4 months and 1 week 1950 grafts Dr. Hasson

[GrowPlease]

Hey guys I'm new. I'm 27 years old and I had 1950 grafts put in in a 6 x 12 cm area in the front line with Dr. Hasson on June 19th 2006 to create and strengthen a new hairline. I didn't really have it too bad, I could comb my hair forward and no one would notice that I was loosing hair but I wanted a thick hairline which was getting fairly thin. I've also made a switch from propecia to avodart on post op day 1 and now I'm about 4.25 months post op and my hair in the front still looks thinner than before my HT. I've been reading the posts that the take off should happen at around 6 mos but its pretty depressing to have thinner hair at almost 4.5 months than before I went for the HT. I'd say shock loss was pretty bad for me. I decided to go for the HT b/c I was sick of applying minoxidil 2x a day and the promise of a thick hairline just sounded so nice.

Anyways, just wanted to vent a bit. thanks for listening.

[hairbank]

Do you have any before and after pics for comparison? At 4.5 months you should be experiencing some growth but everyone varies a little. Give it 6 months or so and you should see some improvement.

 

Good luck!

[nobuzz4me]

Growplease,

 

I would not worry for a few reasons.

 

1) Individuals growth rates are different, some people may see growth at 3 months, others maybe 6 months or more.

 

2) Trust in Hasson, he is apparently one of the top docs in the world.

 

3) Yes, you may have had some shockloss but that should come back.

 

Be patient, it will come and in 12 months you will be looking good! Also, I would consider starting a nizoral/bioxin shampoo regimen which may help block DHT in the scalp. Plenty of info out there on it, most battle scarred hair loss veterans like me are on it! Good luck!

[Gorpy]

Did you quit using Minox after the HT?

[GrowPlease]

Thanks for all the quick replies. I did stop using Minoxidil after the HT. One of my reasons for getting the HT was so I could wean myself off minoxidil. I hated applying that stuff. Every now and than people would ask me why I put grease or oil in the front of my hair. That stuff would thin out my hair even more and I couldn't stand using it.

You know, I started using minoxidil + propecia about 2.5 years ago and had amazing results. I'm talking about having almost a full hairline after 6 months of the combo and I only used it on the frontline. BUt after a year of so...the hairline started to fall out again. It just kept on getting thinner and thinner even while staying religious on the regimen, granted it never went as bad as it did before I started the drugs but sure enough it continued to recede.

 

And I do trust in Dr. Hasson. I did my research and was deciding between him and Dr. armani. I decided with Hasson b/c I could only find tons of positive info. out there on him.

 

Unfortunately, I did not take pictures. It looked so bad after the HT that I really didn't want to remember it. I prolly should have taken some but did not. So here I am, with this wait.

 

One question tho...there is still the possibility that there are lots of grafts that have not yet begun to sprout at my stage right? (4.5 months)

 

I do see some sprouting...mainly on the left side of the hairline...but there are areas on the right that almost have nothing there but I'm sure Dr. Hasson made incisions there.

oh well...thanks again. hope this stuff works cuz at this point my hair looked better before the HT.

[bayscholar]

GP,

 

Sorry to hear of the not so stellar growth, but as Hairbanks mentions you are very likely just a late bloomer. You mention that you received the grafts mainly to bluster your current hairline, as apposed to my self ( needed many more grafts from Dr.Hasson to bluster the whole top). From the many progress pics and blogs I have looked at.. I have observed that it often takes longer to go from average to great hair(you) then it does bad to average hair(me). So be patient for when your hairline starts to rain it will poor.. If you don't mind me asking, are you taking any thing to speed up growth?...msm, biotin, copper-peptide spray etc..?

 

Dormant follicles RISE!!!

[GrowPlease]

No, I'm actually not taking anything orally right now. I used to use Nioxin/nizoral topically but since I made the switch to avodart and I thought that was supossed to block 95% of the DHT systemically and I thought using the other products were unecessary.

 

What is that MSM stuff? I just heard about that on this forum. How much do you have to take a day? Do you guys think I should I should even bother? I mean I'v already not taken anything for 4 months now.

I think I might get back on the nizoral now that you guys mention it again.

 

Hopefully I am a late bloomer. But I do agree with you, I think when you get a HT and you have okay hair to begin with you tend to expect more. I mean, I expect the front line to be thick and Dr. Hasson told me that "it should be really thick." I feel like those words have been carved into my brain...so I guess I'm expecting a lot.

It just hasn't happenned yet. I'd say that I can safely go around w/o anyone thinking that I had a HT and that I'm thinning at the front line. ugh..not what I thought would be the case at 4 months but at least I don't look like I had brain surgery anymore

[GrowPlease]

Hey Bayshore,

just took a look at your blog...looks like you're growing really well. I'm happy for you man.

 

I'm just waiting to when I can get to pre-HT status. Than hopefully the growth will take off.

 

Looking good buddy.

[bayscholar]

hey GP,

 

MSM(methylsulfonyl-methane) is a dietary supplement taken for joint relief... however it has show to increase the rate of nail growth in humans and has some believing in its ability to accelerate hair growth cycles(I take 3000 mg daily M/Night). I also take a multivitamin from GNC I swear by called -Ultra Nourishhair (contains 667% daily biotin which helps cell recovery, and is rich in essential vitamins for the hair A, C, & E). Also I use Tricomin hair therapy which is a leave in hair conditioner that is rich with Copper-Peptides which can help rejuvenate thinning follicles, I use it 2-week on the days I use Nizoral 1%.

 

Hope that helps, and remember on average you should just see the early sign of growth by months 3 & 4 (by six/seven it should really take shape)...I would get on MSM and get things rolling.

[GrowPlease]

Thanks bay,

I appreciate the help. I'll try that stuff. MSM, biotin, and nizoral again. I guess I can pick that stuff out at GNC this weekend.

 

I am seeing some growth right now. Not just as much as I'd hoped. And of course there's always that fear that this is it and I'm that rare person with huge amounts of shock loss that won't come back. No one wants to be that HT horror story. I guess thats why I went with H & W. they're suppossed to be the best!

 

Thanks again.

happy growing!

[Gorpy]

4.5 months is still quite early. You will see many sprouts in the next month or two. Then it takes time for the sprouts to mature and become cosmetically significant.

 

I'm also wondering if your hair was dependent on Minox and is now falling out because you quit.

[GrowPlease]

You actually raise a good point G. I was on Minoxidil for almost 2 years everyday. That could probably contributing a lot to the thinning hair. Although the hair was still thinning even after becoming minoxidil dependent. oh well...hope I don't need more grafts. But 1950 grafts in a 6 X 12 cm area just in the hair line is a decent amount isn't it? I mean, its not like there was no hair there to begin with...

Thanks for the support

[Gorpy]

I think the shock loss and/or the minox reaction should be about over by now. So I think you've probably turned the corner and could expect things to dramatically improve now.

[John_in_NC]

like others have pointed out: maybe the loss from minox stoppage is greater than the new grafts making you look worse for now. You will have the last laugh though, just be patient

[GrowPlease]

I hope you guys are right. I'll keep you guys posted for this so called explosion thats suppossed to occur on my head....hope it happens soon.

 

Thanks again

[GrowPlease]

I bought the MSM and ultra nourishair at GNC over the weekend. Man I hope this HT works. I'll be crushed if I spent almost 8K just to have hair that looks almost as good as my pre-HT hair. That would just suck.

Anyways...keep you guys posted. Thanks for the help.

[GrowPlease]

Man...how do you guys make the time pass? I keep looking in the mirror every second I can and look for new ones to sprout and wondering to myself if I made the right decision to have a HT. Man this is killing me....I know gotta keep it cool...but its just so frustrating with the insecurity thinking what if these hairs don't grow and I dont' get the density I want AAAUUUGGGHHHH ! ! !

 

just had to vent...going to hit the gym

[Jotronic]

Growplease,

 

Not even close to the point that you need to worry. You're in the classic "doldrums" of hair restoration. Many times, your appearance has to take two steps back before it can move forward and this is what is happening to you.

 

One problem is that you are, as you said, looking in the mirror every second to look for new growth. The more you do this the worse it will appear and the less dramatic incremental improvements will seem.

 

It should kick in however and not only show new growth but thicken as well. Being 4.5 months is hardly showing that you are a late bloomer. Far from it.

 

If you ever have ANY questions or even doubts do not hestitate for a second to call us. This is part of being a H&W patient. Once you walk out our doors with the hat and bag of post-op goodies our relationship is hardly over. In fact, it has only begun as you are family and we want to make sure you are happy.

[bayscholar]

Hey GP,

 

Good to hear you are on top of MSM and UHN they will help some, I did not get a chance to dive into this in my earlier response regarding shock loss and medication (can some times just be an initial shedding)....Also before I do wanted to mention that I used the new Foam-Rogaine 5%(Mark H suggested it rocks, and I think he is right - I hated the old version that left my scalp irritated and this new version does not-to protect what little I have left in the crown region).

 

Ok, could this could be viewed as good or bad. You grafts were planted in your hairline, you switched to Avodart correct? I have read that in some people a period of initial shedding which can concentrate on the hairline is an effect of Avodart...However hair that go through this are deemed to come back in most cases, as this is a sign the medication is working... in some rare cases it has not-I am guessing but I don't think thats you. Stay up, you hit the gym which I have not done for 100days bro and can't wait to go back...So rest easy what will come will come, and you did not use a ton of grafts such that you are stuck in mud forever (you got a HT to solve your hair issue, your battle is not over but you will win and start thinking that way). Lastly H&W are straight up, if you are not happy when you go for your 1 year follow up they will most likely fix it (jotronic correct me if I am wrong on that). I would think at that time to target 55-65grafts per-cm2 in your hairline as that should be dense as hell from what I have seen ...70cm2 that you can spike straight up and block the view of what's in the next region (after the hairline-Alvi style). It would be helpful if you knew what density you got in your hairline and some pics if you're a comfortable with it.

 

p.s. are HT dates are the same day one month apart so I will keep an eye on your progress and be easy GP-I know all about maniacal checking.

 

 

Jotronic-I was guessing from what I have researched to some degree so don't kick my butt when I come for my follow up for speculating....I got to stop fighting fires with gasoline. You are right 4.5 months is very early still.

[GrowPlease]

Thanks for the words of encouragement bay and Joe. I just want to let everyone know that Hasson and Wong really do care for their patients. Shortly after my post, Joe called me and we talked on the phone extensively to address my concerns. I thought that was very proffesional and speaks very highly of the caliber of the type of business H&W offer their patients. Even though I'm still acting like a freaking maniac right now...I really appreciate the call and effort on H&W part.

 

I went ahead and found some pre-HT photos, the one's I sent into H&W for my consultatation about 2 months pre-HT. And there are some photos I just took about an hour ago. I know I've been bitching a lot lately...but these pictures are just depressing me. And I know you guys probably think I'm retarded for getting a HT in the first place. I guess I was just being greedy and wanted that teenager hair line again. But I think you can appreciate that my hair was thicker pre-HT than 4.3 months post op. I'll try to remember the 2 steps backwards thing Joe.

 

Well...I'll try to check out that foam minoxidil...but where can you buy that stuff Bayshore? is it found at the same places you buy regular minoxidil? I refuse to loose this battle and I'm going to do everything I can to get that damn hairline back.

so the regimen starting tommorrow will be:

 

avodart 0.5 qday

nizoral shampoo daily

minoxidil 5% start once a day at night

MSM supplement 2000 mg daily

ultra nourishair 2 tabs daily

 

wow that sounds like a mouthfull...

thanks again you guys for the support. I hope that you guys can understand my pains....

[GrowPlease]

I wanted to ask everyone what they thought about starting up minoxidil again. I used to use the stuff for about 1.5 years with very good results and I stopped using 2 months pre-op. I haven't used the stuff now for 6 months total and I've been told that my thinning might be due 1 of 3 things:

#1 minoxidil dependent hair dissappearing. The reason I didn't want to start up again was b/c of annoyance of use and also I didn't want the transplanted hairs to become minoxidil dependent and have to use the stuff for the rest of my life....

#2 Avodart shed

#3 shockloss from the surgery

or a combination of the 3

 

But if its true that my thinness is due to minoxidil dependent hairs dying than I'd def. be willing to start up again to try to salvage any of those dying hairs or at least speed up the growth of my grafts.

Do you guys think I should start it up? The rogaine foam looks promising. Remember I havnen't used minoxidil for 6 months now...should I start up right away or give the grafts some time to kick in? Any comments suggestions would be awesome!

 

Thanks again everyone who's dropped me line and for listening to my story.