Don't have FUT!! I have had both FUT and FUE - read this for full comparison

[SteveB806]

FUT v FUE: A Clear Winner!

 

There are a substantial number of websites whose bloggers open debate FUT and FUE Hair Transplant techniques. I am writing this article to share my experiences because I have had both so I feel that I can give you a more balanced view.

I had a FUT treatment in 2000 and again in 2011. Techniques have most certainly moved on from 2000 as well as perhaps my memory of the event and treatment on that occasion. So I will cover my most recent experience of FUT in 2011 and of my recent FUE treatment in 2013.

 

THE FUT EXPERIENCE (A DIFFERENT HAIR TRANSPLANT SPECIALIST)

 

In 2011, I believed that I had chosen my hair transplant specialist well for my second FUT treatment using a renowned specialist who had treated quite a few stars. I will not say who because this article is about the treatment and not the specialist in any way.

The FUT treatment involved slicing a strip of skin containing the folicles from donor and transplanting them on my bald and thinning areas. To achieve this in 2011, the specialist “sliced” me virtually ear to ear at the back of my head and inserted LARGE METAL STAPLES to hold the wound together. I was given no explanation why they couldn’t use dissolvable stitches! They then transplanted them back into my recipient areas on the crown and top of head claiming to have transplanted hairs from 3500 follicles. Following treatment, they provided me with strong pain killers and boy did I need them. The pain from the staples was excruciating and I found it hard to rest my back or sides of my head on the couch or in bed to sleep. Two weeks later, I re-visited the clinic and had the staples removed. That was very painful given the healing that had taken place on the wound since treatment. The pain never fully subsided until 10-12 weeks in the donor area after the op and I went through a lot of Ibrufen tablets during that time. For up to 8 months, I experienced a tightening of my scalp primarily due to the treatment technique. The end result wasn’t wonderful to be honest given the amount of follicles they extracted. Did they use them all, I wouldn’t like to speculate but I would have expected better coverage.

 

THE FUE EXPERIENCE (Health Travel International)

 

So 2013, I decided to go for one last time. The painfulness and recovery time of the 2011 FUT rang like a bell in my head so I decided not to return the specialist who had sliced me open and decided to go for a FUE treatment. I was recommended by a good friend of mine to try Health Travel International and I was sold when I saw his end result after knowing him for about 10 years and seeing the difference. All I can say is WOW – what a difference! I loved the idea of going to Istanbul and getting away from the eyes of others to get my treatment done. Health Travel International organised the whole thing, flights, hotel, transfers which made it a stress free experience.

 

Chauffeur at the airport to meet and greet took me to the hotel in a lovely air conditioned vehicle. A care co-ordinator was continually available to ensure that I was Ok prior to, during and after the treatment to allay any concerns which I had. On day of treatment, I arrived at the clinic. Blood test, some initial views of hair and some before pictures. Shaving of Head (necessary to assist with the transplantation). My FUT treatment in 2011, had damaged a lot of surrounding follicles which only became apparent at that stage which unfortunately limited my options. NEVER EVER HAVE FUT – this is a learning lesson for all of you who are considering it as if you come back to get more treatment you severely limit the amount of donor follicles you can harvest. I would ideally liked to have had a new front hairline, more hair on my crown and a thickening of my head on top but because of my last FUT I had to forget the latter as the first two were my priority anyway. The staff were lovely about it and sad at the end that they were limited to those two areas because of amount of donor follicles available to them (but hey I wasn’t complaining to be they have done a terrific job on the hairline and crown).

 

FUE involves removing follicles from the donor area and transplanting the individual hairs from them into the recipient areas (so thankfully no slicing me open from ear to ear unlike the FUT before) whilst leaving enough follicles in the donor area to allow hair to grow over the area. At the end a bandage was placed over the donor area and I was incredibly surprised by the coverage from the 3,400 follicles they harvested which seemed to cover more of a surface area than the 3,500 supposedly harvested during my 2011 FUT treatment.

 

My stay in Turkey was for 3 days and I visited the clinic (again Chauffeur driven) to get the bandage removed, scalp cleaned and was shown how to care for my transplant in the next 7-10 days. Honestly, there was obviously rawness in the donor area for the first few days but it healed well as I sat in the shade around the hotel and got lots of air on it. By the time I was leaving, it was healing well both in the donor area and recipient areas and a lot of the redness had gone. My head was slightly sensitive for up to 14 days as they healing progressed but ZERO pain. When I look back at the 2011 FUT treatment and the pain I endured then I wish I had had the benefit of hindsight. FUE is the clear winner. A few months on and I am pleasantly surprised by the results so far. Tiny new hairs are starting to emerge in the front hairline and in the crown. I cannot believe how well it looks already and look forward to seeing how in progresses over the next 6 months or so. The signs are good and look promising when I remember my 2011 FUT treatment at this stage and sparseness of the growth then.

 

I made the right decision having FUE for my final hair transplant treatment. However, the best decision I made was choosing Health Travel International here is why:-

• Honest and realistic upfront appraisal prior to visit for treatment

• Deal in a friendly yet professional manner

• Care Co-ordinators who speak excellent English, couldn’t do enough for you and always go the extra mile to help allay any fears.

• Whole trip organised end to end on your behalf so avoiding any stress

• The VIP chauffeur treatment was wonderful

• FUE treatment and techniques are excellent

• Clean, modern and excellent clinic facilities

• After care package was very re-assuring.

 

A top class experience and whole heartily recommended. It has already improved my confidence and I remain very impressed with the results to date.

 

STEVE (August 2013) – Note this is a genuine article. If you want to talk to me about FUT experience or before deciding whether to go with Health Travel International feel free to ask for more details and I am happy to answer any queries about the experience as a patient.

Edited September 5, 2013 by SteveB806

[MAGNUMpi]

Sorry to hear about your bad FUT experience. I know a lot of people who get really good results with them but it didn't seem to work out well for you. Im glad to hear you got some good FUE done though. Can you post some pictures detailing your HT journey? It would really add to the thread.

Thanks

[SteveB806]

Hi MAGNUMpi - I'm new to posting on here so just trying to collate my pics and get them uploaded. I only had my op in early July so not many yet but I'll get some up and keep adding as the months pass

[1978matt]

Did you go to Health Travel International by any chance?! (The fact you mentioned it about 7 times was the dead giveaway:D)

 

Any photos to share?

 

Do you work for HTI?

[SteveB806]

Hello 1978matt

 

No I don't work for HTI, I simply mentioned their name because they are the company I used (!) which to be honest when you had a bad of an FUT experience as I had where my head was butchered, I'm just a happy patient who wants to share their more positive experience. I only had my operation in early July so if I don't get good growth I suspect I won't be too pleased and will perhaps want to take back my kind comments but for now I am very happy with the way I was treated and my experience so just wanted to share. I am new to this so I am collating the few pics I have and trying to upload them now.

[hairthere]

I've had both FUT and FUE as well. I agree that as far as the actual surgery and recovery time, FUE was much easier. That being said, I'm not certain given the amount of grafts I needed, FUE would have been the right route for me. Looking forward to seeing your pics.

[Nick153452]

Your subjective experience isn't really much to discredit strip. I had experienced not one of those problems that you listed.. I only used pain killers for the first night even though I didn't really need them. Never had any pain after that.

[bunnyman]

I think it would be useful to know who did your FUT/FUSS as well as the FUE work.

 

There are people like me who will only consider FUSS (strip surgery) as shaving my whole head for a HT is not an option. I would be keen to avoid the clinic you used if they are as bad as you suggest. So you could be doing some good for a number of potential HT candidates if you could mention who they were.

 

Lets hope your final result meets your initial praises of HTI.

[Spanker]

Your post loses some credibility when you say that you won't say who you had a poor experience with because you say that this post is not about who but about the treatment yet still you mention HTI because "that is who you used." For all the board knows, you went to a hack for your strip, or you got a perfectly acceptable yield but your expectations were not realistic (this happens pretty often). Before and after pictures would help with that.

 

Saying don't have an FUT (strip) because you had a rough road and giving that you won't name the doctor, it is almost like saying "never date blondes, I had one hurt me, and now I am dating a red head and she is treating me great in the first 6 months."

 

Without the name of the doctor, this post doesn't mean much. Also, before and after photos would help with both procedures.

 

It is great you had a good experience with your last surgery and I hope you are happy at the end of 12 months, but the exclamation of your title is blanket and ridiculous and totally overlooks the fact there are times when FUT is the best option and vice verse. It also overlooks the fact that you may not have been able to pull almost 7000 grafts plus you first strip surgery with FUT and FUE, something that may or may not have been possible with FUE alone.

 

I'm not trying to give you a hard time, but if someone is just starting to research HT's and then sees this, they may blindly follow it's ignorance. I have heard some good things about HTI, and this is nothing against them, I just feel it is appropriate to offer some counter insight and shed a little light on the darkness of the title that you chose. Many variables go in to choosing the right surgery, and I believe that there are times when FUE is the only way to go; but I also believe that there are times where FUT is the best logical course as well, depending on a person's age, goals, needs, and characteristics.

[Spanker]

I've had both FUT and FUE as well. I agree that as far as the actual surgery and recovery time, FUE was much easier. That being said, I'm not certain given the amount of grafts I needed, FUE would have been the right route for me. Looking forward to seeing your pics.

 

I have never had an FUE, but I would imagine that the recovery time is easier.

[BrianR]

I think getting a hair transplant is like getting a tattoo. Some guys can handle the pain, some guys can't. Luckily I handled it ok considering I had a full sleeve so I am pretty sure I can handle a transplant. Most of the results I read about talk about the pain being a non-issue or minimal.

 

Did you ask why sutures were not used?

I love that small amount of pain for a huge amount of gain...

Now the dentist that's another story all together, They scare the shit out of me! haha

[Britanium]

Having had FUT (twice) and more recently FUE i did not have any of your above mentioned issues.

It really does depend on the team you choose i believe. I managed to get a very good number of grafts using both the techniques.

Yes the recovery time for FUE was quicker and easier to take care of, but FUT was also fine when following the surgeons advice to the letter.

[BlackAmish111]

So I'm gonna take a wild guess here and assume the FUT doctor didn't send you a nice AC'ed limo?

 

Lol, happy that you had a good second experience but you should change the title of your thread as it really is misleading. Your telling people NOT to have FUT and go ahead with FUE but you give no information on who the FUT doctor was.

 

You have to remember, not everyone has the option for FUE. My Dr tried and said only 1 outta every 10 was 'taking' for FUE due to my wavy hair nature. My scar (upper left side) isn't noticeable at all even shaved down to a #2, and didn't hurt really at all.

[ArcaneX]

Steve,

 

It would be better to create another thread or a blog with your pics before/after your fut in 2011(still better if you have the old pics before and after your first fut back then in 2001), and your fue pics(before,immediate and after) and of course with a different title.I guess both the flavors of FUT i.e FUE and FUSS have their own adv/disadv to the present day.I was looking forward to a first hand comparison with solid points but ,sadly, there is not much.

[SteveB806]

I am not worried about my credibility just because I don't want to slag off who my FUT transplant was with in 2011 on a blog as my post was about my 2 personal experiences with FUT vs my 2013 FUE treatment. I had very realistic expectations on potential yield for my FUT in 2011 given that I knew what to expect as it was my second FUT as previously mentioned I asked the FUT specialist in 2011 to concentrate on my crown. When I went for FUE and my head was shaved it was blatantly obvious that there was little coverage in the crown area as can be seen in my before FUE crown shot. As I have already said I am more than happy to talk to anyone to share my experience and this still stands if they are genuinely interested in a potential hair transplant. Who you use is up to you but I would never ever have had my FUT treatment in 2011 had I had the benefit of hindsight and that was the reason for my post to share my experience. Not only was FUT poor in results, damage to surrounding follicles, but I can never have a number 1 or 2 cut in the back of my head given the extent of the scarring as is evident on the pics I have added to the original post.

[SteveB806]

One further post - It wouldn't surprise me if some of the posts I have read re my original one are from FUT Hair Transplant consultants who are trying to protect their business interests. I have not been paid for my post, not an employee of Health Travel International, not on any commission or strange kickbacks whatsoever. I have shared my experiences of FUT and FUE in the hope that it helps others. If my original post helps at least one person then I feel pleased that it has prevented him (or her) from making the same mistakes that I made. However, if you still think that FUT is still for you then I wish you well and truly hope you have a better experience than I have had

[CaddyTad77]

glad you shared your journey.

[Spanker]

On a different subject, was it the crown that bothered you most? Most people decide to concentrate on the frontal 1/2 to 2/3 but it seems like most of your 7000 grafts are in your crown. It seems like a different direction than most would take.

 

I hope it grows well. I'm sure it will.

 

Would you say that you would be slick by now without transplants?

Edited September 5, 2013 by Spanker

[CaddyTad77]

let the man speak without jumping down his throat. What is this....Big Brother watching? He has a right to his opinion without all these negative comments. I don't think pics are the only proof. Maybe

[1978matt]

I had a look at your photos.

 

It looks like you would have been a Norwood 6 were it not for the two FUT procedures. The hair you have on top seems about consistent with what would be expected from 5-6,000 grafts.

 

You appear to have below average characteristics: fine hair and not the best density at the back. FUE alone would not have given you the coverage you're going to have once the latest transplant grows out.

[1978matt]

Sorry 'Steve' but I suspect you are using multiple accounts on here, namely:

 

SteveB806

Wrajah2012

NYen37

 

I'll be asking the moderators to investigate the ISP numbers.

 

I just noticed that you logged out and all of a sudden NYen37 logged in to reply to a post, logged out and then you logged in again....

 

Also, all of the above posters used the sub title '.... at Health Travel International' in their first posts. A coincidence? I think not!

[CaddyTad77]

I don't think his post lost any credibility at all. It is a tale of truth concerning the perpetuated myth that strip surgery is like going to the dentist. Listen, I've seen great results with Fut and am happy for any of you that had a positive outcome. Fue and Fut both have they're advantages and disadvantages. Keep on preaching brother Steve! Can I get amen! Seriously this forum is a democracy, not a dictatorship run by doctors or representatives of they're clinics, or people suffering from a Big Brother complex.

[Bill - Seemiller]

Steve,

 

Can you tell me why you share the same IP address with two other recently joined members who are also Wrajah2012, NYen37? You all claim to be patients of Health Travel International but you are all broadcasting from the same network. This is a strong indiciation that you may work for Health Travel International and simply posing as genuine patients to promote the clinic.

 

Before I remove all of your posts and posts from these posters, I will give you time to provide a logical answer.

 

Your prompt response is expected.

 

NOTE: This topic has been locked and all accounts temporarily suspended. Thus, to share your explanation, please contact me privately at help@hairtransplantnetwork.com. I will consider reopening these topics depending on the response I receive.

 

Best Regards,

 

Bill

[1978matt]

Nice work Bill

[Bill - Seemiller]

I have not heard from Steve or any of the other aliases sharing the same IP address and thus, I can only assume that one member created multiple accounts in order to promote Health Travel International and badmouth strip procedures. Thus, after members have had a chance to review this post, I will be archiving this topic out of public view.

 

Bill