NW Grade IV - 2626 Grafts at Eugenix Hair Sciences with Dr Arika

[Strongman]

Hello Everyone,

I was just 20 years old when I first started losing my hair and within the next ten years, I was at Norwood Grade 3A and progressing towards Grade 4.  Being young, that unwelcome change in appearance came with it’s own challenges. It certainly affected my confidence, because as you know, some people are quick to judge you based on your looks – which even made me hesitate & withdraw from social gatherings. Back during that time, 1997 to be precise, a big disadvantage that I faced was the lack of access to internet and relevant information related to hair restoration science and procedures. Initially I tried to rely upon newspaper ads of Rogaine which was a new thing back then. I used it for a few months without seeing any visual improvement. I feel it was relatively greasier at that time and even needed a doctor’s prescription. Not satisfied, I made up my mind to get my first hair transplant procedure done at Bosley in Los Angeles. It was an FUT procedure but the work was limited to just 500 grafts, yet very expensive. I did another 500 grafts later with Dr Elliot, it was also an FUT procedure – the work was good but underwhelming once again. Still struggling in terms of coverage I decided to go for 1000 more grafts over two sittings in the subsequent year with Dr Deyarman, who I had found through a television commercial. This time around, the scar was painful – so much that I feel the numbness in that area to this date. 
After four FUT procedures I wasn’t completely happy with my hairline even though I had got fair amount of coverage. Fast forward 20 years when I finally had my first consultation with Dr Arika at the age of 54, who actually told me that it was the over-conservative hairline from the previous surgeries which was making me look bald, that was also when I got to know through her that my FTAs were done wrong. I was glad to have finally found the answers to some of my hairline characteristics that I was not able to understand post my FUTs, thanks to the Hair Restoration Network who were instrumental in helping me find Eugenix. I found Eugenix’s approach towards their business very ethical, infact I love how they’ve infused spirituality in their operations despite the busy schedule they got.
Coming to the surgery, the eVisa process is much better and faster now and Eugenix was quite supportive in helping me obtain it. There were no issues at the New Delhi airport but my advice to fellow patients would be to print everything out for a smooth passage. I arrived at the clinic a day prior to my procedure for my pre-ops and had my surgery done on the next day. 
Going in to the surgery I was very worried about my donor area being depleted, even thought that I might get turned away by Dr Arika for that reason. However, I was pleasantly surprised when she approved of my donor area being good enough for the transplant to be carried out. At the same time, I had a lot of hopes w.r.t. my temple points as they were a priority for me and I must say that Dr Arika didn’t disappoint as I was very happy with the hairline she drew, meeting my highest expectations. It was re-created at a height of 7.5 cms. I even got implants on my FUT scar for which 180 grafts from my beard donor were used. Overall, was so impressed by her attention to detail and how she oversees everything even when there are a large number of technicians working on you. She did the quality assessment at every step to give the finishing touches. A total of 2626 grafts were done out of which 2446 grafts were harvested from my scalp. Going by my past experience, I was a little scared to have a look at my scalp after the procedure but I was delighted to see how clean the work was and it didn’t look bad at all. Posting my pictures below, what do you guys think?

[Gatsby]

I think the fact that you had FUT procedures previously saved your donor as it looks good in my eyes. But I totally get your apprehension. I'm a full blown Norwood 6/7 and I have also had two previous 'punch graft' surgeries way back in 1985 when I was 18 (I am now 54). Those grafts have now disappeared (as they were discarded) as I ended up having them removed by several strip procedures by a plastic surgeon back then which has left me with effectively an FUT scar running along my hairline. I'm booked in with Eugenix in January 2022. But you are going to hit a home run here as you chose a fantastic clinic and those FUT procedures you once had will be a thing of the past. In fact because they were FUT (and not FUE) has left you with a great donor to work with! You still have a lot of great hair and I look forward to following your journey. Thanks for sharing!

[Berba11]

Works looks brilliant and the hairline/temple point design is going to look great. As Gatsby says, your earlier FUT's - while not ideal results-wise - seem to have been conservative enough to have given you a strong foundation for this FUE that you've now had.

I'll be following your thread and look forward to ongoing updates!

[Britanium]

Thanks for posting such a interesting account of your journey so far. Eugenix have designed a pretty awesome hairline and temporal points ! This is going to be a good result to follow. Good luck 🤞 

[Strongman]

Thanks @Gatsby @Berba11, yes that certainly explains why Dr Arika advised me to not worry about my donor during my interaction with her, perhaps I was just nervous!

Thank you @JC71, will keep you updated.

[MazAB]

You look great @Strongman! Seeing awesome results on HRN from patients coming to Eugenix was the biggest part of my decision, but JT was also the man that ultimately convinced me that Eugenix consistently produces world class results. Had my procedure 2 months ago with Dr. Arika. The hair expected and results required are just months away brother!

Follow my Journey with Eugenix and Dr Arika Bansal!

[SLA]

Best of luck and looking forward to seeing your journey!

[rob7331]

Definitely following this one. Work looks clean.

[hairlossPA]

will be following. thanks for sharing your journey! I am very interested in seeing how the grafts grow in the FUT scar. I will be planning something similar in the future

[kirkland]

@StrongmanDude, your username says it all. Having four FUT's and still keeping the faith is strength unto itself. I wish you all the best of luck in your hair growing journey! 

And, yes, there is a strong sense of ethical responsibility in the Eugenix mindset. I appreciate how they have developed the trust of many of those who would have every right to trust no one in this business.

[AZ67]

Good luck mate. The post of photos of clinic that you posted are quite small in size, as we cant zoom in. I guess they have sent it to you in bigger size, with better resolution. If so can you re-upload them? Also which package did you choose?

[hairlossPA]

hows everything looking after a week? very interested to see the grafts in the scar tissue 

[hairlossPA]

coming up on 2 months post op. hoping you can log back on and give us an update! would like to see the grafts in the scar tissue. Thanks

[Berba11]

10 minutes ago, hairlossPA said:

coming up on 2 months post op. hoping you can log back on and give us an update! would like to see the grafts in the scar tissue. Thanks

Would definitely love an update!

Hope you’re doing well @Strongman

[MazAB]

I'm sure a ton has changed. Looking forward to seeing an updated