I have a question. I just had my HT last Wednesday 4/4/07 and now in day 5.

Last night I kept waking up because I was afraid to sleep on the grafts. Has anyone experienced this? How many days out did you feel comfortable sleeping in any normal position without worrying about the grafts? I know there is a time frame for them to heal and for the bottom half of the graft to remain intact in scalp without falling out.

Same for massaging the scalp to get the scabs off. Some people are comfortable starting the massages 5-6 days after the HT and other wait longer. Some doctors opinions vary on this as well. Look forward to your responses!

Hi

The first couple days you should be using one of those airline sleeping pillows or sleep at a 30-45 angle.. This way, the grafts won't be affected.. I believe I started massage gently at about 5 days or so ( I just followed my post op instructions as you should).. Make sure you clean yor donor are well so scabs do not develop..

Hi Hairfree-

We've likely all been in that same boat my friend! At 5 days your grafts are on their way to being seated for good, which should be around the 10 day mark. Even now, if you happened to sleep on some of them I believe you'd be okay, but try to work around it if you can.

Light massaging 5-6 days is fine...............just use your fingers and be sure NOT to use finger nails. Just take your time and do it very gently, you really want to get rid of any scabing as soon as you can. By day 10 for sure, you should be able to resume a normal washing routine as the grafts are there for good.

Thank you Hairbank! You have been a great help and a postive influence on this forum.

Im glad you enjoyed my story from the other posting. You make a good point about keeping it short like you and Falc and when those hairs start growing in a couple months many people won't notice!

Meanwhile, I will take it easy on those grafts and try not to sleep on them for a few more nights. My problem is I cant sleep on my back! haha a few more restless nights

I will start massaging the scalp to start working on the scabs.

Haifree,

Yes, I know that i've always been extra cautious not to sleep on the grafts. I didn't use any special pillows either...basically just folded my existing one and positioned my head in a way where the pillow was nowhere near the grafts. Like you, I can't sleep on my back...I sleep on my stomach with my head angled to either side. The good news is...I never had a problem and I know I toss and turn a little bit when i sleep .

Regarding massaging the grafts...if you aren't comfortable yet...that's ok....but you don't want to be over cautious either. By day 6 you should at least be letting the shower hit the grafts and letting them soak a bit. I'd say if you really aren't comfortable, wait a few more days and then start gently massaging them.

Falc

Its tricky but day 5 your all good! Good advice!

You could start apply Aloe Vera gel as this will help with healing and scabs

You might find info in this post of some use
tips

Hey Spex..great posting! Thank you for all the information. I slept last night flat for the first time. The suture (donor) area felt very tender throughout the night. It was sore this morning. I guess there is more pressure on the area when sleeping flat. Is that normal for it to still be a bit sore at day 6?

Spex is right and if you didn't know...he is the Aloe King

quote:

Is that normal for it to still be a bit sore at day 6?

Yep...it is normal for the donor area to be sore even up to a couple months...though I guess it will go from sore to tender...that would be the word I'd use after awhile. It takes a good amount of time to feel completely normal back there. But day by day, week by week, it will improve

Falc

quote:

if you didn't know...he is the Aloe King

LOL!!!