People who are thinking about getting a hair transplant will usually have a lot of questions, and understandably so as this is quite a meticulous/big procedure. Some of the most common questions clinics get have to do with recovery and what you can and can’t do after a procedure such as this — specifically, if you can drive after a hair transplant. Here at The Hair Loss Recovery Program, we would like to answer that question in our blog post below.
Effects of Anaesthesia
When it comes to surgical procedures, there are two main types of anaesthesia that are commonly used: these two types include general anaesthesia and local anaesthesia. General anaesthesia is most commonly used for larger operations and is used to put someone under a sleep-like state. In simplest terms, general anaesthesia affects your level of consciousness, rendering you unresponsive and unconscious for a certain period of time. Local anaesthesia, on the other hand, does not. Local anaesthesia is often used in smaller surgeries such as dental procedures and, you guessed it, hair transplants.
Because local anaesthesia does not affect your state of consciousness and is only functional in the area which is being worked on, you are completely fine to drive after getting a hair transplant. General anaesthesia works differently, because even after you’ve woken up from this type of anaesthetic, patients commonly feel groggy, confused and generally “out of it”, making you unsuitable to drive afterward.
Effects of Anti-Anxiety Meds
Becoming nervous before a procedure is totally normal, but this feeling may interfere with your ability to drive after your hair transplant. This is because if you are super on edge before your hair transplant, you have the option to calm yourself down with anti-anxiety medication such as Xanax or Valium. These medications, consequently, have an effect on your cognitive ability to drive safely; especially right after a procedure.
In general, it is not recommended to drive for a few hours after taking these medications. The good news is that these medications usually start leaving your system within 8-16 hours, meaning in about a day or two, you will be able to drive normally again.
Pain Medication
In some cases, patients will experience pain after the procedure and require medication to alleviate some of the pain. In this instance, just as the anti-anxiety meds have an effect on the body, you will want to avoid driving after taking pain medication. In general, if you have the option, it is best to have someone drive you home after this type of procedure; especially if the drive is a bit longer in duration. When in doubt, you can always ask your doctor/the clinic’s professionals to get their opinion on what you should and shouldn’t do in order to maintain the utmost in safety after your procedure.
How We Can Help
Here at The Hair Loss Recovery Program, safety is our #1 priority among many other important factors. When you are in need of quality hair loss treatments, our team has exactly what you need in a wide variety of different treatment options. When you contact our clinic, we work closely with your needs to ensure that you are given the most effective and personalized hair loss program possible. To learn how to get a hair transplant in Toronto with our clinic, be sure to contact our professional staff at (647) 919-4247 today!