superwario

Agreed- to answer your questions, MPB does not run in my family, and I take Vitamin D supplements daily.  I also eat a diet that includes plenty of animal proteins so I should be getting iron there.

Not sure about telogen, I guess I need to see if I can get that checked up on.

Just trying to do everything I can and nothing is quite working well.

I know some of you have been asking about additional photos. Here is one I took today 2 hours after a shower, so completely dry. Hair is longer now so able to cover some of the thinning, but definitely regressing a lot from peak in my opinion. 

Anyone have similar experience? I am really worried.

I definitely hit a peak around March/April 2023, and now I’m seeing a ton of regression. I’m still on fin and minoxidil, but my scalp is starting to show through again and I’m seeing more hairs falling out in the shower. 
 

I’m  guessing my non-transplanted hair in the area is now starting to go again.  It definitely is concerning that I spent a large chunk of my savings for 4-6 months of satisfaction and now it’s all coming back down again.  
 

I have talked to Shapiro Medical and they said that it might just be a cycle, so hoping that is the case.  Otherwise, it would take me several years of aggressive savings and frugal lifestyle to afford another transplant.

will keep you guys updated.

Yeah oral minox seems to keep my existing hair from falling out.

here are pics after my haircut today.

Here are my 6 month update photos. Coming in well I think, but still deceiving as I have not had a haircut in 2 months.  I will update after my haircut this weekend. 
 

I can still feel a lot of implants about 3-4 mm on my scalp when I brush my hand through my hair that have not yet grown and hopeful that they are still yet to go from dormant to active phase.  I think full re-growth for most people is around 8-12 months, so still giving it time. 
 

still taking oral minoxidil and finasteride daily as well.

Day 5 photo updates, donor is healing up nicely and minimal scabbing at graft sites:

12 hours ago, shiba1985 said:

When were all the graft extractoins done? on day 2?  so day 1 all recipient sites made? and day 2 all FU grafts extracted and placed?

~2,400 incisions day 1, no extractions or grafts.

~500 incisions day 2, all extraction and grafts done on Day 2.

Just received my FUE procedure from Shapiro Medical Group in Bloomington, MN.  I have had a ton of thinning from front to crown area beginning at 28 years old, and currently I am 35.  I have always still maintained a decent hairline so that made the doctors job a bit easier since they did not need to recreate a hairline, but I suppose the natural hairline will eventually go as well, but hope not!

I was on the waiting list for the procedure for a year, and they still currently have a one year wait.  I flew in from out of state for the procedure.  Matt Zupan was my advisor the entire time prior to surgery and my primary contact, and he was amazing and answered all my questions.  It seems like I could call/text/email anytime and I'd get a response within an hour.

The office staff was as nice as can be, and both Dr. Shapiro and Dr. Joe were amazing and welcoming.  I primarily worked with Dr. Shapiro as he made all the incisions and Dr. Joe worked on the FUE extraction.  The nurses were great and I had 2-3 nurses working on me to place the grafts with Dr. Shapiro supervising the procedure.  Dr. Shapiro asked if I wanted to also have Exosome injections which I had not heard about prior to arriving at the clinic, so I did some research back at the hotel after the first day and didn't see convincing evidence of it helping so I opted to not have the Exosome injections done.

The first day was about a 3 hour day where Dr. Shapiro made about 2,400 incisions.  He indicated that this was so growth hormones can start entering into the wounds and so the hair will transplant more firmly and quickly.

The second day was an 8 hour day, and consisted of the FUE extraction, 600 more incisions to clean up gaps and edges, and the implantation of the grafts.

For both the 1st and 2nd day they numbed the entire scalp and above the eyebrows so I literally did not feel a thing.  Just lie back, relax, and watched movies on their Apple TV.  They ordered me a lunch the 2nd day as well.

The following are my 2,904 Graft breakdowns:

1 Hair's - 296

2 Hair's - 1631

3 Hair's - 977

For a total of 6,489 Hairs.

See below for my before photos and my photos 2 hours after surgery.  I will post the Before photos that they took in the office when they send them to me, and I will also post updates regularly to show progress.  Let me know if you have questions and I will try to respond.

BEFORE:

AFTER SURGERY: