Dr Arshad, The Hair Dr

[My2021story]

Here is my update at just over 7.5 months
Pictures taken outside in natural light.
The density is still not there after 2 surgeries (original and a top up) totalling 5,553 grafts.
I am aware I have 4 months for the “final result”, but based on my last surgery I’m not expecting much improvement, but I’m happy to be wrong here.
I’d welcome peoples thoughts.
I feel that my hair is absolutely better than pre surgery, but no where near where I believe it t should be after 5,553 grafts.

 

[Baldingman23]

You have plenty of time for the hair to thicken up, mine was still thickening up after the 12 month period. Stay positive and evaluate again at the 12 month period. Could you post a pic of before any surgery and now so we can compare

 

[My2021story]

You have plenty of time for the hair to thicken up, mine was still thickening up after the 12 month period. Stay positive and evaluate again at the 12 month period. Could you post a pic of before any surgery and now so we can compare

I appreciate that there is still time and am not giving up hope, but I didn’t see much improvement last time after the 8 month mark.
Pre surgery pics are at the start of this thread for a comparison.
There is absolutely an improvement from before the first surgery, just a lack of density in my opinion.

 

[Bigmac]

Thanks, early days but fingers crossed.
Biopsy- I was due to go in for an in person check up and feedback but couldn’t make it for to work commitments but I spoke with them on the phone and they advised nothing serious was found, so fingers crossed that this time around I will get the result I’ve wanted

If something was found, even if not serious could whatever it was have any bearing on the yield?

 

[loui]

Most grafts should have sprouted by now, your hair will keep maturing though so it will most likely add a small bit of density.

It is looking better than before but for 5500 grafts I would expect more.

If you decide for a third hair transplant I would personally pay up and go to a different Doctor when you are dissapointed with two transplant with the same Doctor.

 

[My2021story]

If something was found, even if not serious could whatever it was have any bearing on the yield?

Nothing found, but they did say that it showed a lower blood supply at the front. (They advised that multiple samples from different sections were sent off)
There is still time for things to improve but given the number of grafts over 2 sessions I expected more density at the front- especially as the 2nd surgery consisted of nearly all multiple hairs.

 

[Bigmac]

I’m not sure how a lower blood supply would have been detected in that area alone but it must not have been a concern going forward with the second surgery. Remind me, were you put on minoxidil to help this out?
At 7.5 months and 5,553 grafts I too would have expected more density/coverage. There is still time to make further gains but I hear your concerns when you’re comparing to your first surgery. All you can do is wait it out again until you reach 12 months and hopefully by then you’ve had the expected growth. Comparing your pictures to your pre op you have an improvement. The hairline looks fuller. Mid section and crown has an increase in hair too. You could have an assessment by another clinic to get a growth density check. I’d wait a few more months before doing this.

There are instances where hair transplants don’t have the expected growth. It is referred to as the X factor. It is a very small percentage of people as it’s not reported too often. If you are destined to have this as your final result what I’ll say is while it’s thin it doesn’t look like a hair transplant. What I mean by this is no one would look at you and think hair transplant. It just looks as though you’re naturally thinning. Not what you were wanting I know but it may be what you’ll have to live with.
I don`t know if you’ve read Azza`s thread. He had 3 hair transplants with Dr Rahal. The yield was low and he continued to lose native hair. He is having one last throw of the dice by having a 4th surgery with Eugenix who will utilise his beard grafts. This would be a good surgery for you to follow to see if this last surgery yields better growth.
Azza hair transplant

 

[My2021story]

Here are my 8 month update pics.
Taken with natural light.
I’ve also including some in the bathroom with overhead lighting- which I know is harsh.
Density is still lacking in my opinion

 

[Kelvino1987]

Hi mate.

The photos not directly in sunlight with the light behind you, it does appear denser, but this might be purely on the light coming from behind. I’ve taken photos with the light behind and the hair does look denser, which isn’t always a true reflection.

In relation to the other photos, I agree it’s still lacking density - the scalp can visible in some of the harsh lighting,

Comparing to your starting point, your hair is more fuller, but understand it’s far from what you want. The crown seems to have had little to no progress, in contrast to the mid scalp and other areas.

Have you had any contact with the clinic and what the next steps would be? There is still 4 more months and subsequent months following for hair to mature. I know from your experience you’re probably not feeling optimistic, but there is a possibility for further growth.

Could also be worth getting a 2nd opinion from a reputable surgeon/clinic. This is something I’ve done to obtain an impartial non bias opinion.

Hope you’re well mate and hoping you get more growth.

 

[My2021story]

Hi mate.

The photos not directly in sunlight with the light behind you, it does appear denser, but this might be purely on the light coming from behind. I’ve taken photos with the light behind and the hair does look denser, which isn’t always a true reflection.

In relation to the other photos, I agree it’s still lacking density - the scalp can visible in some of the harsh lighting,

Comparing to your starting point, your hair is more fuller, but understand it’s far from what you want. The crown seems to have had little to no progress, in contrast to the mid scalp and other areas.

Have you had any contact with the clinic and what the next steps would be? There is still 4 more months and subsequent months following for hair to mature. I know from your experience you’re probably not feeling optimistic, but there is a possibility for further growth.

Could also be worth getting a 2nd opinion from a reputable surgeon/clinic. This is something I’ve done to obtain an impartial non bias opinion.

Hope you’re well mate and hoping you get more growth.

Thanks.
I’m going to wait until 12 months for full verdict as it may improve.
Certainly not the density i had hoped for but I accept it is an improvement from starting point.

In terms of next steps- I will see where I am at by month 12 and then look to engage with alternative surgeons for their opinions on next steps.
I’ve not heard from the clinic for months, although nothing more they can do.
They’ve provided min and fin spray but ultimately the result isn’t great so I wouldn’t go back.
As supportive as they have been, given my results and many others (many have also PM’d me) then I’d not go back there

 

[SheddinStevens]

Thanks.
I’m going to wait until 12 months for full verdict as it may improve.
Certainly not the density i had hoped for but I accept it is an improvement from starting point.

In terms of next steps- I will see where I am at by month 12 and then look to engage with alternative surgeons for their opinions on next steps.
I’ve not heard from the clinic for months, although nothing more they can do.
They’ve provided min and fin spray but ultimately the result isn’t great so I wouldn’t go back.
As supportive as they have been, given my results and many others (many have also PM’d me) then I’d not go back there

I sympathise with you man. I've been deliberating my top up at the same clinic recently and your post is in a small stack that are warning me against it.
I also received 4800 on the first surgery and am really lacking density.

 

[Bobbins]

I sympathise with you man. I've been deliberating my top up at the same clinic recently and your post is in a small stack that are warning me against it.
I also received 4800 on the first surgery and am really lacking density.

I had 3k grafts at the same clinic in Feb 22.

Here’s my before and after. I’m happy with the density. I guess it shows a couple of things - that there was a number of surgeries that didn’t deliver the desired density, but others that did.

I do think the super high graft count surgeries are difficult to get a high yield, which should bode well for smaller top ups.

 

[loui]

I had 3k grafts at the same clinic in Feb 22.

Here’s my before and after. I’m happy with the density. I guess it shows a couple of things - that there was a number of surgeries that didn’t deliver the desired density, but others that did.

I do think the super high graft count surgeries are difficult to get a high yield, which should bode well for smaller top ups.

View attachment 35246
View attachment 35247

A before photo in low resolution with harsh lighting versus a after photo in dark lighting.

If you want to make a fair comparison please post photos in the same condition.

 

[Bobbins]

A before photo in low resolution with harsh lighting versus a after photo in dark lighting.

If you want to make a fair comparison please post photos in the same condition

Worse conditions; next to a window with a bright overhead light sufficient? It was a while ago, so it’s developed since then.
I can’t do anything about the resolution I’m afraid - it’s the only camera I have.

The suggestion a low resolution ‘before’ picture somehow makes my hair look worse, I find hard to understand.

 

[loui]

Worse conditions; next to a window with a bright overhead light sufficient? It was a while ago, so it’s developed since then.
I can’t do anything about the resolution I’m afraid - it’s the only camera I have.

The suggestion a low resolution ‘before’ picture somehow makes my hair look worse, I find hard to understand.
View attachment 35248

That is a better photo, looks like a good difference from before.

I find it difficult always to make a true assesment based on photos though, I can make my hair look insanely good and dense if I take a photo in perfect conditions and I can also make it look very thin if I take it outside in harsh light.

Its always good when posting photos to take photos with combed back hair, outside in the sun, inside in "normal lighting" etc.

 

[Bobbins]

That is a better photo, looks like a good difference from before.

I find it difficult always to make a true assesment based on photos though, I can make my hair look insanely good and dense if I take a photo in perfect conditions and I can also make it look very thin if I take it outside in harsh light.

Its always good when posting photos to take photos with combed back hair, outside in the sun, inside in "normal lighting" etc.

Oddly I had a photo taken outside in the sun today (by someone else so no bias). It was sunny and I was sweating so definitely not staged or selective in any way.

My plan was for 2 surgeries (crown second), but I think it shows the progress made on the hairline and mid scalp fairly well….

 

[loui]

Oddly I had a photo taken outside in the sun today (by someone else so no bias). It was sunny and I was sweating so definitely not staged or selective in any way.

My plan was for 2 surgeries (crown second), but I think it shows the progress made on the hairline and mid scalp fairly well….

Looks good

 

[loui]

Here are my 8 month update pics.
Taken with natural light.
I’ve also including some in the bathroom with overhead lighting- which I know is harsh.
Density is still lacking in my opinion

The crown is the most dissapointing thing I would think, not sure how many grafts was put in there in total but it is not much growth at all it seems.

The frontal part looks alright, not dense but decent atleast.

Your donor looks to have some more to give so I would probably look elsewhere for the next steps since it is very crucial you will get good growth next time, it is your final chance.

 

[My2021story]

Month 9 update:
As usual, pictures in a variety of conditions to give a true and honest reflection.
Wet, dry, bright and natural light.

As is the case with most hair transplants, it definitely looks better in certain (low) lighting conditions but overall I’d have hoped for better density in natural light and not as see through. Still not hit 12 months but I’m doubtful much will change over the next 3 months but I hope I’m wrong.
Pics of the donor area also included.

Thoughts??

 

[Bigmac]

It looks a lot better than your pre-op situation. You have a full looking hairline that takes away the bald look. It does look thin though. For 5,553 grafts the density should be better but we know the yield was lower with the first surgery, hence the second one. Like I`ve said before, the full 12 months is required to make a final decision.
Have people who see you in person made any comments?
How do you feel about it so far result wise?