TheMirrorOfDreams

I am really starting to freak out about my hair transplant. Unbearably unnerving. Questioning eveyrthing.

Yes, I am seeing about 10-20 new fine hairs sprouting, but it seems SO LITTLE, considering I am already 4 days short of 4 months post op. Any comforting words? Am I a slow grower, or is this just how it goes?

Noticing more growth, but not very impressive. Far too early, I know.

PS: I had 32 grafts per sq.cm.

The most substantial growth appears to be in the middle-apart, whilst the sides are lesser.

A few pimples here and there. Things are definitely improving, but very SLOWLY.

 

Here's a HT growth chart for you. It's a little on the conservative side, but should give you some idea of your progress. And obviously, some folks grow faster than others.

My thanks!

I spend most of my waking hours meticulously inspecting my new hairline.

I at least am pleased about how it looks, although it is quite low.

 

New extremely fine hairs (which I only can see through a magnifying lense) are popping up here and there.

While most of the hairs still are relatively fine per today, others by the looks of it, seem fully mature in both length and diameter.

 

I just don't get why the hairs grow at different rates? I do comprehend the "anagen, catagen, telogene"- thing, but not why some spurt before others.

 

 

PS: yesterday I managed to dislodge a single hair, and on its very end a bulb was attached. Is this normal?

 

dude relax, I'm quite sure that the hairs will start sprouting through soon!

Many have already. But it just seems so liittle in the grand scheme of things. Seems like no more than 10-15% in total thus far. 2 and a half more months, and it should be groomable. Maybe I'm a slow grower... that or just impatient.

Haven't seen much new growth as of late.

Some of the hairs are quite coarse and wiry, others are short and very fine.

...and I am definitely suffering from "Diffuse Patterned Alopecia" (thinning in the front, top and crown, with a stable permanent zone). I'd say I've lost about half of my hair on the top and 2/3 in the crown. It can still be covered up decently, or so I think.

 

I suffer from hairloss and hair thinning, I have horrible skin, and a overly hairy body, and of course as a result: no confidence.

Sometimes I feel there is no reason for me to keep on living this worthless thing called "life".

Maybe, maybe not. Who knows...

 

It makes me furious and sad. I for one, will not pass on my genes, to be sure.

Life is so unkind.

 

Still, no matter the hardship I may face, I WILL prevail.

 

By the way... is it possible the diffuse thinning will stop? Or is it likely to keep thinning?

New photo update.

Having issues with my DSLR, will upload new pictures as soon as doable.

New fine hairs are spurting all over the transplanted area. The camera will not be able to pick up these, so when I do post new pictures, I will probably look about the same as when I last posted.

I've been on Propecia and Minoxidil for 5 months and 13 days now, and I've yet to see any results...

For the years to come, I think I'll be investing in a dozen bottles of Caboki, to help cover up my thinning.

Give us some pictures of your crown man, interested to see it

No, sorry, I'd rather not. It just makes me feel horrible about myself (its not like I have much confidence to go on...). All I can say is that I have diffuse thinning on the top of my head, and that it can be camouflaged well enough, as long as I grow my hair out medium to long. However, I think I might be able to keep it around for a while. Maybe the effects of Propecia will kick in in the latter part of this year. At least I am seeing some very positive growth from my hair transplant. About 300 follicles I think, which is a bit less than 10% of 3500 hairs, which means I am on schedule.

 

Are you taking propecia, minoxidil or nizoral? If so that can contribute to shedding of the crown etc in the initial stages when you start taking them

Yes, I think I've been using both Propecia and Minoxidil for approximately 3-4 months now.

Months - Growth in percent

 

3 10

4 25

5 40

6 60

7 70

8 75

9 80

10 90

11 95

12 98

18 100

Mate, you have been given a rough ride here, some tough love if you like!

Your hair may or may not turn out ok, might be great might not, it doesn't look like great work post op or what a normal refined post op transplant looks like. But to be fair if it grows in well than a really good quality surgeon I'm sure would be able to address the issues it presents. You may be experiencing some shockloss or sometimes after being shaved down bald it does take some time to grow back looking as full as before, so hopefully your native hair isn't disappearing at such a rate. You are very very young to have had a ht and your should of listened to the excellent advice you were give before you took the plunge, but it's done now and you cannot turn back time, so I think its best to be positive about your situation rather than constantly being told about how bad it's going to be because the honest truth is nobody actually knows until 12 months time, some transplants look amazing post op and just don't grow, some grow looking unnatural and some are excellent. I think you need to wait it out at least 8 months if by then it's looking unnatural I'd keep it shave down or grow out you native to cover it and in the meantime I'd really research the best drs who do repairs!! You must be a mentally strong person because a ht is very stressful and even with everyone telling you it's ok and going to be great doubts creep in but with everyone telling you how bad it is youv still remained on here updating and seem very grounded and are coping far better than I would be or most in here would be!!!!

Just what ever you do, take the advice youv Been given and research, see several drs for there opinions and go to some one ethical, as I think if you had done that before your op this time you would not of even been given a ht!!!

Good luck and keep your chin up, it might not turn out as bad as you think, but that would be down to good luck on your part not taking the right approach!!

My thanks. Maybe, just maybe when I grow it out I will be able to hide the thinning in the crown area. I've always had a very thick head of hair. Would products such as Toppik or Caboki do me any good? I can live with a thinning crown area for some time, as long as it does not get too severe. Maybe then I'll get another transplant, in another 5 years. Some of it may be shockloss, I hope.

 

I hope you're wrong. This is why we were telling you not to transplant such an aggressive hairline at such a young age. I really hope this procedure turns out well for you now, so you don't waste any grafts you may need later.

And the temples, of course (maybe it is normal to have thinner hair there?)... life just isn't fair. I need a dagger for my back.

Alas, I am starting to notice some pretty significant balding in the crown and all over the top of my head.

It feels as though my life is being stripped away from me, for no reason. I hope the medications I am on will at least help slow it down and maintain the rest for a good while longer. I will undoubtedly (in my later years) end up with a Norwood 5/6, 7 I hope not. My father is a Norwood 4-5, and he is 49.

Mirror,

That's a meaningless listing. It even says so in red lettering:

 

"This is NOT an endorsement. Patients considering hair transplant are advised to do thorough research before making a decision. The easiest way to jump start your research is via our forum."

 

Are you LISTENING TO A WORD ANYONE ON THIS FORUM HAS SAID TO YOU?

I know that, I just thought I should share it. At least his name is not unknown to the World of hair transplant surgery.

 

I just sent a PM to Dr. Damkerng (a renowned hair transplant doctor) of DHT hair clinic, in Bangkok (he is in fact recommended on this site), and this is what he said (I venture I can take his word for it):

 

"Dr. Prasert has been doing hair transplant in Yanhee Hospital for many years. I do not know him personally but I have seen a few of his patients and they have good results.

It has been less than 3 months since your surgery and it would be unfair to judge the growth rate or the hair direction now. The hair usually starts to grow after 4 months and you would be able to see some changes after 8 months, and enjoy the full result after one year. In the forums there are lots of people who really have good knowledge who can give you some idea about hair transplantation. However, there are also some people who always criticizes the others without having the right knowledge. I suggest you should seek your surgeon's advice if you have any questions."

At least my doctor is listed on this hairloss website: **outside link removed by moderator**

I agree. I genuinely had my head in my hands when I read the thread and came to the post where he'd gone through with it. You're right though in that it's not catastrophic, plenty of people have had poor HT's done at a young age and gone on to have it corrected really well so I suppose all is not lost. It's just really unfortunate.

 

Mirror I want to apologise if I've come across as harsh or insensitive, it's just been out of pure disappointment for you. Like I've said, try to forget it now and wait for it all to grow in - hopefully when grown out it wont be as bad as some of us think. Even if it is, at least you have access to the top doctors here who should be able to help you.

No worries. Next time I will most definitely seek out a recommended doctor, if corrective surgery would be needed.

Damkerng Pathomvanich, MD*Hair Transplant Surgeon in*Bangkok ,*Thailand

 

Dr. Pathomvanich, who is a recommended doctor on this site, has his clinic in Thailand. He is associated with a hospital and is highly visible. Plenty of results posted on his web site and on here. Sorry, but your doctor is completely full of sh*t.

 

Mirror, you seem to be hell bent on ignoring the advice of any forum members....

I as well am growing doubtful, but all is not lost, I still have many months left to go. What keeps me going, is the fact that at least I can see many hairs surfacing, some thick some thin. I have already gained some good density, considering the early stages I am in. I can also spot hairs growing in 2's and 3's. I agree that at least per today my new hairline looks kinda strange, and perchance even unnatural (maybe this will get better). I do believe this is my 76th. day pre hair transplant. Time has passed quickly I must say. The uneasiness is killing me.