Dr. Bisanga 2478 grafts April 15th 2023

[jackfera]

After many years of researching and planning. I have completed my hair surgery with Dr. Bisanga.

 

A big shout out to Ian who coordinated the experience and was super helpful along the way.

 

Procedure was completed in Maryland at the medical office owned by Dr. Bisangas wife. Much easier for me than to fly to Brussels.

 

Procedure started at 8 with the evaluation. We discussed the hairline and total grafted needed. I mostly let Dr. Bisanga design the hairline and went with his recommendations. My goal through the surgery is to be able to wear my hair spiked and Dr. B stated that wouldn't be an issue. 

 

I did request that the area behind the recipient be left unshaven and he was fine to do that.

Procedure took about 9 hours with a short lunch in the middle. Being someone with a high pain tolerance, all I can say is DAM those shots hurt!

After the procedure they applied a bandage to the donor area, Dr. Bisanga gave me post op instructions, and I was on my way.

Great experience and I also want to compliment the techs who were exceptional.

[Rafael Manelli]

The work looks clean, the photos high quality, and you chose a good doctor, but we can’t really see what your hairline looked like before surgery because of your (admittedly highly effective) combover. Do you have any photos of the hairline before surgery?

You look like you have excellent donor quality and a fine head of hair, with DHT blockers you should get a great outcome for years to come.

[Melvin- Admin]

The work looks super clean. Excited to see this grow. 

[A_4_Archan]

Nice clean work....Happy Growing And keep Updating 

[duckling]

that is some combover 😄 seems like you had planned the hair length for mid-scalp from long before surgery .

Coming to the work i think it was very clean. Going by his reputation you can expect a good result.

Please upload some before photos though so we can know how much existing hair you had in those areas to make a comparision.

[jackfera]

About a 24 hour followup to the surgery before I get on my flight.

 

Some additional thought

 

Dr. Bisanga will give you tylenol, but I recommend bringing some ibuprofen. I need 400mg before bed to be fully comfortable and to sleep well.

 

I wore a surgical cap through the airport and was never asked to remove through TSA. Some looks from people but nobody really cares.

 

As far as when to fly back, I would recommend next day to allow some recovery and be rested for a flight. I chose domestic business class for the way home, but don't really feel it's all that necessary. Coach with early boarding window seat would be fine.

 

As far as swelling nothing to write home about yet. I feel good and look forward to the future growth!

[jackfera]

Prior meds.

 

I forgot to talk about my current regiment.

 

Supplements: B12, Vit D, MSM, Magnesium, Fish Oil.

 

Meds: 7.5mg Minox daily, .5mg Finasteride (Propecia name brand).

 

Now as far as finasteride, I have been taking on and off since 2016 twice I have gotten significant low libido and had to stop (was taking 1mg). I came back with .5mg and find no side effects. For anyone looking to start finding, I recommend starting at .25mg and if there are no sides after 3 months, go to .5. I would stop if any libido decrease happens and you should be able to take the med without issue. Also bupropion can help with the decrease in sex drive which I have taken for 6 months. I also have bad anxiety and it does help with that as well.

[Metreon80]

7 hours ago, Rafael Manelli said:

The work looks clean, the photos high quality, and you chose a good doctor, but we can’t really see what your hairline looked like before surgery because of your (admittedly highly effective) combover. Do you have any photos of the hairline before surgery?

Second this. Would be very interested in seeing photos of the hairline before surgery.

[jackfera]

Here are some before albeit from 2019.

 

I will say my hair hasn't changed much, though better thickness from oral minox. If I find current photos on my computer I will upload them.

 

I

[Surf]

This is going to look phenomenal. Congrats in advance!

[jackfera]

9 hours ago, Surf said:

This is going to look phenomenal. Congrats in advance!

Thank you very much!

[jackfera]

Here are some day 2 post op photos. Some swelling of the face but noticeable. I ran a few errands with a loose fitting hat and no one seemed to notice a thing.

 

Donor area looks good and should be ready for me to go back to work with a surgical cap (I am a doctor).

[jackfera]

Here are some more recent before photos for comparison. 

 

[Melvin- Admin]

2 hours ago, jackfera said:

Here are some day 2 post op photos. Some swelling of the face but noticeable. I ran a few errands with a loose fitting hat and no one seemed to notice a thing.

 

Donor area looks good and should be ready for me to go back to work with a surgical cap (I am a doctor).

Wow, you’re very lucky. I had to go in the office 🙁

[Rafael Manelli]

Definitely looks good.

[jackfera]

Day 4 Update:

 

Some swelling the last 2 days but overall was minimal. There was some itching in the area behind the donor site, but nothing that was too unbearable.

I am still taking ibuprofen and tylenol semi frequently, about 400mg ibu 3xdaily, and 500mg tyl 2xdaily.

 

With the swelling, I had difficulty in moving the muscles of my forehead but that has all returned. I have worn a "trucker" style hat a couple times (that avoids touching any of the grafted area and rests on middle of my forehead) which seems to work well for not giving the I have cancer look of a surgical cap.

Now in terms of whether I recommend keeping hair past the recipient site like I did, or going full shaven, looking back I probably would have just shaved the area. Keeping some hair to comb forward is not a bad idea if the grafted area is small, but in my case there is little way I am going to make it look good with the space my native hair would need to cover. When I hit 2 weeks I intend to shave everything and rock the bald head for a bit while the grafts shed and grow back in.

 

[Melvin- Admin]

Can we see pictures?

[jackfera]

8 hours ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

Can we see pictures?

Can you not see ny comparison photos? 

 

I will take a photo at 1 week and upload. Nothing new to show thus far.

[Gennox]

update please

[Turkhair]

Ditto

[jackfera]

Hey Everyone!

As with many people, now the procedure is done, it is easy to move on in life and not focus on your hair.

Here are some quick notes I have taken over the last 5.5 Months:

• Took around 5 months for most of the numbness to go away. I would say I am at 90% of feeling back in my scalp.
• Mont 4 is where the magic happens. From there density really increases quickly.
• My opinion is Oral Minox allows the grafts to mature and thicken faster, giving the appearance of fast growth. 
  • For Minox to work to help decrease/eliminate shedding, you need to be on 5mg to achieve. 2.5 seemed to lead to more shedding where 5mg has given me good stability. Still more shedding than when I was on 1mg fin, but much better with the sides.
• Lots of pimples! Man those things popped hard. Went away around month 4.

 

Here are photos from the last few months.

 

Month 3: 

 

Month 4:

 

Month 5

 

Month 5.5:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 4, 2023 by jackfera

[Spring15]

Progressing nicely. Keep it up

[Melvin- Admin]

Early growth as always, with Dr. Bisanga.

 

 

[Raphael84]

@jackfera
Thank you for the update and for the quality images. Very pleased for you and things are really accelerating and progressing now. Still a good way to go and further improvement to look forward to, but your are undoubtedly well on your way and I very much look forward to the coming months and further updates.

Very pleased for you.

[BaldingEye]

Looking great as always from Dr Bisanga. And it will be a lot better in the coming months.