First off I need to give a big shout-out to @Doron Harati: if not for his excellent responsiveness, knowledge, and communication skills I probably would’ve ended up going to a hair mill in Turkey – and like a friend of mine who did – still be shaving my head bald today.
I believe that my results represent what an average NW7 can expect to achieve. Upon the initial video consultation with HDC, they were hesitant about performing a full density transplant (considering the aggressiveness of my hair loss – fully bald at age 20 – my average donor, and poor hair characteristics), and instead offered me a low density “shaved look” option. I wasn’t too interested in that so they agreed to perform a full density transplant in 2-3 surgeries, while tempering my expectations of the outcome.
FUE 1: 3700 grafts, June 2022
FUE 2: 4200 grafts (1k beard), Feb 2023
I was very happy with the result of the first surgery, and as you can see by the large area covered in the second surgery, I imagined the end result could be a nearly full head of hair. But it seems that what people say about the crown being a bottomless pit is true – I was starting to become lukewarm on the result as the months passed.
Additionally, the donor is now significantly depleted such that if it is grown out it looks thin and wispy due to hairs clumping together:
But keeping in mind that hair transplants are an illusion of density, I kept growing it out, unsure of what to do with it. I had considered perming it, hoping the curls would provide extra density (I still wonder if this could work); or getting an SMP density treatment (this seems unpopular); then finally I went to the barber and asked for a slicked-back look. Even he was impressed by what it did for the crown coverage.
Only in very harsh lighting is the crown still visible. The barber mentioned he cut a bit too much off the back, but next time will correct it. The product he used (suavecito hair cream) also adds a mild shine to the hair which I like since I felt mine always looked dry despite my attempts to condition it. Now I only need to contend with the high hairline.
Overall I am very happy with the end result considering where I started. I don’t feel particularly rushed to do a 3rd procedure, but when I do I’ll throw as many beard grafts into the crown as possible. I wonder how much more can be taken from my donor considering I will only wear it very short now — or is it possible that even short sides can start looking bad if I continue to deplete it?
Of course this is all without saying anything of the exceptional staff at HDC. They are absolutely top notch and took good care of me on both visits. Flying in from the USA was a breeze. Dr Christina is superb.
