1700 grafts on hairline - 13 days post op. Stressing out.

[keysersoze]

Hi All,

 

Firstly want to say a big thanks to all you guys here. I've been a silent lurker for a long time and have appreciated the discussions and in fact chose my surgeon because of this forum. Good to know you're not tbe only one if you know wbat I mean.

 

Anyway before I start I know some will say I probably should have been happy and they would be as I have a lot of thick hair. I don't even know wbat Norwood I would be but im guessing 2. I just have always had a high hairline and over the last 7 years its receded. Not hugely but definitely noticable now. I'm early 30s and finally decided to get a HT. Ive been on dutas and mjnox 5% for a few years but not sure what it's doing hair wise but no side effects so don't want to stop.

 

I had about 1700 grafts to lower/replace my hairline almost 2 weeks ago now. And I know very well the journey in front of me and I need to wait at least 6 months to judge results. But is it true that once the scabs come off that what you see is wbat you can expect????

 

Im losing my mind right now as there is a buge and very noticeable difference in density. It looks like I'll never be buzzing my head ever! Not a big deal as I usually dont but is this normal? Will it still be so noticable with the hair grown out??? Apparently you wont be able to tell when it's a bit longer because of the hair bebind but im really really worried. Has anyone else gone through this or look noticable with a buzzed hair?

 

Also I have go back to work in 4 days. Whats the best way to disguise this? Buzz it all shorter?

[Aftermath]

By 2weeks quite a few of the grafts have shed so no that's not an accurate representation of the final result! As far as hiding it... If the rest of the grafts stay put u may have a chance to camouflage it with topik, although for the hairline you'll probably wanna buy the pump applicator as well, if the rest of the grafts shed there's really no way 2 hide it. You'll just have to come up with an excuse for the redness that'll be there... Sunburn, allergic reaction to hair dye etc

[Spanker]

It is not a perfect pic, but it looks like you have complete and full density everywhere else, so to be honest, yes, I do feel like you will be able to tell when you shave your head in the future. At least until/if you lose any in the the frontal 1/3. Dropping a hairline that much and making the pt satisfied is very hard to do. If you have a preop it would be easier to tell. That said, if you had some thinning in that area, so you have some native in the shaved area, it may transition very well. If not, you'll probably need some type of length.

[keysersoze]

I've read so many posts by you so appreciate that you know exactly what you are talking about so thanks for your input. Yes you are right. The rest of my head has full density. Really high density too. There was pretty much nothing in the recipient area except the temples a bit. I just wanted the hairline lowered to suit my face. I don't really mind if it's noticeable when shaved as I never do that anyway although I kind of like now. But I was just really worried that it would still be so obvious when longer. As long as its not I will be happy. Its just I've seen a lot of people with existing hair like norwood 3s and a few norwood 2s get a ht and no one has mentioned this. Then again theres no too many after picks at 2 weeks its usually pre then post tben a few months. I just really hope when all is said and done it comes kn a bit thicker and just looks and styles normal when longer.

 

Thanks Aftermath hiding it is my number 1 concern right now so going to purchase some toppik and hopefully that will do the trick until its all healed otherwise I guess I will think of something!

[hsrp10]

Who was your surgeon, and did you agree to a non aggressive approach in the hairline?

 

Be careful with concealers immediate post-op, they can cause some damage to the new follicles

[Paulygon]

1- can you develop a relationship with a good men's stylist so that she can cut your hair in such a way that she keeps the front portion (lower density region) slightly longer than the high density region (to give the illusion of equal density amongst the two regions)?

you may have to try a couple different stylists to find the one that "just gets it". there are some great salons that cater specifically to men and their stylists have experience with working on receding hairlines or men with hair loss in general.

 

2- density study.. my surgeon (Parsa Mohebi) does hair density studies (pic attached below) with a microscope and gives me empirical values indicating the density of each region. Do you have any numbers like that? It might be easier for us to judge or give advice if you can give us hard numbers.. sometimes photos don't to perfectly tell the whole story.

 

Photo 1 below is an example of a density study (aka miniaturization study) on my own scalp by Mohebi.

Photo 2 below shows that it is common for different regions to have different densities... styling is important.

[keysersoze]

I saw my surgeon yesterday. He confirmed it would look a bit thicker/better in 9 months then right now before major graft fall however he did confirm that due to the extremely high density of my other bair it will always be noticeable at this length and its the worst length for it. He said when it grows to about an inch it will be undetectable and look like the hair bebind it.

 

I guess if I think about it if I do start thinnjng bebind it will be a long whjle before I need to do anything about it. Plus im 33 so its unlikely I will progress to far in the scale considering the hair I have now.

 

Non aggressive? I didn't realize this would be non aggressive! My surgeon was really good don't get me wrong and a pleasant experience and I will do a full review and write up in a week when I get home for the site. But the fact that it woukd be so obvious and weird lookingat the bairline wasn't mentioned pre op so im a little taken back rigbt now. Looking forward to growing it to my normal length and praying when it's all over it really does look good and not noticeable. I have to take off but will post later today with my experience.

Thanks again for the feedback you guys are a comfort

[hsrp10]

did you go with a recommended surgeon on this forum?

[Spanker]

I'm not jealous of many people's hair here, but I'm pretty jealous of yours. You're golden. Ride it out and see how it goes. Your in a better place than 99 percent of the perks on this board.

[hsrp10]

I agree, but why majorly lower the hairline and then not dense pack it?

less lowering with a thicker design would have been a better approach.

 

Anyway, your surgeon may be right it may end up looking great at 9 months, this early part sucks but will be over before you know it. hang in there

[keysersoze]

Thanks Spanker i guess i need to learn to be happy with what you got. And I am dont get me wrong. The people at the clinic thought I had already got it done and while that made me go oh yeah awesome it also made me rethink it a little too. But I had always a high hairline and it was obviously receding. Had been over like 7 years. And it always bothered me a lot. But having seen some of the amazing results here with a lot of people with far less and doing an immense amount of reading posts and reviews I think I'm in a pretty good category for it. Over 30, on meds and thick coverage not looking like I'd be too far gone in 10 or 20 years. Just wanted lower thicker hairline so thought about it and chose a recommended surgeon from here. And he has been fantastic up to this point so no reason to doubt but seriously im feeling it right now. Very bad, that cold panicky anxious feeling and Im freaking out.

 

Basically contacted the surgeon and said i wanted to lower and thicken the hairline. He said I had very dense hair probably about 120 density and the hairline could be lowered with 1800 grafts. I got a little overzealous and said im here id like this to be a one time thing can we go 3000 and go way back into the hairline for future 'security'. He said no way my hair was way too thick and the shockloss would cause more hairloss than the grafts would be worth and I he didn't think id have too much too worry about in the future and 1800 would give a nice hairline. He was very professional and honest. I asked if it would like my native and he smiled and said no way. Your density is very thick like 120 the best surgeons in the world couldn't do that maybe 70 but around 50 is the sweet spot at 50 it will not be noticable difference with your other hair there behind it. And that's the transplanted density he said between 45 and 55.

 

The surgery itself was pleasant and the after care has been fantastic. However I am no longer in the area but I did have my last visit yesterday 13 days after and he seemed happy and said not worry wait for 6 months and when it is about an inch long it will look great and noone will tell. He had another patient there and the results were mind blowing. His hair looked amazing except he had thinned more native at the back so was back in for another round. But he looked great. Point being this surgeon is trusted and recommended from here and has seen great results. Hence why I'm not writing my review right now as I don't know enough to know whats normal and everything is currently being filtered though my absolute desperation and fear. I will though in time once settled. The only thing I know I'm not really 100% with is I didn't know it would be so obvious with a buzz. That said as long as it pans out not fussed as I never wore it like that anyway.

 

Its 14 days now and it looks even thinner so maybe it is shedding early already. But im very concerned as I every thing i see says basically the first 2 weeks is what you'll probably end up with. And I can't see this being less obvious at a longer length. Right now im actually hoping all the hairs shed like now so it doesn't look so bad. The only similar post I've read is one where you guys have commented a bit esp you Spanker about a guy with no pics who said at 17 days post op it was the worst decision of his life and then didn't come back. Now I don't want to be like that and I know its only 2 weeks out but if this is all I have to look forward to then yes im distraught.

 

I spoke to the surgeon about how no one knows and how Im going back to work in 3 days. He said I could buzz (not shave) my hair shorter then it would look normal although the redness might be an issue. Or use toppik but I don't even know if it will work on this. Man im losing it bad.

[keysersoze]

Your comments really concern me brsp. I mean not you I cant thank you enough for helping and commenting but it sounds as if you think there may be an issue with the work. I mean ive seen guys with 3000 grafts with much larger area look very decent so 1750 (final count) should be enough for decent density I thought! !

[hsrp10]

I think my first reaction was the gap in density between your native hair (density of 120/cm2 ? wow!!) and the transplanted ones.

Also the hairline was transplanted quite low with the grafts spread out more.

As the first thing a person notices is the hairline, I would have liked a slightly higher but thicker hairline design.

 

I certainly don't mean to give you concern, just that was my first honest reaction. There is a limit to the density a transplant can give and maybe your native density is so great that it would be hard to match.

Again, you could be in for a great result, try to take your mind off it and overall the work does clean and the scabs and crusts are off so you are on your way towards a nice result.

[keysersoze]

Originally the surgeon draw a hairline and was very similar but a tad higher and I mean not much. I asked if it was possible to lower and he did move it down a little bit but not much and said it would be unnatural later if it went lower. I just so wish it was more dense right now to give me something to hope for in the coming months. Otherwise if this was really it I would just shave the recipient area right now.

 

Trying not to think about it. But really can't. Particularly what it will look like in 3 days when I face up to people as no one knows. I think im going to just buzz it so its so short you cant see then if red just cover the recipient area and go go the solarium and get a red face!

 

 

Quick question. Its been 2 weeks. Is it safe to work out weights wise now. It might get my mind of it.

[hsrp10]

if it was FUT you have to wait much longer for weight training or else risk the scar stretching, if it was FUE you should be Ok after 2 weeks to lift but check with your clinic just to make sure

 

buzz your native hair but don't cut or shave the transplanted hair, could damage them

[keysersoze]

It was fue. Thanks.

 

Ok just native hair. I really hope they can do something though I cant go back like this. Im so close to breaking down right now.

[FUE2014]

I see you live in Australia (I live in Perth). Which surgeon did go to, or would you prefer not to say?

[Dutch]

A higher hairline and dense packing is usually the norm, but ride it out and see how it looks past 10 months. Still early days & no need to panic just yet. Shedding and thin hair is normal in the first few months. Then the fun begins.

[keysersoze]

But at 14 days? This bare and obvious? Not sure how im going to get through this. Is 45 to 55cm2 not dense packing or is that the technique?

 

My surgeon was Dr Bhatti so I have faith he knows what he is doing. He has confirmed it will look much better in time.

 

I pray im just stressing out for no reason I just expected it to look much denser right now and just cant see how it could ever look decent. Has anyone had or seen it like this were it has been a good result?

[keysersoze]

Back to work in 2 days and counting. I cant show up like this though I'm lost.

[hsrp10]

Dr Bhatti is well liked on this forum but don't think he is recommended.

try to get a barber/hairdresser to very carefully shave down your other native hair closer, tell them you had surgery and to be very careful not to touch that area

[keysersoze]

Ok doing that today as I fly home tomorrow. Need it to look not so bad desperately. Dr said it was safe to trim so will be cautious.

 

I thought he did get recommended. Either way he seems like a quality surgeon and has shown some great results. He seems liks a great and trust worthy guy and Plus I did say use as many grafts as needed like 3000 and he assured 1700 was enough. So cant see why he wouldnt ensure the best possible outcome. That's the only thing keeping me going right now. I spoke to him and he said it would look better in 4-6 months and that it would only be noticeable at this length. So maybe I'm jumping the gun but ive always thought first 2 weeks grafts come off and that's what you eventually expect. I mean how is it going to get better and thicker than now?

[hsrp10]

after having gone through this a few times, I do agree things at 10-14 days after the crusts and scabs are off indicate the general outcome picture, so long as you didn't lose many grafts initially. but when it's grown out and combined with your dense native hair you could be Ok, try to stay positive

 

buzz the rest lower, and try to do things to take your mind off of it. stress is not good for healing and will cause you to lose sleep etc.

[Paulygon]

Ok doing that today as I fly home tomorrow. Need it to look not so bad desperately. Dr said it was safe to trim so will be cautious.

 

 

trimming may not be a bad idea if ur desperate to make sure nobody will notice a difference.. are the scabs gone?

[keysersoze]

Yeah if that's the case there is no way this is going to look even remotely natural or normal. It looks like someone just stuck a few hairs on forehead right now and even under normal bathroom lights you can barely see them. It worse than not having anything there. Oh god.

 

The scabs have all completely gone. Dr saw and confirmed.

 

I really wish the graft/hairs would just fall off now it looks so much worse than before the ht. Look at the difference? If that's what im looking forward to how can it look any good at all even when grown. Don't know what I can do.