Hello everyone!
I wanted to start by saying thank you to everyone who contributes to this forum. I have been a silent reader for a few years now, and have gained so much knowledge that as we all know is so necessary to have when going into this experience. With that being said I’d like to share my HT journey with you all.
I chose Dr De Freitas based on his experience with hairline reconstruction. I would say I had a bit of thinning at the front of my hairline, but was not losing hair. The reason I wanted a HT was due to my large forehead which has always made me extremely self conscious and has had a major impact on my mental health.
I reached out to the clinic in January and heard back within a few days. Dr De Freitas estimated 2800 grafts to the frontal area via FUE. I booked the appointment for April 2024 but was asked if I would be able to reschedule, should someone cancel their appointment and an availability opened up sooner, to which I said yes. A short time later the clinic reached out to me to let me know a cancellation had come up in may and if I’d like to reschedule. I was more than happy to.
I was a little nervous going into the procedure but to be honest, it was something I had been waiting to do for so long that it was a bit euphoric and the nerves subsided very quickly. Dr De Freitas and his team are incredible. They put me at ease immediately and I knew I was in good hands. Previous posts have discussed the fact that he doesn’t speak English, but in my experience, he definitely made an effort and most of the things that needed to be communicated, we were able to do so without someone from his team translating.
The procedure was 2 days with the first day lasting about 12 hours, and the second day taking about 5. He ended up using 3,233 grafts to cover the area, higher than originally quoted, which he said was because I have a big head, which we had a good laugh about, as this was the reason I was there in the first place.
Following the procedure I was sent home with all of the necessary post op care. I was to spray the recipient area with saline once an hour and sleep upright (which I had started doing a few weeks prior to the surgery so it didn’t seem so foreign. I highly recommend doing this). I had really bad swelling and was supposed to leave 4 days after the procedure, but was not comfortable getting on a plane and ended up staying in Valencia an extra 5 days. This ended up working out in my favor as the clinic was able to do my first wash on day 8, which I was very nervous to do myself.
anyways, healing went great and I am now 2 weeks post op and feeling really good about everything. Obviously I am dreading the ugly duckling phase but as I’ve learned, it’s a part of the process and to try and stress as little as possible, as it will not benefit growth.
below are my photos. I have attached photos ranging from pre op to today.
Any feedback is appreciated and I’m happy to answer any questions you may have! Thanks for reading
pre op
Pre op
donor
pre op shave
immediately post op day 2
post op day 8
Day 8 following scab removal
day 8 also
day 10
day 15 ( have noticed some shedding)
dim lighting day 14 (this is my favorite lighting to take pics cause it just looks like I got a buzz cut 😂)