baldfornow

Hello All, I underwent a 3700 graft FUT procedure in Thailand with Dr. Damkerng Pathomvanich 6 years ago. While I'm happy with the results, there's still a large part of my crown that is still bald, and the FUT scar is slightly visible when my hair is cut too short. I'd like to get a second procedure, but I'm nervous about having a double scar with another FUT procedure and not looking forward to traveling all the way to Thailand. The cost with Dr. Path was quite high, as well. For these reasons, I'm considering FUE in Turkey, and I'm sure I will find lots of recommendations on this site, but your recommendations are appreciated. I'm looking for the best doctor for the lowest cost. Also, I've read that body hair can be used for FUE, does anyone have experience with body hair FUE? How many grafts can be taken from body hair and how does it look afterward? Thank you.

Looks great! I'm at month 3 and still nervous how it will turn out. Glad to see your progression from month to month.

Hello All, I had something like 3700 grafts done in Bangkok 2.5 months ago. There were many transplants that did not shed, and I've been letting them grow. Lately, like the last 10 days, I've noticed more new hair popping through. I had a lot of grafts done, but I also had a large area to cover, and my hair is very fine. So, I'm not expecting a full looking head of hair, but I'm wondering if this is it, or just the beginning of the new growth? 2 months 17 post op days to be exact. Should I expect substantially more growth or only a little bit more? I'm also including pre and post op pics. Thanks for your feedback!

Looks awesome dude!

Wow, I wish I had that hair! It looks freaking awesome!

5 weeks post op and 70% have fallen out and I shaved the rest off. Like Mr. Fivehead, the hairline seemed to stay strong till the end.

I think this thread prodded you to re-lurk, and your china trip prodded you to un-lurk. Regardless, your insight is appreciated, and more details about your china trip too. Were you very bald before you began your HT journey? Did having the HT inspire you to take steps you wouldn't have before, like the China trip? I'm curious how having hair again affects people, and is it as profound has you'd hoped?

Hmmm... interesting. I hope they all fall out rather than half:)

Love it! Thanks man!

I agree, it's pretty slow. I posted a blog, and don't think I've even had any views.

Hello all, I just had a 3600+ graft FUT procedure done by Dr. Damkerng Pathomvanich in Thailand. I'm very pleased with the results and currently in the healing stage. The procedure was done 15 days ago, and I don't seem to be shedding the transplanted hairs. They seem to be growing. Is this normal? Should I expect all of them to fall out soon? The expectation set was that I would shed the transplanted hair, so the fact that they appear to be growing is surprising, but I suspect it may be an illusion and due to the fact that swelling has gone down. Replies appreciated in advance.

Exactly one week post op. Dr. Path says the folicles are pretty well 'set' in place after five days, but truly set after seven days. So this means I can relax a little more and be a little less conscious of the new implants. When showering, I can now lather in shampoo as normal, whereas before I could only gently tap the transplanted area with shampoo. The scalp feels dry and you can see the scabs starting to flake off, but my scalp still has the purple/blue look on the area of the transplants. As the scabs flake off, I can see normal looking skin beneath. The stitches will come off in a couple of days, and I can't wait for that. Then, it's time to fly back to America, can't wait for that either. Normally, a Thai vacation is a lot of fun, but I've been taking it easy and trying to avoid going outside into the heat, and sweating. Maybe that's overkill on my part, but doing all that I can for this to be successful is my ultimate goal. I'm very pleased with the number of graphs and I can feel them on my scalp, there's many many more than I expected. I can't wait to see how they turn out in 6 or 7 months. I know many, if not all, of the implanted hairs will drop out, but it's fun to feel hair in places that have been vacant for decades:) The donor area is healing nicely. Dr. Path uses two techniques to seal the wound. First, he uses a biodegradable thread with a very high density stitch pattern. Second, he uses a thicker thread stitched every couple of centimeters. The first dissolves on it's own and the second must be removed manually.

Did you go? How was it?

The journey is scheduled... I've booked my FUT procedure with Dr. Pathomvanich in Bangkok for June 1st! I'm excited, but also nervous, which is normal for any upcoming surgical procedure, I suppose. I chose Thailand for two reasons, I have a Thai wife, and I'm familiar with the high level of service in private healthcare in Thailand. I originally booked an FUT procedure with another Thai surgeon, but after some internet research (on this site) I decided to cancel and switch to Dr. Pathomvanich. However, he was fully booked. With two tickets to Thailand already purchased, I found myself in a fix; stay with the surgeon with bad internet reviews, or cancel the whole trip. I caught a lucky break when one of Dr. Pathomvanich's other patients cancelled and opened a near perfect timeslot on June 1st. I'll have 10 days in BKK to heal before I head back to the U.S. on June 11 Question: if I have the surgery on June 1st, do you think I'll have time to travel in Thailand after sufficient healing, or will I be bound to the hotel room the entire 10 days? From the photos I sent Dr. Pathomvanich, he suggest 3500 grafts, which may change after our initial consultation on May 31. I've gotten two estimates here in the US, one suggested 2500 grafts, and the other (Bosley) 3500. My hair is thin, and low density, in my opinion. I'll post some pics soon. June 2nd, 2017 The hair transplant was a success and Dr. Pathomvanich was able to get more grafts than his estimate. The total figures final were: Total Grafts - 3623 Total Hairs - 7486 1 hair grafts - 425 2 hair grafts - 2467 3 hair grafts - 698 4 hair grafts - 0 In the US I was told 3500 would be high, and to expect 2500-3000. My overall impression of the clinic and staff was excellent all around. Dr. Pathomvanich is easy-going and professional. His demeanor is such that you immediately feel at ease in his presence, and that you've made the right choice in physicians. On surgery day, the staff of 12 is full of hustle and bustle, but all the while you're taken care of in a warm and friendly way. Once the procedure begins, everyone knows their tasks and they get down to business quickly. Regarding the procedure itself, at no time did I feel anything that crossed the threshold of actual pain. There were a couple of moments of slight discomfort from from the local anesthetic being injected, but no worse than a tetanus shot. I was given a couple of sleeping pills (Valium) and found myself nodding off from time to time, which helped the 8 hours pass quickly. If at any time you want to take a break, go to bathroom, or eat a sandwich, you need only ask. In fact, if you don't ask, they'll ask you if you want a break. During the procedure, on the first break, they take you to the different work stations and show you what everyone's doing. You can tell his staff love their work as much as he does, and they are eager to share their tasks with you. I was a little groggy, so I didn't ask many questions, but it really is fascinating work they do. I took a taxi back to my hotel, and while the traffic took a while, I wasn't out of it and didn't fall asleep. Back in the room I showered (not my head), and picked up some to go food around the corner. I was anticipating a lot of pain when the anesthetic wore off, but nothing like that occurred. I took the ibuprofen, anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory, and sleeping pill and went right to sleep. Some slight discomfort, but nowhere near what I had been expecting. The next morning, 5:00AM to be exact, I woke up from a sound sleep and had forgotten all about the surgery. I soon touched my head and remembered, then sprang out of bed to check the mirror. No blood, just redness and a little swelling As planned, I went back to Dr. Path's office for a shampooing and post op visit. All good so far. Now it's the second night after the operation and I feel good, but a slight amount of pain. I haven't taken any ibuprofen since morning though. I'll take one, with a sleeping pill, and call it a night. One more thing, the head band. I've been wearing it, and I do notice some puffiness above the band, but none below. Although, the nurse told me tomorrow and the next day the puffiness will increase, but then decrease permanently after that.