My First Fue Procedure - 1600 Grafts

[GaryinGeorgia]

I went for my first procedure a few weeks ago. I figured I'd show my journey so far. I've been on 1.25MG of Finasteride for approximately a year and I was using Rogaine foam for about a year but switched to 2.5MG oral minoxidil a couple weeks ago as a recommendation of my doctor performing the procedure. No side effects so far, although I do think my eyes look puffy. It could be in my head though. I had 1600 grafts, even though I thought I should get more. Again though, I listened to my doctor's recommendation.
Day 1-2 Post Op - Damn, my face was swollen. They say it'll swell but I didn't prepare myself enough and was not expecting my forehead to be that big. The pain was minimal. I didn't even take any of the pain meds. The needles that was used to numb my head was the worst part of it.

 

[GaryinGeorgia]

This was the day after surgery. The swelling started. I just laid in bed all day and just kept my head elevated and started the ATP spray religious every hour and a half.

 

[GaryinGeorgia]

Here's day 3-4. The swelling started to go down and my donor area already started to itch. Again, luckily no real pain. Just a slight dull skin irritation pain on the back of my head. Also, the scabbing already started on the front.

 

[GaryinGeorgia]

Here's two weeks. All the scabs have fallen off and no more itching. The grafts have not shed yet, but I'm bracing myself. I know this week or next is suppose to make me feel like everything is a failure when it all falls out. So I'm hoping I won't panic. I'm sure I will freak a bit. I'll post more in the coming weeks/months to show progress.

 

[GaryinGeorgia]

It has been approximately 5 weeks post surgery. Most of the hairs have fallen out, as expected. A few stragglers are still holding on but I expect them to drop soon too. Now's that waiting game where I'm scared that it didn't work and they all just fell out and that I wasted a lot of money.

 

[GaryinGeorgia]

Also, is it normal to start to get pimples/white heads in the transplanted areas? I've started to get them and I've never had pimples in my hair area.

 

[Jake94]

Just out of curiosity, are you still taking finasteride? How old are you?

 

[GaryinGeorgia]

Just out of curiosity, are you still taking finasteride? How old are you?

I am 40 years old and yes, I have been on 1.25mg of Finasteride for approximately a year and couple months. I have had no ill effects at all from it. I never even went through a 'shed' like many others talk about. I am confident that it has helped maintain. I do not know if it grew any new hair in or not, but I like to think that it helped.

 

[michel sapin]

no sides with oral minoxidil such as hypertrichosis / dark circle ?

 

[GaryinGeorgia]

no sides with oral minoxidil such as hypertrichosis / dark circle ?

I didn't know what hypertrichosis was until I just now googled it. No, I have not had over growth in hair on my face/body. At least I don't think so. I still cannot grow out a full beard at my age. As for dark circles, I have not had any dark circles that I can see either. I'm only on 2.5mg of oral Minoxidil too. I think the worse effects are more for those on 5mg or more.

 

[GaryinGeorgia]

Two month and one week update. Some follicles have grown but not much as of yet and I'm in that - "I paid a lot of money and it was all worthless" phase. I'm hoping the next two months go quicker so I can see at least a little results.

 

[OfficialWater]

NAH man. You need a full year to see results. How do you go about wearing your hair during the day? Do you just leave the red area and go about your day like it’s not there

 

[GaryinGeorgia]

NAH man. You need a full year to see results. How do you go about wearing your hair during the day? Do you just leave the red area and go about your day like it’s not there

Oh I know I won't see the full results for a year, I just meant that in two months I should start to see the beginning of some regrowth. I just need to start to see it so that I'll feel better. And yeah, as for any redness, I just let it do its thing. Most of my front hair covers any red marks.

 

[Trichosan]

I don't blame you for being concerned and I agree that a couple more months will show improvement that will put your fears to rest. Anyway, just thought I'd throw this out there for consideration. It's well known that our mind influences our health, immune system and the body's capacity to heal. Never thought of it in terms of possibly influencing conditions after a transplant but it's a healing process in itself. So, I suggest employing some strong thoughts, meditation, visualization in a positive manner while your going through the wait. Couldn't hurt. Personally I believe it has a strong influence. Best of Luck.

 

[hanginginthewire]

@GaryinGeorgia what made you choose FUE over FUT?

 

[Chromedome1990]

@GaryinGeorgia what made you choose FUE over FUT?

I don't mean to speak for the OP, but I'd assume the graft count.

 

[hanginginthewire]

I don't mean to speak for the OP, but I'd assume the graft count.

How do you mean? FUT provides larger counts, no?

@GaryinGeorgia sorry for what is probably a dumb question but were grafts placed in yout frontal tuft or just temples?

 

[GaryinGeorgia]

I don't blame you for being concerned and I agree that a couple more months will show improvement that will put your fears to rest. Anyway, just thought I'd throw this out there for consideration. It's well known that our mind influences our health, immune system and the body's capacity to heal. Never thought of it in terms of possibly influencing conditions after a transplant but it's a healing process in itself. So, I suggest employing some strong thoughts, meditation, visualization in a positive manner while your going through the wait. Couldn't hurt. Personally I believe it has a strong influence. Best of Luck.

I'm a substance abuse counselor, so I'm doing my best to give myself strong positive thoughts. It does help a lot, even if it's just a placebo. Thanks so much!

 

[GaryinGeorgia]

How do you mean? FUT provides larger counts, no?

@GaryinGeorgia sorry for what is probably a dumb question but were grafts placed in yout frontal tuft or just temples?

The grafts were just placed in the temple. I believe a few were placed in the frontal area just to give a more natural appearance for the hairline.

As for why I got an FUE as opposed to an FUT - The graft count I needed and was recommended for me was not as high that would be needed for an FUT. My doctor recommended an FUE instead and also because I generally cut my hair fairly short on the sides, so it was more beneficial to get an FUE. With just 1600 grafts being removed, it's hardly noticeable in the donor area.

 

[hanginginthewire]

@GaryinGeorgia what pattern are you diffusing in? How many FUEs are you prepared to have over the course of your life?