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2nd Round with Rahal- 2560 grafts FUT


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  • Senior Member

Hey everyone-

 

Long time poster and member here in the forums! It's been a while since I've been on, as I've mainly just been enjoying life :-)

 

I recently went back to Ottawa for my second round of FUT with doctor Rahal. My first procedure was done in 2012, where I had just over 4700 grafts FUT. In 2015, I went back to Dr. Rahal to have 2500 grafts done FUE, however, for some reason unknown to me...Dr Rahal said that my grafts were not viable via FUE (something about the bulbs kept disintegrating during extraction) and that we would have to stop the procedure. I was obviously bummed given that I spent all that money to get back in the chair, only to find out that only 45 grafts were viable and that we'd have to instead do another strip procedure if I wanted another transplant.

 

Fast forward to today, and I am now 7 days post transplant number 2!

 

I'm gonna keep this post brief, as there isn't much to report that was different than my first procedure. In terms of pain, this round of FUT seemed WAY worse than the first. I just couldn't get comfortable during the procedure, and it took significantly more anesthetic to get me comfortable and numb. Post op, I had significantly more pain and discomfort, however I also knew what to expect after my first procedure. I stayed well ahead of the pain this time around, and felt like I'm out of the roughest phase of the healing process. General swelling was less than the first time, although I chalk it up to having half of the grafts as I did during my first procedure. I also elected to pay the extra $850 Canadian to have the PRP injections to supposedly help with healing post-op...but I'm definitely not convinced that the expense was worth it. Redness and overall discomfort was not improved this time around as suggested it likely would be with the treatment....and the cost is ridiculoulsy high given that a vial of two of your own blood is centrifuged and injected. Seems like the treatment should be 1/3 of the cost....but I elected to have it done, so I have to live with my decision.

 

As always, my impression of the Rahal clinic is still top notch. Great crew and friendly staff. My only negative about the experience (other than the high price of the PRP) is that the time spent with Dr. Rahal seemed way less than my first procedure. It might just be that it's been a long time since I've been in the surgery center, but it seems that Dr. Rahal did the majority of my grafts implants my first procedure....and this time his techs did all the trabsplanting. Makes me slightly nervous that the grafts won't yield as well, but I have to trust that the techs are probably very well trained and that the overall result was still managed/supervised by Dr Rahal. I am putting my faith in the Rahal results that are typical from a visit to Ottawa, and am confident that my results will still turn out great.

 

Overall, I am happy to be done with this round; and looking forward to seeing results in the upcoming months. As you can see from the photos below, I am about right where I should be for 7 days post op. I get my sutures out on Saturday, and remember how much of a difference that makes in terms of comfort. Counting down the days. The grafts were places in the mid scalp and frontal third to fill in some density overall.....no more grafts in the crown. Unfortunately, I have come to the realization that I don't have enough grafts left to completely fill in the crown area, so I focused on density in my hair line and will deal with wherever bald spot in my crown the future holds. Also looking at SMP in the future to help with the appearance of density. I'll wait at least 12 months post op from this procedure to see where I stand before I do any other modifications to my hair.

 

Anyway, I'm glad to be back on these forums and tracking my (and all of your) hair restoration results! This is like my second family here, and I'm glad to be back amongst the community.

 

Best,

 

Mike

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4737 FUT with Dr. Rahal on 11/16/2012

 

Daily regimen: 1/4 Proscar (1.25 mg Finasteride), Rogaine Foam (twice daily), 1000 mcg Biotin, 1 combo Vitamin D/Calcium/Magnesium, 1500 mg Glocosamine, 750 mg MSM, 1200 mg Fish Oil, 2000 mg Vitamin C, Super B-Complex, 400 I.U Vitamin E.

 

I am not a medical professional. All views and opinions expressed in this forum are of my own.

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  • Administrators

Congrats on your recent procedure happy growing.


I’m a paid admin for Hair Transplant Network. I do not receive any compensation from any clinic. My comments are not medical advice.

Check out my final hair transplant and topical dutasteride journey

View my thread

Topical dutasteride journey 

Melvin- Managing Publisher and Forum Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q&A Blog.

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  • Regular Member

Good luck man!

 

Do you have any pre-op pics? Did you have crown work done previously?

 

"Dr Rahal said that my grafts were not viable via FUE (something about the bulbs kept disintegrating during extraction)"

 

How does that even happen? What characteristics limit FUE?

Edited by TheEnd890
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  • Senior Member
How does that even happen? What characteristics limit FUE?

 

Trust me, it was frustrating to say the least....and I can’t for the life of me figure out why I’d be the one case in a million who isn’t a candidate for FUE. Oh well, at any rate....I’m sure there was a reason it was meant to be?! I had a total of 4737 grafts done in 2012....and I think 1800 of those were put into my crown area. I was goin pretty bald I felt like! I will reach out to the clinic for some pre op photos....and post when I can. Meanwhile, here are a couple of photos. The first was the state of my hair prior to my first transplant in 2012. The second was taken a couple weeks before my surgery this time around. So you can see that my first transplant was obviously a success compared to where I started....but my hair is pretty thin and sparse in several places up top. Definitely needed some help/grafts in the mid scalp. Hoping these 2560 grafts will make a noticeable difference and were widely used at the end of the day.....?

 

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes! Will be posting frequent updates throughout the journey!!

 

Best,

 

Mike

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4737 FUT with Dr. Rahal on 11/16/2012

 

Daily regimen: 1/4 Proscar (1.25 mg Finasteride), Rogaine Foam (twice daily), 1000 mcg Biotin, 1 combo Vitamin D/Calcium/Magnesium, 1500 mg Glocosamine, 750 mg MSM, 1200 mg Fish Oil, 2000 mg Vitamin C, Super B-Complex, 400 I.U Vitamin E.

 

I am not a medical professional. All views and opinions expressed in this forum are of my own.

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  • Senior Member

im considering Dr Rahal for my procedure. your first procedure seems to have been a success, even though we cant see much of the scalp, it still framed your face.

 

can you clarify the FUE procedure you had? are you saying he extracted 2500 grafts and only 45 could be used? damn that seems like a waste but it looks like you'll be able to finish off your journey with this one

 

also - that seems like a big strip to only get 2500?

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Trust me, it was frustrating to say the least....and I can’t for the life of me figure out why I’d be the one case in a million who isn’t a candidate for FUE. Oh well, at any rate....I’m sure there was a reason it was meant to be?! I had a total of 4737 grafts done in 2012....and I think 1800 of those were put into my crown area. I was goin pretty bald I felt like! I will reach out to the clinic for some pre op photos....and post when I can. Meanwhile, here are a couple of photos. The first was the state of my hair prior to my first transplant in 2012. The second was taken a couple weeks before my surgery this time around. So you can see that my first transplant was obviously a success compared to where I started....but my hair is pretty thin and sparse in several places up top. Definitely needed some help/grafts in the mid scalp. Hoping these 2560 grafts will make a noticeable difference and were widely used at the end of the day.....?

 

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes! Will be posting frequent updates throughout the journey!!

 

Best,

 

Mike

 

Did your hair continue to thin a bit over the years? Or is this addressing the midscalp which was already thinning? Looks good either way. I wonder why almost all of the grafts were put midscalp, unless the frontal third had the density you wanted?

 

Sorry for all the questions, I actually had two procedures with Rahal as well, currently on month 4.

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im considering Dr Rahal for my procedure. your first procedure seems to have been a success, even though we cant see much of the scalp, it still framed your face.

 

can you clarify the FUE procedure you had? are you saying he extracted 2500 grafts and only 45 could be used? damn that seems like a waste but it looks like you'll be able to finish off your journey with this one

 

also - that seems like a big strip to only get 2500?

 

The sutures are pretty misleading for strip size. They usually always look similar because of how he sows you up. It's a pretty tight/refined technique, which is why (at least for me) it was super uncomfortable for 2 weeks.

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Trust me, it was frustrating to say the least....and I can’t for the life of me figure out why I’d be the one case in a million who isn’t a candidate for FUE. Oh well, at any rate....I’m sure there was a reason it was meant to be?! I had a total of 4737 grafts done in 2012....and I think 1800 of those were put into my crown area. I was goin pretty bald I felt like! I will reach out to the clinic for some pre op photos....and post when I can. Meanwhile, here are a couple of photos. The first was the state of my hair prior to my first transplant in 2012. The second was taken a couple weeks before my surgery this time around. So you can see that my first transplant was obviously a success compared to where I started....but my hair is pretty thin and sparse in several places up top. Definitely needed some help/grafts in the mid scalp. Hoping these 2560 grafts will make a noticeable difference and were widely used at the end of the day.....

 

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes! Will be posting frequent updates throughout the journey!!

 

Best,

 

Mike

 

congrats on your second procedure, I remember your 1st HT thread on this forum was one of the early ones I reviewed that got me turned on to Dr. Rahal. To date, I've had 3 FUE procedures with him to get where I'm at. Thanks for sharing your positive experience which led me to Dr. Rahal, and I wish you the very best in healing and growing after your recent procedure.

 

John

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  • Senior Member

I can remember you (and your hair) from first time around. Good to see you back!

 

You aren't alone in not having suitable follicles for FUE. It's rare but it happens. The important thing is that the problem was recognised fast and the procedure stopped. Must be frustrating though.

I am a patient and representative of Dr Rahal.

 

My FUE Procedure With Dr Rahal - Awesome Hairline Result

 

I can be contacted for advice: matt@rahalhairline.com

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  • Senior Member
im considering Dr Rahal for my procedure. your first procedure seems to have been a success, even though we cant see much of the scalp, it still framed your face.

 

can you clarify the FUE procedure you had? are you saying he extracted 2500 grafts and only 45 could be used? damn that seems like a waste but it looks like you'll be able to finish off your journey with this one

 

also - that seems like a big strip to only get 2500?

 

 

Good choice in choosing Dr. Rahal; I'm sure you'll be very pleased. And just to clarify to the forums, the 45 FUE follicles were viable follicles extracted...but some of the FUE units weren't usable and so instead of risking more waste of needed grafts, Dr. Rahal stopped the procedure. I did not waste a sizable amount of grafts in the process....so I guess that is good.

 

In terms of the donor scar from my second procedure, we decided to keep the size consistent with the first, to try and merge the two scars. Additionally, we wanted to get as many grafts as possible.....I would have been happy with 3500-4000.....but based on my previous strip and me probably not being as diligent with scalp laxity exercises as I should have been...we were only able to get 2500. But given that I had 4737 grafts via FUT before, I've had a decent chunk of grafts used. I'm hoping that I could get another 2,000 out somehow as a back-up bank in the future, but obviously I am uncertain if that is possible, and I didn't discuss with Dr. Rahal what I have left in the FUT bank!!

 

TheEnd890- In answer to your question, my hair did thin a bit more over time....however, it is important to note that the mid scalp was never addressed really to begin with the first procedure, so we decided to visit that area this time around. To be honest, it was the area that was bugging me the most. Also, I have had some crown work done in my first procedure with Dr. Rahal, but we decided to be conservative and not do any more this time around. I will likely wait to heal from this procedure, and research great SMP clinics and go get my scalp done (especially in the crown) for the illusion of density. I still have some hair in my crown (even though it's thin), so the SMP should help quite a lot with the appearance needed to eliminate some of the contrast between my scalp and my dark brown hair.

 

Nice to hear from everyone, Old and New (Hey again Matt!!)....and look forward to continuing to share my progress with you all! I get my sutures out on Saturday and get to take my first shower/shampoo to rinse some of the scabs and crusts off on Monday.....so I will likely take and post photos on Monday when I am 14 days post-op!

 

Best,

 

Mike

4737 FUT with Dr. Rahal on 11/16/2012

 

Daily regimen: 1/4 Proscar (1.25 mg Finasteride), Rogaine Foam (twice daily), 1000 mcg Biotin, 1 combo Vitamin D/Calcium/Magnesium, 1500 mg Glocosamine, 750 mg MSM, 1200 mg Fish Oil, 2000 mg Vitamin C, Super B-Complex, 400 I.U Vitamin E.

 

I am not a medical professional. All views and opinions expressed in this forum are of my own.

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • Senior Member

Just wanted to update everyone, as today is the 4 week post-op mark! Sadly, the ugly duckling phase is in full effect. Had some shock loss around the strip scar like I did with my first procedure, but hoping like the first I get most of it back. Otherwise, just playing the waiting game now and hoping for good growth. A lot of the sensation is coming back to my scalp pretty nicely, and overall (except for feeling ugly) I feel pretty good. Will be posting again at my 2 month mark, although I'm sure there won't be much in the way of changes by then. Hoping everyone here had a great weekend!

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4737 FUT with Dr. Rahal on 11/16/2012

 

Daily regimen: 1/4 Proscar (1.25 mg Finasteride), Rogaine Foam (twice daily), 1000 mcg Biotin, 1 combo Vitamin D/Calcium/Magnesium, 1500 mg Glocosamine, 750 mg MSM, 1200 mg Fish Oil, 2000 mg Vitamin C, Super B-Complex, 400 I.U Vitamin E.

 

I am not a medical professional. All views and opinions expressed in this forum are of my own.

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  • Senior Member

I think you will have a great outcome.

 

Looking forward to following your case.

 

Did you take off work for an extended time or are you just going to own it?

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.

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Thanks a lot, Spanker! Fingers are obviously crossed over here. I've been back at work for 2 weeks already, and fully own it. I work in a hospitla, and so more than anything, the other nurses and doctors are intrigued. Now I just need to come up with a better story on how I got my scar! :-)

4737 FUT with Dr. Rahal on 11/16/2012

 

Daily regimen: 1/4 Proscar (1.25 mg Finasteride), Rogaine Foam (twice daily), 1000 mcg Biotin, 1 combo Vitamin D/Calcium/Magnesium, 1500 mg Glocosamine, 750 mg MSM, 1200 mg Fish Oil, 2000 mg Vitamin C, Super B-Complex, 400 I.U Vitamin E.

 

I am not a medical professional. All views and opinions expressed in this forum are of my own.

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Have you tri d dermmatch? It could conceal the scar and also add some visual density to the top. Definitely worth looking in to, happy growing.


I’m a paid admin for Hair Transplant Network. I do not receive any compensation from any clinic. My comments are not medical advice.

Check out my final hair transplant and topical dutasteride journey

View my thread

Topical dutasteride journey 

Melvin- Managing Publisher and Forum Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q&A Blog.

Follow our Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and YouTube.

 

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Thanks a lot, Spanker! Fingers are obviously crossed over here. I've been back at work for 2 weeks already, and fully own it. I work in a hospitla, and so more than anything, the other nurses and doctors are intrigued. Now I just need to come up with a better story on how I got my scar! :-)

 

Love it. Classic.

Newhairplease!!

Dr Rahal in January 19, 2012:)

4808 FUT grafts- 941 singles, 2809 doubles, 1031 triples, 27 quads

 

My Hairloss Website

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That's an insane tattoo! Walk around with that out and nobody will look at your head :D

 

Since you mentioned coming up with a better story, I'm curious what you have told people.

I am a patient and representative of Dr Rahal.

 

My FUE Procedure With Dr Rahal - Awesome Hairline Result

 

I can be contacted for advice: matt@rahalhairline.com

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  • 3 months later...

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