sbguy01

Wow! Congrats Bradley787. You've got movie star hair now!

Just cut my own hair a few days ago, so the back donor area looks thin. Didn't take a picture of the back before haircut. My wife tells me it doesn't look so "choppy" in real life and she doesn't see any noticeable donor problem areas. And this side picture is from before the hair cut. Compared to pre-op, I'd say donor area recovery quite well.

Thanks for all the kind words. Yes, there's no question that Dr. K is a man of integrity, accountability and above all else patient satisfaction. He even scheduled staff on Saturday because he couldn't fit me in during the week I was available. I look forward to being a walking billboard for his work after all my new hair matures.

Unlike you pros, this is my first HT. I have no idea how many grafts I need for my situation. I just relied on the good doctor's opinion. I guess he was too hopeful as well, hence the free touch up. He did say that density is not just graft density, but also graft placement, caliber of hair, etc. In the final analysis, he felt that I needed more and better to do it sooner rather than later.

So... what's a journey without some twist and turns. I shared my recent photos with Dr.K. After reviewing his own surgery photos, he felt that he underestimated my density requirement and offered me an 800-1000 graft density booster on the house! He quickly moved his schedule around and I'm set to see him again in mid-November for a booster session. What a guy! A great surgeon and a gentleman. Unfortunately, I'll have to buzz off my hair and start all over again. Oh well, no pain no gain. I asked a bunch of questions including how the 2nd session at the 7 month mark might impact the health of the previous grafts and he said it should not be a problem. The graft spacing from the 1st session allows him to safely insert the 2nd grafts. Shock loss to the existing grafts, if any, will be temporary. Since this session is free, I can only believe this is the truth. Here are my 6 month photos. I think density has doubled from the 4.5 month mark. I am excited about the potential. My front and mid-scalp hasn't seen this much hair over 20 years. But too low of density will just make me look balding, which is probably worst than just bald 🙂

Sorry for the delay guys. Been having too much fun this summer. There wasn't much to show until about 3.5 months. The jump from month 3 to 4 1/2 month was quite exponential. I'm feeling growth and sprouts every day. So while I'm not feeling like a new man yet, like @Bradley787 who is 1 month ahead of me. I'm definitely feeling like feeling like a new man. I think Bradley787 uses minox and/or finas. I've never used any of those products and decided to go O'naturale post-op. That might explain the difference in growth rate, density, etc. I'm probably about 2 months way from "feeling and looking like a new man" Sometimes, I wish I did use hair meds. Then again, I was in the sun, water, traveling, etc over the summer, and it would've been a pain in the ass the keep up with the meds.

Wow! Looking great, man.

You're right on schedule Bueller! It's going to shedder alot faster next 2 weeks. I think 98% of my stubbles are gone. I'm 40 days post-op. I did notice a few new sprouts. I asked Dr. K what he thought and he said this is the dormant phase of transplanted follicles, so looking for new hair is pretty pointless 🙂 The waiting game continues.

Congratulations man! The coverage looks great! Good luck recovering.

Thanks. After looking at my pictures Dr. K recommended FUE, which I agree. He said that my coarse and straight hair would not hide the FUT scar well, unless I grow it much longer.

1 Month Update Well, I was not one of the lucky ones who avoided the Ugly Duckling phase. I'm right in it! But based on everything I've learned, this is just part of the journey and a rite of passage to the Land of New Hair. I think I've shed 80% of the transplanted hair. My donor area feels completely normal. My recipient area is only a little numb, and getting better every day. The redness is decreasing day by day as well. I've been trimming the top and sides with a #2 guard.

Just found your journey! Your hair looks great. Congrats. I'm 1 month behind you with Dr. Konior - my surgery was mid-April. So thanks for the preview of what's to come 🙂 Also, your natural hair seems to grow super fast! Since the recipient area is still your own follicles, it should come back in no time!

Thanks guys. Will try to update this journey monthly. Ugly duckling, here we come!

And the donor area today.

Day 13-15 Update The way my scalp looked during week 1 of post-op, I thought I might get lucky and not get any crusting. But no such luck with the low-humidity of where I live. The dryness of itchy was really annoying and unbearable at times. I finally followed post-op instructions and used Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray ( which was optional). Upside - instant relief all day long from itchiness and helps separate the scabs from the scalp. Downside - it's an ointment and leaves an oil waxy residue that sticks to the scabs and crust. But, I just powered through it until week 2 when I can take a scalp massaging shower to remove the scab. Day 13 came and I couldn't wait a day longer and took the long awaited de-scabbing shower. I put conditioner on my scalp for 30 minutes then gently massaging the scab ointment loose under the shower. Viola! I fee like a new man and the grafts and scalp (although a bit numb at places) feel like a natural part of me. My scalp is red, but that's expected. However, with my natural dark hair, and darker natural scalp color, the redness isn't that bad. I did lose grafts along the way. I think I probably lost 200 grafts by now. But I learned from this forum and Dr. K that this normal, so I didn't freak out. The grafts were supposed to fall out so the follicles can give birth to new and stronger hair. Here are some pix. As you can see my crusting was not nearly as bad as other people. I've been debating whether I should use Rogaine (optional by Dr. K). I still haven't done it. Going to try the oh-nautural approach and see what happens before I slather chemicals on my scalp.