My hair journey (so far) - from a disastrous FUT, over a not fully satisfactory FUE+DHI to a ...

[K l a u s]

Hey community,

I want to share my hair journey (so far) and also hope for honest opinions and helpful advices.

To avoid too much details, I try to summarize the most important facts (images attached to document the timeline):

• Current age 33, location Germany
• Blond/brown and very fine/thin hair (parietal ~42 microns, occipital ~44 microns)
• I first noticed my receding hairline (in particular on my own left side) in 2018. But already on photos from 2017 the density on my frontal area was weaker than some years before.
• Slow progressing during 2019 and as naive as I was I had thought "just do a hair transplant and everything will be fine again". I did not do any research and just had trusted the clinic of a famous german plastic surgeon which is closely located to my hometown. They had advised me to do FUT surgery and that I can expect good results since my hair loss is weak and they only have to restore the hairline.
• I thought "great" and got an appointment in February 2020 (close before Corona, oh why could it not come earlier) -> Summary: extraction FUT, 1100 grafts, incisions by blades, implantation by forceps, unshaven, low/weak NW2 before surgery, huge shock-loss
• Results 1 year after this first procedure: less to no hair growth, thinner crown area than before (including numbness between crown and FUT scar), FUT scar itself, higher NW (~3) ==> Conclusion: the biggest mistake of my life so far
• Since my hair was better before that FUT procedure and I wanted to give it one more try, I have started my research at the beginning of 2021 (not knowing the hair transplant/restoration network). Finally, my decision fell on FUECAPILAR, Dr. Turan in Istanbul, because their reputations were good, the guy doing consultations was amazing and the price was affordable (after my disappointing first experience with HTs). They had estimated that I would need ~2000 grafts and I got an appointment in March 2021.
• Summary of my 2nd procedure: extraction FUE (motorized and manual), 2208 grafts (most to the hairline and frontal scalp, no crown work), DHI technique, surgery over one day
• Results 1 year after the 2nd procedure: normal and good growth of transplanted hairs, reconstructed hairline, improved/better density in the frontal area
• Treatments/medication: Microneedling-Pen (~once every other week), 1-3 PRP treatments per year since 2021, saw palmetto (~400mg daily), biotin (~5mg daily), further nutrients, Nizoral/ketoconazol shampoo once a week, neither Fin nor Min

So far, so good. The 2nd procedure (FUE+DHI) was a good repair of my disastrous 1st one. And I know that most guys would be blessed if they had my current hair situation, but I'm not completely satisfied. This is mainly due to a lack of density in my hairline resp. frontal area. I'm really happy how my hair looks and how it frames my face, but if I comb it up then I can see through onto my scalp. I can understand that it is difficult to create the illusion of density given my hair characteristics, but I think there is still room for improvement.
What do you think, is it realistic to improve my density in the frontal area under this circumstances or is it already the optimum I can expect?

For your information, I have planned the following steps:

1. Share my story and situation with others to collect their opinions and hopefully get advices
2. Contact some of the recommended clinics/surgeons and get a in-person consultation with my favorite one in winter 2022/23 (preferably with immediate repair of my FUT scar)
3. Depending on the consultation results (analysis of the current hair situation, in particular if my hair loss has stabilized) I would undergo a 3rd procedure in winter 2023/24 (then I'm 35) to fill in density to my hairline and maybe do some work on my crown

October 2018

November 2019

February 2020 1 day pre FUT surgery (front)

February 2020 1 day pre FUT surgery (up)

February 2020 1 day pre FUT surgery (left)

December 2020 10 months post FUT surgery

March 2021 day of FUE+DHI surgery (front)

March 2021 day of FUE+DHI surgery (up)

March 2021 2 days post FUE+DHI surgery (front)

March 2021 2 days post FUE+DHI surgery (up)

March 2021 2 days post FUE+DHI surgery (FUT scar)

April 2022 over 1 year post FUE+DHI surgery (up)

April 2022 over 1 year post FUE+DHI surgery (front)

April 2022 over 1 year post FUE+DHI surgery (front)

April 2022 over 1 year post FUE+DHI surgery (left)

April 2022 over 1 year post FUE+DHI surgery (left)

April 2022 over 1 year post FUE+DHI surgery (crown)

April 2022 over 1 year post FUE+DHI surgery (crown)

Edited May 30, 2022 by K l a u s

[HappyMan2021]

Have you considered Hattingen clinic in Switzerland? I thought it was mandatory for all Germans to go to Hattingen 🤣. 

 

[K l a u s]

3 minutes ago, HappyMan2021 said:

Have you considered Hattingen clinic in Switzerland? I thought it was mandatory for all Germans to go to Hattingen 🤣. 

 

Sorry, I've never heard about this clinic.

[HappyMan2021]

24 minutes ago, K l a u s said:

Sorry, I've never heard about this clinic.

you should seriously check them out. I've heard there are some German hair transplant forums and Hattingen is very popular and highly recommended. 

I had email correspondence (but no consult) with Dr. Sever Muresanu. He seems like a good guy. 

It was pretty easy getting a hold of them and asking questions. 

 

[AlexMeister21]

I feel like you just didn't go to the right surgeons. Who do you have in mind for your third transplant? Have you checked out FUE doctors in Spain like Couto, Pinto, Freitas? Your FUT scar looks pretty good in my opinion. I had two FUT procedures and my scar is like 3 times as wide as yours, and I got a poor yield on the density (thus far).

[K l a u s]

13 hours ago, HappyMan2021 said:

you should seriously check them out. I've heard there are some German hair transplant forums and Hattingen is very popular and highly recommended. 

I had email correspondence (but no consult) with Dr. Sever Muresanu. He seems like a good guy. 

It was pretty easy getting a hold of them and asking questions. 

 

No thank you, I'm not interested in any further "experiments" and I just look for one of the best surgeons/clinics now.

[ITA]

No experiments @K l a u s, Hattingen is one of the best clinics in the world.

[K l a u s]

13 hours ago, AlexMeister21 said:

I feel like you just didn't go to the right surgeons. Who do you have in mind for your third transplant? Have you checked out FUE doctors in Spain like Couto, Pinto, Freitas? Your FUT scar looks pretty good in my opinion. I had two FUT procedures and my scar is like 3 times as wide as yours, and I got a poor yield on the density (thus far).

First of all, I think Dr. Turan @FUECAPILAR is a good surgeon, maybe not the best one but they do a reliable work. Just my first HT experience with FUT was horrible and I regret it so much.
For sure, one of your mentioned surgeons is my current favorite, but I want to contact 7 or 8 more clinics/surgeons.

Have you shared some photos of your hair and what are your plans?

[K l a u s]

35 minutes ago, Egy said:

No experiments @K l a u s, Hattingen is one of the best clinics in the world.

@Egybut I've never seen any reputations/recommendations about them so far. You are welcome to convince me otherwise.

EDIT: Okay, I found a few nice results, maybe I will put them on my radar👍 But it seems that they might be more experienced in FUT🤔

Edited May 31, 2022 by K l a u s

[RTC]

Have a look at the Belgian doctors

Bisanga

Mwamba

Feriduni

Hattingen have a good reputation

Pinto in Portugal

[Berba11]

24 minutes ago, K l a u s said:

@Egybut I've never seen any reputations/recommendations about them so far. You are welcome to convince me otherwise.

They're one of the best in the world! If you have the budget, they should at least be on your research list.

[ITA]

28 minutes ago, K l a u s said:

But it seems that they might be more experienced in FUT🤔

Yes, for high norwoods they prefer FUT, but they also do FUE with as many excellent results, and as he says @Berba11they have a fairly high cost.

[K l a u s]

11 minutes ago, Berba11 said:

They're one of the best in the world! If you have the budget, they should at least be on your research list.

@Berba11is their price per graft? And if so, do you know what they charge?

EDIT: http://www.hattingenhair.com/en/hair-transplant-prices/prices/

Edited May 31, 2022 by K l a u s

[K l a u s]

Thanks so far for the replies!

As mentioned in my initial post, my goals/plans are

• repair of the FUT scar and
• higher density in hairline and frontal 1/3 ("touch-up") + some crown work (probably not before end of 2023)

Currently, on my list of potential surgeons/clinics are

• Dr. de Freitas, Spain
• Dr. Lorenzo, Spain
• Dr. Couto, Spain
• Dr. Hasson & Dr. Wong, North America
• Dr. Sethi / Eugenix, India
• Dr. Maras, Cyprus
• Dr. Feriduni, Belgium
• Dr. Mwamba, Belgium
• Dr. Bisanga, Belgium
• Dr. Cooley, North America
• Dr. Muresanu / Hattingen Hair, Switzerland

I guess at least one of these can do the job great. Which one is one of the open questions.
I'm also interested in your opinions/thoughts about my plans and whether my goals are realistic or not (especially higher density in hairline and frontal 1/3)?

[Melvin- Admin]

Your results look good, what are your expectations? It appears like Dr. Turan did do a good job. That said, it’s always good to get some second opinions, feel free to use the link below to consul with some reputable doctors

https://hairtransplantnetwork.com/best-hair-transplant-surgeons

[HappyMan2021]

5 hours ago, K l a u s said:

I'm not interested in any further "experiments" and I just look for one of the best surgeons/clinics now.

Hattingen is very well-vetted. 

[AlexMeister21]

5 hours ago, K l a u s said:

First of all, I think Dr. Turan @FUECAPILAR is a good surgeon, maybe not the best one but they do a reliable work. Just my first HT experience with FUT was horrible and I regret it so much.
For sure, one of your mentioned surgeons is my current favorite, but I want to contact 7 or 8 more clinics/surgeons.

Have you shared some photos of your hair and what are your plans?

Yes I have my own thread of my experience. I'm about 6.3 months post-op of my second procedure. As for my plans, I think I just have to wait for a few years. I wanted to go in for a third procedure, but I spoke with Dr. Pinto's clinic yesterday and after reviewing my photos/videos they recommend me holding off on transplants for 2-3 years as it may permanently scar the area that was operated on if I don't give it enough time to heal. They also mentioned my FUT scar was huge and may have compromised my donor availability. They come across as very ethical and have good experience, most of their patients posting on Spanish forums, but you should check them out if you're still looking for surgeons. I think your goal of higher density is definitely achievable with the right doctor. 

[K l a u s]

2 hours ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

Your results look good, what are your expectations? It appears like Dr. Turan did do a good job. That said, it’s always good to get some second opinions, feel free to use the link below to consul with some reputable doctors

https://hairtransplantnetwork.com/best-hair-transplant-surgeons

I agree with you @Melvin- Moderator that the results of this second surgery are good. Nevertheless, I see room for improvement and my expectations are a slightly higher density in my hairline and the frontal 1/3, and an extra bonus would be a repaired FUT scar and a more covered crown. In my opinion, these expectations are realistic, but my opinion is subjective and not objective.

[Havar]

10 hours ago, K l a u s said:

@Egybut I've never seen any reputations/recommendations about them so far. You are welcome to convince me otherwise.

EDIT: Okay, I found a few nice results, maybe I will put them on my radar👍 But it seems that they might be more experienced in FUT🤔

Exactly. That is why you should contact them. You already have a scar. They can use Fut to max your donor, and you do not get another scar, probably just a nicer than you have. I have done a lot of research myself, over 3-4 years. Check them on Bellicapelli( (Italy), french forum ( internstional hairtr.forum) and Alopezie( deutsch). 

[K l a u s]

21 hours ago, Havar said:

Exactly. That is why you should contact them. You already have a scar. They can use Fut to max your donor, and you do not get another scar, probably just a nicer than you have. I have done a lot of research myself, over 3-4 years. Check them on Bellicapelli( (Italy), french forum ( internstional hairtr.forum) and Alopezie( deutsch). 

@Havar thanks for your reply, but one FUT (scar) is one too much. Never again FUT for me, it is so much more invasive and the time to recover is at least double of FUE. Also a world-renowned surgeon like Dr. Hasson told that FUE has passed FUT and is the new standard. Furthermore, nobody really wants the ugly scar at the back of your head.
For me, one more FUE combined with a repair of my FUT scar is the only option. And I guess Hattingen also would do this if I decided for them.

Edited June 1, 2022 by K l a u s

[Havar]

On 6/1/2022 at 9:03 PM, K l a u s said:

@Havar thanks for your reply, but one FUT (scar) is one too much. Never again FUT for me, it is so much more invasive and the time to recover is at least double of FUE. Also a world-renowned surgeon like Dr. Hasson told that FUE has passed FUT and is the new standard. Furthermore, nobody really wants the ugly scar at the back of your head.
For me, one more FUE combined with a repair of my FUT scar is the only option. And I guess Hattingen also would do this if I decided for them.

I understand. A fut-scar is of course a longer scar, but if you have got one already, Hattingen could give you more grafts, and a nicer scar at the same time without getting more scar around( Fue also causes scar and thinner hair).so my best advice is to talk to Dr Sever M, he is a honest and world class surgeon. He knows what the best solution is. Just consult him; and have a open mind.All the best🤞💐