LaserCap

Why would you ever want to do 2 procedures on one person the same day? To get more grafts? Not worth it......And, is the request coming from the patient or the doctor? 1st, elasticity. Depending on how wide the segment is, this could potentially affect how the scar(s) heals. 2nd, and let's call it a ladder, blood supply to the entire area could be compromised. During a post op visit, I did observe a donor area from a patient that did FUT, returned 12 mo later to do another, and then he was considering a third procedure. The area in between the two scars was fairly empty and there was nothing the doctor could do. Typically the best approach is to take a 9mm segment, ear to ear and do as much as possible, (if the case warrants it). Let the wound heal and, a year later, do another procedure at which time the doctor can excise the original scar. Because the 1st scar has no hair in it, the yield is typically 10% less than in the first procedure but the donor area remains as clean as possible. And, most times, the patient can regain some elasticity. Getting greedy can only lead to a disaster......

Oh, I am curious...It just occurred to me...Where exactly did they harvest the hair from, (in the donor area)? Seems from the photos you are dipping in the back as well. If graft were taken from an area that's thinning, eventually all those hair will thin as well. Can you post photos of your entire head? Do you have any post op photos? (have the clinic give you a set of all they have).

What is the DHI technique? Perhaps they've patented something we are unaware about..... For years I heard, "it takes 4 months before the hair starts growing." This of course has changed over the years but, if no PRP was used, typically 3-4. Then the hair starts coming in vellus-like, and at about 12 months is when we expect a matured result. The shaft will thicken, there'll be length, etc..... By this time, however, you should be able to see.....the problem it seems, the grafts were placed diffusely throughout. Additionally you have a good size pattern. And not to add salt to the wound, the hairline design looks like an inverted U. Typically class 6+ do not lose hair that way. Typically patients will have a prominent forelock with very receded corners. OK....Nothing we can do but....A couple of suggestions, Get on medical therapy. Propecia, Rogaine, and laser. Do them for 1 year while you're allowing the grafts to mature. I am hoping there is enhancement of whatever miniaturized "native" hair you have. This would contribute to the overall density and the overall result. Keep in constant contact with the clinic. Go to the 3-4 month post op visit as well as all the others they recommend. Have them take photos, (and get a set for yourself). I am certain the discussion of "more grafts" is coming. The only other thing to do is wait.....

A couple of suggestions and the reasoning behind it..... The crown takes TONS of grafts due to the whirl. Thus if you draw a dot on a piece of paper....draw a cross intersecting the point....turn the paper a touch in either direction and draw another cross intersecting the point once again......Every time you draw...it;s another procedure. You could actually use your entire donor. Hair in the middle and hair in the front grow forward and because of the shingling effect, these two areas typically will look fuller because of it. Thus, my suggestion is to consider adding density to the most prominent area. Start in the front and go back until you run out of grafts...concentrating on the front and top. The doctor can actually work on the horizontal plane and leaving the crown "round" so that, if your pattern expands, the crown will still look normal. Hopefully, by working in this fashion, your crown will end up being a lot smaller. It seems you have a lot of miniaturized hairs....and your pattern seems to be progressing. I would highly encourage you to get on a medical regimen to help with retention of the native hair. Second, talk to the doctor about doing PRP at the time of the procedure. This can help bring the results sooner but, more importantly, help reverse the miniaturization.

Wow.... It's NOT.......that you will need more grafts....If that was the case, why not incorporate it into the plan before the procedure starts? This is, of course, conveniently written that way to camouflage the reality....more grafts were harvested inadvertently. Moreover, and on the other side of the coin, if less, it's not that you need less. it's the fact that it is all they were able to harvest.

Most suggest you do it a 2 weeks before the procedure and 4 weeks after. You should be fine but consult with the clinic as BaldingBogger suggested.

I recall a couple of friends had a procedure the very same day. They left with the blue paper cap you are talking about. They came back to the clinic the very same day with a huge smile on their face. They couldn't get there fast enough to tell me, when they arrived at the hotel, they were greeted by staff..."hi doctors! you look so tired. let us upgrade your suite." Throughout my history in this industry...how many times have I heard...."I just hit my head when I was getting into the car." So I don't think the cap is meant to protect anything surgery wise.....It is to remind you...you just had surgery! Be careful and mindful of the fact!

If you're short at the end of the day, the right thing to do is to only pay for what you get. Most, if not all clinics, will ask for money up front. This is understandable when you consider the patient is under local once the procedure starts. So the right thing to do, clinic wise, is to give the money back for grafts not transplanted.

Do you know what takes grafts? Lowering hairlines. And, whatever is drawn in, think 1/4 lower than that. Why? because hair in the front grows forward. That being said, I agree with Transplantedphil. You could lower, say 1/2 of what the current design is. Let it grow in and see if you like it. Then, once you've seen it, you can decide to go at it again. And, it's not only the design - it's the density as well. Keep in mind this is right up front where it's going to be the most discernible. Remember, people know you for who you are. Drastic changes are seldom good ideas. And, while you are concentrating on lowering the hairline, I am more concerned with the area behind the hairline. Seems it's miniaturizing as well. You may want to have the doctor blend grafts into that area as well to avoid the "island" effect. Lastly, if you've lost, you'll keep loosing. Are you doing any type of medical therapy to help with retention of the native hair? You may want to consider doing PRP at the time of the procedure. This would help bring the results in sooner but, most importantly, it may help reverse the miniaturization as well.

Propecia, Rogaine, Laser therapy are the three modalities we typically discuss to help patients retain their native hair. During consultation ask the doctor his opinion and see what he says.

Sure! SMP is a non-medical alternative. Here the patient may decide to completely shave and SMP the entire head. The look is that of someone who keeps their head at about a 1 guard. The patient also has the alternative of keeping the native hair at whatever length he wants, but minimizing the contrast of the dark hair and the light scalp and just working the area(s) that bothers him the most.

Understanding that with DUPA the donor is not stable, surgery is not an option. It should be treated with PRP and laser therapy. Take plenty of photos and get on the treatment.

He must be thrilled. Hopefully he is doing medical therapy to help him with retention of the native hair. (Propecia, Rogaine, LaserCap). Maybe PRP down the road? Age appropriate hairline... Is he considering filling in?

You can consider a laser. PRP down the road. Let things come in naturally and we can continue the discussion then.....

Post photos

Alcohol. And it's not that the ingredient is harmful. Is the fact that alcohol dries the scalp. Soon after use you'll start noticing flaking. Change to baby shampoo which many clinics suggest after a transplant.

A couple of things...You have dark hair and light scalp - the contrast is not helping and it makes it seem worse than it is. Seems there is a lot of miniaturized hairs. This miniaturization can be reversed. Talk to the doctor about PRP. Ask specifically how they do it. Perhaps they have photos of results. The second thing to do is to do all you can to retain the native hair and not get worse. Propecia, Rogaine and laser therapy are the other modalities we typically discuss when dealing with this debilitating issue. Talk to a hair transplant professional about them. What specific questions do you have? Many in this forum can help you.....

The hair grew in 11 days? You may want to wait 6-12 months to then give an opinion. You mentioned having work done before. What method did they use? When was it done? What new technology did the clinic use? How did they harvest and make sites? What was so special about the service and comfort? New chairs? Tremendous results!! What does that mean?

Solid video.....You should also do a follow up to this. So, what options do you have? MEDS....Sometimes I feel we don't discuss medical therapy enough. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to cannibalize the procedure, but meds are truly part of the equation.

Agree, diffused loss. The other issue is the fact you have dark hair and light scalp. The contrast is not helping either. RUN to a specialist and, at least, start talking about medical therapy and how this can help you retain the native hair.

I don't think this is decided on the day of the procedure. An established practice has discussed this ad nauseam. "Don't have the time?" They better make time! If they don't, why schedule so many in one day? This business is getting very competitive in a number of levels. Not being up front....I have a huge issue with that. Everyone, not only doctors, need to be honest, ethical and up front. At the end of the day it's the only thing we have. Have you ever heard "what a web we weave when we try to deceive?" You are representing yourself and the company you work for.....

I agree with that as well. If you read my initial post.......discuss all of this beforehand so there is no resentment at the end of the day.

Wait 6 months....to get a preliminary answer. I would wait a full 12 months and then ask away. When the hair first starts growing, the shaft is very thin. I takes time to mature. More importantly, are you doing any medical therapy to help you with retention of the native hair? This will eventually help the overall density.

With everything being equal.....and we are talking about experienced, talented surgeons....You have 1 graft and you place it "perfectly" in the forelock area.....That's more important than placing 100 grafts in the same area? Explain.

Awesome! And, thinking out loud, a "positive" remains when you consider - more grafts- more density.