J
JTurnbull
Valued member
Hi guys
2 weeks ago I plunged into the world of hair transplants. I read forums for months before deciding to go with a hair transplant. I got caught up with the CHOI procedure and decided I wanted that done. I homed in on a UK website (I won't mention the name, although some of you will know who I mean) and emailed and spoke on the phone to the guy that runs it. Obviously the website had some great (and what I thought) very credible testimonies. I felt safe with these guys so decided to go ahead with the surgery.
The surgery was carried out in Athens, Greece by a team of a doctor and his 2 surgeon/nurses. I felt very much at ease and the doctor seemed like a very nice guy, as did his staff. I had a consultation beforehand before proceeding with the op. The op went very smoothly and lasted about 5 hours in total. I was told before I went to Greece that I'd need approx 5000 grafts, but after the procedure I was told that I'd had approximately 6000. Well I was quite astonished at this, however looking at the donor scar, I can see how they may well have gotton that many. Anyway I arrived back in the UK after my 3 day 'holiday' and I went back to work wearing a hat for a week.
I've been following the post op instructions to the letter, along with taking the medication I was given to take. I'm off the medication now, but still washing my hair gently with Betedine shampoo. Now I know this stuff is good for fighting any potential infection, but it's not exactly a hairs best friend when it comes to looking nice.
After a few washes and as the scabs come away, I can definately see new hairs when I look close up and I've definately got a new hairline, however it's quite evident that I've not had the 6000 grafts I was told I had had, it looks more like 60 given how far apart they are spaced. Also, while I've been washing, a couple of the grafts have come out. The grafts look like large chunks of fatty tissue and it makes you wonder if they separated them correctly before implanting, and just stuffed them in a hole hoping they'd stick and possibly grow :S I am now worried that more will fall given time, as my head has a lot of 'pimple' type formations. Maybe the grafts are still settling in?
As for pain during surgery, I experienced quite a bit. I was told this was down to me being sensitive.... maybe that was right, maybe not. The only discomfort I've experienced since returning to the UK is from the donor area. It is still quite sore, however not as much as it was, and it is going away slowly. I'm having the stiches taken out of the donor area tomorrow by my GP. I'm eager to hear what he has to say about it. I will post his comments tomorrow.
Anyway onto some photos!
BEFORE
AFTER (2 days post op)
AFTER (12 days post op)
As you can see, the blood spots/scabs are still clearing and I reckon I've got less hair than I started with (maybe I've had a small amount of shock loss?)
Anyway I've started this topic to help others when it comes to HTs. I am already aware of BadLuck's post on this forum about Athens, and it seems we were both treated by the same clinic.
Any comments are very welcome.
John
2 weeks ago I plunged into the world of hair transplants. I read forums for months before deciding to go with a hair transplant. I got caught up with the CHOI procedure and decided I wanted that done. I homed in on a UK website (I won't mention the name, although some of you will know who I mean) and emailed and spoke on the phone to the guy that runs it. Obviously the website had some great (and what I thought) very credible testimonies. I felt safe with these guys so decided to go ahead with the surgery.
The surgery was carried out in Athens, Greece by a team of a doctor and his 2 surgeon/nurses. I felt very much at ease and the doctor seemed like a very nice guy, as did his staff. I had a consultation beforehand before proceeding with the op. The op went very smoothly and lasted about 5 hours in total. I was told before I went to Greece that I'd need approx 5000 grafts, but after the procedure I was told that I'd had approximately 6000. Well I was quite astonished at this, however looking at the donor scar, I can see how they may well have gotton that many. Anyway I arrived back in the UK after my 3 day 'holiday' and I went back to work wearing a hat for a week.
I've been following the post op instructions to the letter, along with taking the medication I was given to take. I'm off the medication now, but still washing my hair gently with Betedine shampoo. Now I know this stuff is good for fighting any potential infection, but it's not exactly a hairs best friend when it comes to looking nice.
After a few washes and as the scabs come away, I can definately see new hairs when I look close up and I've definately got a new hairline, however it's quite evident that I've not had the 6000 grafts I was told I had had, it looks more like 60 given how far apart they are spaced. Also, while I've been washing, a couple of the grafts have come out. The grafts look like large chunks of fatty tissue and it makes you wonder if they separated them correctly before implanting, and just stuffed them in a hole hoping they'd stick and possibly grow :S I am now worried that more will fall given time, as my head has a lot of 'pimple' type formations. Maybe the grafts are still settling in?
As for pain during surgery, I experienced quite a bit. I was told this was down to me being sensitive.... maybe that was right, maybe not. The only discomfort I've experienced since returning to the UK is from the donor area. It is still quite sore, however not as much as it was, and it is going away slowly. I'm having the stiches taken out of the donor area tomorrow by my GP. I'm eager to hear what he has to say about it. I will post his comments tomorrow.
Anyway onto some photos!
BEFORE
AFTER (2 days post op)
AFTER (12 days post op)
As you can see, the blood spots/scabs are still clearing and I reckon I've got less hair than I started with (maybe I've had a small amount of shock loss?)
Anyway I've started this topic to help others when it comes to HTs. I am already aware of BadLuck's post on this forum about Athens, and it seems we were both treated by the same clinic.
Any comments are very welcome.
John