Danny1671

37 minutes ago, Raphael84 said:

@danny1671

Super happy for you brother. Was great speaking with you initially several months back. Happy that you felt comfortable in Brussels. As I mentioned via message, your hairline design looks great,  very appropriate!

Thank you for providing your photos and documentation.

The hard part starts now, sitting tight and remaining patient. I look forward to following your journey and enjoying your growth!

Nice to be home Im sure!

Get some rest!

Thanks buddy, I can’t believe I actually went ahead with it!  It’s a scary step to make but a necessary one.  Thanks for all of your assistance along the way to this point.  Still a long way to go, fingers crossed it all works out 🤞

12 hours ago, Melvin-Moderator said:

Dr. Bisanga has been on fire lately hitting home runs left and right. I can tell just by looking at your post-op photos how much your face is going to transform when this grows in. I hope you'll keep us updated on your progress, i'll be following your thread happy growing🙌

Thanks Melvin I hope I’m as lucky as the others with my results.  It’s a long wait now but hopefully worth it!

Hey Ftothe, small world hey!  Same to you.  You weren’t in for long was it a small procedure?  Ps I think you rocked the bandana better than me haha!

Hi all,

I have just returned to England after a good old sesh with Dr Bisanga and his team at BHR Brussels.  The doctor estimated around 4000 grafts to make a significant cosmetic improvement and he wasn’t far off with a total of 4300.

Graft breakdown:

1 FU - 679 grafts

2 FU - 1312 grafts

3 FU - 1600 grafts

4 FU - 709 grafts

I’d like to document my progress in order to give something back to this community after years of stalking it!  Without you guys and your shared experiences I’d be very lost!.....

I had discussed with Dr Bisanga in both of my pre- surgery consultations that I wanted to design the hair transplant on the assumption that I would not be able to tolerate Propecia and therefore plan for further hair loss.  It was therefore essential for me to understand what my donor hair could offer me in all aspects such as follicular units per square centimetre, hair caliber, hair to graft ratios and above all, how many grafts I had to use in my lifetime.  After thorough examinations I learned that I had good, above average density with good groupings and had approximately 8000 grafts available for fue.  This was good to hear but my future pattern of hair loss is heading to a Norwood 5/6........so a conservative hairline was decided.  Although less conservative than I thought, I’d like to know your thoughts?

Anyway below are pre-op pictures I took a couple of months ago and some of the second day of surgery.  I’ll try and update on a monthly basis unless I get into a scary situation in which case I’ll be screaming for your assistance!

Thanks all

Jron, that is looking great so far to me, what a transformation and only four months. From checking out hundreds of other journeys similar to yours I truly believe you are heading for a great result. Exciting times ahead it’s only getting thicker from now on!

Also your crown looks a lot thicker, barely looks affected by hair loss so Propecia must be doing wonders for you.  Long may that remain! Good luck with the rest of your journey.

Cher’s Marshall that’s awesome. How are you getting on a year on? Are you pleased with the results? I’ll try find your progress pics if you’ve done any?

thanks again 👍🏼

Thanks Marshall that’s good to know.  How did you find the flight? I know Ryanair can be quite cramped, were you able to spray the grafts ok?  Did you pre book the coach or can you just jump on?

Cheers mate

Hello all! I have finally booked a procedure with Dr Bisanga at the BHR clinic in Brussels on 7th 8th October!

I am now sorting out the issues of travelling there from Dorset UK and staying etc as well as aftercare.

Has anybody done this trip to Brussels?  If so where did you stay? Did you go by Eurostar?  And how long did you stay and do you wish you had done anything differently?

I have been advised to go home the day after the procedure however I’m a little bit worried about damaging grafts when I’m travelling. I also don’t want to look like Hellraisor when I return home and scare the crap out of the kids!

How easy is it to get to the BHR clinic from the train station?

Any advice for any part of this will be greatly appreciated!  

Thanks all

Thanks for the info! That price per graft is actually cheaper than I imagined.  I’ll wait till the 12th to find out a bit more and hopefully decide finally between Rahal and Bisanga.  Both great Doctors in my opinion and give natural results. But is the Rahal hairline slightly better? 🤔

Thanks for the advice, glad you had a successful trip! I have a Skype consultation with a Rahal rep on 12th September so hoping I can get an idea of cost for fue as it seems to be a bit of a secret!  Are you from the UK like me?  Which airline did you use and was the flight bearable?

I've been on Propecia for 7 weeks now and can’t  say ive noticed any changes good or bad so I’ll persevere.

looking forward to some updates! 

Ps how much involvement did Dr Rahal have in the process? Did he do the punching, removal, incision sites and placement, or did techs do some of it? Either way I’m sure it will be a great result.

That looks like it’s going to be a great hairline, I really love the irregularities of the graft placement.  I think I have a similar ish pattern to yours so I’m keen to follow your progress.  I’m seriously considering getting my procedure done with either Bisanga or Rahal.  Did you have to travel far for surgery?  Are you able to tell me the cost per graft both FUT and FUE at all?

Best of luck with it, growth is on the way so stay excited!

Thanks Gillenator, that’s definitely some food for thought.  I’m hoping that Propecia will stop further loss but don’t want to totally rely on it in case I have to stop for any reason.  SMP isn’t something I’ve really looked into, I kind of assumed it was for the guys who want the look of a shaved head.  Is it a common thing to get smp along side a hair transplant?  Can you recommend a place to get information and pictures?

I actually had a procedure booked in Athens when I learned on here about the new clinic.  After speaking with Raphael84 ⬆️ who is a fantastic rep for Bisanga, I learned that the techs and newer doctors actually were planning to do more of the work than I’d have liked so therefore started looking into BHR Brussels. That way I know I’d get that little more from Dr Bisanga himself.  I’m sure I would have gotten a great result in Athens but it’s just personal peace of mind.

Ill enquire more about Rahal as actually it’s quite cheap to fly to Canada.  Still very close to booking with Bisanga in Brussels and I’m kind of exited to have hair a can style again! 😀

Cheers for the input guys it really is useful stuff.  I’m edging towards Bisanga out of the two, simply because the results seem generally very good to me, I can achieve more coverage in one procedure over 2 days at the same price as the Maitland Clinic.  I know cost shouldn’t be a factor but it kind of is really.

largechris we probably passed in the hotel lobby ha!

Slightly off topic but one more surgeon I am suddenly considering is Dr Rahal. Does anybody have any experience with him surgically?  Any idea of cost per graft and his general planning?  His work like Bisanga and Ball looks very very good.  Worth a look I wonder? 🤔

13 hours ago, transplantedphil said:

I would have guessed you were a higher norwood than a 3v, probably closer to a Norwood 5v diffuse thinner tbh - that is at least based on the status of your crown - but again that's just my take on it. You do have high sides and a forelock which is good so hopefully the medications can help retain your native hairs. 

In terms of your dilemma between choosing the surgeons, I was admittedly in the same situation; I consulted 17 clinics before my last procedure so I know how easy it is to get confused by different advice and the differing approaches. If I were you I'd look at the individual work of the surgeons you are interested in, particularly Norwood cases similar to your own and see what results they got. Ask the surgeons to provide you some if you can't find them online yourself. 

That was smart to ask both Doctors to plan for you assuming you can't tolerate the side effects of propecia

In terms of getting full coverage, given your level of balding I'd probably take a two-step "conservative" approach to things, with your 1st surgery concentrating on your hairline and midscalp regions, then if that all went well I'd concentrate on the crown and make any adjustments you wanted on the hairline. That way in that time period you could also find out how well you tolerated propecia and see how your donor responded to surgery. But that would only by my approach - there are world class clinics like HnW that can give you full coverage in one sitting.

In terms of thinking about other surgeons everyone has their favourites, there is no "best" surgeon (although a few always top most people's list), but there is more accurately the best surgeon for your situation. I would assume you are in the UK or Europe based on your choices, so the only other piece of advice one can give is not let geography dictate your choices. 

Hopefully someone else more well versed in these matters can provide better advice than my own. Whatever your choose to do I wish you luck sir! 

Thanks transplantedphil that’s good advice.  As it happens I have asked about similar Norwood cases to my own and have received a few from BHR clinic. One example I was sent was a almost slick Norwood 5 and the final result was amazing( after 2 sessions).  The Maitland clinic said they’d prefer not to send me such examples as each person is unique and I might set myself unrealistic expectations. I get that in a way but it may have helped with my decision making!

cheers for your thoughts

 

Hi everyone.  I’m after some advice....

I have finally had consultations with the two surgeons I have narrowed down to after years of research. Dr Edward Ball of the Maitland clinic and Dr Bisanga. Both doctors have said that I am an excellent candidate for fue surgery, however the plans for my surgery in terms of graft numbers and hairline design are very different.  

I am a apparently a Norwood 3v diffused pattern and it’s fairly obvious where I will eventually go bald.  

Dr Ball measured a donor density of 80 and 70 fu, and total donor capacity of 6000 grafts. He drew a very conservative hairline and advised against really touching the crown. Graft proposal was 1800-2000.

After seeing Dr Bisanga today in London, he measured my donor density at 80 and 90 fu with total donor capacity of 8000 grafts. The hairline he drew was still fairly high but much less receded in the temples compared to Dr Ball  if that makes sense. The proposed graft numbers were 4000 and he said he would cover the crown (although not full density) in one hit.

When I asked Dr Bisanga if that was a wise option considering my balding future pattern he said I didn’t need to worry as I am 37 not 25, I have high sides and above average donor density.

So now I’m confused!

Obviously I would love to get almost full coverage and stop drowning myself in consealer so hearing Dr Bisanga’s plan was music to my ears......but is it too good to be true? 🤔

Also FYI I started Propecia 7 weeks ago, use regaine once a day, Nizoral sometimes and biotin. No effects from Propecia yet good or bad. I also asked both Doctors to plan for me assuming I don’t take Propecia in case I need to stop.

As well as this, do you think I should be considering other surgeons? Maybe I’ve missed some!

Thanks all, your opinions and advice are most welcome.

14 hours ago, LaserCap said:

I think you are crazy to consider grafts in the crown. First, you are just doing Rogaine.  For how long have you done it?  Do you feel you are retaining?  From the angle of the photos you have posted it seems you are not losing vertically on the donor.  Good sign.  But, 1000 grafts is going to do absolutely nothing to that area.  

Consider a circle, similar to yours, (the back), that drops slightly vertically in the back.  You fill the circle. But, because you've shown the propensity to lose-you will continue losing.  You drop down vertically some more.  Now you've created a smile in the back of the head.  Now you need to waste more donor just to fix it.  This is called chasing the pattern and it never stops.

A smarter way to approach the back, (and that same 1000 grafts will make a big difference), is to work horizontally on the pattern as far back as you can so at to minimize the size of the crown.  The doctor would work in a sphere shape so that, even if the pattern expands vertically in the back, you will still look round and natural and have no "smile" back there.

More importantly is the use of medical therapy.  Propecia, Rogaine, Laser and PRP.  And while I understand you are using Rogaine, consider adding another modality as you are playing with fire.  You are going to use a HIGH percentage of your donor and have no clue what your pattern will do down the road.

Thanks for the response Lazercap.  I agree with the crown work being left alone for now. I see what you mean about the smile shape being left if my hairloss progresses further down.  Do you think Dr Bisanga would suggest this at an in person consultation? So far it has only been online.  

In answer to your question about Rogaine, I have been using it since 2011. It seemed to slow the process but the thinning has certainly progressed in that time.  I fully intend to have PRP therapy as another measure but I am scared of finasteride to be honest. I hear bad things all the time and I don’t want to risk ruining a good sex life with the wife.  Have you got on well using finasteride? Would you advise I try it?  What are your thoughts on the topical version?

I want to be realistic when it comes to my procedure and be fairly conservative. Like I’ve said before, I would like a good hairline and top and wouldn’t mind the look of a thinning crown/ vertex ( as far back as possible) for my individual case.

Fingers crossed its a positive outcome for me!

Thanks all for responding. Looking forward to getting this done!

34 minutes ago, Melvin-Moderator said:

^pretty much this

Hair when longer blocks light from reflecting off of the scalp. This is why the scalp is visible when short or wet. Shorter hair allows light in, as well as wet hair because it clumps together. You look fine and you appear to be a good candidate for hair restoration. Please consider creating a thread of your experience and a patient website. This is what keeps our community vibrant and alive. 

https://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/

Thanks for the reassurance Melvin, I hope you’re right!  I will certainly be documenting my restoration journey from start to finish. I’m getting excited now about the possibility of having a hairline again. Ironically I’m nervous too because I feel like I’m admitting to others that I’m insecure and unhappy with my appearance, and perhaps not the confident Witty guy people say/think I am.  Seems so unfair! Not sure how I’m going to tell a crew of firefighters who just love an excuse to make jokes! 

Fingers crossed anyway

cheers 

2 hours ago, Fozzie said:

I wouldn't worry too much to be honest. At a 1.5 grade, most donor area's can look somewhat on the thin side. Think I'd only be concerned if it looks  thin/patchy when you grow it out. How does it look when grown out?

The donor area will be examined for miniaturisation etc during your in person consultation and if there is an issue, a reputable surgeon will bring it up. With Dr Bisanga you are in good hands. Has a conservative, ethical approach and if he has seen your pictures and said your donor looks suitable, I'd go with that. 

Thanks Fozzie that’s  reassuring to hear. I have chosen Dr Bisanga as I had read that he has a very ethical approach and is keen to plan realistically for the future.  Please see the below photos of my donor area grown out to I think a grade 5 ish?

What do you think?

cheers

Hello all,

I recently posted some pictures of my current state of hairloss. My hair at the time of the photo was probably a number 5 guard at the back and sides.  It was that photo that I used for an online consultation with Dr Bisanga who said I had a good looking donor zone and was likely a great candidate for fue.  Yesterday however I returned from the barbers after having a 1.5 grade back and sides and noticed the back of my head looked thin quite far down.

So far, the plan based on the photo originally submitted was to take 4000 grafts and put 3000 into the hair line and mid scalp and put a 1000 into the crown.

What is your opinion? Do you think I’m going to go thin further down the back? And if so would that change the current plan?

Im 37 and use rogaine foam once or twice daily and nizoral shampoo once every 2 weeks.  Propecia scares me too much to take orally but have been recommended topical finasteride which I’ve heard can be effective.

Ultimately, I’d like a strong but age appropriate hair line and mid scalp, but I wouldn’t mind the look of a thinning crown if I were not to have enough grafts.  I guess I would like to be able to buzz it off one day if it doesn’t fully work out but it to look natural.  Hope that makes sense!

Im looking to get this booked for October and stop worrying and obsessing! 12 years is long enough!

Thanks in advance for your opinions, tips and advice 👍🏼

Ok so now I’m a bit worried! I have just returned from the barbers and had a grade 1.5 back and sides and noticed that it looks like a may be thinning lower than I thought. To me it doesn’t look like a typical  balding pattern in the average man but I’d love to hear your thoughts.  Should my strategy change in terms of future planning if this will go too? Do you think I’d have a dense enough ‘safe donor zone’ to have a good hairline and mid scalp or is it game over?

what would you do??

cheers all

43 minutes ago, hairlossPA said:

are you dead set on FUE? FUT would give you a lot of graphs for 1 sitting, and you could knock a lot more of it out (more than you could do with 1 FUE sitting)

Hi there,

Im dead set on fue as I like to wear my hair very short sometimes especially as my wife likes that look. An fut scar is something I’d like to avoid if possible.  I can see what you mean about yield etc.

thanks for your help 👍🏼

16 minutes ago, DrTBarghouthi said:

Your frontal zone is probably around 70 cm2. Considering you have some hair in the mid-frontal zone, then an average density of 40-50 grafts per cm2 will be great imo. Maintain what you have aggressively, ignore the crown for now and aim for around 3000-3500 grafts for now. This is only my opinion. 1200 is a bit far off what you need. 

Thanks Dr T,

Can I ask what you mean when you say  maintain what I have aggressively? Are you referring to medication or transplanting into the area of scalp that currently has more hair on it?

I’m certainly getting a general vibe that it’s maybe a little early to start filling the crown. I’d like to be able to shave my head if it eventually does not work out by running out of donor hairs etc and for it to look natural. I actually don’t mind the look of a strong hairline and frontal third with a thinning crown.  That’s a common balding pattern that I’m sure I’d be fine with especially as I get older.