RWG

Thanks! I'm curious to get your opinion on the small part that's still a bit weak. At what point would it make sense to be concerned that it isn't going to fill in like the rest? I know some people say you have a pretty good idea of final result at 6 months and since I had early growth I have a bit of worry I may be coming to the end of what grafts are going to pop up. Maybe I'm just over analyzing and getting too picky too early but just curious on timeline and if its more of a matter of it thickening through month 12 than new hairs?

I had my consultation in January of 2022 and was given an original surgery date of March 2023 but they had a cancellation so I was able to get moved up to April 2022. I live in Spain and don't have any concerns with getting time off work, etc so it worked well for me in this case.

Thanks! I'm feeling quite good about where it is at. Still a bit nervous about the part that is lagging the rest but I know it's still early days. Yes, I believe that is the one I stayed at. They managed it all for me, which was nice.

Also, I tried to go back and find some other photos pre-op to show the extent of hair loss and came across these. Not the best photos but I think it gives an idea of how much of an improvement this has been. These are from 5 months pre-op

Officially 20 weeks post op and wanted to share some updated pics. I'm quite happy with how things are progressing. There is a little bit of a weak spot still but hoping it thickens up soon. I tried to show one with more direct light and another without direct sunlight. Direct sunlight Indirect sunlight

Incredible results!! I went with De Freitas as well and am about 2.5 months behind you. You're making me excited for the next 2 months!

Today is officially 4 months. Wanted to share some updated pics. From a distance and in the right lighting, my hair looks actually looks quite good and i definitely feel more confident with my improved hairline but as you can see the left side where majority of my hair loss was is a bit behind but I see new hairs popping up so hopefully the new growth is now officially kicking off. I am traveling so can't use the same room/lighting as previous pics but tried to replicate in a room with natural sunlight. If anyone has suggestions on different photo angles/lighting requests, let me know. Still trying to figure out the best way to share.

Thanks! I didn't lower the hairline at all. Just filled in the existing part that had receded a bit on the sides. No temple work done but I'd say the Minoxidil and finasteride combo have helped to strengthen them.

Officially 3 months post-op and just got my first haircut.Pics taken in room with natural lighting. I'm feeling quite good with where I am at right now. My left side had much worse balding pre-op and where more grafts went so I'm expecting it to be a bit uneven at this point but should hopefully pick up in a month or two.

I think you have to shave but I can't say for 100% as I didn't have the conversation with him. I just planned to shave as I think it makes the most sense and really isn't a big deal.

I'd say a mix of both; I took these in a sunny natural light room. When De Freitas shaved my head he said he noticed some diffuse. I'm also hoping some of it is from the first time Minoxidil and Fin use that I'm only a couple months into and not fully recovered from the shed.

11 week update. Slowly starting to see some growth. I would say I'm more or less back to baseline, but on my left side a bit better at the hairline than it used to be. I'd also add I feel the the minox + fin is starting to show signs of working, especially on my temple points. It looks a lot fuller than it used to and better framed. Im thinking about getting my first haircut this week.

Yeah your original intention was mine as well as that's how I've always styled my hair but I think a trim could really help. I'm curious what your guidance was on buzzing hair? In the materials I got post-op it specifically says not to buzz the recipient area for the first 5 months but the donor is clear to be buzzed after a month.

The clinic prescribed me clobisdin to apply to the donor and recipient area for days 14-34. The clinic also gave me rosemary oil to apply to the donor area for the first 10 days.

I've been debating the right time to get a haircut. If I do it now or maybe wait until closer the the third month. Any advice or thoughts from others on what worked best for them?

2 month update - the ugly duckling phase continues but I'm staying positive as I know I'm halfway through now!

Thanks. Yeah, I think that's certainly possible. My other thought was maybe it was native hair that fell out and is already growing back. Either way I'm trying to manage expectations and not get too excited or antsy as I know I've still got a couple months to get through and getting too excited too soon will just make it seem longer and like progress isn't happening.

Will definitely be posting as I progress! So a technician did the extraction and then Dr. De Freitas did the implantation. The technician was great and my donor healed up very quickly and cleanly. I only saw one other guy when I was there at the same time as me but I've heard he does up to 3-4 per day.

1 Month Post-op. The shock loss + first time Minoxidil use shed is real but I can already seem some small dark hairs sprouting up on and near the hairline (can't see from photos) so hoping that is new regrowth already but not sure if it's still too early for that and I'm being overly optimistic.

For doctors that do 2-4 patients a day, I also think the type of patient and amount of work needed plays a part. If the other patients on that day need 3,500 grafts and a 1,200 graft patient cancels, they need to find a similar case to fill it rather than adding in another 3,000+ graft patient.

I didn't discuss it with him as it wasn't an area of concern for me at this point. I'd recommend reaching out to the clinic via WhatsApp. They are usually quite quick to respond, in English or Spanish.

Update: 11 days post-op. All scabs removed and donor area has healed up nicely. Recipient Donor

I did have a question for the forum. He mentioned that my skin at the recipient area was very hard. I was wondering if that is common or if others have had experience with that and if it might have any potential impact on results (grafts not taking or something like that)?

These are now 3 days post op. Sorry they aren't better but I had to take these myself and was having a hard time getting a good one. Face swelling is now almost completely gone as well.

The other doctor was really great, to be honest. Took a lot of time and attention to detail, more than at another consultation I had at another clinic. You can always have the consultation with De Freitas if you prefer, the wait time just appears to be longer. In my case I didn't want to wait. Prior to the surgery, De Freitas was very meticulous with the hairline design. He spent quite a bit of time fine tuning it, to get it just right after the initial draw. He would show me in the mirror and we discussed it. I don't know exact time as with the nerves and everything it was all a bit of a blur.