xtatic5

I waited a full year and still got a slightly stretched scar so..don't wait that long.

I agree that it doesn't look like more than 35 fu/cm2. I tried to count them myself and I estimated between 30 and 40. I think I'll need an additional 1000 grafts (FUE this time) to be satisfied but I'm hesitant to exhaust my donor supply before I'm 35. I also want to get an official density measurement so that I can see if the numbers add up. The doctor's graft estimates varied from 2700 (pre-op) to 3000 (intra-op) to 2267 (final).

Unfortunately I've lost that documentation but I know I had a large proportion of two-hairs, so maybe 3800.

Thanks bmw. I've seen plenty of pictures where 50% looks like 100% but I can definitely see the reduced density in my recipient area (my scalp is invisible everywhere else). Thus, I'm skeptical of this density figure.

I'm two years out from my hairline lowering procedure with Dr. Radha. I received approximately 1957 grafts to the hairline over an area of 40 sq cm for a density of 49%. Are these pictures consistent with those figures? Thanks for your opinions.

Mine were removed in 5 days and I regret it. It may have contributed to my slightly stretched scar.

Will someone please think of the [curly-haired] children! I understand that this forum is dominated by straight/wavy-haired folk, but don't forget that there are plenty of curly-haired people for whom FUE is more of a risky proposition. Higher transection rates and larger punches mean lower yield and hole-punch scarring.

There's a difference between a juvenile hairline and a mature hairline. Plenty of men maintain a non-receded, mature hairline (typically 5cm+ high). As for differences in density, it is possible for someone to continue receding behind the transplanted hairline (which would look strange). That's why hairline transplants are often discouraged for men less than 30 years.

Yes, you should receive a ball park figure. 50 fu/cm2 is a generally good number. Punches range from .7 -1.2mm. Smaller punch means smaller scars but also potentially higher transection (esp. for curly hair). Manual is slower but less damaging to the grafts. Motorized extractions are sometimes performed by technicians and less experienced doctors (because it's easier). Hairlines are measured from the top of the eyebrows. You generally tell them the lowest point of your desired hairline (center) and they'll draw the rest based on your physiology. Of course, what you want isn't always what they'll agree to give you.

So I guess the assumption is that normal styling is not possible after a HT? That happens to be the case for me but I've seen many pics of guys with undetectable results (even when normally styled).

Well, my characteristics are very different than yours (brown skin, black, curly, thicker hair) but I received 48/cm2 and I still have to blend with my native hair, otherwise it's noticeably less dense. I'm almost 13 months post op.

Exact same thing happened to me. Make sure you're using the gmail address (there are 2). I had to call to figure that out.

YES! My hairline descended a full centimeter after the swelling subsided.

I didn't use any but I've heard Mederma or Vaseline might speed up healing.

Hi all, As previously mentioned, I am happy overall with my new hairline as the height, design, and angulation are perfect, however, in full disclosure, the density is not what I expected. I didn't want to complain prematurely since most people say not to assess the results for 12 months but at almost 11 months I can't reasonably expect an explosion of growth. I sent Dr. Radha some pictures at 10 months and asked for her opinion. According to her, I received an average density of 48/cm2. Based on what I've seen and read on this site 48 should be pretty dense, especially considering my thick, curly hair. Unfortunately, unless I blend with the hair behind it my scalp is easily visible. I attempted to count the grafts in a sq cm and although I lost count it was definitely not approaching 48, maybe 30-35. I do notice some very thin hairs at the front, almost invisible. Maybe there are lots of those waiting to mature. I also still have little red pimples popping up from time to time. Some say that is an indication of growth. I vaguely remember having a conversation with Dr. Radha immediately after my procedure (or maybe a few days later). She mentioned that she was interested to follow my results as she had never operated on someone with my hair type before (I have .75-1.5cm curls). She also mentioned a density of 35 and I may need another 1000 grafts. I can't remember the exact context of that conversation but the medical chart says "Density: 75%" which would make sense as 48 is about 75% of 60, my native density (I assume). On the topic of confusion, she initially expected 2700 grafts. Then, during strip excision, she informed me that I may get 3000 grafts. Finally, after all was said and done, I only got 2267. I never got an explanation as to why the wild fluctuations (and I never asked, doh!). I did hear the loud crash of a metal pan hitting the floor - a voice in my head tells me that a portion of my grafts were in it, but not likely. Although, I do wonder if the medical chart was completed before the procedure with an expectation of 48/cm2 but maybe was never corrected to reflect the real result, 35. That's the only way this all comes together. In conclusion, I'm not sure what really happened therefore I cannot know what to expect. I plan to see a local surgeon in a couple of months for an official count. As it stands, I will need another procedure to be completely happy.

I know exactly what you're going through. Over the past few months I've been noticing my whorl becoming a little more pronounced (I think). Some days it's more pronounced than others and I have to deliberately brush my hair in a clockwise pattern like Dr. Charles was saying. I don't remember ever having to do that before, then again, I've never paid this close attention to my hair. I want to stay on top of it so that I can jump on meds the instant it looks like MPB. This thread is reassuring because clearly you were not losing hair when you started it. I hope that I'm just worrying too much. When I go for my FUE procedure in a few months I'll have to shave anyway, hopefully that will reveal the truth.

Biotin and msm.

I appreciate your medical opinion, Dr. Beehner, and I hope my surgeons are correct. I saw a graph somewhere on the Web which showed the statistical likelihood of starting hair loss in each decade of a man's life. The largest peaks were in the 20's and 50's, 30's was one of the lowest. Are you aware of this? I've also read that Africans are 75% less likely to bald than Caucasians. Has this been your observation?

The average price per FUE graft in the US is $8 (for a reputable clinic anyway). It certainly isn't worth traveling.

Only your doctor can tell you that.

It could just be shock loss so I would give it a couple more months. If a procedure is required, I believe the keloid must be treated first and then FUE into it. It won't take many grafts, maybe 60, and might cost around $500. I don't know if keloids will form on FUE scars.

Miniaturization pattern and family history. I was advised that I won't likely lose hair (even though it runs in the family) because I have no miniaturization at age 29. I am skeptical but two surgeons independently stated this.

Dr. Radha is an excellent doctor (she was my surgeon) but she does specialize in strip. Personally, while I love the idea of FUE, I worry about the large punches, donor thinning, and poor yield that is more common with African hair. However, if you are prone to bad scarring then I'd go FUE.

Thanks for your advice scar5. Just to clarify, I am not the OP and I do have an ear-to-ear scar, but only half of it really needs revision. My concern with FUE is that it will leave me with large punches (thanks to curly hair) and a thin donor (thanks to low density).

Reviving this thread. I'm at 9.5 months post-strip and I plan to get another procedure of approximately 1000 grafts to fill in the hairline. I was considering FUE due to the reduced healing time but I'm concerned about my curly hair and low density (60/cm2). I could also benefit from a partial scar revision on the right half of my scar. If I go FUE I'll probably need an extra 300 to fill in the scar. 1) Should I go with strip again? I had a tight scalp the first time and half the scar came out perfect, the other half average. 2) If I do, how likely is it that my scar will end up the same or worse? I think there are some things that I could do differently to improve healing. 3) Does a partial strip cause asymmetry in donor density or scalp tightness?