uklex0608

Summary:  My results are fantastic, but note that your styling choices post procedure are quite important to your overall satisfaction.

So, for the first time since I started seeing good results, I got a terrible haircut (my regular guy and I had some scheduling conflicts, so I did just a quick jaunt down to the local speedyclips type place).  I wanted to share this to everyone on this board who sees these transformations (my own included) and think it's a miracle.  Although I do think it is, it's more a miracle* (note the asterisk) because to make the most of your investment, you have to take care of it--not just to keep it from falling out all over again with medications if applicable, but also to make sure it's cared for and maintained to it's best potential.

Top Picture:  My hair albeit pushing the limits of where I'll let it get to before a haircut, but still done by my normal stylist, and thrilled with it as normal.

Middle Picture:  Same angle with the same product, but cut too short and no layering/texturing put into the haircut--just a snip snip there. I got what I paid for, and I didn't expect I'd be happy going into it, so I wasn't surprised.  Better than pre-procedure pictures by a thousand, but it doesn't hold a candle to the combined results of a good stylist AND the procedure.

Bottom Picture:  No fading done, speedyclips person just did a straight two guard straight up the back, and although this picture was intentionally taken with harsh lighting as most of my progress pics have been, it's the only time I've even remotely noticed my scar since about eight months in.  My normal stylist also starts with a two guard, but fades it up before the scar to a length that better conceals it.  I still don't regret my strip, as this is not the type of haircut I would normally ever get, I just didn't have many options for this one cut.

The point I want to drive home, best results require ongoing commitment to your hair.  There is less than a week between these two sets of photos.

No, I think I’m pretty good with it at this level.  I’m definitely open to having another procedure, but that’s for if/when I start noticing new loss, I’m still beyond happy with the results.

@GaryStruthers Sure thing, especially as I just got a haircut.  Just a couple weeks shy of 18 months.  Styled and unstyled.

On 10/8/2021 at 8:50 PM, aaron1234 said:

Since your strip scar is undetectable at a 3 guard I assume you're content you went with FUT over FUE.  Incredible results!  

Very content!

Here we are coming up on ten months next week.  Got a haircut yesterday and took some pictures before and after as an update for the group, as well as one of the back afterwards to show how unnoticeable the scar is for those concerned.  My hair stylist talked me into trying out a three guard.  He's convinced I could go very very short without showing the scar--I'm beginning to think he's right and might try a two next time.  Will report back if I do.

Before Haircut

After Haircut & Styled

After Haircut Back

@GaryStruthers, glad it's useful for you!  Sending you a message on some of the rest.

@Melvin- ModeratorUsed the "Giphy" app on my iPhone to convert a trimmed video to a gif, then I saved it from there and uploaded it.  My backdoor approach to get around that videos aren't supported.

@aaron1234  Yes, I'm very happy with my choice.  I wanted to do the strip because of the arguments that you can get more hairs at the end of the day by starting with strip and switching to FUE when there are no more strips to take.  I had just turned 31 when I had the procedure.  Depending on how my hair loss looks over the next 5-10 years, I'll either feel confident that I won't need another and do FUE to fill in the scar so that I can go shorter on the back, because why not?  Or... I'll start preparing myself for a round 2 of FUT.

@giegnosiganoe, You actually caused me to go back to the old high school photos and you are correct, it's not that different.  I guess where it had been so thin for over a decade, I had forgotten about it doing that, as it wasn't as noticeable when styling with heavy product--I guess the clock has turned back even more than I was thinking it had.

Here's the FUT scar, you can spot it, but it's not raised or anything.  This video is of it at it's widest point, as you can see it gets narrower away from that center.  I likely stretched it there somehow.

We're now at 6.5 months, so I thought I'd share some new pictures.  My hair is definitely keeping me happy--it's taken on a bit of a wavy curly aspect I never had much of before (despite wearing the "bedhead" look for going on 20 years) if anything I think it just adds more to the illusion of fullness so I'm not complaining.  Thought I'd share a hairline photo as well as a downward view into the recipient area, that way there's stuff to really compare against the original photos.

@aaron1234nope, it’s natural.  It does lighten up in the summer though.

8 minutes ago, JohnAC71 said:

Wow 🤩 glad we asked 😂🤣 love the progress ! It’s really taken off since the last time you checked in... thanks for the update 🙏

Of course!  I haven’t thought about it as much lately as I’ve been having a very active summer (and because it’s gone so well).  But if I slip again, I have alerts set on this post, so just call me out!  

Asketh and receiveth 🤣.  Approx 6.5 months post op!

I am thrilled with the progress!  I got a haircut this week and my stylist mentioned that I still had a good bit of shorter hairs that are still filling out and may look even better once they’re the length of everything else.

 @JohnAC71 & @Otar Norwood

Four months in and my first normal haircut.  A cropped photo at a distance (what normal people see) vs the up close bright light photo (what we all see as we inspect super closely) is a huge difference.  Also, looks like I can pull off a three guard pretty well, as I can't see any hint of my scar line.  Very excited to see what the next four and then a full year get me.

I almost went to their Nashville branch, they are very good at selling that multi-unit approach.  I went in for an ARTAS consult and left scheduled for multi-unit before I found these forums and cancelled.

On 3/25/2021 at 6:54 PM, notsosure said:

Got it. Thanks man! I have Youtube TV, so will probably just bring my tablet along with me. How was sleep for you the first couple of nights? I'm getting FUE and I'm hoping that sleeping on my back will be doable since I won't have sutures etc. on the back of my head. Curious, did you get FUE or FUT?

The drugs helped bring the incision tenderness down enough to fall asleep (I had FUT).  They give you basically puppy pads when you leave to lay on.  Cover those pillows well with those!  I had to use two as I can move around a bit in my sleep and got some staining on the pillow the first night using just one.  I would imagine sleeping on your back after FUE would be even easier, but I’ll leave that for someone whose done both.

I also recommend a “cake shake” from Portillos while you’re in the area if you’re not on anything close to a diet.  It’s what I popped out of surgery wanting right away after years since my last one.

21 hours ago, notsosure said:

Hey, thanks a lot for your post. I've been browsing this forum for years and finally have gotten enough courage to get FUE surgery. I chose Dr Konior and my procedure is 2 weeks from yesterday! I'm very nervous. Now that you're a few weeks post surgery, are you happy with things? How many graphs did you end up getting? And was there anything negative or scary about the whole procedure? I live in Ohio and Dr Konior's office is a 6 hour drive, so I'll be staying in a hotel from Tuesday-Saturday, about 10 min from the office. Any advice etc you would be able to give to me would be so much appreciated, given you had the same doc that will be doing my procedure. Thank you!

You're in awesome hands, champybaby, anotherhairlosssufferer, and myself have all seen Konior in the past six months for various procedures.  So there's a lot of recent stuff to see in different stages/methods.  However we're all healing still and can't show you final results just yet--but regarding your week in Chicago, I think we all agree that it was pretty great. 

Word of warning, not all hotels have smart TVs, so pack your Roku, Apple TV, etc.  We had to make a Target run night before to buy one--as you'll spend a lot of time on it.  I stayed at Le Meridian and rented a car and thought since the other Le Meridian's I had been to had it, this one would too.

On 3/16/2021 at 11:14 PM, makehairgreatagain said:

You'll feel a lot better with them out. Your sleeping will improve dramatically.

Agreed, the removal strip was the only part that hurt on me and I was taking the ibuprofen for quite some time!  Also your scar looks about like mine did which I was happy with, but mine got even smaller over the past couple months I can barely find it with my fingers now @ 3 months.

Hey there HT network.  I thought I would give a update of where I'm at so I took some roughly three month pictures.  Looking forward to continued growth and for it to get to my normal length again post shave.

My consult was mid July (virtual, submitted photos and corresponded through a couple emails).  I was offered July 2021 but dilly-dallied around the commitment as I was really hoping to get it done while work is remote.  I messaged back the first of September and the wait was then in August 2021, but was told that an opening had come open in December if I could shuffle things and make that work on shorter notice... so I jumped online and bought a plane ticket.

Just now, DenverBuff1989 said:

Dr. Konior and Dr. Nadimi are great and in the Chicago metro area. Be prepared tho for a long wait and paying a premium rate. 

You'd be surprised on the variability of the wait, if you're really flexible right now (I'm assuming he would be as a local) my appointment was randomly able to be moved up from August 2021 to two weeks ago, as people wind up with last minute changes and travel restrictions.  So, be willing to accept a wait, but know that you may get smiled upon.

Your hair loss looks pretty similar to mine, if not better off.  I just got a a 2,380 graft FUT from Konoir earlier this month.  So you may be overestimating your need with a good doctor who can make the grafts go far.  I'm actually just a couple years younger than you, similar hair color and skin tone... so yeah, I don't think you need 5,000 personally.

On 12/25/2020 at 2:19 PM, caricatura said:

...for only $3000 more than what Konior charges for 2000 grafts, I could have 4000 FUE grafts from a place...

I too was considering FUE given the price difference narrowing.  My deciding factor on that (which I did an FUT of about the same about amount of grafts as this poster around the same time) was an explanation I saw from an Australian YouTube series discussing HT.  They explained that FUT removes 100% of an area, FUE removes individual follicles.  In essence FUE can be thought of in a way as “spreading” your thinness.  Whereas FUT doesn’t since it’s removed entirely.  This aligns with the research mentioned in Dr. K’s recent video Q&A that donor supply goes father by starting with FUT and then later moving to FUE.  All depends on the doctor’s skill, and the individuals hairstyle/scar tolerance.  Very personal choice but I decided to accept the hairline scar good doctors leave to set me up well against any future loss.

I would guess that conservative would really stick to your temples and leave your center alone.

1.  Someone once told me a HT is a lifetime commitment, as you can never really undo it and go for the shaved look.  Thankfully if you do have continued recession, you'll notice it well before it's noticeable to others and with plenty of time to schedule a "touch-up" procedure.
2.  Your hair appears really thick and has some length, you can probably pull off a more forward or down hairstyle that hides it during your recovery.  I would suggest maybe getting one of those stretchy fabric hair bands ladies wear to the gym, and covering the first half inch to inch or so of your hair line it and shaping it to where you'd want your hairline to be.  Then see how well you can cover that up with existing hair for your recovery.

I went to Chicago for Konior, you'll love their office and staff if you go for Nadimi I would expect that to be same.  I think your biggest decision is really "is it time yet", but I totally understand as I read long ago to wait until thirty so things were more stable, and started saving up for it at 24, and had it at 31.

Looks like it could be looking at your earlier posts for comparison.  However right now it's at a spot most of us would kill for post surgery.  I would definitely talk to a doctor about Finasteride when you're 18, it's easy and it's cheap (I started losing mine very slowly at 16).  It nearly stopped mine in it's tracks when I started taking it at 25, unfortunately it's a commitment though, as once I stopped taking at 28, well it caught up, and I just had a hair transplant at 31.