ScottishGuy21

Can only echo what the above say. Pittella in your case would be my number 1 choice. (Zarev too but his waiting times are insane now). FUE is obviously far less invasive and your hair loss pattern now seems close to what the base will be. The yields that guy is getting from mega sessions is phenomenal and pushing the boundaries of what can be done in one sitting I’d row back against the ‘I’d never consider FUT’ comments too though. If done right FUT is still a viable method. Hattingen as a previous post points out are one of the masters. There’s only a handful of FUT surgeons I’d consider but they’d be one. They have a ton of experience and cases online similar to your own for review. Good Luck

I flew to Istanbul rather than SAW, it’s a little further but it’s no big issue. I got met at the airport for transfer which was ideal, the choice of airport is nothing to worry about except an extra 20-30 mins transit. I paid by cash and again had no issues, the apartment had a safe in it from memory too. It’s really handy staying there. It’s literally a 30 second lift ride from her clinic. Post surgery I wasn’t in the mood to go out for food but you can also get a delivery too (Surgery didn’t finish for me till 7-8ish so it was a long day). There’s leaflets in Turkish in the apartment but if you run it by Dr Bicers assistant she can arrange it. Really nice food! You’ve chosen a great surgeon who cares deeply about her patients.

It looks good, very clean and natural shaped hairline. You’re also just beyond the half way stage of the process too so your hair is still developing. As you’ve said it’s really hard to get a full perspective so short. In a couple more months I’d strongly recommend growing it out. This will give you a much better perspective and help highlight areas which during your second transplant may need a small touch up. It will also help understand how noticeable the patchy area you point to is. Monitor that area over the next few months for any further changes. Before any second procedure try to pin down what it is. The benefit of a two staged approach for larger sessions is being able to tweak things. I remember Rolandas did and in the recent Zarev thread likewise. But that being said yours looks very good and I doubt once grown out and matured you’ll need much doing (if anything at all). It’s a nice option to have tho!

first eliminate any potential scalp issues. I’d also give it another few months before making a final judgment call too. If then after ruling out medical issues and passing the 12 month you are still at the same growth point, there’s a strong chance it may have failed due to the procedure itself. How’s your donor doing ?

Different techs is a possible cause (Not definite but it has to be taken into consideration). What was the Dr’s involvement? Did they perform any part of the procedure? How many patients do you estimate the clinic sees a day? Try not to compare and look at other results. Focus on getting to the root cause of your issue. Only then can you look to take the best course of action knowing you’re doing the right thing. A derm who specialises in hair is important too. It’s such a specific niche area post transplant that you want someone who deals day in day out with scalp issues.

Was it the same specific Dr and techs as your friend? Clinics can have several different Dr’s and techs depending on the size and this is where differing results can emerge I agree with ITA in regards to the redness. It may be something you want to get checked out just in case there’s something undiagnosed going on. Everything is process of elimination. I’m going through something similar at the moment after a heavy shed so I know how tedious it can be. Long term however it’s worth it so you can pin down what’s causing the issue and take the right steps.

You’ve had some growth which looks to have helped shaped your face better and you aren’t at the end yet but at 10 months I can understand your concerns. The frontal 3rd for the amount of grafts should be a little fuller. Were you planning a second procedure ? 4200 is most cases won’t cover a full scalp for the desired density. You mention the same place as a friend. Was it a certain Dr who performed both yours and your friends procedure? Or did you have different techs perform the procedure? This can impact on results. Likewise have you any known medical issues? Sorry for all the questions. Just trying to eliminate a few things for you

Interesting thread. Never heard of this Dr before but his works looks very good from what I can find. His old Instagram account suggests he had some involvement in a clinic in Barcelona too. Would be great to see more real time threads on here.

Put together a long list of surgeons work you like. Research cases they’ve done similar to yours. Then factor in cost. Not every good clinic costs the earth, likewise some expensive clinics can be pants. It should never be the deciding factor If you feel a clinic is a little out of reach but you really like them it’s worth waiting a year or two and saving extra. This is a lifelong procedure remember and if you get it wrong it may cost your double to repair (or you may not even be lucky enough to have that option) Sorry to scare you 🤣. But I’ve seen countless people opt for the cheapest deal then regret it 12 months later! Good Luck

The use of techs alongside a Dr isn’t an issue if you are sure of the tech skill level. I can only speak for Dr Bicer as a patient but I know the ones she works with are the same ones day in day out (And have been for a number of years). This is very important , you know you are going to get a level of consistency.

Important thread for anyone having a transplant. No result is guaranteed to last forever and you should as others have pointed out factor in that some loss later in life will occur. The younger you are the more likely it is you’ll need a top up at some point. Through medical therapy and sensible donor hair selection we / Dr’s can try as best as they can to stave off recession but with a small few Mother Nature unfortunately will have others plans.

Scarring from your first surgery looks undetectable, wow . Thanks for sharing your journey it’s been a great insight into how one of the true masters of the industry operates

Congratulations , great result . Keep us updated with any future progress too!

Followed this Dr for a while now and I like him. There’s an undercurrent of really good UK based surgeons starting to come to the fore, Dr Mani has broke out in terms of internationally recognition and I think Dr Ted won’t be far behind. Like with any emerging talent it needs a few people to take the leap of faith and post independently. I’m sure that will happen soon enough.

Cool thanks. I’m currently using the standard Nizoral . I didn’t realise there was other versions. I’ll take a look at this 👍🏻

Further update - sorry in advance for the long post again! I am still waiting for a biopsy. The NHS wait time in the UK is over 6 months!! . With that in mind I am going private but even then the wait for a Hair Specialist Consultant Dermatologist is 4 weeks. I could see a standard Derm again much quicker but given the potential complexity of the issue (And I’ve already had a trichoscopy) don’t think that would move my case any further. A few ago I was prescribed anti biotics. This saw the shedding and redness subside dramatically, I am seeing thickening / regrowth. So there’s a good chance I did have some sort of infection given my positive response to them. There’s thankfully a noticeable difference in my hair health (pic enclosed). I am however still getting occasional tingling and itching which indicates there’s possibly still more going on than just a covid shed / infection. (Hence why I want to see a hair specific derm this time to be thorough). Blood work has come back normal. It’s a waiting game now for a) A biopsy 2) How much the hair regrows.

Both are very good safe bets and among the best in Europe. I don’t think you can go wrong with either. Surgeons can never have a 100% success rate. There’s so many variables and unknowns including undiagnosed patient related health issues. What’s important is if it does go wrong how do they react. Both above have acted admirably and offered repairs.

I’d mention it to your surgeon. Wind burn can be as painful as sunburn so logic suggests it could be just as harmful given the length of time you’re running in the cold air. Personally as long as your surgeon agrees I think a hat is the safer option first few months once you’re out of the initial first few week period. (All the above us just opinion btw I may be totally wrong just trying to think logically 🤣)

I’d mention it to your surgeon. Wind burn can be as painful as sunburn so logic suggests it could be just as harmful given the length of time you’re running in the cold air. Personally as long as your surgeon agrees I think a hat is the safer option first few months once you’re out of the initial first few week period.

Thanks for your input. I’ll certainly get a second opinion ASAP. I may look to get a private biopsy done to be certain. Yes Ive had full bloods taken, I’m awaiting the results . The advice given was on provision the bloods were clear. What a minefield this is turning out to be 😔

Ok, I may just do that. Do you think he may have mis diagnosed? The burning scalp sensation I had has considerably subsided in the last few days. Have you seen similar cases I can look into online? I had a triscopic examination.

He’s definitely had a recent top up. Although that’s not a flattering picture it shows up the areas which needed reinforcing. Good Luck to him, would love to know who his chosen surgeon is. Ive just watched the Beckham doc/series on Netflix funnily enough. If he’s got any of his dads follicular genes then he’s done very well to keep any hair!

Night and day visually already. You’re not even half way through your journey too!

My dermatologist said he’s seen several similar cases recently but usually with women and children. With any type of fever / illness there is a risk of telogen effluvium. I’m back with him in December for a follow up. I had considered desynchronisation and that’s definitely also something which could have contributed to the thinning also (Along with seasonal shed). Whatever is going on is also impacting existing native hair too though which suggests more is at play.

Further update Been to see a derm today who has ruled out anything scalp related including seb derm, foliculitus and lichen planus. Which is a partial relief. I’m still awaiting my blood tests. Providing they are clear and after having a deep discussion he strongly believes the shed / issue is covid related and has sent the hair into the telogen phase. Only time will tell but I hope he’s right and I’ll see regrowth in a few months 😥. To be honest I hadn’t even factored in it may be related to covid. Dr Bicer has been in contact several times and face timed me. It is true what they say about her after care being second to none. I’m over a year out now post op and she’s still replying right away. Covid wasn’t discussed in my initial calls to her but after hearing about my derm discussion she said it made sense and was glad it wasn’t scaring alopecia. So that was my fault looking back for not exploring that avenue . Let’s see what the next few months bring now 🙏🏼