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What a day - Over 15 hour FUT w/ Dr. Konior | ~3,100 grafts | 38 yrs old | Oct. 25th 2023


WalterWhite

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Week one in the books!

Here's a few photos from this morning (including my FUT sutures which I forgot to upload last time). It is pretty hard to see it when my hair is styled naturally which is great considering it's only been a week since the surgery.

You'll notice some white stuff in the hairline which is Aquaphor - I was concerned about some dryness/"cracking" I was noticing in the hairline and Dr. Konior recommended I spray Aquaphor on the grafts a few times a day to keep them moist. Here's his exact quote regarding "cracking":

"Cracks are a result of the overlying skin/crust layer drying out and forming fissures, similar to what happens with parched topsoil.  This will resolve once the crusts separate and is best treated with spraying the surface with Aquaphor a few times a day"

I've had no pain at all in the graft area, but my FUT incision is still tender, and I won't sugar-coat it - sleeping has been pretty awful. I bought a wedge and neck pillow that seemed great for the first couple days, but I'm guessing that may have been more due to my overall exhaustion and being heavily medicated. I'm now noticing that the neck pillow I bought has a neck support "ridge" that directly puts pressure/causes pain on the FUT incision line and basically makes it impossible to sleep even with pain meds. So I've resorted to a rolled up towel under my neck on the wedge pillow as a makeshift solution, but still not getting much in the way of sleep. I'm a natural side sleeper, and really looking forward to being able to do that again here in a couple weeks.

Overall though I really can't complain. I've been following the post-operative care instructions to the letter and so far things seem to be progressing well.

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On 10/28/2023 at 5:16 PM, Proportions said:

Can't wait to see how those temporal peaks turn out

You and I both! It seemed like despite it being a relatively small area, the temporal peaks were an area during the surgery they spent a disproportionate amount of time working on so I’m definitely anxious to see how they turn out. 

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Looking good! Scab/crusts will be gone shortly.

I'd suggest getting a regular old travel pillow, I used one on top of a regular pillow. I could manipulate that and sleep on my side once the sutures were out, kind of on my cheek to keep pressure off the back of my head. My incision line was numb for months (sides included), so even when the pain was gone I used a travel pillow to sleep for quite a while as the the numbness felt super weird and I just couldn't sleep directly with my head on a pillow or the back or sides. 

I also am looking forward to seeing how those temporal peaks turn out!

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1 hour ago, JDude82 said:

Looking good! Scab/crusts will be gone shortly.

I'd suggest getting a regular old travel pillow, I used one on top of a regular pillow. I could manipulate that and sleep on my side once the sutures were out, kind of on my cheek to keep pressure off the back of my head. My incision line was numb for months (sides included), so even when the pain was gone I used a travel pillow to sleep for quite a while as the the numbness felt super weird and I just couldn't sleep directly with my head on a pillow or the back or sides. 

I also am looking forward to seeing how those temporal peaks turn out!

Great tip, ordering one on Amazon as we speak! 

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Was hoping to get some advice - is it normal to see shedding as early as day 7? Was under the impression shedding didn’t start til at least 2-3 weeks.

Took some photos and the recipient area looked noticeably less dense towards the middle/front of the hairline day 7 vs post op.

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Can definitely confirm I’ve started shedding now (day 11) as I found a bunch of short hairs on my pillow and after showering.

I shot Dr. K a note, but was hoping to get some insight here as well if “early shedding” is a thing.IMG_1388.thumb.jpeg.1bd144a3cb849ac727cb8e071f78a8a8.jpeg

Attached a comparison of day 7 vs post op and also a couple others from day 7 in different lighting.

Thanks!

2CEBC37F-49AB-4D87-9FFD-EA00414497DF.jpeg

IMG_1395.jpeg

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Hi Walter,

 

Absolutely common. I had a mate who was worried about the same two years ago and he was told it can happen anytime from week 1 and untill 3 months. My friend outcome was stellar, so you got absolutely nothing to worry about. 
 

By the way its looking great - you got an exciting journey ahead! All the best  

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8 hours ago, donpizmeov said:

Hi Walter,

 

Absolutely common. I had a mate who was worried about the same two years ago and he was told it can happen anytime from week 1 and untill 3 months. My friend outcome was stellar, so you got absolutely nothing to worry about. 
 

By the way its looking great - you got an exciting journey ahead! All the best  

Thanks, that’s definitely reassuring!

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5 hours ago, duchaine said:

this Ht is a masterpiece.
It is amazing that he used a such small amount of FU to cover a such big area.
How long did you wait before washing your hair? Can you use an hairdryer?

Appreciate that!

I hadn’t thought of 3100 grafts as a small amount before, but I’m definitely no expert. What amount do you think would typically be required for that area?

re: Washing, was able to gentle non medicated shampoo 48-72 hours after procedure using warm (not hot water). Was instructed not to directly touch the recipient area but rather have water wash over it by hitting a non grafted area first and roll over it.

after two weeks I’m allowed to gently massage the recipient area with shampoo in the shower and hit directly with the water stream.

hairdryer is permitted but only on a cool setting.

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Re: Early shedding, Dr. K replied and sounds like this is totally normal.

I was concerned because of what I’ve read here about grafts not being fully “secure” until at least day 10 and that maybe shedding them before this point would mean they wouldn’t come back, but Dr. K explained its a bell curve of shedding and some shed earlier some later, regardless I’m glad I can set aside my mini-panic and put my mind at ease. 

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8 hours ago, WalterWhite said:

Appreciate that!

I hadn’t thought of 3100 grafts as a small amount before, but I’m definitely no expert. What amount do you think would typically be required for that area?

re: Washing, was able to gentle non medicated shampoo 48-72 hours after procedure using warm (not hot water). Was instructed not to directly touch the recipient area but rather have water wash over it by hitting a non grafted area first and roll over it.

after two weeks I’m allowed to gently massage the recipient area with shampoo in the shower and hit directly with the water stream.

hairdryer is permitted but only on a cool setting.

I would say 4000/4500
a lot depends from the surgeon.
Many of them love to go into natives so they use a lot of grafts.
For example, my clinic used 2000 grafts just to lower 0,5/0,7 cm my hairline.

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14 hours ago, duchaine said:

I would say 4000/4500
a lot depends from the surgeon.
Many of them love to go into natives so they use a lot of grafts.
For example, my clinic used 2000 grafts just to lower 0,5/0,7 cm my hairline.

Ah interesting! Thanks for clarifying. That’s a lot of grafts, are your results posted anywhere I can take a look? 

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22 minutes ago, WalterWhite said:

Ah interesting! Thanks for clarifying. That’s a lot of grafts, are your results posted anywhere I can take a look? 

yes, the post. is HLC ANKARA 2011 FU

You will see how little HLC did with 2000 grafts...

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My first procedure with Dr. Konior (FUT) I was shedding on day 10 and it went pretty quick. My second procedure with him (FUE) at 2 weeks and no shedding yet, so it can differ for the individual as well it seems.

This is looking good man!

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On 11/5/2023 at 11:46 PM, WalterWhite said:

Was hoping to get some advice - is it normal to see shedding as early as day 7? Was under the impression shedding didn’t start til at least 2-3 weeks.

Took some photos and the recipient area looked noticeably less dense towards the middle/front of the hairline day 7 vs post op.

2CEBC37F-49AB-4D87-9FFD-EA00414497DF.thumb.jpeg.04a29ed74642427696ccc28b9dea3a3e.jpeg

Can definitely confirm I’ve started shedding now (day 11) as I found a bunch of short hairs on my pillow and after showering.

I shot Dr. K a note, but was hoping to get some insight here as well if “early shedding” is a thing.IMG_1388.thumb.jpeg.1bd144a3cb849ac727cb8e071f78a8a8.jpeg

Attached a comparison of day 7 vs post op and also a couple others from day 7 in different lighting.

Thanks!

2CEBC37F-49AB-4D87-9FFD-EA00414497DF.jpeg

IMG_1395.jpeg

After seeing work from all over the world, I’m always in awe of Dr. Konior’s placement. It’s so exceptionally well done. 

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  • 1 month later...
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2 month update.

Observations:

- Seeing some slight early growth 

- Lots of small stubble on my recipient area

- Redness still present but gradually continuing to decrease 

- Head numbness now gone

- FUT scar not visible, even with a pretty short first (very careful)haircut 

- Continuing with Topical Fin, Min, and added another shot at a low dose of Oral Fin, hopefully will avoid side effects this time around. 

 

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