MachoVato

20 hours ago, Saab said:

Yes, I have pics too. I was told that 1500-2000 grafts. My budget is 15 000 dollars 

Looking at your pics, I would budget for 3,000 grafts. Even with that number, your budget permits for top shelf doctors. Spain (Lorenzo, De Freitas, Vila), Portugal (Ferreira, Pinto), Belgium (Bisanga, Lupanzula, Mwamba, Feriduni), Turkey (HLC, Pekiner), and some others like Dr. Maras in Cyprus. I'm forgetting a bunch, but these are all exceptional doctors. To get this level in the US, you're doubling your price/graft.

1 hour ago, Egy said:

@MachoVatoCan I ask you why you didn't come back to the HLC?  Is there a particular reason that made you decide to go to Dr. Bisanga?

It has nothing to do with HLC. I've just been really impressed with Bisanga's cases. I also would have went to De Freitas. Both docs are doing exceptional work.

For my first transplant, I was looking at hairlines and HLC was the best I could do considering the time and money. And I love my hairline. This time, I am interested in crown and temple peaks... and expertise in donor management. I feel Bisanga best fits those needs. 

Besides, I'm looking forward to seeing Belgium. I've been to Turkey a few times already.

2 hours ago, Fernand said:

Hey there! I'm about to book my first transplant at HLC after extensive research.

Are you happy you went with them so far? Are all doctors on the team highly experienced or there's one better than another? Thank you so much!

Yes, of course I'm happy. I'm not sure if any doctor is better than the other. It seems they are part of a system, they all perform the same technique (stick and place). There might be some specializations, like beard transplants, but I'm not sure. The doctors that work on you are decided during the hairline design process.

16 hours ago, GaryStruthers said:

So if the $10,000 is a pipe dream for a U.S. operation then I'd love to hear your thoughts on that and the other queries I've listed. It would all be greatly appreciated and help solidify my decision.

The problem is that good doctors in the US start around $5/graft. So you'll need more money or only do 2000 grafts.

I can't see you being happy with 2,500 grafts, unless you're looking for a VERY conservative hairline. I agree with the 3,500 - 4,000 quote. That pushes you to mostly turkey, like HLC, Dr. Pekiner, Dr. Bicer, Dr. Demirsoy, and maybe FueCapilar. There are a couple docs on the forum, but I don't know if you're in their budget.

You could research Mexico. Even Colombia. Search the board for those clinics.

This is probably my favorite thread on this site. 

5 minutes ago, CasuallyCopacetic said:

There is a HUGE difference between months 7 and 8. You probably don't notice it as you see yourself everyday, but the density of the very front is much thicker. You'll probably have a perfect hairline in another three months. Can you post a close up face shot before/after so we can tell how different the hairline changes your face shape?

I'll keep this thread going for a while. In 2 weeks I go in for a second transplant. I'll be at the 9 month mark from my first HT. Going to have my crown worked on. And I'm going to see if I can get my temples closed a little bit... and maybe add some density behind the hairline. 

I'm going to Dr. Bisanga in Brussels so he'll guide me what I need. I'm paying for 1,500 grafts. I'm super excited!

Another topic to think about is your budget. When we see your pics we could have an idea of the number of grafts you'll need. But to give you better recommendations, an idea of how much you're looking to spend will help. A $2k procedure is different than a $5k procedure... and $10k and $15k. 

I've seen some good work from Bogota Hairlines, Dr. Camacho. 

3 minutes ago, GaryStruthers said:

Hey brother. I plan on doing the same as you (hlc, fue, hoping for 4 to 5000grafts), and this thread is great to follow as I have a very similar hairline and texture as you do. Did this run you over 5000, US$? I'll be adding $800 to $1000 extra for the plane ticket from the States so it'll be good to get an idea.

HLC charges €2.5 - €2.7 per graft. 5000 grafts is about $15k USD.

I'm the one guy that will say go for it! I know that feeling... once it bothers you, it'll never not bother you.

That said, 2500 grafts is too high. HLC loves to dense pack. But in the spirit of saving your grafts for a possible second op later in life, I would wouldn't go over 1500 grafts. That would fill in your temples and bring the hairline down maybe 1/2 cm. 

Think on it!

This is a question for the doctor. But I can't imagine any scenario where they would require you to wash your hair for leg surgery.

18 hours ago, Classygentleman said:

Are you saying that you don’t think enough grafts were packed into the hairline?

I think you can expect improvement over the next few months.... but, I doubt it will be enough for you to be happy. the hairline is not likely going to improve much. The crown will take more time, so let's hold off until the 12 month mark. 

If I were you I would be planning a second transplant for the end of the year. I would look outside the UK, though. Spain and Belgium have some excellent clinics that specialize in "repair" cases, although I don't think yours is a failure. I'd guess you're looking at 1000-1500 grafts for a new hairline. Maybe an extra 1000 in the crown if it still bothers you. Consider beard hair to add density, of you have it. 

Thanks for sharing your photos!

Yes, you are still in the "ugly duckling" phase. But I would say in the next 1-2 months you will see hair start to grow. Be patient. Trust the process.

I think it looks pretty dang good! I'm going to BHR in 3 weeks, so I'm pretty excited!

Andrew Napolitano

Just got a haircut. I'm at 8.5 months. Donor looks fine to me. She used a 0.5 size guard around the ear and at bottom of back. This is about as short as I've ever worn it. Kinda like it!

Headed to Brussels in 3 weeks to meet Dr. Bisanga to add some density to my crown (untouched) and tweak my temples & hairline.

If you can share some photos, that'll help a lot.

And what is your budget? That really changes the recommendations. (after seeing photos to help determine number of grafts)

De Freitas is easily one of my favorites. Beautiful work!

1. The transplanted hair feels somewhat 'rougher' than my surrounding, native hair. Do you know why, and when it will go back to normal? Or maybe it's just my imagination since the area is still numb?

- That's normal. It will likely fall out and new hair grows. Even then, new hair can take a year before it really matures and feel natural.

2. In their progress photos, most people comb their transplanted hair in the front upwards, which looks very odd and unnatural to me. Is there some reason behind this beyond personal preference? Or does it somehow happen naturally with transplanted hairs?

- It's just preference. It's a modern male style to comb up. But for progress photos, people are showing the hairline. We want to see the density and naturalness.

3. How long should I wait until my first haircut, and is there a recommendation on the interval between haircuts, and on how long I should keep my hair?

- Refer to Bicer on this. I wouldn't touch your donor for a month. Your recipient area needs more care. I but mine at 1 month, but only with scissors (not clippers).

4. Most people I know who had a hair transplant told me that they were told to take multivitamins and such following the surgery. I even started taking biotin because of that. However, the clinic that did my hair transplant (Dr. Bicer) did not tell me anything about that, nor did most people here mention anything about it. What do you think?

- Supplements are a good idea, not a deal breaker. They won't stop genetics and if they really worked no one would need a transplant. But most people take biotin to speed up hair growth.

5. I have been taking finasteride for a few years. Is there any benefit in continuing? I am a Norwood 6-7. Likewise, I'm considering to start using minoxidil. Note that I will still require another transplant in the future, mainly to cover my crown area.

- Most will say take finasteride the rest of your life. It keep your native hair from falling out. But you've lost most of it already. And it doesn't really impact your transplanted hair. So it's up to you, but I would ask Bicer her opinion.

That's REALLY good density for only 4 months! It's still super early!

The next two months will be even better! Congrats!

On 7/10/2021 at 5:06 AM, MeetYourMaker said:

could you explain "stick and place" ? 

Here's a video from HLC explaining stick and place.

This is world class results! Simply amazing!

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Blepharoplasty?