7 months update

[sainthistory]

These are my recent photos, 7 months after my ht with Dr Feller

 

 

 

[sainthistory]

This is my first post on any hair loss forum, and I hope that my experiences will be of use to someone. I've certainly gained from the advice given in many posts on different forums.

 

I'm in my early 40s, my hair loss started a long time ago. Last year I finally decided to do something about it, researched, met with Spex up in Nottingham and started on the meds (generic finasteride). I'd decided that the HT route was for me, my donor area is pretty good and that was always part of my problem: thick at the sides and back and growing sparser at the front especially. My hair loss was becoming more and more obvious and any mention of hair loss, in any context and I would change the conversation. I dreaded anyone mentioning it.

 

Luckily I am a teacher so I could make an appointment for a HT with Dr. Feller for the start of my summer holidays. It will give me 4 weeks recovery time and I hope it will be enough. I had 3535 grafts in the frontal area (I'll post the photos when I get them).

 

As for the meds, by the 5th month they had some effect on the crown and sides, but seemed to have thinned out the front. However, I got some very bad side ??“ effects (bad pain in the 'nether' regions!) and I had to give them up for two weeks. I've tried to start them again, this time on half ??“ dose. I'll see how they go.

 

As for the HT, I arrived in NY on the Saturday, and my HT was on the Tuesday. The few days in NY were great and the journey to Great Neck easy ??“ Penn Station, the Long Island expressway and then the Andrew hotel. The hotel was expensive but really good; the staff left me alone, the room was comfortable and they even let me check out at 3pm on my final day, before I took a taxi back to JFK ($50).

 

I walked to Dr. Feller's surgery the day before the surgery and it's only 15 minutes from the hotel. It's easy to get a map from google maps. It was very warm, but the walk the next morning was a lot less stressful than waiting around for another cab. I arrived at 7.30am, very nervous, but Dr. Feller was friendly and put me at my ease. He drew a new hairline on my scalp, we chatted and then I had the donor site anaesthetised and although his assistant Anna warned me that this was the worst point it really wasn't very painful. The day went quickly and I just sat back and listened to his technicians chat whilst they put in the grafts. I was very keen to get involved in their conversations but didn't feel in the best position to do so! I think it was all finished about 3.30pm (I was a little shell shocked by then) and Dr Feller took some photos. I was quite excited with my new hairline, although I looked a terrible state, but by this time all I wanted to do was get back to the hotel and hide.

 

The flight back was good (Virgin Atlantic) although like many other UK patients I was worried about the JFK airport security. No big deal, I was through the security before I knew it and although the security guard (a woman) gave my scalp a funny look I just walked on and didn't look back. UK passport control didn't ask me to take off the baseball cap.

 

Now I'm home and it's exactly two weeks on. The worst part of the whole experience is my haircut at the moment ??“ shaved down on top (and growing back very slowly), and thick at the sides. The staples came out on Friday and although a little painful (take a few paracetemols first) it was a great relief. I cut my own hair with clippers for the first time the day after: not a great result but it looks and feels a lot better. Putting aloe vera on the recipient area has really helped and I'm taking MSM to speed up the growth on top and hide what I've done. I now have another 2 weeks for the hair to equal out a bit and then hope I can cut it short enough without the donor scar and 'shelf' in the back of my head showing. No-one apart from those reading this post (and Dr.Feller and Spex) knows about the HT. I'll see how secret I can keep it: I prefer it that way. Luckily (!) I live alone so I've been able to lock myself away a bit.

 

The care given to me by Dr Feller and his staff was excellent and I would definitely do the same again. Thanks to all the posters on the various forums for your advice. Thanks also to Spex for his initial advice. I hope that this information is useful to those considering a transplant: if anyone wants to know anything else just ask.

 

sainthistory

[sainthistory]

Above post is a copy of my first post, last August.

 

It's now 7 months on and i m very happy with progress so far, although the photos themselves don't show results at their best. My best mate has really noticed the difference and he's the only one privy to my secret. My barber has also been very impressed. A few others have said 'have you grown your hair?' but I m happy the results have emerged so gradually. The hair at the front is quite curly and has come in quite thick at places. Hopefully there is still something else still to come.

Scar seems fine and all shockloss has grown back.

Not on finesteride as the side effects were pretty bad for me. I have been trying rogaine foam on top/crown but also getting a few side effects too! I guess I'm not too lucky with those.

I think I'll need a second ht at the top/crown one day, but the first ht has given me a lot more confidence and that's what I was hoping for.

Thanks again to Dr Feller and spex for his advice.

[MikeTheDane]

I think that you've had a pretty good result so far Are you happy with the density?

 

Don't forget, you still have some growth left!

[hairthere]

7 months is still early in the game. I'd expect some more growth, and a lot more thickening. It also looks like the quality of your hair is still a bit wiry. Don't worry, this will change too. Very nice HT and transformation--sounds like you have the hair greed bug, but enjoy!

[Ian..]

very nice, i think hairthere nailed it with his comments, between 12 -18 months the hair matures and resembles the rest of your hair.

[badger_01]

Congrats on your result! Its already great, but as hairthere and Ian have pointed out, you still have a ways to go and you can expect more thickening to come. I'd expect to soften considerably over the next year for an even more natural look.

[aaron1234]

Just echoing what everyone said above. The wiry bird's nest will settle down with time. Also, expect more growth! Looks like you are on par for 7 months.

[Megatron]

are you guys looking at the same pics as me? LOL

 

I think your hair looks unbelievably good for only 7 months considering you had no hair there before. the density is already there and the hairs will thicken/mature like these guys said.

 

you're in for a WOW result man. congrats!

[BadHairUK]

Originally posted by hairthere:

7 months is still early in the game. I'd expect some more growth, and a lot more thickening. It also looks like the quality of your hair is still a bit wiry. Don't worry, this will change too. Very nice HT and transformation--sounds like you have the hair greed bug, but enjoy!

 

I was just about to say exactly the same... 7 months is far from the end result, at this stage its looking fantatsic...better than I did at this stage. Keep us posted.. the quality of the hair (naturalness) carries on improving way beyond a year ! I was seeing amazing natural looking hair improving all the time after the year marker. So your in great shape, all your looking for right now is the signs of growth and not to be concerned about the wavyness of the new hair as that will all happen later

[sainthistory]

Thanks for all of the positive comments, they are very reassuring. The hair at the front looks a little more wiry in the photos that it actually is. If it continues thickening up and becomes a touch more manageable then i'll be even more happy. I'll post again in another couple of months.

[Nicky]

looks good!

[Bill - Seemiller]

sainthistory,

 

Thanks for sharing your hair transplant experience and 7 month progress pictures on this community. I can only echo what's been said so far - your hair looks great, especially at this stage in the game.

 

I hope you'll come back to let us know how your hair has grown, thickened, and matured in the next 5 months.

 

Best wishes and happy continued growing!

 

Bill

[hairshare]

Very impressive result. You went with a great doc. Congrats!

[bosco]

Congratulations to all on a great result.