romeo_gent

9 hours ago, Noob said:

Thanks so much for the detailed write-up. I'm at the beginning of the research phase and it's so helpful. Just 1 question - is it possible to get it done without shaving the recipient area?

Yes, I was told it is possible by Dr Bonus, but the cost per graft will go up slightly. And I think the time for the procedure too.

I think I hit the 'Boom' stage. My family seem to notice the change and make positive remarks! Thought I will share this with you, my online extended family! Good luck to all of you!

4 hours ago, Melvin- Admin said:

Hairline looks a lot stronger already 

Thanks Melvin. It's a lot clearer to make comparison with older photo. As we look into mirror everyday, we will be always blinded by the small incremental changes. but, you are absolutely right on the observation!

3 hours ago, BaldGuy said:

Its coming along nicely for 5 months...you should expect much growth until 7th month. Good luck!

Thanks pal. I hope for the same myself. :)

10 hours ago, romeo_gent said:

Thanks mate. 
doctor prescribed 1.25mg right after the procedure. Maybe because I didn’t have any medication. Later on upon the monthly progress review, doctor said I can increase to 2.5mg as most others are taking this dose. In short, I think starting small is probably a conservative approach by the doctor. 

Correction: I started with 1.25mg, and at month 4, I increased to 2.5mg. (the pill is 5mg each, I break them into 1/4 in the beginning, and increased to 1/2)

11 hours ago, davdoff23 said:

Thanks for sharing the update, it looks actually very good and will only further improve in the months ahead. One question on the use and increased dosage of the minoxidil from 1.25mg to 2.5mg, is this highly recommended by the Dr.?

And for how long are you supposed to be taking this in addition to Finasteride?

Thanks mate. 
doctor prescribed 1.25mg right after the procedure. Maybe because I didn’t have any medication. Later on upon the monthly progress review, doctor said I can increase to 2.5mg as most others are taking this dose. In short, I think starting small is probably a conservative approach by the doctor. 

17 minutes ago, 718S said:

Absolutely. 

It's hard to explain more granular but in essence it's fibres made from (I think) keratin. Might come from sheep or something. Then the colour it. And sell in various colour's. It's basically like a powder you apply to your head and it attaches to your hair builds up density just like real hair. 

 

Sounds weird but check out "toppik" (the most famous brand I'd say, I'm not promoting them or anything, but it's what I've tried and it works well for me).

 

Basically you dust some of that on your hair and suddenly it looks like you have 2x the density. It's crazy. I think it would work very well on your pattern.

I see, now I remember seeing those jaw-dropping clips from social media. 
 

I personally am not a big fan of wig or adding external substances to look good. But thanks for sharing the experience. 

14 minutes ago, 718S said:

Also short term you could look i to hair fibres, such as toppik. For me it's been an absolute miracle for mid scalp density. I don't use it daily but just for special occasions 

Thanks mate. Can you explain more what is hair fibres? Do you mean tropical solutions to apply on scalp?

10 hours ago, TakeAction said:

Looks like you're on track. I'd let the hair grow out for a while from this point on

Thanks mate. 
I did last hair cut 3 weeks ago but mainly to trim the side. I’m trying to keep the front hair but realized that it also need some trimming to keep same length as some hair is growing faster than other. White hair grow faster and implanted hair also grow at slight varying speed with the original hair 

10 hours ago, 718S said:

It's coming in nicely. I think the front looks very strong and will frame your face. Midscalp a little weak still but filling in very nicely. Should be great by 8-9 months mark from what I can tell. 

When I check my photo right after operations, looks like mid scalp is planted less dense and crown is even lesser. I recalled doctor said 4200 graft not sufficiently to cover same density for mid scalp and crown. When I look at the photo now, it sort of make sense and align of the area of density of implant.

im not sure situation will improve by month-8 to any satisfaction or it will improve a little but still limited density. 

if it is latter, the next decision point would be the need of a second operations. 

Taken exactly at the completion of 5th mth. What do you guys think?

I feel that implanted hair start to grow faster, and also get thicker. I used to have softer hair, so I would be able to tell the difference. I think partly due to the implanted hair genetic from donor area (stronger), and partly due to minoxidil (I have been taking daily 2.5mg, and increased to 5mg from 4th month onwards).

Hi guys, thanks for the kind interest and follow up. I’m now exactly 4.5 months post surgery. Although it is not looking bad, I still feel the growth is not as much as I expect. Upon consulting doctor, I increase the minoxidil dosage from 1.25mg to 2.5mg about 1 week ago. Doctor did tell me that my growth is already above average and remind me of the patience I am lacking. 
here are some quick pictures taken few minutes ago. You can be the judge and share your feedback if you think my hair growth is good or otherwise. Thank you in anticipation!! 🙏🫡
 

21 hours ago, 718S said:

Thank you for the update. Really curious to see how you look at 4 months when growth has started more!

thank you for your kind words. I look forward to it myself.

I just completed week 12 (3 months) and took some photos. I didn't take many photos in the last 2 months as it is the hibernating period. There is not a lot of growth. Upon checking with Dr, she said that it takes 3 months after shedding for the hair follicles to enter new growth. It means I have to wait 4 months (post operations) to see any real improvement. So far, I notice some improvement compared to week 4 photos. Planted hairs are not 100% shedded off, perhaps some 20% remains. And according to the doctor, some new growth are observed.

This is my 6th week after operations. I started to feel really itchy with my scalp. Sometimes, I can't help but to scratch it hard. The more I scratch, the more itchy it gets.

I wonder if this is normal as I read from others that acnes and itch will start when the new hair is trying to grow..... or.... I need to consult doctor?

4 hours ago, O-Myles59 said:

Excellent write up and documentation of your procedure / experience  which will be invaluable to people looking at this clinic / surgeon. Wish you the best growth 

Thank you Myles... I think Dr Bonus deserve some positive attention. 

5 hours ago, tonybecool said:

Wow, it was a very constructive discussion.

You may mention Dr. Ratchathorn Panchaprateep, but the key partner is equally talented in hair transplantation, Dr. Kongkiat Laorwong, also from Thailand.

Pay for yourself. Real hurt: I chose Thailand's Absolute Hair Clinic (AHC). My intended physician is Dr. Ratchathorn. She is also the doctor who owns the clinic, and together with Dr. Kongkiat, she takes care of my case closely. Have a Cert ABHRS + ISHRS + WORLD-class FISHRS available. The other, known as Dr. Kongkiat, has the same ability, depending on whether it is convenient to choose between female and male doctors.

Reason for choosing: Choose Dr. Ratchathorn too. It is believed that women pay special attention to detail. The main factor is choosing this clinic instead of another. Confident in special Cert standards for a wide range of cases for Thais and foreigners. You're a real professional doctor.

My personal opinion is that my hair transplant is not cheap. To be honest, don't be cheap. Seeing a wounded man grow his hair repaired around 2 or his hair not grow is not funny at all. Because the hair in the occipital area is used to grow the missing hair (donor area), each person is not equal.

The hairline came out unattractive and unnatural; I still remember how bad it felt before planting. Thin-haired, bald people before. Despite my lack of confidence, I still remember it well.

Price: Case FUE 3,800 graph, the price is about 271,000 bath/round, a little hundred, you can see that almost 4,000 graphs. Quite a bit. Treat the whole front and half of the head. I asked if it was worth it. I felt my hair was dense. You don't need to worry about the wind blowing through your hair.

P.S. The doctor has additional hair care courses and pays for your expenses (with a discount), such as PRP and cell therapy.

High price for Thais, but for foreigners, the currency is higher, and it is considered very cheap. The price and everything in the patient's view have been used before.

Hi tony, guess you use translator... some pointers not exactly clear what do you mean. But, I am guessing you also did a transplant with Dr Bonus. So, I wanted to wish you happy growth. If you can, a few photos or start your own review, would really be helpful. 

2 hours ago, hairman4321 said:

Hi Romeo, why is she called "Dr Bonus"?

Thai people always have a nick name and is more commonly referred to by nick name in day-to-day conversation. A formal name is typically used for formal occasion. As shiba correctly said so.

1 hour ago, Gatsby said:

@romeo_gent everything is coming along nicely post op. 👌

thank you Gatsby... how's your journey of the hair restoration?

Week 4 Updates:
Shedding has started at week 3. By week 4, I think >50% of the implanted hairs have shedded, along with some shock loss as well. Honestly, even though I am fully aware of the ugly dugly phase but I still am hit by it, especially looking at the mirror every morning. I also feel itchy with both donor and recipient and started to apply the medicine (TA1% + antibiotic) solutions that Dr provided to me during the surgery trip.

Week 2 update and photos.

No discomfort at this point, shedding has not happened. I feel quite positive about my head.
 

Also few pages of documentation on the procedure.

Sharing some photos taken by the clinic and shared with me. They made the comparison on pre-ops vs day 4 (last day) before I depart the country.

5 hours ago, Ake said:

you will feel all kinds of things, sharp, dull, pressure, headaches and general discomfort for the first 2-3 weeks. You have had 4000 holes drilled in your head and then another 4000 cuts on the top. It’s surgery, so it will take a few weeks to recover. That’s why I don’t know how people go back to work after a few days, I guess everyone recovers differently. I sure didn’t. 

thanks for feedback Ake.... yes.... I have to start taking painkiller from time to time...

Pal, I'm sorry to hear about your experience on Turkish clinic. At the early stage of my research, I was considering some other clinic not even used by any forummer here. So, in a way, I'm glad that I didn't go there. However, looking at the photo, I feel that the result of the temple and front hair line are not bad. Perhaps the crown area looks a bit scattered. So, I got a feeling that besides not so pleasant experience during the surgery, the end result will look good. So, best of luck to you and me. the forummers here are always best supporters.