Low density and scar. After 2 HT surguries I was hoping for more?

[colinthomas]

Hi

 

My hair loss was not all that noticable to most people (I'm a 3V on the Norwood charts; some thinning in the vertex along with receeding in the temples)

 

I have had two HT surguries with about 1500 FU each. I have fairly thick donor hair and was hoping at least to fill the approximately 20 sqcm in the temples left and right with a decent density of about 40 FU per sqcm plus some coverage in the vertex. (Mathematically this seems reasonable.

 

After the first surgery, I barely had 8-10 hairs per sqcm and after the second surgery a year later the density is still only about 15 hair per sqcm so my overall appearance really hasn't changed much at all.

 

And just as bad is that I have a big scar just above and to the aft of my ear (an area of about 6sqcm) due to a bleeding problem while he closed the wound at the donor site and apparently used a laser to stop the bleeding. This is quite a big hole where the laser killed off the hair follicles and has created basically a very smooth, hairless scar tissue. How will he ever be able to close this gap, even if I have a third procedure done? He is a nice guy and I do not necessarily want to accuse him of doing a poor job (especially, since my particular surgical circumstances may have led to the difficulties.) Also, why can't this highly recommended surgeon get a higher density than only about 10 sqcm in a session?

 

Thanks a lot, Colin

[colinthomas]

Hi

 

My hair loss was not all that noticable to most people (I'm a 3V on the Norwood charts; some thinning in the vertex along with receeding in the temples)

 

I have had two HT surguries with about 1500 FU each. I have fairly thick donor hair and was hoping at least to fill the approximately 20 sqcm in the temples left and right with a decent density of about 40 FU per sqcm plus some coverage in the vertex. (Mathematically this seems reasonable.

 

After the first surgery, I barely had 8-10 hairs per sqcm and after the second surgery a year later the density is still only about 15 hair per sqcm so my overall appearance really hasn't changed much at all.

 

And just as bad is that I have a big scar just above and to the aft of my ear (an area of about 6sqcm) due to a bleeding problem while he closed the wound at the donor site and apparently used a laser to stop the bleeding. This is quite a big hole where the laser killed off the hair follicles and has created basically a very smooth, hairless scar tissue. How will he ever be able to close this gap, even if I have a third procedure done? He is a nice guy and I do not necessarily want to accuse him of doing a poor job (especially, since my particular surgical circumstances may have led to the difficulties.) Also, why can't this highly recommended surgeon get a higher density than only about 10 sqcm in a session?

 

Thanks a lot, Colin

[stumper]

Who did this to you?if he is a recommended surgeon this dont happen. He could have transected hair during your surgery, his staff could of killed your graghts during the preperation of your fus. How long has it been how much have you had,if we know this we can tell you more

[colinthomas]

This was a surgeon in Sao Paulo, Brasil where I go to visit my brother once a year. I truelly believe that all the follicles that were implanted grew. During the first surgery I actually sort of counted along and I was already wondering how he could possibly get enough coverage to get anything near 40 fu per sqcm. The guy has a very modern set-up. The grafts are kept cool as they are waiting, etc.

He has an assistant to help him with inserting the follicles and others to prepare them.

 

As far as the closure of the donor site. He already had a little trouble with bleeding during the first surgery because apparently my scalp had more tension in one area than others. The first (and second) surgery also left me with a 1/4 ich scar all along the incision which has no hair. Nobody seems to tell you anywhere (in consultations or on all the web-sites),that you are left with any scars that can give you trouble if you have a short haircut later on?

 

Thanks

[colinthomas]

Just for further information. This surgeon uses all the common techniques, tools and and post-op care, such as an approximately 1.5 to 2cm wide strip graft from almost ear to ear (elliptical). I'm not sure about the typ of sutures he used to close the donor site, only that my regular doctor in the US always has trouble finding all the sutures and figuring out how the htread runs.

[Bill - Seemiller]

Hello colinthomas,

 

This sounds really awful and I can certainly symptathize for you in this situation.

 

So what is it you are hoping to accomplish at this point? In all honesty, I would NOT go back to this physician. It sounds like he's already messed up twice. If you are considering repair work, check out one of the coalition doctors who have proven track records for repairing poor work.

 

Just so you know...nice guy doesn't always equal good doctor. It is always tempting to continue working with someone because they are a familiar face and they are really nice, but there are a lot of very qualified doctors that are also extremely nice. I think it's time to switch clinics my friend.

 

Bill

[stumper]

well put Billeroes, and your arms are huge.

[JohnH]

This could be a case of "you get what you pay for". The HT was probably quite a bit cheaper done in Sao Paulo. Colin - you definitely need to see a doctor here to get that scar reduced. With thick donor hair you should have gotten good coverage in the temples. Sorry this has happened to you.

[colinthomas]

Hi

 

Thanks for all your responses. I was hoping to get a little factual/ medical feedback from people who have had experience themselves with similar issues as mine, in order to determine what might have gone wrong and whether these kinds of problems are common. Why does it seem to be so difficult to get answers to fairly straight forward questions in this field? Do the surgeons not want to let their clients know about the pitfalls of this surgery? I have had consultations with surgeons in the US too and they haven't been any more confidance inspiring...

 

As far as "you get what you pay for", I don't believe that the surgeons in Sao Paulo are any less skilled than all but maybe the best in North America. Besides, in local currency the cost was not low at all.

 

Thanks again, Tom

[Bill - Seemiller]

Hello colinthomas,

 

so how can we help you at this point? Are there still questions you have left unanswered? What are they and maybe we can be of help to you.

 

Bill

[Pat - Community Publisher]

Colinthomas,

 

I'm very sorry to hear about your disappointing surgical results. You went into your hair restoration with realistic expectations and clearly are justified in being disappointed.

 

You mentioned that your surgeon is "highly recommended". However, only Dr. Arthur Tykocinski of Sao Paulo, Brazil is highly recommended on this site and in your private email to me you said that your surgeon was not Dr. Tykocinski. I don't know who you went to. But I have the highest regard for Dr. Tykocinski and his results. He does truly world class hair restoration.

 

All of us on this forum, as non surgeons who have not even seen you, can only speculate from afar. I strongly suggest you consult with Dr. Tykocinski to get an idea of what happened and what can now be done.

 

Best wishes for ultimately getting the results you want and deserve. Pat