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1290 FUE - 7 days out - Concerned About Density


amoore1981

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Hello everyone,

 

long time lurker, first time poster. Had my FUE one week ago and received 1,290 grafts in the hairline to fix the recession. Healing has been going quite nicely, but I am concerned about density. I have researched a ton and looked at many pictures online, and I have a feeling that my grafts aren't as dense as they could be. I emailed my doctor to ask how many grafts per cm2 he placed and am awaiting his reply.

 

What do you think? I realize it is way too early to know how anything will turn out, and that there is a psychological aspect to this process, but I can't shake the feeling that the grafts could have been more tightly packed.

 

Pictures below.

 

P.S. - Because of the nature of my question and that I openly admit I may be psyching myself out, I will not yet name my doctor. And to be clear, I signed off on the number of grafts, and after the procedure, looked at the completed product and signed off on it. So if there is something wrong here, I am partly to blame.

 

Thanks for your help, fellas.

 

**EDIT** Not sure what I did but my photos uploaded upside down or rotated at an odd angle. Apologies.

IMG_7232-1.jpg.5a3f0c36e060fc71d97660fbf4ae65e7.jpg

IMG_7229-1.jpg.0d3bcfd09c7b3fe0fbd6fe3529fc7b61.jpg

IMG_7230-1.jpg.752be8e664dbc22c024b99a0de3d1128.jpg

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  • Regular Member

On first glance they do seem to be spaced out a bit. You had a similar pattern that I had, but the doc told me I needed 2000 grafts.

 

Once it finishes growing and you can evaluate it, you can always do another procedure to increase density. Did the doc suggest only 1290 or was that what your target was?

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  • Senior Member

It looks it comes from very beginner FUE clinic. But Klkiss's density is not also so good and there is some spacing among the grafts as well, His area was required at least 2500.

 

Anyway if grafts hold about 3 hairs on average, they may cover the area well, but I think this is not the case here either.

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  • 5 months later...

After my first post, I had to stay away with the negativity posts regarding my results. The responses really put me in a dark place, but here I am at 6 months in. As you can see, the results are light, as we expected. Although I must say that this is a situation where the pictures look much worse than in person.

 

With that said, I just lay my hair down in the front and the transplant is 100% undetectable. Six more months and I can get this fixed. I just have to remind myself that this is a "FIRST WORLD PROBLEM" and not to get down about it.

 

Also, the left side looks HORRIBLY sparse for a reason. Growth was really light there (I'm talking a handful of hairs) and so I trimmed that side until my hair was long enough to cover. Two weeks ago, I was finally able to cover it and stop trimming. Now it's sprouting at a decent rate. These pics were taken a week ago and it's probably improved quite a bit since then.

 

Any supportive comments are welcome and appreciated.

---

Wet hair without product: http://i.imgur.com/qiuUvk1.jpg

Dry hair without product: http://i.imgur.com/1lG8SaV.jpg

Dry hair with product: http://i.imgur.com/q3BBFxh.jpg

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Hey man, you are going to be just fine. You weren't botched, as far as I can tell. You obviously need more density, but the hair you had transplanted is growing. It's thin, but that's not the end of the world. It's also early, at only 6 months. Another pass by a recommended surgeon and you'll look great.

 

Remember, most people need more than one transplant during the course of their lives. Some people need that second procedure quite soon after the first. You're one of those guys. That's no big deal--you'll turn out fine in the end. It's just going to take some time, money and patience.

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I think you are going to need another pass, but it should turn out alright by what your pics show. It appears you healed well and there is evidence of growth.

 

On another matter, I am sorry you had to go through what you had to here with your first posts. The job surely was not world class by any means, but there is a way to respond to posters in a manner that can prepare them to face reality without throwing them into a 'dark place'.

 

In a community designed to support, educate and encourage, we sometimes lose insight into our fellow travelers' needs.

 

A few bedside manners goes a long way.

I'm serious.  Just look at my face.

 

My Hair Regimen: Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

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Amoore,

 

Thanks for the update. The density is obviously sparse. But I think the biggest issue is the direction of the graft placement. Like a few others said, however, it can be repaired. However, it will be challenging because the next doctor now has to work through misplaced grafts, which is always a struggle between putting the new grafts where they should be versus putting them ABOUT where they should be while camouflaging the previously placed grafts.

 

For example: say, on a virgin scalp, the grafts in the frontal region would be placed essentially straight forward and at an upward angle of 20 degrees. Let's say, however, the first procedure left you with grafts that are placed sideways and at 40 degrees upward. The next doctor will want to place the graft correctly -- straight and 20 degrees upward. However, this will only make the improperly place graft stick out worse! So the surgeon will have to compromise and place them slightly sideways and maybe with a 30 degree upward tilt. However, he/she may be able to pull off a type of transition where they work towards normal graft placement.

 

Either way, make sure you consult with trusted docs who will know how to pull off the above. Feel free to ask any additional questions. Good luck!

"Doc" Blake Bloxham - formerly "Future_HT_Doc"

 

Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

 

All opinions are my own and my advice does not constitute as medical advice. All medical questions and concerns should be addressed by a personal physician.

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When I lay the hair down like that, I love it. It gives me a nice straight hairline and that's what I wanted. But for the past 5 years, I've styled my hair with a wave (as shown in the earlier pictures) so after the next HT, I'll be able to return to my previous style.

 

Thanks, Jonboy.

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It looks it comes from very beginner FUE clinic. But Klkiss's density is not also so good and there is some spacing among the grafts as well, His area was required at least 2500.

 

Anyway if grafts hold about 3 hairs on average, they may cover the area well, but I think this is not the case here either.

 

Except, for natural looks on the hairline, you don't want 2 or 3 hair grafts. You want singles to soften things up.

 

The good thing is, even with less than perfect density, this should be easy to repair/fix once it has grown in.

 

Glad to see it looks ok, except for density...which is minor and a 1st world problem like you said :)

 

Also, which doctor did this? You never mentioned it.

Edited by CaliHairGuy
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I'm surprised the 6 month results are as decent as they are. You're lucky. It was a small number of grafts so you've got lots of grafts left to work with.

 

The main thing is to use a different doctor next time. I had nose surgery to correct my breathing and over time my breathing got worse. The Dr. said he'd do it again but I paid to go to someone else. Best thing I ever did. He who breaks it can't fix it. You should reveal the Dr.'s name so others can avoid him. You'd be helping people.

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Tried to cover too much surface, imo. You can pluck em and keep a more natural hairline until you are ready for a follow up procedure. You'll be fine after you get the gaps filled in assuming you are able to prevent future loss with meds. You have extremely thick hair which is great. You have plenty of options left.

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Figured some pre op pictures would help too. I also included my current picture with my hair laid down to cover the sparse density. As you can see, it's definitely an improvement. I'm happier than where I was. But will still need more work.

--

Pre op with long hair: http://i.imgur.com/LhoQ4nl.jpg

Pre op shaved: http://i.imgur.com/S2Fal3N.jpg

Six months post op with hair combed forward: http://i.imgur.com/S7kVdzf.jpg

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  • 1 month later...

Seven month update. Things are moving along on the right side. Really weak on the left side.

 

Wet without product: http://i.imgur.com/HeY9vON.jpg

Dry with product (without Toppik): http://i.imgur.com/GWABVVf.jpg

Dry with product (with Toppik and combed forward - this is my daily setup): http://i.imgur.com/VuYLguR.jpg

 

And for reference, pre-op pictures below.

 

Pre op with long hair: http://i.imgur.com/LhoQ4nl.jpg

Pre op shaved: http://i.imgur.com/S2Fal3N.jpg

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