This is the breakdown of my Transplant
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1 hair graft = 154
2 hair graft = 666
3 hair graft = 458
4 hair graft = 332
DFU grafts (double follicular unit grafts) = 613 equivalent to 1226 FU grafts
Total grafts = 2836
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I have been losing my hair since my early 20's. (I am now 29). It has always been a losing battle and I have researched all of the products, strategies, vitamins and everything hair loss related to no end. A few months ago I decided enough was enough and started to look into a legitimate long term solution (surgery). I searched the web for countless hours and came to the realization that surgery in Australia is absolutely ridiculously expensive and is also limited in some instances to the number of graphs they can do in one operation. I also read some pretty average reviews about some local surgeons.
I started looking overseas and came across Dr Path and Dr Pong in Thailand. There is a lot of information on the web about Dr Path but not so much on Dr Pong. Dr Pong is much cheaper and has some impressive results on his web page. This is why I am writing this blog. I had a Hair Transplant operation of 2836 graphs 5 days ago with Dr Pong and wanted to share my experience. I am not usually the type to blog but felt obligated to in support of Dr Pong for what an outstanding experience it all was.
---This is what to expect---
19th June 2012
I came by his surgery which is very professional and not unlike a Ashley and Martin type office you would find in Australia. He was extremely friendly and really listened to what I wanted and gave really constructive advice. I was keen to have as many graphs as possible (3500??) but he said that 2800 would be plenty and that I would have great density. (You know you're talking to someone good when they talk you out of giving them more money lol) He drew a hairline on me and asked what I thought. He used a ruler and did a number of calculations to make sure it was natural looking. We went back and fourth and he tweaked it a little. I was more than happy with the result. I can't get over what a great experience it was talking to someone with such an immense knowledge and I was totally comfortable trusting him with the procedure that I was having the following day. The consultation lasted about 1 hour and I left exited looking forward to having it all done. (He is also a really nice and funny guy)
20th June 2012
I arrived at 830am. One of the nurses pricked my finger to check me for HIV and then washed my hair. Dr Pong redrew the hairline from yesterday and then mapped out the donor area on the rear of my head. The Nurse assisted him in using a tight tape to hold it all in place. (You can see from the photos). After that it was 'go time' I was taken upstairs to the surgery room. The first 1 1/2hrs. was removing the donor area and stitching up that area. During the procedure I did feel some needle pricks but nothing really painful. The whole time you are face down on top of a plastic mold thing that you hug onto to hold yourself steady. After this you flip over onto your back and they start the graphs. They cover your eyes so you don't have to see what is going on which is fine with me. Dr Pong seemed to supervise two of the Nurses who seemed to do most of the work. Dr Pong again sedated me with a number of needles to numb the area a few times and I felt a little pain but it was no big deal. They gave me a 20 minute break for lunch which was delicious and then it was back to it. I also had to take a couple toilet breaks which wasn't a problem. The whole thing was over by about 3pm.
Dr Pong gave me plenty of pain killers, antibiotics, a bandana to cover my head and a neck pillow to help me sleep. He was really great and I couldn't fault the whole experience. His staff are also really nice and helpful. All of them have been with him since he opened the clinic 10 years ago which I though was amazing. Can you imagine 1 business in Australia being able to boast that!
I took all the drugs as directed and didn't feel any real pain while upright. I did have trouble getting comfortable while trying to sleep. I'll be honest with you the first night isn't fun. This I guess can be expected since I had a 9 inch incision in the back of my head lol. It does get better though. There is also some swelling but obviously that can be expected as well. Tomorrow I am flying back to Australia and I will visit the clinic for the last time. Dr Pong is selling me some Finasteride and said I can just email him when I need some more :-) He sells Firide which is actually 1mg tablets so I don't need to cut up the 5mg Proscar tablets anymore. I brought 12 boxes. (30 in each)
Each morning I have wandered back down the the clinic and had my hair washed. i am on day 5 and my graphs are all pretty much scabbed up and starting to fall out. I will take some photos and upload them now.
The whole procedure costing me $4892 Australian dollars, with $214 for the Finasteride. I couldn't be happier with the whole experience. If you have any questions or have also had a procedure with Dr Pong I would be more than happy to hear from you.
Photo Album
