HGC (Romford) 3000 Grafts.

[JesterRIP]

Yes I wholly believe we are our own worst critics.

I saw a guy the other day I spent most of my former career with - haven't seen him since pre-op. He didn't even notice my hair at all.

What struck me more than anything, wasn't his lack of attention to detail... But the emphasis I (and others) seem to place (and in some cases obsess) on our own appearance; we notice every tiny detail, even down to the odd couple of hairs.

Curious, isn't it?

 

[Ronnie]

Yes I wholly believe we are our own worst critics.

I saw a guy the other day I spent most of my former career with - haven't seen him since pre-op. He didn't even notice my hair at all.

What struck me more than anything, wasn't his lack of attention to detail... But the emphasis I (and others) seem to place (and in some cases obsess) on our own appearance; we notice every tiny detail, even down to the odd couple of hairs.

Curious, isn't it?

It sure is!

To be honest, my hair has taken about 8 years to reach its current state and for many of those years, it was ‘acceptable’ to me, as there was enough hair to at least brush up into a bit of a fringe…..for the past 3 years though when I’ve said to “leave the fringe a little longer”, the barber has just looked at me funny! In truth my hair was always thin and a bit rubbish, I gave up trying to do anything much with it and was happy to just have it lay flat, and a bit pushed up at the front. I was generally nonplussed with it most of the time but I was kill to have that back now!

 

[JesterRIP]

Had haircut now. Soooooo much better.

Back to grey for a bit though

 

[Bigmac]

That’s a big difference. The hairline makes you look younger and having the haircut has smartened it up.
Your hair has turned grey mainly in the donor extraction zone. My hair has gone grey there too.

 

[Ronnie]

Looks really good - I’d be chuffed to pieces with that outcome

 

[JesterRIP]

Thanks all. I'll be posting another vid update Thurs/Fri.

Apologies to anyone who might have subscribed to the channel BTW as I've recently uploaded some medal videos. Sorry for any confusion.

It's a bit of a hobby of mine and since I documented the hair transplant to help others with their research, I suddenly realised there's probably a few military types out there too who might want to save a few quid tailoring their own medals!! Normal service shall be resumed this week...

 

[Baldingman23]

Looking good Jester!!!

 

[JesterRIP]

I've taken all my footage for the next vid update which hopefully I'll post in next couple of days...

Coloured the hair today. Here's the difference between 2 weeks vs 6 months:

 

[JesterRIP]

Six Month Update

I'd been thinking for a while I'd do a sort of FAQ for my 6 month post - how long before you can wear a cap, go swimming, when will the numbness subside etc.

Then I realised all that is on this Site (and much more!) so I just pointed to here instead...

Anyway, here's my latest vid. Hopefully it will be of some use to people out there.

 

[Bigmac]

Hi Paul.
Your hair looks better in the video than on your pictures. I think the 3000 grafts were placed well, giving maximum coverage at a cost of density but the illusion of fullness is there at 6 months. It’s a big difference from your before status. You look more youthful too.
Thanks for the mention in the video, much appreciated. Your video I like, it covers some key points, one being expectations. Only so much can be done unless the patient has next to no hair with an abundant donor supply.

It`s good to see how you’re progressing each month. I like the support from your partner and the suggestion she made that you use the money saved from the cancelled holiday to get a hair transplant. You owe her.

I`ll look forward to your next update.

 

[JesterRIP]

@Bigmac thank you so much. Kind words and high praise indeed

Yeah the good lady has been brilliant to be fair. Especially when she stayed with me the first week and told me off every time my hands went anywhere near my head!

Then we went away to our friends' cottage in Norfolk for the second week with her parents and her mum took over the "telling me off" duties...!!

Well she got a Mulberry shoulder bag out of it last birthday and she'll be getting a pair of Christiano Lebutins out of it this birthday coming no doubt...

 

[Bigmac]

Haha I like it, nice expensive accessories that will melt a woman’s heart. She deserves it though. Being so supportive is great for you and having a good relationship with the mother in law just tops it off. Have they noticed any positive changes with your behaviour? There should be a good positive vibe.

 

[JesterRIP]

Have they noticed any positive changes with your behaviour? There should be a good positive vibe.

I might have to ask her, but far as I'm aware I don't think much has changed in my personal outlook - for a couple of reasons...

One being that since my hair recession was a very long drawn out one, I never really struggled with that sudden realisation of aggressive hair loss; loads of hairs in the sink each morning etc. I'd imagine going from that kind of devastation to a decent hairline would be a much more reinvigorating feeling?

Secondly, I'm fortunate to be in the odd position of being in a job I really love and having a cracking relationship. So I never really had much reason to grumble in the first place. For the better part of my life I've seemingly had either one or the other at any one time - I wonder if this phenomenon is universal or whether it just applied to me?

But I admit though, it's a nice feeling when I'm walking through town and catch a glimpse of my reflection in a shop window and no longer see a bald bloke, regardless of how careful I tried to arrange what was left of my hair earlier that day. I won't be getting bored of that any time soon!

 

[Bigmac]

That’s nice you have a job you enjoy and a great relationship. You`re probably upbeat about it but because of your happy lifestyle its not noticed.
Seeing your reflection in the shop windows and thinking I look good is a great feeling. Not having to worry about your hair too much from now on.

 

[JesterRIP]

6½ months in - still a way to go yet though. After the "magic" of Month 4 to 5, I'm now in that limbo of thinking not much is happening - until I compare pictures.

Day 98

Day 124:

Day 144:

Day 177:

Day 197 (today):

 

[loui]

Very nice difference. The good thing is it will improve even more, its pretty early still!

 

[Bigmac]

The difference is there to see. You're use to seeing yourself differently now and not noticing the changes so much. Looking good at just over 6 months.

 

[Bigmac]

Has there been much change in the 6 weeks? You’ll be due a video update.

 

[JesterRIP]

Has there been much change in the 6 weeks? You’ll be due a video update.

Hi BM,

Unfortunately I was seriously unwell about the time I was getting ready to do a 7 month update. First time in over 2 years, too!

I was convinced it was Covid, although none of the classic symptoms. Spent about 5 weeks completely exhausted, mouth constantly full of ulcers, canker sores - nose constantly blocked, headache most days.

Did Covid tests every day - zip! It's only the last 2 weeks I've felt relatively normal again.

I do plan on continuing the updates very soon. I've had a backlog of projects I'm slowly sifting through, including 6 sets of medals... Got a bit of breathing space now so normality resuming in 3... 2... 1...

 

[Bigmac]

Sorry to hear you were unwell,It sounds like you had it tough with whatever it was. I`m pleased to hear you’ve recovered from it.
Take it easy and take care of yourself.