Regular Member butchcoolidge Posted May 3, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted May 3, 2015 After well over a year of research I finally took the plunge and went for my first HT. I am a 30 year old white male from the United States. Like many of you, I started to become obsessive with my hair loss – staring and examining strangers hairlines and becoming more and more insecure and embarrassed about my hair with each passing day. Meds were doing little, if anything at all, so something more drastic had to be done. I chose Dr. Tejinder Bhatti in Chandigargh, India for my hair transplant for a few reasons – for one (and most importantly) his patient results look great and you can easily find an overwhelming number of happy patients. For two, lets be honest – the economy is a lot different in India than it is in the United States so therefore his price point is very attractive, especially for those of us who cannot afford standard U.S. prices which can be in the 10-20K range. Although a big trip traveling around the world to India, it made the most sense for me… plus you can treat it as a mini-vacation to further help justify your travel expenses. I am a seasoned traveler and have been around the world but never to India prior to this trip. I am tempted but won’t go into too much of the cultural aspects of India because I don’t want to get off topic - but I must say that visiting even for only a couple days was a surreal experience. I’m not sure if it was because I was operating on very little sleep, or because I was only there for what seemed like a blink, but taking in the culture was border-line life changing. If traveling to India, block out as much time as possible prior to your procedure for vacation, you won’t regret it. Food was fantastic, complete strangers were very kind (overly nice in fact), and everything is so cheap. I paid $4 for huge meals that would be $20 in the U.S. I was charged $8 for a personal tour of Delhi by a 3-wheel taxi driver – I felt compelled to pay him triple. The culture is so much different than the western world, it’s a really amazing thing to experience. Word of warning - you will likely be scared of the driving at first – to put it into perspective, it makes crazy New York drivers look like senior citizens ☺ Everything with the procedure itself was smooth as expected. The pain is negligible unless you have a low tolerance for pain or are scared of needles. I would say it’s more uncomfortable than anything, but what’s a few hours of discomfort versus years of no longer being embarrassed of your head? The staff/techs was accommodating and nice, most spoke English so making small talk was not impossible. Dr. Bhatti speaks great English and as you already know, he does the majority of the work, which is comforting. Like any good surgeon, he will make you feel comfortable and have you laughing. On to business - Dr. Bhatti rebuilt my hairline in the front and temples with around 2600 grafts and also sprinkled around 450 grafts in the balding and thinning crown area – it was a big procedure with 3082 total grafts. 639 singles, 1671 doubles, and 772 triples. I have attached my pre-op photos and I will reply with my 5-day post op’s. I will do my best to post monthly updates. I am no expert, but from what I can see Dr. Bhatti has done a great job at packing in the grafts nice and tight. My most sincere thank you to Dr. Bhatti and his entire staff. Also thank you to everyone who contributes on these forums. As a long time lurker, I must say having online communities to privately confide in is such a valuable thing for those of us who wish to remain anonymous with our insecurity issues in our personal lives. Hair loss can be devastating and cause (or worsen) serious anxiety issues so it’s important for communities like this to exist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member butchcoolidge Posted May 3, 2015 Author Regular Member Share Posted May 3, 2015 Here are 5 day post op photos. I've been following the clinic post-op instructions to a T. No pain, but very intense itching which is difficult to ignore! I came up with the brilliant idea of sleeping with soft winter gloves to make sure i don't scratch my head in my sleep (lol). I think things are healing properly but would love to hear feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member TakingThePlunge Posted May 3, 2015 Senior Member Share Posted May 3, 2015 Welcome Butch! Thanks for taking the time to share a detailed account of your hair transplant experience with Dr. Bhatti. The work looks excellent! I hope you'll continue to update us on your progress. David - Former Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant I am not a medical professional. All opinions are my own and my advice should not constitute as medical advice. View my Hair Loss Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Raj Jayukdht Posted May 3, 2015 Senior Member Share Posted May 3, 2015 Thanks for the write up. I'm sure yr write up with help the community here on this forum. Dr Bhatti did a great job and I'm sure you will have a fab result in months to come. Keep us posted formerly know as Jayukdht http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/177363-hair-transplant-dr-bhatti-oct-14-part-2-procedure.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member hairweare Posted May 3, 2015 Senior Member Share Posted May 3, 2015 Not to rain on your parade but I think your mid scalp and vertex appear to have miniaturization and without response to meds may continue to thin and contrast with the hair that was just transplanted. At your age I would definitely advise aggressive medical therapy but also resign yourself to the fact that a second or even third procedure will likely be in your future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Spanker Posted May 3, 2015 Senior Member Share Posted May 3, 2015 Not to rain on your parade but I think your mid scalp and vertex appear to have miniaturization and without response to meds may continue to thin and contrast with the hair that was just transplanted. At your age I would definitely advise aggressive medical therapy but also resign yourself to the fact that a second or even third procedure will likely be in your future. Agreed I am an online representative for Dr. Raymond Konior who is an elite member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians. View Dr. Konior's Website View Spanker's Website I am not a medical professional and my opinions should not be taken as medical advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Dog Posted May 4, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted May 4, 2015 Hi Butch, Your story is quite similar to my own. I am now 10 months down the track and it's all been worth it. You can review my pics and story here: http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/175992-fue-my-experience-date-3.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member husqvarnawrk Posted May 5, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted May 5, 2015 Hi Butch, nice meeting you in Chandigarh, it all looks good in your photos. I hope the trip back wasn't too bad. Stay well mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member johnny24 Posted May 21, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted May 21, 2015 Hi Butch, glad you liked your trip to India and Dr Bhatti. The itching is normal and your crusts should be right about gone now. How are you feeling at the moment?? Regards, Johnny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member butchcoolidge Posted May 27, 2015 Author Regular Member Share Posted May 27, 2015 Thank you all for the responses. New photos and 1 month update attached. I shaved my head with a #1 attachment before the photos. I was very careful although I think after 1 month there isn't much need to worry about your grafts. I seem to be healing slower than I expected. At 4 weeks it's still extremely noticeable that I had a procedure done. The fact that I have pale skin probably makes the redness more noticeable than the average patient? For now, I hide my head under a hat in public.. I will be attending a wedding in 1 month, I am crossing my fingers that it starts to look more normal by then (will be 9 weeks at that point). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member butchcoolidge Posted May 27, 2015 Author Regular Member Share Posted May 27, 2015 @hairweare @spanker yes, the doctor told me that it wouldn't be uncommon for a patient like myself to need 1 or possibly even 2 more procedures in the future. I appreciate your honest feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Raj Jayukdht Posted May 27, 2015 Senior Member Share Posted May 27, 2015 Butchcoolldge Ive just sent u a private message. I think the redness in normal for pale skin people. Give it time. formerly know as Jayukdht http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/177363-hair-transplant-dr-bhatti-oct-14-part-2-procedure.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member butchcoolidge Posted June 30, 2015 Author Regular Member Share Posted June 30, 2015 here is my 2 month update. I shaved down to a #1 a couple weeks ago in an effort to try and make it all blend together. that being said, i am definitely in the midst of the dreaded "ugly duckling stage". still some redness in the transplanted (and harvested) areas, but mostly bumpiness, pimples, and some lingering transplanted hairs (maybe 50% or so remain). i didn't realize how terrible I looked until I saw these photos.. lol. :eek: I honestly can't say that i would have gone through with a transplant if I had properly educated myself on the full recovery time - I was expecting to look like I did pre-HT after 2 weeks when the scabs come off, but as many of you know, that's really just the very beginning of recovery. Those wishing to keep things discreet will have difficulties unless your work environment allows you to wear a hat or unless you don't need to leave your house for several months. In the end, I know i will be happy with my choice, so i'm actually glad that I didn't do more research on recovery.. I may have never gotten a HT otherwise. I think months 3 and especially 4 I will start to look normal again, and then growth to look forward to after that until then: patience, patience, patience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Sethticles Posted June 30, 2015 Senior Member Share Posted June 30, 2015 Hi Butch, I think its a given that the less you look at your hair 0-6months post HT the better off you'll be, praying for those hairs to grow, praying it went well, but all looks pretty normal so far, your right side looks a little over harvested, which so did mine, but to make you feel better it grew back after a while, I thinks more to do with a shock loss or trauma. Im sure you'll need a top up in a couple years time, but really for now its fine. all the best take care s June 2013 - 3000 FUE Dr Bhatti Oct 2013 - 1000 FUE Dr Bhatti Oct 2015 - 785 FUE Dr Bhatti Dr. Bhatti's Recommendation Profile on the Hair Transplant Network My story and photos can be seen here http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/Sethticles/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member California Posted June 30, 2015 Senior Member Share Posted June 30, 2015 Hi butchcoolidge, You are going through the worst stage of a hair transplant. Hang in there. This phase will go away before you know it. The discomfort and awkwardness are temporary but the hair that you will get will be permanent.....at the end of the day......a pretty good deal. Best regards, California North America Representative and Patient Advisor for: Dr. Tejinder Bhatti, Darling Buds Hair Transplant Center, Chandigarh, India. Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and my words should not be taken as medical advice. All opinions and views shared are my own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member butchcoolidge Posted June 30, 2015 Author Regular Member Share Posted June 30, 2015 (edited) Thank you @california and @sethicles for your replies The discomfort and awkwardness are temporary but the hair that you will get will be permanent. Exactly! That's why I'm happy that I followed through. Edited June 30, 2015 by butchcoolidge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Raj Jayukdht Posted June 30, 2015 Senior Member Share Posted June 30, 2015 Your redness has gone down compared to your last pics that I saw. Just hang in there 3-4 months, that's when your grafts start to come alive. formerly know as Jayukdht http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/177363-hair-transplant-dr-bhatti-oct-14-part-2-procedure.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member butchcoolidge Posted July 29, 2015 Author Regular Member Share Posted July 29, 2015 3 month update below. redness has gone down quite a bit and growth is finally starting! i shaved down to a #1 about a week ago to try and blend it together a bit more.. i'm hopeful that in 1 more month it will be even more blended together/easier to hide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member voxman Posted July 29, 2015 Senior Member Share Posted July 29, 2015 Keep the progress reports coming!! I'm serious. Just look at my face. My Hair Regimen: Lather, Rinse, Repeat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member TakingThePlunge Posted July 29, 2015 Senior Member Share Posted July 29, 2015 Looking good! Happy growing! David - Former Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant I am not a medical professional. All opinions are my own and my advice should not constitute as medical advice. View my Hair Loss Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Raj Jayukdht Posted July 29, 2015 Senior Member Share Posted July 29, 2015 Your redness has gone down alot, hopefully by end of August it will be gone. Now that you reached the 3 months mark, your grafts will now come out to play. Enjoy the growing. formerly know as Jayukdht http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/177363-hair-transplant-dr-bhatti-oct-14-part-2-procedure.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member husqvarnawrk Posted July 29, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted July 29, 2015 Happy for you, it looks like things are moving! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member DaveyB Posted August 6, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted August 6, 2015 Looks great congratulations, keen to see the progress. Similar age and hair loss to me. Torn between a FUE in Turkey or with Dr Bhatti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Sethticles Posted August 6, 2015 Senior Member Share Posted August 6, 2015 really think thats going to look amazing.... June 2013 - 3000 FUE Dr Bhatti Oct 2013 - 1000 FUE Dr Bhatti Oct 2015 - 785 FUE Dr Bhatti Dr. Bhatti's Recommendation Profile on the Hair Transplant Network My story and photos can be seen here http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/Sethticles/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member butchcoolidge Posted August 6, 2015 Author Regular Member Share Posted August 6, 2015 really appreciate the kind words guys! thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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