SLA

Thanks @mister_25- The frame of my whole scalp was missing too (LOL). I appreciate the comments and good vibes!

I owe this all to you and this forum @Melvin- Moderator!

Month 4 Things are definitely shaping up as I am thrilled with the progress so far! Everything from the design (especially the cowlick) to the hair growth, to the way the beard hairs (1,200 grafts) blend with scalp (Thanks Doc). Even in harsh lighting, when things are a little more see-through, I'm still content as for me it looks like acceptable cosmetic density. For me, it also helps that I am 49 in that everything looks age appropriate and salt & pepper hair aids as well. HTs are an illusion of density and as I learned from @Zoomster, a long time ago, when he posted after his 1st HT, that you need to style properly and take time for length to grow to shingle on top of each other; that is exactly what is happening now. Eugenix has built a reputation for serving high norwoods and I'm getting the impression that they know exactly where to add hair, and how much to add for those with advanced hair loss to build that illusion properly; it is the interior decorating that they seem to excel in to know what to put where and how much. Since it has been years since I actually brushed hair (lol), it took me a little bit to figure out how exactly it is done, but I think I figured out the side part/diagonal back comb witnessed from illusion master @Melvin- Moderatoris the best look for face framing and coverage. Brushing hair has become my ultimate pleasure :). Hopefully, all will continue to improve. I see small hairs in the hairline that have recently popped. So far, has this made a difference in my confidence and life satisfaction....Yes! One co-worker commented after 1 month "SLA, I love your new look" and most recently, "Your hair grows so fast!" I had a big chuckle inside thinking, "If she only knew!" I'll tell her one day. If all goes well, I will return to Eugenix around the 1 year mark to fill in the ~25% left to be done in the crown. Here are some photos to show the progress.

Crown to be done in 2nd sitting although I’m happy they went deep into the mid scalp to cover vertex. If I were you, I’d do the 2 stage approach, save crown for 2nd sitting unless you were blessed with extraordinary donor. my philosophy is it took me a long time to lose the hair, so an extra year in a lifetime to get it back is nothing. Several years from now it will seem like ages ago!

Thanks @ZeeMan- I agree that the framing of the face and overall design looks excellent- the design with temple points looks better than when I had a hairline...All views look solid at this point outside of the top down view...which can be expected at this point in time- fingers crossed that improves :). Thanks for the support! You are looking good for 2 months!

These already look like final results, @MazAB- The coming months will be fantastic!

Hi @Italianhair- I chose the 120INR package offered by Eugenix. All pricing is reflected on their website.

Hi Everyone- Here are 3 month photos. So far so good... Of course, hoping for more coverage on top. I know it is VERY early and for 3 months I am looking very dense, however, I hear that lots of patients develop 'density anxiety', to which I can definitely relate. It is tricky in that although I know that I experienced some shed, I'm pretty sure it has been fairly minimal (although who really knows), so the question becomes how many more grafts have yet to 'pop'. The doc assured me that I will experience a lot more coverage over the coming months. Also worth mentioning that being nearly 50 is helpful in that a diffuse thinning look is age appropriate. I think if I were 30 and this is the amount of density which I could expect, I wouldn't be happy. Again, I know that I am ONLY 3 months in and should experience a lot more growth, even sheer growth in length of the hair in coming months on top should give an even greater appearance of fullness. I'm cautiously optimistic by nature, which is reflected in this post :). Finally, I went to the barber yesterday who buzzed the sides to a 5 guard in most places and a 4 guard around ears and temple points. Cutting the sides has contributed A LOT to the illusion of density. I'll likely buzz sides even shorter in the coming months. Respectfully and cautiously optimistically- SLA

Hi @Jackdaniels- Thanks for the vote of confidence. I chose the 120INR package with Dr. Das, however, due to a conflict in scheduling, Dr. Pradeep did my design and slits. Dr. Das is very competent and I believe can achieve excellent results as evidenced by other on the forum.

Hi @BaldingEagle1- I did not have a haircut yet. I thought about buzzing, sides, but am just inclined to let it grow for now.

Thanks for your support, @BaldingEye!

Brother @MazAB- You are funny as these look like 12 month results to me...I can't wait to see how you continue to progress. Missing our time in India- seems like a LIFETIME ago!

I certainly hope so @Gatsby- Your journey has been nothing short of remarkable! It has been great getting to know you through this special forum. Happy growing to all of us!

Hi @ZeeMan- Good points about the shedding. It happens so mysteriously that one doesn't see it. Redness is there ever so slightly around the front hairline and temple points, but has faded significantly and is not noticeable (I think) to anyone but myself :). I've been mostly steering clear of the forum for these early months to help me from comparing myself to others- basically to keep me sane- I will have to check out your thread- happy growing to you and a happy and hairy new year!!!

Month 2 Finally, 2 months have passed. As you can see, thus far, my shedding has been pretty light. While during an offline conversation, @Zoomstersaid he thinks that I have actually shed up to 50%, I am speculating that it isn’t quite that much and more in the ~20-30% range…it is so hard to really tell 😊. I do hope that Zoomster is correct! While the donor (especially on one side) is looking a little ‘spacey’, I am not concerned- it could be either a little shock loss (I have seen similar with many on this forum), my hair curling (I have curly hair) when it gets a little longer or my donor not being super robust- I am confident that it will either bounce back over the months; otherwise, I have seen that buzzing the donor shorter looks better (my donor looked better at month 1), AND taking out more hair from the donor during a 2nd procedure creates more of a homogenous depletion ironically leaving the donor actually looking better (@Zoomster and @Melvin- Moderator are classic examples). Finally, there is always SMP to the donor as a last resort. For 2 months, I am super pleased- my wife is amazed by how natural it looks and how much younger I already appear. It was also fun to have a 20 something attractive female colleague, who has no idea about the procedure, say to me, “I’ve got to say how much I am digging your new look!” Most importantly, I am starting to like looking in the mirror (although I limit myself, so I don’t begin to overanalyze which is very easy to do). I am hoping for continued growth and fullness in the coming months. I’ll report back at month 3.

Haha...yes, I wouldn't say NW0, but definitely I think fairly aggressive for my level of hair loss. I questioned the docs quite a bit about the height of the hairline, not wanting a bare mid-scalp and nothing left for the crown. I was told that I would be fine and my hair naturally falls around 7cm above the glabella, and my skull narrows so I can 'afford' a lower hairline- a peak so to speak. I think there is a segment in the longer video in which I am talking with Dr. Pradeep about this. I think the aggressive temple points make the hairline look even lower than actuality. I still have my doubts about the fullness I can achieve, especially with my fine caliber hair and limited donor- nothing I can do about it now, but hope for the best- say a prayer for me @ZeeMan- LOL.

Yup @Curious25. My clinic, has an aftercare team and they said that I would be fine. Since there are varying opinions and no set protocols on this matter, I just wanted to collect a wide scope of opinions, anecdotes and precautions.

Thanks @Rahal Hair Transplanthowever, I will be 7 weeks post transplant rather than the 7 months indicated in your reply. Not sure if that would change your advice 😀 Thanks!

Hi Everyone- I’m going with the family to Disney in Orlando, Florida for 5 days. Temperatures should be around 75F (24 Celsius), so not too hot. At that point, I’ll be around 7 weeks post FUE of 5,484 grafts. My plan is to wear a bucket hat with 50+ UPF protection when outside. I’ll also avoid swimming. Might be a silly question, but can I go in a chlorinated pool without putting my head in the water? Any other recommendations for keeping my growing grafts ultra-safe? Thanks!

Thanks @Zinedine- my hair is on the fine side so hoping the curl, number of grafts and salt and pepper color makes up for it!

Does anyone know if transplanted hair that does NOT shed also goes through a maturation process, or is the hair already in a mature state and continues as such until it eventually sheds as per a normal hair cycle? In other words, will hair that doesn't shed also thicken and mature? Thanks!

Appreciate it @AB2000- Of course, fingers crossed it all grows well, I will keep the sides around the current length and grow top long ~4 inches or so to maximize fullness and take advantage of my hair which is curly when grown...at least that is the plan for now

Armen- Looks great, brother. So excited to see you drop another 10 years in age to 25!

1 Month I can hardly believe that it has been 1 month since I left the chair in the Eugenix operating theater (BTW- I love how they use the term 'theater'- in the US, we use the more mundane, 'room') after receiving 5,484 grafts (1,200 beard) to cover the front/deep into the mid-scalp/temple points. Things seem to be growing as expected and I have not had any significant shedding...YET. I could be one of the fortunate few who do not experience much shedding, or perhaps the fall has yet to occur. Donor is recovering nicely and I love the design work by Dr. Pradeep. I am confident that the other docs including Dr. Arika and Dr. Das would have also created an excellent design, although the artistry may have differed ever so slightly. I actually kind of like the look with the buzz cut/shaved head and even though the grafts have yet to grow/mature, I am definitely enjoying having hair on the head and the way the hairline frames my face. As a reminder- I take oral finasteride- 1mg/daily and oral minoxidil- 2.5mg/daily. I hope this serves to benefit all in their decision making and HT knowledge. I'll be back in a month to report my month #2 status. I will be back for month #2 updates

Ian- This is incredible....you don't need fibers IMHO! Wet it looks thick. You could not even have another HT and you look as if you really haven't had any hair loss. Thanks for being such an inspiration to me in helping me make my decision. Enjoy the hair and your hair will look as dense as a lion after the 2nd pass!