waterworld

20 minutes ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

This is probably the initial shed. Do you have any pictures of what your hair looked like before getting on meds?

Identical to what it is now. The OP is an accurate reflection of what it was. I began to take the meds around that time. Initial shed lasting 3-4 months into the medicine would be surprising, no?

Update:

Bad news, sadly. The last 'update' I posted showed real improvement over the span of a week. Around the same time, I began to take some fin/oral min to speed up the results. If anything, I have regressed since then. All in all, there hasn't been much progress since month 4-5 other than the initial hairline.

I went to a consultation with a specialist. He said he could see some single hairs, some twos in the region that is lacking. He could offer no specific explanation as to why that entire area has not grown. He recommends that I have an FUT to get more effective treatment due to my hair texture.

I went to Wimpole, too, and they could not offer an explanation. They did, however, offer a second treatment to 'fix' it. They recommended I wait a few months first, however.

I'm devastated, not so much so for needing a second procedure, but rather because there seems to be no explanation for this appearance. Was it the procedure? Was it a surgeon/technician error? Is it genetics? Was it the after care? Did the meds cause hair loss? Without those answers, it's hard to know where to turn.

Context: this pattern of hair growth (focused only on the outer hairline) was noticeable as early as month 2. Here is a timeline.

https://imgur.com/a/sfnFbZr

Future?

Will I need grafts removed to make room for another transplant? Or is there enough 'space' to add density? Will that transplant 'fix' it, or only slightly improve it? Do I need an FUT? Do I need another clinic? Or can this be easily remedied? 

This is now, with the help of some hair fibres to give a little density.

7 hours ago, StillAlive said:

@waterworldAre you using minox or fin by the way? Anecdotally I've heard many users tell me that if you are not on any meds (I am not, I just take saw palmetto and multivits) you really see your growth between months 7-9 vs. the people on minox who usually get there by month 6. 

Only started min a few weeks ago, so perhaps this is true.

It's itching as hell right now. First time I've felt that since Week 1.

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

Just now, Big Rome said:

do you have any images from surgery? 

Please click on the thread original thread link.

Original thread: August 2022, 1306 grafts, Wimpole Clinic, London.

Although the original low graft count could account for the lack of density, I'm as to a loss what explains the consistent pattern of no-growth behind the hair line. It's as if the vast majority of grafts died other than the single grafts played at the front. The black and white image is from September, and shows this perfectly: the yellow arrows point to the growing hair while the white areas had zero growth. Since then, almost all of the hair growth has stemmed from that yellow region. 

I was not suffering hair loss. I merely wanted to 'lower' my hairline. What can cause this odd pattern to emerge? Is this merely down to low amount of grafts?

Next steps: arranged a consultation with Dr. Bissanga for March for a potential repair. I

5 months

On 1/9/2023 at 6:16 PM, asterix0 said:

Surgeon error most probably. The grafts they implanted were likely transected, or not implanted correctly or something like that. 

What will this mean going forward if he were to have a touch-up? Will they need to remove those grafts?

Update since last post

On 12/14/2022 at 5:53 AM, Parasol said:

Hi, Waterworld. Thanks for pinging me and providing some additional photos.

I agree with what everyone is saying above: That it’s hard to say unless we can know for certain the transplanted area was completely bald or not, and that if it was bald, this doesn’t appear to be enough density to match the native hair behind it.

It does look like you have coarse hair, so it’s possible you’ll be pleasantly surprised over the course of the next 8 months. You’re still in the worst stage, after all! I know it’s hard, but try your best to patient!

But I think it’s also important to be realistic, and to have a backup plan if this doesn’t become what you had desired. 

Hang in there, buddy. 4 months is still very early.

Have you stated who your surgeon was? Have you kept in contact with your clinic at all?

I went to see Dr Malkani earlier this week to discuss the concern I had about the gap. He shared the following:

• He agreed that the graft amount I had would not have been sufficient for straight hair, but he was adamant that it would be fine for my hair type. Thus, the issue with density is not a concern for him at the moment.
• His reasoning was that curly hair patients develop at a slower rate, and the hair type in itself gives a better illusion of density.
• He echoed the above points and said to wait for the 8month+ mark before making any judgements. 

For me, however, density isn't my primary concern at the moment. I'm open to a follow-up HT. My concern is those large gaps. The growth of hair around it has made my hairline look disjointed, as if someone took a clipper and aggressively shaved a patch off.

I'll update if there is any change.

Thanks I appreciate the response. 
 

My immediate concern are these gaps. 

Just now, Adam561 said:

Are you on any meds? This doesn't look good to me. 

No. Just to clarify: this wasn't to replace hair loss, but to lower the hairline.

4 minutes ago, Curious25 said:

Can you provide pre op and immediately post op photos?  

On 8/14/2022 at 3:36 PM, waterworld said:

I thought I'd share my progress going forward here.

Day of operation

 

On 12/9/2022 at 8:02 AM, sinbar said:

Thank you, good to see. I was wondering who did the FUE bit (the graft harvesting) did you say the doctor didn’t do that part? 
 

If it wasn’t a doctor doing the fue do you think that may have had an effect on the outcome? I’m interested and I can’t find another clinic that administers ‘medalozam’ that seems like it would just knock you out for the day 

The doctor didn't do that part, correct. This is true for most clinics. I'm not sure whether the result would have been much different - it all depends on experience and skill. Presumably, with enough experience, the technician should be well qualified for the role.

@Axel @Parasol @Melvin- Moderator

Hi guys,

4 month update. Just some context: This procedure was done to 'lower' my hairline, not to replace hair loss.

I have some concerns about the progress of that area behind the hairline. As you can see, it is showing incredibly little growth in comparison to the hairline. For this to level off, I'll need to see exponential growth here in the next month or two to catch up with the rest, and I've never seen 'gaps' filled out to this extent.

This 'gap' has been visible since the 3rd week post-op.

On 12/6/2022 at 11:03 PM, sinbar said:

Hi waterworld very interesting and thank you for sharing your story. I’m looking into this Clinic and others, looks like it’s been around for a long time so could be good. How was your experience on the day? 
 

I’ve read some differing reports on the clinic but do you remember on the day whether the doctor himself or the Technician/assistant performed the FUE extraction (graft harvest)? One patient said they had an inter muscle injection that knocked them out im a bit scared of that if I’m honest can I ask did you have the injection? 
 

Hope all is coming through now it has been a few months??

Here is my thread

4 months. 

3 months in, slow progress 

Some parts are growing slower as shown in yellow here. 

3 minutes ago, Tomi said:

@waterworldhey man thanks for your info. Yeah I will start finasteride 1mg a few times a week. What surgeon did you use?

Good to hear. I used Dr. Malkani. He did the initial phase, but it was the technician who spent most of the time with me.

Hi @Tomi I had a discussion with a few surgeons at different clinics to get an understanding of what was achievable, and what was recommended. Wimpole was actually recommended by one of the surgeons whose clinic was being refurbished at the same time, so he couldn't perform it himself. Like you, I had some research online as well. It's been just over 2 months on my journey and I've at times been frustrated with the lack of growth, and at times confused by certain things. Read my post history to get a sense of that.

My own journey has so far been unique. I'm not sure whether that is due down to my own physiology, the surgeon's skill or the technician's skill. The main benefit of going to a local clinic has been that I've had the chance to see my surgeon whenever I've needed to. We had a check-up, and he's happy with the progress so far. I've stopped scrutinising my hair and just got on with life. I'm not expecting any substantial growth till month 4, which is usually the period of time people see extraordinary progress.

If you have any specific questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

P.S. With your hair loss, I hope you are beginning medical treatment as well: a hair transplant alone would be a temporary solution.

3 minutes ago, Pbaird98 said:

@waterworldThanks for the update. I see someone else was set to have a ht done at this clinic so this is good timing. 

Someone registered here?

EDIT: Ah, I just saw the other post.

Hi everyone @Pbaird98

Here are some recent photos. The single graft follicles that make the outer line have grown in length. I still have large areas that are smooth to touch, suggesting there is close to zero growth in those spots. But the hair that is growing in length adds some coverage to these spots (you can see that in the flash photo), which gives it the appearance of slightly more density than the previous month...but this isn't exactly new 'hair'. I'm 2 and a half months into the process.

I cut my 'original' hair to a low 0.5 buzzcut, which blends in with the current level of the transplanted hair. From a distance, this looks quite level.

.

19 hours ago, Axel said:

Like this? I think it's normal. Mine looked rough after 2-3 weeks, completely smooth. Looks fine now

How long did it stay like that?

Here's my progress so far

https://imgur.com/a/hYki3Zz/