jjsrader

What's the problem?  You had a bunch of hair - had a couple small FUE's & now have a shaved head w/hair.  Even it out & it's all good.

This is very unfortunate.  I would get on dutasteride and oral minox & as others have written get your scalp tested before another procedure.

You do one more later this year and you are basically done. 

This is what happens to a small % of patients - sometimes hair-loss genes overpower all attempts to stop it & the scalp is just not suited for long-term retention of donor grafts in the recipient area.

Obviously discuss all this with Dr Soni.  Think on it.  Take your time.  You've got time on your side - make an informed decision.  Just my 2 cents

Looks like you have a big head - alot of real estate to cover.  Probably need another 3K in the frontal 40% of your scalp to get enough 'aesthetic coverage' - assuming you don't have some scalp issue that is giving you a lower-than average yield.

If you have fine/straight hair when grown out you will need more grafts and proper hair length to give you enough visual coverage to frame your face properly. 

Virgin scalp, so w/Medispa less chance of FUT scar stretching - you'll get full coverage & all singles in hairline.  You don't need temple points (which is good - your hair resoration will look more natural and aesthetic w/your excellent temple points still in tact) - so if you don't ever want to shave your scalp in back for fade cuts I would go to Medispa.  All grafts checked under good microscopes w/a large well-trained staff.

Dr. Soni is very experienced and will transfer alot of hair for you in one go so you'll get nice coverage.  He does do 2 surgeries per day but is always around checking in.

You have good hair so you might also want to get on oral minox from an Indian pharmacy.  Without meds all the hair you have on top will be gone over the next 10-15 years since you have advanced hairloss at a  young age.

You have a solid frontal 'tuft' that will add to naturalness & a center point (weight) to use as an anchor point to comb backwards/sides to blend in w/your new transplanted hair.

Latin American genetics - thick dense donor hair.  Simple as.

Good pics.  You have very fine/straight hair.  Good coverage.  If you ever wanted one last surgery (you probably don't) you could restart taking fin/dut to make your donor hairs as strong as possible. 

This is a very realistic result from a world-class surgeon working on a NW6 who continues to lose hair into later life.  Best part is how absolutely natural it looks and you have hair that properly frames your face.

Also a good case of someone who doesn't have more than 7-8K of donor grafts - shows a realistic outcome.

The fact that you waited later for 2nd surgery is advantageous for your new donor locations - as we all know the majority of transplant patients transplanted hair absolutely thins out over decades (sometimes alot less). 

What most don't realize here is that it's best to wait as long as possible for initial surgery and in-between surgeries 'cause hair and scalp 'ages' over time for those with advanced NW genetics (even when on all the meds).

Thanks for documenting your journey.  BTW - a good haircolor to eliminate greys is Schwartkopf permanent haircolor in supermarkets/pharmacies.

10 hours ago, kiwidan said:

Got a link to your profile.

And if you’re in the same boat how do you style your hair. I live in the windiest city in the world and it’s killing me!!! 

I’d kill for topical Dusteride. And maybe I’ll just have to suck eggs and do a low dose of oral min and deal with puffy eyes? 🤷‍♂️

Find the optimal hair length for illusion of density - use the shingling effect of combing to the side.  Use protein-enhanced shampoo & try some hair volumizing powder or something similar.  I found that dyeing my hair a bit darker than my normal brown/auburn color (dyed now to very dark brown or espresso) helps.

Finally, I had my entire balding zone & scars filled in w/by Mark Weston (a form of scalp tattoo that is deeper and more permanent than regular light SMP).  Mark's retired now.

I'm doing another 2K later this month for behind hairline & center midscalp.  That'll take me up to 10.5K and I have not ruled out another final FUE of hopefully 1K from scalp.  Might do FIT farming w/beard hair into scalp hair & place the scalp hair donor into recipient area.  If not I may scatter 1K up to 2K beard hair over mid scalp and towards the crown.

I've used dutasteride since 2003 and before that finasteride since 1998.  Worked my way up to 30% rogaine lotion over 25 years before switching to oral minox about 5 years ago. 

If your family history is strongly balding & your personal genetics are to lose all your hair on top and crown - all you can really do over 30-40 years is slow it down & keep the donor strong and healthy until you are out of donor.

My hair looks very normal now w/the permanent tattoo & darker hair color and I keep my hair length at 5.5 months of growth on top and front for maximum fullness appearance. 

Try and make peace that to most people you look like you have hair as you grow older - alot of people that are not hyper focused on hair see the framing effect of a frontal hairline and 'coverage' throughout scalp without a noticeable bald spot and say to themselves - oh, he's a guy w/hair.  Simple as.  It's like 95% of people.

The other 5% will be hyper critical - but nothing you can do about them.  It's just their nature. 

I wore hats/caps/bandanas alot w/a full head of hair & after my 1st hair restoration surgery at age 23 - I still do. 

Personally, I did all this just for me so I didn't see a 'bald' head in the mirror each day. 

Coverage is a good thing - it's never enough for us, but at a certain point you accept thinning (but w/hair) or you max out your donor & then you concede that you have done everything you could do & make peace with it.

Personally if I were you I would finish off your limited donor w/a very skilled surgeon in the U.S. or in Europe because if you decide to have another 1-2 surgeries you'll really need a low transection rate & a surgeon w/a good eye for giving you most visual coverage w/limited donor grafts.   Sure it will cost more, but it's towards the end of the road - make a wise choice if you go that route & then live w/the outcome.

Just my 2 cents.

You'll probably have to max out your donor to get fuller coverage.  Simple as.  I'm in the same boat but older (57) and doing another 2K to fill in behind hairline into middle of scalp (after 8.8K grafts).  You could take dutasteride & oral minox to keep your donor strong.  You probably need higher DHT protection.  Good luck.

I don't know but maybe shave your head for a few years and see where you are at in another 2-3 years.  You continue to lose hair in your early 20's despite powerful medical therapy. 

If you decide to do the frontal hair band - please go w/a very artistic & experienced surgeon 'cause you'll probably continue to lose in the middle and the crown and then will need more surgeries as you get older.

There are many surgeons that examine your scalp w/a densomiter & take their time in a personal consultation - sounds like you went to top surgeons that don't bother, regardless...

Very nice result - those singles look good for your hair type.  Continue on your meds and in 5-7 years - see how well you've held up (since you are a slow balder w/1st transplant at age 40 & no work needed on your crown).

Cheers!

I don't think 1 in 1000 people would ever look at you now and think you have any hairloss nor need any surgery.  You have strong sides (temporal points) which makes any percieved hairloss even less of an issue imho.  Stay on meds consistently & come back in a year and show us new pics!

Enjoy your hair - maybe get a top stylist & do your hair differently - but truthfully your hair is 100% fine the way it is.

I had a laser from Overmachogrande - used it for 2.5 years.  Zero difference.  It was worth a try.  Frankly, if it really worked longer-term you would see the most respected hair transplant surgeons (not the ones just marketing them for extra cash flow) telling private patients to use them.  Full stop.

They don't.  Just saying.

On 6/3/2022 at 5:24 AM, mrmane85 said:

Why did you choose the 9 month photo rather than the 12 month to critique?

I apologize - probably 'cause I work alot and am very tired when I read & comment in HRN.  I overlooked the more mature result.

Zoom in.  Toup?  Methinks he has had temple work & hairline enhancement & first 1/3rd of frontal hairline band  zone done about 15 years ago.  This is a recent pic.  I'm obsessed w/celebrity hairlines - but then again, aren't we all?  🍸

On 2/16/2023 at 7:54 PM, Chetman2112 said:

He’s had a HT in my opinion, he’s obsessed with his hair. 

I'm obsessed w/his hair!  Ever since 'Class.'

Good thread - ty.

On 2/19/2023 at 10:10 AM, mister_25 said:

Skin to Hair contrast is the main thing that will impact results, if your hair is blonde and your a white guy you can have more coverage for less grafts. Whilst a white guy with dark hair will need to have more grafts to cover the contrast between scalp to hair.

Here is a question of my own that I was thinking about.

If your beard hair is a different colour than your scalp hair. How will that impact your results? My beard hair is almost ginger, whilst my scalp is very dark brown almost black. If I were to use beard hair in lets say my crown and mix that in with my scalp hair will the beard hairs make it look unnatural? The salt and pepper look with a mix of gray and black hairs look natural but how would ginger and dark brown hair look? Unnatural? We've heard of beard hair matching the characteristics of scalp hairs when transplanted but what about the colour of the hair?

If one is truly 'all-in' w/hair restoration (beard & hair grafts) & the beard & hair grafts have many different 'shades'/colors & considering beard hairs are all single follicles & thicker & have different growing cycles & can have a different 'wave'/curl than scalp hair...

In my opinion only then a guy should probably commit the extra $$$'s to a professional colorist w/years of experience in order to 'nail' down their looks throughout the year & going forward.

But that's only if it bothers or concerns them.

It is hair restoration - nice hair characteristics as well.

Have your hair colored by a high-end colorist & lock in a new look to go w/your evolving 2nd hair-restoration surgery.  You are in top shape (imho) & young enough - it will finish your look.

Take it from someone in the biz...

It is PRIME TIME to go for it.

peace...

6 minutes ago, mrmane85 said:

I'm pretty sure the tax rate in Bulgaria is 10%

My bad - I thought they were 'all-in' w/the EU uber taxation (to a degree).

So, then BONUS  +$$$ for Dr. Zarev. 

It's an intense profession.

On 2/13/2023 at 7:48 PM, jaytl88 said:

8 months post procedure. It just keeps getting thicker and thicker. Cannot express how pleased I am with the results and with Dr. Nader. 

Looking good...👌 Porn stache on POINT (too)!  Top vibe.

Hmmm...   on avg. 25K per week gross...

His net net prob' 'round 10K per week after taxes.

Though I think Doc actually 'works' 60 hours per week (all-in 'research/reading/innovation/surgery/consults/office-staff training/et al).

So about $150-$175 per hour USD.

For Bulgaria cost of living, that is excellent.  He is top shelf and obviously very focused.

I was just venting a bit 'cause my wallet gonna' be hurtin' yet again this summer (next surgery).  And yes, I get it.  Just wish inflation wouldn't have kicked us all in the butt recently.