8-6 Weeks Before: Medical Foundation
Start medical maintenance therapy if recommended by your surgeon. Arrange pre-operative blood tests. If you take blood-thinning medications (aspirin, warfarin, NSAIDs, fish oil at high doses), discuss a managed tapering schedule — most need to be stopped 7-10 days before surgery. Book medical tourism insurance if traveling internationally.
6-4 Weeks Before: Lifestyle Optimization
Quit smoking now — the minimum recommendation is 2 weeks smoke-free before surgery, but 4-6 weeks provides meaningfully better healing conditions. Reduce alcohol consumption. Optimize nutrition — protein intake is particularly important for tissue healing. Stop supplements that affect coagulation: fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, and high-dose vitamin C should be stopped 2 weeks before surgery.
4-2 Weeks Before: Scalp Health
Address any existing scalp conditions — seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, or fungal infections should be treated and resolved before surgery. Use a gentle, fragrance-free shampoo daily. Avoid hair dye or chemical treatments for 2 weeks before the procedure. Limit direct sun exposure to the scalp.
1 Week Before: Practical Logistics
Confirm flight and accommodation details. Pack comfortable, loose-fitting button-down or zip-up tops. Arrange your workspace for remote work if returning to desk work within 3-5 days. Inform close contacts about your procedure timing.
The Day Before and Day Of
Day before: wash your hair normally, get a good night's sleep, eat a balanced meal, avoid alcohol. Day of: eat a light breakfast 2 hours before your appointment, wash your hair again, wear a button-down shirt, bring entertainment for the 6-8 hour session, bring a travel pillow for the return journey, and arrange transport from the clinic.