Preparing for a hair transplant involves far more than just choosing a clinic. It's a medical procedure requiring careful planning, medical screening, and lifestyle adjustments to optimise outcomes and reduce risks. As a doctor, I advise you to take this process seriously, particularly if you're planning surgery in a major city like Manchester where options are plentiful, but not all providers offer the same standard of care.
Before you even think about booking your consultation, visit your GP for a general health check. This step is not optional—it’s vital. Your GP will assess for any conditions that might complicate surgery, such as high blood pressure, poorly controlled diabetes, or undiagnosed skin disease. These can all affect the safety of local anaesthesia, wound healing, and hair graft survival. The presence of autoimmune conditions, anaemia, or hormonal imbalances should also be ruled out.
In Manchester, you have access to several high-quality NHS GP practices. Consider contacting:
These practices provide comprehensive care and can arrange any necessary blood tests or referrals ahead of your transplant.
Once cleared medically, you need a sound understanding of the procedure itself. The most common method used in reputable UK clinics is FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), where individual hair follicles are removed from a donor area—typically the back of the scalp—and implanted into thinning or bald areas. This is a microsurgical technique performed under local anaesthesia. You'll be awake throughout, though mild sedation may be used depending on your preference and anxiety levels.
Recovery is relatively quick but does require discipline. You should expect some swelling around the forehead and eyes for the first few days. Small crusts may form at the graft sites, and the donor area may feel sore or tight. Infection is rare but possible, so post-op hygiene is critical. You’ll be advised to avoid strenuous activity for at least a week and to sleep in a semi-upright position to reduce swelling.
Financially, hair transplants are a private procedure, not covered by the NHS. In Manchester, transplant prices are broadly in line with national averages. You can expect to pay around £2,899 for up to 1,000 grafts, with larger procedures reaching £4,499 for 3,000 grafts or £4,899 for 3,500 grafts. Beware of low-cost providers that underquote—corners are often cut on safety, staff training, or aftercare.
Importantly, cost should never be your main criterion when choosing a clinic. The key is to verify the medical credentials of the surgeon. Always check that they’re registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and that the facility is inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Look for clear information on complication rates, reoperation rates, and actual patient results over 12–18 months—not just photos taken immediately post-surgery.
In terms of preparation, it’s essential to stop smoking and alcohol at least one week before your surgery. Both affect blood flow and delay healing. You may be asked to pause certain medications such as aspirin or other blood thinners, but always under GP supervision. Wash your hair thoroughly with a mild shampoo the night before and avoid applying any products to the scalp on the day of the procedure.
Psychological preparation matters too. Managing expectations is part of the process. Transplanted hairs will initially fall out before regrowing months later. Most patients see significant results between 10 and 18 months post-surgery. Hair density and naturalness will depend on your donor area quality and the surgeon’s technical skill. The best outcomes are achieved when patients are medically fit, have realistic goals, and follow strict aftercare.
For those interested in clinical research, I recommend reviewing this PubMed article on patient outcomes and satisfaction following FUE procedures: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547740/. It discusses graft survival rates, complications, and long-term cosmetic impact.
Taking these steps—medical clearance, informed consent, clinical due diligence, and proper self-care—sets the foundation for a successful hair transplant. Manchester offers some excellent transplant clinics, but the best results come when you're fully prepared both physically and mentally. If you’re serious about restoring your hair, treat it like the surgical procedure it is. Get informed. Get checked. Then move forward with confidence.
