3,528 Grafts Dr. Bruno Ferreira Jan 11 & 12

[JoeMan]

All the hairs been shed now?

No but every time I touch my head, a few fall out. I'd say that maybe 30-40% have shed. I wish they'd stop falling out though lol. Hopefully I can keep some. I make 1 month soon so maybe this will stop soon after. I know it's part of the process but it still sucks.

 

[Bigmac]

Theses a good chance these will continue to grow. I have seen them continue to grow but then suddenly stop and shed. Time will tell.

 

[JoeMan]

Theses a good chance these will continue to grow. I have seen them continue to grow but then suddenly stop and shed. Time will tell.

I'll update in a couple of days at the 4 week mark. Unfortunately I think I'm losing more everyday so probably about 50% shed already. Hopefully I can keep a few! In the end I know it's just part of the process but it is hard when just 2 weeks ago it looked so good.

 

[Bigmac]

That’s a shame they’re shedding. At least you’ve had a good preview of what your hair will look like when they’re all growing. Exciting times ahead for you.

 

[JoeMan]

4 weeks post op:

Not much to report i guess. Hairs have definitely been shedding this past week but it seems to be slowing down the last 2 days. I think I've kept maybe 30-40% so far but it's hard to tell. Certainly I have way more hair than prior to surgery. Maybe I'll luck out and the shedding will hault soon so I can get on with this phase and keep some hair. I also haven't washed too aggressively so this might be helping, who knows?

Donor area seems like it's been healed for a while. The other day I thought I felt a bump but couldn't find it again.

Most of my itching is in my crown area for some reason but it's not bad. Redness doesn't look as bad in person but it's definitely still somewhat red. The more hair I lose, the more noticeable redness is obviously.

Let me know what you think about it and feel free to ask me any questions.

 

[Bigmac]

I missed your update.
Redness is still quite evident. Theres not too much you can do about it apart from the usuals what we mention. It will subside in time. As for the crown itching, maybe some hayfever tablets might help.
Donor looks good. Feeling the odd bump is just parts of the donor still healing. While it looks pretty much back to normal on the surface, the layers underneath are continuing to heal.
If the 30-40% continue to grow, they’ll help with the concealment and looking somewhat normal.

 

[JoeMan]

6 weeks post op:



I wanted to give an update as it's now been 6 weeks. Week 4-5, I've shed a bunch. The last 7 days or so it has slowed considerably. Maybe 1-2 hairs when washing now. I can see now that some hair has stayed and continued to grow. I believe I can also see some small hairs popping through but maybe it'd my imagination

Not much itching yet. Had my 1 pimple the other day which kinda felt good since I figured it's a hair trying to make its way into my life!

Redness is definitely subsiding. Seems like as the day goes on it gets somewhat red but fades overnight. I no longer applying Aloe because it was causing small pimples on my forehead.

Donor area looks/feels perfect so not much to say on it.

Posting a bunch of pictures since I'm terrible at taking them. Feel free to comment and tell me that I'm crazy for seeing small hairs at 6 weeks.

 

[Bigmac]

I had similar redness where it would subside and then return, it’s quite normal. You’ve shed quite a bit but still retained some that do seem to be growing. As for new growth popping through, it’s possible. Hopefully, you dont get much itching. Your donor looks in good shape. Not much else to do now except wait for the new growth to become evident.
Thanks for the update.

 

[JoeMan]

I had similar redness where it would subside and then return, it’s quite normal. You’ve shed quite a bit but still retained some that do seem to be growing. As for new growth popping through, it’s possible. Hopefully, you dont get much itching. Your donor looks in good shape. Not much else to do now except wait for the new growth to become evident.
Thanks for the update.

Thanks for the reply. I think maybe 30% have stayed which I hope continues to grow. Hopefully in a few weeks I'll at least get out of this ugly phase.

 

[Bigmac]

Yes, if you can retain those hairs it will help with the transition from looking a bit weird to normal again.

 

[JoeMan]

2 Month Update:

Everything is as expected at this point. I believe I've possibly seen some growth since my last post or it could be just the hairs got longer so I'm not sure. Like everyone, I wish this part would go faster but considering I had almost no hair on my frontal third, I'm pleased with this much so far.

Got my 1st haircut a few days ago. Left the top alone. #1 Fade at very bottom. Barber could see like 1 spot that looked questionable but he was up really close and inspecting it. Very happy with Donor area. Red spot on bottom of my neck is birthmark.

Redness is almost completely gone now (camera shows it more I believe). No itching and a few pimples.

I do have one finger tip sized area right in the middle that is complete bald. This was where I had the largest scab so I'm guessing it had more trauma. Hopefully I start to see something in that area soon but if not I know it's still early.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks!

 

[Bigmac]

Comparing your before picture to now the growth is there to see. I think you’ll be fine with the one spot that had the scabbed area.

I`d say for 2 moths you’re looking pretty good. Your donor looks to be fully recovered and in very good shape. Redness nearly gone and a few pimples I’m thinking you’ll get some decent growth in the next few months.
Having that first haircut always feels good. It’s good that your barber basically gave it a thumbs up.
Are you going to keep your hair short until you have enough growth/density to style it?

 

[JoeMan]

Comparing your before picture to now the growth is there to see. I think you’ll be fine with the one spot that had the scabbed area.







I`d say for 2 moths you’re looking pretty good. Your donor looks to be fully recovered and in very good shape. Redness nearly gone and a few pimples I’m thinking you’ll get some decent growth in the next few months.

Having that first haircut always feels good. It’s good that your barber basically gave it a thumbs up.

Are you going to keep your hair short until you have enough growth/density to style it?

Thanks @Bigmac



I'm really getting excited about it because I saw small stubble hairs upon closer inspection. I'm thinking I'll keep getting the lower (donor area) cut but leave the top alone for now so I can hopefully have enough hair for a crappy comb over in 1 or 2 months lol I just didn't think I'd see growth so soon but it's very encouraging and a huge weight off my shoulders. I know it still has a long way to go but I've seen some stayslick bald for months which mentally I was prepared for. Also added a picture that shows the section without growth.

 

[JoeMan]

Thanks @Bigmac



I'm really getting excited about it because I saw small stubble hairs upon closer inspection. I'm thinking I'll keep getting the lower (donor area) cut but leave the top alone for now so I can hopefully have enough hair for a crappy comb over in 1 or 2 months lol I just didn't think I'd see growth so soon but it's very encouraging and a huge weight off my shoulders. I know it still has a long way to go but I've seen some stay slick bald for months which mentally I was prepared for. Also added a picture that shows the section without growth.

 

[Bigmac]

I spoke to Dr Ron Shapiro a little while ago about knocks to the head/excess scabbing and he said it is highly unlikely the grafts would be damaged. Extremes trauma would be required once the grafts are secured in place. This being your first HT, it`s easy to worry about things but I’m pretty confident you’ll be very happy in a few months. Dr Ferreira was a good choice. I like his work ethics and skill set. When I watched him performing live surgery at on of the workshops I was very impressed.
Yes, your growth is definitely happening. It`s looking like you could be an early grower that may show really strong growth in the next couple of months. You may not need to do a combover if you do get a good growth spurt. With some look you’ll be sporting a quaff sooner rather than later.

 

[JoeMan]

10 week update:

So it's been 10 weeks. Not much change but possibly more growth. I think it's becoming more full each week but obviously still has a ways to go. I see plenty of little hairs popping through now and a few pimples that just subsided. All good sign I think.

Hopefully by month 4, I can style my hair again. I don't use Topik and never have but lately I've been thinking about it. Let me know if you think it would help at this stage and what color I would require if so. Just been wearing a hat lately.

Thanks

 

[Bigmac]

There’s been quite a bit of growth when compared to your pre-op. From the last update it looks a little fuller. The small patch is still barren by the looks of it but I would not let bother you at this early stage.
The growth looks to be a nice even pattern which will become denser. One day you’ll look at it and be amazed.
Toppik could work if you feel you need it. Matching the colour is not straight forward. I would purchase medium and dark brown. Try each separately to see if you get a good colour match, then begin to experiment with putting it on. Always good to use as little as possible.

I don’t think you’ll need to wait too much longer for enough growth. Sticking to the hat may be your best option for now.

Only you can decide.

 

[JoeMan]

@Bigmac I'm not sure that patch is going to grow. I guess having it set back, I should be able to cover it up easily or a minor touch up might be in order if not. It's really slick bald still. At what time frame would you say it's definitely not growing back? I know everyone says a year but surely some stubble would pop out before then?

 

[Bigmac]

I would say 6-7 months but some people do take longer. You never suffered any trauma in that area, just a bit of stubborn scabbing so I can’t see why they won’t grow.
If they don’t, like you say, a small touch up would sort it.
Have you leg the doctors know?

 

[JoeMan]

Have you leg the doctors know?

No, I figured it's just too soon. I'm sure they'll just say to wait at this point anyway. Maybe next update which is 3 months, I'll at least mention it.