My Successful Procedure with Dr. Umar to Fix Past Surgeries (6500 FUE)

[Hairhope4ever]

Hello everyone. After researching and perusing the hair transplant forums for many years, I have decided to share my life saving experience with all of you, for many of you have given me support through your threads, and pointed me in the right direction for my latest procedure.

 

My hair loss journey began at the age of 17. As all of you know who have experienced hair loss at various stages of your life, regardless of what age it happens, it is a traumatic experience. However, for me, incurring hair loss right before my first year of college was debilitating for me psychologically. I was a very good student and athlete in high school. Hair was never something I worried about, and that translated positively into my school years, and throughout the beginning of my adolescence when I started being interested in girls. When my recession began at 17 I was in denial about it. By the time I hit 18, my hair loss was visible. My recession was pronounced. In a state of panic, I had a strip (FUSS) surgery in September of 2004 at the age of 19. It was a small procedure of 1500-1600 grafts at a clinic in Newport Beach. The surgery was not successful in producing both yield and density.

 

 

I spent the next 3.5 years watching my hair gradually shrink and regress. I was on propecia for 3 months at the age of 20, but many side effects were unfortunately induced. I ceased using it. After spending the next 3.5 years reading various forums, which were nascent at the time, I concluded that there was a clinic that could “save” me. This clinic is very well known, and markets very heavily. At the time they were the first to offer large FUE sessions. I booked a 4000 FUE session with them. Long story short, the procedure was not a successful one. Unhappy with my result, I had two repair procedures with them within the next 4 years. At the age of 26, and after 4 procedures, I was left with a taxed donor supply, and an unsatisfactory result.

 

 

I spent the next 5 years literally being depressed, victimizing myself over my failed procedures. I thought there was something systematically wrong with me, and that I was just not responding well to the surgeries. However, at the age of 27 I ran across Dr. Umar’s website, and his reviews. I was literally blown away, and overtaken with a new found optimism. I never knew about body hair transplantation until I read about Dr. Umar. I certainly have a dense beard, and body hair throughout. These variables combined with the fact that my donor supply was not completely taxed really left me intrigued. However, I still had a large amount of trepidation due to past failures and experiences. I wanted to make sure my next procedure, which was literally my “last shot”, was going to be one with an incredibly esteemed and reputable doctor that can not only utilize my head donor, but my beard and body hair donor as well, for I had become a NW6.

 

My consultation with Dr.Umar was in January of 2015, and right from the get go Doctor Umar was different. He thoroughly analyzed and assessed both my hair loss, as well as my head, beard, and body donor. He deemed me to be a great candidate for 6500 grafts. One year after my consultation with Dr. Umar, I took the plunge and booked my procedure. However, what really stood out in my consultation was the fact that there was no sales pitch, no high pressure tactics to get me in to "the chair" like in various clinics. Dr. Umar did not even bring up the cost until I asked him about it. After a long time contemplating, I scheduled my 6500 graft procedure for 1/25/16. I was very excited, yet so nervous based on my past procedures.

 

I came to find out that Dr. Umar only conducts surgery on one patient per day unlike other clinics, where everything and everyone is monetized. He prioritizes quality over quantity. Being that I had procedures with 2 different doctors, as soon as my procedure began I noticed a world of difference. Dr. Umar's concern for me, and his kindness towards the anxiousness I was experiencing reflected in how he administered the anesthesia, and how meticulously he extracted each graft from my head, beard, and chest. Unlike in other clinics, the administering of my anesthesia was significantly less painful due to the instruments Dr. Umar was using to offset potential discomfort. Throughout the whole process he was explaining to me why he was doing what he was doing. His staff were a reflection of his professionalism and benevolence, always attending to whatever I needed or was feeling.

 

My procedure lasted for 5 consecutive days (Monday-Friday). Unlike my past doctors who promised an extravagant number of grafts in one single day, Doctor Umar told me that it is not advisable to extract more than 1500 FUE grafts on a daily basis due to the risk of compromising the procedure and the life span of the grafts before transplantation. Upon completion of the procedure, and viewing my graft placement, I knew I was going to have an excellent result.

 

Attached you will find some photos of me before/the day of the procedure. You will see how low my yield and density were from my previous 4 procedures. You can compare those photos to some 12 month updated pictures I have taken. I will continue to post updated photos all the way up to the 18 month mark because I continue to notice thickening and maturation to this day, especially in the crown region. Please feel free to comment on my photos, as well as to message me directly if any of you have any questions. I know how daunting hair loss is, especially when it comes to find a reputable surgeon that will provide you with the result you are looking for. I am here to help anyone I can, for I do not wish upon anyone the prior experiences I have had.

 

Read more about my story here:

 

Happy Patient's Blog

 

See a video of my results here:

 

 

Please see my Before and After photos below (2 before and 2 after):

Edited March 18, 2017 by Hairhope4ever
typos

[mosd]

the after pictures leaves much to desire regarding quality and angle...

[Spanker]

What did he say about the redness around the edges?

[Hairhope4ever]

Hi Spanker and Modst,

 

I'm sorry my results did not meet your guys' expectations. However, as you can see in both the pictures, and in the video, I have come a long way. Being a Norwood 6, and where I am today is like being in 2 different worlds.

 

Regarding the redness, if I felt I had any, I would be sure to address it with Dr. Umar.

 

Thank you for your comment, and all the best.

[YouOnlyLiveOnce]

I think their criticism is warranted. Your video was added during the edit and that came after mosd had replied.

 

Your transformation can't be denied. Dr. Umar always has these extreme cases and usually works magic. The density isn't always there, but its usually consistent from front to back, which I think makes the world of difference. I'd suggest making your own sea salt spray which will add serious volume to your hair, then using a matte paste and hairspray. I think the combination of all of that will tame the poofiness a bit.

 

Curious, what does a transformation like this cost?

[Ernie]

Hairhope4real,

 

This transformation is incredible. Very happy for you.

[hsrp10]

Congrats man, this is one of those threads that makes me stop what I'm doing and log in to comment.

Remarkable transformation and you can see what a long journey it has been by the facial expressions during your video when you're speaking.

What are the hair cycles like for beard hair and body hair like compared to scalp hair btw? (longer/shorter etc)

 

Enjoy the new transformation!

[Hairhope4ever]

Hi Ernie and Hsp,

 

Thank you both for the kind words.

 

Hsp,

 

Your response is exactly why I decided to share my story and create a thread. Being that we are in the same situation, we know exactly how much anguish hair loss can induce on us, especially when it begins at a young age. Going through many negative experiences, I want to help point people in the right direction towards a solution, and prevent them from making the same mistakes I did.

 

I wish you all the best in you journey, and should you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out anytime.

[Hairhope4ever]

Hsp,

 

Apologies for not answering your question regarding the beard and hair growth cycle. It's a very good question.

 

I personally have not seen much variation in terms of differences in growth because the way Dr. Umar conducted the procedure, he really blended my beard and head hair perfectly. It's difficult to discern the differences. He is truly a perfectionist, and a no nonsense individual who will tell you exactly how it is.

 

The only difference I would like to point out is that I am at 14 months post op from my procedure, and I am still seeing my crown area full in by the week. Dr. Umar explained to me the crown comes in at a slower pace than the front. I will be posting my 18 month progress photos when I get there.

 

I hope this helps.

[TakingThePlunge]

Very happy for you! Dr. Umar takes on some extremely challenging, "lost cause" cases and your video shows a truly life-changing transformation.

 

Congrats!

[mosd]

I think their criticism is warranted. Your video was added during the edit and that came after mosd had replied.

 

Your transformation can't be denied. Dr. Umar always has these extreme cases and usually works magic. The density isn't always there, but its usually consistent from front to back, which I think makes the world of difference. I'd suggest making your own sea salt spray which will add serious volume to your hair, then using a matte paste and hairspray. I think the combination of all of that will tame the poofiness a bit.

 

Curious, what does a transformation like this cost?

 

Exactly. The video wasnt there when i commented. Now that i can se the video i can say this : The result is amazing. And this gives hope to all of us.

[Hairhope4ever]

Hi David and Mosd,

 

First and foremost I apologize to you guys for posting the video later. I'm a little tech inept When I first posted the thread the video did not upload.

 

Thank you guys so much. Every kind word means a lot to me considering what I've been through. That is why I decided to share my story on this site. I want people to know there is a viable and successful option out there for restoration should people pursue it. I made mistakes with two other surgeons, and I want to help others avoid the same mistake/s I made. That is why I may be a little biased who to go to for surgery:)

 

I will keep you guys posted with photos up to the 18 month mark so that you can follow my further maturation and density of hair. If any of you have questions you can message me. I would be more than happy to help out in any way I can.

[JustOne]

Havent posted in a long time . but then i saw this ...Congrats on your latest success with Dr Umar . all the best

[Hairhope4ever]

Thank you so much Justone. Please feel free to ask me any questions if you wish to do so.

 

All the best to you.

[Peacebuddy]

Great job!

[Hairhope4ever]

Thank you very much PeaceBuddy. Message me if you have any other questions.

[Peacebuddy]

I sent you a message

[Hairhope4ever]

I just logged in and see it I'll respond shortly.

[memzinla]

What doctor did you see in Newport Beach? I went to Newport Beach for a consultation, and I'm wondering if it's the same one.