Two hair transplants within 12 months

[Sabitobi]

Hello everyone! Thanks for all the helpful information shared on here. I'm wanting to know what is the least amount of time you have to wait before having a second hairtransplant as everyone says 12 months but I was wanting to know if it's possible to have it done sooner... Say at 9 months post op. Reason I need to know... Time frames with work as my schedule is set in stone with no room for change. I want to have my situation addressed in two stages... The frontal third first, then the crown on the second pass with the possibility of having to use some grafts to reinforce the first op.

 

[Bigmac]

I'm sure I've read on here a patient who had a second transplant at ten months, I'll see if I can find it, as a general rule clinics will say at least twelve months.

 

[bullitnut]

If you are having Work in separate areas like the crown and the hairline then it may be possible but if you are adding to work already done in one area then I think you should wait.

Would you be going back to the same clinic because they know what was done the first time. Personally I would ask your doctor and see what he/she advices too.

 

[Sabitobi]

I'm contemplating having FUT as I need a large amount of grafts, I was asking the time frame question as ideally I would like the strip excised in the the same place as the first one... Not so much having grafts placed into the same area.
What's your thoughts on this scenario?

 

[Bigmac]

Can't find the patient, you should email your question with some pictures to a few doctors to get their opinions and advice.
Good luck.

 

[Sabitobi]

Thanks will do!

 

[Bigmac]

Let us know how you get on.

 

[DHI]

Dear Sabitobi,

After having an alopecia test, the doctor will evaluate if you have achieved final result. If so, you may have a second HT (after 9 months).

Waiting 12 months is the protocole, but some patients have hair growth earlier than others.

 

[scepticsausage]

Surely if you go to the same clinic they will know roughly what percentage of grafts have grown and whether it would be wise to have another op.

 

[garageland]

Hi Sceptic,

It depends on the plan that you have and the fact that you wish to work on two separate areas is the best way to go. Yes clinics will ask you to wait 12 months to see the full results but there is no reason why you could not have 2 surgeries within 12 months. Around 9 months would be the earliest.

If you are looking at FUT then the only possible problem will be your laxity and the number of grafts you get/need first time around. You need to wait around 8 months before you really start to do scalp exercises so you don't stretch the scar, so the potential problems are this.

Your laxity may not be as good as it should be second time around and this will effect the number of grafts you get. You may end up putting hairs into the hairline where you are still waiting for further improvement, if you wait the full year you may have decided to that these grafts should be used elsewhere.

If you have a very lax scalp then the issue may not be so important but it sounds like you need many grafts?

 

[Sabitobi]

DHI Representative wrote:

Dear Sabitobi,

After having an alopecia test, the doctor will evaluate if you have achieved final result. If so, you may have a second HT (after 9 months).

Waiting 12 months is the protocole, but some patients have hair growth earlier than others.

Why would I need an Alopecia test?

 

[DHI]

Dear Sabitobi,

The alopecia test is done before a hair transplant through certain software on the PC and with the use of a micro camera. A number of photos from the donor area as well as from the recipient area are taken with the micro camera in order to estimate the local hair density.

After a hair transplant the doctor can calculate what percentage of implanted hair has grown. So, there you may have a mathematical reply regarding your hair transplant growth. (90%, 100% or less).

That is why an alopecia test is very useful.

 

[salvar]

Scalp Elasticity is going to be the key to having a good second procedure as long as its FUT, in the case of having a FUE you dont need that much time as long as its being planted in different areas.

 

[Sabitobi]

Thank you Salvar.
DHI, do you have more information with some illustrations on these tests?

 

[DHI]

Dear Sabotobi,

From 0:28 to 0:43 is a brief presentation of the mathematical aspects. (alopecia test prior hair transplant)
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoPnDqWhlT0

 

[Sabitobi]

Thanks DHI for the link.