Bandit90

Third Sitting 

So, I have just done a third (and final sitting) for 3018 grafts.

Plan

Before I came for the third sitting, my focus was solely to improve the density in the crown area. I felt by adding density to the crown area, I would be very pleased with the outcome.

After meeting with Dr Sethi and assessing my hair, he believed there was scope to improve my existing hairline and temples, after addressing my crown density. I was super cautious about adding anything to my hairline, mainly because I was completely happy with what I had from the first sitting, and ultimately, I am high Norwood and understand my limits. However, Dr Sethi assured me that he didn’t want to lower the hairline (thus retaining the 8cm above the glabella height). The plan was to slightly tweak the hairline design to give what he calls a “three peak” design, which is essentially three mini-widow’s peaks (as opposed to one big one), which would break up the prominence of my large flat looking forehead. He assured me that this would only require 350 grafts. Ultimately, for 350 grafts, I felt this would give a lot of bang for the buck.

550 grafts, were also used on my temple’s points. Because of my blonde hair, Dr Sethi felt that adding in some additional softer hairs would help increase the shade, to give a sharper appearance. I was a little reluctant at first to do any temple work, mainly because I was more than happy from the first sitting results. I also emphasised that I did not want to waste any grafts in the hairline and temples, which would be better served in the crown. However, he explained the zones where these hairs were being taken from  except for 40 grafts (to be used to improve density behind the temples), there would be no such compromise. The remaining bulk of the grafts were used to improve mid-scalp and crown density. After this discussion I happily agreed to this plan.

So of the 3018 grafts used in the third sitting, 350 were used to improve the hairline, 550 were used to sharpen up the temple areas and the remaining 2118 grafts (1,005 scalp & 1,113 beard) were used to improve mid-scalp and crown density. In total that brings me to a gigantic 11,166 grafts (7,553 scalp & 3,613 beard). 

Experience

Once again, I have been blown away by the Eugenix team, it would simply be impossible to thank everyone. But I just want to again highlight the exceptional technicians, their work ethic and efficiency are just another level. Also a huge shout out to the non-surgical staff, who work extremely hard to cater for your needs, and make the surgery day as smooth as can be process.

Also, I got to hang out with the legendary @Gatsby while I was there, and his results are even more breathtaking in person. I also hung out with fellow forum member @Stewie, whose hair results again are just phenomenal. It's so amazing to get to witness these results in person, as it just gives you a feel for how far the industry has come.

Also, it would be remiss not to shout Dr Sethi. The guy is just a true master of his craft. A thousand thanks are just not enough, for the transformation he has given me. He always wants to challenge himself to give his patients the best possible outcome. For my situation, I don’t believe there is better a surgeon to have taken on my case and if I could have my time again, I would not hesitate to choose him and the Eugenix clinic again.

Summary

In one sense it feels bittersweet that I’m coming to the end of my hair restoration journey. I have always worked on the premise that it was a three-step process to get where I needed to be and have stuck to that plan. On the other hand, I’m super excited to see this final surgery grow and put the icing on the cake. I can safely say that’s me done with hair restoration. I’m looking forward to growing and doing regular updates.

12 hours ago, Odysseus said:

Thanks, Bandit. I'm hoping I can get at least close to the same result that you got, since Dr Sethi said we have similar hair characteristics. We'll see! 

I'm sure you will get even better! 

Best of luck! Wishing you a fantastic result! 

I'd add Dr Bisanga in Belgium on to that list. Very skilled surgeon, and has a good portfolio of high norwoods. Also very adept at using body hair, which is a important factor to consider being when a high norwood seeking a restoration. 

Fantastic improvement! Donor looks great too, which lets your rock that skin fade!  

No brainier! Zarev is a pioneer in this industry. 

Wow! This is insane. Unreal Transformation!!! 

On 1/3/2024 at 5:02 PM, Gatsby said:

The envy of every elite surgeon and Norwood 7 patient! 🙌💯♥️

Cheers Adrian, means a lot coming from the 2023 best hair transplant winner!  

On 1/3/2024 at 6:13 PM, SLA said:

 

Hello...stunning. Every high norwood should have such fortune, @Bandit90. I am praying I achieve something like this :).

Round 3, while not necessary will be icing on the cake AND you will get the chance to chill with the Eugenix crew- lucky!

Don't worry Adam, you are on track for a phenomenal result. Your prayers where answered when Dr Pradeep starting weaving his magic hands over your scalp 😁. 

On 1/3/2024 at 6:36 PM, azza786 said:

I know @Bandit90 in person and believe me I saw him when he was 10 days out post op HT1 and still remember that and then saw him again post HT2 a few months into it... Guys rocking it!

Haha Cheers Ali! Your going to be rocking it in 2024 mate! 

Happy New Year!

Here is a picture of the crown at 14 months. Generally, I’m very happy with all to date, given that I was slick bald with a horse shoe pattern. That said, I’m heading back to Eugenix next month for one final pass, mainly to improve the density in the crown and hopefully seal the deal. I’ve always factored in three procedures to get to the desired end, given my level of baldness. In a true sense, I probably don’t need a final sitting, as I can slick back the hair and the full head of hair illusion is there. However, with some more scalp grafts in the crown area, I feel it will give me that flexibility to choose the hairstyle I want. All going well it this should be very much case closed for me!  

Head shape greatly influences the amount of grafts required for full coverage. The more Brachycephalic a head shape, the more grafts required to achieve a desired result. Unfortunately, the  OP has a very Bracycephalic head shape, which means he needs A LOT more grafts to achieve an illusion of density. It is absolutely pointless comparing his results against an OP with a Dolicephalic head shape (i.e Caverman). IMO this is a very under spoken about subject in hair restoration, people tend to compliment a surgeon for achieving full coverage with lesser amount of grafts, which can be true to an extent, but a lot of times their head shapes tend to allow this.

I wish the OP well with his result, and the fact he hasn't updated for a few months, can often mean he is happy with results and moved on (which i truly hope is the case here). 

2 hours ago, Xanadu said:

Looks great, but as we know a car is perhaps the most thankful place to take pics for HT. Would be great to see your results in other lighting. 

Only took the pics in the car to highlight the work on the temples from the second procedure, as the front is well established. There is a video comb through which is on JT's youtube if you want a better look which i did a few months back. 

Unreal Stew! I know your a very modest guy, but honestly mate is an incredible transformation from where your started early this year! 

Agree with Melvin, try and take dutasteride if you can. Your hairs are probably really sensitive to DHT, so if you use the Dut to nuke the dht your on to a winner.  I've just recently just started swapping my Sunday dose of finasteride for 0.5mg of Dut on the recommendation of @MazAB   and seems to paying off for me. Hopefully over the next year, I am going to make the full transition to Dut. 

On 10/24/2023 at 7:22 PM, finchy said:

Class this mate. That hairline/quiff looks so full and natural. incredible from where you started. 👏 

Thanks Man! Now just a third sitting to get density like yours!! 

On 10/19/2023 at 5:14 PM, Melvin- Admin said:

@Bandit90

You’ve become a legend. The three horseman @Zoomster @Gatsby and you. 

Haha thanks brother! To be called a legend next to Karl and Adrian - Wow!  

On 10/15/2023 at 10:46 AM, Bert said:

astonishing result

two questions:

1- are you on any medications? since all of the hair on scalp is now resistant to DHT

2- 2500 BHT are all from the beard? and could the surgeon have taken more from the beard? and how did it heal?

 

 

Thanks man! Yeah, I take Finsateride. Yeah all 2500 BHT grafts came from the beard. Dr Pradeep recons he could still take 2k more beard grafts without changing the cosmetic appearance . If i'm willing to loose the beard who knows maybe another 3-4k (my beard is quite desnse). In terms of healing the beard completely healed in 3-4 days and the scarring is undetectable to the eye 

18 Month update

Well, it’s more of a 19 month update, but very pleased with how the crown is looking (which is at 12 months). Beard hair has started to blend in well with the crown hair. Though I’m really happy with the crown, I do think 700 grafts would really improve things here and seal the deal. I will probably do another procedure early next year, to finish things off. Also, the work to improve my temples on the second procedure has paid off too. Feels like I’m almost complete with the hair restoration journey,  hard to believe that just over 18 months ago I was a bona fide Norwood 7!  

Id say Dr Pradeep Sethi if you need to use body hair from multiple sources (beard, chest pubes ect). But not sure on wait times. 

What a write up! Man, you’ve been to hell and back (and then some more). You’re honestly one of the most positive people i’ve ever met. Trust me 99% of men would have just thrown the towel, but you have kept your perseverance to find the right solution. The change in your persona from that time when we first met is radiating. The success of the 1st Eugenix HT has just given you so much confidence and has put the biggest smile on your face. You have so much to look forward to mate and cant wait to see how this looks in 12 months! 

5 hours ago, Turkhair said:

So half of what you claimed? It’s still not even close to 14k+ grafts 🤷‍♀️

Dude just watch the vid. The guy has existing hair and then had over 8k grafts which didn't even cover fully cover the the front mid scalp. His brachycephalic skull needed an insane amount of grafts! Draw your own conclusions but there are people with skull shapes which require insane amounts of grafts and the video I shared being one of them. 

19 minutes ago, Turkhair said:

What?? 

Can you show me someone with such a big head they needed 14k+ grafts for full coverage. I don’t think we are talking human heads here 😂 

 

For comparison I had around 6k grafts transplanted for full coverage and I think I have a big head. I can’t imagine how big the head would be of someone needing double the amount of grafts I have plus 2-3k extra just to get coverage. Sheeeshhhh

Those who have a dolichocephalic skull shape will need much less grafts compared to someone who has a brachycephalic skull shape. This explains why some people can get full coverage from 6k grafts, while others need 14k+ grafts. In math terms if you divide the width of the head by the length and times by 100, you get a "Cephalic Index" the lower this number to more likely you can achieve full coverage with less grafts and the reverse for a higher index number. 

Sensible plan doing FUT then FUE then BHT, but not always necessary to do this and you find that most of the surgeons who specialise in high norwoods dont even offer FUT.  i'm sure if your willing to give up your beard, to support FUE in your donor then there is probably a good cosmetic improvement to be had. You need a doctor who specialises in high norwoods and confident on transplanting beard hair - which narrows it down to Eugenix and Pitella.  

Incredible! 2023 Hall of Fame result. Very pleased for you. Dr Zarev is a wizard. 

On 8/26/2023 at 6:23 AM, Turkhair said:

Damn! What a transformation 

You must be ecstatic

Yeah over the moon, really had a positive impact across many aspects of my life. 

On 8/28/2023 at 5:03 AM, Capelli21 said:

You mentioned apparent 'anagen desychronization' in the midscalp where lots of beard hairs were implanted...   is beard hair just known to be more susceptible to it than scalp donor is?

 

 

BTW, This is just an unimaginable result, especially considering where you started from, it's hard to even wrap the mind around.  And knowing that there's still time for the crown to get even better...  you must be speechlessly giddy every time you pass by a mirror 😀

Thank you so much man! It still blows my mind to be able to have this hair. Although I must admit I think your result is probably up there as one the best i've ever seen.

I'm not too sure what it was with the beard hair on the mid-scalp (SLA makes a very good comment on the growth cycle), but now im a month on from when I originally posted this comment, I think what probably was the issue that I was noticing was that the beard hair had started to change texture and become less wiry, with it both now looking and feeling more like like a scalp hair. Reason I noticed was when I feel my crown which is 11 months post-transplant (with a lot of beard hair) it is much more wiry in texture, then compared with my mid-scalp which is 19 months post transplant, where the hair there feels much softer and relaxed. I do think i'll probably need a third sitting next year to nail down the density in the mid-scalp and crown.