NOMORENORWOOD

13 hours ago, xabi86 said:

Hi, 

I've had two surgeries with Dr Rahal and planning my next move. Considering both Konior and Freitas, which of the two would you guys go for?

I hope some of you guys can help in my journey. My second crown procedure didn't yield a good result so need to plan carefully as donor is in limited supply and want to ensure the next move is the right one i.e. go with the best doc.

Unrelated how many donor grafts have doctors assumed you have left? Konior seems to do a great job with making more out of less . If let’s say you used 5200 grafts and have maybe 2k left before overharvest then I’d go Konior but both are outstanding

30 minutes ago, Z-- said:

Costs are a function of demand mostly (and to some extent macroeconomic/country-specific factors). Over the last decade, it’s become clear which clinics have survived the test of time and which have been relegated to mediocre or hair mill status. 
 

As a particular doctor’s reputation improves, so does their price otherwise they’d be overwhelmed with 5+ year waitlists, which doesn’t seem all that feasible. They either do too many surgeries alone and burn-out or outsource and risk quality drop. 

That said, there’s always going to be new doctors popping up who do great work but charge less until they build that reputation. It wouldn’t surprise me if some of the more affordable Portuguese/Spainish doctors begin charging more, but by then, there might be some new great clinics in, say, Italy or Turkey (once you cut past the noise of bad clinics there).
 

the trend I think is that more established doctors are hiring junior doctors and the newer doctors charging less to make it manageable or entice additional patients. 

Very true. I was not active on this site 6-7+ years ago but im sure to people who were you’ve noticed a change in recommended surgeons. With time in let’s say 10-20 years the list will probably look a lot different. So ideally 5-10 may always hopefully atleast be the benchmark price for the new up and comers

30 minutes ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

I can see there being more packages in the future. I see the good clinics bringing on more trainee doctors, and giving the patients the ability to choose a lower package with a trainee. I think it's better than going to a hair mill. I'm already seeing doctors like Dr. Bisanga and Dr. Mwamba training surgeons. I think most middle class people in advanced western countries can afford $5-8 per graft, especially if they just need the hairline. The issue is that people often shop for surgeons like they're shopping for objects. This is your head we're talking about here. You can't just undo it or take it back. There's no take backs after surgery. 

That is very true. I forget that many of the world renown surgeons are getting up there in age so they are passing on their talents to the next future of great hair docs. This is really cool to see. Yes I agree. Hairline 5-8 is 100% reasonable and I think good clinics deserve that. It’s when you get into mid frontal and crown work where it is 3k+ grafts that above 10-12 I’d say for most is pretty pricey. It will be interesting to see how many doctors go past that with time.

43 minutes ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

The costs have actually come down considerably. In the past, grafts cost $15 back when surgeons could only do 300 grafts at a time. Cost has also gone down due to hair mills. But, there will always be different markets. Executives with disposable income will choose the best regardless of cost. Middle class working class guys will seek more affordable options in countries like Colombia, Mexico, Turkey, India. 
 

Keep in mind, cost is relative to what you’re willing to spend. I paid $7 per graft years ago, on a 55k a year salary. By no means was I wealthy. I do think looking at surgery solely through the lens of cost is a sure way to get botched. 

That is true. That is why I am curious if the great clinics(Eugenix, Bisanaga, H&W, etc.) will raise their prices. I never look at price for my research but I’m not gonna lie if I said Konior being 15 a graft isn’t the main reason I did not even consider him. Of course quality surgeons should get every Penny they are worth. I’ve always though 5-10 is very reasonable. And when certain clinics incentivize higher number of grafts bringing down the cost that is awesome. It would just suck if in 20 years I would Norwood 6-7 and need some 5k grafts and every quality clinic is charging 15 a graft. This would make it a 75k procedure which of course I view hair and looks as worth certain price tags but that much I don’t know. That is why I was just curious if those top clinics would stay about the same or have a certain range they stay in. And If not would they all explode to 15+ a graft.

Over the years costs for HT has gone up. Of course there will always unfortunately be hair mills who have low prices to attract people(hopefully overtime sites like this put those clinics to bay) but in this case with the top clinics(ones recommended on the forum) where do you see their prices per graft going up to in the next 20 years? Will they double or stay about the same? Will getting a 4K graft plus procedure cost the same as a brand new suburban or will it be reasonable? Honestly just curious on thoughts?

On 6/26/2022 at 1:27 PM, Melvin- Moderator said:

Finasteride does not lose efficacy. Take @MazAB has used finasteride for over 20 years and hasn’t lost any ground. 

Is it true that at some points you may need to cycle between a couple of things? Like maybe try Dut or oral minox etc and then go back to fin to make sure body atleast has other angles coming at it?

9 minutes ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

He’s definitely considered one of the best. His specialty is repairs. So many people go to him botched. 

Oh okay that makes sense then. So when it comes to ethics and giving you a thorough analysis on donor capacity and management he would be one of the best due to so many repairs he has seen?

What about Mwamba. I feel many do not talk about him. Is it because he isn’t in that top group or is just crazy underrated?

12 hours ago, Eugenix Hair Sciences said:

You can travel immediately also. You just have to take care not to scratch or bump your recipient area. 3 days also would be absolutely safe.

Is a surgical cap safe to wear after surgery? Probably would make it easier to keep grafts safe since I live somewhere windy

On 7/8/2022 at 1:12 PM, Eugenix Hair Sciences said:

One week is more than sufficient. You can also travel immediately after the hair transplantation procedure.

Oh so I could board a plane the day of the procedure when I’m released? I don’t wNt to damage grafts. Would 3 days after be safe?

On 7/8/2022 at 3:01 AM, NARMAK said:

You'll find examples around the Internet of people who have conceived perfectly healthy children whilst taking the medication but the official advice given by the medication is to cease during any attempts to conceive for a certain period of time depending on if its Finasteride (shorter half life) or Dutasteride (longer half life). There's a couple reasons and benefits why people may want to do this:

1) The restored body serum DHT may make it easier to achieve erections if there's even any minor ED problems a person may have experienced 

2) The trace elements of the medication that apparently end up in the sperm should clear, and you may have increased volume/quality. 

Personally even i would want to stop the medication as a precaution. My hair isn't worth being selfish and potentially compromising the health of any child i may help conceive and given its a few months at most, you shouldn't really lose much ground unless your hair loss is one of the worst recorded in history. The DHT simply begins to attack the hair follicles at an increased rate again but once you start the medication again, it should block enough to let the hair heal and get strong again. 

So like 2 weeks off it for fin and 6 months for Dut? Can you use rogain or oral rogain during that time?

5 hours ago, NARMAK said:

I am a strong believer that the common myth of the donor area being DHT resistance is to blame for this misconception. 

By that i mean people act as if DHT doesn't affect it at all, but even if say they block 99% DHT, that 1% damage over decades eventually catches up. Its why taking Finasteride or similar can help strengthen the donor area hair too. 

I personally hope i can take the medication for as long as possible but i do also hope a breakthrough treatment comes through soon and i wouldn't mind switching over to something that can block more that 51% scalp DHT and restore my serum body DHT for maximum efficiency. 

I am a person who functions okay even with 90% or more blocked via Dutasteride 0.5mg everyday atm, but if i could get better results and whatnot, it's a no brainer to switch. 

Can you take fin or Dut if trying for a kid however?

Thank you all for the responses. Yes I assumed thinning would occur it would just suck if onspread balding happened to the area you HT

What is the likelihood the transplanted hair ends up thinning out bad or potentially balding due to variety of factors life can present? For instance it would suck to get an HT and then at 70 that hair is thin wisps. Is this likely or rare?

6 hours ago, LaserCaps said:

Most clinics will give you some type of relaxer prior to the procedure. It's almost as if you had a few drinks.  They prefer you do not drive that day.  As civic has stated, it is a good idea to return to the clinic the next day for your first wash.  Most people are concerned they may damage something.  The Clinical staff knows exactly what should be done.  You can go home right after that.  

I gather you took a bag with you.  If you get too active after the procedure, you'll swell at about the third day.  It will travel down your face and drain in the neck area.  It is short lived. Should last a day or two.  Lastly, it is likely the clinic will give you "things" to use post operatively.  Make sure to check in the bag otherwise they'll take them.

Oh, the cap.  You can wear a cap the day of the procedure.  Just have the staff show you how to put it on so the grafts don't catch.  You can wear a cap all you want.  After the 7th day, use sunscreen and a cap. If you burn the incisions, you can freckle permanently.

Oh like a surgical cap? Also you can place sunscreen on the donor area or receptive to area 7 days after?

1 hour ago, Ryan Daniel said:

Wear sunglasses.  Trust me, it works

1 hour ago, Fue3361 said:

Wear large sunglasses.  With a shaved head, big crusts, who the hell will recognize you?

Lol that is actually smart. I’ve never flown so I just assumed tsa or whatever would tell me I can’t wear those. So 5 days after surgery probably safe to leave then? Thank you all for the responses 

25 minutes ago, Fue3361 said:

Yes.  I obviously had a pretty raw looking donor area, and it was obvious something was done to my head.  Also, swelling was starting to happen.  But after 3 days, as long as I didn't bump my head into anything, it felt safe enough to travel.

Also you cannot wear a hat 3 day after correct? Did you have a lot of stares? Of course it doesn’t matter but I do worry I run into someone I know. Wish I could wear a cap or something 

17 minutes ago, Fue3361 said:

For me, 3 days was ideal.  I could have left earlier, but the 3 days felt perfect.

 

 If you want all the swelling to be gone before you leave though, that can take up to a week+

Did you fly?

If you are getting an FUE in a clinic that is a couple states away how long should you stay on the area? Like 1 week or longer?

7 hours ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

He sued for basically talking about him getting a hair transplant. We should take this down LMFAO. He might sue us for using his “likeness” 🤦🏻‍♂️ 

Oh had no clue he sued yes I guess if you want to take it down. I was just admiring that he doesn’t look awful considering it wasn’t a recommended clinic

20 minutes ago, Calihome1 said:

Pics?

One of the kings of being bald had a Hair Transplant awhile back. Pretty interesting and I am not fully sure what clinic he picked but his hair does look good I must say.

1 hour ago, lunch_owl said:

Of the research i have done some say that you can wear a hat or cap about 2 weeks after. Im in the process of creating a "baseball cap" that does not touch your scalp and at the same time protect those precious and expensive grafts against bumping into objects,  scratching your head accidentally and against the sun's UV rays. You can wear this directly after transplant. Its also good If you dont feel comfortable walking in crowded places with a fully visible head after ht 😁

Dm me the cap I’d be interested 

10 hours ago, Rahal Hair Transplant said:

Narmark,

to be honest, you can start at least some level of moderate exercise only a few days postop if you’re exceptionally careful that said, if you’re asking when you can return to all your normal activities and exercises, full steam ahead, I’d suggest waiting at least two weeks if you’ve undergone FUE.

FUT is a little more complicated because even though people say that you can return to all normal exercises between 3 to 4 weeks, it’s still crucial that you proceed with caution and not do any exercises that will strain or stretch the donor area.

For example, I have found that doing flat bench can put some additional strain on the sides and back of your scalp and since the wound will be tender for several months after surgery, I would proceed with caution. If you insist on doing flat bench I would do lighter weights and more reps and keep your head very still.  

Also, be careful doing crunches if you put your hands behind your head. People have a tendency to pull with their hands when they start getting tired and that could potentially stretch the scar.

With FUE, you don’t have to worry about tension on wounds because donor harvesting works very different. There is no strip of scalp tissue removed and wound closure that you have to worry about.  

I hope this helps.

Rahal Hair Transplant 

 

So for sure 2 weeks after fue it is safe to get back into long distance runs(4+ miles) or swimming?

14 hours ago, lunch_owl said:

This is a worry of mine too. Its hard to imagine not working out for a few weeks. Just the thought of it is stressing me out lol

Lol true. Working out is my favorite hobby so will be hard to go 2-3 weeks without it.

11 hours ago, LaserCaps said:

It varies per clinic.  Some doctors are more conservative than others.  Most believe you cannot hurt anything after 3 days.  But, out of caution, some will get you back to easy aerobics after 7 days.  Most will suggest 14 days for more extraneous exercise.  FUT, however, particularly when it comes to weightlifting, it is suggested you avoid exercises that affect the neck for 6 months.  This can stretch the wound margins and result in a wider scar.  Sweat, by the way, is fine.  It is exertion we are trying to avoid immediately post op.  

Oh that makes sense. Yes I will sweat especially on a treadmill so didn’t know how much that mattered but extortion makes sense. Seems like waiting longer is always safer so 14 days is probably best. When can one wear a surgical cap or hat after HT?