Here I am at 11 months post-op (2100 FU's) and feeling quite blas?© about the results thus far.

As you can see by the pictures, the hairline looks best when it is not seen at all. I'm fairly pleased with the shape and placement of the hairline, with the receded temples. It doesn't look pluggy (although some recipient incision marks are still slightly noticeable) but it lacks much density. Consequently, I am left with the comb-forward look and not much else.

The transplanted hair is still quite thinner than the rest and is growing out quite curly. I am currently using a straightener to address this issue. I still feel stubble. Will this hair eventually grow or is it in a permanently shocked state? At 11 months, can I expect much improvement from where it now stands?

I am fairly happy with my donor scar as it remains very thin and had little to no shock loss in the surrounding area. However, there remains a pink hue around the incision.

Currently, I'm still very dependent on concealers. I use a combination of dermmatch and toppik. I would very much like to lose reliance on them as they can often appear chalky.

The question is what to make of these below average results. My doctor has been helpful, by making phone calls to check up on my status and answering questions. However, he is semi-retiring, which is why I requested the pre-op photos you now see posted. It is clear I have made up a lot of ground since going on Finasteride. My doctor thought it best for me to get on the meds before rushing into surgery and that was definitely a wise decision. I have now been on Finasteride for over three years.

Or is it my physiology? My hair texture is quite thin and maybe just needs more grafts to accomplish more density. I am also a slow healer. I have had other scars on my body for years before they became undetectable. But I can't help but wonder whether if my yield is mediocre at best.

I have by no means been butchered and will not need a 'repair' job. However, I will need another procedure in the very near future and hope the final result will far exceed where I currently stand now.

Advice, comments, support welcome.

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2008 Dr. G – presumably 1,000 grafts / 2,142 hairs
2009 Dr. Paul Shapiro – 2,348 grafts / 4,258 hairs
2011 Dr. Paul Shapiro – 1,999 grafts / 3,624 hairs

My Hair Transplant Journey with Shapiro Medical Group

If that was me, i would be VERY disappointed and somewhat angry to be honest. That does not look natural to me and the density is well below average to put it nicely Some type of refund or partial money back is what i would request. Its disapointing that some coalition docs are continuing to turn out the types of results.

At this point if I were you, I would contact someone like Hasson & Wong for a repair job, they might be able to move some of those graphs around as well as add some density via another surgery. They can develop a long term plan for you as far as graphs you have left and whatnot.

Good luck

Thats about what 2100 grafts will get you.
You certainly do not need a repair but another session by a doc that consistently produces nice results.
You know Shapiro medical ,Dr Feller etc

I have seen 2100 do much more for others. At any rate, you both are right. I just figured going to someone recommended on this site and seeing his patients in person would have given me a better chance for a successful result. Guess not.

__________________
2008 Dr. G – presumably 1,000 grafts / 2,142 hairs
2009 Dr. Paul Shapiro – 2,348 grafts / 4,258 hairs
2011 Dr. Paul Shapiro – 1,999 grafts / 3,624 hairs

My Hair Transplant Journey with Shapiro Medical Group

its all about using your limited number of graphs in the smartest way...i would contact hasson and wong or shapiro and see what they can do for you, it no good to dense pack 3000 plus graphs in the front third just to make thing look good right now. i would contact them asap for consultations and i would be willing to bet they could make you look ten times better.

You say you feel stubble so that a good sign .
Your hair is wet in the afters so its hard to tell but this is not a bad job .This doesnt seem like a bad job maybe bad judgement in terms of grafts planted.
Your hair will also thicken up much more then it is now.
I bet at month 14-16 with it blow dried it will look much better.

aaron,

You have the same hair characteristics as me and that is (I think) par for the course with only 2100 grafts.

If you look closely at the hairs, you will probably see that most of them grew, just that fine hair does not provide much coverage. I am in a similar situation, that a comb-forward and across is the only look that works.

I received 4500 grafts over about twice as large an area. My crown is still bald, and I have what you have in the front and top.

I think the home run results posted by many people have thick hair.

People with fine hair may take 2-3x as many grafts to get the same density as people with even average hair.

You just need more grafts.

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My Hair Loss Web Site - Hair Transplant with Dr. Wong

Hi aaron, I would say that from your pics you probably have achieved most of what 2100 grafts had to offer, in addition to possibly losing some existing native hair in the transplanted region.

The overall shape of the hairline looks appropriate, albeit less dense than you had hoped/expected/were led to believe.

I want to point out some positives: ---Your hair looks good grown out, you still have quite a bit of native hair and you seem to be responding well to propecia.

At this point in time, you should likely wait until the 14-15 month mark like PGP stated to get a true read on your results---generally speaking you may be a slow grower, but everything that will eventually show up will have broken the skin by 10 months---- so give it a little more time to mature.

I want to encourage you and let you know that your situation is not terrible---I know you feel misled and are unhappy with your results, but I want to focus on what can be done to help you out going forward.

In your situation a minimum # of grafts can be used to add density in the hairline---I would not touch the crown again for a bit.

I would encourage you to share your doctor with Pat and Bill so they can help you as well.

Take Care,
Jason

__________________
Go Cubs!

6721 transplanted grafts
13,906 hairs
Performed by Dr. Ron Shapiro

Dr. Ron Shapiro and Dr. Paul Shapiro are members of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.

.......

so now, unfortunately, the best advice we can offer this guy is "keep going"... pay more money, but THIS TIME go to H & W cause then he will for sure be happy right??

i feel for you and your situation aaron, i hate seeing quotes like yours above.. and i hate that i dont know what to tell you, as im in a similar boat...

please keep us posted. id really like to know what you decide and i hope it works out for you. dont rush yourself man. BTW, the meds have done GREAT for you.

LMS Whats your advice then? Stay unhappy .

His ONLY choice is to get back in the chair if he is not happy.

This isnt counseling.com my man . People come here for advice .
He has two choices . He either stays unhappy like you or does something about it like me and a ton of others that were not happy.

Now if he was a 21 year old nw4 virgin patient then your advice /scare tactics would be called for.

Ive come to like you whether you care or not but your negativity is getting old.

Your right about one thing a top clinic will hook him up