Dazed

I take biotin for hair health, and a multi and Calcium, Mag and Zinc.  I am on the Keto diet and also fast.  At 72 my hair loss has basically stopped.  During my 40s I would always see hair in my comb or brush, and in the shower.  I am basically the old man around here so my experience will vary from the younger guys.  I can't say that the vitamins helped just as I can't endorse PRP because everything is subjective.

I would suggest that you see a doctor who can better advise you on this.  You appear to be quite young so I understand your concern. 

For guys who can wear their hair real short I guess it is.  Being a guy who looks horrible with real short hair the strip method will live on.  I found dealing with the HORRIBLE haircut after FUE very annoying.  I really can't say which procedure is medically better, I had both, but it is so much easier to deal with the FUT after surgery if you need to return to normal life soon.

I don't think anybody will pin this question down.  For me it is how it looks at at least 9-12 months out and perhaps even a little longer than that.  I did not experience the shedding that is commonplace, perhaps because of my age (71), but at 8 months I am doing great.  I would be reluctant to believe any results promised for any cosmetic procedure, and testimonials can be very inaccurate.  I cannot even remember what I looked like back in 2011 before my first procedure.  I probably had one of the higher survival rates, but it would be impossible to put a figure on that.

I have never heard of transplanting long hair.  I have had both FUT and FUE, and the donor area was buzzed down.  I did not have the recipient area buzzed with either procedure.  The buzzed look is not for everybody.  Since shedding seems to be the norm I see little reason to do this unless you are looking at a very temporary fix because of a special event, and acknowledge that most will shed shortly.

At first I wasn't going to reply to this thread since we have a big age difference.  I had my first transplant at age 64.  I would probably guess that I was a Norwood 4 or 5.  6 Months after my first transplant I was amazed at the results.  My second transplant at age 71 was just as amazing as the first.  I will have no more procedures even though I could use some in the crown area.  I believe my hair loss has stopped.  If you are considering Medical Travel I would suggest you research that completely because if you think you have apprehension now you can double or triple that with Medical Travel.  I have researched this for years, and concluded that I would be totally out of my element.  First thing I would suggest that you are able to pay cash for your treatment.  I know that is a hefty chunk of change, but debt will just add to your apprehension.  Research the doctor very well concentrating on black marks on his record such as malpractice.  My transplants were done by FUT and then by FUE using different doctors.  In both cases the doctors only did the medical part and the grunt work was done by technicians, and I am totally satisfied.  You must decide if you are OK with this. 

The actual procedure was no big deal for me except laying on a table for so long.  The only pain I felt was the injections for the FUE.  My biggest concerns at first was that I looked ridiculous for at least 2 weeks and in the case of FUE it was 3 months because of them shaving the donor area.  You next thing will be worrying that it didn't work, but try not to really think about that for 6 months.  Some guys obsess about this checking the mirror all the time - that will drive you crazy.  HANG LOOSE - GET YOUR FINANCES IN ORDER, AND THEN IT IS JUST NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL.

P.S. Read my signature line.  Your mind can imagine horrible outcomes that will never come to pass.

I have noticed no difference in my donor are and I have had FUT and FUE.  Of course I do not wear my hair short.

From an employers standpoint you are not incapacitated for work unless your job is strenuous.  I was an Auditor during my first transplant and took vacation time, but I could have worked the next day.  For most people the only reason not to return to work is appearance.  The one thing most doctors will buy is stress.  If you are a good actor you could get a doctors slip for a couple weeks.  I doubt you will find many doctors willing to say you are incapacitated by a transplant if you work in an office. 

I am at 8 months and it is normal hair care for me at this point, although I did start using conditioner.  I was really gentle for about the first 6 months. I actually did get a bit of a sunburn at the 6 month point with no lingering effects.

Fasting is the answer - watch the videos by Dr. Jason Fung.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoyL4iGArWn5Hu0V_sAhK2w

I had 2 transplants in 2011 and 2018 with no shock loss.  First was FUT and 2nd FUE.

That does sound a bit odd.  Have you talked to the doctor.

I have had 2 transplants totaling 4300 grafts.  I can tell no difference between top and back.  I usually comb to the side with a part on the left, but just recently begun going longer.  I am about 7.5 months since my last transplant.  I am quite pleased at this point and I want to see what it looks like at the 1 year mark.  I really think I have many more options on how I style my hair.  I have a very thick donor area, and it still looks thick.

spex, all I can say is WOW.  Are you complete and satisfied?

On 4/19/2019 at 12:52 AM, PlzRespond said:

Not sure how old you are but keep in mind he is in his 70s I believe so his hair has likely stabilized and meds aren’t required. Younger guys will more than likely need to continue and use treatments to try and stabilize their native hair

Good point, I forgot to mention that.  I just thought everybody knew my dark secret.  LOL  I could use some transplants in the crown area, but at 71 it is time to quit.  This site has been great and very informative.  Good luck to everybody on their journey.  It is hard to remember how thin my hair was in 2011, but you also can make it to the promised land.

8 hours ago, mephesto said:

Hi,

I'm not sure how many HT users there are after such a long time, but I had some questions into the long term implications of an HT.

My questions:

1. Are you happy with the transplant after all these years?
2. Are you comfortable with the scar?
3. With the current options, would you have started with FUE or FUT/FUSS?
4. Has your hair continued to recede? If so, are you doing anything to combat it (another HT, medication, etc)?
5. Are you still on medication (propecia, minox, etc)?

Thank you

#1.  I had my first transplant in 2011 so only 8 years, but I am totally pleased.

#2. I had FUT for my first transplant and I wear my hair long so that was never a problem.

#3. FUT because of the horrible haircut needed for FUE

#4. I think my hairloss has pretty much stopped and I never used any potions.

#5. No Medication

2nd Transplant 09/10/2018 and doing great.  Now I am going for the Moses look including the beard. LOL

I have begun receiving notification of every post on here and I have turned all notifications off.  I have zero interest in this topic so please stop notifying me of every post.  You might as well remove me entirely from the forum because I have achieved my goals and have nothing to add to the forum.

This is probably my last post on this forum.  I don't see that I have much to offer on here and my journey is complete, and I am satisfied the way things turned out.  My hair is actually getting pretty long since that picture was taken.

On 4/8/2019 at 3:00 PM, HarryHonolulu said:

and? did it affect your hair in any way?

No, it had no impact, although I won't do that again.

I actually just posted pics in the other forum, but I may come back at the one year point because I am growing my hair out.

Well lets see if this works. 2nd picture is from 02/15/2009, 1st from 03/22/2019.  1st transplant with Dr. Tim Love - FUT in OKC 2000 grafts - 11/09/2011.  2nd transplant Dr. Junaid Syed, MD, Orlando Hair Clinic - FUE - 2300 grafts - 09/10/2018.  I am totally satisfied with both doctors, and although I could use some filling in the crown area I believe this will be it for me.  I am 71 and don't want to die before the hair grows out.  LOL  I did not use any of the hair growth lotions.  Hair loss probably became noticeable at about 45. It seems like I am in the middle of a growth spurt since I took that picture, and my hair is getting pretty long.

On 4/3/2019 at 9:38 AM, LaserCap said:

It all depends.  How do you intend to wear your hair down the road?  If long, perhaps FUT.  If very short, to the point that you can clearly see the scalp, FUE. That is somewhat simplistic but not a bad way to think about things.  The way I see it, why do transplants if you want to continue wearing your hair short?  Just had transplants, show it!

 

For me this sums it up.  I found FUT much easier to deal with because there is very little you can to to hide the donor area with FUE.  I have had both, and hated the ridiculous haircut I had with FUE.  I really don't see any difference between the results of my 2 transplants so it comes down to how it effected my daily appearance, and FUT wins hands down.  With either you have to deal with an ugly recipient area, but the donor area with FUT is easy to hide.

I have had 2 transplants and I am probably the worst at describing the growth cycle.  Both times at the 4-5 month period I thought nothing was happening, then at about 6 months it was 'oops there it is'.  I kind of ignored it until it grabbed my attention.  I think micromanaging the growth will drive you crazy.

I actually got a bit of a sunburn at the 6 month point, even though I thought I was always in the shade.  I wear my hair longer so I guess that helps a bit.  All I can say is that even if you think you are in the shade you may not be.  I was at a ballgame under a pavilion and still got burned.

Upsall

11 hours ago, Upshall said:

Who did you surgery? 

I didn't use the recommended doctors on here.  The first time in 2011 was Dr. Tim Love in OKC and the 2nd time in 2018 it was Dr. Junaid Syed at the Orlando Hair Clinic in Orlando.  I went the cheap route both times, and have no regrets.  I might post pictures at the one year mark 09/10/2019 if I think about it.  I am in the process of growing my hair out and changing hairstyle to go along with a full beard.  It is looking pretty good so far.  My interest in this site is quickly waning as I got what I was looking for, and I doubt that I will do anything else.  I have very little advice to offer here because guys are looking for answers to things I am not up on.  There are enough guys who know a lot more than I do so I just fade away.