Did I Lose Grafts?

[rlemkin]

Hello,

I had my HT last week. The doctor said that the grafts had popped up a bit when he put them in, and I needed to be very careful to avoid losing grafts in the first 4-5 days. I've been very careful, haven't touched my grafts. I wear a hat, but I make sure it doesn't touch the grafts either. Sometimes I feel an oozing in the grafted area, almost as if it's bleeding. I go to the restroom a minute later to check it and there's nothing bleeding. But there are about 5 spots in the grafted area with dried blood.

With all that in mind, do the blood spots possibly represent lost grafts? How long until I know that the grafts took root?

thx

[JoeTillman]

Hello,

I had my HT last week. The doctor said that the grafts had popped up a bit when he put them in, and I needed to be very careful to avoid losing grafts in the first 4-5 days. I've been very careful, haven't touched my grafts. I wear a hat, but I make sure it doesn't touch the grafts either. Sometimes I feel an oozing in the grafted area, almost as if it's bleeding. I go to the restroom a minute later to check it and there's nothing bleeding. But there are about 5 spots in the grafted area with dried blood.

With all that in mind, do the blood spots possibly represent lost grafts? How long until I know that the grafts took root?

thx

Take some photos and send them to your doctor. It doesn't sound like you've lost any grafts as you'd have more than just a small spot of dried blood if you had but your doctor is the only authority to listen to in this regard. Stay in contact with your clinic for any questions you may have. It's your right to ask and their job to answer.

[rlemkin]

Thanks so much for the reply Joe. Is there a widely accepted time frame of when the grafts should definitely be in place? A week?

[pkipling]

The first 3 days are the most crucial. After that, the chances of dislodging them decrease quite significantly and are really only put at risk by scabbing. By day 10, the grafts should be completely anchored, though a lot of clinics say two weeks just to play it safe.

I am a patient advocate for Dr. Parsa Mohebi in Los Angeles, CA. My opinions/comments are my own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Dr. Mohebi and his staff.