optimus

This is the final before and after  let me know how does it look 

I am also in the same boat last year and I had 3200 grafts FUE from Dr. Gabel, I am happy with the results, so take a look at my journey in the signature if you wish. 

I will make a one year update soon. I have a question.

Till now I used Rogaine everyday but never used finasteride because of the side effects. But I am thinking to do now, I however recently got married so I am thinking to wait an year before I do it because of side effects.

What do you guys suggest ?

I had the similar dilemma.. From my friends who had FUT told me that its kind of messy and more complicated with stitches and blood loss and also he mentioned even after 5 years after the surgery when he laugh he can feel the tightness at the back of his head, on the other hand FUT has better survival rate. but FUE improved a lot in recent times. So for me safer surgery was a priority and given that FUE survival is not that bad.. i went with FUE. and I am happy with it. 

I sprayed using spray bottle with cold water that gave temporary relief and then Ibuprofen helped after that

Month 11 update: 

Good progress.. I think this is the end of it. overall very happy

About year ago i went through the same dilemma and decided to do it (it was a difficult decision to make and i thought about it for couple of years before i pulled the trigger and i am glad I did it). So, here are my answers

1- how did your friends/family react?

        - Only close family/friends knew about it and others did not notice. After the growth, others just said I look good and younger 

2-how did it change your life?

       - One thing for sure that is improved is my self confidence, before the surgery looking at mirror made me sad (sometimes) and wish I could have done something. After, I feel I gained a lot of confidence and more peaceful. I got married as well, so all my wedding pics are with hair  

3- was it worth it/ do you regret it?

     - I went with FUE and researched before I took the decision. I went with Dr. Gabel, and it was like I did not have surgery .. my donor area is no different and my hairline was natural. I went for hair cut 6 times after the surgery and not even one barber noticed (I asked everyone if they noticed it and all said no). Was it worth it - I would say, YES. For the effort, the result is pretty great for me. No regrets for me. I would say pick a experienced doctor (I recommend Dr. Gabel) or other reputable doctors and you are in safe hands

I can answer any questions you may have, but make a informed decision with ample research 

8 months update. Going good not much update but hoping for more density in coming months 

Only my parents know and was able to keep it a secret from others.. Using hats and trying different things kept it as secret. So yes you can do it if you want to 

8 hours ago, Ancien said:

Thanks for sharing! Optimus, any more recent photos of your results? 

Added some now

Almost 6 Months update : Even though I am happy with it, I would like to see more density. My hairline definitively was improved. Hoping next few months would help with density. 

I had my FUE transplantation done with Dr. Gabel. You can find my experience in my signature link. One thing i like about Dr. Gabel is he extracts not some but all of the follicles by himself and he is present and even implants many of the follicles himself. He is extremely careful and thinks about the future like how it is going to be after a decade and plans the HT. Overall, I am happy with how things went so far with Dr. Gabel. 

Why do you want to have another FUT ? like you said 5 strips sounds a lot. With latest improvements, FUE is almost par in terms of survival rates so I would look at FUE once.

You can checkout my progress in my signature. I had FUE and in one month, i can comfortably roam outside. but in month 2-3 i had lost all the transplanted hair but it just went back to looking like before the HT. 

I feel a 1500-2000 follicles by a experienced doctor should do the trick  

Adding 4 months progress pics. I see some results but waiting for some more

This was one of the reason I avoided FUT, But my case is little different since I do not want to take propecia ( i take rogaine and other tablets) and that may result in shaving my head to minimum cut in the future (if wanted). I have seen some results in FUT that are really good as well but I did not want to risk it. My FUE was done really well by my doctor and donor area really recovered and happy with my call for FUE.

Adding to the above comments, from what I saw from my friends FUT and others experiences it should getter better in coming months

Almost all the transplanted hair is shredded now. Hoping for good results in next few months

Donor area looks good

Day 12-13: Donor area is completely recovered (no visible scars). looks clean

Day 5 : Pics attached

I will try to keep it short. So after years of thinking I finally decided to go through FUE surgery (3000 follicles) I think I am NW4 - 5. After searching for a while I decided to go with Dr. Gabel. Looked at his work and after talking to bunch of other doctors, Gabel made everything clear from start. He even called me on a weekend when I wanted to know some things from him. Overall a straight shooter, after I saw his work and other reviews I became little more confident and believed in him. So far looks like I'm right. 

Dr. Gabel recommended FUE over 2 days,

Day 1: I booked a hotel near the hospital for 4 days and drove to the hotel the day before the surgery had a good night sleep and was asked to meet in hospital by 6:30 early morning (little early for me but its okay).

For next couple of hours we went through constructing hair line, I wanted the hairline to be little aggressive and Dr. Gabel discussed about density and after back and forth we decided on the hairline I liked - he was really straight forward which I liked very much, and he explained me how the day will be progressed and had to sign bunch of forms. Took Diazepam and ibuprofen, shaved my head and changed to surgery clothing and proceeded to the surgery room, I was meet by 5 technicians who are ready to go by the word of the doctor. Immediately Dr. Gabel came in and started with anesthesia injections which I am not going to lie are little painful (but I was warned before the injections so I prepared for it) after that Dr. Gabel started with extractions, he said we would probably do 1600-1700 on the first day and remaining on day two. Dr. Gabel did all the extraction with the technician helping to remove the extracts. This went for next two hours and technicians are counting the extracted hair giving the numbers to the doctor. Then Dr. Gabel started with slots for placing the follicles, some times the anesthesia wore off and I started getting some pain in that area, but upon mentioning this to Dr. Gabel more anesthesia injections helped to get rid of the pain. After this, lunch was provided which tasted pretty good. And after quick lunch, Dr. Gabel and technicians started placing the grafts in the slots that were placed before lunch. Both doctor and technicians made sure I am comfortable all the time and made it as simple as possible, with valium I dozed of couple of times as well. After another 3 hours of placement and we are done for the day. they informed my friend to pick me up and then gave me ATP liquid to spay on grafts and head cap while I head home for the night. Overall, very good experience for the first day.

Sleeping at night for Day 1 is challenging even though Dr. Gabel mentioned I can sleep on my donor area but be careful not to touch the recipient area, I was extra cautious and slept on a sitting chair which made it little challenging. No pain what so ever, I was in pretty good shape (did not even have to take pain medication)

Day 2: I was asked to meet at the hospital again at 6:30 AM for day 2. After reaching the hospital, things are pretty much similar to day 1 but much faster since they know what they have been working on, by 4 PM on day 2 we are done. Same thing they called my friend to pick me up and reached the hotel.

Dr. Gabel also did 200 more than we discussed (in total 3200) which I appreciate.

Sleeping on day 2 is also challenging, i had to struggle a bit to get a good angle but it was better than day 1. I also visited the hospital for quick washes on day 3, day 4 (What surprised me here is day 3 is Sunday and even then Dr. Gabel and his fellow assistants were there just for me, washed my hair and answered all the silly question I had for them) I should say I was really comfortable with the way they treated me and appreciate their patience. For HT, patience is key.

Day 5- 7 : I was being careful not to rub my recipient area and was covering my head with a special cloth I was given by the doctor. Have some itching but I am resisting myself against them. No pain for me, it was really itching on day 6 that bothered me but after that it was okay.

Here is breakdown :

Day 1 :

1-Hair: 128 (7.8%)

2-Hair: 953 (57.9%)

3-Hair: 523 (31.8%)

4-Hair: 41 (2.5%)

Total : 1,645

Day 2 :

1-Hair: 74 (4.7%)

2-Hair: 643 (41.2%)

3-Hair: 719 (46.1%)

4-Hair: 123 (7.9%)

Total: 1,559

Total :3,204 (204 more than we discussed, thanks to Dr. Gabel)

Overall, very satisfied with the HT, Dr. Gabel took really good care and very available for any questions, I am glad my decision is right so far. I am going to periodically update this thread with the progress.

3 weeks update : Donor looks completely healed, And transplanted hair started to fall .. hoping that they all come back strong

Looks good, what size punches were used?

I dont exactly remember 0.8mm or 0.9mm. I will update once I get to know from Dr. Gabel.

I will try to keep it short. So after years of thinking I finally decided to go through FUE surgery (3000 folicles) I think I am NW4 - 5. After searching for a while I decided to go with Dr. Gabel. Looked at his work and after talking to bunch of other doctors, Gabel made everything clear from start. He even called me on a weekend when I wanted to know some things from him. Overall a straight shooter, after I saw his work and other reviews I became little more confident and believed in him. So far looks like I'm right.

Like all others, I had FUE vs FUT decision to make and I wanted to have an option to bring down my hair very low if needed in the future and do not want to have the big scar across. (And I did not like the complication of stitches) 

Dr. Gabel recommended FUE over 2 days, I asked him if this can be done in a day since I do not want to be in surgery for two days, he explained me doing it in one day would be hectic and may not yield in good result. He said second day is going to be little difficult but will be much quicker than first day.

Day 1: I booked a hotel near the hospital for 4 days and drove to the hotel the day before the surgery had a good night sleep and was asked to meet in hospital by 6:30 early morning (little early for me but its okay).

For next couple of hours we went through constructing hair line, I wanted the hairline to be little aggressive and Dr. Gabel discussed about density and after back and forth we decided on the hairline I liked - he was really straight forward which I liked very much, and he explained me how the day will be progressed and had to sign bunch of forms. Took Diazepam and ibuprofen, shaved my head and changed to surgery clothing and proceeded to the surgery room, I was meet by 5 technicians who are ready to go by the word of the doctor. Immediately Dr. Gabel came in and started with anesthesia injections which I am not going to lie are little painful (but I was warned before the injections so I prepared for it) after that Dr. Gabel started with extractions, he said we would probably do 1600-1700 on the first day and remaining on day two. Dr. Gabel did all the extraction with the technician helping to remove the extracts. This went for next two hours and technicians are counting the extracted hair giving the numbers to the doctor. Then Dr. Gabel started with slots for placing the follicles, some times the anesthesia wore off and I started getting some pain in that area, but upon mentioning this to Dr. Gabel more anesthesia injections helped to get rid of the pain. After this, lunch was provided which tasted pretty good. And after quick lunch, Dr. Gabel and technicians started placing the grafts in the slots that were placed before lunch. Both doctor and technicians made sure I am comfortable all the time and made it as simple as possible, with valium I dozed of couple of times as well. After another 3 hours of placement and we are done for the day. they informed my friend to pick me up and then gave me ATP liquid to spay on grafts and head cap while I head home for the night. Overall, very good experience for the first day.

Sleeping at night for Day 1 is challenging even though Dr. Gabel mentioned I can sleep on my donor area but be careful not to touch the recipient area, I was extra cautious and slept on a sitting chair which made it little challenging. No pain what so ever, I was in pretty good shape (did not even have to take pain medication)

Day 2: I was asked to meet at the hospital again at 6:30 AM for day 2. After reaching the hospital, things are pretty much similar to day 1 but much faster since they know what they have been working on, by 4 PM on day 2 we are done. Same thing they called my friend to pick me up and reached the hotel.

Dr. Gabel also did 200 more than we discussed (in total 3200) which I appreciate.

Sleeping on day 2 is also challenging, i had to struggle a bit to get a good angle but it was better than day 1. I also visited the hospital for quick washes on day 3, day 4 (What surprised me here is day 3 is Sunday and even then Dr. Gabel and his fellow assistants were there just for me, washed my hair and answered all the silly question I had for them) I should say I was really comfortable with the way they treated me and appreciate their patience. For HT, patience is key.

Day 5- 7 : I was being careful not to rub my recipient area and was covering my head with a special cloth I was given by the doctor. Have some itching but I am resisting myself against them. No pain for me, it was really itching on day 6 that bothered me but after that it was okay.

Here is breakdown :

Day 1 :

1-Hair: 128 (7.8%)

2-Hair: 953 (57.9%)

3-Hair: 523 (31.8%)

4-Hair: 41 (2.5%)

Total : 1,645

Day 2 :

1-Hair: 74 (4.7%)

2-Hair: 643 (41.2%)

3-Hair: 719 (46.1%)

4-Hair: 123 (7.9%)

Total: 1,559

Total :3,204 (204 more than we discussed, thanks to Dr. Gabel)

Overall, very satisfied with the HT, Dr. Gabel took really good care and very available for any questions, I am glad my decision is right so far. I am going to periodically update this thread with the progress.