2300 FUT - Dr Ball, Maitland Clinic, June 2021

[john86334]

Where to begin! This is my second FUT procedure, coming 8 years after the first and the time has just flown by. My first FUT is documented here (https://www.hairlossexperiences.com/threads/2300-fut-dr-ed-ball-ziering-uk-june-2013.3167/).

Having read through the posts of my first procedure again, I realised I was always aware a second would be on the cards at some point to address the crown area. The results from the first have been fantastic and without wanting to sound a tad dramatic, life changing!

So what led me to a second – around 2 years ago I met with Dr Ball and David Anderson in London to discuss where things were up to and what my future options could be. I was happy with the look I could achieve each day with the addition of Toppik (although noting I did seem to require more and more over the years) but it was the crown in particular that was thinning quite considerably. I have maintained daily Propecia usage over the entire 8 years although using the Regaine foam has been quite hit and miss.

The reason I opted for an FUT 8 years ago was my personal requirement to keep the surgery hidden, which I wouldn’t have been able to do with a full FUE head shave and I am pleased to say to this day that this has still been achieved. As I had lot of small hairs in the crown area I was told that that the crown would need to be shaved before surgery which gave me some hesitation, and most likely the reason I took another 2 years to book the surgery. Fast forward to the start of this year and after an awful home haircut and increased working from home, I decided it was now time and began the process to have a consultation with David Anderson and ultimately Dr Ball and book in a surgery date.

We decided upon a planned 1200 grafts in the crown area to give some coverage and the remainder (800) to get some more density in the front. In the end we were able to harvest 2,300 grafts, and the 3:2 ratio of the areas was maintained with the additional grafts.

To cut a long story short about the day of the surgery, I won’t go into detail about how incredible Dr Ball and his team are as I can see that every single other review on this site already does that, other than to say everything is just first class. I felt totally at ease and in comfort throughout the day, I was kept informed of the progress during the day which I found fascinating and all the aftercare requirements were explained in detail to me before I left. In total, it was approx. 8am to 10pm.

So as I type this, it is day 6 and I have had my first hair wash which I was very excited about!

Sleeping has been ok, it could have been worse, a few daytime naps to catch up have helped.

Pain has been fine since day 2 and I maintained the 30 minute ATP sprays until both bottles were finished.

Swelling – I did swell quite badly first time, and I was hopeful it would be less this time as there were less grafts in the front but alas not, it has currently worked its way down from my forehead to my eyes so I look a bit puffy.

I will attach some pictures of the before and current progress. Please excuse the long ramble, but if there are any questions, please just ask and I shall be sure to keep you all updated on progress.

 

[john86334]

Day before

 

[john86334]

Day 1

 

[john86334]

Day 6 - really hard to get a good picture of the frontal area, donor scar area shown as well.

 

[Bigmac]

Hi John.
Welcome back to the forum.
I too read your initial thread again to refresh your hair loss/transplant history. The frontal half, including your hairline, looks quite stable since your final update all those years ago. The crown does appear to have thinned a bit. The Propecia has probably slowed it right down. Quite a few are adding oral minoxidil to their regimen now. It could be an option for you.

As usual, your surgery experience mimics others having an easy informative relaxed day. The swelling should not be too much of an issue with you being at home and it won`t be long before you can use the concealer again if required. You know how the sleeping is from your first HT, not the greatest but manageable. Having your cat naps during the day will help refresh you.

The work looks super refined and very clean. In fact, I can`t see the grafts that have been placed between the hairs in the front. The crown placement looks good, the following of the natural hair direction. You look to be healing quickly as well.

The first hair wash always feels good. Now you`ll be keen to have the staples/sutures removed. Which one did Dr Ball use for the donor closure?

Thanks for popping back on and documenting this second surgery.
All the best.
Bm.

 

[john86334]

Hi,
Thank you for the reply and for all the work you do here. Yes I had only recently heard about oral minoxidil and I do think it would be ideal for me, but I couldn’t see anywhere to purchase, other than United Pharmacies, who I hadn’t previously heard of – is there anywhere else?
Dr Ball used Sutures to close the donor area and these are due to be taken out early next week

 

[Bigmac]

Hi John. If you do an internet search for Loniten tablets for sale in the UK you`ll see a lot of pharmacies that supply them.
I couldn`t remember if Dr Ball added staples to his donor closures. Thanks for confirming it is sutures. He does take a lot of care with donor closures that usually result in a very thin scar.

 

[mania]

Yes the provided pictures shows about the hair transplant surgery how nicely has been done by the surgeon ...

 

[john86334]

Better late than never - here is an update after 12 months. I certainly didn’t intend for this much of a gap, but remarkable how time flies.

Short story - please see the before and after - https://www.themaitlandclinic.com/results/2320-grafts-by-fut/

Longer story - Delighted with the results, ditched the Toppik completely now. I should note I have changed my daily regimen as well since, now incorporating 2.5 and then 5mg of Oral Minoxidil (must admit, not exactly blown away by this) and switching from Fin to 0.5 Dut daily.

Next step – SMP for the FUT scar, any recommendations?

 

[Bigmac]

Hi John. Thanks for popping back with your 12 month update. Your crown journey is very similar to my own. I am impressed with your result.
I took this comparison from the link to your result.

You did end up with the oral minoxidil. Where did you acquire it? What`s the reason you`re not that impressed with your new regimen?
You may not notice the improvements it is making but your hair overall looks thicker.
Ditching the hair fibres too. I remember that, what a great feeling.

 

[john86334]

Morning,

To clarify, it’s not that I am unimpressed, just not blown away – I have seen some OM results that are incredible and unfortunately, I’m not that lucky!

I ended up getting the OM from United Pharmacies, but recently noticed that Manual have begun selling it.

I often say that the first surgery was possibly one of the best things I ever did. The second isn’t far behind.

 

[Bigmac]

If the Oral Minox is making an improvement, then that is a good thing. How much of an improvement and if you think it's beneficial to continue can only be decided by you.
This surgery has certainly made a big impact.