mrcarrol

Hi there, So I'm 8 months post-op from my first FUT procedure where I had about 4800 grafts transplanted. To be honest, I'm a little unsure if I was able to achieve decent results. I can't deny that my hair definitely looks better than it did before the procedure, but I'm wondering if I maybe did something that caused a poor yield. The reason I say this is that under certain lighting the hair looks pretty good. But under other lighting, I feel that it looks very thin, sparse, and almost fake. I've posted a few photos of the hairline and the top under different lighting conditions. It's quite clear that it looks much better in certain lighting conditions than it does in others. The hairline is bothering me the most. It is a lot weaker than I though it would turn out to be. I feel like the transplant is much more 'see through' than what I'd like to believe it is. Unless I have it combed perfectly, the lack of density is extremely noticeable. I'm definitely aware that rarely does anyone get by with just one procedure. I'm also aware that transplants require a lot artistry and skill by the surgeon to create the 'illusion' of more hair. I'm just wondering if maybe I didn't get great results. I'd also like to ask if having another procedure done right away would improve the density and overall appearance much? I mean obviously it would but would, let's say, 2000 more grafts make a huge difference? I kind of feel that no matter how many more transplants I get, it won't be enough. Thanks

Thank you both for your replies Dr. Bloxham and Gillenator. I've contacted my clinic and they have also told me it's just an ingrown hair. I am honestly quite paranoid when it comes to this whole infection thing, and I'm really grateful for the support of the folks on this forum. Thanks again.

Hey, I'm six months out from my first procedure. I haven't had too many issues with pimples, but I couple of days ago I had my first one that was accompanied with a noticeable amount of pain. I popped and drained it today, but there is still a dull ache at and around the site of the pimple. It's almost like a headache that feels like it extends into my temple and forehead area. I've never felt anything like this before so I'm just wondering if this might be cause for concern. I've included a photo but it's not the greatest quality. Thanks.

Thank you for the reply Bill, Yes, you are correct. I am most concerned that the acne on my forehead may affect the temple region grafts. I am only six months out from my procedure, which is probably much too early to be making any definitive conclusions. I am probably more than just a little bit paranoid at this point that I am not doing a good enough job looking for infections. My surgeon told me to pop and drain pimples that form whiteheads as they appear. I've done my best to do this. I'm just afraid that I may miss an infection. Incidentally, I had pimple-like bump appear around the scar region. This is the first pimple that has actually been sore and tender to touch. My thinking is that it is an ingrown hair that may have been affected by shock loss or something along those lines. I'm not sure if this could potentially lead to an infection though.

Hey, It's been almost six months since my first HT. It's kind of weird but almost immediately after my procedure I started to experience an escalation in acne and oily skin. I'm not exactly sure why. My surgeon stressed a strict diet of as little sugar as possible to help with pimples (I think?) and I did my best to adhere to that. Nevertheless I still experienced quite a bit of acne (especially on my forehead) that seems to have more or less persisted including up until now. Before the HT I can't say that my skin was perfect, but I honestly ate whatever I wanted and the acne seemed to be a lot better than after the procedure. I was (and still am) very diligent about checking for and monitoring pimples in the recipient areas, but it seems like the acne hangs out just outside of the recipient areas, so I haven't been too concerned about it. In hindsight maybe I should have been, I'm not sure. I've lately become concerned that the acne might have affected the recipient sites around my temples. The left temple doesn't seem to be coming in that well. A doctor prescribed me a topical gel called BenzaClin (clindamycin, as phosphate 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5%) but I'm afraid to use it for fear of getting it into the recipient areas and having it negatively affect the grafts (magical thinking?). I've contacted the clinic but they've yet to get back to me. I've included a few photos as well. Any advice would really help.

Hello, I had my first FUT about 5 months ago. As summer approaches, it's become really hot where I live. Unfortunately, I don't have air conditioning where I live or where I work. I don't do a physically demanding job, but I'm on my feet all day moving around. I find that throughout most of the day I sweat and there is always of a bit of perspiration on my forehead. I was just wondering if sweating throughout the day could affect the results of the transplant? I usually shower in the morning and before I go to bed. Thanks

Hi, I had an FUT procedure done in January. I am now just about 5 months post op. I have the opportunity to earn more income working a physically demanding job, but am concerned that it may affect the transplant. This concern centres around two areas. 1. I've read a lot about exercise and doing physical work following an FUT procedure. It seems like most doctors recommend that one can return to lifting heavy weights or doing physical work 1 month after surgery (The clinic where I had the surgery performed also recommends 4 weeks for physical activities and 8 weeks for contact sports). It sounds like the most important concern here is stretching the donor scar. However, I've also read that it can take up to 6 months for the donor scar to more or less heal. I know that everyone heals differently, but does anyone have any experience/advice as to how careful one should be with regards to physical exertion? 2. The second concern centres around performing physical work on a daily basis (landscaping, construction work etc.) and how wearing something on your head might affect the transplanted grafts. Does wearing a sweaty ball cap all day pose a threat for the build-up of bacteria and the possibility for infection? What about a hard hat and the rubbing of the plastic straps used to support it on one's head? Would the rubbing and pressure from these straps on the recipient area lead to poorer results? I have to imagine that there are a few firefighters, construction workers, motorcycle riders, who have an FUT procedure done, and am wondering how they cope. I have come to read that the magic mark is 6 months after an FUT procedure and that after this time, concerns about infection and what a person could do to limit growth diminish quite a bit. However I don't know how valid this belief actually is though. I apologize for the long drawn-out questions, but if you have read this far and feel like replying, it would be much appreciated. Thanks

Thanks for the reply. It gives me a lot of peace of mind.

Hi, I had my first HT in January. My surgeon told me that I would need to watch for pimples that appear in the recipient area in the following months. He told me to pop pimples that form whiteheads as these can lead to infection. Unfortunately the redness from the surgery took a few months to subside, so I found it hard to look for and detect any pimples. Now that it has subsided, I actually find it more difficult with the native hair having grown back in. I check daily, but usually just see a lot of red blotchy patches and some red pimples, which I was told was a normal part of the process as the new hair starts to grow in. I guess I'm just really concerned with being able to distinguish between normal redness and irritation and a possible infection like folliculitis. I've been to a couple of walk-in doctors, with one saying it could be infected and the other saying it is normal. Does anyone have any advice on this or a similar experience? Thanks