FUEAsianHairline

Ready4Hair, I've been using a LLLT helmet (I won't name the brand because I'm trying to be impartial) for about 6 months and I'm not sure if it works or not. I'm also using finasteride and I feel the same way about that. I can say for certain that my hair hasn't changed significantly since using both, which is partially good, meaning that my hair hasn't visibly recessed, but it's only been 6 months. I did go in with very high and probably unrealistic expectations of a noticeably thicker and fuller hair line in 4-6 months, which definitely did not happen, but as time has passed I'm taking the long term approach to hair loss, although if I don't see results after a year, I may discontinue usage. Even if that were to happen, I wouldn't say LLLT doesn't work in regrowing hair, I would simply say it didn't work for me whether it was a faulty device or I simply am not a good candidate for using such a device. Also, I've talked to a number of recommended surgeons and only 1 or 2 have outright called LLLT a crock. A well respected surgeon told me recently that 4 years ago he wasn't convinced to it's benefits, but with new studies, he's keeping an open mind. I know of at least a few recommended surgeons who use LLLT in their practice especially post HT. So I think surgeons are becoming more and more open to this as more and more studies come in. But in your case and for others getting HTs, I think there's probably a decent benefit because we are dealing with wound healing where LLLT is proven to work.

PupDaddy, I don't know how many grafts I need, but surgeons have told me everything from 900 to 3600 with the most common answer being 1,500-2,000. Dr. Erdogan is doing some very dense packing of grafts in a small area and that may be the difference between decently dense hair results and the amazing results his clinic is producing. Sure the guy in this thread didn't need as much "help", but there's also results like this guy here http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/178437-dr-koray-erdogan-4004-grafts-fue.html who have a similar end result due to some crazy dense packing of grafts done by the Asmed Clinic.

I know this has been addressed and I've already read this recommended link: How Can I Sleep Comfortably and Still Protect the Grafts After Hair Transplantation? | Hair Loss Q & A., which goes into helping keep your head from tossing and turning, but our hands could still potentially touch our heads. I plan on getting a HT soon and the last thing I want to do is scratch or even touch my grafts while I sleep. I tend to roll around and the last thing I want is to wake up with a bloody pillow full of grafts:( Does it make sense to sleep with some sort of helmet on or am I being ridiculous? I know some babies have to do it (see photo below). I found this product, the Space Sleeper: Multipurpose Beauty, Therapeutic, and Travel Pillow SpaceSleeper Pillow (photo attached). This pillow, is more like a cushioned helmet that forms a "halo" around your forehead area without touching your scalp. But one could still potentially touch one's head even with it on. Input from people who have had HTs would be much appreciated on how they made sure that their grafts weren't impacted while they slept. Also, does anyone know how hard your grafts would have to be impacted for them to be damaged within the first 10 day window? Per Google: "Is it true that the average person touches their face between 2,000 and 3,000 times per day? Dr. Erin Mears (Kate Winslet) says this in the film but I can find nothing to prove or disprove. "On average, people touch their faces about 16 times an hour. Some people less, others as many as 100 touches per hour." That's scary and I know our face is different than our head, but not really by much.

WHTC, thanks for your feedback. From my talks with a number of recommended surgeons, most believe that bangs are realistic in my situation, but to achieve that a few surgeons have stated I need 3,000+ grafts. I could certainly go with less grafts for a shorter hair style, but if the option exists to have longer hair, that's what I want.

I agree that it's not a dramatic transformation and that his hair was wet in the before pics, but from the pictures below, it's clear that his hairline is receding and his post op pics show 0 sign of recession. The funny thing is I've been told a number of times by surgeons that I only need 1,500 or so grafts and my hairline is no where near as full as this guy's, so I guess what Dr. Erdogan is doing with very dense packing of grafts works and works very well.

I'm surprised more people haven't commented on this. This guy has got to be over the moon with that hair transplant, although his starting point wasn't bad at all.

Thanks zyzz, that post was an interesting one. Very strange that 2,500 grafts were undetectable. I'm hoping to grow out bangs, so that could be one benefit with the 600 grafts in the midzone, but really I'm pretty much in agreement with you that it would be almost undetectable primarily due to potential shock loss.

No idea, but probably a Beverly Hills surgeon who I imagine might charge significantly more than the norm... On a separate note, when I read this forum heading, I almost thought that we were talking about a "designer" hair transplant. ie. "The Marc Jacobs Hair Transplant". (Guy A: "You're sporting your Marc Jacobs hair well"). Who knows, we might hit an era of designer procedures with big brands launching their own HT facilities now that celebs are coming out and owning the fact that they've gotten HTs;)

Nervousguy, how did it go? Hope it was a great success...

Any way we can see the video if we missed the live stream?

Ready4Hair, I'm certainly not a dr or an expert, but if you are asking about LLLT post surgery, here is an indepth thread that is pretty interesting: WorldHairLoss.org Forums | Laser use after Hair Transplant OMG I think it's potentially a helpful device primarily with wound healing. But again, I'm not an expert and I haven't had a HT.

Thanks johnboy71! A trilby hat or fedora seems ideal post hair transplant.

I know there's been a number of forum posts and articles that have addressed this subject, but this is my attempt to "aggregate" if you will the advice from several hair transplant surgeons/experts and those who have gone through a transplant since the opinions vary so widely. So please add your input or thoughts. Please note this is in regards to a basic hat, not a helmet. 1) On RealSelf, several surgeons weighed in: Will Wearing a hat to work after hair transplant effect growth later on? Doctor Answers, Tips William P. Coleman III, MD wrote "I recommend wearing a hat beginning the day after hair transplantation". Sheldon S. Kabaker, MD wrote "I keep a supply of baseball caps that I give patients upon leaving the office after a hair transplant." Does wearing a hat after hair trasnplant affects the hair? Doctor Answers, Tips Ali Emre Karadeniz, MD wrote "Loose hats that don't touch the transplanted area can even be used immediately after surgery, although the first week, especially the first two days are very critical to protect the transplanted grafts against external damage. " John Kahen, MD wrote "Wearing a hat will not affect hair growth after FUE as long as the hat is loose fitting to avoid popping of the grafts. I normally recommend that my patients wear a fedora because this type of hat is supported by the forehead and lower back of the head thus avoiding contact to the grafts." Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD wrote "In general, wearing a hat after the first 4 weeks has no effect whatsoever on the outcome" from another forum https://www.baldtruthtalk.com/showthread.php?15305-wearing-a-hat posters wrote: "my HT surgeon said it was fine to wear one after week 3." "I wore a hat nearly all day after my transplant for almost a year, it had zero effect." Blake from this forum wrote in an article: Can I Wear a Hat After Hair Transplant Surgery? | Hair Loss Q & A "It takes approximately 7 to 10 days for the newly implanted follicular unit grafts to fully “anchor” and become permanent. Before this time, manipulation or compression of the grafts may cause permanent damage and affect growth. Due to this fact, most hair transplant surgeons recommend waiting 7-10 days before wearing any type of cap that could compress, move, or dislodge a graft." From this forum, a few posters wrote: http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/177705-how-long-after-transplant-should-you-wear-surgical-hat-not-baseball-hat.html Squatch: "I wore a ball cap the next day and never pulled a graft. I wore it loose. I kind of pinned it with some sunglasses I placed above the bill. It put no pressure on any incision. " Pkipling: "I actually left surgery wearing a hat provided by the doctor. I had a bandage on to cover the donor area that I kept on until the next day, but gently placed the cap very loosely and strategically on top of my head so that the grafts were never touched." So from all of this information, what I've parsed is the longer you can go without wearing a hat the better with an ideal timeframe being at least 7 days post op, but it's possible and fine to wear a hat as soon as the day of the surgery, as long as the grafts are not impacted by the hat. I think the 2nd part of that statement is important because most of don't have the luxury of staying locked inside our homes for a week:) Also a fedora seems like an ideal hat because it rides higher off the head and only potentially touches the sides of your head: http://datedaily.mate1.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/fedora.jpg So please weigh in if you have any input!

Any thoughts?

Hi, I've received the attached mock ups from a prominent and respected hair transplant surgeon and wanted your opinions on it. The 3,600 grafts was the initial recommendation but I was told 2,800 would be fine also. The main difference seems to be 600 grafts in the middle scalp area. I've been leaning towards 2,800 primarily due to price, but I was also unsure of how beneficial 600 grafts in the mid-scalp would help. Including potential shock loss, I might not really see any major noticeable gains there. At the same time I don't want to regret not paying a few thousand more for "fuller" and thicker hair. My hope is that I would only need 1 hair transplant and that maybe 5+ years later I would consider a 2nd one assuming my hair continues it's natural recession (I'm on finasteride). So I definitely don't want to feel like I have to go in for another one 12 months later. Any thoughts or advice? Do you think I'll be fine with the 2,800 grafts? BTW, it's interesting how some other surgeons and people on this forum commented that I would need no more than 2,000 grafts based on my pictures, although it seems several big name surgeons have recently suggested I would need in the 3,000 range. Hopefully if this happens my hair will be good to go for the near future. TIA

Hi Yaz, You are an inspiration too many of us hair loss sufferers:) I have a pretty similar pattern of baldness as you did before surgery and i was initially told by Dr. Erdogan that i need 3,600 grafts although they can do the procedure with 2,800. You wrote that he initially told you that you needed 2,400 grafts but when he examined you that you needed more. How many more did he say you needed? Also has he recommended 5,000 more grafts? That seems a bit high especially since you already had 2,400 and you look fine, although i completely understand that you want your great hair from your younger days. (We all do ) But still 7,400 grafts in 2 years is an amazing amount of grafts and i have only seen people who are almost completely bald get that many grafts. But you and the Dr know best of course. Also did you notice any benefits from PRP? Any less itching or faster recovery? Would you recommend it? Thanks and looking forward to your updated pictures!!

Thanks again BetterLate! Your indepth answers definitely helped me a lot and I wouldn't be surprised if they helped a lot of other folks as well. I may follow up later on (I know you're busy now), All the Best!

BetterLate, Thanks again for your authoritative guide to an ASMED hair transplant! You're as good as a patient rep... maybe you should be one:) If it's ok, I have a few more questions: 1) Would you recommend staying at the clinic over the hotel and is that an option for others? Sounds like that could be ideal for recovery. 2) I've been told by an ASMED rep that I can get away with about 3,000 grafts so it would be a one day procedure. Do you go in the day after to get your scalp looked at? If so, do you know if they offer letting patients come in a 2nd or even 3rd day post op to be looked at? I'm thinking I won't be back at least for 12 months if at all, so maybe it's worth staying a few days longer to help ensure graft survival. I also read that it's not good to travel the day after the surgery due to swelling, etc. 3) From everything I am reading on ASMED on the forums and from their incredible before and after results pictures, it almost seems too good to be true, especially at their prices. I'm not a skeptic, but someone who is very careful with their money especially with a cosmetic procedure done in a foreign country. That said, were you ever at all unsure about going to ASMED especially since the techs do most of the work and are producing results that are nothing short of magical at very reasonable prices? 4) Did anyone from the clinic discuss a guarantee of any kind with you? Denny did a questionnaire with Dr. Erdogan where he wrote: 6. Is there any guarantee policy in your clinic stating that if a certain % of the transplanted grafts do not grow, your clinic will provide a touch up with no cost or refund the difference, whatever the patient wants? Yes. I guarantee that at least 90% of the grafts will grow. But we all know any physician can guarantee 100% of good results. For those cases, I will offer a free touch-up to guarantee the 90% of the growth. The patient can come only for the touch-up for those grafts or for a second pass. If this is the case, the number of the grafts that did not grow from the first procedure will be placed at no cost for the patient. Thanks!

Hi BetterLate, Thanks for the amazing write up. You've done a great service to those of us looking into a HT with Dr. Erdogan. Wondering if you can answer a few money related questions: 1) I understand that in addition to the procedure there's the hotel, medical package and minibus cost. Do you pay that full amount once you arrive at the clinic and not to the driver? I have read about scams and with an influx of foreign tourists carrying large sums of cash right off the plane, an unscrupulous person could try to take advantage. Years ago in the US I was with a friend and we were taken by the old phony parking lot attendant scam and paid some pretend attendant. It would obviously be a nightmare to pay the wrong person and alternatively be a major faux pas if refusing to pay the correct person. 2) For someone who plans on staying for 4 nights, how much money do you suggest they bring for food and any other daily living costs? Also, other than the above referenced costs to Asmed and food, what else would you need money for? I personally don't plan on doing tourist things other than maybe going to a local shop/restaurant as the trip is already a huge cost and really I guess one should spend the time recovering indoors. 3) You recommend bringing cash and I believe you or someone else wrote to bring Liras also. Can you break down what you would need dollars for and what you would need liras for? Also should you bring euros for anything? 4) Should you bring extra cash and if so how much? Can you access cash easily from banks? Are US credit cards usable for most transactions? Sorry for all the questions but I've never been to that part of the world and obviously want to have all my ducks in a row before hand. Thanks!

This has got to be one of the best HT results I have ever seen.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I've been told by a surgeon who did an in person consult, that they thought I would only need about 1,000 grafts, although other surgeons (who have only seen photos) have given me the same estimate of 1,500-2,000. That's a big difference. Obviously the surgeon who saw me has a leg up, but even so that variance is so great. I do plan to do at least 1 other in person consult, but just wondered if you guys had any thoughts on that. I mean sure I would love it if I only need 1,000 grafts, but based on what everyone else (you guys and surgeons) is telling me plus what I am seeing in photos of people with similar hair loss, I think something is a bit awry and I don't necessarily want to take one surgeon's opinion as gospel when it differs from everyone else.

Thanks GraveD11gger. Since my hair has recessed and I don't have any "markers" for where it started, what area would I measure to/from?

Thanks FUE2014. Dr. Reddy's results look pretty amazing. Too bad he's in the UK.

The shaved head pictures are recent and the the pictures with my hair grown out are from about a year ago and show how my hairline is recessed and uneven. I also attached 2 goal photos one is a crew cut and the other is longer. Wondering if I can get an opinion on how many grafts needed to restore my hairline and achieve those goals. I am interested in getting an FUE procedure soon and recommendations are welcome. Thanks