• Welcome to Hair loss Experiences hair loss forum.

    Free impartial hair loss advice, hair transplant advice, hair loss medications and hair loss news.
    You can contact us directly at [email protected] if you experience any problems.

4,434 grafts Dr. Cole - BCH Athens

M

maweb

member
hi kondofoni,

Yeah I guess everything goes as planned and you are right I can see the frame/hairline as well. Glad you mention it because I thought I am imagining .

Good to hear you made your decision. I found that the researching can be quite time consuming and eventually exhausting. Let me know if I can be of any help up until the date?!

I will post an update in roughly 3 weeks... hope to see some more growth till then ... cross your fingers For me please
 
E

Edsarn

Member
I know it's hard, but you've picked a great surgeon, so you will get a great result. Some people grow faster than others, so don't be disappointed if you take a little longer than others. I've seem some people looking great after 7-8 months, whereas others take longer and have seen massive improvement in density from month 10-12. It really is a waiting game.

I've read that taking minoxidil can speed up the growth of transplanted hair, but I am not sure if this is supported by clinical evidence. Have you considered taking that or finasteride?

Happy growing.
 
M

maweb

member
I know it's hard, but you've picked a great surgeon, so you will get a great result. Some people grow faster than others, so don't be disappointed if you take a little longer than others. I've seem some people looking great after 7-8 months, whereas others take longer and have seen massive improvement in density from month 10-12. It really is a waiting game.

I've read that taking minoxidil can speed up the growth of transplanted hair, but I am not sure if this is supported by clinical evidence. Have you considered taking that or finasteride?

Happy growing.

Thanks Edsarn,

Yes you are right the waiting game is the cruel part. I am hoping to be part of the early growers but guess beggars can’t be choosers...

I have purchased topical Finasteride from the clinic but did not use it yet as I would like to see the surgical results first. Otherwise it will be difficult to differentiate the surgical from the medication results.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Will update with new pictures in c. 2 weeks.

Max
 
E

Edsarn

Member
Thanks Edsarn,

Yes you are right the waiting game is the cruel part. I am hoping to be part of the early growers but guess beggars can’t be choosers...

I have purchased topical Finasteride from the clinic but did not use it yet as I would like to see the surgical results first. Otherwise it will be difficult to differentiate the surgical from the medication results.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Will update with new pictures in c. 2 weeks.

Max


No worries Max. I've had 4 surgeries now, and I find that I get quite excited before the surgery and then go through a bit a lull a few weeks later when my hair looks than it did before the surgery. Unfortunately, this is part of the process!! That passes though, once the donor recovers and then the hair starts to grow back.
 
K

kondofoni

member
I keep crossing fingers for you maweb ( thanks for all your help!)

I guess Dr Cole is really big on topical Finasteride, I'm using the oral 5mg pill and cut it into four 1.25mg a day, just because it's just easier for me to keep track and use it over the years, I was really bad in putting stuff on my head daily.
 
M

maweb

member
I keep crossing fingers for you maweb ( thanks for all your help!)

I guess Dr Cole is really big on topical Finasteride, I'm using the oral 5mg pill and cut it into four 1.25mg a day, just because it's just easier for me to keep track and use it over the years, I was really bad in putting stuff on my head daily.


Hi again,

Well he is actually quite critical about finasterid in general which does not mean he is against it. However, he was very transparent to me on the different effects finasterid (oral and or topical) can have on different people. As said i have not started yet but will share my experience when I decide to do so. Btw the gel comes from a pharmacy in Brussels that is related to Bisanga.
 
M

maweb

member
Hi all,

here is my progress after month 4. To be honest I would have hoped to see a bit more by now, but guess I am too impatient and need to wait another 1-2 months at least to get a proper indication of any sort of final result?! The front is showing some progress, but still lacks a lot of density.... I am also a bit worried that things are not going my way as I hardly have any ingrown hair/pimples. Is there anyone who had the same experience of not experiencing ingrown hairs or can comment on my theory? Also, any comparisons with your progress after month 4 would be appreciated ... Either way I will keep you guys updated and will get back to you after month 5...
 

Attachments

  • BFC38B38-B7CE-48A1-9974-38775C819C91.jpeg
    BFC38B38-B7CE-48A1-9974-38775C819C91.jpeg
    75 KB · Views: 644
  • 2FEE0B57-A700-44B1-80AD-EFF281DD87FC.jpeg
    2FEE0B57-A700-44B1-80AD-EFF281DD87FC.jpeg
    108.2 KB · Views: 633
  • AF64C0A4-521F-4D85-8DC2-03E3A335CFD5.jpeg
    AF64C0A4-521F-4D85-8DC2-03E3A335CFD5.jpeg
    131.4 KB · Views: 580
  • 8E3F4471-059E-4FD9-BE5D-0E38A9A4469A.jpeg
    8E3F4471-059E-4FD9-BE5D-0E38A9A4469A.jpeg
    134.1 KB · Views: 593
D

Danny1671

member
Hi Maweb, thanks for sharing your story with great detail. It personally gives me great hope as I think I pretty much have the same hair loss pattern as yours pre-op, and from your 4 month pics it is quite obvious that you are heading for a great result! You may not think it but your hair looks perfectly on track at 4 months compared to countless other reviews I have followed.

I’m booked in for a 4000 (ish) graft fue Procedure with Dr Bisanga next week and I’m nervous to say the least!

Can I ask if Dr Cole told you how many donor grafts in total you have available to use throughout your lifetime? I’d like a hairline design like yours if I can get away with it!

Thanks for sharing, it’s only up from here as you’re past the worst! Good luck mate
 
M

maweb

member
Hi Maweb, thanks for sharing your story with great detail. It personally gives me great hope as I think I pretty much have the same hair loss pattern as yours pre-op, and from your 4 month pics it is quite obvious that you are heading for a great result! You may not think it but your hair looks perfectly on track at 4 months compared to countless other reviews I have followed.

I’m booked in for a 4000 (ish) graft fue Procedure with Dr Bisanga next week and I’m nervous to say the least!

Can I ask if Dr Cole told you how many donor grafts in total you have available to use throughout your lifetime? I’d like a hairline design like yours if I can get away with it!

Thanks for sharing, it’s only up from here as you’re past the worst! Good luck mate

Hi Danny,

thanks for the feedback. Really good to have this forum with so many people sharing their experience and support. Helps to get myself through the journey.

he did not give me a specific count but said I would be good for another larger touch up (2-3k grafts) in case needed/wanted. It’s always hard to predict where the hairloss journey will end eventually, but this hairline has been chosen conservatively enough to ensure I will have enough reserves to fill up the scalp towards a natural end result even if I would go completely bold.

All the best for your surgery matey. Have seen dozens of outstanding results from Bisanga. I am sure he will give you the best consultation possible for the two of you to take the right decision for now and for future game plans.
 
K

kondofoni

member
Hi Maweb, thanks for sharing your story with great detail. It personally gives me great hope as I think I pretty much have the same hair loss pattern as yours pre-op, and from your 4 month pics it is quite obvious that you are heading for a great result! You may not think it but your hair looks perfectly on track at 4 months compared to countless other reviews I have followed.

Totally agree with Danny! Maweb, I think you're heading to a home run results and the progress so far looks great!

I just had 2 days ago my surgery with Bisanga in the Athens clinic ( I might create a thread about it later on ), Maweb, I would sign now to be 4 months post op where you stand in terms of growth and recovery.

Danny, I can say how great the entire Bisanga's team was including Raphael coordinating everything and answering all the questions.

Please keep update..
 
bullitnut

bullitnut

4 awesome repairs with SMG
Hi dude month 4 is usually when people just start to get growth..... some start as early as month 3 but generally speaking growth will continue from here on in and the biggest changes for me personally happened from month 6 through to month 8.

Still early days and you've got some growth already so your heading in the right direction for a nice result my friend.
 
D

Danny1671

member
Totally agree with Danny! Maweb, I think you're heading to a home run results and the progress so far looks great!

I just had 2 days ago my surgery with Bisanga in the Athens clinic ( I might create a thread about it later on ), Maweb, I would sign now to be 4 months post op where you stand in terms of growth and recovery.

Danny, I can say how great the entire Bisanga's team was including Raphael coordinating everything and answering all the questions.

Please keep update..
I am literally sitting in a hotel after 2 long days at BHR Brussels. My experience has been fantastic so far and I plan to make regular updates in another thread of my own asI don’t want to hijack this one. 4300 grafts in total. Head feels like a fire ball in a vice right now lol!

Good luck guys....
 
M

maweb

member
Hi all,

it’s me again. So after 5 months post surgery I think it’s fair to say that the hairline is building up, although I must admit not yet really anywhere near the density I would expect. The crown has imo not changed noticeably l from the pre surgery status. I guess the waiting game still continues and hope more to grow over the next months... cross your fingers for me lads
 

Attachments

  • 3A890126-4A15-48C6-980C-C3F4A61C7B08.jpeg
    3A890126-4A15-48C6-980C-C3F4A61C7B08.jpeg
    138.2 KB · Views: 520
  • 5761D0A8-BF2B-48FD-A59E-E88015AE775C.jpeg
    5761D0A8-BF2B-48FD-A59E-E88015AE775C.jpeg
    162.4 KB · Views: 532
  • 4485A750-C3B0-4E7D-B351-4443A4B0EE09.jpeg
    4485A750-C3B0-4E7D-B351-4443A4B0EE09.jpeg
    187.7 KB · Views: 596
  • 573F1B35-6F1C-4885-B2F1-B80AEB92E54F.jpeg
    573F1B35-6F1C-4885-B2F1-B80AEB92E54F.jpeg
    106.2 KB · Views: 693
  • 7542F933-A1AE-40C4-8F7A-27DB1C59415C.jpeg
    7542F933-A1AE-40C4-8F7A-27DB1C59415C.jpeg
    127.7 KB · Views: 646
E

Edsarn

Member
You’re still very early in the process. I know it’s hard to be patient. Some people are slow growers.

Crowns are very difficult to fill. I’ve had over 3,000 grafts in my crown and it is still a bit patchy - I’ve got a big bald patch.
 
D

Danny1671

member
Any updates mate? Good or not so good is always helpful to us all on here.
 
M

maweb

member
Hi all,

firstly my sincere apologies. I have had an eventful year (more than the usual COVID situation - goods and bad) which distracted me from responding back to you all.

To start off I would like to say one thing: I would do it again! It’s been one of the best decisions of my life and I am feeling much better about myself. Yes, some might say it is just hair, but the compliments which can trough the last year are building confidence and self love.... no doubt about it!

The second thing I need to share: choose a good surgeon and you will reap results. I have attached a few images and you will understand (when compared with previous images) what sort of transformation just happened here.

The third thing is about the detail: gents, don’t think you will get all gaps closed. Density is key in the hairline. Don’t get me wrong. Dr. Cole managed major improvements in the other areas too, but of course not back to a level where your wife would not notice. For me, I can say that the work has been perfectly balanced to ensure the front/hairline looks natural and the other open spaces are covered well enough to ensure 99% of all people won’t notice. The 1% btw is my girlfriend who likes to play around with my hair when watching boring Netflix stuff.

Anyhow, enough said, attached the images (roughly one for every month starting Feb 2020, and the last one showing where I was before surgery.

Before anyone asks: no I don’t have images from above and sorry to say but I am happy to look into the mirror and not to find flaws. My priority was my hairline. Everything else is a much appreciated bonus.

Thank you, Dr. Cole. Hope you are enjoying the champagne I sent to your office... and also hope to see you again. ahhhh and thanks Ian Rafferty... what a great consultant/partner in this journey.... you are a star!

All the best to everyone in this forum. Thank you for sharing stories, your advise and l support during the difficult times.

Cheers,
Max
 

Attachments

  • 1101A53C-A4C7-4D17-A323-8326A340D0D2.jpeg
    1101A53C-A4C7-4D17-A323-8326A340D0D2.jpeg
    80.8 KB · Views: 188
  • AE9E723F-3D4E-464A-A2CF-7DFEAA056878.jpeg
    AE9E723F-3D4E-464A-A2CF-7DFEAA056878.jpeg
    55.7 KB · Views: 180
  • B30EBB0E-D28E-48DE-9041-747055BA70E5.jpeg
    B30EBB0E-D28E-48DE-9041-747055BA70E5.jpeg
    51.6 KB · Views: 181
  • 2B880FD9-8D46-4F62-803B-0FE8DC4E7851.jpeg
    2B880FD9-8D46-4F62-803B-0FE8DC4E7851.jpeg
    83.1 KB · Views: 171
  • FA4C0F1D-6EA9-46C6-854A-3FE170E7F3F5.jpeg
    FA4C0F1D-6EA9-46C6-854A-3FE170E7F3F5.jpeg
    79.9 KB · Views: 169
  • 1669621E-BB2A-45F4-B887-663934ED9750.jpeg
    1669621E-BB2A-45F4-B887-663934ED9750.jpeg
    101.5 KB · Views: 149
  • 4B385C09-F272-474E-B388-CEDE21961862.jpeg
    4B385C09-F272-474E-B388-CEDE21961862.jpeg
    46.5 KB · Views: 160
  • 142AE609-7466-4889-A7D9-A60A0DE7FA66.jpeg
    142AE609-7466-4889-A7D9-A60A0DE7FA66.jpeg
    77.3 KB · Views: 168
  • 11062D24-E44B-41E9-BBB2-B6941323EC79.jpeg
    11062D24-E44B-41E9-BBB2-B6941323EC79.jpeg
    117.7 KB · Views: 160
  • Dr John Cole hair transplant.jpeg
    Dr John Cole hair transplant.jpeg
    87.4 KB · Views: 144
Top