FUE- 1427 GRAFTS- BHR BRUSSELS- Dr BISANGA- 03 /02/22

[Top Cat]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I had a hair transplant at BHR in Brussels on 03/02/22 having 1427 grafts. This forum was an invaluable tool to help me research Hair transplants and make an informed decision about where and which clinic to have the procedure with. I think it's only fair I document my transplant journey and contribute to the forum, in case it can help someone else. So here goes…

Background & Medication

30 year old. Taking finasteride for 2 years. Started taking oral Minoxidil January 2022.


Surgery graft count

FUE 1427 grafts

1’s- 396

2’s- 561

3’s- 470

Surgery Goals

To restore hairline and temples. To reinforce my existing hairs that were weak.

Pre surgery- 02/02/22

02/02/22- Attended the BHR clinic at around 1600 hours and had my pre-surgery consultation with Dr Bisanga and one of his technicians. We discussed the hairline design and he drew this on. The clinic then took a series of photos and shaved the recipient and donor area. Everyone at the clinic I met was very friendly and professional at all times, easing any concerns I had.

03/02/22- date of surgery

Arrived at 11:00 hours and straight into the surgery room. Got changed into the surgical kit and onto the surgery bed. I then had injections to both sides of my head ready for extractions. The injections did sting abit and felt sharp at times. That’s just a necessary part of the process… no pain, no gain I guess.

Some Extraction punches were done by Dr Bisanga and some by Dr Kostis. Dr Bisanga made all the recipient site holes for grafts and drew on the hairline design again. The technicians extracted and placed the grafts. We did break for lunch at some point, but I can’t recall when this was. I think I was all done by about 1700 hours if not before.

BHR-

Everyone I’ve dealt with at BHR has been professional and friendly throughout. Answering emails and questions promptly which has been great.

I will post on this thread a series of pictures to document my journey - showing pre and post op so far.

Feel free to comment and ask questions.

Pre op photos

Surgery photos- recipient and donor 03/02/22

Photos day 1 post surgery - 04/02/22

 

[Top Cat]

Photos day 3 post surgery- 06/02/22

Day 7 post op- 10/02/22

Day 10 post op- Scab free- 13/02/22-

I have noticed once the scabs have been removed- some gaps in the hairline in one temple particularly. I hope this is just from shedding or coming off with the scabs when removing them, and nothing to be concerned about hopefully. I have added some photos of the small hairs that came off when removing the scabs, and some hairs in the scabs - if anyone can comments and advise me..

 

[Top Cat]

1 Month + 1 Week post op update (37 days post op).

For anyone who is following- I will post monthly updates to track progress and assist others. I shall try and get the best photo quality possible, to accurately document the timeline and recovery for all to see.

So far- I think I’ve shed most of the grafts now. I am still seeing small hairs shed when I wash my hair though, these vary in sizes from say 1mm - 4/5mm (photo attached)(I assumed they would all be around the same size, growing to that length then shedding, but they have varied).



I have noticed I did suffer some shock loss on both sides of my head. The left side appears to be more affected than the right.

For ease, the photos are in the following order-

- Front view

- Right temple and close up

- Left temple and close up

- Donor left side with shock loss

- Donor right side with shock loss.


I have last week had the sides shaved at the barbers down to a grade 3. So this length is grade 3 plus 1 week.

3 month update.


Didn’t post at month 2 as there wasn’t much to update.

For ease photos should be in the following order-

1&2- frontal hairline

3- right side profile

4- left side profile

5- right temple

6- Right temple close up.

7. Left temple

8- left temple close up.

I think it’s on track so far and am quite happy. I do think the left side has come in at this time abit thicker than the right. It’s early days still though.


There is a small gap where the right temple meets the mid frontal point (picture 3.) Hopefully, this will grow in too.

 

[Top Cat]

4 Month update.

Overall very happy so far!! If I was to be super critical. I think in the last photo where circled from the right temple point to the centre front there seems a small gap making it uneven. Not sure if grafts haven’t grown there yet or if that’s the design. Regardless I’m still super happy with the result so far!

For reference- The photos are as follows

- wet/damp hair in natural light outside.

- inside photos with dry hair.

 

[Kevboy]

Brilliant progress for 4 months.

 

[Raphael84]

@Top Cat

Thank you for creating your thread and sharing your case. Very thorough images and documentation regarding your journey so far and no doubt this will be very valuable for others who may be considering surgery to understand healing and timeframe.

At 4 months, you are ahead of the curve and look great at such an early stage which is always welcomed by the patient, and of course the next months will only present more improvement and maturation of the follicles.

Thrilled for you and no doubt you will enjoy the summer ahead.

 

[Hemingway]

Looks amazing. How much did you pay per graft and did you have to pay extra for the partial shave?

 

[Bigmac]

Hi Top Cat, thanks for sharing your journey. It’s great that the forum helped you with your research. The immediate post-op p and donor extractions looked very good. I like that you never lowered your hairline and concentrated on filling the temple corners. The healing process looked pretty normal and the slight shock loss in your donor seems to have recovered. You’ve had great growth for 4 months, it’s looking really good. The small area you circled should be of no concern. Quite often people have areas that lag behind but they do usually catch up.
I`ll look forward to your next update.
All the best.
Bm.

 

[Top Cat]

Looks amazing. How much did you pay per graft and did you have to pay extra for the partial shave?

Thank you. At the time it was €4 a graft. The price per graft may have changed now though so best to contact the clinic first for accurate pricing.

No extra for the shave. This was the decision of the Dr for this shave style.

 

[Top Cat]

6 Month update.

Overall still super happy with the results and appreciate the comments.

For reference photos are
- 3 dry hair (right temple, centre, left temple)
- 3 wet hair.

I noticed it’s still slightly uneven at the right temple, not sure if this was the design to make it more natural. Either way still super happy. Worth every penny!

 

[Raphael84]

@Top Cat

Thank you for the update and photos.

You look great. What a transformation.
To think that this has occurred in 6 months is really what this role is about for me and the satisfaction that this brings. I am honestly thrilled for you.

In terms of temple closures, you will see that the "Bisanga signature" hairline design is asymmetrical in this regard based on bone structure, shape of face and facial features to optimally achieve a natural and undetectable result as opposed to an artificial or manufactured symmetry.

This hairline for less than 1500 grafts. The naturalness and density that has been achieved is what surgery with Dr. Bisanga is all about in such cases.

 

[Top Cat]

@Top Cat

Thank you for the update and photos.

You look great. What a transformation.
To think that this has occurred in 6 months is really what this role is about for me and the satisfaction that this brings. I am honestly thrilled for you.

In terms of temple closures, you will see that the "Bisanga signature" hairline design is asymmetrical in this regard based on bone structure, shape of face and facial features to optimally achieve a natural and undetectable result as opposed to an artificial or manufactured symmetry.

This hairline for less than 1500 grafts. The naturalness and density that has been achieved is what surgery with Dr. Bisanga is all about in such cases.

View attachment 34545

Thank you. I feel it too! A great decision to choose BHR. Over the moon with the results and naturalness! The difference it’s made in my life, is worth every penny!

 

[TBH]

Looks absolutely incredible mate, happy for you!
I cant even see whats wrong with the temple, and I probably look at 20+ hairlines a day!

 

[sl]

Looks amazing and thank you firstly for coming to us and secondly for documenting and posting your result so far. This is what makes the job good..seeing happy patients..

 

[Kevboy]

Fantastic so far. I see what you are referring to on the right side which looks to have a curve upwards giving its more receded look than the left. It looks straight across in your graft placement picture after surgery.

 

[Bigmac]

You`ve had exceptional growth for 6 months. The density and natural look is there already. Still 6 months to go.

 

[Bigmac]

Any chance of an update as you’ll be nearly at 12 months now?

 

[Luka]

One of the best pieces of work that I've ever seen definitely...

 

[Tom80]

Thank you. I feel it too! A great decision to choose BHR. Over the moon with the results and naturalness! The difference it’s made in my life, is worth every penny!

what difference did it make? It is not like you had significant hair loss before

 

[sl]

Hi Tom

I think it has made a nice difference for the patient and remember it is elective surgery and what is significant for you is probably not relevant to what is significant to the patient and should be respected. He is happy and no one can say the outcome is nothing other than natural.

Some have more loss and are fine and others wish to address recession and it is what is important to the individual and in his own words he is very happy. I don't think forums and especially hair ones should not discount what others face or feel. The extreme is what I deal with on our Youtube channel is that all men who seek any hair transplants are of weak character and same for repair cases, just man up and live with it attitude and they have no compassion at all but just keyboard warriors for the most part. Hopefully this won't happen on hair forums.

For example, you are a NW2, in 40s, have limited recession and noted more so on your corners and have tried PRP..so probably have less loss than this patient but still enough for you to come onto forum/s. Made think of a poster elsewhere called Mike10 who has same age, loss and treatments used so you are not alone.