Dr. Bisanga (BHR) - FUE 2356 grafts - 6381 hairs

[Bbaldy]

Hello. I’ve gained a lot from this forum so now it’s time for me to give back with a patient review after an FUE procedure of 2356 grafts from Dr. Bisanga of BHR in Brussels, Belgium. 

Graft breakdown: 

1 follicular units: 403

2 follicular units: 763

3 follicular units: 634

4 follicular units: 634 

A total of 6381 hairs. I wasn’t given hair shaft measurements or density achieved so I can maybe add that later on if I’m told from the clinic. 

I’m 24 y/o old and hereditary hair loss began very slowly for me around 19 y/o. I’m on 1mg fin M/W/F. 

I’d done lots of research and been in touch with many clinics before finally deciding on Dr. Bisanga. I can’t thank the forum enough as my research became a lot easier after discovering this forum. My decision to go with BHR is the undeniable patient results on this forum. 
 

I got in touch with the clinic at the start of may 2020. I have been in contact with Ian the UK patient adviser every since. Ian has been absolutely brilliant so far at every stage making everything as seamless as possible.

I was originally quoted 2000-2200 grafts and my surgery was booked for Friday 18/09/2020 and after many travel complications due to the pandemic I arrived. Nothing was going to stop me! 
 

I arrived at 07:30am. Signed a few forms then was in for my hairline design. The only tweak I made was from the hairline down to the temple I brought it forwards a little this was just cause of the way I want to style my hair in the future. Apart from that I trusted Dr. Bisanga fully and agreed with the design. We then got pre opp pictures with dry and wet hair and also donor pictures. I have yet to request these pictures I will be using personal pictures for this forum. 
 

I was them given an antibiotic and half a Valium and taken into surgery for the hair shave by the technician then I was prepared on the chair for Bisanga to come and start the procedure by administering local anaesthetic. The jags are slightly uncomfortable but jags have never really phased me. The pain is short and the surgery is for life so it’s a fair trade if you ask me.  

The punching process then began (Bisanga). Then incisions were made in the recipient (Bisanga). Then extraction (Techs). Then lunch while I presume Techs analysed grafts. Then graft placement (Techs). If there was any discomfort I would get more local anaesthetic. Between not having the best sleep the night before and I presume the Valium and general tiredness of surgery I spent a lot of time dozing off during my procedure and some bits are a bit of a blur. Graft placement was the longest and there was 2 technicians working away and they seemed to be rotating between maybe 4 of them I Think. At this stage after lunch there was a tele I could watch what I wanted on. I was finished about 6pm.

After this there was more pictures taken, I was bandaged up and had a post opp care briefing with Dr. Costas from Greece I believe (he seemed to be shadowing Bisanga for the day). Then I had an chat with Dr. Bisanga where he told me my total number of grafts then I was on my way. 
 

One thing I feel is worth highlighting that I’ve not seen anyone mention was the amount of swelling I’m still experiencing. I was told this from the clinic so I’m not shocked but surprised the extent. I believe it’s from the amount of local anaesthetic used. It started from the top of my forehead and has moved down to my eyebrows and eyelids and top of nose at the time of writing (day 3 post opp).

I’ve tried not to ramble and only mention what I think is important to try help other people. 
 

I’m happy to answer any questions if I can do so and I plan to update this thread as and when I think Is useful with progression picture. 

 

Edited September 21, 2020 by Bbaldy

[Marco Van Basten]

Looking forward to seeing your progress mate

[sl]

Lovely and clean and what struck me is the high ratio of hairs per graft average that you have. Swelling once it hits the glabella area (between eyes) will fall and you can massage it outwardly to avoid eyes as much as possible but it will fall and you may look like you have been punched by a class boxer.   All that fluid from injections needs to fall and will do as gravity assists. 

I know you have a great rep also looking after you and look forwards to the updates.

[Flash10]

Looks great man. Congrats!

I had almost the exact same thing done a couple weeks ago. The swelling is miserable.. my mom wanted to disown me.. we're Italian and she is very emotional.. as already mentioned above, the swelling will continue down your face and potentially close your eyes.. at one point all I had was a little sliver to see through (never completely closed)..

More importantly just make sure you're taking good care of the grafts for the first week! All the best healing up man.. week 2 and 3 were my favorite because the hair is still there and scabs are gone, so it appears you have a full buzzed head of hair.. 

[Curious25]

Enjoyed reading your account of the day, and I will look forward to following. 

I have seen some great similar Bisanga cases to this recently, so I'm sure you will experience the same. Enjoy the journey! 

[Raphael84]

Thank your for posting your experiences @Bbaldy

Great write up and very kind of your to "give back" to the forum.

As @slmentioned, a very high ratio of hairs per graft. With your average hair per graft count at over 2,7 hairs, with the average patient being around 2,2 hairs per graft.
A very impressive amount of 4 hair follicles that will undoubtedly work in your favour and nice spacing between your extraction sites.

It has been a pleasure assisting you and as always, you have the full support of BHR and we are looking forward to the months ahead.

[Melvin- Admin]

The work looks incredibly clean, no doubt you’ll join the long list of Bisanga’s home runs on this site. Happy growing 🙂

[jsmyth]

How did you find travelling through the airport afterwards? For some reason I always get stressed out thinking of that.

[Bbaldy]

On 9/21/2020 at 10:00 PM, sl said:

Lovely and clean and what struck me is the high ratio of hairs per graft average that you have. Swelling once it hits the glabella area (between eyes) will fall and you can massage it outwardly to avoid eyes as much as possible but it will fall and you may look like you have been punched by a class boxer.   All that fluid from injections needs to fall and will do as gravity assists. 

I know you have a great rep also looking after you and look forwards to the updates.

Thanks! Yes I thought that was a high per graft average, which I am happy with of course. I think swelling and bruising was all away by about day 7/8 for myself. Back to sleeping normal 😂

[Bbaldy]

On 9/21/2020 at 11:07 PM, Flash10 said:

Looks great man. Congrats!

I had almost the exact same thing done a couple weeks ago. The swelling is miserable.. my mom wanted to disown me.. we're Italian and she is very emotional.. as already mentioned above, the swelling will continue down your face and potentially close your eyes.. at one point all I had was a little sliver to see through (never completely closed)..

More importantly just make sure you're taking good care of the grafts for the first week! All the best healing up man.. week 2 and 3 were my favorite because the hair is still there and scabs are gone, so it appears you have a full buzzed head of hair.. 

Thanks man. It’s funny cause I watched the film the goonies when I was getting my grafts placed and due to the swelling I resembled the Cyclopes they have in the basement haha! 

[Bbaldy]

On 9/22/2020 at 12:44 AM, Curious25 said:

Enjoyed reading your account of the day, and I will look forward to following. 

I have seen some great similar Bisanga cases to this recently, so I'm sure you will experience the same. Enjoy the journey! 

Thank you mate! I feel obliged to document, hopefully makes someone’s experience/choice easier. 

[Bbaldy]

On 9/23/2020 at 10:23 AM, Raphael84 said:

Thank your for posting your experiences @Bbaldy

Great write up and very kind of your to "give back" to the forum.

As @slmentioned, a very high ratio of hairs per graft. With your average hair per graft count at over 2,7 hairs, with the average patient being around 2,2 hairs per graft.
A very impressive amount of 4 hair follicles that will undoubtedly work in your favour and nice spacing between your extraction sites.

It has been a pleasure assisting you and as always, you have the full support of BHR and we are looking forward to the months ahead.

No problem at all. Yes I’m excited about the hairs per graft. Hopefully help me achieving the quiff like Elvis Presley!!! 

[Britanium]

Lovely work as per usual from this Dr. I’m sure your resemblance to the sloth will improve soon 😊 

[Bbaldy]

On 9/24/2020 at 5:49 PM, Melvin-Moderator said:

The work looks incredibly clean, no doubt you’ll join the long list of Bisanga’s home runs on this site. Happy growing 🙂

Thank you! Happy to join that list of course. 

[Bbaldy]

On 9/25/2020 at 6:57 AM, jsmyth said:

How did you find travelling through the airport afterwards? For some reason I always get stressed out thinking of that.

Yes personally didn’t phase me but I suppose it’s all individual. You do get a letter signed by dr. Bisanga explains the surgery has been carried out and allows for the head to remain covered throughout travel should you get questioned for whatever reason. it’s a short journey for life long results I wouldn’t let this deter from a potentially life changing surgery! 

[Bbaldy]

4 minutes ago, JohnAC71 said:

Lovely work as per usual from this Dr. I’m sure your resemblance to the sloth will improve soon 😊 

I don’t suppose I should keep saying thanks for Bisangas work hahah I just sat there!! 
 

Yes thankfully back to normal although some may say I still resemble said sloth haha. 

[Bbaldy]

Day 10. 
 

[Bbaldy]

Day 11 (donor) 

[guizza111]

On 9/21/2020 at 11:32 AM, Bbaldy said:

Hello. I’ve gained a lot from this forum so now it’s time for me to give back with a patient review after an FUE procedure of 2356 grafts from Dr. Bisanga of BHR in Brussels, Belgium. 

Graft breakdown: 

1 follicular units: 403

2 follicular units: 763

3 follicular units: 634

4 follicular units: 634 

A total of 6381 hairs. I wasn’t given hair shaft measurements or density achieved so I can maybe add that later on if I’m told from the clinic. 

I’m 24 y/o old and hereditary hair loss began very slowly for me around 19 y/o. I’m on 1mg fin M/W/F. 

I’d done lots of research and been in touch with many clinics before finally deciding on Dr. Bisanga. I can’t thank the forum enough as my research became a lot easier after discovering this forum. My decision to go with BHR is the undeniable patient results on this forum. 
 

I got in touch with the clinic at the start of may 2020. I have been in contact with Ian the UK patient adviser every since. Ian has been absolutely brilliant so far at every stage making everything as seamless as possible.

I was originally quoted 2000-2200 grafts and my surgery was booked for Friday 18/09/2020 and after many travel complications due to the pandemic I arrived. Nothing was going to stop me! 
 

I arrived at 07:30am. Signed a few forms then was in for my hairline design. The only tweak I made was from the hairline down to the temple I brought it forwards a little this was just cause of the way I want to style my hair in the future. Apart from that I trusted Dr. Bisanga fully and agreed with the design. We then got pre opp pictures with dry and wet hair and also donor pictures. I have yet to request these pictures I will be using personal pictures for this forum. 
 

I was them given an antibiotic and half a Valium and taken into surgery for the hair shave by the technician then I was prepared on the chair for Bisanga to come and start the procedure by administering local anaesthetic. The jags are slightly uncomfortable but jags have never really phased me. The pain is short and the surgery is for life so it’s a fair trade if you ask me.  

The punching process then began (Bisanga). Then incisions were made in the recipient (Bisanga). Then extraction (Techs). Then lunch while I presume Techs analysed grafts. Then graft placement (Techs). If there was any discomfort I would get more local anaesthetic. Between not having the best sleep the night before and I presume the Valium and general tiredness of surgery I spent a lot of time dozing off during my procedure and some bits are a bit of a blur. Graft placement was the longest and there was 2 technicians working away and they seemed to be rotating between maybe 4 of them I Think. At this stage after lunch there was a tele I could watch what I wanted on. I was finished about 6pm.

After this there was more pictures taken, I was bandaged up and had a post opp care briefing with Dr. Costas from Greece I believe (he seemed to be shadowing Bisanga for the day). Then I had an chat with Dr. Bisanga where he told me my total number of grafts then I was on my way. 
 

One thing I feel is worth highlighting that I’ve not seen anyone mention was the amount of swelling I’m still experiencing. I was told this from the clinic so I’m not shocked but surprised the extent. I believe it’s from the amount of local anaesthetic used. It started from the top of my forehead and has moved down to my eyebrows and eyelids and top of nose at the time of writing (day 3 post opp).

I’ve tried not to ramble and only mention what I think is important to try help other people. 
 

I’m happy to answer any questions if I can do so and I plan to update this thread as and when I think Is useful with progression picture. 

 

Gosh we wrote almost the same post with the same words days apart.. this forum made the difference for us! best of luck with your growth! 

[Bbaldy]

On 10/10/2020 at 12:23 AM, guizza111 said:

Gosh we wrote almost the same post with the same words days apart.. this forum made the difference for us! best of luck with your growth! 

Great minds!! Good luck 

[Bbaldy]

Day 28:

 

 

Edited October 16, 2020 by Bbaldy

[Wicky]

any update?

[Bbaldy]

On 11/27/2020 at 2:36 AM, Wicky said:

any update?

Will post now. 

[Bbaldy]

10 weeks:

(pre+post shower pics) 

Edited November 28, 2020 by Bbaldy

[Wicky]

10 weeks is looking good! this is supposed to be your ugly duckling phase. if this is as bad as it gets this is going to be an amazing result!