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Melbourne to Brussels x 2 with Dr Bisanga

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Anthony777

Valued member
1992: I had my first strip procedure in 1992 when I was 22 years old with Dr Barry White here in Melbourne Australia. I am now 46 years old. (1992 was almost pre internet, so research was very limited.) I had 2 or 3 procedures with Dr White. I'm not sure how many grafts in total, but by today €™s standards, the results were poor.
2005: Around 2005 I had another procedure with Dr Jenifer Martinick, during my consultation with Dr Martinick, I was told this would be last strip procedure as my donor hair was very limited. In ~
2006: I had strip revision again with Dr Martinick, the idea of this was to reduce my scar so I was able to cut my hair shorter.
During my surgeries in Australia, I would have had around 3500 grafts transplanted in total, but to me it looked like only about 1500. A few years ago I started to do some research online and was very impressed by the results people were getting with the latest hair transplant techniques. I then found €œHair Loss Experiences € and started looking into reputable surgeons. My donor hair, being very limited and strip no longer being an option, I was looking for a surgeon who had the expertise in performing both FUE and Body Hair Transplants. After some extensive research I managed to find a few doctors in different countries that I felt could address my specific needs. My home being in Melbourne Australia made it difficult for me, both geographically and economically, to travel to a few other countries for consultations. I decided the best way around this was to arrange to meet two of my selected doctors at the ISHRS convention in Malaysia. The consultations were for October of:
2014: The doctors were Dr Jose Lorenzo and Dr Christian Bisanga. They both have an excellent reputation world wide and also on this forum. My first consultation was with Dr Jose Lorenzo followed by Dr Bisanga. After much deliberation I chose
Dr. Bisanga. I found him to be more approachable and thorough in the consultation, and also felt he was more comfortable with body hair transplants and a lot more optimistic.
In my long journey with hair transplantation of the years I would highly recommend travelling to any of the conventions held worldwide. Here you will have the opportunity to meet with some of the very best practitioners in hair restoration in the world, all in one place! Having decided on Dr. Bisanga for my surgery I took the leap and booked my surgery.
I arranged for 3 weeks leave from work. I flew to Brussels. The flight was around 26 hours in duration ~ Melbourne to Singapore, Singapore to Dubai, Dubai to Brussels.
2015: End of March ~ I checked into the Hotel Catalonia in Brussels around lunchtime on the Saturday, I pretty much slept most of the time until my first day of surgery on the Monday. I arrived at 8am sharp as requested, filled out the paperwork and had a quick consultation with the Doctor. I changed into a gown and had some photos taken. The time had finally arrived and I was ready for my:
€˜DAY ONE €™ of surgery ~ 1200 FUE head hair.
€˜DAY TWO €™ of surgery ~ 700 grafts from Head, 557 from Beard and 335 from Chest.

I found day two a little more difficult. The procedure started at 10am and ended around 8pm. The beard hair went into my strip scar, and I found this part of the procedure to be the only uncomfortable part of the whole surgery. It was late in the day and I was beginning to feel a little restless. In my opinion FUE is a walk in the park compared to strip. Healing time is so much faster.
My first procedures with Dr. Bisanga were complete! I was ready to fly back home.
I was given a black bandanna to wear and a letter from BHR, explaining that I just had surgery, in case I was questioned by customs. I skipped through passport control and customs without a problem.
I was very happy with the outcome of the first surgery and returned 12months later..
2016: March ~ Procedure: 1217 FUE grafts and 890 beard hair.
On this trip I returned home around 4 days before the Brussels airport bombing and security was a lot higher this time around. I was questioned on arrival on my reasons for visiting Brussels and had to provide documents of my hotel reservations and credit cards details. ۬On leaving when going through security they asked me to remove the bandanna. I showed them the letter and was subsequently taken to a private room to show I wasn ۪t hiding anything.
I wanted to share a little bit of my story here on €œHair Loss Experiences € as it has provided me with not only a lot of information in solving my hair loss problems but also in providing a support network for myself and others in my situation. This whole €˜hair loss experience €™ can be a very traumatic experience and it €™s comforting to know that €œHair Loss Experiences € and other reputable hair loss forums are out there in support of our hair loss journey. €¨
As you can see from the photos of my original surgery, it wasn €™t pretty.
NOW: I can go out in public without wearing a baseball cap and not feel so self-conscious.
I would like to thank DR. BISANGA and his TEAM. It €™s a very emotional journey, as I €™ve already mentioned, and travelling across the other side of the world to have surgery doesn €™t make it any easier. DR. BISANGA and his TEAM looked after me very well, and I am extremely happy with the results. I highly recommend
Dr. Bisanga and his team. Thank you to STEVEN and DANIEL from BHR for answering ALL MY questions and for guiding me through the whole process. ۬ ۬
I would also like to thank the Hair Loss Experiences. There is a lot of information on here detailing everyone €™s experiences €¦ It makes it a lot easier to find a suitable doctor.


Placement and older work showing


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Beard Fue extractions


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A

Anthony777

Valued member
And now 18 months after 2 surgeries

 

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Bigmac

Bigmac

Administrator
Staff member
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for joining and sharing your story. You`ve certainly been around a while in Hair Transplant terms. It`s a shame the internet wasn`t around when you were 22, but like you, lots of us made the same mistakes way back then.
However, it`s good to hear Dr. Bisanga did great work on both occasions, it certainly looks very good, allowing you to lead a happy life going forward knowing your hair is great. Stephen and Daniel are grat guys too, always helpful.
Good riddance to that baseball cap.
All the best.
Bm.
 
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Chelo

member
Thoroughly enjoyed reading your story. Dr Bisanga and crew have definitely turned it around for you, your hair looks great. It'll be nice to relax and not worry anymore.
Lovely ending.
 
Sparky

Sparky

Valued member
oh dear, Dr Martinick! you have been through the mill, glad to see you got the result you deserved in the end, looks great now!
 
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A

Anthony777

Valued member
Thanx guys for the comments.
One of my concerns was scarring from the body hair donor sites. It really is amazing how quickly, and how well the beard hair site heals. The chest hair did take a lot longer, but also healed well with no visible scaring to the naked eye.

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Chelo

member
Hi Anthony, do you have pictures of your body extraction areas.? I`m considering utilising this source but white dot scarring was a concern.
 
Bigmac

Bigmac

Administrator
Staff member
Good to hear the body FUE extractions healed well.
 
Westcoaster

Westcoaster

member
Hell is a journey you've been through. Thankfully it's ended well for you.
 
A

Anthony777

Valued member
Quick update with some photos @19 months after my last surgery. I`m very happy with my result.

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Dazzster26

Valued member
Hi Anthony
Just a read through your thread amazing turnaround ¬b` your hair looks totally natural friend

Thanks for posting


Dazz
 
Bigmac

Bigmac

Administrator
Staff member
Looking great Anthony. Thanks for popping back to update.
 
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