What are the risks associated with having a non-doctor perform a hair transplant surgery?

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Would you let a non-doctor treat your heart? Your brain? Do surgery? It is not about the capabilities of technically performing the aspects of the knowledge of physiology, pharmacology, emergency, etc. In case of ANYTHING happens unplanned, the doctor is 100% prepared to deal with them efficiently to benefit the patient's health.

What are the factors behind a successful operation?

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Factors for a successful operation are several. Every step for surgery, from planning, prepping, excision and extraction, site creation, graft preparation, placement, post-op care, all the way to after the treatment, are the keystone for a successful outcome.

The surgeon performs its part, the techs perform their part, and both synchronically work together as a team. When a surgeon achieves this symphony, it can only be called a successful operation.

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How permanent are the results? Could the patient need a second procedure after a while?

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Graft well placed will remain in place permanently unless trauma or cicatricial alopecia affects it. Now, to state that only one surgery is enough would be a fallacy, and androgenetic alopecia is a progressive disorder. During one surgery, now intends to replace areas that have lost coverage. Nonetheless, with its progressive behavior, new spots will become scarce and hence the need to perform a new surgery to cover the new bald area.

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Which patient profile is the right fit for the operation?

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The right profile can be varied, but in short terms, we want a patient who has been correctly diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia, which is being treated for stabilizing it at least six months before the date of operation. Ideally, the patient should at least be older than 25 since it is primordial to have an idea of the progression of the disease. We want a healthy patient but, above all, mentally healthy: we want expectations about surgical treatment to be within a reachable level.

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How should a patient choose the right doctor and the clinic?

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The first consultation should be the most important, and the patient should feel the time was dedicated to diagnosing its condition and all treatments available discussed.

Medical treatment should be offered before surgical treatment; if the contrary, it appears like the doctor is pushing for surgery on financial interest. Education and experience are the most important, so I suggest during the conversation on the first consultation, asking for pictures of prior patients and videos, checking for professional background, publications, investigations, and involvement in ongoing learning opportunities. Beware, usually investing in marketing can be misleading. A cool webpage not always leads to a professional doctor or vice versa.

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Can you talk a bit about your experience in the field?

I’ve been in the hair restoration specialty for the past 12 years. I spent one year training in hair restoration surgery and then one year in trichology. I perform around 10-12 surgeries per month, and all are performed by myself. I have practiced in Guatemala since then. I have dedicated plenty of time to research; I have won 2 grants from the ISHRS for studies in PRP for Androgenetic Alopecia and FUE for axillary Hyperhidrosis. I was one of the pioneers in the world performing Long Hair FUE, which has developed into writing Long Hair FUE chapters in different textbooks and editor of a section in one of the most prominent textbooks on hair restoration surgery. I have been invited to many workshops and congresses around the world and colleagues visiting my practice in Guatemala to learn tips and tricks to improve their surgical technique.

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