1730 FUE grafts by clinic Maletic (dr. Ana Maletic), Croatia, 14th Jan 2020

[kipo]

 

My story

I'm male, 39 years old from Slovenia (not Slovakia:) My hair loss story started pretty soon in my high school years when I was around 16 years old. I've started thinning in my temples and the whole front area of the head. These years were hard for me. I could say I was the only guy in high school who had visible baldness. My schoolmates made fun of me and that hurt a lot. My confidence went down rapidly. Thx God my mum understood me and took me to the dermatologist who prescribed me Propecia tablets. I was around 17-18 years old when I started with finasteride which even improved my situation and slow down shedding.

About 8 years ago I've started with hair concealers. I must admit my experience with concealers is great. I've started with Dermmatch and Toppik and can recommend both of them. I was using them all the time so nobody even noticed my hair loss. Most of the people thought I had a full head of hair. Last years I got tired of putting them on. I usually put them on after I washed my hair. I also have small kids so vacation at the sea was also the problem. I didn't want to wet my hair so I was swimming like a grandma:) 

 

The decision

In 2019 I've started to research a hair transplant. I didn't know much so I've started to read forums, check results etc. I've found that a hair transplant would be a great solution for me. I didn't know much about the doctors, pain, technics etc. The first impression was that Turkey would be the best solution. But I didn't want to travel to Turkey and looking for other options. I've sent my photos to a few doctors around my country and discovered the ISHRS organization. I've checked ISHRS members around my country and discovered dr. Ana Maletic from Maletic clinic. Dr Ana Maletic is specialized in hair transplant. She was really honest to me. She answered all my questions and our conversation had more than 60 e-mails! She was patient and answered all my questions. I went for consultation in her clinic and her estimation number of grafts was 1500 - 2000. She also suggested PRP during the operation.

 

On the day of the surgery

The surgery was on the 14th of Jan 2020. I came to the clinic in Zagreb around 8.30. First I have to fulfil all the paper works, she made a blood test, EKG etc. I've also chosen the menu for the lunch, which was btw great. The nurse shaved my donor area, I didn't need to shave my recipient area. That was important to me because I wanted that my procedure stayed anonymous. The operation started around 10 am. The extraction and opening channels weren't painful and were made by the doctor. The technicians were helping her and it lasts around 3 hours with opening the channels. The extraction was made by the micromotor. After that, I've had lunch. 

After lunch, the technicians started with implanting. I think there were two technicians. We've talked a lot and it was really pleasant. During the implanting I've also received PRP treatment. The implating lasts about 3-4 hours. The total graft count was 1730. I didn't have any bandage on the donor area and it looked pretty good, without any sign of blood. I got a cap (baseball) to cover my recipient area and a bag with liquid for the recipient area, bandages in case of injury and cream for the donor area for free. The final cost was 2 € per graft and 230,00 € for PRP (discount price for FUE patient). 

 

 

After the surgery

I took two weeks of. Healing was pretty fast and after 7-10 days, the operation wasn't noticeable. Nobody noticed the procedure. I've used to wear hair concealers before the surgery and few months after the surgery so nobody noticed my hair loss even before the surgery. Shedding started after 2-3 weeks. I noticed growing after 3-4 months.

Donor after 2 days:

 

Final result

Today is 13 months after the procedure. I'm very pleased with my result, especially for that amount of grafts. There are some thin spots but overall the result is great. I'm still taking finasteride (cut Proscar quarters).

I don't use hair concealers any more. Finally, I can swim with my kids and dive into the sea. 

Maybe I will go for a touch up of a few hundred grafts but at the moment I won't rush. Again, I will go to the dr. Ana Maletic because she is a great doctor, very professional, honest and very ethical. 

Please check my result. If you have any questions I will be pleased to help you.

 

Washed hair, only combed without styling products or concealers:

 

I'm very grateful to doctor Ana and her team and also to this forum which is educational and was very helpful on my journey. 

 

Edited February 19, 2021 by kipo

[Britanium]

Thanks for sharing your journey!  Very nice detailed write up. Sounds like it’s given you a lot of confidence. 👏

Edited February 19, 2021 by JohnAC71

[Britanium]

It’s actually particularly good if you consider the moderate amount of grafts used ! 
Did they give you any indication on how many grafts your donor area could give ?

You should be in a good position for the future, as you have only used less than 2k of grafts so far. And your on Fin to retain what you have 👌

[kipo]

1 minute ago, JohnAC71 said:

It’s actually particularly good if you consider the moderate amount of grafts used ! 
Did they give you any indication on how many grafts your donor area could give ?

You should be in a good position for the future, as you have only used less than 2k of grafts so far. And your on Fin to retain what you have 👌

Not really, we never talked about that. My donor is pretty thick so I think I left good amount of grafts in my donor bank.

[Suzuki sz]

11 minutes ago, kipo said:

 

My story

I'm male, 39 years old from Slovenia (not Slovakia:) My hair loss story started pretty soon in my high school years when I was around 16 years old. I've started thinning in my temples and the whole front area of the head. These years were hard for me. I could say I was the only guy in high school who had visible baldness. My schoolmates made fun of me and that hurt a lot. My confidence went down rapidly. Thx God my mum understood me and took me to the dermatologist who prescribed me Propecia tablets. I was around 17-18 years old when I started with finasteride which even improved my situation and slow down shedding.

About 8 years ago I've started with hair concealers. I must admit my experience with concealers is great. I've started with Dermmatch and Toppik and can recommend both of them. I was using them all the time so nobody even noticed my hair loss. Most of the people thought I had a full head of hair. Last years I got tired of putting them on. I usually put them on after I washed my hair. I also have small kids so vacation at the sea was also the problem. I didn't want to wet my hair so I was swimming like a grandma:) 

 

The decision

In 2019 I've started to research a hair transplant. I didn't know much so I've started to read forums, check results etc. I've found that a hair transplant would be a great solution for me. I didn't know much about the doctors, pain, technics etc. The first impression was that Turkey would be the best solution. But I didn't want to travel to Turkey and looking for other options. I've sent my photos to a few doctors around my country and discovered the ISHRS organization. I've checked ISHRS members around my country and discovered dr. Ana Maletic from Maletic clinic. Dr Ana Maletic is specialized in hair transplant. She was really honest to me. She answered all my questions and our conversation had more than 60 e-mails! She was patient and answered all my questions. I went for consultation in her clinic and her estimation number of grafts was 1500 - 2000. She also suggested PRP during the operation.

 

On the day of the surgery

The surgery was on the 14th of Jan 2020. I came to the clinic in Zagreb around 8.30. First I have to fulfil all the paper works, she made a blood test, EKG etc. I've also chosen the menu for the lunch, which was btw great. The nurse shaved my donor area, I didn't need to shave my recipient area. That was important to me because I wanted that my procedure stayed anonymous. The operation started around 10 am. The extraction and opening channels weren't painful and were made by the doctor. The technicians were helping her and it lasts around 3 hours with opening the channels. The extraction was made by the micromotor. After that, I've had lunch. 

After lunch, the technicians started with implanting. I think there were two technicians. We've talked a lot and it was really pleasant. During the implanting I've also received PRP treatment. The implating lasts about 3-4 hours. The total graft count was 1730. I didn't have any bandage on the donor area and it looked pretty good, without any sign of blood. I got a cap (baseball) to cover my recipient area and a bag with liquid for the recipient area, bandages in case of injury and cream for the donor area for free. The final cost was 2 € per graft and 230,00 € for PRP (discount price for FUE patient). 

 

 

After the surgery

I took two weeks of. Healing was pretty fast and after 7-10 days, the operation wasn't noticeable. Nobody noticed the procedure. I've used to wear hair concealers before the surgery and few months after the surgery so nobody noticed my hair loss even before the surgery. Shedding started after 2-3 weeks. I noticed growing after 3-4 months.

Donor after 2 days:

 

Final result

Today is 13 months after the procedure. I'm very pleased with my result, especially for that amount of grafts. There are some thin spots but overall the result is great. I'm still taking finasteride (cut Proscar quarters).

I don't use hair concealers any more. Finally, I can swim with my kids and dive into the sea. 

Maybe I will go for a touch up of a few hundred grafts but at the moment I won't rush. Again, I will go to the dr. Ana Maletic because she is a great doctor, very professional, honest and very ethical. 

Please check my result. If you have any questions I will be pleased to help you.

 

Washed hair, only combed without styling products or concealers:

 

I'm very grateful to doctor Ana and her team and also to this forum which is educational and was very helpful on my journey. 

Looking great Kipo!

Does the doctor do extraction grafts from donor zone

-does the doctor make channels for grafts?

Why the doctor did not take grafts a little wider from donor zone?

I m Your neighbor

I m from Croatia  

 

[TommyLucchese]

Really happy for you... I was worried at first because I didn't recognise the name of the doctor and I thought there wasn't going to be enough density from those post op pics.

But that's a really good result. You can enjoy life not worrying about your hair now. Congrats!

[kipo]

40 minutes ago, Suzuki sz said:

Looking great Kipo!

Does the doctor do extraction grafts from donor zone

-does the doctor make channels for grafts?

Why the doctor did not take grafts a little wider from donor zone?

I m Your neighbor

I m from Croatia  

 

Hi neighbour🙂!

 

- doctor does the extraction

- doctor does channels

- extractions were done wider on the sides but it's not visible, unfortunately I don't have any side photos

@Suzuki sz if you consider hair transplant I would highly recommend you to go on consultation to dr. Ana Maletic. She will show you many photos which you won't find on web. The final decision is on you👈

Edited February 19, 2021 by kipo

[kipo]

28 minutes ago, TommyLucchese said:

Really happy for you... I was worried at first because I didn't recognise the name of the doctor and I thought there wasn't going to be enough density from those post op pics.

But that's a really good result. You can enjoy life not worrying about your hair now. Congrats!

Thank you! Density is good but not perfect. But we have to be realistic and hair transplant can't give you perfect density. Maybe multiple procedures can take near to the perfect density. As I wrote, maybe I will have a touch up in the near future.

[Melvin- Admin]

1 hour ago, Suzuki sz said:

Looking great Kipo!

Does the doctor do extraction grafts from donor zone

-does the doctor make channels for grafts?

Why the doctor did not take grafts a little wider from donor zone?

I m Your neighbor

I m from Croatia  

 

I remember telling you about this surgeon from Croatia. Glad to see some actual reviews and results.

[Suzuki sz]

53 minutes ago, Melvin-Moderator said:

I remember telling you about this surgeon from Croatia. Glad to see some actual reviews and results.

Yes Melvin looks You spoke well.

The work of Ana Maletic looks really good with such a small number of grafts.

The price is also good, 2 eur per graft.

On the internet is a few hers works, it would be good to see more of her works.

 

[kipo]

50 minutes ago, Suzuki sz said:

Yes Melvin looks You spoke well.

The work of Ana Maletic looks really good with such a small number of grafts.

The price is also good, 2 eur per graft.

On the internet is a few hers works, it would be good to see more of her works.

 

That's why the best thing is to visit her clinic and see other results. She will show you photos on her computer. This is easy for you because her clinic is in your country.

Edited February 19, 2021 by kipo

[giegnosiganoe]

It would be great if you can share pics in stronger lighting.

[kipo]

34 minutes ago, giegnosiganoe said:

It would be great if you can share pics in stronger lighting.

 

[Melvin- Admin]

43 minutes ago, kipo said:

 

Looks good, I’ve seen Dr. Maletic on conferences, she appears to be very good. Thanks for sharing.

[BLE123]

I'm going to be honest, I'm a bit sceptical.

The OP had pretty substantial loss with not much left on top in the front and middle third. The immediate post op pics don't look great, honestly I was fearing this was going to be a botch job. Somehow though, with just 1730 grafts he now has what appears to be a pretty full and thick head of hair? If this is indeed genuine then I can only apologise, take my scepticism as a compliment for an amazing job.

Edited February 19, 2021 by BLE123

[giegnosiganoe]

I'm skeptical too. I appreciate the new pic, but it still kind of hides a lot of your hair.

I'm also surprised how much loss you have in your pre op pics given that you were on finasteride for 20+ years since the age of 17-18?

[JayLDD]

54 minutes ago, giegnosiganoe said:

I'm skeptical too. I appreciate the new pic, but it still kind of hides a lot of your hair.

I'm also surprised how much loss you have in your pre op pics given that you were on finasteride for 20+ years since the age of 17-18?

The case seems totally legit imo but I wouldn't conclude that they're are a particularly proficient surgeon because of it. It doesn't tell a lot. 

Their hair characteristics massively work in their favour and even in these mediocre photos it clearly isn't a high density, but the coverage is very good. It seems like low placement density with a high growth rate and very good donor quality and curl. A good result but for most patients they would require a very different approach. 

[giegnosiganoe]

2 hours ago, JayLDD said:

The case seems totally legit imo but I wouldn't conclude that they're are a particularly proficient surgeon because of it. It doesn't tell a lot. 

Their hair characteristics massively work in their favour and even in these mediocre photos it clearly isn't a high density, but the coverage is very good. It seems like low placement density with a high growth rate and very good donor quality and curl. A good result but for most patients they would require a very different approach. 

I agree. I didn't mean to say that I think he's lying, but rather that the pictures make it look better than reality. No doubt he has good hair characteristics though.

[kipo]

As I wrote the density isn't perfect that's why I'lm planning a touch up the future. There are still some thin spots Due the situation with a covid restrictions I'll wait for now. 

I think good approach, hair calibre, good donor and curls got me a good result. Also hairstyle works great.

I must admit I was sceptical when she gave her count graft estimation. I was planning around 2200-2500 grafts. But she told me she will plant as much as possible and 1730 was the final number.

 

Edited February 20, 2021 by kipo

[CosmoKramer]

Very nice coverage for less than 2k grafts, considering your pre surgery situation, you doc did a good job.

[kipo]

19 hours ago, giegnosiganoe said:

I'm skeptical too. I appreciate the new pic, but it still kind of hides a lot of your hair.

I'm also surprised how much loss you have in your pre op pics given that you were on finasteride for 20+ years since the age of 17-18?

Some more photos straight from the shower and hair combed back, not touched with the towel and one towel dried. My hair transplant isn't dense packed but I still think it is a good result, especially for the amount of grafts. My hair is very thick in the back and on the crown where I didn't have hair transplant so you can see the difference between those two zones.

 

Edited February 20, 2021 by kipo

[giegnosiganoe]

2 hours ago, kipo said:

Some more photos straight from the shower and hair combed back, not touched with the towel and one towel dried. My hair transplant isn't dense packed but I still think it is a good result, especially for the amount of grafts. My hair is very thick in the back and on the crown where I didn't have hair transplant so you can see the difference between those two zones.

 

Very impressive, congrats!

Can you speak more to your finasteride usage though? Did you really use it for 20 years 1mg every day? I doubt you had much loss at the age of 17-18, so you must have continued to lose a lot of hair since then despite being on finasteride?

Edited February 20, 2021 by giegnosiganoe

[Britanium]

Thanks for posting the extra pics 🙏 you basically have ideal donor hair, and what must have been perfect graft growth 👌

[kipo]

29 minutes ago, giegnosiganoe said:

Very impressive, congrats!

Can you speak more to your finasteride usage though? Did you really use it for 20 years 1mg every day? I doubt you had much loss at the age of 17-18, so you must have continued to lose a lot of hair since then despite being on finasteride?

Not much to say. I've started with Propecia 1 mg 20 years ago, later I've been taking generic finasterid Finpecia and one generic (I don't remember name) which made me shedding and at the moment I'm taking Proscar with cutting quarters. After the transplant I've also started to take Biotin but I doubt it has some high impact.

I had agressive hair loss when I was 16 years old. Probably I would be NW 6-7 today like my father without finasteride.

 

 

Edited February 20, 2021 by kipo

[kipo]

On 2/19/2021 at 7:50 PM, Suzuki sz said:

Yes Melvin looks You spoke well.

The work of Ana Maletic looks really good with such a small number of grafts.

The price is also good, 2 eur per graft.

On the internet is a few hers works, it would be good to see more of her works.

 

Check her instagram profile. There are more photos.

https://www.instagram.com/dranamaletic/