Feeling depressed - need reassurance.

[Nico1656]

Hi

On day 3 of my recovery, had 2600 hairs transplanted. Currently Norwood 2/3.

Thinning at the front with bald temples and a bald line behind the front of my hair. Got the temples filled in and the bit behind my front hair strengthened. I didn’t want an obvious hair transplant, just wanted the bald line behind the thinning front filled in a bit.

I know it’s hard without pictures, but does 2600 hairs seem reasonable?

Starting to wonder if it was really worth it. Got it done after contemplating for well over 1 year, couldn’t stand the way I was looking in photographs.

Need some reassurance.

 

[Herr Loss]

Hi Nico, 2600 grafts should be more than enough to make a big difference on a norwood 2 hairline if done properly, only you will really answer whether it was worth it once it's fully grown in.

Who was your surgeon?

 

[Nico1656]

Hi Nico, 2600 grafts should be more than enough to make a big difference on a norwood 2 hairline if done properly, only you will really answer whether it was worth it once it's fully grown in.

Who was your surgeon?

Hi, thanks for the reply.

It was Dr Zontos at DHI in Glasgow. No questioning his credentials.

I wanted a subtle improvement to my hair, I’m ok with having thinish hair, but the bald temples and bit behind my front tuft was killing me.

It was 2600 hairs from 795 grafts. I mentioned to him that 1500 grafts had been discussed before and he said it was way too much and wouldn’t match the hair at the rear of the top of my head.
Feeling quite depressed about it all. Should I have had more grafts? The way I’m looking at it now, if it is rubbish then I’m no worse off given the area behind my front hairline was completely bald (apart from being out of pocket).

 

[Herr Loss]

Sorry I misread your initial post, in my opinion it's good that your surgeon suggested less than what you had mentioned as that may be enough to make you feel better about your appearance and leave you more donor hair if you want to have more further down the line. There is no right or wrong amount of grafts so I wouldn't get too hung up on numbers, it's all down to your personal opinion once it's grown in.

You should reallly be feeling excited as you've done something to improve something that obviously bothers you, there's always the option of further surgeries if you're not happy but I would try not to worry and review your situation at 12 months.

If you're willing to post photos there are plenty of very experienced guys on here who would be able to provide their feedback, are you on medication to prevent any further loss?

 

[Nico1656]

Sorry I misread your initial post, in my opinion it's good that your surgeon suggested less than what you had mentioned as that may be enough to make you feel better about your appearance and leave you more donor hair if you want to have more further down the line. There is no right or wrong amount of grafts so I wouldn't get too hung up on numbers, it's all down to your personal opinion once it's grown in.

You should reallly be feeling excited as you've done something to improve something that obviously bothers you, there's always the option of further surgeries if you're not happy but I would try not to worry and review your situation at 12 months.

If you're willing to post photos there are plenty of very experienced guys on here who would be able to provide their feedback, are you on medication to prevent any further loss?

Hi, no medication. But I have bought Saw Palmetto and Biotin supplements which I’ll start in a few weeks.
You’re right I should be positive. I doubt folk will even notice it in all honesty, but I will as it’s all I see when I look in the mirror.

 

[Herr Loss]

Ultimately it's how it makes you feel that's important and you're right, most people won't bat an eye.

If you're able to use meds, especially finasteride, I would advise trying them as it made a big difference for me.

 

[Nico1656]

Ultimately it's how it makes you feel that's important and you're right, most people won't bat an eye.

If you're able to use meds, especially finasteride, I would advise trying them as it made a big difference for me.

I really appreciate the replies.
Upon reviewing the clinic information on this site it does seem DHL gain great results with lower number grafts. Concerned about the side effects with finasteride.

 

[Herr Loss]

No problem, most reputable clinics will go for more conservative numbers especially if your not on medication.

I understand your concerns regarding side effects, it took me a long time to finally start using it. I tried it at 0.5mg for a while and moved up to 1mg after a few months and have been fine.

 

[Nico1656]

No problem, most reputable clinics will go for more conservative numbers especially if your not on medication.

I understand your concerns regarding side effects, it took me a long time to finally start using it. I tried it at 0.5mg for a while and moved up to 1mg after a few months and have been fine.

I’ll go and speak to my GP about it, as I’ll need a prescription anyway.
I can see the reason for not given me 5000 hairs etc, as it wouldn’t match the back of my head which is thinning but not going bald if that makes sense. It’s the front which has been a problem the last 2-3 years. I’m hoping the bit I’ve had fixed is all I need done.

 

[Herr Loss]

It's always better to be cautious and definitely speak to your GP before starting anything.

I hope it all goes smoothly for you.

 

[smokeybacon]

Hi Nico1656, hope you get a good result. I´m a little curious with the numbers you gave, are they correct - "It was 2600 hairs from 795 grafts".? that´s a lot of hairs for a few grafts for a small hairline.

 

[Nico1656]

Hi there

yes the numbers are correct. Got confirmation email. If you look at the DHI clinic results, they seem to have great results from the grafts. They also guarantee 85% successful hair growth. Consultant said to me, he’d expect closer to 95%. Do you think I have a problem here?

 

[Bigmac]

Do you have any before and after pictures?

 

[Nico1656]

Do you have any before and after pictures?

I’ve asked the clinic to send them on to me. My own ones are a bit rubbish.
What’s your thoughts?

I did ask about more grafts and the doctor said straight away that 800 grafts was plenty and he was hoping for about 2500 hairs due to my donor area being good.

 

[Bigmac]

Without seeing your hair loss and the area planted I can’t really say either way.

 

[smokeybacon]

Hi there

yes the numbers are correct. Got confirmation email. If you look at the DHI clinic results, they seem to have great results from the grafts. They also guarantee 85% successful hair growth. Consultant said to me, he’d expect closer to 95%. Do you think I have a problem here?

I think anywhere around 90% growth is good.

I don´t understand the hairs and graft numbers they gave you. I looked at few cases on here and they use around 400 one hair grafts to just do the frontline of your hairline. So, from the 795 grafts 400 grafts give or take one hairs for the frontline means you have 395 grafts left. So, you started with 2600 hairs less the 400, so 2200 hairs left and only 395 grafts. That´s over 5 hairs per graft. That´s what confuses me to if the numbers are right. Or what they have done.

 

[close]

@Nico1656 , your hair ratio based on the numbers you are mentioning is about 3.3 (ie 3.3 hairs / graft). If this is real, we are talking about awesome numbers that can provide a very good result in terms of density, something you clearly cannot understand now, but you will see it in 6-8 months from now. Consider that an average ratio is about 2 hairs / graft. This means that you will look like you have not 795 grafts implanted but well over 1000. So, what I am trying to say here is that one of the most important thing in a hair transplantation is not how many grafts you use but how many hairs in total these grafts have. Provided that the single hairs grafts have been used in front on the hairline and given that you did not want an obvious hair transplant, just wanted the bald line behind the thinning front filled in a bit then you can be very close to achieving your goal. In any case, it would be good to see some of your photos before and after.

 

[Prohairclinic]

Indeed, 3.3 hairs per grafts is way above average, you are like a lotto winner
Average is about 2 hairs per grafts.

 

[andy_87]

Hi Nico, I'm looking at using dhi Glasgow for hairline restoration in October/ November time how did u feel the procedure went, how long did it take? How long will you need to be off work for? Did you have to get all your hair removed? Thanks andy

 

[Nico1656]

Hi there
I had 795 grafts removed so that took about 2.5 hours, then about 2 hours to insert. You’ll need 3 days off work as you need to spray your head every 30 mins with saline.
I had the back of my head shaved but not the top.
What are you planning to get done?