Patient Canuck's hair transplant review

About

I first noticed thinning in my mid 20's. I had very thick hair all my life so glimpses of a shiny scalp in pictures was a little unnerving. I continued to thin consistently in to my early 40's. I considered surgery for years but struggled with the images of "barbie doll" transplants that I had seen in my youth. In late 2013, I had an especially frustrating morning playing "fill in the blanks" with my hair. I spent the next month doing extensive research on hair restoration procedures and physicians. I opted for Dr. Rahal and booked a consultation. I had my FUE procedure on March 26th, 2014.

My Surgical Treatments to Date

March 26th, 2014 - FUE session

1 Unit Grafts: 517

2 Unit Grafts: 1266

3 Unit Grafts: 706

4 Unit Grafts: 57

Total Grafts: 2546

Total Hair: 5395

Size of the recipient area: 57 square centimeters

Surgeon: Dr. Hussain Rahal

My Non Surgical Treatments

I began a non-surgical wellness/hair supportive protocol 3 months before the surgery. It involved the following:

Multivitamin - every morning

Saw palmetto - every morning

Biotin - every morning

Silica - every morning

Vitamin D - every morning

Vitamin E - every morning

Nizoral shampoo - twice weekly

Nioxin shampoo - 5 days a week

Nioxin conditioner - 5 days a week

Bald Class

Norwood class 2A.

The class A variation of the Norwood scale is a slightly different and less common progression of hair loss. The main differences are that the hairline recedes back uniformly, without leaving an island of hair in the middle, and there is no bald area at the vertex. Instead, the hairline progresses directly from front to back.

It sucks. I'm not a super model but I definitely look better with hair. Losing my hair truly eroded my confidence.

I hadn't used any treatments prior to my surgery.

My FUE surgery was March 26th, 2014. My experience with Dr. Rahal and his staff was completely positive. What a wonderful group of people. Dr. Rahal has cultvated an environment in his office that makes you feel very welcome.

I have limited experience at this point but, 5 days in, I'm feeling good about my FUE surgery.

At this point, it has just lowered my bank balance. I'll keep you posted.

Stop thinking about doing this and just do it. Research is very important. I waited too long. Don't make the same mistake I did.

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My Latest journal entries

Canuck

Bald class: 2A

Procedure 1

Day 28 Today is the first day of "normal". The baby shampoo is gone and I can use regular shampoo. I opted for a product with biotin and collagen to help support the vitamins, etc that I am currently using. I didn't need to treat my scalp like a precious china doll any longer so I scrubbed a bit more aggressively this morning to get that deep down clean. I quickly realized that my scalp was still tender in the donor area and somewhat in the recipient area. At this point, I think most of the grafts have fallen out as expected. That's been a downer but, on the upside, the Canadiens swept the Lightning so all is good. I'm back to work and the stares are a bit annoying but expected. I had done a fairly good job of disquising my thinning hairline and this was a shock to most. With each day, I'm sure it will get easier. Cheers!

Canuck

Bald class: 2A

Procedure 1

Top Day 1 to 28

Canuck

Bald class: 2A

Procedure 1

Day 21 I'm already wishing I had a time machine. Week 52 can't come soon enough! My normal hair is growing back fairly quickly. It might be the one too many drinks I had last night but it looks like some of the grafts are growing. I have experienced some shedding of the grafts (fudge!). I notice it mostly when I apply the Rogaine foam. I was expecting this to happen so I'm good with it. The donor area is still a bit itchy which I am assuming is from the growth of the existing hair. I am regaining some sensation in the recipient area but the front hairline area is still a little numb. My next landmark date is a week from today when I can stop the baby shampoo and start with regular shampoo. A small victory but something to look forward to. Cheers!

Canuck

Bald class: 2A

Procedure 1

First week done! It's official. I survived the first week. The vitamin E oil ends today which is great because it tended to be messy and constantly kept running down my head. I'm continuing with the spray bottle washing and polysporin for one more week then I can begin the Rogaine foam and actual shampooing of the recipient and donor area in a shower. The back area is still a bit tender but healing well and already beginning to fill in. Still haven't lost the transplanted hair yet but expecting that to begin in about a week.

Canuck

Bald class: 2A

Procedure 1

Day 14 I can't believe 2 weeks has passed already! I'm feeling good. No more hats at this point. I realized early on that people are going to stare. I just think to myself "it's because I look that good ..." All kidding aside, I'm very happy with the healing so far. The top near the front is still a bit numb and the back is itchy at times. Today was the first shower with "full contact" since the surgery (get your minds out of the gutter). My scalp feels much better. I never really felt like I was getting a thorough cleaning with the spray bottle despite a heavy soaking and rinse cycle. It looks like most of the grafts are still in place but Larissa gave me the bad news yesterday that they will likely fall out by week 5 or 6. Thanks Larissa! I thought you were on my side. Hopefully I'm part of that small percentage that doesn't shed the grafts. I'm starting with the Rogaine foam as well today. Thanks for all the positive support! Cheers!

Canuck

Bald class: 2A

Procedure 1

Day 1 After Surgery As Larissa will tell you, "Don't be a hero. Take the Percocet." I was a bit uncomfortable when I left the office the day of the surgery so I took Larissa's advice. I'm glad I did because I slept like a baby. The following morning I was back to the office for bandage removal, the cleaning tutorial and yes ... more unflattering photos.

Canuck

Bald class: 2A

Procedure 1

They weren't kidding about the swelling! It's day 5 now and I finally look like me again. My face swelled up a ton. I completely looked like a different person. Sorry, no photos. Too busy getting caught up on paperwork. Pain has not been an issue. I took the one Percocet the evening of the procedure and haven't needed anything else since. I'm pretty numb in the recipient area and a bit tender in the donor area. The twice daily cleaning process along with the saline spraying every 2 hours is not a problem but the vitamin e oil is messy. Two more days and I'm done with that. I'll have some new pics for day 7.

Canuck

Bald class: 2A

Procedure 1

Surgery Day The long wait was over and I was at the office for 6:30am. First came the paperwork. Lots of it. Next was the photoshoot and some very unflattering photos. I was then ushered to Dr. Rahal's office. He pulled the cap off the magic purple marker, drew an age appropriate hairline and 20 minutes later my head was shaved and it was go time. If you like pain, you'll enjoy the next step. Face down on the table for needle time (no explanation needed). The next part was pretty cool. I blinked and it was lunch. I actually slept through the extraction phase of the procedure. I'm sure the drugs had a bit to do with it but Dr. Rahal's crew put me so at ease that I was out. I woke up, had lunch (great sandwich by the way) then it was time for face up and "Cha Cha Cha Chia." I'd love to tell you all about the next 4 hours but I fell asleep again. In order of appearance ... Mike, Tony, Dr. Rahal, Larissa and Kari. You are awesome! You took a day that should have been extremely stressful and made it stress free. Thank you very much!