Ccd99

You're right, I see what you mean. The OP was being sarcastic, hopefully he can get it repaired somewhere!

Wow this looks so bad... I feel bad for the OP if he thinks this is a good result.

My understanding is that 1 graft = 1 FU = 1 hair follicle = 1 follicular unit, and 1 hair follicle can consist of a single hair, double hair, triple hair, or in some cases even more (4,5,6,7 hairs). Doctors will often refer to density as the number of FU's per square cm (FU/cm^2). But this does not always equate to true visual density as some people have finer hair, some have thicker hair, and some may have more hairs in a FU, and some may have less. For example someone with a density of 50 FU/cm^2 but all consisting of single hairs will visually probably look similar to someone with 25 FU/cm^2 but consisting only of double hairs (that is assuming they both have the same hair thickness). That's why some people that have great hair characteristics will get away with implanting less grafts compared to others. By the way there is also something called the "hair coverage value" (Google for more info) which can be calculated to figure out visual density. But I don't think all doctors use this, those that do are probably more mathematically inclined (which IMO is a good thing).

Do you have a link to this case by any chance, is it on this forum? I am curious.

Was it this one by any chance: Your post is still there.

I was also interested in Dr. Espinosa Custodio as his work looks good (based on his own clinic reviews). His website is filled with good information and it does portray him as an ethical surgeon. However one of the reasons I did not go ahead is because I too could only find 1 patient review on the Spanish forums with photos (ironically in that review the patient was given bad medical advice from the clinic with respect to keto shampoo, this advice was then retracted by the clinic when the patient challenged the advice after asking for a second opinion on said forums)... soo yeah all of that did not instill me with much confidence. If there are indeed more patient reviews out there that @Melvin- Admin has researched, if you can't share them due to the external link policy on this website, perhaps you screenshot them and blur out the URL? I think that would put some of our minds at ease.

Wow this is a home run! Looks fantastic! Congratulations on the great result

I will mention it next time I speak to him, it just so happens that I am going ahead to book my surgery with him so I'll definitely pass it on during my next correspondence with the clinic.

My hair loss was definitely more aggressive during my 20s and continuing medication would've helped maintain my mid-scalp and crown for sure, but unfortunately back then I was not as knowledgeable about preventing hair loss. I tried Finasteride for 2 years hoping it would regrow but it obviously didn't and I just sorta stopped. I didn't even know oral Minoxidil was a thing back then (2014/2015) otherwise I would've tried that as well. Anyway I'm positive not all hope is lost and have made a decision to cancel with Dr Bicer and book in with Dr Ferreira for October 2024. I'll keep this thread updated with any gains of my native hair regrowth and thickening over the next 11 months. Thanks all!

I recently visited Dr Ferreira's clinic for a consultation and we got chatting about experimental procedures etc and I mentioned Verteporfin, he said he is following it closely but at this stage it's not something he is willing to trial on his patients unfortunately... I would've been more than happy be a test subject! Anyway he did say he is not dismissing it but it needs more research before he would personally consider using it in his practice. I regret not showing the Google doc, I wasn't aware it existed otherwise I would have!

Thanks, appreciate your input.. I am starting to lean towards Dr Ferreira - I have until the weekend to make my mind up if I want to secure the October slot. Bicer will refund 50% of my deposit which is better than nothing.

Thank you, wish the same could've been said about my top scalp 😂

Had my consultation with Dr Bruno Ferreira, here's a quick summary: Diagnosis: Alopecia NW5V Donor hair is good, a lot of multi-grafts Enough capacity for 7500 grafts, and easily another 2000 grafts from beard if needed Some miniaturisation in donor hair but good chance it will stabilise with the meds I am taking (almost approaching 4 months on meds now) Hair thickness 60 microns Hair density 100 fu/cm^2 (was surprised by this myself but that is what the doctor said!) Size of thinning areas: Front 84 cm^2 (proposing to implant at 40 FU/cm^2) Mid-scalp 36 cm^2 (proposing to implant at 25 FU/cm^2) Crown: 91 cm^2 (proposing to implant at 25 FU/cm^2) Surgical plan: 1st surgery frontal third 3000-3500 grafts 2nd surgery 5 months later mid-scalp and crown 2500 grafts 3rd surgery 12 months later 1500 grafts for touching up (completely optional and dependent on results from first 2 surgeries) He also said 2nd surgery might need to be re-planned if the meds are working for me I may not need as much of an intervention In general, I was very impressed by the doctor and his clinic and I am seriously considering cancelling my surgery with Dr Bicer... the only drawback is Dr Ferreira is a lot more expensive and the earliest he can get me in is October next year. I guess I got some thinking to do... (consultation photos attached)

Good on you mate, life is short you seem to have a decent donor as well and 2k odd grafts in the grand scheme of things is not going to kill your donor area should you require more later on life (which I doubt it as you said you're in your late 30s and on meds so your hair loss would have somewhat stabilised and halted)

It is difficult to say as the photo quality and lighting could be better but honestly speaking I can see some diffused thinning on your donor area which could be a sign of DUPA (needs to be confirmed using a microscope). Your crown has also dipped quite a lot, so I personally think you may struggle to get 4000 without causing visual impact to your donor area (but then again there are some wizards out there like Dr. Zarev). Can you visit a local HT clinic for an accurate consultation/assessment? Alternatively, speak to other clinics and send photos for a second opinion.

Unreal result from where you were before vs now!

Thanks! It's hard to say how much of this is just my native hair growth (as my head has been covered with a hair piece and shaved every 2 weeks for the last 6 years) and how much of it can be attributed to the medication, but either way I am pleased and anything I can do to reduce the amount of grafts is a good thing

Looking forward to being seen by Dr. Bruno Ferreira in a few weeks, but in the meantime here's my progress photos 3.5 months after starting dut & min medication (+ saw palmetto + biotin/multi vitamins). Very pleased with the regrowth thus far!

Nice result! Did you go for the second session yet?

Thank you! I am diffuse thinning so it's probably hard to predict my exact pattern as I can also notice some thinning below my crown. I hope I caught it early and the meds can stop further hair loss there. I have managed to snatch a last minute cancelled consultation with Dr Bruno Ferreira - I am flying out in 2 weeks to see him. Based on that I'll decide if I want to stick with Dr Bicer or go with Dr Ferreira.

Looks very natural, congratulations on such a great result!

Glad to hear things are looking better again, hopefully you can fight off that infection and re-continue your excellent growth!

When I was in Turkey earlier in the year (for a family holiday) I went for a consultation (it was more like a chat really) at Vera Clinic, only because one of my friends had his HT done there and claimed good results. I did not get great vibes either, and I know exactly who you mean by "man with hair tied up in a pony tail".. he was very adamant and insisted I book a surgery then and there, apparently they could've gotten me in the next day if I wanted. Anyhow my intention was just to get an opinion, I was never going to go ahead with Vera Clinic. Despite your experience I hope your procedure progresses succesfully!

Looking good, can't notice much redness! The donor looks great too, your back and sides sure grew quickly! Btw, Did you notice any swelling yet? And, did Dr Bicer comment on how many donor grafts you have left for the future? I am booked in with Dr Bicer for March 2024, but haven't decided yet on how many days I should stay.. either 5 or 7.. reasoning for staying less is to get home before swelling kicks in, on the other hand staying longer means I can access the surgery if needed.

Thought I’d provide a small update regarding my minox + dut usage, it’s now been 2.5 months since I started taking the meds and around 3 months since I started growing out the hair on top of my head. Things are looking very positive, I believe it is minox mainly doing the heavy lifting for me. I really hope Dr Bicer can work with this diffuse pattern and minimise the grafts needed. Even though some are obviously thin hairs, it may still help with the “illusion of density” as less of the scalp will be visible, even though it may not be as dense (almost acting as natural hair fibres if that sorta makes sense). I am surprised to see my hairline is back, even though it is diffused it has not receded much at all after all these years… I can only hope these vellus hairs become terminal and stay with dut. I am planning on upping the minox dose to 5mg starting next week. Pictures are taken under harsh lighting, whilst hair is wet and also whilst dry - interestingly it looks thinner when hair is dry (could be due to the harsh lighting). Also added a picture with my ideal self drawn hairline if donor allows. As always, would appreciate any thoughts/comments.