Hair transplant patient

Baldframe

Baldframe

About

I probably thought I was going bald at 21 but I was delusional and had thick hair, just a high hairline. My hair thinning really started bothering me around 29. Writing this before surgery, I would kill for the hair I had even then. I think my hair reached what I would consider "every day bad" when I was 32. Every day bad is when every time you look in the mirror you hate your hair loss. Some guys can pull off the bald look and if I was one of them, I would happily accept going bald.
It has been mainly my front hairline thinning out. For years I have wore a Caesar cut because that was about my only styling option. I look like I could kill someone with my head shaved, so that's not the best look, especially because I am in sales where you don't want to look like a killer ;-)  

I have a small balding spot on my crown but honestly it never bothered me because out of sight is out of mind. * I started using Rogaine 4 weeks after my transplant with Dr. Path.

I never took Propecia regularly until 32 due to financial reasons. If I could go back, I'd definitely take Propecia and Rogaine to keep my hair and find the cash!

I never dreamed I'd get a hair transplant. I always imagine "plugs" or just bad hair transplants that are 100% obvious. I think that's because that's all people see. They don't know when they see a good or normal transplant because they can look so natural now - for the right candidate. I decided to do this because, I think I'm a good candidate. I am not bald, just balding. It I was much balder, I might not have done this. I think 3,500 grafts will make a dramatic difference if it all goes right. If I could have my hairline from 5-6 years ago, I'd be happy. * After having had the surgery, if my results are good but in the future I need another surgery to shore everything up, I would do so based on my experience so far - THE DOCTOR YOU CHOOSE IS KEY! (yes I was shouting).

Balding has definitely affected my life. I use to be much more confident. There's nothing like looking in the mirror and being reminded every single day. At least women with small breasts can wear a padded / water bra - NO WAY am I ever going to wear a wig or "hair system" = way more obvious.

After a lot of research I found Dr. Damkerng Pathomvanich in Bangkok. Since it's in Bangkok it cost at least 1/3rd less or perhaps even cheaper minimum and the accommodations were definitely cheaper than if I did it at home in the US or here in Oz where I live. I didn't chose Dr. Path for cost though...I could have afforded a more expensive Doctor. I chose him based on feedback and I figured now was also a good time because a) I have enough hair to cover most of the surgery area ) b) I work from home 3-4 days a week and can avoid some major face to face contact for a few weeks. It seemed in all the photos and journals the first 3 weeks is the worst in terms of the post surgery look.

It'll take 7-9 months to see the change and a 12-14 months for the total result but now I have something to look forward to.... that and losing some weight! 

 

UPDATE: I am past the 10 month mark and 100% happy. Do I have a super thick head of hair? No. Does my hair look much, much better. Yes.  I don't think anyone would look at me and think, "he's going bald." Now I just have a mature receding hairline appropriate for a man my age. Dr. Path was EXCELLENT with his scar work. Try and find the scar in my 10 month pictures where I have it cut short.

 


My Surgical Treatments to Date

1 Surgery May 4th, 2010 with Dr. Pathomvanich

Total number of grafts:1 Hair Grafts = 462

2 Hair Grafts = 2,395

3 Hair Grafts = 687

Total Hairs 7,313 

My Non Surgical Treatments

Propecia for 5 yearsThe Dr. also told me after the surgery to start on Minoxidil to for the crown and back 3/rd of the top of my head....

Update I have been applying Rogaine since day 20 of surgery. Its really oily. I don't know how people used Rogaine for years with the greasy look. I ordered the Rogaine foam which isn't supposed to be as oily. I think I'll use the foam in the day at work, if it indeed is not oily, and I'll use the normal Rogaine liquid at night - should save me some cash on buying nothing but the foam...which costs a bit more.

Update: I have been using Rogaine Foam not the liquid and its good. 100 times better than using the nasty oil. It's like hair product almost.

Bald Class

Bald class 4

Norwood class 4

Characterized by further frontal hair loss and enlargement of vertex, but there is still a solid band of hair across the top (mid-scalp) separating front and vertex.

See my front page entry.

Propecia helped slow or halt the loss. Hopefully the transplant will add back a decent amount of hair since I am balding but not bald.

So far I am happy....its just the long wait! It'll be probably 7-8 months to see decent change then 12 months for the total change.

Propecia to stop loss or help with it. Hair Surgery if you are a good candidate and find a good Dr.

It hasn't yet but it has given me hope. I am only in the first week.

If you use a Dr. in Bangkok, and you are from another country,  tell your local Dr. what you are doing and ask for stronger pain killers to take with you to Bangkok for post surgery. Make sure this is legal first! If you have a low pain tolerance. They only prescribe Tylenol with codeine after the surgery but its the weak pills like over the counter in Australia - I know a lot of American's are like what? Yes they have Tylenol with Codeine over the counter in Oz but its weak compared to US prescription codeine which is 2 x's to 4 x's stronger in dose.

 

My pain was pretty bad the first night when the shots wore off. The Dr. said they don't have Vicodin etc in Bangkok so he sent me to the hospital to get some morphine pills. It sounded scary but helped a lot and after 3 days the pain is minimal.  Some people won't be bothered by the pain as much.

 

If you use Dr. Path stay at the Abloom Serviced Apartments. They are maybe a half mile from his clinic.

 

If you do the surgery at Dr. Path's clinic vs the Hospital, you save 15%. Its worth it and the clinic is suitable.

Back to patient reviews

My Latest journal entries

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Baldframe
Bald class: 4
Procedure 1

1 Year 8 months post surgery I recently had someone contact me and ask me some questions. I thought I would include my feedback to them in this Blog: Dr. Path didn't meet with me on the 1st consult, a lady Dr. did. Sometimes he does meet with you. They really didn't explain what can go wrong etc. which worried me a bit at first I was a little relived when I met Dr. Path. I hate to say it, but it was probably because he has an American accent and this reminded me he worked there as a Dr. for 20 years.  During the surgery Dr. Path cut the strip out, and sewed it up and poked all the holes in my head and while he did this the 2 other Dr's put the follicles in my head (at the same time a team cut them out of the strip). I didn't sleep too much from the valium they gave me.The hole poking is a bit weird. That being said Dr. Path did go out of his way to go outside and hail a cab for me to go home after surgery because cabbies did not want to take me about 3 quarters of a kilometer (trust me you don't want to walk in the heat after surgery at least when I went) No real pain. I told him I am extra sensitive because I had had knee surgery and knew I needed higher pain doses...if you know this, let him know. He gave me extra shots and a script for morphine (had to go pick it up at the hospital) but it beat the shit out of the crappy aspirin/codeine which is about as powerful as OTC codeine meds in Oz. I didn't do anything special for the scar. No oil or lotion. The scar will feel way, way, way bigger until the disolvable stitches fall out. Wash your hair with baby shampoo and be very gentle with it (a given). I was extra paranoid. And blow dry on cold air. Your new hair may not shed for as late as 20+ days (or as early as 10). It shed after 20+ days with me. If it's this long, you'll think you may be one of the lucky ones to keep it all the way through...you prob won't so just accept that because it is a little sad when they go. It does look better with them in. Compare your baldness to my pictures. I wasn't bald but had very thin hair in the front. I got 3000+. I see guys all the time who are balder and they go for 2000 or 1800. It must be economics because I doubt the Dr. recommends 2000 unless they have a tight scalp. BTW I really didn't do scalp exercises. My point is be realistic. If you are balder than me, you'll need at least 3000+ Note how I comb my hair. Caesar style cut. It doesn't really look too thin. I am happy with my hair. My sister told me she would never know I had surgery (as in its a hair transplant and not natural) and everyone I have told, told me the same thing. These are people I know who are brutally honest and would tell me the truth. I think you only notice bad surgeries.Anyway, some people like to comb their hair back. If I had to comb my hair back, it would look thinner than it does, because that exposes your hairline. My hairline is OK though, just that I would prob want 1000 more in the front if I was going to try and do a more stand up, slicks back sort of cut. I am fine with my cut, because you can always get away with a Caesar cut. I got pretty bad scalp acne my 5th or 6th week. It's called Folliculitis. I would get some big zits. I could hide most of them under my hair, but I am glad I worked from home 2-4 days a week. I didn't shave my head. I am really glad I had about 4 weeks off before I went back to work. Some pics I see some people looked better in 12 days. I use Rogaine in the front and the back and I swear it has made my hair thicker. Rogaine foam...it might be named Regaine there....is great. Its like product and not oily like the Rogaine liquid. I could not use the liquid as it was too oily. I would order it online if I was you. The price in Oz is nuts. You can order it from the US for half off or more if you shop around (with an Oz credit card). My turning point was prob 6-7 months. Every month was exciting from there. I used to hate seeing my hair and think about it every day. Now it doesn't bother me at all. The surgery cost me around $8200 USD = 100% worth it not to think about something every single day and have it affect your confiedence. Let me know if you have any questions

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Baldframe
Bald class: 4
Procedure 1

19 Months Update First time I have styled my hair in years....happy as can be with the surgery and Dr. Path.

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Baldframe
Bald class: 4
Procedure 1

1 Year 3 Months Not much to update. I could not be happier. Also, I can cut my hair very, very short and there is no sign of the scar. Dr. Path works magic with scars...at least with my scar.  

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Baldframe
Bald class: 4
Procedure 1

13 months 1 week Note how short I can cut my hair (the scar isn't visible).

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Baldframe
Bald class: 4
Procedure 1

1 Year and 2 Weeks  For those who are considering the surgery and aren't totally bald but have considerable to some hair loss....go for it! Just do your research and use the right surgeon. 

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Baldframe
Bald class: 4
Procedure 1

Close to 1 year later  I'm 15 days from my 1 year surgery mark. I really never obsess about my hair anymore. If I lose hair hair in the future, I may get another surgery but I am trying to prevent that with Rogaine Foam and Propecia. The surgery was the best choice I have made in a long time. It was worth every penny.Dr Path is an excellent surgeon.    Below is close to one year after surgery and before surgery  <p><br /></p>

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Baldframe
Bald class: 4
Procedure 1

10 Months Part 2 If this entry shows anything, its probably how good Dr. Path is with the scar. I can only find my scar when I feel around for the raised scar. I can't see it by finding a line where my hair doesn't grow.  <p><br /></p>

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Baldframe
Bald class: 4
Procedure 1

10 Months Freshly Cut If this entry shows anything, its probably how good Dr. Path is with the scar. I can only find my scar when I feel around for the raised scar. I can't see it by finding a line where my hair doesn't grow.  <p><br /></p>

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Baldframe
Bald class: 4
Procedure 1

9 Months <p>Progress after 8 months</p> <p><br /></p>

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Baldframe
Bald class: 4
Procedure 1

7 Months 1 Week Before and After 7 Months 1 Week Before and After

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Baldframe
Bald class: 4
Procedure 1

7 Months and 1 Week I am totally happy with the results.I will say if I wore my hair combed back in any way, I'd def need another surgery but for the way I wear my hair, its 100% undetectable and looks sooooooo much better than 7 months ago!

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Baldframe
Bald class: 4
Procedure 1

Before surgery vs. 1 week shy of 7 months