My updates post hair transplant surgery

[Supersmooth]

jonahtron wrote:

Hi mate,
Just signed up to say thanks for all your pictures. Back in February I had a small op at HairPalace and am loving the results. tracking your journey so thoroughly has been really helpful for me. I'm also thinking of a second procedure, though I just can't shave my head again. I'm an actor and was out of work for nearly 3 months whilst I waited to heal and not look like a freak again!
Do you think they'd ever consider a no-shave surgery? So many other clinics do offer it...

Thank you all for following me . Hair Palace i have had fantastic experience there I really have! I am sure if you're an actor then that frontal zone is the most important look. I am a magician - feel free to visit www.magical-moon.com or www.facebook.com/magicalmoon83
The hardest part is having all your hair shaved to 1-2mm, especially during my second procedure after waiting months the new hair growth but had to be done only for that to be shaved once again and to rinse and repeat procedure. The second procedure was less noticeable in the growth period. I am 2.6 years post first procedure and 1.2 years post second procedure, so it's fair to say that i have seen the final results of both first and second procedures.
The issue I have is that I am still losing my natural hair so I may require a 3rd procedure but was advised to wait at least 2 years and my donor hair should allow up to 4500 or 5000 max of hairs to be extracted and implanted for a 3rd and final procedure. - Frontal zone most important but i have continued to lose hairs in all three zones front, middle and crown(back),.;ss;
But thrilled to bits with results. Just that i am still losing my existing hair as you may have read above.
Back to your question - i think they shave it so it's easier to extract the individual hair follicles and implant it - as in easier to see, so i can understand from a practical perspective it's easier to see etc. I did ask them and whilst it is frustrating it's well worth the wait until week 12 or 13 (3 months). I think the strip method FUT they can do it un-shaved but that's an old method I asked the hair Palace and they said they don't do it there because it can cause scaring too!
I am really happy with the treatment at Hair Palace and now that I have had two procedures with the same doctor surgeon - i would go back there and have a 3rd procedure with the same as this doctors knows how my hair loss has progressed and what she is doing and needs to be done etc.
Here is my video attached of my first procedure for those who haven't seen it:
https://youtu.be/TLqt86xtbc4

 

[Supersmooth]

This was before my second procedure - this was the part I dreaded and perhaps you may dread if you do a second procedure - you can see where the hair was shaved before the second procedure - where the extraction took place in the donor hair after the first procedure of 6425 hairs:
During the second procedure they extracted up to 5034 hairs (after this photo) so god knows how the donor hair will look like when they shave it for the 3rd procedure.
How old are you may I ask Jonathan? any photos too?

 

[Supersmooth]

grooster wrote:

jonahtron wrote:

Hi mate,
Just signed up to say thanks for all your pictures. Back in February I had a small op at HairPalace and am loving the results. tracking your journey so thoroughly has been really helpful for me. I'm also thinking of a second procedure, though I just can't shave my head again. I'm an actor and was out of work for nearly 3 months whilst I waited to heal and not look like a freak again!
Do you think they'd ever consider a no-shave surgery? So many other clinics do offer it...

Hi,
I too have thanked Sean for his well documented journey using the Hairpalace. Without him I probably wouldn €™t have had the nerve to go to Budapest for my treatment in Feb. My thread is just below €œ My Fue hair transplant diary so far". I'm just over 4 months now and can €™t believe the difference both in appearance and confidence, with hopefully a bit more to come. The best money i've ever spent.
I know what you mean about getting your hair shaved again, but as far as I know they €™re not going to change in the foreseeable future. Its something I asked last time. I will probably have to go back next year some time for my 2nd treatment and now i have hair i €™m really reluctant to have it shaved off again. It must be a nightmare when your career and work rely on your appearance.

Thanks all - glad you found my hair transplant journey informative.
i'll look at your progress too.
Yes it's hard having to go back again to have your head shaved having waited months to see new hair & enjoyed watching the new hair grow out so well ...the but has to be done.
Actually someone once said that bald suits me!! - Pic taken just before the very first procedure at Hair Palace.

 

[GlossyMane]

Hey Grooster,
Thanks for your review of HairPalace. You got some great results! I am considering this clinic for my surgery later this year. I was wondering could you recommend a specific doctor at the clinic for surgery? Were you able to get all the required blood tests through your GP without much hassle back in the UK?
Thanks,
GlossyMane

 

[Charris6474]

Hey Grooster,
Thanks for your review of HairPalace. You got some great results! I am considering this clinic for my surgery later this year. I was wondering could you recommend a specific doctor at the clinic for surgery? Were you able to get all the required blood tests through your GP without much hassle back in the UK?
Thanks,
GlossyMane

Hi GlossyMane!
1. I had a surgery with them in 2018 and it went really smoothly (as it was told before). I had 5121 hairs implanted in my frontal area and the result was flawless. My doctor was Ljuba Zsolnai, as i recall she is in this field since 10 years or something. you can find her and their other docs on their doctors page.
hairpalace (dot) co (dot) uk /about-us/ our-team/
i'll definitely go back to her to fix my vertex too. She has magical hands
2. They helped me with the blood test in Hungary, they're in connection with some "last minute" labour as i recall, but you should ask them about it.

 

[Bigmac]

Hi GlossyMane!
1. I had a surgery with them in 2018 and it went really smoothly (as it was told before). I had 5121 hairs implanted in my frontal area and the result was flawless. My doctor was Ljuba Zsolnai, as i recall she is in this field since 10 years or something. you can find her and their other docs on their doctors page.
hairpalace (dot) co (dot) uk /about-us/ our-team/
i'll definitely go back to her to fix my vertex too. She has magical hands
2. They helped me with the blood test in Hungary, they're in connection with some "last minute" labour as i recall, but you should ask them about it.

It would be great if you could post about your surgery.

 

[Supersmooth]

It would be great if you could post about your surgery.

Hi GlossyMane! 1. I had a surgery with them in 2018 and it went really smoothly (as it was told before). I had 5121 hairs implanted in my frontal area and the result was flawless. My doctor was Ljuba Zsolnai, as i recall she is in this field since 10 years or something. you can find her and their other docs on their doctors page. hairpalace (dot) co (dot) uk /about-us/ our-team/ i'll definitely go back to her to fix my vertex too. She has magical hands 2. They helped me with the blood test in Hungary, they're in connection with some "last minute" labour as i recall, but you should ask them about it.

It would be great if you could post about your surgery.

How are things now?

 

[Supersmooth]

Hi I am due to go back to Hair Palace of Budapest and have my 3rd procedure - the Doctor recommended 3000 hairs about 1500 grafts as my natural hair has continued to thin. zones 2 and 3 in particular. Has anyone else have 3 transplants and how was your donor hair after this? I look forward to procedure but my worry is that my donor area will look scarred or bald or i'll have no hair left there - I am keen to hear more from anyone who has had 3 procedures? Dr Ljuba Zolnai said 3000 hairs should give good density.

- Not posted in a while but keen to know how everyone is doing on here? Attached photos whilst having consultation at hair palace. Look forward to hearing from everyone or anyone. My 3rd procedure will commence on 2nd April 2025.

Keep in mind I had my first procedure in November 2015 and 2nd in April 2017. Attached the diagram showing amount of hairs transplanted back during 1st and 2nd procedure. As you can see there was very little hair implanted in zones 2 on both occasions. You can see zones 1 is good and there is still some transplanted hair in zone 3 (crown) but my natural hair loss in all zones have continued to fall. I am convinced some of the transplanted hair has fallen out as well.

I hope 3rd Procedure will provide some good density and that my donor area will not look bad long after surgery or show any scarring.

 

[Bigmac]

Refresh me, are you using any hair loss prevention meds? Hair taken from the donor zone can be lost over time. With meds, they have the best chance of surviving long term.

 

[Supersmooth]

Refresh me, are you using any hair loss prevention meds? Hair taken from the donor zone can be lost over time. With meds, they have the best chance of surviving long term.

I don't take any hair loss meds - I remember in 2009 I started propecia but it had unwanted side effects and cost money so I stopped then in 2010 - 2013/14 I took minoxidil but stopped as I felt like I was just spending money and getting no results. I did try a derma roller a few years ago but had no results. I tried Rekze shampoo but was a waste of money so nothing worked - Has anyone used Manual shampoo - apparently it's a DHT blocker? If so does anyone recommend it?

 

[Bigmac]

Shampoos do not block DHT. Without the meds the doctor needs to plan accordingly as you're most likely going to lose more hair. The transplant needs to look natural if it stands alone.

 

[Supersmooth]

I would endeavour to hear from anyone who has had 3x FUE hair transplant procedures and how the donor was after?

 

[Bigmac]

I have had multiple strip and fue procedures. My donor is thinner for sure. Have to keep it a certain length to give the illusion of fullness.

 

[Supersmooth]

How many FUE and strip procedures have you had can I ask?

 

[Im new here]

How many grafts have you had in total so far?

The doctor should be able to tell you roughly how many grafts your donor has left and available

 

[Supersmooth]

Yes my Dr Ljuba Z, said my donor area was suitable for a final transplant of 3,000 hairs so around 1,500 grafts roughly.

I am unsure whether that means that's hiw much hair i have on my donor area? As in 3000 hairs is all I'll have left in total before the donor area will look bald or 3000 hairs to extract before I will start to look bald etc ..

 

[Sumedh]

Dear Hair loss Experience team

I am 32 and just over a month ago (5 weeks) I had a hair transplant of 6425 hairs abroad.

I have followed this pre/post hair transplant surgery for over a year and would like to contribute to hear other peoples experiences and now I have had surgery would like to participate and contribute. I have a question and would like to know your answer as it's concerning for me and my clinic has not replied yet. (I don't expect a reply Xmas Day or Boxing day, or Sunday).

My hair transplanted - is shedding and whilst I know this is natural after transplant as I was informed. I am a bit concerned that the hairs shedding in the shower, on pillow etc etc ...contain the roots - because at the end of the hair shaft I can see a 'J' shaped structure which looks like a root. Is this the actual hair root/dermal papilla?! I would find it hard to understand how the roots can shed too over one month post surgery.

I am just very anxious and having spent a lot of money as well as time on this - I would want this to work.

I look forward to hearing from someone who has had this experience. My email [email protected]

I have attached photos of shedded implanted hairs 5 weeks post surgery (before and after) are these roots at the tip of hair? I hope you can all understand my concern and worries.;ss; - I zoomed in on photo of some hairs that have shedded. Surely a root can't just shed one month after surgery like that? Has the transplant failed? What ever on earth is that at the tip of my hairs? Or maybe I am worrying too much.!? [):h::

I look forward to hearing from some guys.

Merry Christmas

Kind regards

Sean

When you say 6425 hairs, this the number of hairs or number of grafts? Just confused bcoz most clinics tell the graft number. If this is number of hairs, how many grafts were those?

 

[Supersmooth]

I am back from my 3rd hair transplant procedure at Hair Palace, Budapest. Was busy there - they had 3 other procedures that same day. I will update in a bit.

 

[Supersmooth]

I have just (as of 3rd) returned from Budapest Hair Palace where I had my 3rd procedure I had on 2nd April 2025. Great exclusive premier apartment offered by clinic as part of the treatment plan included in costs.

3002 hairs were implanted in Zones 1 & 2 (frontal and middle). About 1115 grafts.

There were no grafts left for zones 3 (crown) but I did say I am not too bothered. - I am more interested in hair being implanted in that Island patch and zone 2 and if I grow that long I can combe it back over zone 3 (vertex/crown area) - I have some implanted hair there from previous procedure when I had existing hair so wasn't that bothered. I always found that hair takes longer to grow back on crown and apparently it's due to blood flow and takes longer for blood to reach that part of scalp.

I asked the same Doctor/Surgeon why my 2nd procedure was not as effective as 1st and the reason was that in zone 1 that Island patch or as someone said a tuft (forelock) A.k.a tin tin tuft at the front was because I already had some existing natural hair in there if you go back and that forelock tuft /island patch has now gone and only thing left are the transplanted hair and now there is natural hair in that patch they could implant more in that area because it's bald now.

The Doctor said that implanting new hair/grafts into existing hair can damage existing hair growth that is prone to being lost due to DHT if implanted too close to natural hair which is STILL prone to DHT. I think that was the problem was that I/we never knew how much that patch would thin or eventually go which was why in my 1st procedure there was no new hair in that forelock island tuft.

Doctor also said that I will notice more change this time as I don't have much if any existing hair left prone to DHT to fall out and it has been 8 years since my last HT in April 2017, when I had my 2nd one if you scroll back.

I had the choice of 3000 hairs for zone 3 or zone 1 & 2 and I chose 1 & 2. See diagram done. I asked for my side parting to be re constructed too so I can combe it back and over crown.

If you look at my right side in particular and in some cases my left side - you can see that when shaven that my hairline has receded back over 8 years by about 1cm. - It's obvious from sides but also can be seen front as well when shaven.

In a way it's good that I did it now and having the appointment (3rd procedure) postponed in 2020 due to covid-19 lock down is a blessing in disguise because 5 years ago I probably still had existing hair in the forelock tuft and would have had to go back again, but now 2025 all that existing hair in that frontal forelock tuft has gone.

I asked about beard grafts - apparently, little growth and I would not be suitable as I don't have much of a beard and or facial hair anyway and if it does grow it would be too short and clinic doesn't offer extracting facial hair or beard grafts.

I also asked about how many grafts I have had extracted, they usually count it in hairs and not grafts but I asked. 1st procedure in 2015 was around 3000 grafts = 6425 hairs, 2nd procedure 2500 grafts = 5034 hairs, 3rd (most recent) and probably final procedure was 1115 = 3002 hairs. So I have now had a total of 6,667 grafts implanted which is a total of 14,461 hairs over 3 FUE transplant procedures.

The Doctor did recommend micro pigmentation to dense up the crown more instead of facial hair. - Keep in mind I have Asian in me so I don't have much facial hair anyways. Does anyone else have experience with micro pigmentation?

Recovering well - on anti-biotics, using saline water provided every hour and the treatment went well, didn't sleep night before and was a quicker procedure, little swelling and throbbing compared to previous times but very itchy. I did knock my head on the cabin bag on board which was painful but took photo and told Doctor and they said all my grafts appear intact and were not damaged, I also did it again in my car this time to look into mirror but only very lightly.

I have also attached photo of the donor area on night after the surgery on 2nd April - hopefully it will heel.

I was of course disappointed to see hair shaved off but some said it suited me.

I will keep everyone updated on my continued journey. - I now have to wait at least 3 months to see any changes and will of course have to endure the dreaded part in 2 weeks time of seeing all this newly implanted hair fall out again.

 

[Supersmooth]

I guess my issue is that my hairloss pattern was complicated really. If I had receding temples only at front then it's easier to focus on that one area only.

I have seen many men who have hairloss at front but a full head of hair in crown and I have also seen some with thick hair in the front but a thinning crown - so my point is that if the hairloss was in one area only then it would be easier but because mine was in all areas and at different rates of hair loss - it was a bit more complicated especially that forelock island tuft which started to become visible in 2009 up until 2015, but not knowing how much that forelock tuft would thin by or go caused so much uncertainty and may have affected the result of the hair transplant as it did because if you see I had lost it all there but had transplanted hair all around that forelock island tuft.

This time around all the Doctor could do is go for the most natural look as possible.

Funnily enough I saw a cashier at a supermarket from India and saw straight away he had a hair transplant because the front looked very perfect straight line and ever so thin and you could see the individual grafts implanted and it did look odd and yet he had no more donor hair to go for another...