Regular Member GHTJourneya Posted February 18, 2022 Author Regular Member Share Posted February 18, 2022 11 hours ago, Melvin- Moderator said: I’m right there with you, shedding, are you doing anything to speed up the growth? Thanks Melvin! The only stimulant I am using at the moment is oral minoxidil (and some vitamins? Also I'm not sure if Ketoconazole shampoo 2% is considered a stimulant). I will start using my laser cap (3x/week for 30') in 2-3 days from now, but I can see some really thick, short singles popping out, just a few. Let me know if there is anything you are using to speed up the growth, too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member deeznuts Posted March 15, 2022 Senior Member Share Posted March 15, 2022 ah I see the NW5 pattern that Dr. De Freitas was talking about. Good eye by him. Man, that makes me nervous going in to him... Any more updates? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member GHTJourneya Posted March 15, 2022 Author Regular Member Share Posted March 15, 2022 2-month update: No changes really, I believe I am just past the shedding phase. There is probably less redness and some of my native hair that went through shock loss are starting to grow again. I am feeling a bit low, but I guess everyone has to go through this tough phase. Hopefully things will change really soon. Current treatment: oral minoxidil, fin interchanged with dut, laser cap (3x/week), washing 3x/week with Ketoconazole, the rest of the days with normal shampoo (Klorane) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member JoeMan Posted March 15, 2022 Senior Member Share Posted March 15, 2022 Thanks for posting. It's definitely the toughest stage to be in. Looks like you're experiencing inflammation/redness still. Are you using Aloe for this? Hopefully you this subsides and growth is experienced in the next few weeks. I'm about 1 week past you and mine is finally mostly healed. I was lucky and didn't shed everything but like you I can't wait to fast forward through this phase. My anxiety has dropped a bunch now that I can see hairs growing. You chose a great Dr so now it's just a waiting game. Ate you still convinced you'll require another procedure? When is it scheduled for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member JoeMan Posted March 15, 2022 Senior Member Share Posted March 15, 2022 Also, can you please share some before pictures before the Dr shaved your head? I think it would help people see the difference as your hair grows in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member GHTJourneya Posted March 15, 2022 Author Regular Member Share Posted March 15, 2022 48 minutes ago, JoeMan said: Thanks for posting. It's definitely the toughest stage to be in. Looks like you're experiencing inflammation/redness still. Are you using Aloe for this? Hopefully you this subsides and growth is experienced in the next few weeks. I'm about 1 week past you and mine is finally mostly healed. I was lucky and didn't shed everything but like you I can't wait to fast forward through this phase. My anxiety has dropped a bunch now that I can see hairs growing. You chose a great Dr so now it's just a waiting game. Ate you still convinced you'll require another procedure? When is it scheduled for? I do not think that redness is related to inflammation, but even if it is, I was told it is normal especially in areas that are more dense (closer to the actual hairline). I do not need another operation, but I am going to do it to lower my hairline, it is scheduled in 1 year and 3 months from now. How did alleviate your anxiety by the way? I am going to update my before-after pictures soon, thanks for reminding me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member JoeMan Posted March 15, 2022 Senior Member Share Posted March 15, 2022 20 minutes ago, GHTJourneya said: How did alleviate your anxiety by the way? I just meant that once hair started growing, it put my mind at ease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member JoeMan Posted March 15, 2022 Senior Member Share Posted March 15, 2022 As far as redness, yes it's normal but I was just asking if you are doing anything about it? Like Aloe? Since at 2 months it still looks quite red. Could just be the camera though. I know in person mine is almost normal but if I take a picture it looks worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member deeznuts Posted March 16, 2022 Senior Member Share Posted March 16, 2022 Don't let it get you down man. Melvin and Gatsby are going through the same thing so you're not alone. I'm sure you'll look great and I'm rooting for you 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member GHTJourneya Posted March 16, 2022 Author Regular Member Share Posted March 16, 2022 16 hours ago, JoeMan said: As far as redness, yes it's normal but I was just asking if you are doing anything about it? Like Aloe? Since at 2 months it still looks quite red. Could just be the camera though. I know in person mine is almost normal but if I take a picture it looks worse. I am not using anything in particular, but there might be some aloe in my Klorane shampoo. It is better than it was, and I think that the camera makes it look a bit worse than it actually is, as you said 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member GHTJourneya Posted March 16, 2022 Author Regular Member Share Posted March 16, 2022 On 3/15/2022 at 4:41 AM, deeznuts said: ah I see the NW5 pattern that Dr. De Freitas was talking about. Good eye by him. Man, that makes me nervous going in to him... Any more updates? Did I mention NW5? I think my case was a NW2-3 with some diffuse thinning, although it looks much worse right now due to shock loss. In general, I think if you are >NW2, you should do 2 operations to achieve the best result. Not only can you fix whatever went wrong with the first one, but you will also hurt your donor area less. Hopefully I don't have to shave my head again for the next operation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Harry Bosch Posted March 16, 2022 Regular Member Share Posted March 16, 2022 (edited) On 1/20/2022 at 4:12 AM, GHTJourneya said: I did not have pay a deposit for my second intervention. But I was insisting, saying "I want another one, please give me another one, what do I have to do, who do I need to contact now? Tell me I need to know now!" like a child, so I am sure they were pretty convinced I am going to pay, but nevertheless they didn't ask for anything. I was hoping I would be able to have a perfectly straight line, hence I booked the second one. I think the current one still looks a bit like a flying eagle, but I am under the impression that when it grows it actually goes a bit lower, due to the different angles the hair grows at, plus a tiny bit of thickness, or curve if you wish. I have a PRP/evaluation session in three months from now (included in the price), so it is very likely that I will know more about my second operation at that time. They suggested a 3-month PRP session for me, too, within the assessment. How do you feel about this? PRP is something of controversial topic, and I'm left to wonder if the increased growth factors happen because of the needles physically poking holes in the scalp (just like micro needling) and not the actual substances -- seems to be continued disagreement or guessing with how to mix the platelets, how much to inject, locations/frequency. Interestingly, I believe the other De F patients on here (Adam, Bjorn) didn't do any PRP, so this seems to be a newer strategy by the clinic. But the cost appears baked into the totality of the procedure, so wouldn't hurt to try if it might expedite new growth. Edited March 16, 2022 by Harry Bosch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member GHTJourneya Posted March 16, 2022 Author Regular Member Share Posted March 16, 2022 3 hours ago, Harry Bosch said: They suggested a 3-month PRP session for me, too, within the assessment. How do you feel about this? PRP is something of controversial topic, and I'm left to wonder if the increased growth factors happen because of the needles physically poking holes in the scalp (just like micro needling) and not the actual substances -- seems to be continued disagreement or guessing with how to mix the platelets, how much to inject, locations/frequency. Interestingly, I believe the other De F patients on here (Adam, Bjorn) didn't do any PRP, so this seems to be a newer strategy by the clinic. But the cost appears baked into the totality of the procedure, so wouldn't hurt to try if it might expedite new growth. Both PRP and microneedling bring growth factors, which is a good thing. It may speed up your recovery and even stimulate native hairs, but I do not see it as something that is absolutely necessary. For what it's worth it can only be beneficial rather than harmful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member stephcurry30 Posted March 16, 2022 Senior Member Share Posted March 16, 2022 hand in there brother! The ugly duckling phase sucks but I'm sure in the upcoming months you will get some insane growth! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member deeznuts Posted March 21, 2022 Senior Member Share Posted March 21, 2022 On 3/16/2022 at 10:06 AM, GHTJourneya said: Did I mention NW5? I think my case was a NW2-3 with some diffuse thinning, although it looks much worse right now due to shock loss. In general, I think if you are >NW2, you should do 2 operations to achieve the best result. Not only can you fix whatever went wrong with the first one, but you will also hurt your donor area less. Hopefully I don't have to shave my head again for the next operation Ah I could've swore I read NW5. Going back now I don't see a single mention of it aside from the fact that you're diffuse lol. Idk why I thought NW5. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member JoeMan Posted March 21, 2022 Senior Member Share Posted March 21, 2022 5 minutes ago, deeznuts said: Ah I could've swore I read NW5. Going back now I don't see a single mention of it aside from the fact that you're diffuse lol. Idk why I thought NW5. Same..maybe it was edited? I swear I remember NW5 too but maybe we're both crazy 🤪 lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Sitries1 Posted March 24, 2022 Senior Member Share Posted March 24, 2022 Looks excellent. Great hairline design as always IMO from Dr De Freitas. I’m just incredibly puzzled as to why you would need to go back for a 2nd procedure on your hairline after this?! the hairline looks great!? Surely you would want to save any grafts for future retake than lower the hairline more?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Curious25 Posted March 24, 2022 Senior Member Share Posted March 24, 2022 Have you got any pre op pics that aren’t shaved down (how you would wear your hair normally) ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Melvin- Admin Posted March 24, 2022 Administrators Share Posted March 24, 2022 I really can’t wait for your results man, Dr. De Freitas is on another level. I’m a paid admin for Hair Transplant Network. I do not receive any compensation from any clinic. My comments are not medical advice. Check out my final hair transplant and topical dutasteride journey: View my thread Topical dutasteride journey Melvin- Managing Publisher and Forum Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q&A Blog. Follow our Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and YouTube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member GHTJourneya Posted April 16, 2022 Author Regular Member Share Posted April 16, 2022 3 Month Update Some progress, but not much, but my donor area and my shock loss have been recovered. I just had a PRP session which is supposed to promote some growth. I think that the photos below look a bit better than the actual situation, as native hairs from the back get longer and partially cover or shade the transplanted area. So far my progress is on par with the expected growth curves. I will try to find high quality photos from right before the operation, too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member GHTJourneya Posted April 20, 2022 Author Regular Member Share Posted April 20, 2022 It looks like I cannot my original post anymore, here are some before photos. Unfortunately it is not still very clear where my hairline is as hairs from the back cover the front line, but for what it's worth I put them here. (If you can edit my original, please move these there, thank you) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member GHTJourneya Posted May 16, 2022 Author Regular Member Share Posted May 16, 2022 4 Months Some progress, hairs are getting longer, some more hairs are sprouting, but still a long way to go I can place myself in a relatively dark room, use a hair drier and my fingers to pull my hair back and make it all hair look more dense than it actually is. But I do not like that, so my photos attached are in a standard room during daylight and open windows. I let my hair dry naturally after having a shower, and instead of pulling them back, I try to take my photos straight through the grafts, to show you the bald truth 👩🦲 I believe I am an average grower, not too fast, but not too slow either. Current routine: 5mg oral minoxidil + 1mg finasteride (but some days I swap finasteride with 0.5mg dutasteride) + vitamins + laser cap + ketoconazole 2% 3x/week 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Britanium Posted May 16, 2022 Senior Member Share Posted May 16, 2022 Yeh I agree I would say that your following the typical timeline for growth 👍🏽 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member GHTJourneya Posted May 23, 2022 Author Regular Member Share Posted May 23, 2022 Update: 4 months, 1 week I noticed some improvement in the last week that appears to be somewhat more significant compared to the previous weeks, but it might just be that the hairs are getting longer, I am not exactly sure. The front hairline grows a bit faster compared to the area from the temples towards the crown (photo attached was taken outdoors, in daylight) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Jtoorrees Posted May 23, 2022 Regular Member Share Posted May 23, 2022 WOW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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