synz4

Yes, I just realised I got my username mixed up with another one on a car forum lol. Oh wells, basically the same thing. You can tell its me from my other blog entries.

Hi Guys Been a while since I posted an update. Anyways, to get the show started. Here are some before photos (these were cropped so not the best of quality. There are more pre-ops in my blog): And this is me 34 weeks later.

Had a haircut today and took some side and back shots. The pics were taken under my heavy bathroom light.

tarepanda: scar is great and not very visible. I'll take photos in my next update jimmybald: although it may not look like it in the photos, my 16.5 week update had very uneven growth too (in terms of density and length). If you read my updates, I was a little worried about it. At 26 weeks, it seems to have evened out now. I read that it is actually a common occurence so I wouldn't worry about it too micj

Thanks for the comments Spanker - i'm from Sydney, Australia. Yes, the doc was in Thailand. Theres a few more details in my blog for those that have asked for pre op photos etc hairthere - cheers, i'm definately looking forward to the next few months

Hi Got a few requests for updates so heres 3 quick ones with wet hair in my bathroom light. * I'm at the point I think where most of the growth is done. I still feel a few stubbles but not as much as before * Still a little see through under strong light so I'm still looking forward to the next few months * Hairline corner is still going slow but steady ** I'm still on propecia daily.

Hi mate, I'm from Sydney. To answer your questions: Minoxidil - You can buy Rogaine (or Regaine as it's known here) from most pharmacies e.g. Roy Young, Chemist Warehouse etc. I can't comment on the costs as I don't use it. There are also a few other generic alternatives available which are cheaper. You may also want to look online as it is cheaper. You may want to do a search here for Rogaine to see how it works and how to apply it. Propecia - This is the brand name option and the one I am currently using. You will need to go to your GP to get a prescription (I usually get a 6 month prescription) and then head over to the pharmacy. Again, you can go to any pharmacy but I find Chemist Warehouse and OzePharmacy the cheapest (around $70AUD a month) compared to Roy Young and independents (around $99AUD a month). You can also save costs by getting a prescription for 5mg Finasteride and cutting them into smaller portions or buy generic 1mg Finasteride online. Again, you may want to do a search here to see your options and potential sides. EDIT: I did not have any of the major sides so that was a good thing. I did notice a heavier shed but afterwards, my hair became thicker and 'healther' if that makes sense. Check out my blog. There is an entry I wrote regarding my experience with Propecia/Fin. Cheers

Hi, Just updated my blog with photos at 23 weeks and have attached a few. Good progress so far but still early. Getting IMPATIENT for the 12 month mark . Photos were taken under bathroom lighting and with wet hair.

I think failure and success is a subjective thing so what is deemed a failure/success for one person may be complete different for another person. It all depends on expectations. For myself, cosmetic improvement is the most important. I knew which areas of my hairline I wanted to fill in and after 12-18 months, if it doesnt look good (either due to poor yield or density), then I would deem it a failure. With that said, i'm in the situation where i'm 5.5 months and although i've had excellent growth along the hairline, the corners are still a little see-through from the side (looks like someone with diffused thinning). It looks great when I look straight into the mirror, just not so when i look at a mirror on the side (reflecting against another mirror if that makes sense). This area was completely bald before so there is definately growth there (again, looks like diffused thinning), just not yet enough to blend into the temples. Its easy to get impatient and discouraged and the only thing that is keeping me sane is the reminder to myself that I am still early (there is growth and the hair is still fine so they should thicken up) and that I can feel a fair bit of stubbles with my fingers so I am assuming/hoping there is more to come

Although everyone is different, the general consensus is that the majority of transplant hairs will shed from anywhere between 2-7 weeks. I was a late shedder in my 2nd HT and didn't really shed till about week 5-6. I shedded probably 70% of my transplanted hairs. In regards to hair cuts, I had my first haircut at around week 10. I told my hairdresser about the scar at the back and to leave the fringe medium length so that I could cover the transplanted hairline. I didn't really have a problem with her knowing about my HT.

Thanks for the update. Been following your progress as you are about a month ahead of me (gives me a peek into the future). Looks like good growth so far and I guess further thickening is expected for a few more months.

I've been on generic fin Dec-Jan and then on Propecia til now (changed as I got lazy trying to buy generic fin online). I think I've been lucky to avoid any major sides. The only thing that was different was more watery semen in the first few months. Things have all returned to normal now.

I'm 17 weeks post op with Dr Pong. Everything so far is on schedule but I am still VERY early in the game. Check my blog for photos.

Hi, Been busy with work and holidays. I am very happy so far with the result. Few positive comments from people who know and don't know about my HT. My right side is filling in more than my left but I am still very early in the game so am not too concerned. Here are a few before and afters. Before Right After Right Before Left After Left Before Front After Front

What about flying to Thailand? Dr Path is a recommended doc there. Plenty of cheap flights from HK -> Thailand and accomodation and food is very very inexpensive there.

oh FYI, it should only cost you 120 baht to get to the centre and nearby hotels. pay for the taxi up front at the booths inside the airport to avoid getting ripped (there are 2 booths near the exit)

Chiang Mai airport is generally quiet. Bangkok airport is massive but I purposely timed it so i'll be there late at night/early morning so there were very little crowds. I also stayed at the day rooms there to get some rest/check on my grafts. I did have to take my hat off at the security checks but they weren't really paying attention. Not like coming back through customs in Sydney where there were massive lines and they make you take your hat off in front of everyone lol.

Hi Just updated my website with photos at the 4 week mark. It's the start of the waiting game but so far, everything is going accordingly. Details about my experience and the HT are written on the website. Hair Restoration Site for synz4 Cheers synz4

I second that Dr Pong was trained under Dr Path during one point in time. On another note, whilst I was at his clinic eating lunch, I was flicking through a Thai cosmetic surgery mag and there was an interview with him (had his picture). Unfortunately, I can't read thai so can't tell you what it said.

Hi mate Good to hear. Let me know if you want some info regarding Chiang Mai e.g hotels recommendations nearby, taxi fares etc. The first time I caught a cab from the hotel to the clinic (5-10 minute walk), they ripped me off as I didn't know it was so close. The fare was more expensive than the fare from the airport to the hotel. The next few days, I walked and found a few shortcuts which gets you there in 5 mins if you're a quick walker.

Hi Guys I've updated my blog/website to include 3 week photos. I am in the process of emailing Dr Pong for photos he took right after post op. Once i get them, i'll also update my blog. Hair Restoration Site for synz4

Hi I had my HT with Dr Pong on the 1st December 2010 for 2800 grafts. The reason why I am posting this is because I had a positive experience with him so I feel I am obligated to spread some sort of good word for him. I know this is my first post so i've put on my flame suit in case some of you reckon I work for him etc etc. I'm sure the moderators of the forum can trace my IP and see that I actually live in Sydney, Australia. I am in the process of putting up my blog/photos but i've been flat out busy with work after my HT and haven't had time to get some decent photos up. Nov 30th - Arrived at Chiang Mai. Checked into a nearby hotel (Furama) which cost me about $90AUD for 4 nights through expedia (there are cheaper alternatives but $90AUD for a 4 star is not bad. I walked to the clinic which took about 10 minutes to have a in-person consult with him. I had previously sent him a few photos and got a rough estimate on the no. of grafts needed but this was more of a 'sus out the place visit'. During the consult, we discussed my goals for the next HT (such as desired hairline), my proposed hairstyle and medical history etc. He showed me a photo of his previous patients which were not on his website which had similar receeded hairlines to me and what they achieved with a similar graft count to what I was getting. Whilst I was waiting, there were two ex-patients there getting their hair washed. Based on what I saw, they seemed very happy but they spoke in thai so I had no idea what they were saying. BTW, Dr Pong is pretty good at English but the techs are not as good. One of them is not bad and we talked alot during my hairwashes. Dec 1st - I arrived at 8:30AM to get started. Got a HIV prick test (apparently you can get the result in 10 minutes or something), got changed and met with Dr Pong again. Went upstairs to the op room to get started. First was the anesthetic which actually didn't hurt as much as my first HT. He used a piece of ice (i think) to numb the area before injecting the needle which took some of the sting out. Next was the stitches. He used some technique (forgot the name) but apparently it was suppose to minimize the scar. The strip was extracted in the same location as my previous scar and was closed via absorble stitches and staples. I then got up to have lunch (rice + chicken + soup). The time was about noon by that time. I then returned to the chair again to begin work on the receipient area. Actually I forgot whether there were more injections this time as I was a little out of it. I do remember though that there were 4 techs sitting at a table working on the grafts with microsopes, two techs working on me and the Dr himself was present for about 90% of the time. He did give me a guided tour of my grafts before work was started. By the time I was finished which was around 5PM, I was sprayed with some fluid which sounded like someone deep fried something on my head. I was given a headband and a free hat. I also had a choice of a bandana but it was not my thing. Also got a bunch of instructions and some meds (valium, tynenol (panadol if your an Aussie), madol? and some antibiotics). Dec 2nd - I arrived at the clinic at 8:30 again for a checkup with Dr Pong and had a hairwash with a tech. Dec 3rd - Same as above. Dec 4th - Same as above but got the staples out. Flew out later that arvo to Bangkok and then to Sydney. Before I left, I also purchased a few boxes of fin off him. I am now 17-18 days post op and here are my observations. Compared to my first HT, about 60% of the grafts have stayed and are growing but I think they will shed eventually. Also, the absorbable stitches have dissolved at the knot areas and for the most part, it feels fairly smooth and based on my gf who is a RN, is healing well. I will get some photos up by Monday to give you and idea of what it currently looks like. I know, this thread is useless without photos. Edit: He actually quoted me with 2500 but ended with 2800 for the same price.