2,800 Grafts, HMR Dr. Cortez - Critiques Welcome

[manjodabanjo]

I posted on Reddit and didn’t get any traction, figured I would ask the experts:

2800 at HMR Tijuana (31 y/o)

Day 1 post procedure, wanted to share a couple thoughts.

I was choosing between Dr Cortez in Tijuana (HMR) and Luis Nader. Unfortunately, Dr. Nader was unresponsive (phone calls, emails, website form) and when I finally heard back, it was a 14 month wait.

HMR was super-responsive and had a ~3 month wait, though it did feel a bit more commercial. I sent photos, they recommended 2,800 grafts and the price was $6.4K. Accommodations and Transportation from San Diego airport were included in the price.

Based on my research, this is the good and bad I read about:

- Linear hairlines that don’t look natural
- Uneven donor extraction 
- Lower graft survival rate (I believe low 90s)
+ Good density
+ Professional 

I figured I could show pictures of what I wanted, specific that I want a window’s peak, irregular/natural looking hairline. I also specified that I want more donor hair taken from the sides of my scalp bd back. I want to be able to easily get low fades and my head shape, already makes my hair look extra puffy on the sides.

Procedure itself went very well- I stayed awake and practiced my Spanish the team. I had a good time, outside of some shoulder pain (I was given add’l pain meds).

The neighborhood was nice, felt very safe, good food. It was a bit more expensive than I expected.

Couple other facts:
- I’ve been taking fin for 3 years- has helped stop hairloss
- Tried minoxidil- gave me acne
- Nizoral- I’ve been using daily for ~15 years

Couple questions for you all:
1. Opinion on the hairline design
2. Does it actually look like 2,800 grafts?
3. Does donor extraction look generally symmetrical? Any additional thoughts on donor management 

Before:

Shaved/design:

 

Day 1:

[Berba11]

6 hours ago, manjodabanjo said:

Couple questions for you all:
1. Opinion on the hairline design
2. Does it actually look like 2,800 grafts?
3. Does donor extraction look generally symmetrical? Any additional thoughts on donor management 

 

1. Design looks nice and appropriate. Not seeing any issues there.

2. Always very, very difficult to tell to be honest unless there's something obviously amiss, which there doesn't seem to be in your case. If it's not 2,800 grafts, then it can't be too far off.

3. Too soon to say but everything looks nicely spaced from the pictures you've provided here.

[manjodabanjo]

Thank you Berba, your replies are much appreciated. As you can tell, I am a highly anxious individual. 🙃

Planning to continue posting updates to this thread.