Dr. Alexander - ~2300 grafts via FUT

[SogeKing100]

Hello,

 

I went in for an HT with Dr. Alexander about one month ago, and thought I'd share my experience with those of you who might be thinking of choosing the good doctor for your procedure.

 

I had been thinking about getting a transplant for a couple years before actually making the decision to do so. I was living outside of the U.S., and didn't really have any good options for doctors where I was located. Anyway, it certainly gave me a lot of time to think about it and do my research.

 

After looking through possible options and reading through the threads on this board, discovering Dr. Alexander wasn't too hard. His reputation here is top-notch, and I had even exchanged a few e-mails with Spex regarding some questions and concerns I had. Plus, the fact that his office is just a little less than an hour's drive away from my home helped make the decision even easier.

 

I had my FUT procedure done on July 11th. Spex and Dr. Alexander, after having seen photos I had sent them via e-mail, both thought I would need a little over 2,000 grafts to get a nice result. As you can see from the photos I attached, my hair-loss wasn't that extensive (at least, I like to think so, anyway...).

 

Anyway, on the day of my procedure I was greeted warmly by the doctor and the staff. I actually had my consultation with the good doctor the day of my surgery, since I had been out of the country up until that point, coming in beforehand for a consultation was impossible. Like he had told me before, he concluded that 2,100 grafts would be about right. He drew the lines to show me where they would be grafting the new hair (see 'JRPREOP' pictures) and a shortly thereafter, we began.

 

I certainly won't bore you with the details of the procedure, as I imagine everything is pretty standard. The doctor numbed the back of my head and removed the strip of my scalp with little to no discomfort at all. The most 'painful' part was the injections he gave me to numb my scalp!

 

After the strip had been removed and the doctor sewed me back up (I couldn't say with accuracy how long this part of the procedure took) and three or four technicians extracted the individual hairs, the grafting process began.

 

This part of the procedure was relatively comfortable as well. During the grafting process, however, I felt a dull ache/pain in my upper-neck area. I simply thought my neck was stiff from not having moved for some time, but it was the numbing solution that was beginning to wear off from wear the strip had been removed. I mentioned this to the doctor, and he hit me again with a couple more injections, and I was good to go.

 

I believe we officially began the procedure around 8 AM and were finished (after having taken a break for lunch) by around 4:30. While I wouldn't say the time flew by, I would definitely say that I was comfortable throughout the procedure, and when I wasn't chatting with the doctor or the technicians, I just passed the time watching movies (of which there are many to choose).

 

After the procedure (see pics JRIMMEDPOSTOP), I was given a packet of papers that told me what I could expect and how to properly care for my scalp over the following week. I was prescribed antibiotics and some pain pills.

 

The first couple of nights after the procedure, I would wake up because of the pain from where the strip had been cut, but the pain pills that were prescribed to me dealt with that quickly enough, and after a few days, I started having 'wake-free nights.'

 

I went in to see Dr. Alexander yesterday for a follow-up. He said everything looks great, and answered a few more questions that I had. I was mostly concerned with the bit of redness that remained. I will be going back to work abroad shortly, and was hoping the evidence of having gotten a procedure would be gone before I started working again. Dr. Alexander is confident that my scalp should look "normal," by then, so I was happy to hear that.

 

I have also included my 1-month post-op photos (see JR1MONTHPOSTOP). There is minimal hair growth so far (naturally), but it shows how the redness has faded from the grafted area.

 

Overall, I had a total of 2368 grafts (635 Single, 1433 Double, and 300 Triple follicular units). The doctor originally estimated I would need 2,100, so that's all he charged me for. I had a great experience and would recommend Dr. Alexander and his staff to anyone looking to get an HT procedure done.

 

I will keep this thread updated with updated pictures.

 

If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

 

-SogeKing

[Aftermath]

Good write up. Your hair looks similar to mine pre-op so I'm interested to see how u progress, will be keeping an eye on the progress

[SogeKing100]

Hi everyone,

 

Just dropping by to update with my three-month post-op pictures.

 

The redness seems to be going away, slowly but surely (emphasis on slowly). I am curious as to how long it will take for my skin to go back to normal. I was told a couple of months, but it's been three and the redness is still very much visible.

 

I am still applying Rogaine and taking Propecia. Looking forward to starting some growth in the next couple of months.

 

On the upside, nobody has mentioned anything about my hair. I'm sure some people have noticed, but don't ask simply to avoid being rude. But for the most part, my life is going about the same as before the procedure.

 

I'll add some more pictures after another two or three months.

 

In the meantime, though, I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone may have.

[MayiraP0chu]

SogeKing!

 

Looks like you ve had a good recovery. Excellent! Grow well!

 

Was wondering if your doctor suggested tranplanting grafts mid scalp. From the pictures, it looks like you are thinning mid scalp after a strong forelock. My doctor was going to, but decided against it while operating in fear of shock loss. I have a similar pattern and similar hair loss and was planted about 3400 grafts.

Edited October 18, 2017 by MayiraP0chu

[SogeKing100]

Thanks. I'm not really quite sure what one should expect at the three-month mark, but I am confident I will start to see the results of the operation relatively soon.

 

Yes, actually, he did suggest grafting a bit on top. Though, I can't say if it would be "mid scalp" or not. I originally just went in to "fix" my hairline, and during the consultation, he also suggested I get some grafts done on the top (perhaps the crown area), which I did.

 

After these grafts set and start growing, maybe I will go back and get some more done. To prevent further loss, though, like I said, I am taking Propecia and using Rogaine.

[SogeKing100]

Hello, everyone. I never got around to posting my six month progress pictures. So, I figured, now that I am at about the nine month mark that I would post my current progress (along with my six month progress pictures).

 

Seem to be making good progress. But I had one worry about the hair that makes up my hairline. It is obviously much shorter than the surrounding hair, and basically resembles 'baby hair.' Will this hair eventually be able to grow out to the same length as all of my other hair?

 

Thanks for reading!

[Rawkerboi]

Really awesome progress!!

The baby hair will grow out to the same length, give it some time

[fortuneplant]

SogeKing100, veeery nice! Your baby hairs gseem to be going through growth/maturity stage, they should get thicker and longer in the coming months. Lots to look forward to.

[SogeKing100]

Hey, guys! Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it. I am glad to see that my baby hairs will grow out more. I'll be sure to update when I hit the one year mark.

[Aftermath]

This looks really good and really natural, and still a lot more to come

[SogeKing100]

I mentioned in a previous post that I was a little concerned about my "baby hair" that makes up my hairline. I have taken a couple pictures that highlight the area so you guys can see it more clearly.

 

I also included some pictures of my hair wet. I am not sure how a full head of hair is "supposed" to look fresh out of the shower, but when my hair is wet it looks completely different than when it is dry. It seems quite full when it is dry, but when it's wet... not so much.

 

I'd be curious to know what you guys think when you look at these photos.

 

Thanks!

[Gasthoerer]

Actually I like it with that Baby hair in front.

Looks very natural.

 

I assume smaller Diameter hair was chosen for the hairline which needs longer to mature.

[SogeKing100]

Actually I like it with that Baby hair in front.

Looks very natural.

 

I assume smaller Diameter hair was chosen for the hairline which needs longer to mature.

 

Hi, Gastohoerer. Thanks.

 

Yeah, I think the shorter hair has a more natural look to it, as well. I find myself paying much more attention to people's hairlines these days and I have noticed that even young people with a nice head of hair have basically the same baby hair going on. I find this to be especially true for the ladies. But perhaps that's because they often pull their hair back and you can actually see their hairlines. Anyway, I am still hoping these hairs grow out, despite perhaps having a more "natural look." I could always shave them if I wanted to, I suppose.

 

As far as the diameter of the hair goes, I don't know. All of the hair was taken from the same donor area and I would imagine that each hair was roughly the same size.

 

It's still only been nine months. I'm looking forward to the one year mark. We'll see how things are looking then!

[highlander6]

I love the look of the baby hair right at the front, it does make it look lots more natural.

[Gasthoerer]

Dr. Konior showed in one of his last posts that there hair diameter of the same regions can be very different. I really assume that smaller caliber hair was selected for the hairline.

 

Interestingly we have a lot of People complaining about a hard "unnatural" hairline recently...and you have a perfect soft hairline and think about shaving. It is really also a matter of taste.

 

Personally I think it will mature just a little more, and your hairline will be perfect.

[SogeKing100]

Dr. Konior showed in one of his last posts that there hair diameter of the same regions can be very different. I really assume that smaller caliber hair was selected for the hairline.

 

Interestingly we have a lot of People complaining about a hard "unnatural" hairline recently...and you have a perfect soft hairline and think about shaving. It is really also a matter of taste.

 

Personally I think it will mature just a little more, and your hairline will be perfect.

 

That is interesting information. Thanks for sharing. When I meet with my doctor, I will ask him about that (whether smaller hairs were used, or not).

 

I definitely don't want an unnatural looking hairline. I just mentioned shaving the hairs in the front as a possible option. I'll be sure to keep the thread updated with pictures periodically.

[home1212]

as far as hair appearance when its wet/dry - of course everyone's hair looks thicker and more full when its dry versus being wet. you should have no concerns about your hairline, it looks 100% natural, those were single hair grafts used to restore your hairline in the front exactly for that purpose, if doubles or triples were used in the hairline, you'd have plugginess which would make the hairline stand out and look completely un-natural, your result will continue to mature as hairs come in thicker and you should be thrilled with your result so far, I would not "shave" anything if I were you, just let it grow and mature on its on, good luck

[SogeKing100]

as far as hair appearance when its wet/dry - of course everyone's hair looks thicker and more full when its dry versus being wet. you should have no concerns about your hairline, it looks 100% natural, those were single hair grafts used to restore your hairline in the front exactly for that purpose, if doubles or triples were used in the hairline, you'd have plugginess which would make the hairline stand out and look completely un-natural, your result will continue to mature as hairs come in thicker and you should be thrilled with your result so far, I would not "shave" anything if I were you, just let it grow and mature on its on, good luck

 

Thanks. I am definitely happy with my results. And since I am only nine months post-op, I know I can look forward to more growth. I was just curious as to why it wasn't growing out the same as the other grafts.

 

I'll be sure to post more pictures in July at my one-year mark.

[SogeKing100]

Hello, everyone.

 

I've actually had a few people comment on my hair recently (first time that has happened in a while!) and I was feeling pretty good. Thought I'd take a few more photos and update everyone on my progress thus far.

[Gasthoerer]

Looking great. Congratulations.

[SogeKing100]

Looking great. Congratulations.

 

Thanks, Gastho! I appreciate it.

 

I'm living abroad and haven't seen any of my family or stateside friends basically since getting my procedure.

 

I sent these recent photos to my dad and he was quite surprised. He told me that he was initially quite skeptical about the idea, but is now "over the moon" with how it has turned out.

 

I haven't sent my mother any pictures, though, because I think it would be more fun to surprise her in person when I go back home in July.

 

I'm curious to know what my friends will think/say, as well. I wonder if they'll even notice...

[Aftermath]

Wow mate, that’s a really really great result, nice density in one pass as well, you must be over the moon!

[amit]

Freaking beautiful results!

[SogeKing100]

Hi, everyone! Long time no post!

It has been a little over a year and a half since getting my procedure and I just got my hair cut today, so I thought I would take some pictures and post an update to my "hairowing" adventure, in case anyone out there might be curious to see my results. I imagine I can't expect to see much change going forward, but maybe I will make another post at the two year mark.

Anyway, I took pictures in both bright lights (my bathroom) and in the "dark" (my living room) to show what my hair looks like "under scrutiny" and what it perhaps looks like "normally." Under the light, the hairline area seems a little thin, but I imagine this is perhaps by design, to give it a more natural look. In the "dark" photos (under "normal" lighting), it appears much thicker. Just a small trick of the light, I suppose.  

I am absolutely over the moon with my results, of course. I couldn't have asked for better results, and I want to thank Dr. Alexander, and his staff again for their great work. And I would like to thank Spex as well for helping me out before my procedure.

Oddly enough, nobody has said anything to me about my transformation, though. Only one of my co-workers has asked me "Are you doing something different with your hair?" and that was maybe 9-12 months ago. 

If anyone has any questions, I would be happy to answer them. 

I also want to thank the wonderful community here. I had been lurking on the forum for quite a while before getting my procedure, and all of the friendly people and helpful advice was what helped me make what I consider one of the best decisions of my life. So thank you all!

If anyone else is lurking and in the same boat I was in, I am confident that as long as you do proper research (very important!) before getting your procedure, you will definitely be glad you did it.

 

[bman3082]

On 4/14/2018 at 10:58 PM, SogeKing100 said:

Hello, everyone. I never got around to posting my six month progress pictures. So, I figured, now that I am at about the nine month mark that I would post my current progress (along with my six month progress pictures).

 

Seem to be making good progress. But I had one worry about the hair that makes up my hairline. It is obviously much shorter than the surrounding hair, and basically resembles 'baby hair.' Will this hair eventually be able to grow out to the same length as all of my other hair?

 

Thanks for reading!

Hey man amazing results. Do you have any more photos of your results at 6 months? That’s where i’m at right now!