FUE Hair Transplant Dec-14-2012 (Dr Tejinder Bhatti of Darling Buds)

[hairshopeing]

Great right up! Looks like a fantastic hairline! Good luck,ill be following ur updates and expecting a good result! Congrats!

[Raj Jayukdht]

thanks midnightio75......looking forward to your next set of photos/right up

[MJ2012]

Impressive result. Can't wait to see the updates.

[MAGNUMpi]

The results from both FUT transplants was very helpful for my situtation, but I never appreciated the size and permanent nature of the scar that is left behind. It means anytime I cut my hair too short (2 guard) the scarring is visible. Not to mention for my scalp the hairline near the scar no longer lays naturally flat. Lastly, I really do not like the invasive nature of FUT now that I have had it done twice -- cutting you from 'ear to ear'.

 

Yes! This is why people are looking to FUE. It's good to be reminded again of the potential downsides of FUT scarring. I keep hearing how FUT scars are not detectable and not a big issue. I guess there are lucky ones who get away with small scars that work for them but it's a gamble.

Good luck with the FUE grafts. treat them well and good growing. Keep us updated!

M.

[midnightio75]

Thanks all for the continued words of encouragement. I am also very encouraged by the hairline. From a few feet away and further, the front hairline is much more defined. I like the look. It makes me contemplate keeping my hair short!

 

I am curious to see how it looks over the next 4-8 weeks, if more of the graft hairs will fall away before regrowing, etc.

 

 

@GNX1 - I do not yet have any plans for another procedure. As this was already my 3rd HT (2 previous in Bangkok using FUT), I would love for this current almost 3,000 graft HT to get me 5+ years of results. It may be wishful thinking, etc. so I will just take it month by month for now, and looking forward to 9-12 months from now to check the results.

 

For Dr. Bhatti I 100% agree that these types of 'real world' reports as Johnny24 posted are so very helpful to show what Dr. B is able to do at his Darling Buds clinic. It is amazing that he can offer the FUE procedure for a lower cost than most other clinics using the FUT procedure. Fortunately the results are in the pictures. Even after I factor in the time and travel expenses the total cost for this FUE procedure is an exceptional value.

 

To answer your question about 'body hair grafts' -- Yes, I was very keen on doing this to gain additional grafts. Unfortunately, when Dr. Bhatti looked me over he found I do not have enough chest/body hair for this. I could have taken hair from my underarms but I demurred after the thought of needing my full scalp to heal, plus having graft sites in my armpits to contend with healing for the next 7-14 days. I also did not have enough facial hair. I asked about hair from the 'nape of my neck' (rear hairline) but Dr. Bhatti told me that the scarring would be visible in this area. Lastly we talked about hair from the pubic area. I was assured that it would straighten out over time. But I demurred on this option as well because I did not want to have the additional recovery/healing time in this area. But ask me again in 9-12 months and I may wish I had done it and picked up the additional grafts.

 

Lastly -- I promise to keep posting regular updates. I have set reminders on my calendar for the next 345 days to snap pictures and post them. It will be helpful to follow my progress, for others as well as myself!

 

 

@MagnumPI - For the FUT scarring -- Yes, this is one thing I never fully appreciated or knew about. I thought over time the scars would disappear, etc. by having a very skilled HT doc. Unfortunately FUT scarring is a real reality and at this point I would encourage anyone who has not yet had a HT to strongly consider FUE for this one reason alone. It does not leave the highly noticeable scalp scarring which makes it difficult to ever cut ones hair short.

[LondonHTseeker]

Please keep us updated Midnight, I'm fixing to go to Dr Bhatti for some lower temple work.

 

I agree about the scar being problematic, it certainly is for me. Looks like I'll need to get FUE repair into mine.

[midnightio75]

Hi everyone,

Here are the 15-day pictures to update my progress. I have let my hair continue to grow out. I will occasionally have some itching still in the rear scalp donor areas, but nothing substantial and I assume it is simply a result of the scalp healing.

 

I will post next with a '30-day update'.

[Raj Jayukdht]

Its looking great. Thanks for the update.

[GNX1]

looks great. lucky u!

[midnightio75]

A short note. I am back in the States now having wrapped up my work travel along with the side-trip for my HT with Dr. Bhatti.

 

I have been a little self-conscious going out in public as for once, with my hair still cut short, I can fully appreciate how much loss I really have. The contrast between the dense areas on the sides of my scalp compared to the much thinner center and crown area is really quite obvious. I see now that when my hair was a regular length I could fool myself into thinking I had a fair amount of hair remaining.

 

With that said, it is interesting as when I was very young and saw relatives balding I always said that if it happened to me I would just shave my head. The reality is that by my mid-twenties I reconsidered and decided if I could replace hair with a HT I should do it while I am still young to reap the benefits from an early age.

 

At this point I see that I will have a few months of 'transition hair' as I go from the buzz cut back to a regular hair length, during which time I expect to still be a bit self-conscious. And then I will have the additional months as I await the new HT's to begin growing. Thus, I still have a journey ahead, but the 'hard' part is behind me.

 

Separately, I wanted to say that I emailed Dr. Bhatti recently to see if he would be interested in making a post or two in this thread to comment on my progress and offer added insight from his point-of-view. He responded that he would do this but first needs to receive approval from the board administration, etc. I too do not want to do anything that would be outside the boundaries and spirit of this forum, or be construed as commercial or conflicting with other HT doctors who are approved on this forum.

 

For me it seems like a great opportunity to gain more insight on my progress with honest feedback from the doctor's view and share it with others following my case. I have additional questions I would like to ask, so we will have to see if this is something that can be permitted in the near future.

 

I will end by saying that for so many of us information and 'real world patient cases' are so very helpful and the real lynchpin when it comes to making the decision to get a hair transplant or not. All three of my HT's have been down abroad, so I have not had the luxury of going in for a consultation and asking various questions, and then thinking about it further. I have had to make the decision a few months in advance, and the first-person consultation is only a short period in the morning prior to starting the surgery. The more information that can be shared in a forum like this is invaluable and each one of us that does make 'the leap' and shares/documents the experience is paying it forward and helping others decide if it is a path they too want to choose.

[midnightio75]

Good news --

I have confirmed that Dr. Bhatti has permission to post in this thread. I have invited him to post any comments/thoughts he has about my progress. I have asked for unbiased feedback (good or bad) to evaluate my progress over the course of the 1-year I will actively update this thread.

 

In addition, I welcome any readers who have questions about my procedure to post to this thread and hopefully Dr. Bhatti can answer them directly. I would hope to learn a few new things myself.

 

Cheers!

[Raj Jayukdht]

Let the reviews begin

 

Nice work midnightio

[GNX1]

the only thing I might have liked to see is less of an acute angle where the new planted hairs meet if thats the correct way to describe it.

 

personally, I think it would look a little more natural if the angle was slightly rounded off vs. being so sharp. maybe a few singles in and around that area.

 

its just my opinion. in no way am I saying it looks poor cause I would be happy then a pig is chit to have as much hair up on my head like urs does now.

[Dr Tejinder Bhatti]

Hi "Midnightio",

You are progressing well as per the timeline.

The hair which are presently seen as growing shall mostly (60-80%) fall off at around 8 weeks post-procedure.

Ofcourse it would be my pleasure to follow up on your growth journey here on this page.

est wishes.

[pradeepkr]

Dr. Bhatti,

How do you make sure that HIV infection doesn't spread through the procedure.

After all HT involves scalpels, forceps, punch etc. which come in contact with the patient's blood.

[GNX1]

Dr. Bhatti,

How do you make sure that HIV infection doesn't spread through the procedure.

After all HT involves scalpels, forceps, punch etc. which come in contact with the patient's blood.

spread to who? ever hear of an autoclave? HIV doesn't survive open in the air for more than a few minutes.

 

ud think after all these years the ignorance behind HIV would be over but apparently not....:rolleyes:

Edited January 10, 2013 by GNX1

[Dr Tejinder Bhatti]

Hi Pradeep,

 

We try our best that HIV does not spread in the following ways-

 

1. All staff including myself undergo the following tests every 6 months- HIV, HBsAg, HCV

2. Clients are required to undergo HIV, HBsAg and HCV testing before the procedure.

3. Universal precautions are taken to prevent HIV transmission from client to staff.

4. We have an in-house CSSD facility through which we sterilize instruments and punches which are first cleansed using an ultrasonic cleanser and then autoclaved.

 

These are in keeping with SOP in surgical facilities the world over.

[Dr Tejinder Bhatti]

Hi GNX1,

 

It is against the law, in India, to refuse HIV patients any surgical procedure- even hair transplant. It is also illegal to get HIV testing done if the client refuses. The clients are first counseled and in case they permit, we go ahead. Most clients (the vast majority) have no issue with testing.

We have had 2 HIV positive clients in the last 3 years since we started doing the testing as a matter of routine. These 2 were not turned away- their procedure was done with enhanced precautions.

I would like to add here that when we did FUT (strip), no such testing was done.

In FUE procedures, however, due to the automated technique, at times blood may get sprayed and enter the eyes of assistants, putting them at risk.

In case you need further clarifications, I would be happy to elaborate.

I feel HIV testing is a indicated when you do FUE procedures.

This is for enhanced safety and not for exclusion of HIV positive patients.

[pradeepkr]

I didn't know about autoclave thanks to this forum. Thanks dr. bhatti for explaining.

Now, I feel HT is safe

[Dr Tejinder Bhatti]

You can read about the autoclave at-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoclave

[midnightio75]

Hi everyone,

 

It is hard to believe 30 days have already elapsed, but I just took some updated pictures to share. It is difficult to get perfect shots with the correct focus and lighting. I normally take 50-75 pictures from various angles and then sift through them to select the best ones.

 

With one month time post surgery, with no hair trimming yet, I am interested to ask for Dr. Bhatti's general thoughts, and being free to comment on my particular patient details.

 

Also, can you also describe variables such as hair thickness and skin color/complexion and how this affects and influences hair transplants in general? I know that I have thin hair and a fair (white) complexion which may present some challenges.

 

One other question -- Since grafts (besides body hair grafts) are harvested from the rear of the scalp, is it correct that this hair is genetically programmed to continue to grow through my lifetime? Is this always true? Or is this hair also subject to changes due to aging?

 

 

Best,

Jim

Edited January 14, 2013 by midnightio75

[midnightio75]

I didn't know about autoclave thanks to this forum. Thanks dr. bhatti for explaining.

Now, I feel HT is safe

 

It is a good question as no procedure is worth compromising ones long-term health. With a hair transplant there is definitely bleeding which occurs and it is definitely worthwhile to ask the surgeon about his/her safety and sterilization procedures.

 

For all 3 of my HT's I have taken the 'quick HIV' test the morning of the surgery. I would not want to put the doctor or the staff at risk, just as I expect that all of the instruments, etc are properly sterilized so that I am not put at risk.

 

Regarding the autoclave it should be the same item used in the dentist office to sterilize the instruments.

[PELO]

midnight do you have anymore shots of the donor area. I think your work looks good, if you did not have the scar you could cut-down the sides and back and look just fine. Very normal IMO to have thicker sides and rear than top of your head even w/o MPbaldness. Looking at your pre-op photos you were pretty thin on top, I think you will be thrilled when this stage is over.

 

I am thankful for your thread, I am about to schedule a FUE procedure for about 3000 grafts and I am following your journey very closely.

Edited January 16, 2013 by PELO

[PELO]

Do you know the exact number applied to your crown?

[Dr Tejinder Bhatti]

Dear Friends on Forum,

Midnightio has just completed 30 days after the procedure- FUE hair transplant.

He is progressing well. The hair shall now continue to grow till 6-8 weeks when around 60% of the growing hair shall start shedding.

Why the shedding you would ask?- The growth that Midnightio is witnessing in most planted hair is not the hair which are growing but the root underneath that is sprouting a new hair. This hair is pushing the old shaft outwards. The new hair just about reaches the surface at around 6-8 weeks- the time when the shedding takes place. The remaining about 40% grafts continue to grow since they do not get disjointed from the root.

In response to theMidnightios other queries-

Also, can you also describe variables such as hair thickness and skin color/complexion and how this affects and influences hair transplants in general? I know that I have thin hair and a fair (white) complexion which may present some challenges. Ofcourse the thicker your hair is, the better the result after a hair transplant. However, Midnightio's hair is blondish and since there is not too much of a contrast with his fair skin, he should still have a satisfactory result in within the next 4-8 months.

 

One other question -- Since grafts (besides body hair grafts) are harvested from the rear of the scalp, is it correct that this hair is genetically programmed to continue to grow through my lifetime? Is this always true? Or is this hair also subject to changes due to aging? The hair at the back of the head does not have receptors to DHT and hence it is widely believed that it is permanent in nature. However, since thinning of even this hair occurs in those in 70s and 80s, the transplanted hair will mirror this change whenever it occurs.