Carlos Wesley(NYC)/2nd Hair Transplant Attempt/1552 Grafts

[Milkman555]

Hi all,

I am about 8 months into my second hair transplant with Carlos Wesley, who is based in NYC. As some may know, I was greatly dissatisfied with my first transplant from TrueDorin, which was approximately 1100 grafts. 

I went to Wesley in July 2022. He used 1552 grafts. The total cost was about $11-12k. He was very nice and compassionate about my situation. Wesley assured me that he could achieve good result on the corners of my hairline. The corners,  and particularly the left side of my hairline, have been poor density. This is the only area of my scalp that has needed the grafts so far. 
 

Wesley did a a two day process. On the first day, he made the incisions. On the second day, the technicians (also maybe Wesley?) placed the grafts. I don’t remember too much because they heavily sedate you. 
 

As of now, I hate to be pessimistic but this transplant isn’t looking good as well. It’s an improvement over the first for sure, but for roughly 2700 grafts, the density is still not acceptable to be considered a good outcome at this point. 

I am sorry for being anxious, but I feel lost about what to do next? Should I be talking to another doctor about a 3rd hair transplant? Wesley wrote in his notes that I have at least 2500 more grafts left. However, I’m 29 and don’t know if I should have 3 before 30 because that seems excessive. It would also exhausting dropping what would amount to at least $30k, but I’ll do it if it makes sense. 

I took these pictures under bathroom lighting just yesterday.
 

(Full disclosure, I did get a brow lift several weeks ago, and a small incision was made near the temporal region, so there are some scabs, but it hasn’t affected the density of the hair)

[Milkman555]

This is how it looks in motion. 

[HappyMan2021]

What is your norwood level? 

A cumulative total of 2700 grafts is actually on the lower end. I would imagine 2700 grafts would only be satisfactory for a NW2, and unlikely but possibly a NW3. 

Also dont be bummed by the # of transplants you may need. 

Most doctors and clinic marketing material makes it seem like every patient will only need a one and done procedure. That is FAR from the case. 

Hair transplants are notorious for needing multiple procedures in order to have a long-term satisfactory end result. 

 

[Rafael Manelli]

In the photos it looks... unsatisfactory. 

In the video it looks pretty good 

[Belve]

The yield is low in your left side. Many grafts did not survive. The result is totally unacceptable for 12k $.  I think you should ask the doctor to give you half money back.

 
It seems that paying a lot of money for a hair transplant doesn’t mean that you will get a proper and good result.You could have paid the half or even the 1/3 of these money and get a better result. 

Edited February 26, 2023 by Belve

[Milkman555]

25 minutes ago, Belve said:

The yield is low in your left side. Many grafts did not survive. The result is totally unacceptable for 12k $.  I think you should ask the doctor to give you half money back.

 
It seems that paying a lot of money for a hair transplant doesn’t mean that you will get a proper and good result.You could have paid the half or even the 1/3 of these money and get a better result. 

That really hurts my feelings, but you are correct.

[Milkman555]

47 minutes ago, HappyMan2021 said:

What is your norwood level? 

A cumulative total of 2700 grafts is actually on the lower end. I would imagine 2700 grafts would only be satisfactory for a NW2, and unlikely but possibly a NW3. 

Also dont be bummed by the # of transplants you may need. 

Most doctors and clinic marketing material makes it seem like every patient will only need a one and done procedure. That is FAR from the case. 

Hair transplants are notorious for needing multiple procedures in order to have a long-term satisfactory end result. 

 

I’m a Norwood 2. It’s exhausting having to get another procedure done before 30 to address a relatively small area that the first two seem to have not done.

[HappyMan2021]

15 minutes ago, Milkman555 said:

I’m a Norwood 2. It’s exhausting having to get another procedure done before 30 to address a relatively small area that the first two seem to have not done.

ah, yes 2700 grafts really should have been more than enough for a NW2. That is a generous # of grafts. Your yield must have been poor. I advise you to look beyond NYC for a 3rd HT. You would think that NYC, being such a massive, fashionable, cosmopolitan, hip place, would have amazing HT doctors, but this really is not the case....

If you look at the recommended surgeon list, many of these doctors are located in some pretty random places. 

Edited February 26, 2023 by HappyMan2021

[HappyMan2021]

also, thinking about it more, your yield seems like it was really poor....you weren't botched though, so that implied both Dorin and Wesley at minimum did some things right. 

If I were you I would get your scalp checked for a potential underlying condition before diving even deeper into hair transplant world. You want to make sure there is no physiological reason for these bad yields. 

[civic]

Is it under direct light? How does it look outside under normal day light? I think if he were to very dense pack the hairline it might not have look too natural. Honestly it doesn't’ look bad. You still have about 4 months of possible growth, i am on month 7 & still see some new follicles along the frontal. 

[Al - Moderator]

I don't think it looks bad. Let it mature for the next few months.

 

[Dillpickle123]

What was your before? Before the 2 transplants

[Milkman555]

This is an update at over 9 months out. Unfortunately I don’t really think there’s an improvement. I got a haircut so I think the shorter hair makes it easier to showcase that this isn’t going to turn out well. 😞 I called Dr. Wesley’s office on several occasions and even left a voicemail expressing my concerns. However, no one picked up. I then emailed Kim, who is Wesley’s assistant, and she told me to wait 12 months. She told me the earliest Wesley can see me is in June. I just wanted some guidance on what to do next, but they’ve been largely unhelpful. 

[Melvin- Admin]

@Milkman555

Send me a pm, let me contact Dr. Wesley for you. I think it would be a good idea to have the clinic take new photos to compare your pre-op. 

[stephcurry30]

I'm sorry you had a poor result twice. This just goes to show you that going to top tier surgeons (even recommended on this website) doesn't always guarantee a result.

 

I agree with others you need to get a re fund of some of those grafts! 

[Legend007]

He’s not getting a refund, clinics very rarely refund you.. unless you got butchered !!! 
 

Stop chasing the dream, for that ideal hair. Hairtransplants aren’t easy and it’s not as successful as the pics on here.. If you can’t get a free touch up, just wait it out and live life until you get older and bald more.; then you can have a bigger procedure to fix things. Right now you wasting time n money trying to fix small problems with little procedures.. cuz of u balding already ,. U gonna get balder later.. 

[Milkman555]

Here we are at the 10 month mark under bathroom lighting. Maybe a 5-10% improvement for the left corner. 

[Al - Moderator]

I think it looks good. I understand that it's not as dense as you thought/hoped it would be, but some people are never going to be able to get super dense hair. It depends a lot on the individual hair shaft density. Some guys have very thick hairs that cover the scalp easily without using many grafts while others have thinner hairs that would require twice as many grafts to get the same dense look. At this point a lot of it is your mind set. You have to get to a point in your thinking where you are happy that you did something about it because it's better than it was without it looking like you have an obvious hair transplant. I think your hair is there now physically. It's not a fake looking straight line and it has some thinness, both of those things make it look natural. You just have to get your mindset there. I know it's easier said than done, though.

[Gatsby]

I'm not a doctor. But have you considered oral minoxidil? I've been on it for some time now and the first improvement from it I noticed is that my hair (and beard) became thicker. It may help with your concerns. Wishing you all the best!

[Dillpickle123]

Maybe get your scalp checked to see if you have a condition, I myself just got a ht and am also wondering if I’m just a slow grower or if I might have an underlying condition worsening it

[Milkman555]

8 hours ago, Dillpickle123 said:

Maybe get your scalp checked to see if you have a condition, I myself just got a ht and am also wondering if I’m just a slow grower or if I might have an underlying condition worsening it

Wesley knew the first one didn't go well but didn't think I needed a scalp biopsy to address some underlying issue. Moreover, the right side of my hair has grown decently well, so I don't understand the reason for the poor growth on the left side.

[Dillpickle123]

9 minutes ago, Milkman555 said:

Wesley knew the first one didn't go well but didn't think I needed a scalp biopsy to address some underlying issue. Moreover, the right side of my hair has grown decently well, so I don't understand the reason for the poor growth on the left side.

I’m having similar issues just got my first NW2 but I’m just at 6 months still halfway there but right side is not growing as well las the left the right did need more work to be fair 

[Milkman555]

How many grafts do you think I would need to to fill in this area. 200-300?

[Balding Bad]

Hey @Milkman555 -- any updates?