Dr. Gabel 2325 graft FUT - 7 month update

[ShadowMoon]

Ninja edit: I remembered the graft count incorrectly, it was actually 2325 grafts, not 2125.

Hi everyone,

I had my procedure with Dr. Gabel on July 29th, 2020. So, not quite 7 months, but close enough.

• 28 y/o male.
• You might remember my original post. I asked Melvin to archive it. Posting this one as a quick review to get the word out about Dr. Gabel. I'm not on his payroll or anything, and he didn't request a review. I'm doing it as a happy patient. Just do yourself a favor and have a consultation with him. He's low-key one of the most experienced, talented, and ethical surgeons in the country. He learned from Dr. Konior, who is the best surgeon in the world. He doesn't promote himself as much because he personally responds to every consultation request and email, and is involved in all aspects of the surgery. That's including extraction and graft placement. He's a busy guy.
• 2325 Grafts, FUT, ~2.5 hairs/graft on average. Graft breakdown was 212 singles, 955 doubles, 870 triples, and 288 quads.
• Taking 1 mg oral Finasteride daily, no side effects. Was using Minoxidil foam twice daily, but recently switched to once a day about a month and a half ago, because it's expensive.
• Hair loss is mostly stabilized, assuming I don't suffer greatly from cutting back on Minoxidil. When I derma-needled, I noticed way faster growth and fullness. It's not something I see myself maintaining though, so I stopped. I may start again to see if it is as effective as I remember.

Here's what I consider to be my baseline. I've always had a relatively high hairline. This was taken in 2014:

 

 

 

Here's a month pre-op, stabilized on medication for 2 years:

 

 

 

Another angle, taken at Dr. Gabel's office on the day of surgery:

 

 

 

Here is immediate post op:

 

 

Some pictures taken in the first ten days:

 

 

Here is my ugly duckling phase:

 

 

Here are some photos taken today. Just had a haircut yesterday:

 

 

Here's the donor in different lighting, #2 guard on the nape faded into a #3:

 

Very happy with the result, and I think I still have some maturing to go.

Hope you enjoyed! I'll do an update in a few months if any changes occur.

Edited February 17, 2021 by ShadowMoon

[RandoBrando517]

Looks great, what made you decide on strip? Also what was the cost per graft? 

[Melvin- Admin]

You look great shadow, very happy for you. Dr. Gabel did an excellent job 👏🏼

[hairlossPA]

looks great. when did you start to notice hairs growing and noticing a difference?

donor looks great

[naakmuka]

One of my favorite surgeons! Looking good.

[champybaby]

That's A+ work man. I don't know how the results could be better. What's kinda wild is it even looks similar to Dr. K's work, which makes sense given he trained under him. Congrats.

Side note: Costco minox is the same stuff as the name brand. Same ingredients, same everything. I wouldn't be surprised if* the name brand makes the Costco version. You get six of those for about $50 or so, which is totally reasonable. fwiw.

Edited February 16, 2021 by champybaby

[Britanium]

Wow 🤩 he made every single one of those grafts count ! 👏

[aaron1234]

Umm, hot damn that's a great result! Also excellent scar.. Congrats!

[TommyLucchese]

Looks great...only 7 months too wow.

I have a question... how many grafts are usually used for that temple bit that comes down on the sides? You can see it best in picture 7

[CosmoKramer]

For 7-months it looks great thus far!

[ShadowMoon]

@RandoBrando517 The ability to separate the follicular units under a microscope to hold as much of the adipose/supportive tissue as possible improves survivability.  Unless you use a larger gauge punch, there is a much higher chance of transection.  If you use a larger punch, the scars are worse than a strip scar.  In my case, the majority of my grafts were triples, and they basically all splayed at the root.  The doc said I could've had a really high transection rate had I gone FUE, so I'm really glad I chose FUT and stuck with it.  Another thought I have is given my age, I'm probably going to need two more procedures over the course of my life at least. 

 

@hairlossPA I started noticing growth at around 2.5 months. At three months I could use fibers to cover up the thin spots. 

October 16th:

 

October 28th:

 

@champybaby I've used Costco brand since the beginning, I go through the six bottles in about two months if I apply twice a day. I use it over my entire scalp minus the back and sides. 

 

@TommyLucchese I don't know, probably depends case by case. I think I only had around 250 singles so not many.

 

Edited February 17, 2021 by ShadowMoon

[RandoBrando517]

1 minute ago, ShadowMoon said:

@RandoBrando517 The ability to separate the follicular units under a microscope to hold as much of the adipose/supportive tissue as possible improves survivability.  Unless you use a larger gauge punch, there is a much higher chance of transection.  If you use a larger punch, the scars are worse than a strip scar.  In my case, the majority of my grafts were triples, and they basically all splayed at the root.  The doc said I could've had a really high transection rate had I gone FUE, so I'm really glad I chose FUT and stuck with it.  Another thought I have is given my age, I'm probably going to need two more procedures over the course of my life at least. 

 

@hairlossPA I started noticing growth at around 2.5 months. At three months I could use fibers to cover up the thin spots. 

October 16th:

 

October 28th:

 

@champybaby I've used Costco brand since the beginning, I go through the six bottles in about two months if I apply twice a day. I use it over my entire scalp minus the back and sides. 

 

@TommyLucchese I don't know, probably depends case by case. I think I only had around 250 singles so not many.

 

Thanks for the response what did you pay per graft?

[Fahri]

Very impressive, such good coverage, the transformation is quite something. It must be a real boost to see the before and afters! Thank you so much for sharing.

What meds/supplements are you using in total, aside of minox if you dont mind my asking please?

Edited February 17, 2021 by Fahri

[ShadowMoon]

@FahriI take 1mg finasteride. For supplements I take Costco hair nail skin multivitamin, D3 a couple times a week, and fish oil. 

It is a real boost! I'm so happy with it.

[Fahri]

Thank you @ShadowMoon thats good to know. Im intruiged by the multivitamins & D3, cheers! Fin scares me but fair play for those that are seeing results & have climbed off the fence.

[giegnosiganoe]

Wonderful results! And man, the rest of your hair is in great shape, I'll be surprised if you need more transplants.

I'm curious what made you archive your thread and step away from the forum?

[home1212]

a really beautiful, natural result, congrats

 

[Ian.]

Hey, last update was looking great! I think this new hair will work in your favor to crush the NCLEX!

[ShadowMoon]

20 hours ago, Ian. said:

Hey, last update was looking great! I think this new hair will work in your favor to crush the NCLEX!

Got pre hired, people of earth lend me your energy