Follow my major repair

[Lounk61]

Bisanga

I'd be happy to get that look. Bisanga told me it would take a long commitment from me time wise and financially and there was no guarantee I would get decent coverage according to the pics of me that I sent him. I thanked him for his honesty. I'll consider what my next move will be. Time is not on my side.

[topcat]

Well saying time is not on your side is really not a good way of looking at things. Even a small improvement regardless of which clinic you choose is sometimes better than no improvement so maybe just take another small step and don’t look at the end goal so much. People ask me that question regarding my own situation and my answer really is to take it as far as I can wherever that happens to be.

One of my favorite authors Jim Rohn has a very good philosophy. “How high does a tree grow? As high as it can”.

[Lounk61]

Just being realistic. I will be taking some major steps in the near future. Still studying. Happy for you that you have gotten some satisfaction in your long journey. Best of luck to you.

[J_B_Davis]

Looking really good topcat! Congrats!

[topcat]

My 3rd procedure 7 month update. I have cut the sides short and I do not have any visible white dotting on my scalp or on my face. All these pictures are without using concealer. I tried to take a close up of the temple region where I have some ridging from past procedures using robust grafts in the hairline. That work with the robust grafts was performed by a very shady operation here in Chicago, The Thomas/Elliott group. I point this out for 2 reasons it’s the only thing at this point keeping me from combing my hair back away from the face so when you hear of robotic devices extracting robust grafts, robust in this context is not a good thing in my opinion.

I really like shaving my sides very close to the scalp now in fact it has grown out somewhat in these pictures. Taking more fue’s from the sides I think might very well be a viable option but I will see how things go and just take it one step at a time.

On a side note something happened that I thought was worth mentioning. A very well established trainer here in Chicago asked my about Acupuncture for a pulled muscle in his back as he told me he really respects my opinion. Well of course I prefer Eastern medicine over Western medicine as it works with the body’s own healing ability and not against it with slash, burn, and poison. The conversation gave me the opportunity to ask him about all his tattoos which most of the MMA guys have. I asked him if he was worried about the ink building up in his lymph nodes and I was shocked that he knew what I was talking about. He laughed it off a bit but did tell me he had a lymph node removed from his groin but that it was due to repetitive power cleans which is a lift that sometimes performed with the bar resting in that area. I think the tattooing would really be an easy answer to not having to use concealer but the risk I believe is there and I certainly do not need more issues to deal with, just my opinion.

[drybone]

Fantastic. Looks great

Do you plan to have further procedures?

[topcat]

Thank you drybone. Yes I am scheduled for a procedure in September. Of course going all the way to Brussels from Chicago was a little intimidating for me at first but now it’s very comfortable. So I will keep going back for small sessions as long as Dr. Bisanga feels there is available donor. It really works out well for me as the small sessions heal very quickly and a week later it’s like I didn’t have anything done. Especially more so now that I cut my hair so close to the scalp.

[SL]

Hi TC

Like the new cut and thanks as always for taking the time to update.

[topcat]

Thanks SL, styling the hair has gotten to be much easier.

[northeastguy]

Thank you drybone. Yes I am scheduled for a procedure in September. Of course going all the way to Brussels from Chicago was a little intimidating for me at first but now it’s very comfortable. So I will keep going back for small sessions as long as Dr. Bisanga feels there is available donor. It really works out well for me as the small sessions heal very quickly and a week later it’s like I didn’t have anything done. Especially more so now that I cut my hair so close to the scalp.

great progress here.... I agree that the smaller sessions heal incredibly fast. Like you said, One week out on my May procedure and there was hardly any noticeable effects... the sides where a little thin because they did the non shave technique but it allowed me to use a little concealer and all was well. My sides are at a #2 guard so 2 weeks out, there was no signs of a procedure. like you mentioned, as long as there is no signs of dotting or thinning on the sides, I may tap into them again one more time.... for some reason, that area heals amazing.

Have you thought of having Bisanga go into the larger grafts on the front and top with a small punch and redistribute them?

[topcat]

Thanks NEGuy I’m happy with the hairs in the hairline as they are now maybe add a few more singles and build up some density in the center portion. If anything I would like to maybe do something about the ridging but I’m not in any hurry. Just something I put in the back of my mind and maybe a few years or so from now as it would allow me to comfortably comb my hair back.

At this point I would just like to continue to add hair as I can having these small procedures. The cost and risk is lower and I am such an advocate of just slow improvement in many areas that it works well for me.

Even when I have people ask me about nutrition advice. I tell them just start by adding something healthy to your diet. Whatever it is, maybe eat an apple a day but just make it a habit then build on that, my thinking is the same with this. I learned slow progress is safer and I'm sure you would probably agree.

[Lounk61]

HEY NORTHEAST GUY AND TOPCAT,
I'm in the decision process of possibly making a trip to new Delhi India to see Dr Arvind for bht work and whatever scalp hair he can get. I had a couple of online consults with him and after seeing my pics and knowing my backround he wants to do a total of 5.000 or so grafts from scalp, beard, and chest. I know you believe in small sessions but if I'm going to the other end of the world I would like to get as much as I safely can done on me. He has an excellent reputation with bht and many pictures on his site. The cost even after travel expenses and a weeks stay would still be half of what it would be here. Shouldn't be like that. Anyway, what do you guys think? Thanks.

[northeastguy]

HEY NORTHEAST GUY AND TOPCAT,
I'm in the decision process of possibly making a trip to new Delhi India to see Dr Arvind for bht work and whatever scalp hair he can get. I had a couple of online consults with him and after seeing my pics and knowing my backround he wants to do a total of 5.000 or so grafts from scalp, beard, and chest. I know you believe in small sessions but if I'm going to the other end of the world I would like to get as much as I safely can done on me. He has an excellent reputation with bht and many pictures on his site. The cost even after travel expenses and a weeks stay would still be half of what it would be here. Shouldn't be like that. Anyway, what do you guys think? Thanks.

I can't really say much about Dr Arvind. I never included him in my research. I think what matters most is that YOU are happy with your choice. As long as you have researched your options and weighed all his pro's and con's you'll be ok. As for 5000, ouch. I wouldn't go that high to be honest. That being said, It's still in the safe zone according to Dr Cole and I trust his experience with this. Again, if your comfortable with that number, go for it.
I hear what your saying about the cost. It's amazing that the cost of a trip to India for a week and 5000 FUE is half of what it would be here. Sad.

[caphead]

large or small sessions

HEY NORTHEAST GUY AND TOPCAT,
I'm in the decision process of possibly making a trip to new Delhi India to see Dr Arvind for bht work and whatever scalp hair he can get. I had a couple of online consults with him and after seeing my pics and knowing my backround he wants to do a total of 5.000 or so grafts from scalp, beard, and chest. I know you believe in small sessions but if I'm going to the other end of the world I would like to get as much as I safely can done on me. He has an excellent reputation with bht and many pictures on his site. The cost even after travel expenses and a weeks stay would still be half of what it would be here. Shouldn't be like that. Anyway, what do you guys think? Thanks.

Considering the distance, time under the hat, and the desire to get on with your life, I would suggest 5000 min. or as Dr. Umar suggested -even more.
bbc

[Lounk61]

Still makes me nervous but you're right. If they can do more they will. Just glad I'm not going to have any more strip procedures. Fue should be easier to handle and faster recovery. Still not 100% sure I'm going to do this but I'm leaning towards it sometime the beginning of December. They ask for a $500 deposit to hold the spot and that's refundable or you can change the dates if you notify them 30 days before so I'm ok with that. Even got a couple of calls from the clinic in India to discuss it with me. That felt good. Umar in CA would have cost me 60k for 7500 grafts. Arvinds cost is half of that. He charges $4 up to 3000 grafts and $3,50 after that for fue. I've had consults with many docs including Bisanga, Cole, and Umar and more. They all charge $8 or more per fue graft. Drag I have to travel to India. Did a lot of research and Arvind is a pioneer in bht so I'm comfortable with his work. In the end I still have to be lucky and hope it all turns out ok. I will post before and after pictures when I'm all done no matter how it comes out. Feel it will be helpful to the community.