Author Archive for Steven Gabel, MD

Dr. Steven Gabel has committed his practice to helping individuals look and feel better about themselves through hair restoration. He is a board certified doctor who has been performing follicular unit hair transplantation for the past seven years. He is also an active member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery and lectures on the subjects of hair loss and hair replacement. After graduating with honors from Michigan State University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in physiology, Dr. Gabel went on to earn his medical degree from the Loyola University-Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine in Illinois. He followed these studies with a one-year internship in general surgery at the Loyola University Medical Center and a four-year residency in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the same center. During his time at Loyola, Dr. Gabel engaged in research studies on the process of new blood vessel growth in head and neck cancer. Following his residency, Dr. Gabel elected to complete a one-year fellowship at the University of Missouri focused specifically on facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, where he was actively involved in numerous hair restoration procedures. Dr. Gabel continues to keep abreast of the many developments in the field of hair restoration surgery through his active involvement in professional organizations. Dr. Gabel is a member of the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons and recommended by the American Hair Loss Association. Visit Dr. Gabel's Website: www.gabelcenter.com/

What Are The Possible Complications of Hair Transplant Surgery?

Can you provide a list of possible complications associated with undergoing a hair transplant? For instance the likelihood of getting an infection or any other serous complications. Is this even possible?
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Fortunately, the risk of complications is low when surgeons perform hair transplantation using modern surgical techniques.  This has to do with the fact that techniques have been refined over the years and the scalp has such a rich vascular supply giving it the ability to heal well after surgery.  Complications from hair transplantation can be divided into procedure specific and aesthetic specific.  It is important for the physician to discuss the possible complications that can occur with their patients prior to the procedure.

Although there are a multitude of complications that are possible, I will focus on the more relevant ones that patients should be aware of:

•    As with any surgical procedure, bleeding (hematoma) and infection are possible with surgical hair restoration, but rare; in fact, there are many hair restoration surgeons who do not place their patients on antibiotics because the risk of infection is so low.
•    Scarring at the donor site can be minimal or excessive.  The fact is that some people have intrinsic factors that cause them to develop a small scar, while others have a genetic propensity to scar more.  However, despite a person’s ability to heal, if the surgeon is aggressive in harvesting the strip resulting in significant tension at the wound, or their closure methods are poor, a larger then acceptable scar may develop.   Read more