Lennney

I have no idea. I am taking the increased dose of biotin, 2x (10,000mcg), and taking 1/3 of the dose of Folic Acid, (1,600mcg). Maybe it's a net equal haha. I also don't recommend you going off of fin. I mean, you could order it online for a greater cost, before you figure out your prescription. But I do think you should at least wean yourself off of fin. Do a month of .5-.75 a day, then a month of .5 every 2 days or .25 a day. Then maybe do perpetual .25 every other day. But I don't think stopping is the way to go. Each biotin gummy is 1250mcg for 2500 per serving. In USD, it's $12.40 for 100 gummies each at 1250. There are 125,000 mcg per $12.40, or $0.0992 per mg. Currently that natures bounty is on a slight sale, ($4.83 vs 5.05). I will still assume a 5.05 cost in case the sale doesn't last long enough for you to see. There are 250 pills, each at 800mcg. There are 200,000 mcg in the bottle. $0.02525 per mg. It is just about 4x less expensive. Maybe in a month or so you'll want more, I still recommend looking on Amazon. I am fully stocked for everything, for next 4+ months. Only thing I need more of is fenugreek, I only have about 1.5 months. I know you had more hair loss and had it addressed, but the native hair you had will thank you if you remain on some dose of fin.

I took photos today, and I'll probably take photos tomorrow after I expect to get a haircut. I did the coconut oil treatment yesterday. My hair felt amazing. I think I'll start doing it twice a week or so. I ended up heating coconut oil for 20 seconds, then applying it. I left it in for about 40 minutes or so. I washed with shampoo and conditioner (I still only use shampoo 2 times a week or so). I haven't showered since the day before. In my opinion I think my hair looks great right now. I am not sure if I should start to grow my hair longer, but we'll see. I still have the thinning in my mid scalp. I'm still only applying minox every 3 days or so. With how dense my hair is, it takes too long to dry. I also commute on motorcycle, so my hair gets the helmet hair look + the minox gel-like texture. It's not too flattering, so I have been reluctant to apply it before I leave. I think I need to get better about applying it when I return home, before bed.

Quick update: I took photos Sept 11th, just to do a quick update that I'm doing now. This was about 10 days after my haircut.

Nutricost Biotin (Vitamin B7) 10,000mcg, 240 Capsules - Gluten Free, Non-GMO https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AMJCHB8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xOYEDbZSQ0MGC Nature's Bounty Folic Acid 800 mcg Tablets Maximum Strength 250 ea https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HRVSP2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fPYEDbF60AKKT The folic acid is a dry, pressed-pill. Very tiny. It's easy to take and doesn't taste like anything, but it does begin to dissolve if you don't swallow immediately. I am currently taking 2 per day. I think you may be out of luck, and you'll have to go in person for a prescription for fin. Isn't it essentially free for you guys? I found another stash I had from India. So I got 30*4 plus another 30*4 and maybe 90. So I got about 2/3 of a year of fin on me right now. I just got to plan another visit to Mexico for a top-up in 6 months. You could play the dumb Canadian card.... Show up with Bhatti's care notes and say that's what your doc (Bhatti) said should work. Tell them it's for your HT you got in India. It could work, or it could just help you make an appointment. Just be surprised (not angry, just "oh, what, really? oh man, I thought this was enough.") Confusion and apology may be enough for something as innocent as fin. But once you have a prescription, I saw plenty of Canadian pharmacies online. I still think it'll be less if you just pick it up from a local pharmacy. I don't think it's $2 a 5mg pill in person (like if is online).

Thanks for update. I remember your post from a while back about haircuts for HTs. Where about did you have the 900 placed? Hairline, mid scalp, crown? I made a comment a while back on hairstyle, but it's pretty much out of my wheelhouse. Can you read it and tell me what you think? https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/53603-fue-dr-gabel-1500-1600-grafts/page/3/ It's my long comment. Is it off base/wrong? What would you recommend?

Looks great! Very natural work!

If you're worried about preserving donor, and it sounds like a serious consideration, look into BHT (body hair - chest and chin-beard). BHT costs more, but if you are already looking abroad, it is still less than the 2.5 £\€ limit you've set. I had my procedure with Bhatti precisely because he manages the donor, does FUE only, and also does BHT (which I plan on using once my crown dies). Something to consider. I also agree with Melvin that you may want to wait for some more cash or take out a personal loan for the procedure. Price should not be the first consideration. If you'd prefer to go to X doctor, but need another 2k, it's better to wait for the 2k. If you're comfortable with the selection you have currently, do that. My advice regarding choosing a doctor is: don't let someone convince you to go with any specific doctor. Make your decision yourself. Also, it may be in your best interest to use BHT and probably FUT... If you're not getting on medication (fin), you'll likely shift to a Norwood 6/7. You'll need to maximize your capacity. BHT is good for crown, and FUT will maximize your donor but yes, it'll leave a scar. Are you dead-set on keeping your hair short? Have you considered what is the minimum hair length to conceal the scar & how it will look on you? I chose FUE because of the scarring myself. Try to look at things from perspective of you +10 years. With more loss, do you think you'll be able to conceal it? Are you okay with a naked/ near naked crown? If so, yeah, go FUE. If you feel you MIGHT be self conscious about it, I would seriously consider FUT.

Just bought some from Amazon. How much do you use (same amount as shampoo or more...)? How long do you let it stay (if it's over 10 minutes, do you have to put it into wet hair or can you put it in dry hair)? How often do you apply it? I'm down to jump on this coconut train.

Looks nice and clean. Keep that scalp out of the sun! I mentioned it a while back for myself, but I found hats like this one on the Geek (Wish) app for like $3-5. It took like 3-5 weeks to deliver, but it was nice. I only wish (no pun intended haha) that I had gotten it sooner. It helped greatly with dealing with the redness and the ugly phase. My fair skin kept the redness for 4 months or so. I got my hat in all gray and it looks great. @HLPToronto originally recommended the hat style, and I loved it. Fall is here, so you'll look in season by the time it arrives. Or I guess you could drop $10 or so for next day shipping with Amazon or something. Just a thought. Happy to hear you took the plunge! I'll be following along!

Thanks @Melvin-Moderator, I appreciate the kind words! Happy to hear about your HT @Jhonny . I'll look for your thread if you have one posted! I took photos after my haircut back on the 31st of Aug. I have been slacking on updates. Hair was a little wet still. I've been slacking a bit with minox, maybe every other day application. I am now trying to not put it on in the same spots, since everyone seems to be in agreement that it doesn't have to just be on the problem areas. I think my crown is doing okay, definitely better than it was a couple months ago. I'm also about 2 weeks deep into not washing my hair daily. I wash it every 2-3 days with shampoo, otherwise just lots of water. I like the feel of the hair better this way. It doesn't feel brittle and loose, it feels more full. I need to update now that it's been 2 weeks since, as well as the 8 month mark.

If you're looking to save money, you're likely able to purchase those vitamins for less by buying bulk. Regardless of price, I'm still interested what comprises the mix and what amounts of each. If for nothing else, you should at least be aware of what is going into your body.

Shedding gets worse before everything gets better. Keep a good mindset and accept that you'll look awful for next month or so! All part of the plan, and you'll laugh about this stage later (with a full head of hair). Like paddy said, what vitamins? Is it their proprietary pill(s) from Eugenix? Is it a generic set they recommend with at least a certain level of (x) vitamins? Is it a specific vitamin/pill like Tinfal?

Yeah, I didn't start fin til basically March, so I am hopeful things get better after the initial worse loss of weak hair. Thanks for kind words from you both!

Great post! Business preaches "low(er) cost", "less expensive", "better value" as opposed to "cheap(er)". I also try to use those terms when I am trying to express my love of coups (coupons) when I eat out (saving money if you're going to buy fast food anyway). I think it's easy for most people, especially the financially well off to pay more to not think about it. Without research, I can just go to one of the top 10% cost clinics and expect a good result. With few exceptions, those will work out fine. I think a healthy mindset equation is: The lower the cost, the more skeptical you should be. Don't confirm what you hope, look very hard at all resources you can google (HRN!). I did more research for my abroad surgery because I knew that there were greater risks abroad. But if there is value to be found, the cost savings are immense. Even for the smaller end, the 2000 graft procedure, it can cost 10x less abroad. With research, planning, more research and patience, a patient can achieve comparable value abroad. Plug for the post I made on travel cost: https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/54236-travel-advice-airfare-guide/ This post is designed to help reduce cost of travel after a patient has already done due diligence on their selected doc. I had another permanent procedure done, LASIK. Best believe I didn't have it done at some place nearby that offered it at 30% of the going rate. I had it done elsewhere and it was world class, I had a circumstance which allowed me to not worry about cost. I have heard of LASIK being offered in (Bulgaria or Estonia?) and it had a total cost of about $1000, or 20% of California cost. They use world class machines there and they have clinics who do great work and years of history to prove it. One would have to do 5x the research of any regular clinic in California, and do another 2-5 hours of research on travel if the clinic looks promising (and you as the patient are actually eligible for LASIK/PRK). Great post again. Like you said, cost should be priority number 2 or 3. Quality of the clinic comes first..

So, I think that some hairs just grow faster than others. I've noticed that my top bangs always grew faster than my "donor" area. I used to rock the mop look, and I noticed that the top and bangs grew faster than the back. I had the stranger things kid look. I wouldn't be too concerned with how fast the hair grows. It will definitely grow to the desired length eventually, but if you're trying to grow your hair nonstop, I think the change will become apparent after a couple months. I think color will be affected by shampoos, sun damage and whatever other factors affect hair color. Your hair that surrounds the recipient has experienced all of this many times, but perhaps the thinner recipient hair has not. Also, the thinner the hair, the less pronounced the color. I think after a few years when all the hairs go through a shed cycle, the hairs will look indistinguishable. I think that given enough time your hair will grow out to that 6 inch length if you keep trimming the old hair down to 6 inches. That's why hairdressers pinch hair between their fingers and cut all the hairs to the same length. Some hairs are only a half inch long, while the others are 8 inches. If you keep cutting the hair to the same length, they'll all eventually become cut at the 6 inch mark. Plus, if you keep letting the hairdresser do that, you'll keep a high volume. It may not be ideal because the hair will stack and make the less dense areas look goofy. That's why I stress a pass with the thinning shears. You will want to have variety in your hair length (behind the hairline of course, not in the hairline!). The variety in hair length will keep you from looking like a brady bunch character. EDIT: I remember what I was going to mention. I still have one hair that REFUSES to grow. It is stuck at 1cm, and doesn't do anything. Doesn't look infected or anything like that, just grows 1/4 the speed of my fingernails. It's a little frustrating, but almost unnoticeable. I had to really search to find that hair. For hairs like that, I have no idea.

Hello! I was on vacation in the Iberian peninsula and didn't have a chance to update at the 7 month mark. I had fun on the vacation and didn't think of my hair at all outside of 1. Morning pill routine 2. post shower minox and 3. gentle brushing for some pics. My phone camera is literal ass, so I didn't take any. I need to ask my SO or mom for some to see how an objective picture looks like. I did wear a hat most of the time to not get my neck or face (or balding head haha) sunburnt. But my point is, I am back to being unconcerned about my hair ( I was basically fully aware after my "discovery moment" when my perception of myself changed). Anyway, hair is mostly the same. I mentioned earlier to @Petroholic that I have a similar hairstyle and have same density thing going on. Look at both July 13th posts above along with my update here and see what I am talking about with density and length. Because the hair falls on itself, the density contrast is more apparent with longer hair. After the haircut, hair looks normal. It's only when you study it and "look for" things that are "off" is when things look different. I am overdue for a haircut. I had a trim on the 2-3rd of Aug, but I think 3 weeks is the new normal for me with regards to haircuts. I think I may get a haircut this Saturday, before I go back to school. I'll update then as well. But this update is approximately 7.5 months. One of the temples is thinner than the other. I am hopeful that it fills in, but if it doesn't, I will either ignore it or brush hair towards it. I already have the weakest side burns known to man (non existent), so I think that the less defined temple point isn't a huge cosmetic concern for me. I would probably address it with a follow up HT, but it isn't on my radar right now. The thinning top and crown are my more immediate concern. I am still hopeful it's fin shed and not age. I'll know for sure about month 11-15. I noticed the thinning around month 6, so I assume a full 3-9 month growth cycle will answer this question. Hair is post shower with a gentle push. I still have that superman curl going on, so I push it up into the hairline, and the top I "comb over". I give it a pass or two with my hand and call it good. I don't really spend time "working" on the combover. I think that will be my cue to get another HT (I'll wait until month 15 before I make any decisions).

Looks good. Next two months, but even next month are transformative. My hairs are still thin, but I'm hopeful they thicken, I don't know why they wouldn't. The hairline looks good, and it passes as natural, even with the shorter and thinner HT hairs. Most people won't spend long enough looking at your hair to notice anything. Enjoy yourself out there and don't worry about it. Even if anything was suspected, passing it off as a bad haircut or even "that's just how my hair grows" is sufficient. I would be in shock if enough people approached you with questions for you to even waste time thinking of responses. Your hair looks good.

Looking back through the thread, I think your results look promising. You have new growth where there was none before. The growth you have is like my growth, very thin and curly. I too need to have it thicken up. I looked at myself in mirror (I'll try posting update tomorrow), and my hair looks very similar to yours. I see the area Bhatti worked on has more density, along with the new hairline. The issue you and I have is that the new density doesn't look good against the contrast with existing density. I recommend going to get a haircut like you had at 3 months, and especially thinning out the non-DHT prone crown (the toilet seat shaped area). It is the part that gets the most dense. I think that the two steps I would take is waiting for the thickening (not sure how long your or my case will take), and finding a flattering haircut. I also started to thin (maybe fin shed, maybe I'm getting balder!) in my top+crown. So I gently push hair sideways. I'll try to explain tomorrow on my post. There's no issue with styling your hair to fit you. I see a lot of posts that essentially want care-free hair. They want to look good all the time from all angles. I just wanted to not be bald! If it takes a few seconds to a few minutes to accomplish a look you like, it is what it is. Again, I recommend modifying styling options. Without a haircut, your HT hair is at a disadvantage to the native highly-dense hair. If you don't want to cut it all down to a 3 month point, I recommend using thinning shears and reducing the amount your non-recipient hair "falls" on itself. Any additional perceived density on surrounding hair reduces perceived density on recipient hair site.

Use Amazon's (or whoever, wish or that geek site we talked about) sort by price feature. I refuse to pay more than $3 for a piece of plastic! Haha! But tribulus is linked to prostate health and it's thrown into all those testosterone "boosters" supplements as well as libido boosters. None of those you buy online are doing much to increase testosterone (you'd have to look elsewhere), but they all have fenugreek and tribulus. I used both (and obviously currently) in past when I experienced some ED issues. It was much before fin, it was all mental. I didn't feel anything for a while, but after taking 2g a day tribulus and 1.2g fenugreek for 2-3 months I felt much better libido-wise. I take it as a precaution. I have a buddy who is always telling me about how fin reduced his "energy", so I just make it part of my routine. I already take fin and tinfal, so why not just down a couple more pills at the same time, especially when I have them all ready to go in a pill organizer? I'm really big on finding active ingredients and using those. I've had a former classmate start a supplement company. All supplement companies do is repackage vitamin mixes for additional 300% markup. If you've noticed, buying fenugreek and tribulus is cheap as hell, but costs like $30+ for a 30 day supply with nugenix or whoever. They kill you with the convenience fee.

Crown is the toughest from my understanding, but the procedure looks good! I think the ~2k hairs will go a long ways to transform the crown. Great write up! Really cool to see you use several docs. How has your donor management been? Did Eugenix say anything about your donor being robust, running low, well managed? I'm curious because I know Bhatti manages donor well, and you going FUT, FUE, FUE maximizes donor capacity. Did you (Eugenix?) go beard hair out of necessity or as a precaution to preserve donor density/ donor for later use? I personally think it would be wise either way, but just curious. Best of luck with your recovery! Smart stuff doing these two procedures back to back, minimizing the ugly phase. You had great results in 7 months with Bhatti, and I can't wait to see you next spring with a full head of hair!

Price. Price is only reason to buy separately. I did the math earlier for individual pills, but if you could do math on how much it costs to purchase tinfal or a different combination pill I would appreciate it. I am already comfortable taking several pills (tinfal, fin, 2x [day] fenugreek, 2x ginseng, 2x tribulus), so another pill won't be a deal breaker for me. I bought a pill organizer on Amazon for a dollar or something (20 day shipping) and I make sure I get the single dose done for my pills as well as all the important-for-hair pills (fin, tinfal). It also ensures I don't double dose on accident.

I might legit start using that coconut oil! Haha! Seriously, you'll look back on your life and use this procedure as a marker: things before and after this point. You look like another individual. You look 10-15 years younger. Of course you could have shaved it and resigned to hair loss, but choosing to keep a hairstyle with Bhatti's help was a great decision. Your results are nothing short of incredible. Awesome stuff, glad to have seen the transformation!

FA - Folic acid. It's another B vitamin like biotin. Why the hell did they name like 6 vitamins B? C'mon. FA and biotin 5g&5g make up the tinfal we take. I was curious, at dosage, but like I said earlier, research showed positive results from .8g of FA. I think I'll just do 1.6g and call it good.

I went ahead and bought "nutricost 10,000mcg 240 pill" set. I put it in my watch list and it had an Amazon lightning deal. It went from $12.50 to 10.00. I was going to send you a message, but I was in rush, and I figured you'd rather research before you buy anyway. For the FA, I'm looking at the "nature's bounty 800mcg 250 pills". It's $5.05 and holding. It seems like a good deal anyway. Maybe I take one or two pills and it lasts me 4 - 8 months (for $5.05), or I keep my dosage at 5k (6 pills) and it only comes to $10.10 for almost 3 months... I briefly checked both brands and didn't see any issues. I think they sell nature's bounty in my local grocery store for more, but it seems to be respectable enough for Mass market. Nutricost seemed legit enough too, making a lot of different supplements without any crazy stories coming out.

Very good stuff! Happy to see your results! Looks natural and full.