FUE Hattingen Sept 2021 - 4090 Grafts

[Rooter]

Hi all,

long time lurker with a couple of posts recently before my HT so I want to give back to the community and also start a write up here on my journey starting at Hattingen Hair, inviting everyone to follow. I will try to keep this updated in meaningful intervals with according documentation.

Background, I am nearing 40 and have deliberately waited until this age to have an as good as possible estimate on how the pattern continues at higher age. I wanted to have a fair amount of already “real” bald spots filled in to avoid having to potentially deal with hair isles if I would have undergone an HT too early since it remains unkonwn what with native hair happens along the line (will it stay or also go - therefore at least per my theory the more actual bald spots to be covered the better as you have less to worry about because it hopefully stays mostly as transplanted)

It was always clear to me that going bald was no option as I belong to the unfortunate group of having a round and pointy head with a rather high forehead. I did buzz cut a longer time ago but hated it and my close friends and family were luckily honest with me and confirmed it doesn't really look good. I knew once I hit the stage that I can´t really style it over it will be a HT or a hair piece. Hair piece was however not really an option as I dont believe its good to have some chemical shit glue on your skin for extended periods - no matter what the manufacturers tell you its still some chemical stuff which might find its way into your body so I will keep away from that as long as possible.

I lurked and researched for close to a decade now on various message boards, checked results etc, and decided to choose Hattingen Hair as their results looked most natural & conservative to me in literally all pictures or videos you can find online. It had to be in Western Europe, Turkey was never an option for me mostly because of the travel requirement aside from other reasons. (I live in western Europe as well). While I am certainly not rich, for this decision Money was never a deciding factor for me since the best possible outcome can´t be weighed up with saving a couple of thousands - my personal view.

I have to say for some reason the other top notch options in Europe (Dr. Feriduni, Dr. Mwamba etc ) just didnt speak to me in terms of hair lines so they were out but that's personal taste of looks I say they sure are also very good.

Day of operation - I actually wanted to chicken out the morning of the operation, but after having a longer chat with Dr. Muresanu and another patient who was walking in foir a check up appointment also comforted me a bit so I decided to pull it through.

Procedure - I don't think I have to go into much detail here as most has been written already from other Hattingen patients so try to keep this short. The clinic is brand new (they moved to a new place I think at the beginning of this year) and has a nice “artsy” touch to it. Very, very friendly technician crew, very friendly atmosphere throughout the whole procedure between the doctors and team. Lots of chatting and laughing throughout the day between the team and Mrs Dr. Muresanu who did the extractations & also did insertions together with a technician.

The procedure itself was done over 2 days, rather an exhausting experience not because of surgery pain (some areas hurted a bit from the needling but that depends on how sensitive an individual is of course) but because of laying still in certain positions for longer periods. Breaks in between, would have wished for some more break. Could have asked for sure but wanted it to be over so I grinded through.

I initially planned for 3500 grafts but said of course do more if you think it fits and the Donor is suitable. So it was over 4000 in the end (i think 4090 or so, waiting for the final paperwork)

My crown will need some future work I know, but I am fairly tall and a lot of people wont look at my head if I am not sitting My donor is, at least per current status, very good per their view and I could easily do another 4k if needed. (4k should not be needed per Dr. Muresanu, maybe half of it in some years but who knows)

Currently I have to admit I am not 100% happy with the hairline to be honest. Its ok but I am not like “woah this is cool / such a change”. However, this is partly because I did not feel “bald” before as I was covering up quite ok with my native hair. The bald spot you see in the middle pre- OP was just developing over the last year, had a very stressful time.

The hairline is a bit to “receding” for me, I know I should have discussed it more thorough (of course I said I wish it a bit more filled in, not straight but a bit lower but they said that's a better ratio as it is so I just thought ok lets trust them). 

Completely my fault, I should have been more vocal maybe, or maybe not. I can´t judge yet how it looks in a year. I still believe though what bothered me most all the recent years - having wind or rain reveal my receding hairline - will still be present with this hairline so that's my biggest regret at least as per today that I won't be a 100% happy. I know this is a complex and others might not notice a higher receding hairline but I do somehow, I don't know why. I bothers me since my early 20s. But I hope densitiy over hairline will be the result at least.

Well its like it is now, have to wait it out and do adjust if possible when if I have to undergo the 2nd HT (hopefully not too soon)

I am also concerned with the - per my view - pretty visible bald spots in the donor area as I think I have seen quite some other pics where it didn't look as thin but yes I know its still early I hope there is recovery. I haven't spotted any hair on my pillow or during showering so I am not sure its really shock loss from the surrounding area. 

I understand,this is all some buyers remorse kicking in now but that'll pass I hope.

First action, going Keto again. I did it a couple of years ago, pretty hard actually if done right (with keto stix monitoring and all) as there is so much sugar in stuff you don't expect it but doable. Slipped out of it again but I can still remember how well I felt and interestingly getting complimented on my hair quite often - there sure is a link (not surprising as cutting out processed sugar as huge inflammation source and bad carbs is overall contributing to health obviously)

Overall I'm still in a rather scared mindset this was a wrong decision, probably not for the coming years but I am really not sure how this all will look in 20 years. Natural receding at higher age is fine and all, but please no hair aisles or puppet hair remaining. Not much online to be found obviously as no one who did a “new” FUE has passed their 60 / 70 years threshold yet so well lets see.
 But - at least this comforts me now - I think buzzing rather short and having additional bald spots filled in later could always be an option I hope. If not, hair piece it is.

 Lets go, will update further when it makes sense.

Any questions, shoot.

Edited October 2, 2021 by Rooter

[Britanium]

Beautiful work ! Thanks for such a detailed write up. Not sure if you noticed but you have repeated the paragraphs? 

[Britanium]

Hope you don’t have anymore bumps to the head 😮why does this always happen only after a hair transplant!? I think we all try and be over cautious 🤓

[Rooter]

31 minutes ago, JohnAC71 said:

Beautiful work ! Thanks for such a detailed write up. Not sure if you noticed but you have repeated the paragraphs? 

Oh dang, thank for notifying. Copied in as editing was easier in Google so got somehow double pasted (?) Will edit ! 

[Rooter]

Just realize this was maybe the wrong sub - mods please move over if it fits better on the results sub 

[Britanium]

8 minutes ago, Rooter said:

Just realize this was maybe the wrong sub - mods please move over if it fits better on the results sub 

@Melvin- Moderatorcan help you here 👍🏽

[JohnnyR]

Hattingen hair - always a good choice

[Melvin- Admin]

5 hours ago, Rooter said:

Just realize this was maybe the wrong sub - mods please move over if it fits better on the results sub 

It’s the right sub.

[follically challenged]

Looks great so far imo!

[digi23]

Looks good, will follow!

[Melvin- Admin]

Interested to see your results Hattingen has been known as an FUT clinic, but seem to be doing FUE a lot more.

[Rooter]

Hi Folks, for anyone interested updating with fresh fotos, today hitting the 3.5 Month mark. Progress feels a bit stalled the recent weeks (Native hair around grows, native hair in the top middle does not fully return to prior state yet but I guess there was according shock loss). I know it´ll take more patience until late spring to assess the situation, really hard to tell at the moment if I am totally in range or not. It *seems as nothing is growing the recent weeks but I believe its just fooling me so lets see. 

What is a bit funny is that there are some long ass hairs sprouting in  the recipient area maybe you can see it in the pics (those are not native, this area was bald before). Not sure what to think about that, probably those where in growth phase during extraction and the rest in dormant phase. Looks funky to say the least. Thinking about a hair cut by now, probably wait a bit longer. (I typically dont like my hair short so was hoping for a longer look in the summer again but judging the current situation this will not play out I guess. Uneven growth of native vs. delayed grafts will look ass likely. Lets see)

Any feedback is welcome, dont hold back I am fine with negative feedback (if so) as well its not that I can do anything at this stage anyways if there is a growth issue. I am just curious on your thoughts as I can´t judge it myself due to lack of personal experience of course . Disclaimer, I havent taken meds and will not. I understand Min or PRP might speed up growth but I´d rather wait - maybe PRP but unsure if its just a huge money waste if it only helps with faster growth and thats it.

 

Will update with more pics down the line / next months

 

 

[Britanium]

Most people don’t even have any growth start until at least month 4. So your definitely within the normal range here. 👍🏽

[Rooter]

yes i was expecting that somehow but well once you are in the actual process things always feel a bit different 🙂Month 4 is approaching soon in around 2 weeks thats why I was expecting a little bit more but as said, I dont worry much yet. Whats annoying is that I am generally in a very stressed mood since a longer time (life related), this sure doesnt help the healing phase but thats how it is, couldnt find a way out yet

[Rooter]

I forgot to mention. A larger area on the recipient site is still somewhat numb. I have read on other forums / posts this also may be normal and may drag on for several months post OP for some patients due to according nerve damage being done which takes time to heal, also hard to judge what should be normal and what not of course. Same here, I dont really worry because I equally think nothing could be done anyways if there is some wider nerve damage (i dont think so though, it doesnt hurt or anything at all just feeling numb when touching it)

[JDEE0]

8 minutes ago, Rooter said:

I forgot to mention. A larger area on the recipient site is still somewhat numb. I have read on other forums / posts this also may be normal and may drag on for several months post OP for some patients due to according nerve damage being done which takes time to heal, also hard to judge what should be normal and what not of course. Same here, I dont really worry because I equally think nothing could be done anyways if there is some wider nerve damage (i dont think so though, it doesnt hurt or anything at all just feeling numb when touching it)

I think everyone recovers from the numbness at different rates, but it's normal to still be experiencing it at 3 and a bit months in.

I am now probably 90 percent recovered from this at just under 2 months in, but I had half the grafts you did and they were spread out over a much smaller area, which I'm sure plays into it. By the sounds of it, it is improving as you said still 'somewhat' numb, so it will continue getting better and you'll be fine in a few more months I'm sure. Not to worry.

[Melvin- Admin]

Numbness is normal, especially when you’ve had so many grafts. It will subside with time. Happy growing man, rooting for you 🙌🏼

[Rooter]

5 Month update. I would lie saying that I am happy, I would have expected a bit more by now considering 4k grafts but thats how it is. Especially the bald spot in the middle is what annoys me the most / annoyed me most pre HT. Hope fill soon. Otherwise of course - patience is the mantra.

This is also in harsh daylight, combing over does allow me to go outside without a cap at least. I only hope its really true that at this stage / 5 month mark I only see 30% or less of the final result. What I think is strange is that there are many really long hairs now in the recipient area (nearly as long as the native hairs behind) but in between its just empty, not even something small popping out. Well, I know, 6 month mark and so forth but thats only 1 more month to wait and I dont see why suddenly the picture should change. Anyways, gotta wait it out. Thinking about starting Minox Foam maybe but unsure yet. PRP maybe also an option I am still deciding on.

Numbness in the recipient site is still present. I dont notice it when not touching, but when I touch it still a rather large area is numb and there is no improvement since a longer time. Maybe also still normal, maybe not the norm as I havent read much reports on that.

 

 

[Britanium]

Yeh it does seem to be lagging a bit, compared to the usual timeline. Hope it picks up for you over the next few months 🙏

[Rooter]

Yeah I thought so as well. Annoying, really. It looked so promising right after the HT, healed well etc so not sure what can prevent the rest from sprouting. Would be interested in any medical reason why transplants do not grow if so. I expected if there was an issue I would have lost them during the shed phase but I really didnt experience much shed per my view so did they eventually just "die" in the scalp ? (even that should show any hint, no ? Its just... nothing visible at all).

[Britanium]

I think the next few months are key here, some people won’t always follow the usual timeline. And being that you chose a top clinic, I will keep everything crossed it picks up ! Everything so far has looked fine 👍🏽

[Havar]

9 hours ago, Rooter said:

Yeah I thought so as well. Annoying, really. It looked so promising right after the HT, healed well etc so not sure what can prevent the rest from sprouting. Would be interested in any medical reason why transplants do not grow if so. I expected if there was an issue I would have lost them during the shed phase but I really didnt experience much shed per my view so did they eventually just "die" in the scalp ? (even that should show any hint, no ? Its just... nothing visible at all).

Patience is the key man, a lot happening in the scalp that you do not see with just your eyes. Stress will give you nothing.

[Rooter]

Thanks for the reassuring words. Scrolled through tons of posts now and saw a lot of similar situations so yeah, at least that. Also of course, haven't written to complain it was just a 5month update for anyone interested, will keto them coming. 

PS - if someone is in a similar situation - I got my first haircut now and actually just wanted the back a bit shortened as it looked slightly mulletish by now. Didn't pay enough attention or wasn't clear enough to the barber and he buzzed off quite a lot at the sides and back (i didn't let him touch the transplant area of course). Looks like ass, i hate it but well. So just saying, if you consider a barber be prepared it might look "worse" again and the fullness illusion is taken away again if not done good, frustrates unnecessarily on top. My mistake, should have let it grow more but well.

[Goat]

Update?

[Melvin- Admin]

5 months is still very early, would love to see an update.