NoTakeBacks

It does look a little better but that could also be the lighting, still pluggy looking up front though. Hopefully the next four months are good to you. Hows the scar?

The lighting is the same. I take all my pictures in the same two spots for consistency. One under florescent lighting, and one with softer more natural light. I always try to be balanced. Agreed that overall it could look softer and more varied. At least the side in the fourth picture (my left) is better off. Scar is the same. No magical scar shrinking faeries have visited me while I slumber.

8 Month Update:

Some progress since last month. Keeping my fingers crossed that it'll steadily continue for the next 4.

Florescent:

Soft Lighting:

While the overall density is an issue, the main problem areas still continue to be the "forelock" and my right (left side in the pictures). It's like looking at a puzzle that has yet to be completed. I can see what the end result should look like and what was planned...it's just not there. Perfect storm of my hair caliber not helping out and the lack of density.

@Tav1: Yes I've been in contact the entire time. Have to wait out the full 12 months or so.

All the best!

So you are saying you can't target multi-haired grafts with FUE than FUT? I happen to believe both procedures have a place and I think both have their own distinct advantages. Please give your anti-FUE tirade a rest. It's becoming tiresome.

 

What about when you cut the strip? I suppose you'll have us believe you don't transect or damage a single hair and that no follicles in the telogen phase end up in the bin either with strip?

 

I actually mentioned that one of the advantages of strip is that you get that sweet spot of donor hair where the hair calibre is most coarse. However you decide to continue your anti-FUE propaganda war by disagreeing with me when I say you can cherry pick multi-hair units with FUE...So according to you Dr. Feller, you cannot target multi-hair units with FUE?

 

It is so transparent what your sole purpose is on the forums these days. I think it is a short sighted approach but hey if that business model works for you then enjoy it.

To be fair, I believe the point Dr. F was trying to make is that during an FUE procedure (even under high magnification), what may appear as a single FU breaking the epidermis may actually be a multi FU with only one visibly active follicle. Whereas with FUSS, you can dissect the strip under microscope aided magnification; including a back light, etc. I'm sure some transection and FUs are discarded even under those circumstances, but microscopic aid would help to mitigate the amount. I also can't attest to what is and isn't visible under microscopic observation, or if technicians are trained to spot and differentiate dormant FUs (single vs multiple), but I'd have to think a microscope would give the best chance!

Whereas FUE specifically targets follicles that can be seen, and inherently comes with both pros and cons. One, it's easier to see the caliber, etc. of the follicle in it's natural state right on the patients scalp, but it also brings to the table what is NOT visible down in the dermis. However, if the FU is exactly what it seems, then I'd warrant the person performing the transplant would have a great idea of what it'll look like when implanted.

This is just my understanding though!

And, in general, thanks for the kind words, guys!

 

So, what do you think? Would a donor scar like this bother you?

Not at all! Sadly the issue is not every FUT scar will turn out just so.

Extremely good planning; very ethical. Doesn't look unnatural at any stage. Saved him from being a 5/5A at 27. His hairline as of this year looks very natural at that density. Usually it's pretty hard to construct a natural looking hairline with so few grafts. If it didn't progress so rapidly and into the crown he'd be golden.

Great planning and great work on this young man, Dr. Cooley!

 

He's now, what, 27? You kept him from living the past decade as "that really young, really bald guy," and now he's got himself a cosmetically appealing head of hair going forward.

 

I think his hair looks especially good in Photo #14.

Agreed!

Excellent job Doc! Even with the hair starting to straighten out the density is really impressive. She must have great donor characteristics! What I most like is the macro irregularities in your design of the hairline. Really goes well with her hair caliber.

Great result.

 

Can anyone explain why those forelocks don't seem to be pre dispositioned to dht?

This is something I always wondered as well. It's a great advantage in my eyes, over those who have the diffuse "a" patterns (like myself) and obviously higher norwood.

Either way, great result!

For the amount of grafts used this is a stellar result. Enjoy the hair and the ability to style as you want!

Great work! Selfishly, I always like to see results from patients with light brown medium textured hair, as that's about what I have. I'm most impressed with the crown work, but the hairline looks great too. Natural and dense.

Very natural and quite dense. Like the placement of singles along the hairline to give a staggered and feathered gradient into density.

Vox,

Well said. One of my neighborhood friends has Alopecia Areata, so I'm pretty familiar with it. But your grandson looks like a lil badass; dig the bleach. Reminds me of my Billy Idol phase. Judging by the way he's mugging it up in the first picture, I'd venture he IS a lil badass and will be fine. Plus, he obviously has a grandfather who cares, so that goes miles.

It is sad how vain we are as a people. It'd be nice if the world worked differently, but que sera,sera.

Still a phenomenal design and result! I'm sure you'll gracefully age just like the Most Interesting Man in the World. Strangest thing...when I clicked on this thread, Skype started playing a video advert for Dos Equis. No joke!

@David: I do try to keep it in perspective, and remind myself that 7 months is early...but it's completely unlike my first procedure where I grew early and consistently. I'm also keeping both Dr. B and F updated. Thanks for your reply, I do appreciate it!

@Tav1, FUE2014 and andyzhao: That hairline and entire frontal third seen in the pre-op pictures IS Dr. Feller's handiwork; that much must be said. That is also why I opted to go for a second procedure. Technically no one NEEDS a hair transplant ( ;D ), but I wanted one and was advised my goals reasonable. The hairline and hair looked great after the first, it simply was overly high on my head. I do have a long face and a high forehead naturally, so the recession and subsequent restoration had a bit more ground to cover. My expectation was to achieve the same density and look.

@ densedream and Sean:

The scar is what it is. No change. However I don't have the shock loss from the very first post. It could be a lot worse, and it could be better. As for the picture quality: I'll try to get an actual camera by next month. Thanks for the kind words!

@Td:

Took a look at your profile, I see what you mean. Hang in there brother.

@Spanker:

I honestly have no clue regarding the cm2. I know I initially requested a 5mm drop from the existing transplant hairline, but the Doc felt a full cm would be the way to go. I know he also mentioned going further back to reinforce the existing transplant area in the frontal third, as it was a 1000 FU transplant and he had additional units which he tossed in. Also, I'll definitely try not to obsess and just adjourn hahaha. Thanks!

Just posting an update for the past two months.

6 Months

7 Months - Fluorescent Lighting

7 Months - Natural Light

Wish I could take clearer pictures, but my potato phone will have to do. Now open for discussion.

From what you're reporting spyk, those are good signs! Many users note an initial shed when starting medication based hair loss treatments. I also shed when I started Propecia 2 years or so ago. The hair that grows back after said shed should be more robust. It may also stimulate some weakened follicles back into growth. So if you're seeing thin hairs that were not there before, there's a good chance those will mature with time. Some did for me, while some remained in that thinner state. Either way, every bit helps with illusion of density. Mine was frontal third based growth however.

I agree with Spanker and would gladly differ to his experience and keener eye though!

The future is now! Congrats on your journey and hard work Doc. Your support and advice is greatly appreciated.

Expensive snake oil unfortunately. Consider Liggetts bar shampoo, no SLS or chemical detergents. Just pure ingredients that you can pronounce and essentials oils. Cheap and lasts a long time. Since it is a solid no TSA issues with having it in your carry on bag.

Do you recommend any specific variety of the Liggett's Bar? I see there are tons of different variations.

So the past 2 blood tests I've had reported elevated blood calcium levels. It was only slightly elevated in December, which is when I temporarily stopped Minoxidil application for my upcoming surgery, and higher more recently after I started regular application. I do not take a multi-vitamin with calcium, or any calcium related supplements, shakes, etc. I also do not eat much dairy.

So... I'm wondering if anyone has experienced a similar correlation? I've seen a few reports on the Internet for this being a possibility, but we all know not to believe everything on the 'net. There are conflicting reports to support and dismiss this possibility, along with whether or not Minoxidil opposes/blocks Calcium channels. If that is the case, it would make sense as intracellular Calcium reuptake would be decreased, and it would be left floating around in the blood. I would think if this was a common side effect, it would be much more wide spread, so maybe this only affects certain individuals?

I am also pursuing all standard avenues as a cause with my GP, and will have my thyroid/parathyroid gland checked. It just seems odd that the levels correlate with my use of Minoxidil, and I'm extremely healthy otherwise. As always, correlation =\= causation. Also, standard disclaimer that I'm not a Doctor, and just arm chair speculating. (Despite my formal education was as a Biologist, I don't actively use/practice that knowledge on a regular basis).

Just wanting to stop in cause a lot of you are incredibly well versed in this area, plus we have actual Docs on the forum as well. ;D

looks great man

Thanks man. I'm sure the recipient will turn out great given time, I'm just worried about the scar at this point.

Depending on how the back of my head turns out, I guess there's always FUE into it. I really wanted to hold off on that until I was fully stripped out later in life though. Preserve the grafts if needed.

I'll be posting updates in the coming months/any recent developments.

Woo, congrats Blake! That's a heartwarming story on how you found your calling. Interestingly enough, I ended up in my current field through similar circumstances. I'm glad everything turned out well in the end.

Anyway, as you already know you're partnered with not only a great Doc, but a likable guy! Wish you all the best, though wishing probably isn't necessary with Dr. Feller by your side. Maybe I'll get to congratulate and wish you luck anyway in person, as your start date is right around the time I'm due in for my 6 month checkup!

Hi NoTakeBacks,

 

Could you post some pics of the donor area with your hair lifted? It could be shock loss. My donor area also looked pretty scary after my second procedure. I'm about 8 months out and its taking its time to fill in.

 

Have you addressed your concerns with Dr. Feller?

Sure, here are some additional pics. I've also come to realize I need an actual camera that is decent lol.

Lifted:

Natural Lighting:

It looks to my untrained eye that there's been some stretching, but also directly above and below appear to have some shock loss. It also looks like some hairs are growing through and some are just now sprouting below and above. I plan on having an in office visit around 6 months with the Doc to appraise everything. Also, shot him a quick email. There's nothing to be done at this point anyway, more just for documentation, discussion and venting of anxieties.

Doesn't matter how calm, logical and realistic our expectations can be, emotions can get the best of us. Including me! I tend to be a pragmatist, but it doesn't mean I'm emotionless and I sometimes forget that, ha! ;D

I also always worry for the worst that I somehow managed to do something that negatively impacted the result. Despite no dislodged bleeding grafts in the recipient, no lifting for the last 4 months, no complications overall...I still fear the unseen Hair Spirits and the unknown.

Hey all it's that time again!

So this past December I had a second procedure to strengthen and drop my hairline approximately 1 cm. Hair greed, pure and simple. Well...that and the fact I have a longer face and always had a giant forehead. While I was extremely satisfied with the 1st HT, I felt it was simply a bit high. It was roughly 5-6 finger lengths from my brows, so I wished to rectify that while keeping it mature. I never wanted it squared off or the temples dropped. Just a uniform 1 cm drop of the previous hairline.

I've been on Propecia and Minoxidil for the past year and a half, have not experienced any further progression, and my vertex/crown is as solid as it was 10 years ago. While I sadly have the standard familial frontal diffuse pattern of loss, vertex loss isn't in the genes (but you never know). So I made a calculated decision and took the plunge again, as I want to enjoy my 30's with the hair I desire along for the ride!

Dr. Feller and his staff were great as usual. Procedure went smoothly. 'Nuff said, on to the pictures!

Front Pre-Op

Side Pre-Op

Front Post

Side Post

4 Months Front

4 Months Back

Despite going through the process before, I find myself even more anxious and impatient this second go around. So basically I'm posting this as a place to vent and release my anxiety. I'm slightly worried about the asymmetrical amount of density and grafts that have filled in at this point. My left side has grown in nicely and expected the rest to follow, but the center and right seem quite bare for 4 months. I'm simply hoping that I'm spoiled and used to quick growth, and have come to expect it. I was also lucky last procedure that I was able to buzz down to a #4 with no sign of the scar. At 4 months it is still visible at a #8, where it was not last time at 5 months on the first op. So I'm also hoping that the difference in time frame (1 month) when comparing the first op and second is the cause.

I understand logically that timeframes may not match up between the two ops, and that it's still early on. But I still can't shake the anxiety.

I have more pics including a top down close-up of the hairline at 4 months in my Profile, including pics from the first transplant.

Thanks for reading guys, you're the best! The knowledge and support this forum provides has always been a great asset during the trying times.

Hey all! Had my second HT this past December. Since I've been through it once before and generally know what to expect, I'm a little concerned. I'm just shy of 4 months as of this post and decided to buzz down to a #8. What I saw kinda shocked me no pun intended. Last go around I buzzed to an #8 just shy of 5 months and I had no visible shockloss. However, this time I definitely see what I HOPE is shockloss. So I'm asking for your valued opinions.

For now I'm trying to stay positive and will:

A) Chalk it up to being shaved down a month earlier.

B) That it's my second go around.

C) You never know how your body reacts.

But it's C that I'm most worried about. After my first procedure I was eventually able to buzz down to a #4 and a #4 to #3 fade was just barely visible. The picture I took was under harsh lighting by design.

Thanks ahead of time! Y'all are the best.

First it sounds like your mom is taking the piss. If not, she should probably cut it out cause you're obviously worked up.

It's hard to tell without any type of comparison pics from the past, and you mentioned stress which can be a factor. However, if you are experiencing MPB, it's incredibly early on and can probably be stayed or reversed with meds at this point. Mind you I'm not a doc or an expert...so with that said, if you're that bothered, see a doctor and get your hair checked out for miniaturization. That way you can put your mind at ease and know one way or the other, and enjoy your youth! Weigh the pros and cons of getting on a med like propecia (finasteride) and/or rogaine (minoxidil) and you should be set. Luckily, if it is MPB, both drugs work best in the crown/vertex!