Going on 4 months no growth

[javier1234]

2500 grafts. Fut. Major shock loss. No growth. Lost a lot of hair Hair from previous transplant.   Procedure done by Miguel Canales at Silicon Valley hair institute. Any suggestions? Dr is working on refund agreement. Thanks

Edited August 13, 2018 by javier1234
Left out information

[javier1234]

19 minutes ago, spex said:

Hey, 

 

I vent heard of your clinic /dr however 4 months is EARLY days still. Do not worry. 

 

See this popular topic i made here on GROWTH TIMES and PATIENCE to help calm your anxiety hopefully.

 

 

Grow well! 

 

Regards

SPEX

 

I appreciate  the response, but I dont think four months is early.  Initial growth and final results are different. After my first procedure, I had full growth at four months. The hairs just grew longer in later months. Several HT surgeons told me that if there was no growth at four months, there wouldn’t be any growth.  If you know of anyone who has had a different experience,  I would like to hear from them. Thank you 

[javier1234]

I am not sure why they would need to be dimmed.  The picture on top is more recent than the picture at the bottom.  I have less hair now than both of these pictures. These photos came from the clinic.  The right side of my head where the balding is infected.  It has major swelling.

 

Edited August 13, 2018 by javier1234
Removed photo

[razzy]

I agree with Spex and the timeline. I have never heard of a HT become complete in terms of growth at 4 months.

Typically for most people, its the time when the initial growth occurs.

Did you go to the same surgeon as your first procedure?

You stated "several HT surgeons told me that if there was no growth at four months, there wouldn’t be any growth." I am sorry but that is false! Who told you that?

I also find it very odd that the clinic is already working on a refund for you @ 4 months.

[Melvin- Admin]

4 months is the time where you barely begin to see growth, hair transplants are a process of recovery, shedding, growth and maturation. Results can take up to 18 months to fully manifest. Hang in there and be patient. I suggest tracking your progress monthly instead of daily or weekly.

[Gasthoerer]

13 hours ago, javier1234 said:

The picture on top is more recent than the picture at the bottom.  I have less hair now than both of these pictures. These photos came from the clinic.  The right side of my head where the balding is infected.  It has major swelling.

 

It is really difficult to follow you story and your timeline. If you seek help here in this forum, you should provide more pics including a timeline. Sorry for beeing so blunt. I am also in the waiting phase (3.5 month post op) and now how stressfull this is.

If you think you have an infection and you have swelling in the recipient after 4 month, go to a clinic immediately. Best would be to a recommended hair clinic from this site (check who is close and call), but if there is a waiting time go to a dermatologist or at least your general GP. Do not wait!

[JayLDD]

Nothing of this patient makes sense. Checking his previous posts he supposedly had a procedure with Diep less than a year ago that from the looks of these photos had virtually no growth, but also here says he had full growth in a previous transplant, and now says he had surgery with another doctor  within 6 months of that procedure. On top of that suggesting doctors have told him that if there is no growth at 4 months the procedure is a failure and that this one is working on a refund.

Seems like a bunch of nonsense tbh.

[javier1234]

7 hours ago, JeanLDD said:

Nothing of this patient makes sense. Checking his previous posts he supposedly had a procedure with Diep less than a year ago that from the looks of these photos had virtually no growth, but also here says he had full growth in a previous transplant, and now says he had surgery with another doctor  within 6 months of that procedure. On top of that suggesting doctors have told him that if there is no growth at 4 months the procedure is a failure and that this one is working on a refund.

Seems like a bunch of nonsense tbh.

the first procedure produced little growth on the right side. The surgeons I spoke with who are recommended on here wanted me to do a revision with them at 3 months.  Each surgeon referenced my left side and the hairs that grew on the right side when they made that assessment.  I had paid one of these surgeons for a procedure before cancelling it and going with Dr. Canales who is a dermatologist. I’m not going to criticize Dr. Canales for doing the surgery so quickly because every other surgeon wanted to do it sooner, and Dr Canales is a dermatologist. I see my dr today about the infection, but I wanted to know from patients if they had a Successful  transplant after no growth occurred at 4 months. 

[javier1234]

7 hours ago, Gasthoerer said:

It is really difficult to follow you story and your timeline. If you seek help here in this forum, you should provide more pics including a timeline. Sorry for beeing so blunt. I am also in the waiting phase (3.5 month post op) and now how stressfull this is.

If you think you have an infection and you have swelling in the recipient after 4 month, go to a clinic immediately. Best would be to a recommended hair clinic from this site (check who is close and call), but if there is a waiting time go to a dermatologist or at least your general GP. Do not wait!

Thanks for the response. I’m looking for people who are going through the same thing. I’m seeing my HT surgeon at noon about the infection. He’s a dermatologist. I’ll keep you guys posted. 

[javier1234]

7 hours ago, spex said:

Typo

Can you post Immediate post op pictures ? 

Here you are.  The recipient area wasn't shaved down.

[JayLDD]

8 hours ago, javier1234 said:

the first procedure produced little growth on the right side. The surgeons I spoke with who are recommended on here wanted me to do a revision with them at 3 months.  Each surgeon referenced my left side and the hairs that grew on the right side when they made that assessment.  I had paid one of these surgeons for a procedure before cancelling it and going with Dr. Canales who is a dermatologist. I’m not going to criticize Dr. Canales for doing the surgery so quickly because every other surgeon wanted to do it sooner, and Dr Canales is a dermatologist. I see my dr today about the infection, but I wanted to know from patients if they had a Successful  transplant after no growth occurred at 4 months. 

 

You should name and shame any surgeon (including those if they are listed on this website) that would propose a revision surgery three months after your first surgery, because its blatantly unethical and no honest surgeon would do so.

The reality is the Canales is an unethical scum bag for doing a procedure four months post-op, its just plain wrong and these people were happy to lie to you for business. Whether or not others did too (I find this seriously unlikely to be honest) doesn't make him offering to do so any less unethical. Results do not fully mature for most until the 12 month mark, growth continues for most until even the eighth month and this is widely accepted any serious surgeon.

Also based on the photos above I find it hard to see why you needed a revision surgery, you looked to have a full head of hair after the surgery with Diep and the hair texture and growth was likely to improve even more as you were still early in the process. You shouldn't feel loyalty to Canales because he deliberately harmed you knowingly for money and is the definition of a bad person, he should give you a refund with no questions asked or should be sued, this is what blatant medical malpractice looks like. Clearly he is aware considering he is working on a refund agreement this early in the process.

 

Edited August 14, 2018 by JeanLDD

[javier1234]

3 hours ago, JeanLDD said:

 

You should name and shame any surgeon (including those if they are listed on this website) that would propose a revision surgery three months after your first surgery, because its blatantly unethical and no honest surgeon would do so.

The reality is the Canales is an unethical scum bag for doing a procedure four months post-op, its just plain wrong and these people were happy to lie to you for business. Whether or not others did too (I find this seriously unlikely to be honest) doesn't make him offering to do so any less unethical. Results do not fully mature for most until the 12 month mark, growth continues for most until even the eighth month and this is widely accepted any serious surgeon.

Also based on the photos above I find it hard to see why you needed a revision surgery, you looked to have a full head of hair after the surgery with Diep and the hair texture and growth was likely to improve even more as you were still early in the process. You shouldn't feel loyalty to Canales because he deliberately harmed you knowingly for money and is the definition of a bad person, he should give you a refund with no questions asked or should be sued, this is what blatant medical malpractice looks like. Clearly he is aware considering he is working on a refund agreement this early in the process.

 

The preop pic doesn’t show the hair combed forward. There was nothing behind the hairline. I can take a similar picture now where the growth looks good despite the bald area. See below, when I comb my hair backwards and apply product I cover a lot of the bald area, but nothing has grown and I’ve lost more hair from the previous surgery.  The Dr ran a dermoscopy microscope on my head today. There is no growth. He also popped pimples on my scalp.  The doctor’s clinic is Silicon Valley hair institute. Does anyone here have any experience with him? His credentials look very good and his staff said he has done thousands of these procedures. Any feedback or advice would be great. 

[razzy]

After finally hearing the full story I kind of feel for you. I hope you recover from the infection and shock loss. As a patient you shouldn't have to go through that. Having said that, it was your decision and research that led you to him. Regardless of credentials doctors need to produce results. Consistent and quality results which you need to see before making an informed decision. You mentioned he's done "thousands" of procedures. Did you see any online that REAL people have posted? Did you meet any patients? Talk to any of them?

Personally, I have never heard of Dr. Canales and haven't seen a single HT result from him or known anyone that has any experience with him.

[JayLDD]

1 hour ago, javier1234 said:

The preop pic doesn’t show the hair combed forward. There was nothing behind the hairline. I can take a similar picture now where the growth looks good despite the bald area. See below, when I comb my hair backwards and apply product I cover a lot of the bald area, but nothing has grown and I’ve lost more hair from the previous surgery.  The Dr ran a dermoscopy microscope on my head today. There is no growth. He also popped pimples on my scalp.  The doctor’s clinic is Silicon Valley hair institute. Does anyone here have any experience with him? His credentials look very good and his staff said he has done thousands of these procedures. Any feedback or advice would be great. 

The thing is that your last surgery hadn't matured yet and you can't expect full results 4 months in, there was still significant potential for improvement and growth behind the hairline. 

The one thing to note is that potentially the shock loss areas at the front could grow back at a similar time to the transplant growth, but your time frames that you're using are very out, no one has full growth by 3-4 months, that is the VERY BEGINNING and in some cases people have no serious growth at that point but at the 8-9 month mark have an impressive result.

You're judging your hair based on results that haven't had long enough to finalize, you need to do some more research into this and you'll find that you're way, way, way overestimating how quickly growth occurs.  What your current surgeon did was EXTREMELY unethical.

[javier1234]

23 minutes ago, razzy said:

After finally hearing the full story I kind of feel for you. I hope you recover from the infection and shock loss. As a patient you shouldn't have to go through that. Having said that, it was your decision and research that led you to him. Regardless of credentials doctors need to produce results. Consistent and quality results which you need to see before making an informed decision. You mentioned he's done "thousands" of procedures. Did you see any online that REAL people have posted? Did you meet any patients? Talk to any of them?

Personally, I have never heard of Dr. Canales and haven't seen a single HT result from him or known anyone that has any experience with him.

I went to his office, and his nurse showed me a binder full of patients with no visible scars.  She said they were his patients.  I spoke with RMA, H&W, and NHI prior to going with this Dr. and had paid the guys at NHI. I requested a refund from NHI and gave it to this clinic after this clinic gave me an assessment on their work.   FYI, the procedure was done at the 8 month mark, but the other clinics wanted to do it sooner.  I have taken physiology classes. Going for my Masters in nursing, so I believe the clinics. They are more knowledgeable than I am.  I just don't know why a Harvard Dr. would jeopardize his reputation for $9,000.  He spent a lot more than that on the practice and the advertisement.  He advertises heavily in the Bay Area and is located in an affluent area.  What do you guys recommend?

Edited August 15, 2018 by javier1234

[JayLDD]

46 minutes ago, javier1234 said:

I went to his office, and his nurse showed me a binder full of patients with no visible scars.  She said they were his patients.  I spoke with RMA, H&W, and NHI prior to going with this Dr. and had paid the guys at NHI. I requested a refund from NHI and gave it to this clinic after this clinic gave me an assessment on their work.   FYI, the procedure was done at the 8 month mark, but the other clinics wanted to do it sooner.  I have taken physiology classes. Going for my Masters in nursing, so I believe the clinics. They are more knowledgeable than I am.  I just don't know why a Harvard Dr. would jeopardize his reputation for $9,000.  He spent a lot more than that on the practice and the advertisement.  He advertises heavily in the Bay Area and is located in an affluent area.  What do you guys recommend?

Most people that go to a clinic like that aren't doing serious research, and in the case that they get a bad result will probably like you did just assume the doctor was honest and did their best, and poor results are not anyone's fault.  Its indisputable that doing a second procedure 8 months post a first hair transplant isn't ethical, but even if you shout that from the rooftops if he keeps advertising and paying sites like Realself to delete bad reviews (that's reality) it isn't going to matter, people will probably still go to his clinic. He wasn't jeopardising anything in that sense. The fact that he resides in an affluent area and advertises heavily is even more reason to suspect that people will go to the clinic without bothering to research and expect good results. You say you believe the clinics despite evidently having at a negative experience and result, well that's why they get away with and are happy to be dishonest for money, because a lot of people unfortunately automatically trust someone because they have a degree on the wall and "Dr." in front of their name. It doesn't mean a whole lot. 

I find it hard to believe HnW would be happy to do a second hair transplant in the same area as the first less than 8 months subsequent to the first. 

By the way I still find your photos confusing, in the one directly above you seem to have hair in an area that is completely bare in the initial post.

[javier1234]

17 minutes ago, JeanLDD said:

Most people that go to a clinic like that aren't doing serious research, and in the case that they get a bad result will probably like you did just assume the doctor was honest and did their best, and poor results are not anyone's fault.  Its indisputable that doing a second procedure 8 months post a first hair transplant isn't ethical, but even if you shout that from the rooftops if he keeps advertising and paying sites like Realself to delete bad reviews (that's reality) it isn't going to matter, people will probably still go to his clinic. He wasn't jeopardising anything in that sense. The fact that he resides in an affluent area and advertises heavily is even more reason to suspect that people will go to the clinic without bothering to research and expect good results. You say you believe the clinics despite evidently having at a negative experience and result, well that's why they get away with and are happy to be dishonest for money, because a lot of people unfortunately automatically trust someone because they have a degree on the wall and "Dr." in front of their name. It doesn't mean a whole lot. 

I find it hard to believe HnW would be happy to do a second hair transplant in the same area as the first less than 8 months subsequent to the first. 

By the way I still find your photos confusing, in the one directly above you seem to have hair in an area that is completely bare in the initial post.

If I comb my hair back and apply topix and hairspray I get better coverage. In person you can still see the empty space.  I spoke to the clinics and initially paid NHI for the procedure. Each clinic wanted to do the procedure. I chose SVHI because of the assessment they gave about the other clinics work and because of the photos they showed me in their office. Their assessment of the other clinics detoured me away from them, and I ended up here.

heres the link to his site

http://siliconvalleyhairinstitute.com/

Edited August 15, 2018 by javier1234
Added link

[razzy]

In my opinion the photos shown in the office don't mean much. Those are most likely hand picked out of so many to show the absolute best of the clinic. They are extremely favorable towards the clinic. Who knows if they're 100% true and real. Jean mentioned about the unethical nature of the doctor's work which is absolutely correct.

Edit: I recommend:

1. Get the infection dealt with.

2. Get a refund from the dermatologist.

3. Wait until your first HT settles in fully ~ 1 year mark post op

4. Once the infection clears up wait to see if you recover any lost hair in that area. Give it a bit of time.

5. Consult and look into repair options with a top level surgeon.

6. Research and research some more before making any decision.

Good Luck!

Edited August 15, 2018 by razzy

[Gasthoerer]

Javier,

I said it before and I say it again: It is impossible to follow your story! How many surergies did you have? How long was the period in between? Which clinics did you visit in between?  In addition to this information, please give a proper timeline with pictures (before, after and intra op). Then we might be able to guide you.

So far you entire story makes no sense (repair/refund after 3 month), and as soon as someone (like Jean) gives you a direction you change your story. It appears like you want us to tell you that you made the right decision with this clinic. That is not the way it works.

What I can tell you so far: The way you have chosen your last clinic was wrong, period.

Good luck.

[javier1234]

14 minutes ago, Gasthoerer said:

Javier,

I said it before and I say it again: It is impossible to follow your story! How many surergies did you have? How long was the period in between? Which clinics did you visit in between?  In addition to this information, please give a proper timeline with pictures (before, after and intra op). Then we might be able to guide you.

So far you entire story makes no sense (repair/refund after 3 month), and as soon as someone (like Jean) gives you a direction you change your story. It appears like you want us to tell you that you made the right decision with this clinic. That is not the way it works.

What I can tell you so far: The way you have chosen your last clinic was wrong, period.

Good luck.

I don’t think I made the right decision with this clinic. I’ve had two procedures. I had a second transplant after 8 months to fix the right side which had a lot of hair missing.  I spoke to a lot of clinics and most of them wanted to do the procedure before eight months. Only two surgeons did not want to it because of their experience. These surgeons were new.   I ended up with this Dr because because of what they said about the other clinics. I have discussed a refund with this doctor as well as other costs associated with the repair. In the meantime, should I use a hair system to cover this? Thanks

[Legend007]

Now  u know what transplants are about . It’s not easy . N it’s not perfect ..  . u had good growth with diep .. but had some weak areas.. but good enough to where diep won’t refund u, or give u a discount for revision surgery .  so u rushed into a second transplant after 8 months . Choosing a cheap doctor . . n used an additonal  2500 grafts to make ur self look worse ? Is this about right ? I feel u man .. im scared of the same thing .,. But it’s the reality of surgery ..  ur 3rd surgery should be planned out very carefully now .. 

 

[Legend007]

Also it was a clue to u when a clinic starts bashing on another clinic n tell u how bad they r to get u to come to their clinic..

thats a desperation move from clinics that gets no buisiness .. a good clinic will have confidence In their work . N not need to make other clinics look bad to make themselves look better .. that’s a sign of insecurity In themselves .. 

[Legend007]

16 hours ago, javier1234 said:

Here you are.  The recipient area wasn't shaved down.

These pictures look like u had a good enough first transplant .. 

That’s good growth with probably some weak areas in ur eyes. 

Ur latest pics after the second surgery .. definitely looks like canales fukked  u up .. u have a major bald spot now .. that’s definitely shock loss. Now u can appreciate how good ur first surgery was .. 

Don’t make the same mistake again of rushing into another surgery until ur scalp heals 

[javier1234]

I appreciate the help you guys. I find it unfortunate that this would happen in foster city. The dr went to Harvard and Stanford and his technicians are registered nurses. The woman who did the right side of my head is an anesthetist.  They were so confident in critiquing other people’s work that I believed them.  

[javier1234]

8 hours ago, spex said:

Unless the Dr and technicians specifically only do Hair transplants and have done for a minimum of 5/10+ years .... you are rolling the dice. This is HT surgery !!!!

 

Regards

SPEX

I appreciate all the help, but in my defense, his Yelp profile says he's been practicing at his clinic since 2008, even though his linked in profile says he's been practicing in his clinic since 2016.  The nurse who did the area and was my initial point of contact has been doing these procedures since 1994 according to her LinkedIn profile.