New HT with Future Procedure Shock Loss Concerns

[curly]

Hi everyone...

New to the forum and to this process. I've researched a lot of different sources online and have definitely found this one to be the most helpful, non-biased and informative in specific areas. So in advance, thank you all.

Last Wed, the 15th of June, I had my first HT procedure. 1861 grafts FUT. Went incredibly smooth, virtually painless both physically and psychologically...and I ain't kidding! For those of you with 'searing pain, tearing flesh and hole-punching' visions in your mind, take comfort. It really isn't bad at all. Far worth the price of admission for what the outcome should be.

Today I had the sutures out and back on the road to normal.

I planned the surgery so I could have a couple of weeks underground for recovery. Highly recommended.

One of my biggest immediate concerns was the amount/severity of 'shock-loss'. I know it's part of the process and hits everyone differently but I wanted to be prepared. I'm basically a NW 3A so I was hoping to get by as seamlessly as possible from pre- to post-surgery recovery without it being known I've had the process done. I'm certain having some hair on top is basically the only way one can get away with that.

So, I noticed in my pre-suture removal shampoo that I lost a somewhat concerning amount of native hair. I knew this was to be expected and read so on a previous thread regarding Shock-Loss. I anticipated this by trying Toppik a week before I went in on my natural state hair to see if it could help me through the shock-loss phase. I initially thought stuff like Toppik was bogus but I have to say, it worked amazingly well. It gave me the confidence to go ahead with the procedure and know I had something to help conceal the dreaded shock-loss window. (Of course, I have yet to use it post-surgery but I can already tell it's going to help).

The theory goes that if you have native hair that is already being affected by MPB and is weaker, it is more susceptible to shock-loss from the trauma of the process. In most cases, that hair will return in a few months with the new grafts.

My question is, for those who have had two or three procedures, is the shock-loss less evident after the first procedure? In other words, will the new transplanted hair, being stronger and 'genetically immune' from MPB, withstand a second procedure in 6 moths to a year after the first?

I've heard that later procedures are usually less trouble than the first.

For you vets, any thoughts from your experience on this?

Thanks!