CaliHairGuy

I live in California and went outside the state. Do at least 6 months of hard research before you make any decisions.

I live in Santa Monica. I went to Dr. Konior in Chicago This guy could be great, but who knows...

Not much to report. 5 weeks post op. Got a few pimples, but nothing major. Recipient area is itchy and donor scar is a little itchy. Most of the grafts have now shed, and scalp is still a little red. All normal, I know. One thing I wanted to share was the ex-wife recommended a scar reduction cream, which I used on my finger to good effect and am applying every morning to the donor area. Pic attached so you can see the brand. Also back to working out based on Dr. Konior's giving it the thumb's up based upon my low likelihood of experiencing scar stretching. Over the years, their clinic has only seen approximately a half dozen cases of this. And they have performed a lot of surgeries. Still wearing the cervical collar (for another week) at night per their post-surgery routine.

Personally, for me, I don't want a tech inserting grafts. Even after 12 hours of surgery (with bathroom breaks), Dr. Konior spent an entire hour "leveling" my grafts...making sure each one was inserted at the same level of the others. There may be other surgeons who are involved 100%, but that was one of the many reasons I went to Konior. Also, I went and looked at some of the Maras procedures. In my opinion, those serated hairlines don't look entirely natural. But hey, that's just me.

Or, you know, maybe it was an oversight. Or maybe they forgot. Or maybe...

How old are you? That looks like a 5 to me. Similar to mine, but I have more that's lost. You want to take Propecia, use 5% Rogaine foam and also use a Ketoconazolee shampoo. Use all those for 1 year, and see where you're at. I am 44, started taking Propecia 3 months before my HT. Had been using Raogaine. Just started using the shampoo. Also had 3800 grafts put in by Dr. Konior 1 months ago to the day

Got this little update from Dr. Konior's office: "I don’t think that we have had more than 1/2 dozen stretched scars over the years, and I don’t think that you are in a high risk group for it." So, that is from the horse's mouth. Now, you have to take into consideration that Konior is one of the most highly regarded surgeons in the country. His technique may come into play. My high scalp laxicity comes into play. I think I am going to stay away from deadlifts and shoulder shrugs/traps for another week or two (at 6 weeks I'll try some lighter weight in those exercises, the same time the office recommends you wear a cervical collar while sleeping). The office gives different advice to different patients, so please keep that in mind. But I thought this info was interesting, considering some very strong opinions on this site.

Ok, thanks. Good to know. Like I said, I am wearing a hat every day so it's really of no consequence.

So, I seem to still have a lot of grafts in. I lose maybe 4-5 every morning in the shower, and that seems to be it. Will I retain some? Who knows. Probably too early to tell. You can see the little area where I bumped my head. Overall, I think things are looking pretty good. Saved down my hair on the sides a little bit. Wear a hat everyday at work, so it doesn't really matter.

Was brought up in another thread, and I felt like it was an interesting enough subject that it deserved it's own thread as there seems to be significant (and differing) opinions. I had an FUT of 3800 grafts with Dr. Konior on April 29th. In their materials, they say no physical activity for 2 weeks and to wear a cervical collar at night for 6 weeks, both of which I followed. I went to the gym on the 18th day post-op and made sure I only used light weights. I haven't gone back since, because I was interested in people's feedback and didn't want to rush things. However, some have said you risk stretching the scar by working out too early. Question is, what's too early? Doctor says 2 weeks. Some have said 1 month. Others have said 6. I think also scalp laxicity can come into account here too. One person even said if you stretched the scar, you wouldn't feel it because the area is numb. So I am curious as to people's experiences. I have also asked the doctor's office for their input, and will be updating the thread with their feedback.

Regarding Dr. Konior, I received 3800 grafts. You're looking at mid five-figures. I decided to go outside LA because I was having a hard time finding recent reviews of area surgeons work and found some things I didn't like. I will also say I wasn't aware of Dr. Mohebi, so my comments have nothing to do with that particular doctor. I used this forum as a resource and wanted to go to one of the better FUT doctors in the country. So I chose Dr. Konior based upon amazing patient results and overwhelmingly positive reviews. And my experience so far aligns with everything his previous patients have said.

Ok, let's approach this a different way. But still go through the points, 1) The nerve/numbness is an interesting point, although pointed out above that there is a question regarding the nerves being "severed." Dr. Konior recommends no physical activity for 2 weeks after the procedure. He also recommends people sleep with a cervical collar for 6 weeks. I am following both those protocols. In fact, an interesting topic I haven't seen brought up (not that it hasn't) is how much potential stretching of the scar can/could occur when people are sleeping, sometimes in odd positions. I will double check with Tom today to see his insights on going to the gym. Now, regarding certain exercises, I don't think you'd want to do heavy exertion exercises like squats for a little bit longer. 2) It was already determined before I got to the office that I would be undergoing an FUT. That was the doctor's comments regarding my scalp after he had pesonally touched it with his golden hands. No mention of Geeves or any other British butler. 3) I am 44, and wanted my biggest bang for the buck possible. Also, as I understand things, you can go FUT >> FUE but not FUE >> FUT. So, I decided on FUT (besides all the other points mentioned) because I felt this gave me the greatest options for future procedures and number of grafts. 4 (your most eloquest response of the bunch). Dr. Konior's patients have a history of scars in the 1mm to 2mm range. Do you have examples of his patients not within these parameters? 5) Have you had either an FUE or FUT? I am just curious. Don't feel like I've "blown it." I have been using a 4 on the sides for awhile. I have never "buzzed" my hair. I am assuming you're talking about a 1 or 2 guard? I also feel once you get a surgery, that you're less concerned about any potential scar. THe same way I got used to having my head shaved for the surgery. At first I was super-concerned. Now it's just a thing. The potential scar line doesn't bother me one bit at this point. And, like I mentioned in 3, (as I understand things) you can go FUT >> FUE but not FUE >> FUT. 6) Like I mentioned previously, the laxicity comment was made on the day of my surgery, and would have had no impact on my choice for FUT. Have a good day

I seriously don't know where some of you people get your information. I am 18-days post-op with a 3800 graft FUT with Konior and went to the gym yesterday. Did lighter weight than normal, but didn't feel anything on my scar. No tightness. No pulling. Then again, Dr. K said that my laxicity was in the top 80 to 90% of people. One reason i went with FUT is because I wanted a larger surgery with greater yield. Second, the history of Dr. Konior's patients having only a 1mm to 2mm scar was another reason I chose the doctor I did. Hell, there is a thread from Sam Spade (another Dr. K patient) who shaved down to a 1 in back, and the scar could barely be seen. I'm not saying everyone will be able to do that, but it is at least a real example. Third, I wanted the most long term potential for grafts. You can do 1, 2 or sometimes 3 (depending on scalp) FUT surgeries and still have the potential to do FUE. You can't do that process in reverse So, there are some counterpoints to the pro "only FUE" comments that I've read in this thread. With some, it's getting into dogma territory around here.

I would say there is definitely a tier 1. There are also a lot of things to consider in the actual procedure. Honest graft counts, incision and suturing, graft placement, density, hairline design. The top guys are masters in all these areas. Tier 2, well, I originally considered going to a tier 2 guy but wisely reconsidered. Do it right or do it twice.

I live in LA and went to Konior in Chicago. You should probably think about looking outside the area.

If he is (potentially) headed to NW6, would a wiser course of action be to consider an FUT first and then follow up with FUE later in life? If you do only FUE, you have a potentially lower graft yield than with FUT & FUE, correct?

Yes. I agree. You want to see pics and results and tales of happy patients. That's why I suggest studying hairlines, density, all that sort of stuff. Become a forum hound. Just absorb info for 6 months (at least). I waiting approximately 7 years before I got my HT. Yes, it was annoying waiting, but in the end, a good result is worth the wait. And yes, I live in LA. Land of sun and fun

One thing to think about is potential future hair loss. You can still do a few FUT's depending on laxicity, and then still have room to do FUE when no more FUT is available. And I wouldn't say American docs are a rip-off, there are some very good top surgeons. But yes, overseas you can save some money...but you better go to a good doctor because there are horror stories on this site.

That's why you need to choose a top doctor after doing lots of research. You don't want to go into this lightly. And top doctors are going to cost more. Then again, I am 2 weeks post op and have no worries because I know I am/was in good hands. I worried before the HT, but actually going through it I now know it's nothing to worry about (IF you have done your due diligence on the doctor front). I had a surgery scheduled for December and cancelled. THen I rescheduled with Konior. I don't regret my decision one bit even though I paid almost twice as much. Money well spent.

You need to caveat this with "from a well established surgeon." But yes, the sentiment is correct (and I don't mean just "approved" surgeons from this site). Look at density. Look at hairline design. Even look for graft placement in your research. Do your due diligence and you'll find a great doc. Shapiro, Konior, apparently Lorenzo There are more, obviously...

You can also see the area right in the middle of the grafts in the transplanted area where I nicked myself and knocked out 14 grafts. About the size of half a thumbnail. Will probably be undetectable when everything grows in. Oh, and looking at the front hairline you can see I have some random native hairs in front of the hairline Dr. Konior established. I'll see how it looks when it grows in, but right now it bothers me. But I am super anal, that is a commentary on me and not the good doctor's work I know you don't want to go too low, and I am 44. Like I said, I will withhold judgement until 12 months or so. I do see the doc in December. The great thing about going to a doctor with such an established reputation, I literally am not worried about anything. Don't care about ugly duckling. Don't second guess what density will be. Have every confidence in the end result

So here's what things look like at the moment. I can feel the incision line has really tightened up in the past 2 days, which means I feel the sutures are ready to come out. Think it looks pretty damn clean. Also, 13 days after I still have a lot of the grafts still in, although some have come out. Taking 1mg Propecia daily, putting Rogain 5% foam on once a day and using the RegenePure Ketoconazole shampoo once every 3 days. Also, it's pretty damn hard to take pictures of your head by yourself.

That incision/scarline is not the work of a talented surgeon. Sorry to hear about your issues.

That's a fantastic result. Looks great. Makes me interested how the 2700 grafts in my front will look (our patterns are different, I'm a so-so Norwood V). I had problems in the crown area too, so Dr. Konior put another 1100 back there. But if my 2700 look anything like your 2500, I'll be damn pleased

I am 10 days post-surgery with Konior. You made a great decision. There are a handful of docs at the top of the mountain. He is one of the few. How big is your procedure estimated to be? Honestly, the surgery is one of the easiest parts. All that build up/worry about a HT, and the drugs make it oh-so-easy lol. In fact, at one point during the surgery I could tell I needed some more local anesthetic. But I could also tell Dr. Konior was in a rhythm on one of my temple points, so I waited until he was done to mention that I could feel things a little bit. I didn't want to interrupt his groove. God bless Valium