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My updates post hair transplant surgery

Bigmac

Bigmac

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

Most of my FUE`S were on the small side. Same with my strips. The biggest strip was 1600 if I remember correctly. Fue was 1000. Reason I did smaller surgery’s was I needed quite a bit of repair work due to some poor choices in the late nineties. In total, 6-7 strips. 5-6 FUE That included beard from under the chin.
 
Bigmac

Bigmac

Administrator
Staff member
The work looks very good. It is nice and clean. I think you and the doctor went for utilised a good strategy for these remaining donor grafts. Having the natural looking hairline that is thinning going towards the crown does provide a natural look.
Now just the waiting game again.
 
Supersmooth

Supersmooth

Member
The work looks very good. It is nice and clean. I think you and the doctor went for utilised a good strategy for these remaining donor grafts. Having the natural looking hairline that is thinning going towards the crown does provide a natural look.
Now just the waiting game again.
Thanks BM
It's the natural look I wanted the 3002 hairs/1150 grafts to be implanted and give me.

3002 hairs would have been sufficient density for the back (crown/vertex) to be filled but then it would leave a large section in mid scalp and where that island tuft was near the front to be thin or bald so I chose the remaining hairs/grafts left to be implanted in the frontal tuft and middle section and thinner towards back - I could always combe it over. - At anyrate back of crown or vertex area doesn't matter to me so much as not many people stare at your crown when they are talking to you it's the frontal hairline they see first.

I don't expect amazing results and cosmetic changes like my 1st or 2nd procedure but I am confident of additional density in frontal and middle section.

Now the worse part is seeing the hairs shed over the next few weeks when soaking head in lukewarm water under a shower to get remaining scabs off. :cry:
 
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Supersmooth

Supersmooth

Member
The work looks very good. It is nice and clean. I think you and the doctor went for utilised a good strategy for these remaining donor grafts. Having the natural looking hairline that is thinning going towards the crown does provide a natural look.
Now just the waiting game again.
Thanks BM

Yes I wanted the most natural look - others on hair restoration network forums said my previous procedures are unsuccessful. And that my clinic and Doctor didn't have my interests at heart. They said I should have focused on one area and have had more hairs at front but then it would look too front loaded with nothing at the middle. Which is why in my 3rd procedure - I opted for front and middle and especially that island tuft to filled more dense which was has all gone now but was present in 2015 some 10 years ago.

Others said I should have had beard grafts and facial hair and recommended other number of specialist Doctor surgeons charging some $35,000 USD or something etc and a few suggested I would have been better with FUT when they I didn't think that was for me as it's an older method and strip technique leaves a linear scar and more painful. They then tried to promote the advantages of FUT saying something along the line of "What's a few months of pain and recovery going to do compared to lifeline of hair until old age, which would be the case with FUT, unlike the FUE you went for where they extract grafts are from donor area's that are prone to thinning!"

Some members on there appear snobbish and belittling. They think they know everything. Not all but some.

The first comment after my 3rd procedure (10 yrs after 1st) was that 1150 grafts/3002 hairs are not enough to cover anything and will make no difference and that I will need another procedure and recommended other Doctors. - I am aware it won't cover everything but it will look more dense.

I kept reiterating the fact that I am lucky to have 3 x FUE procedures when some people don't have the donor quality and quantity for 1x let alone 3x. They also shared with me a video of someone who has had 6,000 grafts in one go and what it could cover as if it is a competition. What some members on there failed to take into account was that I already had x2 previous procedures some 8 and 10 years ago and this was whilst I still had existing natural hair which was liable to thin so of course results won't be as visible but then when I showed them photos of my 1st procedure to re construct the frontal area especially focus on my temples, front and back they didn't comment. They thought of another way to put me down saying that it's poorly implanted grafts. I reiterated from what I was told that the specialists don't implant new hair into existing hair that's prone to falling due to DHT because it can damage the follicles it further especially if they are implanted too close. - Which is why (if you scroll back to beginning of these pages). No hair was implanted into that island tuft at the front.

Yet I could never have this much in one go because my hair loss was not NW6 in 2015 I was a NW4-5 and had existing hair especially in that island tuft at front, I so didn't need 6,000 grafts. Of course when you are already bald at NW6/7 stage it's easier for new extracted donor hairs to harvest as existing hairs have fallen/died and you would essentially be implanting hairs/grafts on bald spots, which will of course be more noticeable.

Others went on to say my procedures were unsuccessful but that my problem is that my hair line is too low and angled and should be higher and straighter line which I disagree as I am happy with it and surely that's all that counts.

Basically BM it was just criticism when I was happy with it. What they could have said about my 3rd and final procedure on hair restoration network was something like "Well done on your 3rd procedure...we shall support your 3rd journey, good luck with it!" - Basically something encouraging! Especially knowing I didn't have much donor hair left to take - Instead they chose to criticise to making me feel like rubbish which isn't what the hair loss community forums is about. I was also criticised for not taking finasteride when I have had bad side effects from them on top of being on current medication. I was criticised for not using beard grafts or doing FHT when I don't have sufficient facial hair and or want it. I felt like some were trolls.

Again I am/was new to that forum but many come across snobbish and belittling esp over the clinic I chose, how much hair and grafts I got implanted yet none of them are Doctors. I said we are all here to support one another and that if they have nothing positive or useful to say then they shouldn't bother. This below is a copied comment following my 3rd procedure and was the only positive and encouraging comment I got on hair restoration network forum out of so many putting me down. See below in comment:

"I don’t think this last surgery was a bad plan. It’s easy to say he should have gotten more grafts toward the front to fill in that front middle section more, but that would mean putting less grafts into the mid scalp. He had 6667 grafts total. He probably didn’t have any more to take. You can only use what you have available. He can’t just do more grafts if they aren’t available. If he placed more of the grafts towards the front he would end up too front loaded with very little behind it. I think they did a good job trying to get the front half covered as much as possible. - The only thing I disagree with is I think he does look like he has a lot of beard hair under his chin area that can be used if he wanted to. There’s not much beard hair on the cheeks, but that’s not where it needs to be taken from."

Sad really, for the hair loss community. They all seem to think they know everything and on hair restoration network forum.

I like how on this network forum of "hair loss experiences" that people support one another and respect each others decisions and are not criticising other peoples decisions and putting anyone down based on what clinic they went to and what Doctor they saw and subsequent decisions which were made between Doctor and patient etc.

Anyway's sorry for going off on one. Just venting a little after the snobbery and condescending comments on the other forum.

Thanks for support btw BM :)
 
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Supersmooth

Supersmooth

Member
Week 2 has passed and some shedding seen - Donor healing well. - Without sounding big headed. Everyone said buzz cut /cru cut suits me shaven with stubble. Donor area before 3rd surgery, donor after 1st day of surgery and donor 2 weeks post surgery and sharing the same for front and vertex before, shaven, after and x2 weeks after 3rd procedure. - (hair shedding now).
Donor - Before 3rd Procedure.jpg
Donor - Before 3rd Procedure after shaven.jpg
 

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Supersmooth

Supersmooth

Member
Shedding stage now really noticeable. But at least I know it's temporary but just that feeling of poo, looking more bald than pre surgery!
 
Supersmooth

Supersmooth

Member
Just to update, I have found a legit company called Medical Mojo here in UK - I have ordered this:

Dutasteride 0.1% Minoxidil 10% Topical Hair Loss Liquid​


0.1% is correct strength to start and see how I get on and 10% minoxidil.

I shall let you know how I get on.
 
Supersmooth

Supersmooth

Member
It's arrived., Son's hairloss strengthening shampoo containing Saw Palmetto, Biotin, Caffeine and Argan Oil etc - I shall let you know how I get on with that also the topical solution has arrived - that's the 0.1% Dutasteride & 10% Minoxidil topical solution.

Fingers crossed it will work better than the oral finasteride and unwanted side effects I had from that years ago so stopped in 2010 - Apparently oral/topical Dutasteride is more potent than finasteride.
 

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S

SimBa

Member
Hi SS,

I just found your thread and read about the last 10 yrs; it must have been an emotional roller coaster a lot of the time and it's great that you're still smiling, never lose that.

I think your hair looks its best when its buzzed down and would be a lot easier to manage. Bearing in mind all of the costs, why don't you play around a bit with your image, try some stubble, beard etc and move towards a new image rather than cling to the one you previosuly had, as the latter seems more desperate and most likley to serve you the least.

ATB
 
Supersmooth

Supersmooth

Member
Hi SS,

I just found your thread and read about the last 10 yrs; it must have been an emotional roller coaster a lot of the time and it's great that you're still smiling, never lose that.

I think your hair looks its best when its buzzed down and would be a lot easier to manage. Bearing in mind all of the costs, why don't you play around a bit with your image, try some stubble, beard etc and move towards a new image rather than cling to the one you previosuly had, as the latter seems more desperate and most likley to serve you the least.

ATB
Hi ATB, - Thanks for compliments

A lot of people HAVE actually said I look better shaven with a buzz cut so I may do that and may consider SMP to dense up the thinning patches for future. I won't be doing ANY facial grafts NO way! I want to keep my masculine stubble haha and at any rate it does grow at various rate compared to natural hair- facial hair is different as you know and it's less dense and long and therefore won't offer much density. I don't have a lot of body facial hair due to genes so I am happy with what I have got and have done so far.
 
S

SimBa

Member
Hi ATB, - Thanks for compliments

A lot of people HAVE actually said I look better shaven with a buzz cut so I may do that and may consider SMP to dense up the thinning patches for future. I won't be doing ANY facial grafts NO way! I want to keep my masculine stubble haha and at any rate it does grow at various rate compared to natural hair- facial hair is different as you know and it's less dense and long and therefore won't offer much density. I don't have a lot of body facial hair due to genes so I am happy with what I have got and have done so far.
Great news that its gone as you would like and are happy.

It seems like you have invested significantly here, not only financially but also emotionally, time, effort etc. To avoid this part of your life taking up too much head space, it may serve you better overall, to buzz your hair, especially if you like it, try some stubble, try on a few 'looks'. This could be clothing styles, piercings or whatever gets you to a confident place to stop the hair loss bubble from getting any larger or out of hand.

ATB = all the best
 
Supersmooth

Supersmooth

Member
It's arrived., Son's hairloss strengthening shampoo containing Saw Palmetto, Biotin, Caffeine and Argan Oil etc - I shall let you know how I get on with that also the topical solution has arrived - that's the 0.1% Dutasteride & 10% Minoxidil topical solution.

Fingers crossed it will work better than the oral finasteride and unwanted side effects I had from that years ago so stopped in 2010 - Apparently oral/topical Dutasteride is more potent than finasteride.
One week on from using Topical 0.1% Topical Dutasteride with 10% Minoxidil liquid solution & Son's DHT blocking shampoo

I have notice the following below:

1. E.D - I am struggling to get a "hard on". - But sex drive is fine, but just struggling to get mojo up!

2. Lower blood pressure.


However, I am unsure if it is related to the 0.1% Topical Dutasteride with 10% Minoxidil liquid solution or the Sons DHT blocking shampoo containing Saw palmetto, Caffeine, Biotin and Argan oil or if it's because I have been using the ketakonazole 2% once a week since early May? I am keen to know what's causing the E.D? I doubt it would be the Son's shampoo or Ketakonazole 2%!?

I doubt anyone would know? I may ask the APC labs to lower the topical Dutasteride solution to 0.05% or even 0.025% - See if this can help get it back up because not having mojo up will make me depressed and frustrated. Or I could switch to topical finasteride of the same strength however was informed that Dutasteride is stronger and more potent - I found out that Dutasteride inhibits both type 1 and type ll 5-alpha reductase (5AR) enzymes while finasteride only inhibits type 11 5AR.

I didn't think there would be side effects from topical 0.1% dutasteride and minoxidil which was why I wanted to give it a try. But I guess it would still have some impact as it is blocking a male hormone.

Maybe I am showing my naivete perhaps!?

No new hair growth as yet. - Maybe it is too early.

Keen to hear on anyone else's thoughts if any?
 
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S

SimBa

Member
However, I am unsure if it is related to the 0.1% Topical Dutasteride with 10% Minoxidil liquid solution
I know where my money would be on this
I didn't think there would be side effects from topical 0.1% dutasteride and minoxidil
I'm a little surprised also this early on, but if my experience with Finasteride is akin to Dutas, which most suggest it is, alas these drugs can mess you up sexually
 
Supersmooth

Supersmooth

Member
I know where my money would be on this

I'm a little surprised also this early on, but if my experience with Finasteride is akin to Dutas, which most suggest it is, alas these drugs can mess you up sexually
I found out that Dutasteride inhibits both type 1 and type ll 5-alpha reductase (5AR) enzymes while finasteride only inhibits type 11 5AR. So any form of dutasteride is more potent than finasteride. I am also using DHT blocking shampoo and ketakonazole 2% once per week as well. If it is the dutasteride causing the E.D which I am sure it is akin to the oral finasteride I took over 15 years ago I'll stop it because it will make more more depressed and i'll stick with minoxidil. I guess it is expected as it's blocking a male hormone but still surprise even topical dutasteride causes side effects. - I will let you know what happens.

Sounds like you had side effects from finasteride - is this the oral or topical?
 
B

Bobbins

member
I found out that Dutasteride inhibits both type 1 and type ll 5-alpha reductase (5AR) enzymes while finasteride only inhibits type 11 5AR. So any form of dutasteride is more potent than finasteride. I am also using DHT blocking shampoo and ketakonazole 2% once per week as well. If it is the dutasteride causing the E.D which I am sure it is akin to the oral finasteride I took over 15 years ago I'll stop it because it will make more more depressed and i'll stick with minoxidil. I guess it is expected as it's blocking a male hormone but still surprise even topical dutasteride causes side effects. - I will let you know what happens.

Sounds like you had side effects from finasteride - is this the oral or topical?
It's not always the case that dut is more side effect inducing than fin. I'm not sure why that is the case given the way the work, but people have reported suffering symptoms on fin and then being ok when moved over to dut.

Either way, I would focus on reducing dosage significantly, then increasing until you find a suitable balance.
 
Supersmooth

Supersmooth

Member
It's not always the case that dut is more side effect inducing than fin. I'm not sure why that is the case given the way the work, but people have reported suffering symptoms on fin and then being ok when moved over to dut.

Either way, I would focus on reducing dosage significantly, then increasing until you find a suitable balance.
Good plan actually as dutasteride is completely new to me and I am on 0.1% they suggested a weaker formulation of 0.05% or 0.025% so maybe I will go back to that then when feel comfortable then increase it, however - if I continue to get E.D and only manage a semi at best when I am on the much reduced dutasteride dose then I will either try finasteride and 10% minoxidil solution or topical 0.1% biotin 5% minoxidil solution. The lab say they can play around with the percentages and dose to see what matches me best as it is trial and error and not everyone experiences side effects and may react differently. I am surprised Topical dutasteride and finasteride STILL would cause sexual side effects but anyway...

But having E.D will make me more depressed and with current medication I am on won't bode well so I wouldn't mind just using purely the minoxidil 5% or 10% and continue sons DHT blocking shampoo and ketaconazole 2% once per week.

In the end the treasure "manhood" part of my body is IMPORTANT to me (like every man) and furthermore I do not have much if any natural hair to fall out and the DHT shouldn't affect already transplanted hair.

I notice started losing my hair at 22 around 2006/07 ish and now I am 41 so it's knocking on the door step of 20 years since I noticed thinning crown and hairline at front. Experts have said it takes up to 20/21 years to go completely bald - I guess they mean NW 7. As I don't have any natural hair left to shed prone to DHT then I am thinking should I bother then with DHT blockers!?

I think my natural hairloss has pretty much come to an end now and everything is transplanted on top - although this doesn't stop natural and transplanted hair from thinning with age .

Attached photos back since 2008 and look at the difference - around the same time each year especially between 2014 and 2015 (a month before first HT) the last two photos you can see how the natural MPB progressed with the last tow showing significant increase in MPB. It was actually the crown that started balding as you can see and how complicated my balding was as it wasn't one area it was all areas! - The last photo looked dreadful forelock tuft frontal hairline, where as if the balding was in on place it would be much more straight forward!
 

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