FUE donor site questions.

[Crown Exposed]

I am two weeks post FUE of just under 1400 grafts. Everything has gone  as planned except for one thing, and maybe I’m impatient and expecting too much.  But I assumed at two weeks I wouldn’t be able to see dots in the donor area.  My hair is gray and maybe that doesn’t help?  But if the light strikes it just right, I can see the dots from the FUE.  I know it’s not all that obvious, but for some reason I’ve started to freak out that it won’t fill in and this is my new reality.  I generally wear my hair at a # 2 clipper, and I don’t think at 14 days it’s reached that length, but nonetheless I’m extremely anxious.  Thoughts?  Am I on track and it’ll fill more, or is there reason to be nervous.

[LonelyGraft]

Your pics aren’t too clear. I can’t even tell if they r scabs. Who was ur doc? What did they say?

[Crown Exposed]

 

Sorry the pic isn’t clear.  They aren’t scabs and they appear darker in  the picture because of the flash I think.  They are actually kinda pinkish I guess?its only visible if I tilt my head into the light, but that’s enough to freak me out.  Today is day 14.   My doctor is Dr. Buchwach of Kansas City.  I’m calling him today so I’ll post what he says later.

 

update:  sent pic to my doctor. He said it’s still healing and dots will fade in time, hair will continue to fill in.  But I’m going in tomorrow morning for a follow up appointment.

Edited July 15, 2019 by Crown Exposed

[s14a]

They look like the donor scabs (dried blood) which are different than recipient scabs. Plaster your donor with moisturiser and see if they come off.

[Crown Exposed]

I know they look like scabs in the picture, but they aren’t. They’re just flesh colored spots really.  And I understand they will fade with time.  But I assumed that at two weeks my hair would hide it. And it does unless you get just the right angle and light, then you can see them.  I think my hair is still less than 1/4 inch so I’m praying that in the next week or two it’ll be better. 

[paddyirishman]

Its normal after 2 weeks, it takes much longer for each individual case besides your hair has not even had enough time to grow in your doner . When it does uou wont notice anything. You could put aloe vera or a cooling gel from your pharmacy or health store on your doner to tone down the redness more quickly than the normal healing process its just a mattet of being patient.

.........Paddy......

 

 

 

.

 

[Crown Exposed]

I know they look like scabs in the picture, but they aren’t. They’re just flesh colored spots really.  And I understand they will fade with time.  But I assumed that at two weeks my hair would hide it. And it does unless you get just the right angle and light, then you can see them.  I think my hair is still less than 1/4 inch so I’m praying that in the next week or two it’ll be better. 

[Crown Exposed]

Thanks Paddy,

That’s what my wife said too.  But it helps to hear it from someone else. I guess two weeks ago today I was shaved bald and still oozing so it actually has come a long way in two weeks.

[LonelyGraft]

Do you know which punch size was used? 

[Crown Exposed]

No I do not know the punch size. I know it was smartgraft, but that’s all I know.

[JohnCasper]

Hopefully your punch size was around 0.8 mm.  Send us some better pictures in a couple weeks.  I'm sure you will see a lot of improvement.

[Crown Exposed]

UPDATE:

punch size was 0.9.  And all is well.  Here’s my suggestion to anyone who has undergone a transplant:  stay off of the internet!   Pics posted of folks after one or two weeks set up false expectations.  I expected to be back to normal after two weeks because so many pics looked that way. And people said things like no one can tell.  So when I got close to two weeks and I could still see some redness at the punch site -I freaked out!  Like literally practically drove myself into panic attacks.   What should have been said is things like, “relax, everyone heals differently.” Etc.  After four weeks I was about where I expected to be at two.  Now, after 8 weeks, my hair is cut short and I look much as before.  I’m happy.  But had I read on the net  things like, it’ll take several weeks and not to worry, that would’ve been helpful.  People responding to nervous posts by theorizing the punch was too big, or donor area compromised, etc.  all that does is freak someone out.  I was looking for reassurance and my guess is 99% of people asking questions like, “should I be worried?” And “is this normal?”  Need reassurance, not “ here’s what might be wrong so you ruined your life” responses.

so my advice:  relax.  Give it time.  Not everyone heals as fast as the pics you see.  It doesn’t mean anything.  And stay off of the web.   You’ll drive yourself crazy.

[JohnCasper]

Well said “Crown Exposed”.  Good advice to yourself!  You have plenty to look forward to.  Just be patient.  We will be looking forward to more pictures in a couple months.

[sl]

Yes at 2 weeks there are still signs and the extraction points will heal still further. As said, size of punch plays a part and patient's own healing but wash and massage really well now and can add aloe vera or a cream that will help healing but nothing at this point to worry about and the pinkness will go.

[Mhlor]

How were your results with doctor Buchwach?

[Melvin- Admin]

Thanks for the update, care to share pictures? I agree, everybody heals differently and at different times. 

[airporteffect]

On 4/2/2020 at 9:04 PM, Mhlor said:

How were your results with doctor Buchwach?

Also intrigued to hear about this. I’m scheduled for a 2000 graft FUE procedure on Monday and having some stage fright!