8 month post surgery. After opinions please

[gambitrl7]

Hi all.

Back on May 3rd I had a FUE procedure and have just passed the 8 month stage. I'm after opinions as I'm concerned that my progress hasn't been great (granted I may be panicking, but you know what it's like...!) My opinion is that the growth is very sporadic and sparse in the recipient areas and as such hasn't made much of a cosmetic difference compared to previous (apart from a slight hairline definition). I appreciate it's early days but the literature I was given states that are hairs will have emerged by now and I still have distinctive holes!

I had fairly thick hair at the front middle but had the classic v disappearance (temples and behind front middle) as well as crown loss - not massive loss but enough. The fue gave me 2220 in the v area and 1500 on the crown, so 3720 in total. Please see the before and after photos. The latest 8 month photos are taken after a haircut (number 7 all over and number 3 at the sides) so all hairs are the same length, to show the progress fairly. Should I be concerned, or is it too early? Thanks for any opinions.

The first three photos are from before the procedure, the following 5 show progress after 8 months, the final picture (9) shows the donor area which still has streak effect and as such, I now worry could be over harvesting rather than shock loss. All opinions welcome. Thanks in advance.

[gambitrl7]

A little disappointed not to garner any opinions so far. Any opinion (professional or otherwise!) is appreciated!

My surgeon has since said that my progress is slower than the norm but it's too early to draw conclusions as although 8 months is the usual tell, sometimes people can take as long as 18 months? Is this the case, as it's the first I've heard this? At what stage/timescale can a HT be truly judged?

Another quick question. I've been taking Zinc and Biotin and for the first few months finasteride. I did away with finasteride as I didn't react well - some minor side effects.

Someone mentioned that Saw Palmetto is a good natural option. As it's a plant extract with no recommended daily intake, can anyone advise on dosage per day?

Thanks again

[gambitrl7]

No-one?

[JuanP]

Your temples are filling in, the crown looks better. Your donor area does look worse then before but you’re good brother. You don’t see full results till a year supposedly and also by then your donor area will look better 👍🏼

[gambitrl7]

Thanks Juan! With 900 odd views and no opinions, I was beginning to think I had broken some obscure site rule and was being ostracized!

Appreciate the opinion! I am a tad concerned as I've seen many other 8 month pics with far less grafts than me and far better results! Mine hasn't changed a jot since month 6...

Fingers crossed.

Any opinion on Saw Palmetto at all?

Ta

[pajason]

Thanks Juan! With 900 odd views and no opinions, I was beginning to think I had broken some obscure site rule and was being ostracized!

Appreciate the opinion! I am a tad concerned as I've seen many other 8 month pics with far less grafts than me and far better results! Mine hasn't changed a jot since month 6...

Fingers crossed.

Any opinion on Saw Palmetto at all?

Ta

Your growing a little slow, but I wouldn't panic yet. I have seen significant improvement from 8 to 12 months. I also had some minor improvement from 12 months to 18.

[Sean]

Your concerns are correct. You should have ample growth by month 9. Shockloss usually returns by now. Overharvesting could be an issue if surgeon focused on one compressed extraction pattern and did most extractions from one area more. Means if he didnt spread extractions out enough, then that would lead to donor depletion due to overharvesting. Keep posting though and by month 12, it will indicate how it went. Best of luck

[gambitrl7]

Thanks guys. All input is appreciated.

I'll post pictures nearer the 12 months and hopefully garner opinions on best course of action. The clinic offered a 80% graft guarantee, and at this stage, I'm not seeing anything near that. For my level of hair loss which could still be hidden with good styling before the procedure, 3720 grafts was not an insignificant number and I feel I should be seeing better at this stage.

Fingers crossed things start to happen before the year mark and I don't become one of those bad statistics.

[JuanP]

Currently on Advanced Trichology DHT Blocker and Ru 58441 not sure if either working well. About to try finistride before getting a transplant

[gambitrl7]

Currently on Advanced Trichology DHT Blocker and Ru 58441 not sure if either working well. About to try finistride before getting a transplant

I tried finasteride. I don't get on well with it tbh - side effects, although I will try Saw Palmetto, an alleged natural DHT blocker

[pajason]

I tried finasteride. I don't get on well with it tbh - side effects, although I will try Saw Palmetto, an alleged natural DHT blocker

Don't waste your time with saw palmetto,if it actually works it will cause the same side effects. Maybe topical fin could work and not cause sides

[gambitrl7]

Hi again all.

So, 2 years and 8 months post procedure as above (See pics throughout thread). Results not good considering I had 3720 grafts. See pics as of today. Not a complete failure but not the result I'd hoped for. The clinic agree that it hasn't been up to standard and have offered me a free revision. They estimate another 3000 grafts.

I am accepting but with reservations. I fear depleting my donor area should it fail again, and also for further loss. Just after opinions on best course of action and thoughts!

Thanks in advance!

[RahalHairTransplant]

Gambit,

I’d really like to see some before pictures. I know the first three photos you posted in the original post or before pictures however, they don’t really show the full scalp so it’s really hard to get an idea of how well the hair grew. That said, if I were to judge your results based on the only before photos you presented, I would agree that they are less than optimal. Obviously, your surgeon seems to agree and I think it’s good that they are willing to provide you with a repair procedure. Did your surgeon Provide you with any reasons for why it may not have grown up to standards? I don’t believe you mentioned the name of your surgeon however, I would encourage you to go to a surgeon with a stellar reputation so that you have the best chance of achieving Abdel results the second round. Your surgeon very well may be rabbit roll for all I know however, I’m only mentioning this because while saving money is important, donor hair is limited and once you use it, it’s gone forever.

Best wishes,

Rahal Hair Transplant.

[gambitrl7]

Hi, Thanks for response.

The Clinic is Smile in Istanbul. They seem to have a good reputation.

I don't have many before pics but here is another from top perspective.

They haven't indicated why it went wrong, it's something I will ask in consultation before the new procedure.

[gambitrl7]

What are the main reasons for a poor result? I was very diligent with aftercare including a few PRP sessions etc

Thanks again