FUE experience with Dr. Pablo Fok at TJ Hair Clinic

[Datsun213]

Hello everyone, 

Here is my FUE journey with Dr. Pablo Fok and his associate doctors Julian and Acosta who are surgeons at TJ Hair Clinic in Tijuana Mexico.  

About me: NW3, 39 years old, Brown Hair, chose this clinic based on a friends recommendation, affordability, and close to where I live in San Diego.

Meds and post fue care: Dutasteride 0.5mg 1/day, Minoxidil 5% spray 2x/day, Biotin 5000mcg/day, PRP sessions 1x/month

HT: 1500 grafts, Dr. Fok/Acosta did left recipient area.  Dr. Julian right recipient area as well as the donor site.  Used 0.8 punch, manual technique.  Nurse techs separated follicles.

Concerns so far (up to week 2): Hairline is too straight (no micro irregularities), density on left side seems lacking, a couple double hairs in hairline, and angulation on hairs.

Note: I wanted to keep my widows peak which is why the hairline on the right has a slight curve.

I have a follow up appointment in 2 weeks, and wanted to bring up these issues, are my concerns validated by looking at the following pictures?

Thank you for any advice in advance!

Design day 1

 

After the HT

Day 2

Day 2 donor area

Week 1

Week 2

Week 2 Donor

Overall, the staff was very friendly and answered my questions.  Dr. Pablo Fok spent a lot of time designing the hairline by taking necessary measurements and asking how I wanted my hairline to be.  I told him, to make his artwork as natural as possible.  I can see that by his straight-line technique, I will not have the soft natural look I was going for, based on the information on this forum, but I don't want to discredit his work just yet.

Theres nothing I can do now but wait and see, perhaps start saving for a repair in the near future.  

[Britanium]

Your concerns seems valid. Personally I cannot see a adequate amount density had been done. And i can’t see the quoted 1500 grafts to be honest. 
This isn’t refined work, and I sorry to agree with you. The hairline should indeed have been designed and executed better. 
Focusing on the positive they have not wasted too much of your donor area. Out of curiosity what made you choose this particular clinic/Dr ? What was your friends result like ?
if you did look at another Ht it would have to wait for at least 12 months preferably. 

Edited March 4, 2021 by JohnAC71

[Datsun213]

7 minutes ago, JohnAC71 said:

Your concerns seems valid. Personally I cannot see a adequate amount density had been done. And i can’t see the quoted 1500 grafts to be honest. 
This isn’t refined work, and I sorry to agree with you. The hairline should indeed have been designed and executed better. 
Focusing on the positive they have not wasted too much of your donor area. Out of curiosity what made you choose this particular clinic/Dr ? 

Their location, availability, price, and before and after photos were a big part in my decision.  Hopefully he can address some of my concerns when I have my follow up with him in a couple of weeks, instead of just telling me to wait and see.  

[Britanium]

3 minutes ago, Datsun213 said:

Their location, availability, price, and before and after photos were a big part in my decision.  Hopefully he can address some of my concerns when I have my follow up with him in a couple of weeks, instead of just telling me to wait and see.  

It’s a shame he didn’t listen to your request for as natural a hairline as possible during your pre ht consultation. Unfortunately now all you can do is wait and see how it grows out. As you know it’s going to be a few months before it will start its regrowth. 

Edited March 4, 2021 by JohnAC71

[Kharmacoma]

Can you please more clear pictures? Indeed it seems like a straight line kind of hairline but not 100% sure due to picture quality. 

[Melvin- Admin]

11 hours ago, JohnAC71 said:

Your concerns seems valid. Personally I cannot see a adequate amount density had been done. And i can’t see the quoted 1500 grafts to be honest. 
This isn’t refined work, and I sorry to agree with you. The hairline should indeed have been designed and executed better. 
Focusing on the positive they have not wasted too much of your donor area. Out of curiosity what made you choose this particular clinic/Dr ? What was your friends result like ?
if you did look at another Ht it would have to wait for at least 12 months preferably. 

I agree. However, it’s best to wait and see how the results pan out before seeking repair. Give it at least 10 months.

[Datsun213]

Sure, here are the pics of both left and ride side a couple days after surgery...

This is the same two sides two weeks later

I'm definitely worried after seeing how straight the hairline is, and also because I can see some 2's already in the hairline with some 3's not too far behind.  I hope it all turns out well since I can't do anything about it now (unless there is a possibility to add some singles to create some irregularities, but I don't know of any surgeons who would be willing to do it so early).

So far I'm not impressed by the doctors artistic style, even though I asked to make it look as natural as possible, it doesn't seem like I'll be getting those results.  Do you guys think it's too early to start looking for repair surgeons?

 

 

[Datsun213]

30 minutes ago, Melvin-Moderator said:

I agree. However, it’s best to wait and see how the results pan out before seeking repair. Give it at least 10 months.

Got it, thanks.

[JohnCasper]

I agree with Melvin, at this point...just be patient and see how it turns out months from now.  Don’t consider any decisions until then.  Best of luck to you. 

[BDK081522]

Yes, it is definitely too early to be thinking about repair. Let the result pan out and and if repair is necessary then start doing some research into surgeons recommended by this site. I agree that there doesn't seem to be enough micro irregularity in the hairline. As far as density, that's a large area to cover with 1500 grafts but your hair characteristics, number of multi graft units, and angles they were placed all at make a difference in the resulting density when the restoration is completely matured. Nothing to do but wait and hope for the best at this point. 

[Datsun213]

2 month post FUE.  

On Dutasteride 0.5mg/day, Rogaine morning and evening, biotin 5000mcg/day, 2 prp sessions.  

The donor side looks patchy and moth eaten.  I hope it's due to shock loss.  

It is still very itchy and I constantly scratch the donor area.  Has anyone experienced this 1 month post op?

Here is the recipient area:

I think what is mostly seen is native hairs.  I have had minimal shedding and I'm not sure if I've experienced shock loss yet.  Hopefully the ugly duckling phase starts sooner rather than later.

 

[Melvin- Admin]

Recipient looks normal to me. The donor looks normal too, just some shock loss.

[Vinny]

Hello

I was wondering if you have any updates of your procedure.

I was thinking to go there for a hair transplant myself. - 4000 grafts!

Thank you

[A Fue Good Men]

On 8/12/2022 at 10:23 AM, Vinny said:

Hello

I was wondering if you have any updates of your procedure.

I was thinking to go there for a hair transplant myself. - 4000 grafts!

Thank you

Do NOT go to Mexico for a ht. There is not a single doctor/clinic that I’ve heard of that’s producing consistently good results. Even the beloved Nader has had several hiccups I’ve seen posted on this board.

 

TJ is not the place you would want to be getting surgery out of.

[Vinny]

51 minutes ago, 5BetaReductase said:

Do NOT go to Mexico for a ht. There is not a single doctor/clinic that I’ve heard of that’s producing consistently good results. Even the beloved Nader has had several hiccups I’ve seen posted on this board.

 

TJ is not the place you would want to be getting surgery out of.

I see! I had a virtual appointment, and Dr. Pablo Fox was nice. Also, I noted that he is a bariatric surgeon wheb I gooled him

Price was $3800 for 4000 grafts.

Where did you have your procedure at?

 

[A Fue Good Men]

1 hour ago, Vinny said:

I see! I had a virtual appointment, and Dr. Pablo Fox was nice. Also, I noted that he is a bariatric surgeon wheb I gooled him

Price was $3800 for 4000 grafts.

Where did you have your procedure at?

 

I also saw a doctor in Spain that was very “nice” and I paid a fortune. He destroyed my donor and gave me poor growth in my recipient. Now I’m a repair patient. 
 

don’t let price, location, or anything besides real patient posted results dictate your decision. Go to a clinic where the doctor is involved in all steps and focuses on one patient per day