Did you know that what you eat greatly impacts the healing process before and after a hair transplant? Here’s all you need to know regarding the ideal diet before a hair transplant.
Preparing for a hair transplant procedure requires more than just finding the best surgeon in Dubai. A good diet before a hair transplant plays a critical role in recovery and healing.
You have done your research on the best hair transplant clinics in Dubai, and you already have an appointment with a qualified cosmetic surgeon. Unlike any other surgical procedures where a patient undergoes general anaesthesia, a hair transplant is done under local anaesthesia.
The procedure utilizes local anaesthetics such as Lidocaine; hence it is recommended that you eat some food one hour before you arrive at the clinic. This is unlike other surgical procedures in which you are told not to eat due to the risk of aspiration caused by anaesthesia.
Reasons why you should eat before surgery
- To ensure that your blood sugar levels remain stable throughout the procedure,
- this will ensure that Lidocaine takes longer to metabolize, hence
- you will need less Lidocaine.
- This will reduce swelling after the procedure.
What you should eat before a hair transplant
A healthy diet is important in the time leading up to your operation. As the days to your surgery creep in, you should begin to ensure that you will have a healthy healing process after the operation. This will give your body a boost and increase your body’s chances of responding well to the procedure. Some of the essential nutrients that you should include in your diet include:
1. Zinc
Zinc is one of the essential minerals for hair health. It helps produce DNA and RNA and is found in nuts, eggs, cheese, whole grains and oysters.
2. Iron
The best source of iron is beans and green leafy vegetables. Eating these foods rich in iron will assist in the proper flow of oxygen in your body and hence good hair growth.
3. Vitamin C supplements
Up to a month before your surgery, you might be advised to take vitamin c supplements to assist in speeding up the healing process.
4. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient in activating hair growth. Vitamin D can be found in foods such as liver oil, fish and salmon.
Foods that you should avoid before a hair transplant
1. Alcohol
Alcohol – Wine, beer should be avoided as early as two weeks before the procedure. This is because alcohol is a blood thinner. It also widens the blood vessels which can lead to inflammation at the incision site. You may be advised to quit drinking up to five days before your hair transplant. However, the sooner you stop drinking, the better.
2. Vitamins and Supplements
Any multivitamins and supplements should not be taken one week before your hair transplant procedure. They are massive blood thinners and may make you bleed in the process.
3. Aspirin
Over the counter medications that contain aspirin, i.e. Motrin, Aleve, and any Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), should be avoided up to one week before surgery. They thin the blood considerably and might increase bleeding.
4. Tea, coffee and protein shake.
Caffeinated drinks should be avoided completely. They increase a patient’s blood pressure leading to bleeding during the hair transplant. They can also reduce the effects of some of the medicines used during the procedure.
5. Junk and Spicy foods
In the days leading up to surgery, it is important to avoid junk food such as cookies, chips and candies. They do not add any nutritional value and are unnecessary in the days leading up to your surgery.
Spicy foods such as cumen and tumeric cause thinning of blood which results in bleeding among patients.
Conclusion
A commitment to proper dieting before undergoing your hair transplant is essential. After all, no surgeon wants to take the risk of operating on an unhealthy person. What you eat and what you don’t eat are equally as important. A pre-operation diet, as well as your doctor’s advice, will assist in optimizing your body’s healing capabilities and enable you to recover comfortably.