The Day of the Operation Step by Step: What to Expect During a Hair Transplant

The day of a hair transplant feels like a big step to many patients, but in reality it is a calm and carefully planned procedure. Below we explain, step by step, what you can expect on the day of the operation at the Rubenhair clinic in Riga, so that you arrive feeling confident and informed.

Arrival and the morning consultation

The day begins with a relaxed conversation. The doctor takes another look at the condition of your scalp and donor area, talks through your expectations and confirms the chosen method (for example FUE or DHI). This is a good moment to ask any final questions. Before starting, the necessary paperwork is completed and usually a few photos are taken, so the result can be compared later. For comfort, it is worth wearing front-buttoning clothing on the day, so you do not have to pull anything over your head afterwards, and having a light breakfast before you arrive.

Shaping the hairline

One of the most important stages is drawing the new hairline. The doctor designs a line that suits your face shape, age and the natural direction of your hair growth. This is done together with you and in front of a mirror, so you can give your consent before anything else is done. A good design is the foundation of a natural result, and time is devoted to it.

Local anaesthetic

The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic – you are awake the whole time, but the area is numb. As the anaesthetic is administered you may feel a brief pricking sensation, but after that the scalp becomes numb and the procedure itself is generally painless. Many patients are surprised by how comfortable the experience actually is.

Extracting the follicles from the donor area

Next, the doctor removes the hair follicles one by one from the donor area, which is usually the back and sides of the head, where hair growth is more permanent. The extracted grafts are placed in a special preservation solution that keeps them viable until transplantation. This stage requires precision and patience.

Creating the channels and transplanting

The doctor then prepares microscopic channels in the recipient area and places the follicles one by one at the correct angle, direction and density. This is exactly where the naturalness of the result is born. The precision of the work at this stage directly affects how naturally the new hair grows later on.

Breaks and the length of the procedure

The whole procedure usually lasts several hours and depends on the number of grafts being transplanted. It is nonetheless carried out within a single day, as an outpatient procedure – there is no need to stay in hospital. Breaks are taken during the day, during which you can:

• rest and stretch your legs;
• eat a light meal and drink;
• use the toilet and relax for a moment;
• talk with the doctor again if needed.

So it is not one uninterrupted long sitting, but a day made comfortable. If you would like to estimate the possible number and scale of grafts in advance, our graft calculator can help point you in the right direction.

Going home and written instructions

Once the transplant is complete, the doctor checks the area and gives you detailed written aftercare instructions. These explain how to sleep, how to wash your head, which activities to avoid in the coming days and when to come for a check-up. Most patients can go straight home or to their hotel. As this is a delicate area, a calm regimen is recommended for the first few days.

A calm and predictable day

All in all, the day of the operation is a carefully structured and predictable process in which you are in the doctor's care at every stage. Results are always individual and depend on the particular features of your hair and scalp, which is why a personal consultation gives the most accurate picture.

If you would like to know what the day of the operation would look like in your case, you are welcome to a free consultation – we will talk through your expectations and draw up a plan that suits you.