NoTakeBacks

Well, this is what HTs are all about! Great outcome, especially the crown. Shows what good hair characteristics, positive response to meds, and a good doc can do.

Just had to stop in and wish ya luck VWP 'cause your username/handle got a good chuckle out of me! If you do your research, have reasonable expectations, and listen to the gents on this board you should be fine. It looks like you have ideal characteristics for a transplant and are already on meds, so good on you!

I know all about having a high hairline to start with as well; sucks all the more once it starts to go. So keep up the good fight.

Looking great! An excellent job by Cooley combined with that solid forelock of yours made for a stellar turnout. Best part is the ride isn't even over yet for you!

As always, looks great Spanker. Top notch stuff from Dr. Konior.

Hello everybody! My second OP is coming up and I just wanted some advice and anecdotes from those who have been there. I know to stop Minoxidil, Aspirin, Vitamins and other contraindications before surgery, but I was wondering if Propecia fell into that category?

For my first OP it wasn't a question as I was not on Propecia at the time, but since then I've hopped on board. I was wondering if anyone stopped taking Propecia before their surgery, or if anyone continued to take it as usual. It's not listed on the pre-op instructions and a quick search of the forums doesn't seem to bring up anything about it, but I felt I should ask anyway. I would prefer to stay my course with Propecia and not even stop for 10 days or so, but I will if I have to.

Thanks!

Thanks for the replies guys.

@ Squatch: Thanks for the support but I was just a spastic little kid with reckless abandon. No interesting story behind the scar and I've lived a generic suburban life. I appreciate scars as well, just not this one. I have a couple on my back and chest from other encounters and even a tiny one on my forehead from the time I literally ran into a tree as kid. The one under my chin is in an awkward spot and doesn't look good. It's so fine and thin it's really only noticeable when I grow any facial hair actually, but it's enough to break the flow of it.

@ hadenough2014: I would consider it, but it doesn't bother me enough to FUE just yet. Maybe it's something to keep on the backburner after all my hairline tweaking is finished. I'll eventually FUE into the FUT scar/touch-ups after the second go around. The expense for the under chin scar FUE is low on my budget though lol. Don't have enough cash to burn to warrant it.

Hey all! Not really hair loss related but I trust y'all for some advice. Long story short I have a nice clean scar that runs horizontally across the bottom of my chin due to being a reckless lil youth. Now when I want to rock some beard stubble, it's real obvious and doesn't look good. Not one of those cool scars, placement sucks.

So I was wondering if anyone had ideas what might work best with beard hair/stubble to conceal the scar? Right now I simply use a color matched charcoal/eyebrow pencil but I want a better option if there is one.

Thanks!

Looks amazing! Matt do you mind me asking what razor guard number you usually get with a haircut?

Hey all! I'm back with some updates now that I've been on Propecia for approximately 4.5 months. I've been using actual Propecia (from my new kiwi friends) and have been quartering each to yield roughly .25 mg doses. I've read all the posts and reports that technically .25 mg should be just about as effective a 1 mg. However I wanted to ask for some anecdotal advice regarding this from more experienced members.

Has anyone else been using .25 mg dosage? If so, roughly at about which month did you start seeing actual results? I'm just wondering as I know I'm quite early on, but I definitely can see tons of miniaturized hairs in my hairline, so I know it's at least keeping em steady. But I was wondering when I might be able to hope for them to actually "grow up" into pigmented hair(s)? The other thing I've been wondering is if it'd be worth going up to .5 mg everyday. I'm not experiencing sides so far on .25 mg, so I'm happy with that. Just worried that .25 mg might not be enough (despite the research) to actually make those miniaturized hairs mature.

Anyone's $.02 would be appreciated!

Funny the Bernstein instructions say to shower next day and Rahal says 2 weeks. Pretty significant difference.

No one is saying to forego showers for two weeks. Dr. Rahal and any other poster who is saying a patient should wait 2 weeks post-op before resuming NORMAL showering activity is stating just that. NORMAL. As in direct contact with non-diluted shampoo, massaging your scalp, full water pressure, etc. Read greatjob's posts again. They're saying avoid contact with full water pressure and direct contact from your hands in the recipient area for approximately 2 weeks. Even Dr. Bernstein said:

"...normal shampooing, brushing and hair care can be resumed after ten days since..."

Like greatjob advised, I used a nice sized 6-8oz plastic cup during the first few weeks for "shampooing." I would take a shower with the shower head at angle so far down that it would not even reach my head. I would mix gentle shampoo in said cup of water, shaken not stirred, and slowly pour it over the recipient area. I even used my splayed hand over the mouth of the cup so it would be a nice slow flow of sudsy water. I then repeated this process with fresh water to wash it out multiple times till I was satisfied. Note I never touched the grafts.

After the first 4 days or so I then started applying shampoo to the back of my head (donor) and VERY GENTLY washed said donor, still making sure the recipient was never under the direct stream of the shower, still using the cup method. Even after 2 weeks (once the staples were removed) I still shielded the recipient from the direct stream by using my splaying hand to shield and "filter" water to that zone. I only skipped ONE shower, and that was the morning after the transplant.

Here's the hairline! Before you guys immediately say recession I've had this hairline for 4 years (and possible before no photos nearby lol)

Interestingly enough,my dad who has a full head of hair has a widows peak just like this. Thanks for all your hep!

No one in their right mind will say recession. What's visible in your video and hairline are great. Don't go back to that stylist again.

This thread is giving me a good chuckle.

I paid outright.

The only option I would've had for financing would've been opening a CC just for covering a portion of the transplant, or getting a loan. I didn't feel like opening a loan just for some hair and Dr. Feller charges an additional fee if you wish to place any balance on a Credit Card...so cashier's check it was.

Guess what day it is!? Nope, not Hump Day. It's update time!

So, it's one week past my official 8 Month mark and here I am. Not much to say as no major changes have occurred. Still feel the density of the hairline could use some improvement, especially in the forelock area. Scar non-issue, which speaks for Dr. F's closure and my ability to scar well (one of the reasons I went with FUSS). While the density is only "meh" IMO, the placement is very natural so there's that. ONWARD TO THE PICS!

Harsh light, no flash, keeping it real disclaimer.

Front Styled: Damn I look tired...job must be taking it's toll recently.

Hairline Close Up Styled: Overall it looks good, if weak.

Downward Angle Styled: Note the difference between a temple covered via styling and not.

Profile Styled: Do like. Styling + placement does wonders.

Hairline Pulled Back: Here you can see the light density. Don't expect it to be a straight wall of hair but for it's height, I was hoping for a better trade-off in density.

Closing Thoughts:

While I'm not fully satisfied as of yet, I'm also not down in the dumps. I had only hoped that going conservative with the hairline would yield higher density. I'll be booking a consult ASAP, getting on Fin and will then re-evaluate in 6 months at my 14 Month mark.

Thanks for reading!

^ This. I wore an adjustable cap (the slider kind like a belt) reaaaal loose, and I was golden. I only had frontal work done, so that probably made it much easier to avoid it touching my recipient area. If I were to get crown work done, I'd be more apprehensive. I was just EXTREMELY careful anytime I placed it on my head, and would lightly pinch the front of the cap to make sure there was a good inch of wiggle room.

Your head doesn't look super odd shaped, nor does your hairline look terrible! You have a strong forelock which is one of the best characteristics to have when either maintaining or enhancing your natural hairline. My hairline decided to thin unilaterally across the entire front when I was 26. You don't really have "bald spots" those are simply recessed temples. Mature temples are pretty standard and come with the territory of mature hairlines (20's+). This may be the extent of your hair loss, but I wouldn't tempt fate. Look into getting on Fin as Matt and Spank stated. Your normal GP can prescribe it to you, but since you're already considering surgery, any of the HT doctors you will be consulting with can do the same. Please do your research! Especially if you're freaking out over the current state of your hair. While transplants aren't ultramajor surgery, it is surgery nonetheless and not something you want to rush into.

Browse the forums and pay attention to the great HT vets that make up this place. Two have already spoken! (Hint: No I am not one said vets lol)

I don't really see a noticeable change like between month 4 and 5. Maybe it's the way it was cut? Do you have any shots with different angles? Brushed back like Mickey said? Are you still rocking Minoxidil etc?

Hey hey all!

Been busy lately so here's a slightly belated 7 Month update. Growth has plateaued, still continuing with my typical hair care routine. Overall I'm satisfied and love that I now can go without a hat or any type of cover for that matter. I had my hair cut real short immediately after the 6 month photos were taken, and I was surprised how tight I could go. Barber used a 4 blade fade into a 6. Not a trace of scar. So that I'm really satisfied with.

But...as of posting this I still feel my forehead is too high. It is important to mention that I understood fully that I was opting for a conservative hairline. This was my choice. In hindsight I honestly wish I went slightly more aggressive. I know I still have 5 or so months till full maturation, but right now the combination of the hairline being high and not being "wowed" by the hairline in general is holding me from skipping for joy. I absolutely love that I can style the frontal 3rd again, but the fact remains I have to hide way too much scalp, and also the hairline a bit. If I had the same conservative hairline, but slightly lower on my head, I'd be satisfied with having to deal with creative styling. As of now I still feel it's simply too high. It looks great styled in a way that hides said flaws, but that alone limits styling options. I wanted a HT so I could stop hiding.

With that said, I figured I'd need two ops from the start, and I am being nitpicky. I also will hold final judgement when I hit 12 months. In the meantime I will be scheduling a follow-up with the Doc to discuss any future plans, and have him evaluate the progress first hand.

Now for the pics! I'll upload some wet/higher res later. All pictures taken without a flash for objectivity.

Front:

3/4 Angle:

Side:

Hairline Pulled Back:

Close-Up:

Sounds like 1 step forward, 2 steps back honestly. Your transplant goals are much more realistic now, but you're quite young and the remainder of your plan sounds drastic and ill thought out. I would strongly recommend against any type of scalp reduction procedure, and I have to say I'm quite perplexed. You state that you don't have the money to do 2000 grafts, but are planning to have "other surgeries 6-12 months later" including the above mentioned Scalp Reduction. This means you expect some cash flow in 6-12 months. If that's the case why not take that time to do some more research. At that point you'll be more informed and in a better position to make a decision, including financially. You don't want to take half-measures and cut corners when you're dealing with any surgery.

Also if your forelock is already at 7cm, that's pretty damn good. 6.5-7cm is pretty typical. So if you simply meet that height, it should look fine with closed off temples to achieve a female hairline. Scalp reductions are risky in general, and unfortunately you are genetically male exhibiting some recession, which means you may be prone to further recession.

Best of luck!

... is it still cosmetically ok the way it is?

Have you ever tried cutting it high and tight with the front just long enough to style? Right now the way you have it cut isn't really flattering IMO. Either grow the front out longer, or get it cut tighter overall. Coming from a guy with a high forehead, I've always found hair styles look best if you commit one way or the other. Either go long enough to cover most of your forehead, or short enough to show you're not trying to hide anything.

$.02

Nice Spanker! Something completely random and unprovoked like that must be amazing reinforcement. You probably felt your HT had an amazing outcome, but now you know damn well complete strangers feel the same way.

I just got my first pro haircut since the transplant, and I warned the guy that I'm receding and a little thin in the front so just do what you think is best and make it look good. When he got to the front he commented:

"Eh, you're not really receding. I'll take care of you my man."

That's my best story so far lol. Just wanted to share that tidbit since you were one of the posters who helped sort things out in my hairline design thread. After this cut I saw I can definitely live with it, and probably won't bother with a touch up depending on how it looks in 6 more months. Thanks again!

@Hairguy

Hmmm...your temple points looked like they made some good progress. But in light of your hairline in the 6 month pics, do you have any immediately post-op shots to show graft placement? If not, I suppose Dr. Umar does, and if so may he post those? While the hairline isn't as low as it appeared in the first picture you posted (it is low and aggressive however), I still want to see the initial density transplanted before commenting further.

Wow...uh...yeah...I just watched a couple of those Jhon Jhon videos and man is that some subpar SMP. They seem to work primarily on african-american clients, and I understand ethnic hairlines tend to be straighter and squared off with the sides shaped up...but seriously Magnum is right, most of their results look like Sharpie to the dome. There's no density transition into the hairline and temples, way too over saturated, abrupt, and the imitation follicle size seems way too large, ethnic or not. I've seen some impressive SMP results, now I've seen the opposite end.

Instead of starting an entirely separate thread, I wanted to throw out a quick question concerning Propecia/Fin.

If I decide to start on Finasteride, what would be a good beginner regimen? .5mg? 1 mg every other day? I may give it a try, and see how it unfolds. I'll up my workout, and eat healthy to try and circumvent any sides + rise in Estrogen levels. The scary part about it is the fact that if I do get sides, there's the possibility they can last up to 24-40 months after discontinuing it... :\

That's the scariest part about any drugs impact and half-life.

How old is the very first picture of the hairline? Has there been any extraction of the grafts by the other Doctor in Georgia in that photo or is that just Umar's work? I will comment further once these questions are answered.

That is what I was wondering too. Do you have any immediate post-op pics Hairguy? I'd be interested to see how it looked immediately after transplanting (design, density etc).

Also, by the furrows on your forehead it'd appear you're raising your eyebrows a bit, which can significantly minimize the height of one's forehead. I should know cause I employ a subtle variation as one of my neutral expressions to do just that.

With all that said, the placement does seem way too low and straight. Need more info before commenting further.