FUE 3200 grafts with Dr. Gabel May 18,19 2018

[optimus]

I will try to keep it short. So after years of thinking I finally decided to go through FUE surgery (3000 follicles) I think I am NW4 - 5. After searching for a while I decided to go with Dr. Gabel. Looked at his work and after talking to bunch of other doctors, Gabel made everything clear from start. He even called me on a weekend when I wanted to know some things from him. Overall a straight shooter, after I saw his work and other reviews I became little more confident and believed in him. So far looks like I'm right. 

Dr. Gabel recommended FUE over 2 days,

 

Day 1: I booked a hotel near the hospital for 4 days and drove to the hotel the day before the surgery had a good night sleep and was asked to meet in hospital by 6:30 early morning (little early for me but its okay).

 

For next couple of hours we went through constructing hair line, I wanted the hairline to be little aggressive and Dr. Gabel discussed about density and after back and forth we decided on the hairline I liked - he was really straight forward which I liked very much, and he explained me how the day will be progressed and had to sign bunch of forms. Took Diazepam and ibuprofen, shaved my head and changed to surgery clothing and proceeded to the surgery room, I was meet by 5 technicians who are ready to go by the word of the doctor. Immediately Dr. Gabel came in and started with anesthesia injections which I am not going to lie are little painful (but I was warned before the injections so I prepared for it) after that Dr. Gabel started with extractions, he said we would probably do 1600-1700 on the first day and remaining on day two. Dr. Gabel did all the extraction with the technician helping to remove the extracts. This went for next two hours and technicians are counting the extracted hair giving the numbers to the doctor. Then Dr. Gabel started with slots for placing the follicles, some times the anesthesia wore off and I started getting some pain in that area, but upon mentioning this to Dr. Gabel more anesthesia injections helped to get rid of the pain. After this, lunch was provided which tasted pretty good. And after quick lunch, Dr. Gabel and technicians started placing the grafts in the slots that were placed before lunch. Both doctor and technicians made sure I am comfortable all the time and made it as simple as possible, with valium I dozed of couple of times as well. After another 3 hours of placement and we are done for the day. they informed my friend to pick me up and then gave me ATP liquid to spay on grafts and head cap while I head home for the night. Overall, very good experience for the first day.

 

Sleeping at night for Day 1 is challenging even though Dr. Gabel mentioned I can sleep on my donor area but be careful not to touch the recipient area, I was extra cautious and slept on a sitting chair which made it little challenging. No pain what so ever, I was in pretty good shape (did not even have to take pain medication)

 

Day 2: I was asked to meet at the hospital again at 6:30 AM for day 2. After reaching the hospital, things are pretty much similar to day 1 but much faster since they know what they have been working on, by 4 PM on day 2 we are done. Same thing they called my friend to pick me up and reached the hotel.

Dr. Gabel also did 200 more than we discussed (in total 3200) which I appreciate.

 

Sleeping on day 2 is also challenging, i had to struggle a bit to get a good angle but it was better than day 1. I also visited the hospital for quick washes on day 3, day 4 (What surprised me here is day 3 is Sunday and even then Dr. Gabel and his fellow assistants were there just for me, washed my hair and answered all the silly question I had for them) I should say I was really comfortable with the way they treated me and appreciate their patience. For HT, patience is key.

Day 5- 7 : I was being careful not to rub my recipient area and was covering my head with a special cloth I was given by the doctor. Have some itching but I am resisting myself against them. No pain for me, it was really itching on day 6 that bothered me but after that it was okay.

 

Here is breakdown :

 

Day 1 :

1-Hair: 128 (7.8%)

2-Hair: 953 (57.9%)

3-Hair: 523 (31.8%)

4-Hair: 41 (2.5%)

Total : 1,645

 

Day 2 :

1-Hair: 74 (4.7%)

2-Hair: 643 (41.2%)

3-Hair: 719 (46.1%)

4-Hair: 123 (7.9%)

Total: 1,559

 

Total :3,204 (204 more than we discussed, thanks to Dr. Gabel)

 

Overall, very satisfied with the HT, Dr. Gabel took really good care and very available for any questions, I am glad my decision is right so far. I am going to periodically update this thread with the progress.

[optimus]

Day 5 : Pics attached

[optimus]

Day 12-13: Donor area is completely recovered (no visible scars). looks clean

[Gasthoerer]

Looks clean. Good luck for the next 3-4 hard month.

[optimus]

Almost all the transplanted hair is shredded now. Hoping for good results in next few months

 

Donor area looks good

[lukeyb1687]

You're in the fun stage now, should start seeing some little guys sprouting over the next few months! Enjoy the ride

[Melvin- Admin]

You appear to have good quality hair, a lot of grafts densely packed, this should be an outstanding result.

[OtherSyde]

Wow, looks like you're in for a real transformation very soon! I remember those days, very good times - especially looking in the mirror week after week and watching my hair gradually sprout and flourish like a Chia Pet lol. You picked an excellent doc as well, not that I need to tell you that at this point.  Happy growing, and keep us updated for sure!

[Speegs]

That donor healed excellently, keep us posted on the growth.

It all looked exceptionally clean, as is normally the case in the Gabel photos we see around here.

 

 

Edited July 5, 2018 by Speegs

[optimus]

Adding 4 months progress pics. I see some results but waiting for some more

[hairlossPA]

almost at 6 months.. update? you had a ton of 2s and 3s.

 

also.. did you have a little hairline before? or not? it looks like the hairline is growing good

[optimus]

Almost 6 Months update : Even though I am happy with it, I would like to see more density. My hairline definitively was improved. Hoping next few months would help with density. 

Edited November 19, 2018 by optimus

[optimus]

8 months update. Going good not much update but hoping for more density in coming months 

[Melvin- Admin]

Hairs looking great 👍🏼 Dr. Gabel hit a homerun.

[delancey]

Looks really natural. No one would ever assume that you had anything done. 

[OtherSyde]

Looking very good! Thanks for the updates, and happy growing :)

[optimus]

Month 11 update: 

Good progress.. I think this is the end of it. overall very happy

[VicTNYC]

Looks good, congrats!

[optimus]

I will make a one year update soon. I have a question.

Till now I used Rogaine everyday but never used finasteride because of the side effects. But I am thinking to do now, I however recently got married so I am thinking to wait an year before I do it because of side effects.

What do you guys suggest ?

[2941grafts]

I did Avodart “dutasteride” every other day and I stopped it after 8 months although it tremendously improved my crown area and although I was happy about the quality of my hair overall improvement. All was normal up to 6 months then started to feel side effects killing not only my sexual drive, but also willingness to do things in life ..some sort of depression or something I have never experienced before. When I stopped it I started to feel good and retrieved my sexual appetite again after about a month of stopping. I had few boxes left of that .5 mg pill I through them all in trash without regrets.

[optimus]

This is the final before and after  let me know how does it look 

[hairlossPA]

looks like a success man congrats!!

[vinzaf19]

Looks great sir! What a dramatic difference from the before pic. Congrats!!