FUT: 3644 Grafts by Dr. Vladmir Panine

[Brian84]

Hello everyone,

I am interested in opinions of the quality of the work done for my procedure 9 months ago. The goal was to restore my hairline and then fade back slowly. I have patiently reserved judgement and have watched it grow in over the last nine months. I think at this point it should be pretty much done growing in and these are the final results.

 

However, I am of the opinion that my hairline has been restored which is amazing, but I think the fade back from the hairline is practically non-existent and looks unnatural. The scar has healed nicely. So I have mixed feelings about the overall results. Though maybe I am my own worst critic.

 

I am looking for honest answers. Most people don't say much about it though a few have had rather harsh remarks without being informed that I had the procedure.

 

FUT: 1529 1 hair, 1767 2 hair, 348 3 hair

Total: 3644 hair grafts

[KO]

I will be honest. The grafts grew for sure....but why would you arrange grafts like this? Why didn't you cover the frontal scalp instead of packing a hairline? With 3k grafts you should be covering substantial area.

 

EDIT: I take back the statement on the grafts growing....it's hard to tell yield, but there was growth I guess.

[Brian84]

I originally wanted to cover as much surface area as possible with reasonable thickness, as you suggest. However, the Dr. didn't think that option would look very good and claimed that restoring the hairline would frame my face better and have an overall better final result. Since he is the one who has restored 1000s of people's hair, I went with his advice.

[KO]

Do you have fine donor hair? It's hard to see why else he wouldnt cover that frontal zone he drew out.

[California]

Hello everyone,

I am interested in opinions of the quality of the work done for my procedure 9 months ago. The goal was to restore my hairline and then fade back slowly. I have patiently reserved judgement and have watched it grow in over the last nine months. I think at this point it should be pretty much done growing in and these are the final results.

 

However, I am of the opinion that my hairline has been restored which is amazing, but I think the fade back from the hairline is practically non-existent and looks unnatural. The scar has healed nicely. So I have mixed feelings about the overall results. Though maybe I am my own worst critic.

 

I am looking for honest answers. Most people don't say much about it though a few have had rather harsh remarks without being informed that I had the procedure.

 

FUT: 1529 1 hair, 1767 2 hair, 348 3 hair

Total: 3644 hair grafts

 

Hi Brian84,

 

I would suggest that you revise the title of your thread. Seems like you actually got only a 1529 graft transplant (and not 3644 grafts as indicated in the title).

 

Hair naturally emerges from the scalp in clusters or groups. In fact, on average only 10% of hair emerges from the scalp as a single hair. This grouping is called the follicular unit or graft.There are usually two to four hairs in the cluster but some hair types have five or even six. The average hairs per cluster or "follicular unit" is two.

 

As far as feedback goes, the level of your hair loss seems to be way bigger than the amount of grafts transplanted. Can you share if there was any limitation as far as the donor hair supply goes. Did the Doctor share any future plans for your HT.

 

I wish you all the best.

 

Best regards,

California

[Brian84]

My hair is probably a little bit on the fine side, but not much. Looking at the Immediate Post Op pics, I can see that hair was put there, though it may not have survived.

[Brian84]

California,

3644 is the number of grafts I was told I received. Whether they all lived...well you can see. I wasn't informed of any donor area limitations and that is was in fact stretchy enough. They anticipated 3500 before the operation.

[California]

California,

3644 is the number of grafts I was told I received. Whether they all lived...well you can see. I wasn't informed of any donor area limitations and that is was in fact stretchy enough. They anticipated 3500 before the operation.

 

Sorry Brian. My bad. Now, that I re-read your post, you are correct.

Have you gone for a follow up consultation with your Doctor to get his opinion on your HT results?

 

Thanks,

California

[Brian84]

California,

I have a follow-up Skype consultation tonight. (I'm several hours away from the Dr.'s office) If it's not resolved via that method, I can visit the office on Friday. Through email though, they have encouraged me that they will do what they can to make sure I'm satisfied.

[California]

California,

I have a follow-up Skype consultation tonight. (I'm several hours away from the Dr.'s office) If it's not resolved via that method, I can visit the office on Friday. Through email though, they have encouraged me that they will do what they can to make sure I'm satisfied.

 

Sounds good, Brian. I have seen some of Dr. Panine's work on this Forum and it looked good. I am sure that your HT journey will end well. All the best.

 

 

Best regards,

California

[1978matt]

That is really bizarre. A high density hairline and virtually nothing behind it.

 

I hope you were advised from the outset that you were not a great candidate: below average donor and what looks like a large area to cover.

 

A few options:

 

1)Think about getting a hairpiece to attach behind it.

2)FUE into scar & maybe add a little to the top so you can buzz your hair shorter.

3)Find another doctor who is skilled at higher norwoods. Dr Beehner springs to mind. But even then you may not achieve a satisfying result on account of your donor supply.

[densedream]

I'm surprised more people haven't commented on this. This is a pretty terrible result coming from a coalition member. You did have a huge bald area and not much of a chance to fill it all in but now it looks like an obvious transplant sorry to say. Maybe another surgery would help. I would go to hasson and wong if I were you.

[KO]

One issue is the density, there are 1.67 hair/graft which is significantly low. That being said, it could have been arranged better, and there seems to be poorer growth behind the hairline. Definitely go see another doctor like Konior or HW.

[Brian84]

Update on my Skype consultation. After Dr. Panine took a look at my hair via webcam and the pictures in this thread (emailed him the same ones), he agreed that more can be done and that they can fill in behind the hairline. The best part is that after a phone call with Stuart this morning, they have agreed to perform this 2nd procedure for free! Now that is taking care of one's patient!

 

Since it's only been 9 months, my scalp and scar may not be ready for another operation immediately. (They typically recommend 1 year between operations.) However, they have me doing some stretching exercises in the back of my head to help loosen it up. I'll then go for an office visit in a few weeks where they can properly determine when they can proceed with the procedure.

 

Thank you for all of the honest responses. You helped me believe that I wasn't the only one unsure of how successful these results were. Since Dr. Panine is standing behind me and is willing to make it right at no cost to me, I don't think going to another Dr at this point is necessary.

[densedream]

I think a free procedure is appropriate in this situation. But do keep in mind that this could be your last shot because donor hair is limited. Maybe it looks better in person than the pictures and you're confident on going back so it must not be too bad. Good Luck nonetheless!

[KO]

That is really bizarre. A high density hairline and virtually nothing behind it.

 

I hope you were advised from the outset that you were not a great candidate: below average donor and what looks like a large area to cover.

 

 

Why do you feel he has a below average donor? It seems to be a normal donor, albeit with the parietal humps descended.

[1978matt]

Why do you feel he has a below average donor? It seems to be a normal donor, albeit with the parietal humps descended.

 

Too much scalp visible in the donor area.

[Spanker]

Based on all of the photos, I would agree that the donor appears to be below average. While it's ok to see some scalp, especially when wet. Mine is a tad below average (with well above average laxity) and much more dense then this. He is having issues above the ears and retro grade thinning as well. Good luck on your next procedure OP.

[KO]

Too much scalp visible in the donor area.

 

Yeah but his his hair is so short...it seems most have scalp visible.

[hairweare]

I can't say I agree with the original plan. He is young and already a NW6 and progression to a NW7 is not out of the question. Meds in this situation are essential. Furthermore he has poor donor density and less than optimal hair characteristics (thin caliber and high contrast between hair color and scalp). Even with a more spread out distribution I doubt that the results would have looked all that natural. He now it appears has a limited donor supply left in the bank to work with.

 

I hate to be a predictor of bad news, but I would not be so eager to undergo another FUT. The possibility of a stretched scar and low density yield may just make matters much worse. My advice would be a Skype consult with Dr. Konior and Dr. Lorenzo and learn was the possible alternatives are. Then carefully weigh the positive and negatives of their respective recommendations and reach an informed decision. We certainly all hope for the best outcome for this young man in what now has become a very challenging case.