Tj287

Pics of the transplanted area right after surgery and my donor area taken by H&W

Thanks G. Yup, it's a tough time, but it will pass. You should be looking good by Spring

As far as I understand with FUE they can actually be more selective, choosing hair groupings as desired because they're not confined to a predetermined strip like FUT. I agree that it is carelessness.. like I said, I'm not a huge fan of that doctor and would not go to him myself. But you're right, it can be fixed, so it's not the end of the world.

Yep, I guarantee you are the only one. Besides that, I'm sure it will anyway. You've still got time before 12 months, and possibly even up to 18. Thanks for the compliment! Haha, isn't it funny how our expectations move! I got the clinic to send me my pre-op photos and let's just say WOW, it put everything into perspective and reminded me how bad it used to be.:eek:

Densedream, I agree with everything HTSoon has said as well. Soften things up and no one will be able to tell. Otherwise the hair looks really good. I'll be honest and say that while they shouldn't be there, no one will be able to recognise the multi grafts. I can see the hairs are a little darker, but you needed a 5x mirror to actually see them. While I also don't want to discredit anyone, I have talked about reservations I have with Dr Bhatti's work before in other threads, and here is another example of not awful, but not great work. I believe temple points are not always needed because of exactly this. I asked about temple peaks when Dr Hasson drew my hairline and he categorically refused to do them for me, saying the hair there was too fine and it would look unnatural. I am grateful now at 6 months post op that he didn't address that area.

Best of luck dude, I hope everything works out for you. Keep us updated.

Hi Jdog, Congrats on your recent procedure. The waiting is the hardest opart of an HT, and usually doesn't even enter your mind before you have your HT as most tend to just focus on the op itself. I'm sorry to hear about your unfortunate personal situation, but at least you're moving in the right direction now! Which surgeon did you go to?

Gigantass, Congratulations on your recent procedure! I also went to Dr. Hasson and I can attest to his skill. In my opinion his harlines are the best in the business. The placement looks excellent, as does the density. The hardest part now begins. Waiting for things to happen is 100% the toughest part. Try to keep yourself busy and not think about it too much (easier said than done, I know). Your hair will all be gone 6-8 weeks after the op, and new hairs should begin to sprout around 3 months. I started to feel really good about my results at 5 months. Check my thread if you like, I recorded most of the major milestone there. Best of luck and happy growing!

This is incredible! I am seriously impressed by the quality of the work and the thought out, long-term approach. I cannot imagine how the patient must feel!! Congrats to the Dr and his Team.

Hey Panda, Sorry, I missed this update of yours completely. Everything looks good and I can tell you that you are looking right on track! It would also look to me like it would be impossible for anyone to tell you've even had an HT at this stage - so no more ugly duckling! Do not worry about the perceived difference in one side vs the other, my left was (and still is) slightly ahead of my right, but it should fade into obscurity fairly soon. Congrats mate, everything will just keep getting better and better - trust me on that one. Keep us all updated - happy growing TJ

Her Ernie, What a difference to that pre-op huh? Looking good and (from here) there is no noticeable difference on either side as far as I can tell. Keep us all updated, will be interesting to see if you notice change over the next 3 months. Do you find that you start to move your expectations the better things start to look? If you'd have asked me at the start I would have taken how I look now (6 months) as a completed result and felt satisfied. BUT, as things improve (I've found at least) you do start to strive for total perfection. Keep it up mate, looking great!

Heirlost, I very strongly urge you not to have an HT before you travel. I took 2 months off between jobs and I can safely tell you you do NOT want to travel anywhere that soon after, especially not backpacking. California, I'm sorry but I have to call it how I see it: that is TERRIBLE advice. Backpacking 2 days after a procedure would be HELL. As a patient advisor (and I'm hoping the recipient of an HT, preferably from the clinic you represent) I personally feel you should answer more honestly. I realise you're trying to not push the patient and remain impartial, but it doesn't really come across like that. Just my 2c.

For the sake of consistency I've included a side by side from the front for 5 to 6 months

Hi All, Today is exactly 6 months since my HT with Dr Hasson. Everything is progressing nicely, but it's kind of becoming harder to notice distinguishable differences from week to week. I would take a gamble and say that everything has sprouted and now I'm just waiting for it to mature. Even at this stage the result is truly life changing and I feel without a doubt the best I ever have. Pics attached as before - my hair isn't styled as well as previous updates, but you get the idea.. Any questions let me know, otherwise I'll see you all next month.

N0, Looking super mate, right on track. The difference in density between sides will resolve itself - i was the same. This result is just going to get better and better, trust me On another note it's interesting to see how much clearer the textural differences are to see between existing and transplanted when you've got (such thick) dark hair. Once again, looking great

No need to apologise - i agree!. Funny thing is it's no big deal because now I look and feel the best I ever have, so really who's the loser in this situation. I had no knowledge prior to my surgery about things like density in grafts/cm. I just went in and trusted Dr Hasson to deliver a result that matched the density of my native hair and that's exactly what he's done. I remember him mentioning it as a passing comment and I had no context to understand it at the time. BTW If I was gonna get an HT done in Turkey it would be Erdogan - I wish you all the best! Stick around to find out, I'll keep updating to at least the 12 month mark..! Obviously I never went to a Turkish doctor, but some of them have great results!

ConfusedRose, You have started a new thread after a previous thread you started was INUNDATED with people telling you not to do what you are thinking of doing.These should all be VERY LOUD warning bells to you. I would, once again, urge you to reconsider. In terms of what you are trying to achieve (by those photos) it is going to be CATEGORICALLY IMPOSSIBLE to get that result with 1,800 grafts. I am talking as someone who has had an HT and not as someone in the peanut gallery giving his 2 cents on something he has no experience of. I had over twice that many grafts, and my hairline is by no means flat, and I had a forelock. Please, please listen to what I am telling you. I also remember you being very young and also potentially having miniaturization further back than you had thought, which you also denied. If you choose to ignore me, which you probably will. remember that hairline design is dictated by your natural hairline, the number of grafts you are using, and the opinion of the surgeon. Do not go into the clinic with a set idea of how you want the hairline to be. Instead, go in with a rough idea and be prepared to accept changes based on the doctor's recommendation - he is after all the doctor and is the one with the experience. When I had my hairline designed I discussed what I wanted with Dr. Hasson and then HE drew the hairlines that he thought would be most suitable, giving me a choice of four options. I did not tell him where to put them, I just chose from a selection that he presented. This is why you are going to a doctor who (hopefully) has a wealth of experience and knows what he's doing. I have read stories (Sam23 springs to mind, plus another story was posted by a member in your last thread) of people who's lives have been ruined by bad HTs and it is truly heartbreaking to read and I cannot imagine what it would be like to live with. Please remember that I have no skin in the game - this is your head and I have nothing to gain from writing this very long post which I am hoping you will not only read, but take into serious consideration. At the end of the day you're going to do whatever you want, but again, I am urging you to reconsider. I would also question the morals and integrity of the doctor it sounds like you've already booked a procedure with. Out of interest, which doctor are you going to? Did you send him those pictures and he told you you'd need that number of grafts?

Thank you to everyone for your positive comments and kind words! Dr Hasson is amazing and the positive impact this can have is, in my eyes at least, priceless. I agree with you 100% Jax. Going in you only think about the procedure itself when, in reality, the tough part only starts once they've finished and lasts for a number of months. It's pretty heavy. That being said, you will get through it! If it makes you feel any better about your situation remember it could always be worse - I had my gf at the time dump me pretty much the day I landed back in the UK from Canada, which was definitely less than ideal and made the whole process much worse! As a heads up so you can manage expectations I didn't feel comfortable with how I looked until into month 4, and things only started to look really good in literally the past few weeks. H&W do not record transplanted density on the patient chart - I did ask them not long after having my HT. However, Dr Hasson made a remark about my density right after surgery as he said it was extremely high - in the high 70s/80s. The density is pretty much the same as my native hair and the placement is (in my eyes) flawless. I am very excited to see how things will look once the hair matures properly. I've included a shot of a closeup of my hairline taken a few days ago - you can judge for yourself.

Hey Ernie! Thanks for the support! I saw your update with your dyed hair and it looks GREAT! It's such a nice feeling - words don't really do it justice, I have to say. I'm looking forward to the next couple of months too and, as always, will keep everyone updated. On another note I had my hair cut today and I wanted to see how low I could take it. I am at 5 months and 16 days exactly. I got a back and sides and ended up having a #3 guard all the way up to the crown and a #2 for everything below the scar. Pics from the same angles in the same room with the same lighting as previous updates. I've also attached a shot of the back of my head so you can see what everything looks like from the back.

I had a question regarding the growth cycle of grafts. I understand that most grafts 'pop' through the skin between months 3-6, with maturing then taking place over the next 6-12 months. However I was wondering what the process is for double/triple/quad grafts? Do they all start out as 1's and then, as they mature, sprout the additional hair(s) or do they pop out as multiples to begin with? Any feedback welcomed. Thanks, TJ

Hi Alundra, Your hair should darken as time progresses, have a look at my thread if you like. While the hair at the front is darker, it is only noticeable if you compare it to my pre-op pics, and everything blends in perfectly. David Anderson rightly pointed out that, as the hair taken from the back of your heard is thicker, it will appear slightly darker. This is also compounded by the fact that your hair at the front appears lighter than it actually is because it was thinning in the first place. As such you've got a double whammy effect.

What a difference just over 3 months can make! Hair is definitely looking darker, but it blends perfectly and I really like it

To echo the guys above me, you will look like hell for a while. There is absolutely no way you will be able to conceal what you have had done. At one week post op you will be sore, pink, and still have the vast majority of the scabs on your head. You may also have lingerings of a black eye, or fluid still moving down your face. I am not trying to scare you, just let you know how it was for me. I would urge having a word with your boss to see what they say and explain the situation. The best thing I can think of (which ontop mentioned) would be unpaid leave for AT LEAST another week. I was honest with my bosses and told them what I was doing, It was extremely embarrassing at the time, but they understood. That being said, the short term embarrassment will be heavily outweighed by the long term gain - trust me.

Hi Bullet, thank you for your kind words. Ndubya, I had a look at the pictures and I can see what you mean. It definitely appears darker than pre-op, but while the hair does appear darker, there is absolutely no discernible difference between the new and the native hair and I do not have to dye it. I think that the lightness of my hair was exaggerated when it was thin (fewer, light coloured hairs giving a peek of a very white scalp) so it looked lighter at the front. This has obviously now reversed, giving the appearance of darker hair. My hair is not a completely uniform colour anyway, which helps I think.

Thanks Ernie! All the best to you as well mate. If it matches up with yours I'll be thrilled!!