The questions you ask during your FUT consultation directly affect the quality of your outcome. Surgeons who cannot answer these questions clearly, or who avoid them, are signaling a lack of experience or transparency.
Bring this list to your consultation. The answers will tell you whether the surgeon is the right choice for your procedure.
Experience and Credentials
These questions establish whether the surgeon has the specific FUT expertise needed for your case.
1. How many FUT procedures have you performed?
Look for at least 200-500 FUT cases. FUT requires different skills than FUE, including strip excision, trichophytic closure, and managing a dissection team. High FUE volume does not automatically translate to FUT competence.
2. What are your credentials in hair restoration?
The strongest credentials are ABHRS board certification and ISHRS fellowship membership. Ask specifically about hair restoration credentials, not just general medical board certification.
3. What percentage of your practice is FUT vs FUE?
A surgeon who performs FUT regularly (at least 20-30% of their caseload) maintains the specialized skills the procedure requires. If FUT represents less than 10% of their work, consider whether they have enough repetition to optimize outcomes.
4. Can I see before/after photos of your FUT patients?
Request to see at least 15-20 FUT cases, including close-up donor scar photos at 12+ months post-op. If the surgeon cannot provide these, they likely lack sufficient FUT experience.
5. Can I speak with previous FUT patients?
Reputable surgeons can connect you with willing former patients. Speaking with someone who has had the procedure at that clinic provides perspective no consultation can match.
Technique Questions
These questions reveal the surgeon's approach and whether they use current best practices.
6. Do you use trichophytic closure?
Trichophytic closure angles one edge of the donor wound so hair grows through the scar line, significantly reducing its visibility. This is the current standard for FUT. A surgeon who does not use this technique is behind current best practices.
7. What is your transection rate?
Transection means cutting through and damaging follicles during dissection. Experienced FUT teams keep transection rates below 5%. Rates above 10% indicate an inexperienced dissection team and mean fewer of your grafts will survive.
8. Who performs each step of the surgery?
In a well-run FUT clinic, the surgeon personally performs the strip excision, donor closure, and recipient site creation. Technicians handle graft dissection and placement. If the surgeon delegates strip removal or site creation to technicians, that is a concern.
9. What magnification does your dissection team use?
Graft dissection should be performed under stereomicroscopes (6-10x magnification). Teams that dissect without microscopes or under low magnification produce higher transection rates and lower graft quality.
10. How do you store grafts during the procedure?
Grafts should be kept in a chilled holding solution (Hypothermosol or similar) at controlled temperatures. The time grafts spend outside the body directly affects survival. Ask how the clinic tracks and minimizes out-of-body time.
Your Specific Case
11. What is my Norwood stage?
The surgeon should clearly identify your Norwood stage and explain how it affects graft requirements. If they cannot articulate your classification, they have not properly assessed your case.
12. How many grafts do you estimate I need?
Expect a range, not a single number. A surgeon who says "exactly 2,847 grafts" before examining your donor area under magnification is guessing. Reasonable estimates come with explanations of what drives the number.
13. Is FUT the right method for my case?
A good surgeon will honestly assess whether FUT is optimal or whether FUE would be better for your situation. If you are at Norwood 2-3 with low graft needs, an honest surgeon may recommend FUE instead. For a comparison of both methods, see our FUE vs FUT comparison.
14. How is my scalp laxity?
Scalp laxity determines how wide a strip can be harvested and how cleanly the wound closes. Good laxity supports a wider strip and more grafts. Tight laxity means a narrower strip and potentially fewer grafts. The surgeon should assess this during your consultation.
15. Will I need a second session?
For Norwood 5-7, a single FUT session of 4,000 grafts may not provide complete coverage. An honest surgeon discusses the likelihood of needing a future session and how they plan the first procedure to leave options open.
Pricing and Logistics
16. What is the total cost, including all fees?
Get a written quote that specifies the per-graft price, estimated graft count, and all additional charges (consultation, blood work, medications, PRP, follow-up visits). "Starting at" pricing without a detailed breakdown is a warning sign.
17. What is included in the price?
Confirm whether the quote includes pre-op blood work, the procedure, suture removal, medications, and follow-up visits. Ask specifically about anything charged separately.
18. Do you offer financing?
Most US clinics partner with medical lending companies (CareCredit, Prosper) or offer in-house payment plans. Ask about interest rates, terms, and whether any down payment is required.
19. What is your cancellation and refund policy?
Understand what happens if you need to reschedule, cancel, or are dissatisfied with results. Reputable clinics have clear written policies.
Recovery and Follow-Up
20. What is your follow-up protocol?
Standard FUT follow-up includes suture removal at day 7-10 and at least one follow-up visit at month 1-3. Some clinics schedule additional checks at months 6 and 12. Clinics with no follow-up protocol are not invested in your long-term outcome.
21. How do I reach you if there is a problem after surgery?
Ask about emergency contact availability. You should have a direct phone number or after-hours contact method for the first 2 weeks post-op. Clinics that are unreachable after surgery leave you without support during the critical healing window.
22. What medications will I take post-operatively?
Standard post-FUT medications include antibiotics (3-5 days), pain medication (as needed), anti-inflammatory medication (to reduce swelling), and sometimes finasteride/minoxidil to protect existing hair.
23. When can I return to work?
The surgeon should give you a specific timeline based on your job type. Desk work: 10-14 days. Physical labor: 3-4 weeks. Helmeted work: 4-6 weeks.
Warning Sign Answers
| Question | Good Answer | Red Flag Answer |
|---|---|---|
| FUT case volume | "I perform 5-10 FUT cases per month" | "We mostly do FUE but offer FUT too" |
| Transection rate | "Our team averages 3-4%" | "I don't track that" or no answer |
| Trichophytic closure | "Yes, on every FUT case" | "We use standard closure" |
| Graft estimate | "Based on your laxity and Norwood stage, I estimate 2,500-3,000" | "We will figure it out during surgery" |
| Second session | "With Norwood 6, you may benefit from a touch-up in 12-18 months" | "One session will fix everything" |
| Cost | Detailed written quote | "We can discuss pricing later" |
FAQ
What should I ask during a hair transplant consultation?
Ask about the surgeon's FUT-specific experience, their transection rate, whether they use trichophytic closure, who performs each step of the procedure, how many grafts they estimate, what their before/after portfolio looks like, the total cost with no hidden fees, and the follow-up protocol.
How many FUT surgeries should a surgeon have performed?
Look for a surgeon who has performed at least 200-500 FUT procedures. FUT requires specific skills that differ from FUE experience. A surgeon with high FUE volume but low FUT volume may not produce optimal FUT results.
Should I get a second opinion before FUT?
Yes. Consult at least 2-3 surgeons before committing to FUT. Different surgeons may recommend different graft counts, techniques, or methods based on their assessment. Comparing recommendations helps you identify the most appropriate plan.
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