foxtrotwanderer

Thanks mate. I loved my holiday. I saw and experienced so much. It made the whole experience so much more. I’m so incredibly happy, yeah mate I did. SMPAustralia. I went to Ari in Sydney. Phenomenal work. I’ll go back there again once I know my HT mission/s is 100% complete and have the FUE scars covered up. Then I can run a buzz/face on the rear if I choose. THANK YOU AGAIN for sharing your experiences with Eugenix, it played its part in me choosing them. I couldn’t be happier.

Day 14 (week 2) * under normal lighting (however I noticed there is slightly more light in the room in these pics over day 7 normal as the blind was completely open. I’ll correct that for day 21.

Day 14 (week 2) * under harsh lighting (ring)

Day 10 - Head Wash & Scab Removal Day!!!! * under normal lighting

Day 10 - Head Wash & Scab Removal Day!!!! * under harsh light (ring)

Day 7 under harsh light (ring)

Post Op pics

Op Pics

Pre Op pics

G'day Gentlemen, I have arrived home from my wonderful holiday to India and from my hair transplant at @Eugenix Hair Sciences @Eugenix Hair Science. It is time to update y'all on the story and progress. For those interested in the backstory, I've linked my initial post from last year below. I arrived in India on the 10th after a 15 hour flight to Dubai from Sydney, a 2.5 hour lay over and another 4 hour flight to Delhi. I was travelling with a buddy and we spent the next 10 days exploring an expanded version of Indias Golden Triangle, driving by road, taking in the main points of Delhi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Agra, Jaipur and back to Delhi, as well as the places and attractions in between those cities. This isn't the place for a holiday blog so I won't go into that but if anyone wants any information on travelling to India and holidaying in India, sing out in a DM and ill answer whatever you want to know. I loved the experience and will certainly travel there again. I arrived in Gurugram, headquarters of Eugenix on the 19th and attended for a quick and easy pre op consult. There were some introductions, some paperwork, some medical observations taken (spO2, BP, allergies etc) and a little tour. I was in and out in about 40 mins. I returned to the Hilton hotel which is part of the package and relaxed, being advised I would be informed later in the evening about my start time for the following day. Point of note, The Double Tree Hilton was the best hotel I stayed in India, the quality of service, room, internet and food were amazing. And I stayed at the much more expensive and well known LALIT in Delhi (which I didn't think much of at all). The following day I attended the clinic at the designated time and it was game on. Straight away it felt like everyone that had anything to do with me and my procedure were ready to rock and roll. Eugenix are a well oiled machine. Immediately I was greeted by a young female concierge who would one of my guides for the next few days. She was delightful to interact with (and pretty to boot) and informed me of what the plan was for the day. I changed into medical scrubs, had photos taken of my existing hair, then met Dr Das and we discussed outcomes and expectations. She quickly inspected my head and hair. She was quite taken back by the amount of growth I had from the 7 months of medical therapy (1mg fin daily, 5mg Oral Min daily, 1ml of homemade topical fin daily). She informed me that I had shown excellent response and that it may be possible to use 500 less grafts than originally quoted. She said she would make the most of that by retaining the integrity of the hairs of quality when she performs the slit so as not to damage their roots. She then re-assessed my donor closely and informed me that my donor was excellent, that I had more than enough scalp hair to preform the transplant (and some) without needing any body hair (from my beard). Then it was hairline and temple design (which was easy for me and her, as I had already done all the heavy work 18 months prior when I designed my SMP hairline). Dr Das gave really positive comments as to the design of the SMP and the quality of the work. This was nice as I did spend significant time in designing it and I used (and paid for) probably the best SMP company in Australia. The plan was to shadow the SMP hairline/temple design. I had already prepaid for the 5000 grafts (as there was a spike in foreign exchange rates between the AUD and the INR in the weeks prior so I made the best of that) and informed Dr. Das of that fact and said, I would much prefer that I got extra density than having money refunded so she had my permission to use as much as she wanted to or needed to to achieve the goals I had stated. She said ok but would make a decision once into the surgery. She marked up my head and then the boys shaved me down before taking another batch of photos. I was then taken into theatre and prepped. I had mentally prepared myself for this next part....The anaesthetising....I have a decent tolerance for pain so I wasn't fretting but most people who had bothered to comment on the injections had made point of the pain involved. So I was expecting it. But, hats off to the nurse, it was 100% painless. They used a very small needle and a vibrator against the scalp and I honestly felt zero pain. There wasn't any real discomfort either. An insignificant prick and thats it. Soon enough my head was numb and Dr Das went to work. For the next 2 hours or so she made slits. I experienced a little bit of "oozing" which Dr Das made me aware of and said due to the fact I was having a rather large procedure and that I was booked into the hotel in Gurugram for a whole week (I planned for extra recovery days before flying home) and had days to play with, she said it would be best to call it day not create to much trauma early and just go easy. It was super easy sitting in the chair listening to tunes. I even fell asleep as one point and woke myself up by snoring. I left Eugenix after 3-3.5 hours total with 2022 slits made, mostly in the mid scalp. That night I slept totally fine as there wasn't that much to worry about. Day two I attended the clinic at 9am and was quickly prepped for surgery just as I was the day prior and then placed back in the chair. Today they started with extractions and this is when I fully got to see how efficient the team are. The female nurses administer all anaesthetic, the senior tech does the actual extraction punches and the other techs pull follicles from the scalp, pass them to the magic table where they are counted, sorted and prepped for implantation. Everyone was wearing loupes. The extraction starts about 30 mins prior to the implantaton and then the implantation starts. This gives the implant crew a little lead time to prep the grafts and instal them without ever running out. Then its all go. The grafts are out of the body for almost no time at all and everyone is silent, concentrating and quick. I was amazed at the professionalism of it all. I could not feel a thing at all the entire time and I only found out just how many people were working on me in the room was when I took a couple of selfies. It was remarkable to behold. Dr was was overseeing everything and would periodically check on the work quality and status. At some point after lunch she took the reins again and made some further slits. At the end of day 2 I had 3440 slits total and 1522 grafts implanted. I left at 3pm and retuned to the hotel. All transportation is provided, I was ferried around in a new Mercedes SUV. Service and professionalism by everyone is top there. This night I slept pretty good. Im not a fussy sleeper but sitting up in bed with a throne of pillows and a travel pillow wasn't the most comfortable, but it wasn't terrible either. No complaints. Day three was my big one. I attended the clinic early (8am) by driver in the Mercedes and again was met by my team and before long was back in the chair and the crew was hard at work. Today was to be my last day. The team again started with extractions and I settled into listening to music and scrolling through socials. Again it was completely pain free. I chatted with the team occasionally but mostly it was just them hard and work and me amusing myself online. The female concierge that has been my guide the whole time would often come and chat for a while before attending to other matters. I never felt alone or ignored. I was constantly asked if my pain was ok and if I needed anything. Nothing was too much. I should mention that the provided lunch I chose everyday was absolutely delicious. It was an Indian chicken thali (like an Indian version of a Japanese bento box). Today we sailed past the usual finish time of 3pm. Dr Das came in once they had finished my mid scalp and crown and inspected everything. She informed me that if I was happy with it, she would prefer to use the 5000 grafts I had paid for and proper dense coverage as my scalp was very healthy and my donor was more than able to provide it. I concurred. She made the necessary slits for my temples and my hairline. Then an older man entered and you could feel the atmosphere change, he commanded authority and was clearly some kind of senior person. Although I had seen him enter and leave my theatre a number of times in the previous days, clearly inspecting work, he had never stopped to work. This time he did. He then performed the cruicial extractions for the hairline and the temples and oversaw the team as they implanted these areas. He finished his work and left the room. I asked who he was and the crew told me he is the most senior person at Eugenix below the Drs and the longest serving employee. That made sense and was also reassuring that the crucial work was performed by the companies most senior person/tech. On the note of the techs, there is a clear pecking order that I observed. The new guys are nowhere near a theatre and their roles include the prep work done outside of the operation rooms (like photos and head shaves). In the op rooms, the less experiences guys are limited to purely observing and learning, and maybe being gofers first. Then they seem to sit at the sorting tables and count, sort and prep the extracted grafts. Then then next level up are hands on with extracting the punches, then up again for the implanters and finally, the most senior tech on the team is the punch operator. It felt clearly delineated and the skill levels were very high. Not once in three days did I see anyone miss a step. I asked a sorting table guy how long he had been working at Eugenix for and he told me three years. I asked him if today had been big or hard and he said "no, we work like this everyday". So the take away is that the techs are highly trained, have set roles and are extremely experienced in their set roles. I had and have no apprehensions as to their professionalism or their ability to deliver amazing results. At the completion of everything Dr. Das attended me and under loupes inspected everything. She said she would like to strengthen my hairline some more and add some more grafts to the mid scalp. She informed me that this would probably take me over my 5000 which I was fine with. She made a further 150ish slits. The senior tech again attended and made further extractions and the team implanted them. Dr Das then returned again and inspected the whole Jobe. She removed a single graft from what I assume was my hairline/temple area and re panted it elsewhere. I assume that was a multi hair graft not destined for that area. That is the quality control I experienced. I was then cleaned up, given a break and some food, had more photos taken and finalised with the payment/paperwork. I then gave permission for a media release and performed a filmed interview. I was on my way home by 5.30/6pm. I returned the following 3 days via driver for an inspection and head wash. Everyone was super pleasant and welcoming. I defiantly didn't feel whatsoever that now I had completed my paid procedure I was an unwelcome burden or hassle. I also picked up 2 years of finasteride (as it's super cheap in India) and some hair suppliments. Overall, my procedure was both unremarkable and amazing. Literally nothing went wrong, it all ran like clockwork. The entire team were as professional as anywhere in the western word and I would put their skills up against any western trained and or performing hair transplant personnel. My experience with Eugenix was simply top shelf and I would recommend them to anyone and everyone who asks. GRAFT LOCATION STATS Left Temple: 342 Right Temple: 298 Hairline & Midscalp: 2704 Crown: 1800 TOTAL: 5144 GRAFT BREAKDOWN Singles: 580 Double: 3934 Triples: 400 Quadruples: 230 TOTAL HAIRS: 10,568 GRAFT AVERAGE: 2.05 Photos will be posted soon.

Everything is appearing great brother. Im really looking forward to the next few months and seeing the result!

Thanks my man! Hopefully I’ll bump into you at the hotel or the clinic! I’ll keep an eye out mate! I’m at the hotel till the 25th and will be going to the clinic daily for a check up and wash.

Welcome mate and thanks for sharing. I look forward to seeing your journey. Could you advise us about your medical therapy? Have you used prior to your HT or will you use after your HT: Minoxidil, Fin/Dut, micro needling, Keto shampoo etc?

@Dora it’s just whatever amount of FU you are quoted multiplied the package amount you choose! Their prices are on the website! 👌🏻

@Zoomster Brother, if my name and 'Cure' are ever linked, I'll be doing backflips up the main street. I would honestly love that, but I'll be just as happy as having a head that I would be excited to go out in public with, without wearing a hat (by choice). I do love wearing a cap and I will probably still wear one but I would love to be able to take it off without dying inside. Im pretty sure I'll be able to supply 5000FU and I'm planning on being able to afford ($$) and extra 1000FU if needed and possible. I deliberately booked an extra 5 days accomodation following my booked procedure in Gurgaon to both allow me sufficent time to heal before flying around the world ANNNNNND if possible, to enable time for a few extra FU if lucky enough to possess them. Im prepared for a big couple days if Eugenix are able and willing. Fingers Crossed.

@mister_25 Appreciate the interest and kind words brother. I am also super optimistic that I will conquer the slap head curse (thanks haircare) in time. I am, like most of us I assume, kicking myself I didn't get onto / didn't stick with, the preventative measures required earlier. But it is what it is. No amount of wishing will re-grow hair. Im grateful that my balding was slow enough to not send me off the very deep end before I developed the courage to act decisively. If I can reinstate my hairline and have quality coverage on top I will be a very happy man. I look forward to sharing my experience and hopefully, helping a man who finds himself in the position I was in not to long ago. I think we all want that, and that is what makes this place so special.

@Dillpickle123 Thanks mate for the encouraging words. Yes, the DHT paradox of balding and body hair is strong with me (thankfully). Im open to Dr. Das taking whatever she needs. I keep my bears at about 5-8mm long stubble year round so I dont need the amount I grew for the pic. She can have anything below the jawline and taking my chest hair would be doing me a favour! haha. I sure am. As you may be able to see, I have an SMP shadow on my upper temple points (with only minor vellous hair present). I will be aiming to turn that shadow into real hair!

Thank you mate! When are you booked in? I will have been in India for 2 weeks or so prior to my HT. I'll be coming up from Jaipur on the 19th. Yes, Im here and also on Reddit and while there is some minor discrepancy, I think my list and short list were pretty indicative of the cream of the crop (within reason). Im super happy and confident with my decision. It wasn't made quickly or lightly. Im already counting down in excitement.

WOW!! the man, the myth, the LEGEND is the first person to comment!! I'm stoked! Heya mate! its a pleasure to be speaking with you. Ive obviously followed your story since the start and it played its part in my decision making! so thank you for openness and experiences.

apologies for little typos. I was typing fast and sent it without proof reading. I can spell, I assure you. I just can't type fast.....accurately. 🧐 Im sure you get the gist.

G'day Everyone, It feels so surreal to finally be posting after lurking and learning for so long. I would just like to say thanks to everyone that has shared and contributed to the amazing community we have here on HRN. It's a god send to guys (and girls) all over the world in educating and supporting hair loss sufferers. I have learnt so much and had opinions challenged and changed and I am the better for it. So thank you all. My background: Male - 41 - Very Healthy. Maternal Grandfather was a severe balder. NW7 in 30's. Paternal grandfather had a good head of hair at his death late in life. My father has similar hair to me now (maybe slightly better) but is 33 years older. No brothers. My hairline was always kinda high but it was reasonably strong until about 30 then retreated. Unfortunately I succumb to the fear around finasteride and stopped taking it less than a month after starting it. I convinced myself I had sides from all the horror stories I was reading. BIG MISTAKE. By my mid 30's i started to thin through the top and by 40 I am where I am now. So 10 to maybe 15 years of balding. I would say my profession was slow and I never really noticed hair falling out or on my pillow / shower etc. I was very very lazy with my hair (I completely regret disrespecting it) and my entire working life I have worn hats/helmets onto of being a natural hat guy. I live in a cap (which now is advantageous obviously) but I have always done so even with a full head. Since 2019 I started becoming really conscious of my hair. I guess the visible scalp was clear as day now and from then I have shaved it a 4 then a 3 then a 2. I stayed at a 2 until I discovered SMP and thought that was an amazing option for me and I went and had it at one of the best clinics in Aus. To be honest, I actually like SMP and what it achieves. I think it can look awesome done rights and I would happily advocate for it if it was something somebody wanted. BUUUUUT, not long after having SMP I went down the hole of transplants as the results were soooo much better than they were when I first looked at them maybe 10 years ago. I made my mind up that I wanted one and got the ball rolling. Fin - Check, Min - Check, Dr Pen - Check. Keto shampoo - Check. Started very slowly with Fin (was still a little apprehensive) and have worked up to a 1mg a day. no sides. happy days. Applying min was a chore and I ended up just getting oral min. I had my GP to so tests to check my heart health and blood work for any markers etc and I got a clean bill of health so Im on 5mg Oral Min. I started micro needling recently and do it once a week. 1.5mm with the A8 dr pen I think. They're op one anyways. I have been on medical therapy since June. I was my hair with 2% Keto x 3 week. Overall I think I have responded pretty good actually. Ive filled in where once I was sparse and thickened up all my hairs. im really happy and will continue my current regime. I stoped skin shaving my head 3 months ago to grow my hair out for HT consult photos. so what you see is three months from skin. Maybe slightly longer. no longer than 4 thats for sure. My hair is fine I think. always has been but it's always been dense. Hairdressers always complained about having so much hair. Oh I miss them days haha. Anyways, I send off my photos and an email to the top 9 surgeons on my list (in no particular order) for review. Bisanga, Mwunba, Frietas, HDC, Eugenix, FUE Capilar (Gur), Medispa and Bicer. I eventually heard back from all and was judged a NW5/NW6. spilt almost down the middle. about what I suspected. high 5 low 6. quotes are from 5000 to 6000. some required 2 trips of 2500/3000. I live in Australia so thats a lot of traveling and $$ onto. I complied everything into a spreadsheet and worked out what was best for time/travel/costs/2nd and maybe 3rd transplants and style. at the end I was down to three and eventually I settled on Eugenix. for a couple of reasons. 1. they have a great reputation and produce quality work. They are industry leaders in high NW and BHT (which I will need) 2. Their price is bang on and 3. im going to make my round the world trip for a HT a much needed holiday and Inda has always fascinated me. Im excited so say the least. So I'll post some photos and I'll be back to answer any questions you have or info you would like to offer. I would also love to find out of anyone will be at Eugenix Feb 19-25 in 2023. Lets chat and hopefully catch up. Thanks Guys Foxtrot.