JohnCasper

In 2012 I had 5,125 grafts transplanted in a lengthy 2.5 day session(s). My crown was covered then and worked out quite well. The crown is typically the most difficult area to cover. I had a 2,000 graft touch-up procedure done a couple years later but none of those grafts were placed in the crown area. Take a look back through the archives of my website (listed below) and you will see lots of pictures including many crown shots. If I had done a third surgery it most likely would include the crown area. Mine looks good now and I'm happy with it and don't plan to add to it down the road.

Wow, I’ve never seen a lengthy discussion regarding plane seats and its relation to hair surgery but....I’m sure that’s important when you travel abroad and have a lengthy time in the air. Keep us posted on your progress and how your trip goes. Best of luck to you.

It looks like we have a lot in common. My recession stabilized in my mid-30s and I had my in 2012 at the age of 51. I was a Norwood VI. Our hair loss is similar. I never took any medications for hair loss prior to or after my surgery. I have no problem taking regular medications (I take daily cholesterol meds) but I had no interest in taking any medications for hair loss. It’s been 9 years after surgery and my hair looks the same to me as it did in a year after surgery. You’re on the right website searching for a surgeon. Find a doctor you’re comfortable with and go for it. I wanted a surgeon who did only FUE and who extracted and implanted every graft. Also, the price per graft was exceptional at $4-5 per graft. Visit my website (posted below) and take a look at my journey. I documented every day after my surgery with pictures, videos, and narratives explaining what to expect along the way. Click on the archives and (Sept. 2012) to see everything from the beginning. I have been posting pictures and narratives ever since. Best of luck to you and keep us up to date with your decisions and progress.

No advice on the trip to India but I wanted you to know that I’ve never taken any medication for hair loss. I had my first surgery at age 50 ...nine years ago. My hair recession subsided in my mid-30’s. I was never interested in taking medications for my hair and for me....its been a good decision. Check out my before/afters at my website posted below. Best of luck on your trip.

Good advice in previous posts. Just curious....how much will this cost you in U.S. dollars? Don’t mean to be nosey but curious. I understand if you don’t want to answer. I’m sure others are curious too. It’s typically not necessary but make sure your health insurance covers any international expenses. Best of luck to you.

I can’t imagine going to India for a transplant but I’m sure you’ve done your research and must be saving a lot of money. You may want to wait a day or so before your 10 hour flight home just in case you need access to your surgeon and allow your body to recover a bit from the basic trauma of surgery. I’m sure the process will go fine and you wouldn’t need additional medical treatment for anything but make sure your personal health insurance would cover any medical bills. It’s pretty rare but knowing that may relieve some personal anxieties. Best of luck to you and let us know how everything goes.

I’m with Melvin on this one. I began losing my hair in my mid 20s but... my recession of hair decreased and visually leveled out in my mid-to late 30s. I had my first transplant many years later at age 50. I was consistently a Norwood VI for many years.

I agree with “LaserCap”. Those hairs will eventually shed or be replaced eventually with the growth of a new hair. Hang in there and be patient. Update us with pictures around the 3-4 month point. You have plenty to look forward to.

I was a Norwood VI back in 2012 prior to my mega-surgery (5,250 grafts). I never considered FUT because of the lengthy linear scar. I’ve never taken any of the big 3 prescriptions and was 51 when I had the surgery. At $4-5 per graft, with every graft removed and placed by the surgeon is a great deal here in the United States. You can see my journey at my website posted below in my signature. Make sure you go back to September 2012 in the archives. Best of luck to you.

Pretty impressive photography. Interesting graft insertion video. I’m more familiar with Hans Implanter pins for insertion of grafts. Thanks for sharing these videos.

Typically, the transplanted hairs fall out relatively soon after the surgery....for most patients. Have you seen any growth in the hairs that have not “shed”? Post a picture if you can. I’m sure others will respond who may have experienced something similar.

Good advice from Dr. Bloxham. Based on the pictures I’m just not sure you have ample donor area to really make the difference you may be looking for. The crown area is difficult to cover. I’ve had over 7,000 grafts transplanted with over 2,000+ in the crown area. Make sure you get more than one consultation. Best of luck to you..

Melvin and Baldrick are correct. In 3-4 months I’m sure your boyfriend will feel much better and you won’t notice any graft placement pattern on the right side after the hairs begin to grow. I don’t mean this in a disparaging way but some hair transplant patients are inherently insecure and may be especially critical after surgery. I sure you’re boyfriend will be fine. Please keep us posted.

I preferred having my procedure done directly by the surgeon. The robotic surgery typically uses a much large punch size. In my case, Dr. Vories extracted and placed every graft (over 7,000 grafts in two procedures) himself using a 0.8mm punch. I had great results and the price is excellent at $4-5 per graft. Good advice above in the other posts. Best of luck to you.

Very nice results Dr. Diep. I’m sure your patient is thrilled with the results. Congrats to both of you.

I certainly respect the comments from the conversation in this thread. That’s why it’s so important to have a consultation with the surgeon to determine approximate yield. I never wanted a lengthy FUT scar. I was a Norwood VI and had 5,125 grafts transplanted in 2012 in one lengthy session over two and half days. I later had 2,100 grafts in a “touch-up” procedure in particular areas a couple years later. I was examined by many surgeons while on display at the International Hair Restoration Confernce the following year. Several surgeons suggested that I had plenty of donor hair for another 2,000 grafts to thicken my crown area. I was extremely pleased with my results and never had another surgery. I may be a lucky guy and blessed with strong donor areas. That said, don’t rule out a large surgery or two using only FUE. An 0.8mm punch was used in my case in both surgeries. You can get great results and never have the lengthy linear scar. You may be one of those guys that have no problem with the linear scar. I just wanted to share a personal story of large FUE yield with great results with potential for more using only FUE. Best of luck to you.

I’m with Dr. Blake on this one. Your donor area heals very quickly on the surface and looks good in a short amount of time but beneath the surface, a lot is going on. Be patient and see if more time takes care of the situation. Sounds like “pkipling” may have a helpful solution. Share that idea with your doctor.

This hair transplant website is an excellent resource to search for a surgeon. I always encourage everyone to choose a doctor who they are most comfortable with. For me.... I was most comfortable with Carolina Hair Surgery after a consultation with Dr. Vories and finding out that he extracts and places every graft himself. His technicians are very valuable and provide wonderful prep and support throughout the process. The cost is also excellent at $4-5 per graft. I had 5,250 grafts done as a Norwood VI over two and a half consecutive days. My website is posted below and filled with photos and videos of my complete journey. I’m always surprised that many folks just choose a surgeon closest to them. When you’re spending $8-10,000 on a hair transplant of 2,000+ grafts, why not spend another $350 on a plane ticket and enjoy a mini-vacation prior to the surgery (in my case Charleston/Mount Pleasant, South Carolina). Do your homework on this website and best of luck to you.

The grafts do seem placed in an orderly configuration but do seem densely packed. Dr. Diep is a fine surgeon and I’m sure has trained his technicians very well. You may want to look back in the archives of this website and see if you can find pictures of post-op pictures from Dr. Diep and see how they compare. I’m sure the results 4-5 months from now will be just fine. You will, however, have to come up with another 20K for 2-3,000 more grafts for a more fuller look and coverage. That said...... I’m always amazed at the cost per graft in different parts of the country. I know SF is a high cost area and people living in that area may be fine with the cost per graft. In comparison, I was a Norwood VI and had 5,250 grafts done over the course of two and a half consecutive days. The technician was important and helpful but at this clinic every graft is removed and placed by the surgeon. I know there are many skilled technicians but its very reassuring knowing the surgeon is doing all of the extractions and placements of the grafts. Also, the cost is half as much ($4-5 per graft) plus a $350 plane ticket and all 5,000+ grafts were done in one visit. Best of luck going forward but I’m sure the results will please you in a few months. Be patient, you have plenty to look forward to.

I’m with you “Melvin”. I’m sure others agree. Be happy with your dense hair “Rdasilva”.....Most guys on this website would be thrilled with half your density. Best of luck down the road.

Thats a lot of frontal grafts and the results reflect it. I’m sure your patient is very pleased. You really packed them in and it looks really good. Congrats.

Looks really good Dr. Yaman. Your patient looks similar to my hair loss with similar results. I was a Norwood 6 when Dr. Vories transplanted 5,250 grafts over three days in 2012. I’m sure your patient is very pleased. Congrats to both of you.

I agree with “Baldrick” above. Looks like a pretty decent result. You’re a young guy, wait a while and see how things look in a couple years.

Good post by “Raphael”. Most of us would have been thrilled to have that much hair at 28. My recession leveled out in my mid-30’s and I’m glad I waited for surgery. Everyone is different but I hope your family history and genetics prevail. Start documenting your hair loss with similar angle photos quarterly. Wait a couple years and see how much if any hair loss occurs. Start a personal hair transplant savings account so you will have a decent amount of money saved just in case you decide to have surgery....down the road. Good luck. Thanks for the pictures.

I’m sorry but that is the only picture I had prior to the second surgery. Hope it helps. I’m sure cutting your hair with a 1-guard would be a safe way to go .....if you choose to in the future.