You definitely need to do some surgical training. The scalp incision and subsequent suturing, to take out the grafts, is a methodical procedure that requires a lot of practice. The grafting itself is complicated and many different techniques (punch-hole, slit, etc) and instruments are available. The field is growing rapidly and the future is defnitely very bright. The payscale is excellent and lifestyle is great.. you actually DO get to use the money you make
If you are interested, then go for it. Talk to a general surgeon first.
This is not true at all. If you do a general search, the majority of hair transplant surgeons include dermatologists and primary care physicians that completed a 1-2 year course or "fellowship" in hair transplant. I would know because the hair transplant surgeon I shadowed is a family medicine doctor. I do agree that having a surgical background would give one an edge in training for this field but it's strictly not required. Furthermore, the grafting is done alongside the physician by surgery techs who have received minimal training in this field. A similar situation is surgical "cosmetic fellowships". These arose in the 90's due to the overwhelming demand for cosmetic surgery and the limited number of Plastic and Reconstructive surgery fellowships. In the past, if you failed to match into a formal PRS fellowship, you had no other avenue to pursue additional cosmetic training. These days, any general surgeon can pay money and sign up for one of these 1 year cosmetic fellowships and then hang a shingle as a cosmetic surgeon. The general public can't distinguish between between a "Plastic surgeon" and a "Cosmetic Surgeon". Likewise, any physician can sign up for one of these hair transplant fellowships.
So why is everyone not jumping at the chance to become hair transplant surgeons? There are many reasons
1. It's difficult to acquire a consistent patient base. These procedures target men. Most men are unwilling to spend 5-10K just to get hair as opposed to a women who will easily drop 3-6K to have her breasts done.
2. You have to set up your own practice. There is considerable risk setting up your own practice and paying the necessary fees to market yourself. You have to pay for the equipment and hire the necessary technicians to assist you in addition to the office staff etc. You also have to pay a considerable amount in malpractice because it's very easy for a customer to sue you because he or she wasn't "satisfied' with their procedure.
3. Reputation: sorry but there is a stigma associated with hair transplant surgeons since there is no formal fellowship and anyone can pursue this training regardless of qualifications ie family medicine doctor can do a year fellowship and refer to himself as a hair transplant surgeon
4. The procedure doesn't work that well for everyone. It's ideal for people with thinning hair as opposed to purely bald men. It's just not possible to replace an entire bald scalp with hair.
5. Other Avenues: If I'm a general surgery graduate and I could either
A.) Pursue a 1 year cosmetic surgery fellowship and do breasts, noses and tummys in a year or
B.) Take a huge risk and purse a hair transplant fellowship hoping he can get enough clients to sustain a business
Sorry but general surgeons will choose A every time. It's more glamorous to perform cosmetic surgery and it's a much safer market. This is why the majority of hair transplant surgeons are not formally trained in surgery. The money sounds great but there is a considerable amount of risk that is involved. I know some that entered the field and eventually had to go back to practicing primary care because they couldn't meet expenses.
