My second HT with Eugenix, fifth overall

[Chiku]

 

Hi, 

I had my second HT with Eugenix 18 days ago. This was my second HT with Eugenix and fifth overall.  I have posted several threads previously with pics with some details on those HTs and pics post my last HT with EUgenix.

I won’t post all the details about my trip to India, stay at the hotel etc as many other eloquent writers have posted that information at length. I will focus mainly on my transplant. I had my first HT with Eugenix an year ago and I am pleased with the results given the limitations of my donor.  I went back to increase density on the previously worked on area. Drs. at Eugenix had suggested to get crown done on this sitting, but I expressed my preference on getting more density on the front scalp. They agreed to do that. I am overall pleased with what they did.

This time I had Dr. Das for my HT.

The original plan was to do about 3000 grafts, 1000 scalp and 2000 beard. But on the day of the procedure, they decided that 2500 would be enough. There was no change to the position of the hair line, but she drew temple points. Posteriorly, she drew two lines, one conservative which was anterior(forward) and one more posterior (closer to the crown and coinciding with the posterior(back edge) margin of the previous work ). She told that while making slits they would know if up to what point ( posterior point)they could provide coverage. ON the front markings were same with each plan. 

Unlike many other who have posted, I did not feel that the planning was rushed and we spent quite some time discussing it over. I requested her to do as much grafts as are needed to get adequate density. She mentioned that with 1000 scalp grafts, they would "kill the hair line" and use 1500 beard grafts for the rest of the scalp. I showed her most recent picture from a top view under light and specifically asked if this plan will take care of the sparsity visible in this view. She appeared very confident and said that it will provide adequate density to address the sea through from top view. I asked her on several occasions and said that they can go with the conservative approach and give as much density as possible, extract as much hairs as are needed from beard. I also told her that this will be my last procedure for this area and I want maximum possible density as I do not plan to undergo another HT to address this area. I also specifically asked, if she has chosen to do only 2500 grafts, due to limitation of the donor or she feels that this is all is needed. I told her that my beard hair and scalp hair are very similar in texture and you cannot tell them apart, so theoretically there should be no donor limitation. She said that 2500 ( approx.)grafts are all that is needed to address the density.

She did add that if I were to oil my hair or wet it then no matter how much hairs we put in, there will be see through. A few moments lalter they got a form which mentioned specifically that I am happy with the plan and that there will be see through under certain conditions like application of oil to hair, wet hairs and some more, and had me sign.

I did find one major difference compared to last year. Last year, in the plan, I had the doctor do the slits, extraction with assistance from tech, and techs did implantation with some crucial implantation done by the doctor. However, this year, as most of their plans, doctor is doing planning and slits and techs are doing100% extraction and implantation.

Also they built new Ots on a different floor which is more spacious and nice. 

My procedure lasted two days and at the end of the second day again, Dr. Das examined the work and I asked again if she feels more grafts are needed in the area. She said in Hindi ‘iska ab koi masla nahin rahega’(this will not be an issue anymore). They did a total of little over 2600 grafts and provided coverage up to the second marked line they drew during the planning which was good.

The number of grafts is still something I am not fully convinced. I have beard hairs available aplenty and feel they could have gone for more. But, on the other hand I do trust their expertise and experience. I hope my concerns are proved wrong. Only results will tell. They had two full days reserved for me and procedure ended well before 2 PM on the second day, so although I always felt they could have done more but cannot deny being impressed with their ethics. A lot of other clinics would find a way to implant more but they did not do any more than what they believed was adequate.

Below are my pics:

1)    Pre first transplant one year ago, first and second.

2)    Pre this transplant, third and fourth pics.

3)    Post recent transplant 5 and 6th.

   Rest of the pics are taken between day 12-16 with minimal shedding. 

7-8 are indoor bright light. 

9 ambient room light, 10 

11 th  outdoors.

12th and 13th outdoors under the sun. 

14 Top view indoor bright light.

All my beard graft hairs  are grey/white and a large number of my scalp grafts hairs are a grey and most of those for some reason do not show up on most of the pics.  I believe it has something to do with the angle of the light.  

All these are under harsh light except. 1) the one which has carpet and wooden floor in the background, which is in room ambient light. 2) one where there is couch in the back, where all the grey hairs show up but most of the dark ones do not.

Last three pics outdoors and the last two under direct sun.

My thanks to Dr. Arika Bansal for my previous HT, Dr. Das for my recent HT and the ancillary staff who form the backbone of the organization and the techs who are the heartbeat of Eugenix. Their driver Mr. Amit has special expertise in driving patients with a hair transplant. Hard to find such drivers in India.  

Edited June 20, 2023 by Chiku
added a photo

[Fox243]

Seems like the first three transplants had almost non existent growth. Do you know why this happened? Hopefully this one gives you a much fuller head of hair. 

[bigmistake]

Best of luck ! Wish we could have met in Delhi. 

 

Really looking forward to your results as we have almost the same receipent areas. Your hair cut short looks great.

 

Are you oral finastride or minoxidil.

[A_4_Archan]

Hopefully you get the density you wish which don't expose scalp in normal scenarios... though the area is so big and as you know very well that beard grafts may be thick but they mostly consist of single hair so its always a tricky situation....but i am somehow feeling positive about it that you will get an adequate density this time...best of luck brother ....happy growing..

[Chiku]

9 hours ago, Fox243 said:

Seems like the first three transplants had almost non existent growth. Do you know why this happened? Hopefully this one gives you a much fuller head of hair. 

Those three HTs were in early 2000's and were small sessions. Such sessions caused more damage to the native hairs instead of adding more coverage with the ones which were transplanted. Moreover,  I was not on finasteride so I kept loosing my native hairs and transplanted hairs over the years. 

[bigmistake]

2 minutes ago, Chiku said:

Those three HTs were in early 2000's and were small sessions. Such sessions caused more damage to the native hairs instead of adding more coverage with the ones which were transplanted. Moreover,  I was not on finasteride so I kept loosing my native hairs and transplanted hairs over the years. 

Can you please share pictures of your donor with short hair ?

[Chiku]

1 hour ago, bigmistake said:

Best of luck ! Wish we could have met in Delhi. 

 

Really looking forward to your results as we have almost the same receipent areas. Your hair cut short looks great.

 

Are you oral finastride or minoxidil.

Thank you.

Yes, we could have if you are from Delhi. I had been on oral finasteride for years, started topical minoxidil six months prior to transplant. Topical minoxidil is stopped periprocedural.  Started oral minoxidil a few days ago. 

When is your transplant?

[Chiku]

8 hours ago, A_4_Archan said:

Hopefully you get the density you wish which don't expose scalp in normal scenarios... though the area is so big and as you know very well that beard grafts may be thick but they mostly consist of single hair so its always a tricky situation....but i am somehow feeling positive about it that you will get an adequate density this time...best of luck brother ....happy growing..

Thanks for your input. The techs said that they extracted a lot of double beard grafts. So I hope it gives adequate density despite the high ratio of beard grafts.  I am following your thread too! You are all set for some good density based on you post ops pics.  Keep posting and happy growing to you too. 

Edited June 20, 2023 by Chiku

[A_4_Archan]

19 minutes ago, Chiku said:

Thanks for your input. The techs said that I extracted a lot of double beard grafts. So I hope it gives adequate density despite the high ratio of beard grafts.  I am following your thread too! You are all set for some good density based on you post ops pics.  Keep posting and happy growing to you too. 

Thats awesome that you had many doubles in your beard ..thts a real plus..that will help with the density ofcourse ..happy for you...

Yeh will keep posting mine too..thanks for the wishes brother ...

[bigmistake]

3 hours ago, Chiku said:

Thank you.

Yes, we could have if you are from Delhi. I had been on oral finasteride for years, started topical minoxidil six months prior to transplant. Topical minoxidil is stopped periprocedural.  Started oral minoxidil a few days ago. 

When is your transplant?

Haven't fixed a date yet. Will be visiting the clinic in person in July. Will set a date accordingly.

[Chiku]

2 hours ago, bigmistake said:

Haven't fixed a date yet. Will be visiting the clinic in person in July. Will set a date accordingly.

Ok. 

 

Will post the donor area pics soon. 

[Eugenix Hair Sciences]

@Chiku

Thanks for choosing us for your hair restoration. We wish you all the best in your new journey. 

Keep us updated on your progress. 

Warmest Regards
Eugenix Hair Sciences 

 

[Chiku]

Thank you for the work you do. Will keep you posted. 

[bigmistake]

Buddy any updates ?

[Chiku]

21 hours ago, bigmistake said:

Buddy any updates ?

Nothing much. Going through the shedding phase. 

[Chiku]

day 55 update post with outdoor pics.

 

[bigmistake]

1 hour ago, Chiku said:

day 55 update post with outdoor pics.

 

It's looking good for just the 55th Day. Can you dye your hair at this stage ? It should look good dyed black.

[Chiku]

4 hours ago, bigmistake said:

It's looking good for just the 55th Day. Can you dye your hair at this stage ? It should look good dyed black.

thanks. I understand grey hairs do not contribute that much to the 'illusion of density' but do not think dying  hair is recommended at this stage. Beyond three months perhaps yes. 

How are things going on with you. When is your date with Eugenix?

[Gatsby]

7 hours ago, Chiku said:

day 55 update post with outdoor pics.

 

For the middle of the ugly ducking phase I'm really impressed!! 👌

[Chiku]

4 hours ago, Gatsby said:

For the middle of the ugly ducking phase I'm really impressed!! 👌

The duckling phase is somewhat mitigated due to the fact that a significant proportion of my  preexisting hairs may have survived the shock loss as they were from a recent transplant done an year ago. So, it wont be fair to compare my two month status with most people on this forum who start afresh as grade VII and experience a ducking phase after undergoing a 6-7 K grafts in one go. However, I do not mind the encouraging remarks from the man himself!

[Melvin- Admin]

Looks pretty good, many of the hairs are still growing.

[A_4_Archan]

@Chikulooking good and i have a strong feeling that you will get desired growth this time brother...

[Silent123]

Hey man this looks to be a home finally. I'm sure you'll get the outcome you deserve 😎

[Chiku]

9 hours ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

Looks pretty good, many of the hairs are still growing.

Thanks Melvin. Your observation is right. Some of my preexisting hairs( from a transplant an year ago) may not have experienced a shock loss due to being inherently DHT resistant and with some help from meds.

Edited July 29, 2023 by Chiku

[Chiku]

6 hours ago, A_4_Archan said:

@Chikulooking good and i have a strong feeling that you will get desired growth this time brother...

Thanks for your comments. I hope too bother.