arocha Arocha 2500 grafts FUT with PRP 4/16/19

[Steeeve]

On 9/26/2019 at 12:30 AM, Melvin-Moderator said:

Man things are looking great! Happy for you Steve this has the makings of a home run, please don't forget about us baldies when your hair looks awesome haha

Thank you, Melvin. 
 

I’ll always be a baldie at heart. 😂 

[Steeeve]

20 hours ago, ArochaAngel4247 said:

Steeeeve, sorry to have missed you when you came in for your 5 month follow-up visit, but these photos look awesome. Can't wait to see the result once it's fully grown in! 

Thank you, @ArochaAngel4247! I’ll be back in December for an 8 month check up so maybe I’ll catch you then!

[Steeeve]

Hey everybody! 

Well, 6 months have come and gone. Things are still happening in my scalp for sure. I’m still getting pimples and hairs are coming through. I’ve got some longer wiry hairs that I’m waiting for to straighten out and thicken up and I’ve got fine wispy hairs that I’m waiting on as well. There’s still quite a bit of stubble in there, too. The waiting game is a tough one.

As always lighting and angles play a huge roll in what HT’s look like so I’m going to include different pics under separate conditions. I don’t have pics under regular conditions but that won’t be hard to grab. Under the right conditions, especially top down, my hair looks like a big beautiful wall. Lol

I might’ve already said this before but fibers make an unbelievable difference these days. 

The middle of my hairline and just behind it still has catching up to do. In general my whole right side is less dense than my right but it was that way to begin with so that seems normal to me. There’s still a lot of hair in there growing out but being 6 months in it’s impossible to say how it will turn out.

I’m attaching dry pics under harsh lighting first as the wet pics tell a different story. 
 

So overall I think that looks incredible. Even under harsh light.

Here’s the story when my hair is wet.

So, as you can see, there’s still a long way to go but overall I’m very happy with how things are progressing. 

I’ll grab some pics under regular lighting and I’ll grab some pics of the scar and add them later. 

As always I’ll be here if there are any questions or comments. Be good people. ✌🏻🙂

[Betterhair]

Are you planning on getting the crown filled in? That's my next goal.

[Steeeve]

12 hours ago, Betterhair said:

Are you planning on getting the crown filled in? That's my next goal.

I am planning on it but not necessarily for my next procedure. It all really depends on how my current grafts grow out. I have a feeling like I’ll probably work back further towards my vertex but not work in the vertex itself in my next go-round. If Dr Arocha says we can do it in my next procedure then I’ll consider it. I kinda wanted to take it slow and not worry about it just yet. I definitely want to get to it though. It does still bother me.

The blue is where grafts we’re placed in the first procedure. I would like to focus on the area in red during my next procedure and if there are any areas that need to be addressed in the frontal region I’d like to work in there as well. It’s crazy to me, though, that my hair looks thin like that when wet but then looks like this when dry.That’s under regular bathroom lighting with no product or fibers. I’m very happy with that and I’ve still got a ways to go. So if Dr Arocha thinks we can move more hair around then I’ll consider it but I think I’ll wait for maybe a third procedure to address the crown.

[Mycroft]

Dry hair is looking pretty strong. Very interested to see what kinds of improvement you have in the next few months, but even where you're at right now I'm sure you notice a world of difference in terms of what you can do with your hair.

[Steeeve]

4 hours ago, Mycroft said:

Dry hair is looking pretty strong. Very interested to see what kinds of improvement you have in the next few months, but even where you're at right now I'm sure you notice a world of difference in terms of what you can do with your hair.

Thanks @Mycroft! Yes, there is a big difference in what I can do. I can style it forward or back. I can part it on either side and see a considerable difference in how I was able to style it then compared to now. 

I’ve said it before but if it stopped now I’d be happy.

[Steeeve]

6 and a half months compared to pre-op.

 

I tend to get caught up with what’s happening now and have to remind myself to look back in order to see how far I’ve come.

[ArochaAngel4247]

Congratulations Steeve, Dr Arocha always wants the best outcome for his patients. However, he told me that this result could not have happened to a nicer patient!

[Steeeve]

17 hours ago, ArochaAngel4247 said:

Congratulations Steeve, Dr Arocha always wants the best outcome for his patients. However, he told me that this result could not have happened to a nicer patient!

🙂 thank you.

[Mycroft]

Looking very good, and at six months you've still got some improvement to come. Have you started getting more frequent comments from family and friends?

[Steeeve]

@Mycroft no, not yet. If anybody’s noticed anything they’ve kept quiet but we’re celebrating by twins first birthday this weekend and there’s going to be a big celebration so we’ll see if anybody says anything.

[aaron0d3]

Your results are great and much more to come, happy for you!

Does the shockloss in your right side healed?

[Steeeve]

@aaron0d3 thanks!

Do you mean the shockloss in the right side of my scar? If so then yes. I believe it is still healing-there’s still some stubble in there that hasn’t grown to close the scar in a little tighter. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be wider on the right side compared to the rest of the scar but an inch of hair covers it easily where I think I could cut the hair around the rest of the scar much much shorter. I’ve been cutting it to test the waters with how short I can get it, and it gets better every month, but I tend to leave my hair much longer anyway so I don’t really concern myself with it.

[Steeeve]

Hey guys, I’m a little late with my 7 month update but here goes.

I’m still getting pimples from hairs popping through and I’ve got some stubble that has yet to take off. That being said, from where I started there is a vast improvement. I feel like I always say that, though! Lol. The hairs that have popped out are starting to thicken up. 

From day to day I see improvement in my hairline and the entire body of my hair.  One day I’ll look at the center of my hairline and wish it were thicker and the next day I’ll look in the mirror and notice that it has thickened up! The right side of my head has really started picking up as well. 

I had to cut my hair for a local commercial I did but I wasn’t planning on it and was trying to just let my hair grow out. I don’t plan to cut it this short again any time soon, however, I will be getting maintenance cuts here and there. 

These first pics were taken exactly on the 7 month mark, November 16th, and I want to show the difference in my hairline in harsh lighting versus slightly indirect lighting.

Here I’m directly facing my mirror under pretty harsh lights:but if I turn my body slightly to the right my hairline looks pretty solid.The next few pics were taken at the same time under the bathroom lights. To me they show that while my profile is solid, top down still shows a line of demarcation from the right to the left. I also feel the soft profile continues to show a slightly weaker hairline. Now, while I’m being hyper critical I still feel that these areas will work themselves out.

These next pics were taken the same day under my ring light:These next few pics were taken just yesterday, 5 days after the last set of pics. I’m adding them because I see a large difference in density after such a short amount of time. The center of my hairline seems thicker and the right side of my head really seems to be catching up. Maybe I’m crazy, though, and I’m just seeing what I want to see! They were taken under the same harsh bathroom lighting As the first pics at 7 months.

Note that I’m styling my hair differently in these photos because from one day to the next my hair just all of a sudden allowed it! Typically it has been wanting to fall naturally into a faux-hawk at this length but now it seems I can push it back while this short.Overall, while I still see some density issues I’m still really excited about where things are heading and expect those issues to work themselves out as I’m still seeing new growth and hairs continue to mature.

And if those issues don’t work themselves out...I’ll just go get some more work done! Lol

Thats pretty much all for now. As always, I’ll be here. ✌🏻

Edited November 22, 2019 by Steeeve

[Mycroft]

I think the demarcation isn't necessarily something to worry about until you're looking at the "final" results. That side had a good chunk more native hair to begin with, so it makes sense that it seems to be a bit ahead of the game. I think it will likely even out a bit more but the 12 month mark, and in the meantime whatever you're doing differently with the styling is definitely working for you.

[Steeeve]

Thanks @Mycroft, I really appreciate your support and kind words. I feel like it gets better everyday. 

[Betterhair]

Realistically, with any transplant, there will be density issues. I've come to the realization that in order for me to be totally satisfied, I will probably have to go through with at least 2 more procedures at the minimum, hoping I don't go through the "stubble that didn't take" issue again but I am pleased what I have now but will not stop there.

Now, as far as additional hair coming through for me, the 8-9 month mark was it and not really any noticeable difference past that point. I was of course hopefully optimistic but now realize I will need additional procedures to be fully satisfied. Time to play the lottery I guess.

[Steeeve]

11 hours ago, Betterhair said:

Realistically, with any transplant, there will be density issues. I've come to the realization that in order for me to be totally satisfied, I will probably have to go through with at least 2 more procedures at the minimum, hoping I don't go through the "stubble that didn't take" issue again but I am pleased what I have now but will not stop there.

Now, as far as additional hair coming through for me, the 8-9 month mark was it and not really any noticeable difference past that point. I was of course hopefully optimistic but now realize I will need additional procedures to be fully satisfied. Time to play the lottery I guess.

I’ve seen cases on the forum where guys said they experienced new sprouts up to nine months but those are definitely few and far between. I don’t recall seeing anyone speak of new sprouts past nine months. As I run my fingers through my hair now, at 7 and a half months, I don’t really feel much stubble anymore. If any at all. I’m hoping that phase is over as I hated the pimply stage of this whole journey. I’m prepared to deal with it as I prepare to move forward with future procedures but I found that part to be pretty dreadful.

I pretty much resigned myself to having multiple procedures from the beginning. I knew I wanted to attack my head in smaller stages from the get go in order to have a better shot at covering my whole head with the best amount of coverage as possible. I’m not expecting my 17 year old density but I want to cover enough to then go back through and test the waters with smp leaving some FUE for future procedures down the road. That is, after I max out with strip. I’ve been playing with fibers and dermmatch and man, I had my concealer game on point before but now it’s a whole new ballgame. Before Spex got off the forum he posted about ATP being a longer term option to smp. I’d like to eventually look into that.

[Steeeve]

Hey everybody. Monday, December 16th, was my 8 month mark. I had my 8 month check up with Dr. Arocha yesterday, Tuesday the 17th.

Things are going well. My hair is really thickening up. I haven’t seen any pimples however I do have stubble scattered throughout my scalp which I’m waiting for to grow out and thicken up, however, even if nothing else grew...I’d be very happy with my outcome.

My scar is still wider than I would like on my right side but during the check-up we discussed how to deal with that moving forward with my next procedure and beyond that even. I’m feeling great about my progress so far and looking forward to working further back into my scalp and closing in my crown which Dr Arocha felt very confident about doing. 

I’ve got lots of pics. Same format as usual. Bathroom and ring light. The first set is under bathroom lighting. These were taken today and there is no product in my hair.

The next set of pics is under the ring light and, again, no product in my hair.

I’m very happy with the next photo because for the first time in years when I tilt my head down and to the side (which is something only an insane person does on a daily basis) I can’t see through to my scalp.

Here’s my donor.

And before I do a top down I wanted to share a pic of what I looked like in July, at just before my 3 month mark. I was in my car and I tasseled my hair so as to make it as unflattering as possible. Back then it wasn’t so hard to do. In the 2nd pic I tried to recreate it as much as possible without being in my car. I’ve got the window open with the overhead light on and the ring light up pretty hot.

The next pics are a collage of pics taken again at the 3 month mark and now

And in these last couple of pics I’m going to post some pictures that were taken recently at a wedding. I don’t normally put product or fibers in my hair but I was a little insecure about being in the photos so I threw in a little (and I do mean a very little) Caboki into my hairline and sealed it up with a little hairspray. It was very windy and rainy that day and the photos were being taken outside so I didn’t wanna take any chances knowing that I was going to have some family portraits taken.

That’s about it for now. I’m loving my hair and I’m so very happy with my choice of doctor. I hope you are all growing well and doing your due diligence.

As always, I’ll be around for questions and comments. Cheers. 🙂✌🏻

 

[Melvin- Admin]

Wow that is some great progress man. 8 months is still early, so you can expect more thickening and maturing. Congrats on the great outcome and thanks for providing such a detailed report 🙌

[Mycroft]

The work looks crazy natural at this point. If I didn't already know there had been work done I would never guess it. And if it looks good even with someone else snapping your picture I don't know what more you could ask for.

[Steeeve]

@Melvin-Moderator and @Mycroft Thanks guys. I appreciate your comments. I’m totally excited about my progress. No one can tell I’ve had anything done. People I see everyday haven’t given it a second glance. Or even a first glance for that matter. I’m looking forward to the coming months.

[Steeeve]

9 Months!

Yesterday, was my 9 month mark. I’m very happy with the results of my hair transplant. I know that I still have some maturing to go but from where I started it’s night and day. The only way I could style my hair the way that I style it now was to load it down with fibers. Now I just run my hands back through my hair.

Is it perfect? Perfection, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

I’m very happy.

I’m also very greedy. 😂🤣

Greedy for more hair!!

I inherited a coin collection from a deceased relative and their camera microscope came with it...so naturally I put it against my scalp to see what I could see. And the truth is I couldn’t distinguish what was what at this point. I saw hairs that were thicker than others but what was natural vs transplanted? I couldn’t tell you. I did see a couple of smaller sprouts hiding back within my scalp. So there’s that.

I also, unfortunately, started a shed last week. I don’t know if it’s visible in the pictures. I feel like it’s visible in my top down pic taken in my bathroom but I feel like that area is always weaker since it was the weaker side to begin with. It really hasn’t made a hugely impactful difference in the body of my hair overall, however, despite Fin and minox there are A LOT of hairs coming out in the shower when I wash my hair so it’ll be a few months before all that comes back in.

What is interesting to me is that my hair has taken on a much wavier texture during the maturation process. The frontal area is much wavier now than it was before, I assume, due to it being taken from an area where it’s much wavier In the back. It was wavy to begin, for sure, with but not to this extent. No complaints. I’m interested to see where it goes from here and how it compliments the rest of my head when I continue with more transplants.

These pics were taken yesterday at the 9 month mark. As always, there’s no product or fibers in my hair.

These next pics were taken this morning under the ring light. The only product in my hair is some minox in my crown which is only visible in the one pic.

That’s all for now. I’ll be around. 🙂✌🏻

[Fluffhead]

Fantastic post. Have enjoyed following the progress. Your results are great! Congrats!