1425 grafts | 30yr | NW3 | Concerned at 5 months

[Hairfulthinking]

Hi all,

I have been slowly receding since late teens. I was on fin and min for a few years, but then stopped for over a year during some life obstacles and during this lost a lot of hair at the front. During covid I hopped back on both and recovered a fair bit of growth while stabilising the hair loss, and finally in in November I underwent a HT. 

I wanted a conservative HT that was not lowering the hairline and kept recessive corners. The main goal was increasing density to shape my hair as I expect over the years I may still lose ground and want to save grafts and age 'naturally'.

So as my biggest fear was an unnatural hairline with very thin density, I did extensive research and opted for a clinic in the UK who were very personable and professional; throughout they have been really great with no complaints; smooth operation, smooth recovery, etc.

However, I am at 5 months now and it's looking sparse to say the least. I am aware I have many months to go with the next few months being where people see good progress, but recently I caught up with family and got negative and concerned comments about it, they are all very supportive usually so the fact they expressed concern worried me.

Since, I've been looking over the pics and while it looks like a clean op with the 10 day growth before shedding looking alright, I am starting to think 1450 grafts was not enough for the amount of space with my fine hair type. I do not like how it looks currently, the hairline looks very artificial and anytime I step outside I wear a hat because the sun shines right through the area. Also, I have noticed a few multi grafts in the hairline, and when wet, these join together in which my hair looks pluggy. Could they have more densely packed it? I see videos and pictures of others with less graphs in larger recipient areas, as well as more graphs in smaller recipient areas, so it's hard to judge.

 

Single grafts: 200

Double grafts: 558

Triple grafts: 567

Quad grafts and above: 100

Total: 1425 grafts = 3417 individual hairs

 

Pre op

Post op

Around 10 days post op - scabs just come off

Five months post op 

 

Edited April 14, 2023 by Hairfulthinking
Removed wrong pic

[Rafael Manelli]

Honestly, it doesn’t look that bad to me. For 5 months this looks normal. It has plenty of time to fill in.

1400 grafts may not be enough to fill that area densely on bald scalp but you had plenty of thinning hair there to begin with. As long as that remains, and growth of the grafts is good, you still have a good result to look forward to. Don’t let other people’s comments put you off. They more than likely don’t know what they’re talking about. Your family probably just thought it looks thin, which is does, but that’s normal for 5 months.

[BurnieBurns]

This is absolutely fine for 5 months. If your doctor is ethical they should be honest if it doesn't seem on course

[Surf]

Hey OP, I’m in quite literally the exact same situation as you. I’m also 5 months in from my UK hair transplant and getting a bit worried over density. In fact, it’s hard to believe I didn’t write your post - everything you’ve written, down to clean recovery and good progress to 10 days, to the professionalism of the clinic (I’m seriously wondering if we went to the same one - maybe PM me?) is what I’ve been going through. I get exactly how you feel. 

Edited April 14, 2023 by Surf

[Hairfulthinking]

Thanks for the replies. I'm just worried that perhaps a 'better' surgeon could have more densely filled the area with tighter graft placement. However, to be fair, while deciding who to go with I actually got multiple quotes from many surgeons, some who are held in high regard in this forum such as Dr Bisanga and Dr Ahmad; pretty much everyone quoted 1400 - 1700 grafts. I'll wait a few more months before panicking and update this post then. Surf it seems I can't PM you, but the place is located under a pharmacy... can't imagine to many have a similar location.

Edited April 16, 2023 by Hairfulthinking

[Rafael Manelli]

It looks dense 

[Balding Bad]

On 4/16/2023 at 11:56 PM, Rafael Manelli said:

It looks dense 

Are you serious..?

But @Hairfulthinking, any updates man?

[Rawkerboi]

Still seven months left and that's plenty of time for your hair to fill up. 

Avoid stressing out. 

[Spring15]

Give it more time, worst comes to worse you can have another surgery to add more density & with a reputable doc

[Hairfulthinking]

Well I'm around the 6 month mark and I'm having a difficult time about the state of my head (feel a little stupid tbh) but I know there's a lot of time left.

I don't believe there is much change visually, however I have noticed a lot of vellus hairs popping up so hopefully time will add some density. But while maybe density can improve(?), to be honest I'm very unsure about how unnatural the hairline looks currently. There's no softness to it and seems like a harsh and pluggy transition; the hairline definitely has multi grafts in it and they even the single grafts are quite thick. However, I contacted the place I got the HT and they said progress was on track and results should be good by the year. They also sent me a link with pictures in that I'm similar to another patient and he saw a big improvement between month 6 and 9, so who knows.

But yeah, idk, to sum it up, I just never leave the house without a hat now.

Here are some pics below.

In direct sunlight.

 

Under bathroom light.

Edited May 16, 2023 by Hairfulthinking
Spelling

[Hairfulthinking]

I know this isn't the most popular thread, but I was curious if anyone has any experience with the their recipient hair being quite stiff sticking in an upwards angle and hard to 'comb down'. When pushing the hair forwards, the hairs join together in a clumpy look (below). Anyone had this as a phase in which they grew out of?

[baldfighter]

the density 10 days post op looks pretty good so perhaps you just need some more time.

I just had my surgery 2.5 weeks ago so can’t comment on the stiffness.

[Navthedon]

Who is the surgeon as I think I used him as well? You'll definitely need another surgery to bulk up the hairline (I ended up going to Turkey in the end).

[Melvin- Admin]

6 months is only the halfway mark. You’ve improved a lot in a month. I wouldn’t worry too much. Patience is key.

[WoundedWolf]

yes i can see some thick multi grafts in hairline, also the hair direction and angle looks straight upwards, the hairline hairs shud match temple hairs (transition from temple to hairline shud be seamless and soft), do wait for 12 months for full analysis then only we can conclude final results 

[Rawkerboi]

Indoor pictures are looking quite decent. 

Still 6 more months to go, so I guess density will come. 

[Balding Bad]

Hey @Hairfulthinking - I'm legit in the same situation as you. Approaching the 6 month mark and my hair is looking sparse, thin, and pluggy. Definitely curious how we'll both turn out, but rooting for the both of us in the interim!

[consequence]

You're coming along sir, be patient.

Also what meds are you on? Any PRP?

[Hairfulthinking]

On 6/14/2023 at 7:25 AM, consequence said:

You're coming along sir, be patient.

Also what meds are you on? Any PRP?

Oral Fin daily 1mg & x2 topical min.

Recently tried adding x1 weekly 0.5mg dut and 1.25mg oral min daily (instead of topical).

But the dut has given me really dry eyes over the last few weeks - I assume due to the meibomian glands being androgen receptors; and the oral min even at a low dose gave me wheezy bubbly breathing after a week of use likely due to causing fluid in the airways.

[Hairfulthinking]

7 month mark. Not much to say really apart from that my head looks prettyyy badd, but I guess time will tell as I'm aware most people start to see quickening improvements from here onwards. If I don't update next month, I'll come back on month 9.

[Navthedon]

It's not going to change much - 4 months is a good indicator and It looks pretty much how it looked then. Start looking for a better surgeon. 

 

[Balding Bad]

Hey @Hairfulthinking, thanks for the update.

Sorry to see there hasn't been much meaningful improvement from the month prior. That said, I've seen some posts on this forum where people really do turn the corner at 9 months, but usually their past months were slightly better as well. Obviously everyone is different, so there's still a chance for you to turn the corner, but in the meantime I think it's important to temper expectations. I'm rooting for you though!

Also, for the sake of transparency and for a fully documented journey, I think you should still provide an update at the 8 month mark.

Edited June 19, 2023 by Balding Bad

[Al - Moderator]

On 5/22/2023 at 5:29 PM, Hairfulthinking said:

I know this isn't the most popular thread, but I was curious if anyone has any experience with the their recipient hair being quite stiff sticking in an upwards angle and hard to 'comb down'. When pushing the hair forwards, the hairs join together in a clumpy look (below). Anyone had this as a phase in which they grew out of?

 

It looks like your grafts are placed pointing straight up rather than at a frontward angle. Frontal grafts usually need to be placed at a forward angle or else you can get the pluggy, stalky look because the hairs are too thick for the hairline. Natural hairlines are usually very fine hairs in the very front. It's hard to recreate that look with certain hair types. If they were facing forward you would have less of an issue because they fall forward a bit and cover the hairline.

[consequence]

It's a bit disappointing at 7 months but it's not unusual for people to get thickening or growth later on. I wish you could upgrade your meds but if you're having issues then so be it.

Have you considered augmenting with PRP? Any usage of LLLT?

Edited June 20, 2023 by consequence

[RTC]

i would agree with your criticisms and don't foresee this ending up as a success story. Sorry to see this has happened bro.

try to grow your hair and live with it for a few months. If you really can't live with it, start scouting out some other surgeons. Thankfully it's not the worst ever.