FUT - Black Male - 2017 Grafts - Hair Transplant with John Diep

[Micky597]

28 minutes ago, jimcraig152 said:

Yeap, normal and more will fall out in the next 6 weeks. All normal. Check out my comparison shot photo. Notice how I shaved everything down in the 6th week? LoLoL. With the hair falling out and no more long hair to use to conceal my hairline, I decided to shave it down to feel, ironically enought, normal. We have different genetics and physiology, but the journey HT patients go through is largely the same. How's the FUT strip looking and how are you feeling otherwise?

 

 

The right side of my head is as expected. However, the left side of my scar, my hair seems to be noticeably thinner. However, I do see some hair in there. So I'm thinking perhaps my donor area was slightly shaved during the surgery? Maybe I should ask Dr. Diep

Edited October 4, 2020 by Micky597

[jimcraig152]

The scar looks well stitched up and is a tight seal. Could be some shaving or shock loss. Other FUT guys can chime in here for you.

[Gatsby]

It could just be slightly shaved to get better access to suturing the FUT. Hard to tell from the pics but looks great overall!

[Melvin- Admin]

Shock loss around the suture is common, give it some time to heal, don’t do anything that could stretch the scar. 

[Micky597]

Hey guys, I hope you all are doing well.

 

So yeah... I'm still shedding. Even though I knew the hair was going to fall out, it still pains me. On the flip side, my left isn't looking too bad right now.

I'm still working from home, so I haven't bothered shaving my hair yet. I think I'll wait until Month 3 for Christmas. My dating life is on pause right now anyways lol.

 

Week 3

Edited October 10, 2020 by Micky597

[Skyb]

You look fantastic so far! Dr Diep does incredible work. Congrats my man! 

[Micky597]

Thanks brother!! 🙏

[Gareth]

All looks normal from what I'm told about these things! You should be excited buddy! 

[Melvin- Admin]

Everything is looking good. Thanks for keeping us updated 🙌🏼

[jimcraig152]

Looks good Micky! You're exactly one month into the recovery process. Another month or so to go as you approach the bottom depths of the ugly duckling phase, then things start to rebound towards the up and up. Don't forget to snap those donor pics. Just don't crane your neck forward risking stretching to your FUT scar as you take those shots though.

Question:  did your stitches come out yet? If so, when?

[Micky597]

Thanks guys! I definitely can't wait for month 3 & 4 😭

 

2 hours ago, jimcraig152 said:

Looks good Micky! You're exactly one month into the recovery process. Another month or so to go as you approach the bottom depths of the ugly duckling phase, then things start to rebound towards the up and up. Don't forget to snap those donor pics. Just don't crane your neck forward risking stretching to your FUT scar as you take those shots though.

Question:  did your stitches come out yet? If so, when?

Hey Jim, it's always nice hearing from you!! The nurse took out my stitches last Tuesday, but it seems she missed a few spots. I have a follow-up with her tomorrow. I'm most definitely going to take pictures of my donor after my appointment. 

[Micky597]

Hello, I hope you guys are doing well, and keeping healthy,

 

My donor scar is looking atypical ever since I removed my sutures. I seem to have some whitish bumps on my scar. I went to the hospital, the nurse told me everything looks fine. In your opinion, should I get a second opinion? Or will the scar flatten out over time...

 

 

@jimcraig152 @Melvin-Moderator @Gatsby

[jimcraig152]

Hi Micky, we are doing good over here bud. Thanks for asking!

Looks typical actually. FUT scar healing and maturation takes much longer than FUE. It will be a while before that returns to normal skin texture. Do everything you can to prevent that from stretching. Little things like, elevating your computer monitor to eye level + sitting lower. Texting while holding your phone at eye level. Sitting more upright in your car while driving. Cooking and food prep while seated, not standing. Anything you normally do at home or at work while standing, do it sitting, if possible. Reaching into your pockets withing looking down towards your pockets. Turning your body at the shoulders instead of at the neck (like Robocop). Subtle adjustments in life to keep your head from craning forward until that seam is cemented.

I see no vertical banding in the scar. Which is good. Means there is no or minimal stretch after the wound healed. I do see shock loss which should recover to some degree and make the scar less noticeable, which is also good. In those white bumps, I see hairs growing out of them. So it could quite possibly be you have ingrown hairs that were folded over into the suture. If that is the root of the appearance of the white bumps, then the bumps should subside. Also, towards the back of your donor where your fingers are in the photo, the scar appears less noticeable. Lastly, I can't see any skin folding as a result of pulling the incision to closure. Also good.

Worst case, that is keloid scarring. If so, there is not much you can do about it. One's ethnicity and physiology makes them more prone to this than others. For instance, with acne. One can pop a large pimple, the scar then subsides to a scab, the scab falls off leaving a healed pinkish wound, the wound darkens, before eventually fading. Then another person can do the same thing and the result leaves a raised more reddish scar. If it is keloid scarring, nothing you can do about it. But there are subtle things you can do to keep that FUT scar from expanding.

Looking forward to see you on the cover of Jet Magazine in 11 more months!

[Micky597]

4 hours ago, jimcraig152 said:

I see no vertical banding in the scar. Which is good. Means there is no or minimal stretch after the wound healed. I do see shock loss which should recover to some degree and make the scar less noticeable, which is also good. In those white bumps, I see hairs growing out of them. So it could quite possibly be you have ingrown hairs that were folded over into the suture. If that is the root of the appearance of the white bumps, then the bumps should subside. Also, towards the back of your donor where your fingers are in the photo, the scar appears less noticeable. Lastly, I can't see any skin folding as a result of pulling the incision to closure. Also good.

Worst case, that is keloid scarring. If so, there is not much you can do about it. One's ethnicity and physiology makes them more prone to this than others. For instance, with acne. One can pop a large pimple, the scar then subsides to a scab, the scab falls off leaving a healed pinkish wound, the wound darkens, before eventually fading. Then another person can do the same thing and the result leaves a raised more reddish scar. If it is keloid scarring, nothing you can do about it. But there are subtle things you can do to keep that FUT scar from expanding.

First of all, I would like to thank you for your prompt response. You are very knowledgeable when it comes down to FUE/FUT, and your feedback it always greatly appreciated. I decided to take a page from your book and shave my hair.  I'm still working from home, and I don't go out much. However, I was starting to feel like a freak when I looked in the mirror, so I went to my barber today to do something about it. I made sure that my barber didn't touch the recipient area. I also instructed him to be gentle around the scar.

I was really worried this morning, but it seems it was a false alarm. Now that my head is shaved, we can clearly see the scar.  I really thought I developing a keloid scar, but the more I look at it, it looks like I have pimples/pustules.

 

[Micky597]

As you can see from my previous post, today I decided to shave my hair. I was starting to be depressed with the way I looked... Turns out it was a good decision.

 

Here's my 1 month update guys.

 

1 month

 

My hair is definitely still shedding a bit. On the flip side though, my hair is looking way better than it did before the surgery imo. If this is my ugly duckling phase, then I'm really excited to see my full results.

[jimcraig152]

The fade is looking really good Micky! Your barber did you a solid. Only if someone comes within the 6ft physical/social distancing guideline would someone know you've had a HT. No vertical striation or indented concaveness at the seam; AKA, no stretch. Some shock loss around the scar which should recover over the next 10 months, but otherwise it is looking bonded and narrow. Also, I noticed you are unique among black men in that hairline between your temple corners to the corner of your hairline sweeps back at 45 degrees. Typically, that is vertical for black men. The result should be dramatic for you if all turns out well. Make those subtle adjustments do keep that scar bonded and you should be good to go.

[Micky597]

Thanks Jim!! 🙏 Btw It's great that you had your procedure two months ahead of me. It's letting me know what to expects, and it helps me stay positive. 

[Gatsby]

That is looking awesome Micky597! I would not be worrying about your scar at all. From my own experience it takes 'at least' a year for a scar to mature and then a scar will continue to improve over the years beyond that. The scar will soften and flatten also over time. All the best!

Edited October 18, 2020 by Gatsby
spelling

[Melvin- Admin]

Everything looks great, the scar is still healing. There are some things that help the scars like A-cell. As for the front, I’m legitimately shocked it looks like that at a month. You may be one of those freak cases that just keep growing. 

[Micky597]

Month 2

 

Pros:

• The hair that didn't shed is getting longer
• I'm already really happy with the way my left temple is looking
• My donor scar isn't noticeable as it was before

If I'd brush my hair and got a haircut, I don't it would look that bad. I think I'll wait until Christmas before doing that though. 

 

Cons:

• My hairline isn't too well-defined
• The density isn't all that good (for now)
• My dating life. 😭 

Anyways, It's only been 2 months. I'm not expecting any substantial growth until month 3-4.

 

 

Edited November 19, 2020 by Micky597

[Gatsby]

Give that strip scar 12-24 months as a minimum to settle. You're looking good and you're in the waiting game at this time. In another four months things will be different and I can't wait to see your future results! All the best.

[Melvin- Admin]

You are definitely one of those freak cases. Amazing the hair is still growing. You bypassed the ugly duckling phase lucky 😁 if this is how it looks at 2 months, we’re in for hell of a ride 👏🏼

[Micky597]

I managed to find additional pictures of how my hair looked the day before the surgery.

 

I thought I was experiencing early growth, but it seems my hair is the exact same as it was before. I know I'm in the "ugly duckling phase" and that my transplanted hair is "dormant", but I cant help feeling worried. From what I've seen across the web, people usually retain somewhat of a hairline even after shedding.

I feel like I look worse than I did prior to the surgery.

 

 

Front view (Before & After)

 

Left Side (Before & After)

 

 

Right Side (Before & After)

 

 

Top View (Before & After)

 

[Melvin- Admin]

You definitely don’t look worse, in my opinion you look about the same to slightly better. At 2 months, most usually look a lot worse. 

My last procedure this was me before surgery,2 months looked way worse, and then at 7 months. 
 

[Micky597]

4 minutes ago, Melvin-Moderator said:

You definitely don’t look worse, in my opinion you look about the same to slightly better. At 2 months, most usually look a lot worse. 

My last procedure this was me before surgery,2 months looked way worse, and then at 7 months. 
 

That's really good to hear! When did it start getting better?

Also, I have another question if I may. My scalp has been slightly dry (not itchy) because of minoxidil. In the past I'd use castor oil or leave-in conditioner to make it better. According to my post-op instructions I can't really do that now. What do you think I should do?