4066 FUE Grafts, Dr Bhatti India. Restoring more than just hair.

[Traction]

Finally!

 

That is the one word to sum up my hair transplant journey.

 

Firstly, I’d like to introduce myself. I am a 31 year old male from UK. I have suffered with traction alopecia since my early teens. At one point I had made the decision to shave my hair and be done with it. But I discovered that I had CVG. I had many appointments with dermatologists, of whom new next to nothing about the condition. My only viable option was a scalp reduction.

I opted against this and kept up my hair transplant research.

 

FUT didn’t appeal to me because of the unknown variables with CVG. How would taking a chunk of scalp out of my head affect the bumps? I wasn’t prepared to take this risk so kept researching. In the mean time I began wearing a hair piece. That in itself is a whole book worth of knowledge! I soon became an expert, no one knew, it looked good and my confidence was back. But I wasn’t free, and tied to the continuous maintenance meant I was shackled to wearing this thing forever.

 

This leads me to the present.

Seeing Dr Bhatti’s patient results over the months lead me to believe he was the one. Reading post after post and seeing the good results with FUE, it was finally time. Especially after reading GaelicDawns post. All in all before undergoing the hair transplant, I had been researching for around 10 years.

 

Pre Planning

Transferring of deposit. Arranging of Visa’s, I would suggest getting your Visa asap and reducing the stress. However the turn over for my Visa was quick and took a week.

 

Travelling

Our flight had a quick stop over before our arrival at Delhi airport. We opted for the driver to pick us up from Delhi. There was miscommunication and the clinic thought we needed the driver for the next day. This was very stressful, however they quickly arranged for another driver to pick us up within 30 minutes. The cost was slightly more for this driver, however the clinic was professional and supplied me with his name and license plate number.

 

Accommodation

My amazing wife accompanied me, we decided to have a holiday and explore India after the transplant. Dr Bhatti arranged for us to stay at the Altius for 3500 INR a night. The food was good, free breakfast and 150MB WiFi. However I had to ask 5 times to get anything done. The room was freezing cold, they gave me an old heater which was a danger hazard. So had it removed but had to keep asking about the heating. There was constant noise from the nightclub from 10pm-3am. However the room was big, clean, hot water.

 

Day 1

Dr Bhatti met with me briefly the day before to go over the hairline. He adjusted it a few times on my request. This is the time where it is important to take your time as there is no going back. 3500 grafts were originally suggested but in person Dr Bhatti recommended 4000.

 

I was picked up the driver and arrived at the clinic at 730am. A run through of the hairline again, to make sure I was happy with it. The proceedure began soon after. I didn't feel much pain, just discomfort. Dr Bhatti and his staff were attentive, and if I felt any pain more anaeathetic was applied. After a quick bite to eat it was back to the table and having the grafts implanted.

 

Day2

Dr Bhatti's driver was prompt and picked me up about 915am. This day felt more sore than the previous one. But I was more relaxed as I knew what to expect. At the end of the day I returned back to the hotel for some rest.

 

Sleeping in an upright position was difficult. As I like to sleep on my side. So I highly recommend a travel pillow. I propped up pillows on my side as an extra precaution.

 

Day 3

Removal of bandages.

 

Day 4-5

Rest and returned to the clinic for shampoo. Met some patients whilst waiting including mrluissantos and two other guys that I can't remember the names.

 

The staff were amazing and helped alot.

 

We did some sightseeing, Rose Garden, Rock Garden and Sukna lake.

 

The next day the clinic helped to arrange a driver to take us back to Delhi.

 

Graft Count

 

09/10/14 10/10/14

Singles: 766 204

 

Doubles: 935 844

 

Triples: 851 466

 

Total: 4066

 

 

Day 11

Things are going well. I have tightness in the donor area, at times there is a sharp pain in some areas which dissipates after a while.

 

I would like to say a big thank you to Dr Bhatti and his team.

 

Day 1 Pics

[Traction]

Day 2 pics

[Traction]

Day 3 pics

 

I am still tired from the travelling. And will post some more pics later.

 

Thanks

[Rez1]

Congratulations for your HT.I hope this becomes a positive life changing experience for you.Please upload some before pics at your convenience.Thank you for sharing.

[Raj Jayukdht]

Good stuff

[Traction]

Thanks for the comments.

 

Its my first day back at work, 10 days post op. I am not going to wear a cap or bandana. I actually don't care, maybe because I spent so long wearing a hairpiece I feel free lol.

 

But is it safe not to wear anything? I will carry a bandana and umbrella with me. The weather is cold here in the UK.

[hsrp10]

congrats and heal well man

a lot of us suffer from some sort of scalp issues so we can relate, I think Spanker has your condition btw.

(mine is eczema)

 

I think the umbrella is a good idea to block any UV rays, or a loose fitting hat after couple weeks.

[Traction]

congrats and heal well man

a lot of us suffer from some sort of scalp issues so we can relate, I think Spanker has your condition btw.

(mine is eczema)

 

I think the umbrella is a good idea to block any UV rays, or a loose fitting hat after couple weeks.

 

The weather is 8 C and cloudy in the UK today, is it ok not to cover my head with anything?

[hsrp10]

I think the cold weather will be fine (maybe even better because less sweating), I would only worry about hail or heavy rain

[Traction]

I'm at 11 days post op. Can I walk around outside with not covering my head? it is cold here in London and no hot sun.

 

For 30-45mins, walking from train to work etc. I am not embarrassed, and I don't want to keep putting on and taking off bandana,and messing up the grafts.

 

Please advise.

[Raj Jayukdht]

You are fine in the uk. It's the hot weather you need to be careful off.

[Traction]

Thanks for the reply. I feel that wearing a bandana draws more attention to myself at work than a cap. But ideally I would like not to wear anything.

 

The hairs are starting to shed at this point, how long until I can wear a cap? Its now 12 days post op.

 

Thanks

[Raj Jayukdht]

i would wait few more days (so its been 2 weeks)...than I guess you can wear the cap

[Traction]

Its been 13 days post op since the second day of the procedure.

 

My right side has started to massively shed. The left side and top still have some scabs. Its starting to look odd, but it will be a very long road forward.

[Spanker]

Good luck man. I have CVG too, it is just a bit less severe. I will be following your case. Feel free to email below anytime. I have still not rule out a scalp reduction in the future if my doctor is on board and if it would be beneficial to my overall plan (of keeping a fullish looking head of hair). Are you on meds or do you feel that all of your loss is due to traction alopecia and not genetics? Did you find anyone who specializes in scalp reduction for CVG? Interesting case and I wish you the best.

[Traction]

Some more pics:

 

Pre op

[Traction]

At 5 days post op from the 2nd day of procedure.

Edited January 30, 2014 by Traction

[Traction]

Good luck man. I have CVG too, it is just a bit less severe. I will be following your case. Feel free to email below anytime. I have still not rule out a scalp reduction in the future if my doctor is on board and if it would be beneficial to my overall plan (of keeping a fullish looking head of hair). Are you on meds or do you feel that all of your loss is due to traction alopecia and not genetics? Did you find anyone who specializes in scalp reduction for CVG? Interesting case and I wish you the best.

 

Thanks for the reply. If there was more evidence of successful scalp reduction procedures I would have gone for that. I could not find enough cases linked to CVG. I am not opposed to having a shaved head, just something that looks normal and professional.

 

My hair loss pattern has been exactly the same since I was 13. When the hair was implanted it was amazing, now of course that stubble has started to shed. This journey will be a roller coaster. I am not on any meds as my case is linked to traction alopecia, I am taking biotin and eating healthier.

[Traction]

Hi, any more feedback would be good.

 

Does this look like the right amount of grafts? Most of the crusts have come off apart from the front, I am hoping these come off soon.

[Traction]

This is a hat that I highly recommend. I bought a 7 1/2 size. It fits perfectly, in that it does not touch the front or sides. It rests on my forehead and does not touch any grafts. I take it off as soon as I am inside.

 

New Era New York 59fifty

 

[aayyar]

Hi Traction,

 

I am considering HT from Dr Bhatti. Can you please tell me after how many days of post -op, one can freely roam without wearing a cap or anything..does it really look odd and ugly and people start to recognise that you have got something done on the head ?

[Traction]

I still wear a cap when I go outside because of the UV rays. Initially I wore a very loose bandana. Now because most has shed, it looks very very odd. This is because of my traction alopecia, but I'm sucking it up and I just have to wait.

[Traction]

I'm six weeks post op and I have shed alot, what do you think?

[Raj Jayukdht]

I guess this is normal and your on track for full recovery with good growth

[Gokul]

@Traction

No updates ? Will you please upload new pictures and experience?