Parasol

I have an identical twin brother that’s never had any surgeries, or taken any hair loss medication of any kind. So I’m sort of in a unique position to be able to answer that. Our hair loss accelerated remarkably over the last few years unfortunately. It’s hard to say whether what’s left is 3,750 grafts worth though. Here’s what I would look like without any work done. So basically, no temple hair at all, and very very thin from the receded hairline back to the crown (which is starting to thin on both of us from the whirl forward). Yeah, my plan all along was to restart Minoxidil after I was allowed to. I really want that early growth and to do everything I can to keep what I have for the long haul this time. But HDC doesn’t seem care for it all that much, and I know researching, other clinics (such as H&W) don’t care for it either. I’ve been looking into this a bit, trying to get opinions on it from experts, and I keep reading how the downsides outweigh the upsides (in some people’s opinion). Kind of unsure at the moment.

Hi everyone! My name is Ryan and I'm 37 from the USA. My topic may be a little bit different than most. Perhaps we can view it as a cautionary tale (hopefully one with a redemption arc! )! I had two pretty successful FUT procedures with Dr. Scott Boden in Connecticut back in 2009 and 2010, totaling approximately 3,750 grafts. Although the very frontal hairline and the left side of my hairline near the temple weren't as dense as I had hoped (Dr. Boden and I agreed I could use a few hundred more grafts), the result was all in all pretty life changing. So of course I took it for granted, stopped taking Finasteride because I had somehow convinced myself my frontal half was mostly transplanted hair anyway, and lost so much hair over the last decade it even shocks me looking back at my post-op photos. 2009 before any surgery (my hair was pretty long then and we went with no-shave both times so these are the best photos I have) 2011 final result, taken at my 1 year follow up after my second FUT procedure It's pretty crazy how quickly after these photos were taken how aggressively I lost more hair! I never looked at these photos until recently or took new ones to compare. As time went on, stopping Finasteride about a year or two after surgery, and taking no other preventative measures, it just thinned out more and more until I realized about a year ago, wow, I'm basically bald again! Right as COVID started about a year ago, I decided to get back on Finasteride and started Rogaine foam, and began researching clinics again. This time I knew I wanted FUE, so I could get some grafts put into my strip scar, which had stretched quite a bit, while we were at it. Originally, I was thinking of going to Dr. Boden for a third pass, but when I discovered he uses ARTAS for his FUE procedures (something I decided I wasn't comfortable doing), I hit the forums here pretty hard, looking for the best in the business in frontal half scalp work and hairlines. After getting some consults, I decided on Dr. Maras at HDC in Cyprus, and had surgery last Monday and Tuesday. Pre-op Hairline and area design Graft breakdown 3773 grafts (approximately 300 placed in strip scar) 834 singles 1599 doubles 1340 triples (HDC didn't say whether I had larger graft units, and if so, whether they were included in this number) 2.134 hairs per graft (based on my math) After two days of surgery Firstly, I want to thank my advisor @Doron Harati . For the last several months, no matter the time of day, no matter how ridiculous the question, he has been there for me no matter what. Regardless of how this result turns out, Doron is phenomenal and is clearly in this business because he cares about people. It feels really good to know I'll have his support through this. I also need to say....wow. The recovery has been much worse than my last two procedures. I absolutely feel 10 years older. Currently, I'm 8 days post op, and already managed to bang my head and lose a graft, and get prescribed an anti-biotic due to some poor scab healing. It's also a real pain trying to sleep when you can't sleep on your scalp grafts or your FUT scar grafts. For those curious, right now I'm taking 1mg of Finasteride daily (and have been for roughly the last year), some collagen and plant based protein powder daily (along with eating really well and exercising regularly...though the clinic wants me to wait a month to start working out again), and just ordered some MSM tablets to hopefully help speed up the growth. I'm also currently debating on whether or not I want to begin Rogaine foam again. I'm reading different things recently on whether it's a good thing to use or not, and am a bit torn on it at the moment. The clinic wants me to wait 4 weeks to apply it again if I chose to do so, so I have some time to decide. Anyway, I do hope to document my journey here. I'd love to get some feedback on how I'm healing in my upcoming posts, and how the growth is going once it starts.

I did, yeah. I had 2 small-ish strip procedures around 10 years ago. It has its upsides, sure. Having started with FUT, over my lifetime, it will allow me to harvest more grafts. But my scar also stretched quite a bit, which I’m definitely not a fan of, so it has its downsides too.

Thanks! You too! This time I had FUE. I asked about the 30 days thing because it seemed really long to me, and they said it’s to ensure enough time for the donor to heal and that they believe doing any weight resistance before 30 days can hurt the final result in the recipient too. I’m not an expert either, but I know everyone following their own clinic’s instructions is very important, so 30 days for me it is. I guess on a positive note I’m not buff anyway so I don’t have a lot to lose 😀 Happy growing! Keep the updates coming!

I really enjoyed that write-up, thank you. I had surgery a few days ago, and my clinic wants me to stop working out for 30 days!!! The link to the Mike Thurston videos are appreciated as well. All the best to you and I look forward to following your journey.

@Rolandas seems to have thin blonde hair too. Bruno Ferreira did an excellent job on him.

Why did you have to get two COVID tests done? I mean, I understand one. But why two?

To piggyback off this, I also only use it once a day. But I use the full daily recommended amount (1 cap full of the foam). Since Rossybop seems to maybe use half the amount daily , I’d be curious to get opinions on the full amount too, but when it’s used in one go.

I’m booked with Eugenix tentatively for March 2021 (really hoping I can make it and not be restricted from traveling from the US due to COVID), and my advisor says you need to stop using minoxidil one week prior to surgery. Regarding using it on the donor, I’m not sure but I’d certainly recommend asking them first.

After reading through the thread, I'm feeling compelled to also respond regarding Dr. Scott Boden. First, I'd just like to note the reason my post history on here is so brief: Immediately after joining, it became immediately apparent to me that navigating/posting on this site via mobile (my only means of Internet) was practically impossible. I sent a private to Bill regarding this at the time (which hopefully he can verify). Though, it seems that this has been remedied since then! What a relief! *Dr. Boden did NOT ask me to respond, by the way. I found this thread on my own* I've had two FUT procedures with Dr. Boden, totaling approximately 3750 grafts. The responses from his other patients about his relationship with them could not be more accurate. I'd even take it one step further. Last year, the area that I live in was ravaged by tropical storm Irene. One of his associates had heard about it on the news, and they realized that I was smack dab in the middle of the chaos. Keep in mind, at this point in time, I had absolutely NO appointments or scheduled visits in his office (other than a non-expiring, any time I am able, scar revision and a left front/temple/hairline touch up ). Out of the blue, as power had just been restored, I get a call from his office. My area had come up during one of what I'd presume to be morning meetings, and they wanted to know if myself and my girlfriend were okay. This was 2 years after my last procedure! I was floored and deeply touched. But it didn't suprise me. This is the kind of man he's proven himself to be. Now, I'd also be willing to share my results under the same conditions as the previous poster (identity hidden, eyes black barred, distinguishing features blurred/cropped out/distorted) if Dr. Boden would like to share them (PM me). There's definitely a significant cosmetic improvement - and I am happy...which is why I haven't pulled the trigger on the minor touch ups - but keep in mind my results ARE a work in progress (all of which Dr. Boden has offered to address, though I will keep the details of the offer private at this time). Dr. Boden is committed to providing A+ results, no matter what it takes. And there is no question he is also an A+ man with an A+ heart. It feels good to have someone like this fighting for you.

Time to do something, It's been a little over a month since your previous post. Do you have any updates? How are you holding up?

Gillenator's advice is spot on. After my first HT, my pimples were so bad that I was actually concerned of permanent scarring. But these days, I wear them proudly. It's a sign of great things to come. You certainly didn't lose the FU. Just think... A few months from now, that'll be a perfectly healthy 4 FU graft. Except then, it'll have TONS of cousins!!! Happy healing! You can never be too careful. So if oddities continue, a follow up visit to your HT surgeon may not be a bad idea.

Corvettester, I've been on Finasteride for a few years now and did notice a relatively significant shed in the early stages. Enough so that I actually contacted my HT surgeon for some reassurance. That said, and this is assuming the shed had anything to do with Finasteride itself; the result was literally unnoticeable...other than the excess hairs all over the place. And, unlike you, I'm thinning into NW4 territory. I also wore my hair very long at the time. Since then, my loss (due to shedding) has practically halted and the overall quality of my hair seems to have improved. I say get on it. Having lurked here for a very LONG time, I know you're incredibly informed and always researching. Corvettester, the upsides on this one are enormous. I NEVER plan on not taking it. It's cheap, and for me, very effective. I know how stressful anticipating a shed can be. But, having been through it, I don't regret it for a minute. Obviously, we all respond differently, however.

The work looks great, Southbeacharchi! I think you'll be very pleased. Just a bit of advice on documentation: Take photos. Especially if you have a decent camera handy. I...well, don't, and wish I had gone out and bought one from the get-go. Seeing where you started, versus where you'll end up, will be very inspiring for you (as this can be a LONG waiting game...sort of like watching grass grow). It will also allow some of the seasoned HT vets to give you moral support in the event that you experience some frustrating shock loss, or early uneven growth (which are quite common). All the best to you! I'll be looking forward to your updates.