PREPARATION BEFORE SURGERY

Prepare for Your Hair TransplantWith Confidence.

A successful hair transplant starts before the procedure. Proper preparation helps your medical team understand your health, medications, expectations, and individual needs — while helping you arrive prepared for your procedure and recovery.

At Dr. Kaya Clinic, your pre-operative guidance is tailored to your planned treatment, medical history, anaesthesia plan, and individual circumstances.

Important: Your surgeon and medical team will provide instructions specific to your procedure. Do not stop prescribed medications, change your diet, or alter your routine unless advised by your medical team.

Step by Step

Your Hair Transplant Preparation Guide

  • Inform the Dr. Kaya team about your medical background before your hair transplant so your care can be planned safely.

    • Medical conditions
    • Blood-thinning medications
    • Previous surgeries
    • Anesthesia evaluation
    • Previous medical and surgical records
    • Allergy information
    • Current medications and supplements

    Do not take aspirin or other blood-thinning medications for 3 days before your procedure unless they are medically necessary. Never stop prescribed medication without consulting your doctor.

  • Prepare a complete and up-to-date list of everything you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.

    • Prescription medications
    • Over-the-counter medicines
    • Vitamins, minerals & herbal products
    • Blood-thinning medications
    • Diabetes medications
    • Weight-management medications
    • Hormonal medications
    • Pain, sleep or anxiety medications

    Never stop a prescription medication on your own. Your surgeon and medical team will tell you exactly what to continue, modify, or temporarily stop.

  • Inform your medical team about all medical conditions, allergies, previous surgeries, and any previous reactions to anaesthesia or medications.

    • Medication allergies
    • Food or latex allergies
    • Previous reactions to anesthesia
    • Severe nausea or vomiting after anesthesia
    • Difficult airway or intubation history
    • Previous surgical or hair transplant complications
    • Family history of anesthesia problems

    Even information that seems unrelated can be important when planning anaesthesia and your hair transplant.

  • Your preparation may vary depending on whether your hair transplant is performed under local anaesthesia or with sedation.

    • Light breakfast if local anaesthesia without sedation
    • No eating or drinking for 8 hours before if sedation is planned
    • Alcohol
    • Morning medications
    • The exact time to stop eating and drinking

    Do not rely on a generic "nothing after midnight" rule. Follow the specific instructions provided by your medical team.

Tell Us About Allergies & Previous Anaesthesia

Make sure your medical team knows about the following before your hair transplant. Even information that seems unrelated can be important when planning anaesthesia and your procedure.

Never withhold medical history, even if it seems minor — full disclosure keeps your procedure safe.

Follow Your Anaesthesia & Fasting Instructions

Your preparation depends on whether your hair transplant is performed under local anaesthesia or with sedation, and on the instructions provided by your clinical team.

You may receive specific instructions about:

  • Light breakfast, if local anaesthesia without sedation
  • Milk and dairy products
  • No eating or drinking for 8 hours before, if sedation is planned
  • Alcohol
  • Morning medications
  • The exact time to stop eating and drinking

Do not rely on a generic "nothing after midnight" rule.

Fasting guidance depends on whether local anaesthesia or sedation is planned, so your medical team's instructions always take priority.

Your rule is simple

Follow the exact fasting or breakfast instructions given to you by your surgical and anaesthesia team.

Smoking, Vaping & Nicotine

If you smoke or use nicotine products, tell your medical team.

Stop smoking for at least 3 days before your hair transplant, since smoking can increase the risk of breathing problems and healing complications.

  • Cigarettes
  • Vaping
  • Nicotine replacement products
  • Heated tobacco products

If you are unable to stop completely, reduce smoking as much as possible and inform your medical team.

Alcohol, Cannabis & Other Substances

Stop consuming coffee, green tea, and alcohol 3 days before your hair transplant. Be completely honest with your doctor about cannabis, CBD products, or recreational substances.

These substances can influence anaesthesia, breathing, cardiovascular function, pain management, and recovery.

Do not assume that something is "natural" or "occasional" and therefore irrelevant.

Your medical team needs accurate information to plan your care safely.

Nutrition & Hydration

Your body needs adequate energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fluids to support healing.

Maintain a balanced diet and stay adequately hydrated in the days leading up to your hair transplant, unless your doctor has given you different instructions.

  • Protein-rich foods
  • Vegetables and fruits
  • Whole grains where appropriate
  • Adequate hydration
  • Nutrient-dense meals

Avoid making sudden extreme diets or fasting plans without medical guidance.

If you have diabetes, anaemia, significant weight loss, digestive problems, or nutritional concerns, discuss them with your medical team before your procedure.

08

Sleep & Rest

Your rest and sleep can influence how prepared you feel for your hair transplant.

Depending on your procedure and health, your team may recommend:

  • A full night's sleep the night before
  • A calm, low-stress evening
  • Arriving well rested rather than rushed
  • Light, appropriate activity in the days before
  • Avoiding late nights immediately before your procedure
  • Following any additional guidance from your medical team

The goal is not to "train harder."

The goal is to arrive at your procedure as prepared and well rested as safely possible.

Get a good night's sleep before your hair transplant and arrive well rested.

09

Hair Washing

It is best to wash your hair before arriving at the clinic for your hair transplant.

Depending on the procedure, you may also be asked to:

  • Wash your hair before arriving at the clinic
  • Avoid using specific hair or scalp products beforehand, unless instructed
  • Avoid applying creams or lotions to your scalp
  • Avoid cutting or shaving your hair yourself
  • Report scalp infections, wounds, rashes, or irritation

Follow the specific hair-washing instructions provided by your medical team.

10

What to Wear on Procedure Day

Choose comfortable clothing that is easy to put on and remove after the procedure.

Depending on your procedure, you may also be advised to remove:

  • Jewelry
  • Piercings
  • Makeup
  • Nail polish
  • Contact lenses
  • Removable dental appliances

A front-button or zip-up shirt is recommended so you can change easily after your procedure.

11

Plan Your Journey to the Clinic

Knowing where you need to go, when you need to arrive, and how you will get there can make procedure day calmer and more predictable.

Review your clinic's instructions in advance and allow enough time for traffic, parking, registration, and any required check-in procedures.

Before procedure day, make sure you know:

  • Where and what time you need to arrive
  • How you will travel to the clinic
  • Who will accompany you, if a companion is recommended or required
  • Where you need to check in when you arrive
  • Which identification, medical records, test results, or other documents you need to bring

Plan ahead

Avoid leaving transportation, parking, arrival, or check-in arrangements until the morning of your procedure.

If you are traveling to Istanbul or coming from another city or country for your hair transplant, confirm your clinic location, arrival time, transportation, and accommodation plans before your procedure.

12

Arrange Your Return Home

Your transportation arrangements should be planned before your procedure, especially when sedation is involved.

If sedation is planned, arrange suitable transportation to your hotel or home and follow your medical team's instructions regarding driving. International patients will have their in-city transportation provided by the clinic.

Plan the following before your procedure:

  • Arrange reliable transportation from the clinic to your hotel or home
  • Arrange an adult who can accompany you when required
  • Consider whether someone should stay with you during the first hours or night
  • Make sure prescribed medications and aftercare supplies are available at home

Important

Do not assume that you will be able to drive yourself home after sedation. Follow your medical team's instructions regarding driving.

Your medical team will tell you when it is safe to resume driving, work, exercise, and other normal activities.

13

Prepare Your Home for Recovery

A comfortable and organized home can make the first days after your hair transplant easier and reduce unnecessary stress.

Before your procedure, arrange a comfortable place to rest during the initial healing period and have your aftercare supplies ready in advance.

Prepare the essentials you may need:

  • A comfortable and easily accessible place to rest
  • Frequently used personal items within easy reach
  • Easy-to-prepare meals, appropriate food, and drinks
  • Prescribed medications and a simple medication schedule
  • Recommended aftercare products for the healing scalp
  • Help with children, pets, shopping, meals, or household tasks if necessary

Recovery starts with preparation

Preparing your home before your hair transplant can make the transition from the clinic to recovery at home more comfortable and manageable.

Follow the specific recovery instructions provided for your procedure. If you are unsure what you should prepare at home, ask your medical team before the procedure.

Your Hair Transplant Preparation Roadmap

Prepare With Clarity. Recover With Confidence.

Use this practical roadmap to organize your medical preparation, procedure-day arrangements, recovery plans, and questions before your hair transplant.

ORGANIZE YOUR DOCUMENTS

Organize Your Documents

Keep your essential medical information together and make sure you can access it when needed.

Bring or have access to:

  • Identification
  • Medical records requested by your team
  • Test results
  • Medication and supplement list
  • Allergy list
  • Previous hair transplant or scalp procedures, when relevant
  • Travel insurance or administrative documents
  • Contact information for your emergency contact
If you are traveling internationally for your hair transplant, keep digital copies of important medical documents as well.
PLAN AHEAD

Plan for Your First Days After Your Hair Transplant

Before your procedure, ask your team what to expect during the first days of recovery.

  • Expected redness, swelling and tenderness
  • Medication schedule
  • Scalp and crusting care
  • Hair washing instructions
  • Physical activity
  • Sleeping position
  • Dietary restrictions
  • Work and driving restrictions
  • Exercise
  • Follow-up appointments
  • When you can return to normal activities
Why this mattersKnowing what comes next reduces uncertainty and helps you recognize when something does not seem right.
PRE-PROCEDURE TIMELINE

Your 7-Day Pre-Hair Transplant Roadmap

Use this timeline as a planning framework and always follow the personalized instructions provided by your surgical and anaesthesia team.

  1. 7 DAYS OR EARLIER

    Medical preparation

    • Complete requested tests
    • Review medications and supplements
    • Discuss smoking and nicotine use
    • Discuss alcohol or cannabis use
    • Ask about nutrition
    • Arrange transportation
    • Arrange time away from work
    • Organize home support
  2. 24–48 HOURS BEFORE

    Final preparation

    • Confirm your arrival time
    • Confirm transportation
    • Follow your personalized medication instructions
    • Follow your diet and fasting instructions
    • Prepare comfortable, front-button or zip-up clothing
    • Organize documents and prepare your recovery area at home
  3. NIGHT BEFORE

    Keep it simple

    • Follow the exact fasting instructions provided
    • Take only medications you have been instructed to take
    • Prepare everything you need for the morning
    • Avoid unnecessary stress and last-minute arrangements
  4. PROCEDURE MORNING

    Your checklist

    • Arrive at the instructed time
    • Bring required documents
    • Follow medication instructions
    • Follow fasting or light-breakfast instructions
    • Inform the team of any new symptoms or changes in your health
    • Tell the anaesthesia team about allergies, medications, and previous anaesthesia experiences
IMPORTANT

The “Don't Keep It to Yourself” List

Contact your surgical team before your hair transplant if you develop a significant change in your health, such as:

  • Fever
  • New infection
  • Significant cough or breathing symptoms
  • Chest pain
  • New unexplained symptoms
  • Vomiting or severe gastrointestinal symptoms
  • A new medication
  • A new allergy or reaction
  • A new medical diagnosis
  • Any concern that could affect your planned procedure
BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE

10 Questions to Ask Before Your Hair Transplant

  1. What exactly will happen during my hair transplant?
  2. Will I receive local anaesthesia or sedation?
  3. Which medications should I take on the day of the procedure?
  4. Which medications or supplements need special instructions?
  5. When should I stop eating and drinking, and when can I have breakfast?
  6. How long should I expect to stay at the clinic?
  7. What should I expect during the first 24–48 hours?
  8. When can I return to work, driving, exercise, and normal activities?
  9. What symptoms should make me contact the medical team?
  10. Who should I contact if I have a question before or after the procedure?
INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS

If You Are Traveling to Turkey for Your Hair Transplant

International patients require additional planning. Before traveling, make sure you understand:

  • Your hair transplant plan and expectations
  • Your preoperative evaluation requirements
  • Your passport validity and any visa or travel document requirements
  • Your flight and accommodation arrangements
  • Transportation to and from the clinic — for international patients, in-city transportation is provided by the clinic
  • The expected length of stay
  • Your postoperative follow-up and return-flight schedule
  • Whether your travel insurance covers treatment or complications related to elective procedures
DR KAYA — Personalized Surgical CareInternational patients can be guided through the preparation process so that medical planning, travel logistics, the hair transplant procedure, and postoperative follow-up are considered together.
FINAL REVIEW

Your Personal Hair Transplant Preparation Checklist

  • Medical evaluation completed
  • Required tests completed
  • Medications and supplements reviewed
  • Allergies and medical history communicated
  • Previous hair transplant, scalp procedures, or anaesthesia history communicated
  • Fasting or light-breakfast instructions understood
  • Smoking and nicotine use discussed
  • Alcohol, cannabis and other substance use discussed
  • Transportation to and from the clinic arranged
  • Passport and travel documents checked, when relevant
  • Recovery area at home or hotel prepared
  • Work and family responsibilities organized
  • Documents prepared
  • Postoperative instructions and aftercare supplies understood and ready
  • Emergency and contact information saved
  • Questions answered before the procedure
YOUR SAFETY COMES FIRST

Every Procedure Is Different

Your preparation should be individualized to your procedure, medical history, anaesthesia plan, and recovery needs.

Do not follow generic internet instructions when they conflict with your surgeon's or anaesthesiologist's instructions.

Prepare well. Ask questions. Follow your personalized plan.

DR KAYA — Personalized Surgical Care

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