So how long does the "ugly duckling" phase last?

[CarlosMiller]

I had my hair transplant done by Dr. Ricardo Mejia on April 23 and I went through the excitement of seeing all the new hairs, only to have them fall out.

In fact, I think I lost hair that I already before the operation after the operation.

And now, almost two months later, I see some sparse hairs growing in the areas where I was receding but I know it can take up to a year to see significant growth.

And I keep hearing about this "ugly duckling" phase and I'm wondering if it's just going to get worse before it gets better.

I've posted a couple of videos from the transplant on my blog which should be posted in my profile.

[El Nino]

My last HT and most in general I would say the answer to your question is 3 months. But there are some other factors like - how much native hair did you still have? were you shaved down? FUT or FUE? Have you experienced any shock loss? Are you using rogaine and/or finasteride?

This is my opinion on the HT process and the subsequent never ending wait..

Surgery Day - Not too bad and over in a day.
Next 14 days - Some discomfort and trouble sleeping.
Upto 3 months - Ugly duckling stage and the worst period.
3 - 4 months - Native hair should be returning and the start of growth of HT.
4 - 6 months - A lot of new growth which should become more visible.
6 - 10 months - More growth of HT hair and maturing of earlier growth.
10 - 12 months - More maturing of the HT.
12 - 18 months - Final result.

Good luck and hope this helps.

[kd]

El Nino,

could not agree with you more.

Its a long wait but when it comes I bet it is going to feel awesome. Still only at 10 weeks.

I guess I just have to think about how long I have been suffering with hair lose and the extra wait is not that bad. Plus its the excitment that your hair should not get worse after that 3 month stage....things are looking up!!!

[Still-Researching]

You have to have patience a bit longer. Believe on average growth really kicks in 4-5 months and at same time you slowly move out of the ugly duckling face.

I feel I am slowly getting out of mine here at 4.5 months out. See pics and story if you want:

http://www.baldtruthtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7446&page=4

Good luck and happy waiting. Today at least hair loss has slowly become a much less part of my daily life...

[El Nino]

El Nino,

could not agree with you more.

Its a long wait but when it comes I bet it is going to feel awesome. Still only at 10 weeks.

I guess I just have to think about how long I have been suffering with hair lose and the extra wait is not that bad. Plus its the excitment that your hair should not get worse after that 3 month stage....things are looking up!!!

Yeah it gets exciting when the growth starts. It is strange to have reverse balding. lol Having new hair growing on your head instead of falling out.

[CarlosMiller]

My last HT and most in general I would say the answer to your question is 3 months. But there are some other factors like - how much native hair did you still have? were you shaved down? FUT or FUE? Have you experienced any shock loss? Are you using rogaine and/or finasteride?

This is my opinion on the HT process and the subsequent never ending wait..

Surgery Day - Not too bad and over in a day.
Next 14 days - Some discomfort and trouble sleeping.
Upto 3 months - Ugly duckling stage and the worst period.
3 - 4 months - Native hair should be returning and the start of growth of HT.
4 - 6 months - A lot of new growth which should become more visible.
6 - 10 months - More growth of HT hair and maturing of earlier growth.
10 - 12 months - More maturing of the HT.
12 - 18 months - Final result.

Good luck and hope this helps.

This is comforting information. Thanks.

[CarlosMiller]

You have to have patience a bit longer. Believe on average growth really kicks in 4-5 months and at same time you slowly move out of the ugly duckling face.

I feel I am slowly getting out of mine here at 4.5 months out. See pics and story if you want:

http://www.baldtruthtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7446&page=4

Good luck and happy waiting. Today at least hair loss has slowly become a much less part of my daily life...

I just checked out your photos and it looks great! Especially comparing photo 2, the pre-op, to photo 9.

How many grafts did you get transplanted?

And you did FUE over FUT?

[fitness-man]

Hey man, I know exactly what you mean.

My HT was done April 24th....ugh..hurry up months lol

[fitness-man]

This is my opinion on the HT process and the subsequent never ending wait..

Surgery Day - Not too bad and over in a day.
Next 14 days - Some discomfort and trouble sleeping.
Upto 3 months - Ugly duckling stage and the worst period.
3 - 4 months - Native hair should be returning and the start of growth of HT.
4 - 6 months - A lot of new growth which should become more visible.
6 - 10 months - More growth of HT hair and maturing of earlier growth.
10 - 12 months - More maturing of the HT.
12 - 18 months - Final result.

Good luck and hope this helps.

awesome! thx

[Still-Researching]

I just checked out your photos and it looks great! Especially comparing photo 2, the pre-op, to photo 9.

How many grafts did you get transplanted?

And you did FUE over FUT?

Hi CarlosMiller,
Thanks for your comments
I had FUE 2463 grafts and I am happy with the results so far, another 10 months of growth and hope to have a stellar result.
Cheers