My story
I'm male, 39 years old from Slovenia (not Slovakia:) My hair loss story started pretty soon in my high school years when I was around 16 years old. I've started thinning in my temples and the whole front area of the head. These years were hard for me. I could say I was the only guy in high school who had visible baldness. My schoolmates made fun of me and that hurt a lot. My confidence went down rapidly. Thx God my mum understood me and took me to the dermatologist who prescribed me Propecia tablets. I was around 17-18 years old when I started with finasteride which even improved my situation and slow down shedding.
About 8 years ago I've started with hair concealers. I must admit my experience with concealers is great. I've started with Dermmatch and Toppik and can recommend both of them. I was using them all the time so nobody even noticed my hair loss. Most of the people thought I had a full head of hair. Last years I got tired of putting them on. I usually put them on after I washed my hair. I also have small kids so vacation at the sea was also the problem. I didn't want to wet my hair so I was swimming like a grandma:)
The decision
In 2019 I've started to research a hair transplant. I didn't know much so I've started to read forums, check results etc. I've found that a hair transplant would be a great solution for me. I didn't know much about the doctors, pain, technics etc. The first impression was that Turkey would be the best solution. But I didn't want to travel to Turkey and looking for other options. I've sent my photos to a few doctors around my country and discovered the ISHRS organization. I've checked ISHRS members around my country and discovered dr. Ana Maletic from Maletic clinic. Dr Ana Maletic is specialized in hair transplant. She was really honest to me. She answered all my questions and our conversation had more than 60 e-mails! She was patient and answered all my questions. I went for consultation in her clinic and her estimation number of grafts was 1500 - 2000. She also suggested PRP during the operation.
On the day of the surgery
The surgery was on the 14th of Jan 2020. I came to the clinic in Zagreb around 8.30. First I have to fulfil all the paper works, she made a blood test, EKG etc. I've also chosen the menu for the lunch, which was btw great. The nurse shaved my donor area, I didn't need to shave my recipient area. That was important to me because I wanted that my procedure stayed anonymous. The operation started around 10 am. The extraction and opening channels weren't painful and were made by the doctor. The technicians were helping her and it lasts around 3 hours with opening the channels. The extraction was made by the micromotor. After that, I've had lunch.
After lunch, the technicians started with implanting. I think there were two technicians. We've talked a lot and it was really pleasant. During the implanting I've also received PRP treatment. The implating lasts about 3-4 hours. The total graft count was 1730. I didn't have any bandage on the donor area and it looked pretty good, without any sign of blood. I got a cap (baseball) to cover my recipient area and a bag with liquid for the recipient area, bandages in case of injury and cream for the donor area for free. The final cost was 2 € per graft and 230,00 € for PRP (discount price for FUE patient).
After the surgery
I took two weeks of. Healing was pretty fast and after 7-10 days, the operation wasn't noticeable. Nobody noticed the procedure. I've used to wear hair concealers before the surgery and few months after the surgery so nobody noticed my hair loss even before the surgery. Shedding started after 2-3 weeks. I noticed growing after 3-4 months.
Donor after 2 days:
Final result
Today is 13 months after the procedure. I'm very pleased with my result, especially for that amount of grafts. There are some thin spots but overall the result is great. I'm still taking finasteride (cut Proscar quarters).
I don't use hair concealers any more. Finally, I can swim with my kids and dive into the sea.
Maybe I will go for a touch up of a few hundred grafts but at the moment I won't rush. Again, I will go to the dr. Ana Maletic because she is a great doctor, very professional, honest and very ethical.
Please check my result. If you have any questions I will be pleased to help you.
Washed hair, only combed without styling products or concealers:
I'm very grateful to doctor Ana and her team and also to this forum which is educational and was very helpful on my journey.