flow to the treatment area. As the transplanted hair follicles start to heal, they may fall out. Known as “shock loss” this is completely normal and the hair will grow back healthier.

The results of hair transplants are not visible until the new hair follicles start to grow in their new location. After a hair falls out, it may take 4 to 6 months to grow back. Results can take up to a year to be fully visible. To achieve your goals, more than one FUE procedure may be necessary depending on your specific circumstances. 

Hybrid Hair Restoration in San Antonio 

For some patients, a combination of surgical and topical treatments may be more suitable than one or the other. Hybrid hair restoration utilizes surgical and non-surgical hair restoration solutions to approach hair regrowth, often giving our patients a better chance of a successful outcome. This often looks like a mixture of FUE hair transplantation and topical treatments to further stimulate follicle growth and promote a healthy scalp. When FUE is combined with minimally invasive treatments, patients with a more complicated diagnosis may receive better results. 

Dr. Jezic and the HHTC team may recommend our topical compound to support your hair growth. Hybrid hair restoration is customizable and always personalized toward your specific needs. 

Cost of Hair Transplants in San Antonio

Each patient’s total procedure cost is influenced by:

  • How many FUs are extracted and implanted (no. of grafts)
  • The procedure length
  • Type of procedure
  • Prescription medication costs
  • Further or additional treatments

Total costs also depend on your desired results and your hair’s current condition. The best way to receive an accurate estimate of cost is to schedule your complimentary private consultation with Dr. Jezic. Fill out this contact form, visit us at our Austin or Houston office, or call (713) 864-2300 today to get started. For potential patients in the San Antonio area, we offer comprehensive online consultations if you cannot make it in person.

References

  1. Sharma R, Ranjan A. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Hair Transplant: Curves Ahead. Journal of Maxillofacial & Oral Surgery. 2019;18(4):509-517. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-019-01245-6
  2. Kim HG, Bae TW, Kim KH, Lee HS, Lee SI. Follicular Unit Classification Method Using Angle Variation of Boundary Vector for Automatic Hair Implant System. ETRI Journal. 2016;38(1):195-205. doi:https://doi.org/10.4218/etrij.16.0114.0136
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