tkmoney

Hey everyone, been a minute since I have updated with pics, as it has been just over 13 months now. Started on oral Minoxidl 5 mg about a couple months ago, so we'll see if that helps things out any.

Well, it's been now 10 months and 1 week, and things continue to progress. Hairs in the very front have grown in, but are still thin and immature, and should have plenty of room to thicken, darken, and mature over the coming months.

Slowly but surely things are moving along as I'm 1 week past the 9 month mark today. I'll take more detailed pics in a few weeks when I hit the 10 month mark.

Just a couple days shy of the 9 month mark, as the implanted hairs continue to get longer, darker, and thicker. This final maturation period over the next 3 months has me very excited to see the final results......

Just thought I would throw up a 8.5 month photo today, as things continue to progress nicely......

Thx Stuart and co, really looking forward to the next 3-4 months, as the hair will continue to get longer, darker, and thicker......:)

Just a quick little photo as I'm now just a few days shy of the 8 month mark.....

Well, finally reached the 6th month mark today. Things are coming along well imo, as this is supposedly the halfway point. Hairs are obviously still immature, but should thicken and darken nicely over the next 6 months.

Just thought I would pop back in here with a quick update, as it's been about 3.5 months since my surgery. Everything in my opinion is going well and I feel I'm right on target at this point in time. Just a few before/after photos, as these were taken a couple months before the surgery and right at the 3.5 month mark. Only difference is I had no product in my hair on the photos before surgery versus having some hair gel on the ones now.

Quick little update as it's been 5 weeks since the surgery, just want to show what the donor area looks like. Most of the implanted hair has fallen out, which is of course expected.

Just a quick photo update as today marks the 7th day post-op. Swelling has gone way down under my eyes and head is starting to feel close to normal with minimal tightness.

Not sure exactly what punch size he used, but I'm sure it was the right size for my hair/head. I know others have commented about it with his other procedures, but the results speak for themselves imo.

I definitely will! Now the waiting game begins.....lol

Well, after lots of researching and debating over the last few years, I finally decided to pull the trigger and get my surgery done this year instead of waiting til next, and it took place yesterday morning with the amazing Dr Panine. Not just Dr Panine, but Stuart and all the girls do an amazing job in my opinion, and I felt right at home. We were shooting for 2500 grafts for sure, and possibly up to 2800. I left the crown of my head alone and basically just concentrated on the front half of my head. Dr Panine was able to get just slightly over 2800 grafts, and it took about 12 hrs from start to finish. I will post a few photos before surgery and some from today, the day after the surgery.

Yeah I did reach back out to Dr Nadimi just to clarify a few things, and basically she is saying exactly what Dr Bloxham has suggested, trying to concentrate on the frontal and mid section, while leaving the crown to do if I wanted to during a second procedure. I think that's my thought process as of right now, to do a FUT and get as many grafts as possible to completely take care of the front and hopefully some or all of the mid section, while leaving the back/crown to do at a later time if desired.

Yes, I would have zero hesitation with Dr Bloxham to do my surgery, as I have seen his work and trust his judgement. And I may be happy with just the one surgery, but only time would tell. How do you feel about going to a place like H&W or somewhere where I could do a 2 day FUE surgery back to back days, with 5000-6000 grafts or whatever is necessary? I'm assuming there would be a year wait or so between surgeries with doing a FUT? I don't actually know so that's why I'm asking, thx.

Well, Dr Bloxham just got back to me, a little different than what Dr Nadimi said, but maybe Dr Nadimi is similar in that she would just be concentrating on the frontal region also, just with only 2000 grafts. Anyways here is what Dr Bloxham said.......Based on what I see here, it looks like you would be a good candidate for surgery. It looks as if you have pretty advanced -- and diffuse -- thinning somewhat from front to back. Typically it takes two large FUT procedures for a total of 5,000 - 6,000 grafts to restore a scalp like this. Most patients can safely do around 2,500 - 3,500 in a sitting, so it sort of breaks down to one large surgery for the frontal half and one for the back. I think the best approach is starting on that frontal surgery now. We will go in, safely steal out as much as we can -- and my estimate would be around 2,500 - 3,500 but I am happy to do more if we can get it, rebuild a new hairline, densely pack the frontal scalp behind it, and then strategically work back as far through the mid-scalp as possible. The potential second procedure -- which is always optional -- would basically be just starting where we left off and finishing off the rest of the mid-scalp and crown region

Yep, that's definitely true. I'm thankful I have the opportunity and how far hair transplant surgery has come over the last few decades, it still amazes me how well these turnout and how life changing they can be. Since I'm still open as far as FUE vs FUT, I'm wondering how long I would be out of work with a FUT, since I throw bags for a living working for an airline. I know the recovery is longer with FUT, but most people don't have that physical of a job either, so that could sway things a bit. Any info would be appreciated.

Yeah exactly Melvin, I have a lot to be thankful for compared to most, but I've always had a hard time judging where I fall on that Norwood scale.....lol I don't think I fit in a classic way, and would agree I'm probably somewhere between a 3 or 4. I always wonder if I would have never started T or if I would have been on Finnasteride this whole time would my hair look different now.

Completely agree with Dr Bloxham, been watching and following a lot of his work lately and coming away super impressed. Don't think you could go wrong with him or anyone else on the list, almost seems like splitting hairs at some pt, but having more choices makes it harder sometimes.....lol

Yeah all photos have been sent to all the various doctors, I even included H&W even though they are out of the country and not on the list, they are still some of the best and I wanted their opinion also. I was really against FUT at first and was only thinking FUE, of course because of the scar, but seeing some of the work of Dr Bloxham and other top surgeons, the scar will probably not be an issue for me. I actually just want the best procedure that's going to produce the best results, bottom line. I was just thinking that I needed a high amount of grafts, that FUT might be the way to go. Any opinions/suggestions are always welcomed.....lol

The only thing I'm questioning in my mind with her is she's thinking we only need 2000 grafts. Is that because of her technique/skill to densely pack, and get the maximum effect out of only 2000 grafts? Of course she's only seen the photos and I've not had a consultation yet so maybe that could change a little.

I got on TRT around the age of 40, when having my levels checked and experiencing tiredness all the time. Problem with TRT is you also have to incorporate diet and exercise to really feel amazing, which I did. So by eating clean, having my T levels at optimum levels, and a little bit of exercise, my energy and overall feeling was through the roof! Although I've tried to maintain a Paleo diet as best I can, we all know how extremely hard that is, so I have fluctuated with my eating on/off for the last 10 years. But to your pt of cutting back and getting back on something, I think that's a great idea! My levels are at the top range of the scale right now and could definitely be cut back a bit.

Thanks and I definitely agree with wanting it to get checked out with at least 1 or 2 surgeons before committing to any surgery. Obviously the donor area hair is the key, and I would want to be an excellent candidate to get the desired results I'm looking for.

Yeah I like that she's trained under the best in the world in Konior, and she seems to be very meticulous herself and getting great results. Probably the most expensive place out of all the ones I'm looking at, but none are really cheap. Distance is great as I can literally drive there or fly.