My hair transplant journey. Surgery performed at the Hair Dr Leeds UK, July 2020.

[smokeybacon]

Hi Kelvino, well it looks like your temples are thin. I hope the transplant thickens them up along with whatever the treatment can do for you. Have you been given an indication of time, before you can really say that´s it, no more will come, so you get closure at least? Best of luck

 

[Kelvino1987]

Hi Kelvino, well it looks like your temples are thin. I hope the transplant thickens them up along with whatever the treatment can do for you. Have you been given an indication of time, before you can really say that´s it, no more will come, so you get closure at least? Best of luck

Hi mate.

Yeah it’s something we discussed at the clinic. We’re going to give 18 months (6 more from now), along with PRP treatment, laser hair therapy and oral minoxidil. If by 6 more months we’ve not achieved the full density, we’ll then do a top up. We were initially planning for a top up after my 7 month follow up appointment, where we all agreed it could be 50/50 if we do or do not get anymore growth - the progress was underwhelming at the time. Since month 7, there’s been significant growth - it probably came around month 8/9. We’re still seeing some new hairs coming through at the moment. Obviously I’m really eager to get full coverage and density, but I don’t want to have a top up too prematurely and save grafts if I’m able to - I may possibly need them as I get older and lose more hair. So I’ve really got my fingers crossed on this other treatment. I’ll definitely be updating as the months progress.

 

[Johnboy83]

Come across this thread and wish I had not now! It's great to see though that your surgeon is offering top notch after care. Personal question is the top up offered and laser therapy been offered free or are you having to pay extra?

Just shows you the minefield that is hair restoration, I have mine booked in soon at a reputable clinic and feeling really nervous after reading your experience. The money it costs is life changing for me and I have been on the wrong end of "false promises" from clinics.

 

[Baldingman23]

Come across this thread and wish I had not now! It's great to see though that your surgeon is offering top notch after care. Personal question is the top up offered and laser therapy been offered free or are you having to pay extra?

Just shows you the minefield that is hair restoration, I have mine booked in soon at a reputable clinic and feeling really nervous after reading your experience. The money it costs is life changing for me and I have been on the wrong end of "false promises" from clinics.

I think this is a great thread. It shows that sometimes results may not be 100% but if you choose a reputable Dr who cares about his patients results and offers resolutions to obtain a 100% result in the end is important. For me this is one of the most important aspects when booking a HT. I potentially was going to go abroad for my HT until I found the Hair Dr. Know that the clinic is only 4 hours up the road and the Dr will make sure I come away with a HT that I’m 100% happy with is worth the extra money I paid having it here in the UK. Just think if Kelvino would have had his abroad he would have had to pay extra for flights/accommodation when going back for assessment of the HT etc, plus it’s a hell of a lot easier for clinics/dr to avoid patients if they are from another country. I guess this is why a HT needs a lot of research not just for results but also the support and back up incase things aren’t 100% first time round.

 

[Kelvino1987]

Come across this thread and wish I had not now! It's great to see though that your surgeon is offering top notch after care. Personal question is the top up offered and laser therapy been offered free or are you having to pay extra?

Just shows you the minefield that is hair restoration, I have mine booked in soon at a reputable clinic and feeling really nervous after reading your experience. The money it costs is life changing for me and I have been on the wrong end of "false promises" from clinics.

Hi mate. I understand your concerns, and when it wasn’t really working for me at 7 months, I did think I may have made a mistake. Just to touch on a few of your points in relation to my experience, I’m a very late grower. I think we see several updates from loads of guys where they’ve seen significant growth within the first 4/5 months. You do compare and you set an expectation. We all hope come 12 months we’ll have full coverage and density. In my case and some others, it can take longer, and it’s why I’ve had to separate the frustration I had, and also remember that almost every clinic does advise that it could take up to 18 months. In addition to this, about 3-5% of patients of reputable clinics, may not achieve optimal results and would require a top up.

The further treatment they’ve offered is free and included in my after care. If they were not an ethical clinic, they wouldn’t have offered the further treatment. This is something I found reassuring and it wasn’t just one option they gave, they gave me every option available and I really can’t knock that.

Which clinic are you going to mate? Do you know who the surgeon is who’ll be performing the surgery?

 

[Johnboy83]

The fact the company you have gone with are still willing to help you at no extra cost shows you the reputation they have gained and deserved.

 

[smokeybacon]

The fact the company you have gone with are still willing to help you at no extra cost shows you the reputation they have gained and deserved.

I would hold your praise for the clinic until Kelvino´s hair grows. The clinic are only doing what they should do. Is the bar that low we are impressed when a clinic just does the right thing. Hope your hair improves over the next few months Kelvino then everyone will be happy.

 

[Bigmac]

Hi Kelvino.
The growth along the lateral humps and crown looks to have filled in. Your crown didn’t have that many grafts placed, hence it still looks on the thinner side compared to the mid section where you have retained your natural hair.
The clinic picture showing your temples/hairline is not clear enough. Your pictures do show these areas are thin. If the proposed treatments don’t help, you will require more grafts If you want more density.
Could you take a picture with your hairline pushed up without the use of the comb? This will show how it naturally looks.
Are you happy with your donor now?

 

[Kelvino1987]

Hi BM. Hope you’re well mate. I’ve attached some in different lighting below. I’ve got a bit of product in and I’ve pushed the hair up and back as you’ve stated.

Yeah I did initially mention the crown before my procedure but Dr Arshad said the crown area wasn’t a problem. I’ll catch up with Sommiya about it as I need to book in for my PRP.

I do feel better about the donor after Dr Arshad looking at it. He said the picture Id taken doesn’t reflect how it looks and the odd space where dots/scarring may be close in proximity, we can look at donor restocking which I’m happy with. My plan was to always to have a play around with wearing my longer anyway, but I do like to keep my back and sides shorter.

I’ll officially hit 12 months on the 24th July so will add futher photo updates soon.

 

[Bigmac]

It’s good to hear you’re happy with how the follow up went. Your beard looks to be a good source if you do require any donor restocking. The hairline is thinner than I’d expect at this point. Am I right in saying your last 3 images show how it would look in person. As I mentioned earlier, more grafts will be required if it does not improve and meet yours and the clinics expectations.
Different hair styles and lengths can play an important part of any hair transplant. Hopefully, in a few more months you can achieve your goal.
Keep us updated on how everything goes.
Wishing you all the best.
Bm

 

[Kelvino1987]

Hi BM.

Yeah I am hoping it improves. I start other treatments soon. The last 3 previous pictures do show the how the hairline looks if it’s exposed/not styled to cover it.

I’ve actually just come up to 12 months officially (photos uploaded). Judging by the pictures, if there’s no significant change growth, what would be your estimation of total grafts needed?

Cheers

 

[Bigmac]

On those pictures it doesn’t look bad, just a bit thinner. Depending on density, another 600 or so grafts could make a very pleasing difference.
Estimating graft numbers from pictures is tricky.
How many grafts did the doctor think you’d need to get you where you want to be?

 

[Kelvino1987]

On those pictures it doesn’t look bad, just a bit thinner. Depending on density, another 600 or so grafts could make a very pleasing difference.
Estimating graft numbers from pictures is tricky.
How many grafts did the doctor think you’d need to get you where you want to be?

Hi BM. Just updating my PRP appointment yesterday. All went really well. We’ve actually seen some further growth since 4 weeks ago. Dr Arshad and Sommiya thought I had hair fibres in but I had only applied dry shampoo and minoxidil.

So I had my first PRP session. I had to have some anaesthetic as it was slightly painful. Whilst I was waiting for my blood to be span, I had also laser hair treatment. I’ll be going back in around 6 weeks for my 2nd session.


Theyve also started me on oral minoxidil, half a tablet a day and to review how I’m feeling as a very small amount of patients can experience issues with blood pressure.


We discussed by 18 months, would if I need a top up after treatment. Dr Arshad thinks 500 grafts, Sommiya thinks the treatment now will give me the coverage I’m happy with. As I said yesterday to them, I’d prefer the treatment works to save grafts and avoid having to do a 2nd procedure prematurely.

I’ll post an updated progress pic when I’ve hit 13 months soon. Cheers!

 

[Bigmac]

It’s good to hear everything went well with your follow up and that you’ve experienced a bit more growth in the past month. With some luck the extra treatment will improve things. What area was discussed as your main concern and was this the area that the doctor thinks another 500 grafts will sort it if required?
If you have a low pain threshold /more sensitive to the needles the PRP can be painful which does require anaesthetic to numb the pain.

All the best with the treatments.

 

[Kelvino1987]

It’s good to hear everything went well with your follow up and that you’ve experienced a bit more growth in the past month. With some luck the extra treatment will improve things. What area was discussed as your main concern and was this the area that the doctor thinks another 500 grafts will sort it if required?
If you have a low pain threshold /more sensitive to the needles the PRP can be painful which does require anaesthetic to numb the pain.

All the best with the treatments.

Hi BM. Dr Arshad said the 500 grafts would be for the hairline/temple areas. I did ask about the top but he said his advice would be to leave the top, and wait - just if there’s more loss and I needed a further top up. The top does bother me though (although it has improved).

I’ve just come up to 13 months. Attached photo updates. I have used dry shampoo in my hair today, and have put in regain which does thicken the hair up a bit. I do always stand in front of a window with natural light to provide progress pictures as clear as possible.

 

[Prohairclinic]

4 Months is really just the beginning for most patients but you’re now at 13 months.

I suggest you have a look at this page:

Hair Transplant | Hair Pigmentation | Best solution? - Prohair Clinic

Micro Hair Pigmentation or Hair Transplantation, Which Solution is Best for You? . Both techniques have advantages and disadvantages. An objective comparison.

www.prohairclinic.com

 

[Kelvino1987]

4 Months is really just the beginning for most patients but you’re now at 13 months.

I suggest you have a look at this page:

Hi PHC.

Thanks for posting this link.

Just regarding the timeline of growth and your clinic, do you have any patients in a similar position where it’s taken up to 18 months to get optimal results? I know it’s a general consensus that a lot of patients can see fuller density and growth at 12 months, but also the 18 month mark being where really the final results should show. I’m just hoping come 18 months I’ll see full coverage. Would be great to see some examples of late growers if you have any!

Cheers

 

[Kelvino1987]

14 month update.

I have noticed my left temple has filled in a bit more (right temple still a bit stubborn). Im booking in for my 2nd PRP session. Continuing taking oral and topical minoxidil, as well as finasteride, biotin and Saw Palmetto. Overall there is a big difference, just waiting on the slightly thin areas to fill in. As discussed with the clinic, a top up will be done we’re still in the same position with the thinner areas.

 

[Baldingman23]

Looking good @Kelvino1987 Its great you are seeing improvements.

 

[Kelvino1987]

Looking good @Kelvino1987 Its great you are seeing improvements.

Thanks man. Saw your update mate and your progress looks great! How you feeling about your top up? It’s good you can get it done and not have to shave.

Just done a side by side of 8 months and current progress at 14 months. I remember not feeling hopeful at 8 months, as I was expecting much more growth. Still a bit to go, but pleased it’s improved.