Vann

Month 10

Out of the shower so my hair is a bit damp. Usually it’s thicker than this and isn’t as see through but wanted to give best conditions possible.

Month 9 update

It’s 100% case by case. If no one cares to get a scar then I believe everyone would say FUT. But since there’s that linear scar subject to widening you hear a lot saying go FUE only.

however, some people could get an FUT strip with 1-4K going from ear to ear or only a small strip. Some strips may only get as much as FUE procedure for the overall area. It’s dependent on your scalp elasticity and surface area (density of FU^2)

let’s say you have approx 100fu^2 and you extract 30fu^2 across your donor with FUE. This may bring it down to about 80^2 or 70^2 (across your scalp) really depends on the sort of density you want implanted and surface area of the bald spots.

however if you did fut first. You could extract all 100fu^2 in an 4-7 inch margin (10-18 cm) and still have 100fu in the remaining surface area(across your scalp). Let’s say you did a strip from ear to ear. You could potentially harvest anywhere between 1-4K grafts. It really depends on the individual.
 

however if you do you, FUT, remember you are subject to a potentially wide scar, damage to surrounding skin, and perhaps even other follicles. Also fut takes longer to heal than fue.

If you do not care about the scar and rock long hair fut might be your best option. Honestly I think FUT is superior mainly if you have no thinning in your donor, have dense hair, and little to no body hair.

in my case I should have done FUT first considering I have little body and facial hair; but I chose not to because I have curly hair which I potentially get away with using less grafts. 

This was a great write up. I very much like your energy it’s refreshing and welcomed in this forum.

will be following, best of luck on your journey!

Sounds to me like dut is working. Your hairs are shedding, it’s a sign of the hair cycle. Old weaker hairs are getting pushed out the skin while the vellus hairs beneath will grow thicker and stronger. You’ll probably need 2+ years to really see the difference from what you were currently taking. But keep running the course and stay strong.

25 minutes ago, A_4_Archan said:

@Vann I have been taking 5mg oral minoxidil since long and never face any such side effects and i got a very good result ...so consult your doctor and you can start it along with finasteride....most probably you will se food results in few months  .

Did you start taking 5mg from the start? If so how did you experience a drop in BP?

I am about to start oral minoxidil in the upcoming week. My script is for 2.5 mg however, I am already actively in shape so my doctor warned me about my lower bp and to cut the pills in half to avoid nausea and passing out. 
 

the consensus I learned is to take it in the evening. Split my 2.5mg into halves (1.25) and take each one daily.

can anyone speak of side effects however minor that I should be aware of or any tips? (Take pill at night, eat salty foods when light headed, etc?).

Think of it this way… if you have a large enough to cover then you may want to consider your future options and the surface area.

perhaps you go FUE first for a small procedure and avoid the spots of an FUT strip. You can potentially still do both.

if you consider FUT first just know that  you may want more than 2.5k not saying that is the magic number but if you’re going to cut a chunk of skin and get a scar… it should be worth the investment.  
 

however I’d you do a large FUE. It doesn’t mean you can’t do an FUT it will just harvest less since the surface area of hairs has been depleted in the same area the FUT would’ve been used in. Meaning less density per skin mile FU.

if you have 80FU^2 and harvest 3k grafts in total. It would depend on the size of your donor, the density you want let’s say 50cm^2. You could probably do the math and deplete the total surface area with FUE. Which if you go back in the future you can still take the same FUT area but have significantly different numbers for the same scar you would have originally got.

long story short ask a plethora of surgeons in their opinions and try to get your coverage measured and checked prior. I think that might be your best bet before committing to anything permanent.

18 hours ago, lowkey said:

Hello everyone, apologies for neglecting the forum. I have been travelling a lot and I have recently changed my job and country.

In general I am quite happy with the hair transplant result compared to my past experiences. However, I am unhappy with my genetics and hair type  Unfortunately my hair is too thin and not suitable to use it longer (somehow wavy and not easy to style).

I don't have really high quality photos from different angle because I didn't want to be obsessed by taking photos every month and over looking it. So I try to post as much as possible to give you some idea.

 

Medications:

Propecia 3 times per week, no side effects

Minoxidil (foam) every night once per day

 

1. June, 2022 (4 months result)

 

 

2. August, 2022 (6 months result)

 

3. September, 2022 (7 months result)

 

 November, 2022 (9 months results) 

I started to get compliments when I use it a bit longer and I enjoyed even I spent too much time to style it. (the first photo is in a car)

4. 

 

December, 2022 (10 months results)

 

 

April, 2023 (14 months results)

 

In a nutshell, I am happy when I keep it long because my existing hair is blending with the transplanted hair very well. With styling effort nobody notice I have a hair transplant. However I know my hair type and it will get thinner in years. Therefore, I am looking for an option that I can use my hair really short and cover my FUE scars with SMP in the long run. So I can maintain an easier lifestyle too without putting too much effort.

 

I am planning to visit Ankara this June and talk about potential options and check my reserved donor area (there might be still 1500-2000 based on my discussion with the doctors in the last operation). I am also considering Dr. Bisanga in Belgium to get more, but first I want to take advice from doctors in HLC because I believe they did a good job.

 

I cut it short to see the actual result. Density is not really good. I don't know why maybe because of previously damaged area or because of my hair type but it is okay since the direction of the hairs are good.  As of today, May 02, 2023 so I am dropping those photos over here too:

Thanks for the update. Considering all things in the past I think this is more successful than you’re giving it. 
 

nonetheless, have you ever considered switching from finasteride to dutasteride? Not saying it’ll be the miracle change but if you’re still experiencing hair loss you want to address those issues before using the last of your 1.5-2k reserve. 

also a lot of bisanga posts have mentioned a switch to oral minoxidil (from topical) or those who have never taken oral minox to starting at 2.5mg and adjusting to 5mg. 

Now that you’re settled into your post operation what’s the next steps? 
 

do you see yourself getting any additional work done? 

My best advice. Is to not consider any hairmills. If someone seems trustworthy it doesn’t mean the service is.

take my advice and keep researching, ask questions, and take your time. And most importantly do not save on something life altering. 

On 2/3/2023 at 9:05 AM, Drew-83 said:

Hi all, is it a normal behavior to continue losing some hair, considering that the first two months have passed and for a certain period I have not lost any more (let's say at least twenty days)? I'm not talking about an enormous amount of hair, let's say can count it on the fingers of one hand.

Absolutely. It’s shockloss at its finest. It’s always different for everyone. Me for example I had shockloss

to native and transplanted hairs. My transplanted hairs started around 3-5 weeks and my native hairs got shocked between the transplant and in my crown. It’s a slow recovery and it does take time. 
 

I didn’t shed any hairs like I usually do for the first 5-6 months and only in the beginning of month 6 I began to shed normally. Even if I pulled my hair it wouldn’t shed/fall. 
 

now everything, in my opinion, is kinda getting into that smooth balance of routine hair cycle. 

46 minutes ago, Drew-83 said:

You are so lucky mate 🙂. How long did you wait before cutting your hair entirely? I have just passed the third month, so far I have only cut the donor with the shaver, but the hair that is growing in the recipient has different lengths and the shape also seems different ... I would like to clean up a bit, so far I have only used scissors in the last few days, but it's not the same as when you use the shaver...

Well your hair has a **** ton of multi grafts so it’ll be a banger… however it also means your hair will definitely be weird and ‘Ill’ textured for awhile.. perhaps even up to the 18 month mark. I think I waited like 4-5 months for the first cut? I posted a photo somewhere but I have limited internet access so it’s taking too long to load.

also when your hair texture changes you kinda forget. It just happens. When I think back it does seem gradual, but now I can’t remember when I stopped looking. 

30 minutes ago, TheGreatPretender said:

Looks great Vann, I am happy that things are going smoothly for yourself. 

Thanks brother. I hope all is 🐋 with you. Your procedure is coming up with time. Soon you’ll forget these horrid days and get half your scalp beautifully mounted with a nice mane. To only go back to the crown and finish whatever empty patches may exist. 

On 3/4/2023 at 1:40 PM, waterworld said:

@Melvin- Moderator @Archan @Rafael Manelli @Big RomeIt's been a week, and I don't know how this has happened

 

Sometimes a week is really what you need for your follicles to troll. But from the previous photo to this, I think your hair was all in a similar shed cycle. If you don’t take medication it does get shocked so the surrounding area probably started to grow back at the same time. It happens, but it’s bizarre for many hairs to be in the same phase. But it does happen.

10 hours ago, Drew-83 said:

I assume you've cut your hair in some way so far. When the first time after the transplant?

No I cut my hair with a 2 blend on side and a 4 on top. I figured even if I’m losing or have an ugly look. I’ll keep things consistent to see if I can measure things. 
 

I used fibers which helped tremendously mask the spots I lacked. I sometimes use it whenever I go out. But only if my hair is damp and it doesn’t curl. I don’t do much to style. My hair kinda just covers my scalp on its own.

25 minutes ago, ThePerseverantWarrior said:

Hi. Your statement about your brother not responding to finasteride until 3 years caught my attention. 

 

I've been on oral finasteride for 16 months now. After 5 months, I had seen significant improvement in my mid-scalp & crown, but I had a major shed and my midscalp & crown went back to looking thin! Now after 16 month, my midscalp is still thin with hardly any improvement since I had started. 

 Should I persist with finasteride in your opinion? Also, could you tell me a bit more about your brother's journey on finasteride? Did he see any regrowth? Thanks

My brother switched to dut 0.5mg and gained a little ground. But it’s hard to say whether it’s better or the same. His hair got a lot thicker so I think he is responding well. Fin worked for him but he has an auto immune issue where his immune system attacks the bacteria on his skin (the healthy hair bacteria). It’s not aggressive but it comes and goes in waves.  
 

not everyone is the same in terms of fin/dut response. You could have extremely aggressive androgenic alopecia and your hair is stabilizing due to fin. Perhaps you are hyper sensitive to DHT so even the smallest amount of dht could make you lose.

an example would be like poking a hole in a full balloon (water/oxygen) and the medication is like a very weak tape that barely holds the air/water inside. Now depending on how frequent or the dosage you take the tape may be a little stronger. But depending on how sensitive that balloon (let’s call this test.) or how full it is filled, will determine how much pressure leaks out (your body’s sensitivity to DHT). The balloon could constantly be getting pumped but leaking rapidly but if you put tape over it. The pressure builds up inside and leaks out faster and slows down after a certain amount. Even if you have tape it will still leak, but it will either be a slow drip or a smaller but intense pressure. Either way, completely stopping medication will just make everything continue as is. But taking it will delay the hair loss for as long as possible, which perhaps over time as you get older will slow down. 

There’s no curable solution to hair loss other than completely getting rid of dht which is extremely bad.

my best advice is to get tested for auto immune issues, test/dht levels, perhaps switch to Dut 0.5mg and continue your medical therapy for as long as you’re willing to tolerate keeping your hair.  
 

10 hours ago, Drew-83 said:

Hi Vann, may I ask if you have noticed a difference in growth between the grafted hair and the native hair?  Did they grow longer one or the other?  I know it's more difficult for you to understand because you started from a good situation anyway and you have grafts that are mixed in the area.

I feel like some hairs I had previously native were transected. But not in a large proportion. The native hairs are pretty obvious to feel since they curl and the transplanted hairs kinda do their own thing. 

however lately I am starting to not notice the transplanted hairs since they are beginning to become bunched together into a curly hair. The texture definitely is changing. I just don’t pay attention to it anymore since it feels closer to normal.

Wow. I think you may be one of the few I have seen with a high survival rate. 

Another thing to note for those following month 8 photos were 45 mins after a shower so my hair is damp. Usually when dry it curls and covers more area. Best way for me to describe its like adding a very light sprinkle of hair fiber.

Month 8 with different [outdoor] lighting. Also I gotta say it looks like my crown is losing ground or just in a really bad shed phase. Anyways going to see what the next 4+ months looks.

Month 7 

6 hours ago, asterix0 said:

This clinic is not at all worth the price you paid, perhaps they were recommended at some point in the past but remember you shouldn't take anything written here as gospel, ultimately it is up to you do your own research (as thoroughly as you can) and choose a surgeon that way.

The way I did it is, I literally spent days and days (probably over 100 hours) looking at all the recent results from clinics I was interested in, and comparing their results with the clearest pictures I can find (no combover tricks, dim lighting, etc). with other clinics. Also trying to do the same graft number comparisons with different patients.

For your next steps, I strongly advise you to not go back to the same clinic. I think a surgeon like Dr. Konior in Chicago would suit you best.

Any reasonable person would think otherwise.

it’s tough when you do your research, plan accordingly, and still you are not met with the results you desire. Even, doing it a second time. My opinion is that OP just waits this out a little longer before any additional surgery. After all these do cost a lot. 
 

since he has long hair it definitely takes some time for things to soften up and settle to his native hair.

taking a smaller approach imo is the best option. See what kind of choices are at your disposal. whether is 50 additional grafts or 1,000 just make sure you have everything YOU want addressed. 

3 hours ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

Damn 

Idk what’s more impressive the mod being able to pass restrictive chat filters or these results.

Those multi grafts really coming through. 
 

how does it feel compared to native hairs thus far?

On 11/20/2001 at 1:26 AM, arfy said:

By the time you're 30, there may be a whole bunch of new drugs and technologies available. If I were you, I'd try to work with what you've got, and hold off for a while.

oof

If this forum was on reddit you would get all kinds of answers based on the title.