foxtrotwanderer

Thanks ready! I really appreciate your feedback and response. I wish I felt as good about my growth as you do! You made me feel much better so thank you for that 🙌🏻. I hope by month 12 things will all be fine. There is nothing I can do but maintain the supplements and clinical therapy which I fully plan to. I’m really am trying to be positive. I would love to hear more about your experience with toppik. How do you apply your toppik? Do you just sprinkle from the can or do you use the puffer and edge comb thing? Do you lock it in with the spray? Are there any things to look out for other than rain / sweat? I’m actually looking forward to giving it a whirl!

Also, I am ready to start experimenting with fibres. Can I have some recommendations from the hive mind please. Toppik is readily available where I am so ill probs go with that. Does anyone have any information / advice pertaining to colour selection. I feel I'm a medium brown to a dark brown. I dont mind if I have to buy both and blend the two colours. If any of you fine gentlemen have advice or tips / tricks, I would be all ears. Thanks in advance. FW

G’day Gents, Welcome to my day 113 (or 3 months 24 days - lets call it 4 Months) post HT. For record, my procedure was concluded on 22/2/23 at Eugenix in Delhi. Forgive me for missing my 3 month update. To be totally honest, a couple things to blame. 1) I was really busy at the time and every time I remembered I had to take pics and post, I CBF as it just seemed like another thing I had to do on top of everything else and 2) Honestly, not much had changed from month 2. I was still suffering deep in the ugly duckling stage and there had been no noticeable difference. It looked like absolute s&%t. Lets be real. Taking photos just to 100% confirm and see just how crap it was in high definition just didn’t tickle me. This also contributed to a little doubt, worry and concern. So, anyways I missed month 3. Im sorry for those that care. So, sitting at month 4 - how do I feel. Mmmmm, mixed. On one hand, I've definitely seen a visible change in my hair this past month. I would say a noticeable to almost significant, visual change. Im in the gym everyday and from a few meters away and pretty strong inside lighting, I have started to see a definitive hairline coupled with the raised definition / depth perception of actual hair. This has made me feel good to great at times. Coming from shaved head and SMP where hairline is visible but there is ZERO raised definition or depth perception of hair, I have loved this feeling. And I've had a couple compliments very recently that my hair is visible and looking good from friends. This is 100% because of the recent positive change in hair growth / hair thickness. However, I feel as though the thing that is saving me right now is my existing SMP. It has provided a visual trick to lessen the appearance of scalp and amplifies the illusion of hair. I knew it would work synergistically with a HT prior to getting one and I was right, it does but right now, SMP is doing the lions share of the lifting. It is wasn’t for SMP I think I would look immeasurably worse. So from a distance and under preferable lighting, things seem ok. This has been most welcome as tbh, I have been kinda down about it all. Which brings me to the other hand. I had spent years researching and learning so I 100% knew about the process and the emotional ringer you would go through. I knew what would happen, I knew how it affects people and I knew I would feel it to. I was prepared. But I still went through and felt every every crappy bit of it. Im still in it to be fair. Ugly duckling seemed to hit hard around month 3 when I thought / hoped / expected to be doing a lot better than I was. My thoughts, hopes and expectations obviously are to blame for a large portion of that and I accept total responsibility for that. I was able to just put a hat on and get on with life and that was fine, but the hair loss and the glacier slow regrowth sucked hard. But all the ugly duckling stuff aside, I had/have my doubts still about my future HT success. Yes, I know, everyone is going to say “its only month 4 - you are just at the start of change” “this is where the fun starts” “you look good for month 4 totally normal” etc etc. I know I know. But I would disingenuous if I was to say everything is fine. There is a part of me that says things are not 100%. I hope I'm totally wrong, I hope I'm to close to the fire to see the reality, I hope I'm just being pessimistic and will be proven delightfully wrong in time. I really do hope. So what are my concerns: I would say I'm a slow grower/late bloomer. This has probably affected me the most. As its just amplified the worries from the other concerns. Looking at my head very closely with my glasses on for extra detail, it seems like all the tiny black hairs I noticed have grown and there doesn’t seem to be anymore popping through. This is a worry. There are very distinct patches with little to no growth. I would say almost bald patches. There are 2 of real concern. One is on the left side of my mid scalp and the other is smack bang in the middle of my hairline. If nothing happens here, this will be a real problem. Overall density does seem low. Now I do understand, current hairs are not yet at full diameter, and maybe I might get a few more to grow but even so, its very hard to imagine this looking good at 12 months. Again, if I'm wrong - and I hope I am - ill eat my words humbly but if not, I think I'm in for some real torment. Hair thickness - my natural native hair is on the finer side, I raised this with Eugenix and asked if there was a way to mitigate this in the planning stage. They assured me its totally normal and nothing to worry about. That everything will be fine. The native hair that is inside the transplanted area (mostly between lateral humps if you look at my pre op photos) has grown back fine, I don’t think I suffered any shock loss or damage to it by transplanting close by. BUT - this hair is DHT affected and can not keep pace with either the native hair unaffected by DHT or the transplanted hair so I have three hair types growing at different rates. I don't know how to manage this. Its not a huge concern right now as I'm just letting it go wild but I don't know how I'm going to cut and style it in the future due to the limited growth ability in parts of my head. So, all im in neither stoked nor am I washed out. Im feeling ok but also slightly down. I guess im on the fence. Like I said, I know I have A LOOOOOOONG way to go to get final results and I may be suffering for no reason, everything may just be fine, but, BUT intuition does have its place, so I going forward trying to be positive but also real about things “as they are”, not “as they might be”. I would love to hear back from anyone about any of the issues I raised and or feedback. I have recently watched/rewatched a number of videos about slow growth and month 3 / 4 / 5 results and what’s expected. This has helped. Im not at the top of the pile in this regard nor am I at the very bottom. But I do feel as though im in the bottom half. And that sucks obviously. To note: I shaved my head to a zero clipper blade (not razor) at month 2 to clean things up as my hair lengths / thicknesses and locations were all over the place. This buzzed cut was the length I kept it at with my SMP pre HT. What you see is re growth from that length. Would love to hear back from you all. I would like criticism and encouragement, facts and figures. Im not sensitive so lay it on me. Cheers, Foxtrot. *** Below are my month 4 photos. As normal there lighting changes to fully illustrate in all conditions where I am at. 1st batch is under harsh ring lighting. 2nd batch is under normal room lighting and 3rd batch are a bunch of close ups under varying lighting (very harsh direct overhead down lights, ring lighting and normal room lighting. All photos were taken solo (which is harder than assumed - so apologies for any lack of quality).

I did forget to mention that when I wear my glasses (and can see fine detail) and get up close to the mirror, I can see a forest of little dark hairs juuuuuuussssst popping out of the skin all over my hairline and back into the midscalp. Fresh growth. Seeing this was a great thrill.

It is mate, out really is. Unfortunately those first few weeks go real fast and then the UD kicks in. I was about week 3 I think. it was slow at first but it def came and did its business. and it's just as horrible as everyone says, especially after the elation of the first few weeks. its cruel. haha. But we chose well, I trust Eugenix and myself so now I just have to wait and let nature take its course. It's a slow process and there is no real easy way other than ignoring your hair as best you can, which I know is hard because we have obsessed over it for years.

Month 2 / Week 8 / Day 56 Normal room lighting. I should mention that when I took those photos (harsh and normal), I was in a rush and I had just got back from a run so I (the hair) look extra average.

Month 2 / Week 8 / Day 56 Harsh (ring) lighting!

G’day Gents, A big shedding smile 😩 from month 2. Yesterday was 8 weeks since my HT. I’m chin deep in the ugly duckling stage and for the most part I’m ok with it, nothing is unexpected. But if i am to be completely honest, I do every now and then have sneaky little thoughts about it not working, me doing something wrong etc etc. I’ve been able to just ignore it and just put a hat on when I’m out in public, and this has worked great but in places like the gym and temple I can’t do that and I feel myself being a little conscious. I’ll attach as usually my photos under harsh light and then another set under normal indoor lighting. I am in two minds about getting a hair cut, some say just let it go and ride it out, I even watched a video from Melvin who said resist the urge to cut it and just let it all grow but others say having it tidied up made it easier / them feel better about how it looked during this terrible stage. I would love to hear any and all opinions. Also, if anyone has any input or advice I’m all ears. I hope everyone is doing amazing and growing well. Take it easy brothers!

awesome results mate. This post was exactly what I needed to find and read. Im deep in the shadow of the ugly ducking and while I know everything is ok, the mind games are real and a little pick me up by seeing quality results like yours (I also saw Dr. Das and had 5144 grafts) really helps. Congrats on coming out the other side and looking so terrific. Oh and keep your beard at stubble / long stubble length. You look 10 years younger than when its long.

Thanks mate! I’m so happy and thankful. Now a month has past I'm just trying to get on with life and not obsess over it (too much). Can’t wait for the next few months to pass and the good growing to start!

Yeah bro, I am. I never stopped oral fin. I did stop oral min 2 weeks prior to my op and I recommenced I think week two post. I was told to wait a month but I was scared of loosing gains with leaving it to long (which I don’t know is correct of not) so I went with my gut and just re started. Absolutely zero problem. I probably waited 2-3 weeks post op (just to make sure it had completely healed) before I restarted my topical fin/Stemoxydine therapy. Again, absolutely fine and no issues

Thanks mate! Appreciate it! How are you getting on post op? yeah, I guess I’ve got a decent beard. It’s always pissed me off most of my life but now I see it as an absolute gift! Haha I haven’t had to touch it yet which is awesome so, if and when I go back for a second op I’m sure I can attack it if needed. Anything below the jawline is fair game as I do like to keep it perpetually at long stubble so I need it on the face.

Thanks mate. Yeah I’m stoked. I wouldn’t say it’s a conservative hairline (6.8cm from eyebrows and mild arcs) but it’s not edged up either. A happy medium, somewhere in the middle I guess.

Overall, the first month has seemed to fly by. Returning home from India and getting back into the swing of normal life has gone really easy and the transplant has has very minimal Impact. Sensitivity is mostly back now in the recipient area. Still can be tender to touch with firmness but zero pain just normally. Numbness seems to be departing quicker now. Redness is still present but I think maybe starting to wane. 🙅🏼‍♂️ I am def in the ugly duckling stage now. I would rough estimate I’ve lost maybe 15% so far. It seems both temples have mostly gone and there is some fairly clear bald patches on top too. It’s not too bad but the confidence I had wearing it out and about 2 weeks ago is starting to dwindle. On that, I’ve been out socially with two different groups of friends and both have made really positive comments about how much younger I look and how much it suits me. That was great to hear and a little taste for the future I hope! The donor I’m so happy with. It is virtually indistinguishable now from the native hair. I’ve asked people who don’t have any idea about hair transplants and been told they cant see any difference in my normal hair. This is wonderful and a testament to @Eugenix Hair Sciences extraction skills. 5000+ grafts in one hit and a month later you can’t even tell. Zero pain in donor. It’s treated as normal. Other than that, the only other thing to discuss is that due to a little change in circumstances, I will be changing my hair loss protocol this Sunday and including a once a week Dutasteride 💊. This is to coincide with a fairly low dose (in the scheme of things) TRT protocol that I have to commence Monday. if there is anything you would like to see or know, please just ask! cheers legends, FW

And here are some day 28 close ups!

Here are my day 28 normal indoor lighting pics…

Woohoo! Day 28 (4weeks/1 month) since my operation. Here are my harsh lighting (ring) update pics.

Heya mate! Cheers! Yeah the crew @eugenix did an amazing job. Now it’s just up to me (my body) to do its part and grow! mate don’t stress! As far as Eugenix goes, it’s smooth sailing from the get go. You just do what they say and literally everything is taken care of for you. Are you holidaying in India? Have you been before or are you an fairly experienced traveller? If you are and you are not, then you are about to have a huge culture shock. Hang onto your hah cause it’s about yo be blown off. But if you are getting picked up from the airport and just doing the procedure, you have nothing to worry about. You will be chaperoned like a movie star. India is like nowhere else on earth and don’t try and fall into the love it or hate it binary pigeon holes typically used. Just experience it for the amazing, chaotic, breathtaking place it is. My advice is to relax, avoid comparing things to your normal and just enjoy it. It’s completely safe and really fun. As for Covid, no. No need for vax or for a test prior to arrival. You may or may not be selected for a random test at Delhi airport but it’s nothing. It was very lax when I went through a month ago. keep us posted on your journey. Be great to see how you get on! FW

Update: the redness is still quite present. The recipient area is getting back its sensation slowly. Still a fair bit numb and tingly. I do feel / experience weird popping sensations from the recipient area. Very small sensations like something is letting go. It’s weird. Maybe it’s the nerves coming back to life. I don’t know. It’s not painful at all or even distressing. Very mild and subtle. But definitely feel it. Over all i feel as though it’s improving, but it can still be a bit sensitive at times. ** I have started the dreaded shed. 😩 I never ever noticed a shed during my actual balding. And I didn’t shed whatsoever when I commenced Fin or oral Min. But I check my hands after running them over my head and I’ve always got one or two little black hairs on them and I’ve noticed a couple tiny areas when it’s bald again on my scalp where there was once transplanted hairs so I guess I’m about to start the ugly duckling stage. It sucks as it already looks good and I’m stoked about that but I’m prepared for it to get worse before it gets better. The donor area is literally forgotten about. Completely back to normal. No pain left whatsoever. Under normal conditions it’s concealed nicely by native hair. im back to using my home made topical fin and Stemoxydine 1-1.5ml a day at night before bed. I alternate between a high quality moisturiser and pure aloe Vera gel in the mornings to help the skin heal. I wash with 2% keto shampoo EOD and a soft baby shampoo in between that. A little Conditioner each night, Other than that. It’s normal living again. Back at the gym. Back on the training bike. Taking the supplements from Eugenix daily. No sun exposure. Back to normal in all aspects. I guess it’s just the mind games now until month 4. would love to hear any feedback from the group or advice/info worth sharing. Cheers lads. See you guys next week at the week 4 / 1 month update

Week 3 pics - normal room lighting

Week 3 Pics - Harsh Ring light

Thanks mate. It sure is. Eugenix are on fire at the moment. Top quality work. Top quality service. I’m happy and confident.