Recent hair Transplant Part 1 of ? with Dr Bessam Farjo

[Dazzster26]

Hi Staffie
Thank you for posting your pictures , their has been a lot said but I have to agree with modenese get on the meds , try the Finasteride with the minoxidil , I was not advised to use the finasteride by the Clinic were I had my procedures , but through this forum I got the advise and i know its worked for me and the only side effect i see is a bit of weight gain and i work hard in the gym to keep that under control , your a genuine guy and I was hoping you would have had more growth by now but its not to late , as always I wish you all the best and thank you for sharing your experience with us its a privilege

Dazz

 

[Staffie]

Hi Dazz,


Thank you for your advice and kind words! I think I'd need a prescription for finasteride so I'll need to check on that. I haven't given up hope yet but whatever happens in the next month or 2 taking no action whatsoever just isn't an option.


Staffie

 

[Staffie]

Hi again guys,


I've just looked on Lloyds Pharmacy website. Re Monoxidil (Regaine) it says do not use if you suffer from high blood pressure or are over 49 years of age. So, I found the instruction sheet online which says age range 18-65 but do not take if you have high blood pressure whether or not it is being treated. I take 2 meds for high blood pressure and it is well controlled but it sounds as though I need to investigate further.


I've just found another article which says that Minoxidil was originally used to treat high blood pressure so perhaps that is why, maybe the cumulative effect can cause a problem? I obviously need to look further into this but if anyone has been in a similar situation or has any knowledge of this I'd be grateful if you'd let me know. I'm not averse to being liberal with the truth when I see a pharmacist but I don't want to put myself at risk of my meds not working properly.


Staffie

 

[garageland]

Staffie,

I would give propecia a try I wouldn't expect miracles in your situation but you do have some fine hair in your crown that might be improved slightly but more importantly it could halt the progression of future loss. Your sides are still quite high and these could drop as could the crown open up.

Being a norwood 6 like you it stopped my hair loss, I tend to see the best results of regrowth in young guys that are aggressively loosing their hair and this recently lost hair can come back.

 

[Staffie]

Garageland,


Many thanks for the suggestion and info! I'll check Propecia out over the weekend.


Staffie

 

[Modenese]

Hi Staffie
I don't think Propecia/Finasteride will help you, and it has a lot of side effects in some men. Search this forum for example. I am one of those that had to stop, but that's not the reason I don't think it is a good idea.
Propecia is a DHT blocker, and will help you preserve hair that would otherwise fade out. Your hair loss is so advanced that I just don't see the point, but more importantly it will not stimulate those grafts you've paid all that money for.
If I was in your position I'd focus on that - how can I get my transplanted hair into growth phase.
The blood pressure issue is serious. What I would do is monitor my BP myself, by buying a home blood pressure monitor. My wife uses one. They are easy to use and accurate, and cheap.
The blood pressure association has lots of good ones. I can recommend the BP-3AG1.
http://bpassoc-shop.org.uk/
Using this, you can baseline your current BP, and then use Minoxidil and check the effects that it has by checking your BP twice a week (same time every week, careful with caffeine).
It only affects BP in my view if you exceed the recommended dose. If you don't, it won't.

 

[Staffie]

Hi Modenese,


Firstly, I'm grateful for the time and effort you have taken, not only for your advice but also for the link. I actually have quite a good BP monitor, an Omron M7, it cost me approx £90 some years ago and they are still using a couple of these at my GP surgery. It took a lot of trial and error with BP meds/side effects initially so I was constantly monitoring my BP to start with but it is so well controlled now that I haven't personally monitored it for years. Most of the time anyone takes a reading it's pretty close to 120/80.


So, what you are saying re Minoxidil/monitoring makes a lot of sense, particularly in my case rather than someone whose BP might not be as well controlled. I think you've just made my mind up for me (again). I'm a fairly objective person and usually good at problem solving but it's fairly obvious from some of the more unfortunate stories on this forum that the whole hair loss thing can be a bit of a minefield. To be honest, I wish I'd found this forum sooner. The more informed you are the better choices you can make.


Thanks, Staffie

 

[garageland]

If you are looking to do all you can to retain your hair then you should be using both propecia and minox. I suggested propecia as you said you would not take minox due to your high blood pressure. Propecia does come with side effects for a minority that take it but the majority maintain their hair and halt further progression.

From your 2011 photos and the immediate pre op photos it looks like you have lost hair or the hair is thinner? would this be true?

It is a little unclear as the angle and the hair length is different.

The pre op photo which I have drawn on clearly shows that the hair inside the line has thinned and you have more hair to loose. I am not promising you that you are going to get any improvement but you do have fine hair that could be thickening but if nothing else you could save this hair.

 

[Staffie]

Hi Garageland,


Thanks for the info! I have decided that I will definitely try the Minoxidil and do some research on the Propecia tomorrow. I realise that people have different opinions and different experiences and it's good to hear them but it's obviously important for me do some research of my own as well.



I think you may well be right in saying that I have lost hair or that the hair is thinner. I have a few photos I've taken of the back/crown over the last 9 moths or so, Ill look at those and see if there's a noticeable difference. Ultimately, I'd be happy to take propecia if it can do even a little good and the risks aren't too great.


Thanks again, Staffie

 

[Staffie]

Hi all,



Just a quick question, has anyone used Kirkland (Minoxidil) which claims to be identical to Regaine extra strength but is approx £18 for a 3 month supply as opposed to £69 from Boots chemist?


Staffie

 

[janna]

Many of our patients have tried the Kirkland brand. The feedback is they like it just as well as the more expensive versions.

 

[Staffie]

Hi Janna,



Thank you for your response! I suppose, as with many products, the packaging trebles the price.



Staffie

 

[Staffie]

Hi there,
I was supposed to have a January (12 month) review but that has slipped by because of major family commitments. I rang Farjo today (Tue 11 Feb) for an appointment and got a cancellation so I will be there tomorrow pm so, in effect, it will be a 13 month review. I have been using minoxidil for approx 2.5 months but am so used to wearing hats and my hair getting mussed up that I haven't studied it properly for a while. I took a few quick photos today but will take some better ones in the next few days and report back on my review.
Maybe there is a small improvement? Or is it just wishful thinking? Or that I got rid of the centre parting (thanks Garageland). I'd be grateful for honest opinions. I do have some occasional 'itchiness' in the transplant area so maybe something is happening?
Best wishes to all!


Staffie
PS This photo is approx 8 months post transplant

 

[Staffie]

8 months post transplant

 

[Staffie]

and these are 13 months post procedure:

 

[Staffie]

13 months:

 

[Staffie]

13 months post transplant:

 

[Staffie]

13 months post transplant:

 

[Staffie]

13 months post transplant, last one for now.


Cheers! Staffie

 

[garageland]

Hi Staffie,

Thanks for the update. There has been a good improvement from 8 months to 13 months and I think you have had a nice result for the number of grafts used. The loss pattern look very natural and the growth has been good.

What are your thoughts? Are you planning another session?