Regular Member Ccd99 Posted February 6 Author Regular Member Share Posted February 6 (edited) Got lucky and grabbed a cancelled surgery slot, so I'm pleased to say that I've managed to move my surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira forward to September 2024 now 😃 Edited February 6 by Ccd99 2 1 Consultation with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Nov 2023 - ✅ - link to thread documenting my pre-hair restoration journey First surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Sept 2024 - ❌ - approx. 3500 grafts to frontal third - thread to be created Second surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - TBD - ❌ - approx. 2500 grafts to mid-scalp and vertex - thread to be created Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Ccd99 Posted February 22 Author Regular Member Share Posted February 22 So, since the first photos in this thread on page 1 and today, it's been just above 7 months of me growing out my hair as I decided on going for a HT and stop wearing a hair system eventually. I've been on meds (oral dut/oral min) for exactly 7 months too. I have decided to shave my hair tomorrow to see how it compares to baseline, and then let it sufficiently regrow for my HT date of September 2024 (around 6 months). Here are my final pictures, and just as a test I decided to use hair fibres to see how it looks and to my surprise it looks actually not as bad as I thought - I feel with this look I would be comfortable to take my hair system completely off (but having to apply fibres each day sucks so I'm still going stick with the hair system until 2 months before my HT). I also want to note that I took these photos under a harsh warm bathroom light. Let me know what y'all think! Front Front - with Fibres Crown Crown - with Fibres Top Top - with Fibres Hairline - with Fibres 1 1 Consultation with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Nov 2023 - ✅ - link to thread documenting my pre-hair restoration journey First surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Sept 2024 - ❌ - approx. 3500 grafts to frontal third - thread to be created Second surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - TBD - ❌ - approx. 2500 grafts to mid-scalp and vertex - thread to be created Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Al - Moderator Posted February 29 Moderators Share Posted February 29 You've gotten a tremendous amount of improvement since you started... and with the fibers it looks just about completely full. Thanks for the update. 1 Al Forum Moderator (formerly BeHappy) I am a forum moderator for hairrestorationnetwork.com. I am not a Dr. and I do not work for any particular Dr. My opinions are my own and may not reflect the opinions of other moderators or the owner of this site. I am also a hair transplant patient and repair patient. You can view some of my repair journey here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valued Contributor Gatsby Posted March 8 Valued Contributor Share Posted March 8 On 2/22/2024 at 8:37 PM, Ccd99 said: So, since the first photos in this thread on page 1 and today, it's been just above 7 months of me growing out my hair as I decided on going for a HT and stop wearing a hair system eventually. I've been on meds (oral dut/oral min) for exactly 7 months too. I have decided to shave my hair tomorrow to see how it compares to baseline, and then let it sufficiently regrow for my HT date of September 2024 (around 6 months). Here are my final pictures, and just as a test I decided to use hair fibres to see how it looks and to my surprise it looks actually not as bad as I thought - I feel with this look I would be comfortable to take my hair system completely off (but having to apply fibres each day sucks so I'm still going stick with the hair system until 2 months before my HT). I also want to note that I took these photos under a harsh warm bathroom light. Let me know what y'all think! Front Front - with Fibres Crown Crown - with Fibres Top Top - with Fibres Hairline - with Fibres This is exactly why medication should always be the first choice in treating MPB. Compare these pics to where you started @Ccd99. 👌 1 GATSBY 'UNPLUGGED!' 15,671 (3 surgeries) Grafts FUE+BHT Dr. Sethi Eugenix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Ccd99 Posted March 9 Author Regular Member Share Posted March 9 On 2/29/2024 at 1:07 AM, Al - formerly BeHappy said: You've gotten a tremendous amount of improvement since you started... and with the fibers it looks just about completely full. Thanks for the update. 13 hours ago, Gatsby said: This is exactly why medication should always be the first choice in treating MPB. Compare these pics to where you started @Ccd99. 👌 Thank you both, sometimes I am in denial but when I compare the photos the difference is blatant. Consultation with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Nov 2023 - ✅ - link to thread documenting my pre-hair restoration journey First surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Sept 2024 - ❌ - approx. 3500 grafts to frontal third - thread to be created Second surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - TBD - ❌ - approx. 2500 grafts to mid-scalp and vertex - thread to be created Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amata Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 On 8/22/2023 at 8:10 AM, Dillpickle123 said: I think the meds will thicken the middle I think you should wait until the meds do their magic because you risk permanent shock loss if you do a transplant now plus that allows you to wait for doctors who have long waiting list since your gonna be on meds anyways no need to rush in Consider the potential benefits of waiting for medication to take effect before pursuing a hair transplant to minimize risks and optimize results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Dillpickle123 Posted March 23 Senior Member Share Posted March 23 Amazing hair fibers work very well I use dark brown fibers sometimes the magic is to use the least amount possible don’t cake it on glad the treatment worked this is a great example of what ppl should do beforehand 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Ccd99 Posted March 26 Author Regular Member Share Posted March 26 Thought I'd provide a quick update on how things are going since I shaved my hair. 27th February - the day I had my hair shaved using a blade: 6th March - 1 week after shaving - my scalp was very dry (probably because of my hair system) so excuse the dandruff: 26th March - today - exactly 4 weeks after shaving - under dim light: 26th March - today - exactly 4 weeks after shaving - under harsh bathroom light: 26th March - today - exactly 4 weeks after shaving - photo with flash: The hair on top is definitely growing slower than my donor (which is already very thick and getting long fast) but that is to be expected as the hair miniaturized. The length at the top is still short (less than half an inch) and I already have better coverage than I had when I just started meds and had 4 weeks of growth - see photo below. Reference photo from earlier in the thread last year at 4 weeks growth just as I started meds: Amazing how much difference meds can make! 1 Consultation with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Nov 2023 - ✅ - link to thread documenting my pre-hair restoration journey First surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Sept 2024 - ❌ - approx. 3500 grafts to frontal third - thread to be created Second surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - TBD - ❌ - approx. 2500 grafts to mid-scalp and vertex - thread to be created Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Ccd99 Posted May 14 Author Regular Member Share Posted May 14 (edited) Just checking in with my latest photos, these photos mark 2.5 months of growth since I shaved my head and approx. 9.5 months of medication. I'm just out the shower, and have gently pat dried my hair using a towel. I am facing out the window so this is under the natural day light: Things have thickened up for sure, but I don't think there's much regrowth since my last photos, there's a good chance I have now plateaued which is fine by me! My biggest concern now is hoping the dr will be okay to implant in-between the existing native hairs without causing permanent shockloss, I will provide the clinic these photos and see what they think. As a side note my side and back hair have gone very long, I definitely need a hair cut to tidy that up! Edited May 14 by Ccd99 1 Consultation with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Nov 2023 - ✅ - link to thread documenting my pre-hair restoration journey First surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Sept 2024 - ❌ - approx. 3500 grafts to frontal third - thread to be created Second surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - TBD - ❌ - approx. 2500 grafts to mid-scalp and vertex - thread to be created Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Al - Moderator Posted May 14 Moderators Share Posted May 14 The midscalp really thickened up a lot. It would have been nice if the front had more of an increase. 1 Al Forum Moderator (formerly BeHappy) I am a forum moderator for hairrestorationnetwork.com. I am not a Dr. and I do not work for any particular Dr. My opinions are my own and may not reflect the opinions of other moderators or the owner of this site. I am also a hair transplant patient and repair patient. You can view some of my repair journey here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Ccd99 Posted May 15 Author Regular Member Share Posted May 15 14 hours ago, Al - Moderator said: The midscalp really thickened up a lot. It would have been nice if the front had more of an increase. Thanks Al, yes I agree, if there was more frontal increase I could probably get away with a single surgery of 3500-4000 grafts. Still a couple of months until September so will see what happens by then, if not then the original surgical plan should still be right for me (2 surgeries, frontal third, and mid-scalp + crown) Consultation with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Nov 2023 - ✅ - link to thread documenting my pre-hair restoration journey First surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Sept 2024 - ❌ - approx. 3500 grafts to frontal third - thread to be created Second surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - TBD - ❌ - approx. 2500 grafts to mid-scalp and vertex - thread to be created Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Ccd99 Posted May 26 Author Regular Member Share Posted May 26 (edited) Fresh haircut, went for a high fade at 0.5mm guard. I quite like this look and also a bit sad I will not be able to rock this post-HT due to FUE scars, a 2mm/2.5mm guard is the minimum I would need to have I think to hide the scars. On the flipside the meds continue to do their magic and I can really see my frontal half fill in, crown still lagging behind a bit. Hair is wet in these shots: Edited May 26 by Ccd99 1 1 Consultation with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Nov 2023 - ✅ - link to thread documenting my pre-hair restoration journey First surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Sept 2024 - ❌ - approx. 3500 grafts to frontal third - thread to be created Second surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - TBD - ❌ - approx. 2500 grafts to mid-scalp and vertex - thread to be created Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member davidn Posted May 26 Senior Member Share Posted May 26 oh wow.. honestly, not sure id even do a transplant at this stage? lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member TakeAction Posted May 26 Regular Member Share Posted May 26 Agreed, this is an amazing recovery. I would grow it out more. You may not even need a transplant, since you're scheduled for one I would still go for it but the number of grafts you'll need will be pretty low. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member NorwoodKnight Posted May 26 Regular Member Share Posted May 26 8 hours ago, Ccd99 said: Fresh haircut, went for a high fade at 0.5mm guard. I quite like this look and also a bit sad I will not be able to rock this post-HT due to FUE scars, a 2mm/2.5mm guard is the minimum I would need to have I think to hide the scars. On the flipside the meds continue to do their magic and I can really see my frontal half fill in, crown still lagging behind a bit. Hair is wet in these shots: Amazing growth! At this point you should really reevaluate with Dr Ferreira the amount of grafts needed. You’re growing a lot of your miniaturised hair… and you still have a few months left to improve a bit more. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Ccd99 Posted May 27 Author Regular Member Share Posted May 27 (edited) Thanks all! I'll be honest if I was still consulting/enquiring at this point I would have held off for longer and waited maybe another 12 months for the meds. But as it stands I do have a confirmed surgery slot and I don't want to delay my HT as I know how hard it is to get a date confirmed with the top doctors + with prices rising each year I rather do something about it now. Besides, I've already booked my flights and hotel, so there is no going back now I have sent Dr Ferreira an email to ask what he thinks and hopefully he also says that there is less grafts needed and that he can safely implant in between the hairs using something like a DHI implanter (this is my biggest concern as I do not want high transections or permanent shock loss in recipient area due to the density of my diffuse hair on top, they are miniaturised but very very close together). Also, not sure if I mentioned it in this thread but I have been trying 1ml 5% RU-58841 topical once a day for the last month and a half, no sides so far and I do think it is helping block DHT at the androgen receptors in the areas where dutasteride isn't very effective. I'm also considering trying 1ml 5% topical minoxidil once a day in addition to the 2 x 2.5mg oral minoxidil to see if that boosts things, topical minoxidil has a 1.4% absorption rate so in theory this should only increase serum levels by 0.7mg which I am okay to do considering even 5mg is considered safe and low-dose and I'll be below that threshold considering I only take 2.5mg at a single time. I'm also using 2% ketoconazole shampoo (Nizoral) twice a week. I think this should maximise my progress over the next 3 months before my HT. Edited May 27 by Ccd99 1 Consultation with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Nov 2023 - ✅ - link to thread documenting my pre-hair restoration journey First surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - Sept 2024 - ❌ - approx. 3500 grafts to frontal third - thread to be created Second surgery with Dr Bruno Ferreira - TBD - ❌ - approx. 2500 grafts to mid-scalp and vertex - thread to be created Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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