bold-ronin

Bijan Feriduni, MD

coalition member Elite Coalition Member
Hair transplant patient

bold-ronin

bold-ronin

About

Been fixated that I'm losing hair like many men, since my teenage. Well, today I can say I wasn't back then. Later in my thirties I started using minox but today I am not sure I needed to... well can't ever tell what would have happened had I not. In the last year since I turned 50, I am noticing more shedding than I am used, lest I still use minox. I find myself counting hairs in the shower tray and trying to convince myself that it can't be happening. But pictures are unforgiving. And I must admit that I am. Three choices... do nothing and lump it; buzz down all I have to spite my mirror; or do something. I am chosing the 3rd option. Been researching and reading in every galaxy of the net. Had a few consultations too. Now I booked my HT for the coming September and I have started the countdown... a strategy of frequent haircuts, gradually going shorter and shorter to prepare for the after effect and going back to work. I am planning to return after 3-4 weeks. I am trying to keep my HT very discreet. I must thank Spex and also Acrobaz for his detailed dossier of his progress, and all the many others who have shared their experience. I would not have even had the slightest motivation to search into modern HT and venture into this quest. I hope I will not regret it. I suppose everyone has this slight fear of the risks. But ... no risk no reward (no loss either usually - but in our case, further loss is a certainty! LOL)


My Surgical Treatments to Date

HT carried out by Dr Alan Feller September 3rd 2013

My Non Surgical Treatments

Minoxidil 5ml twice daily since last 15 years or more.?

Bald Class

Bald class 3V

Norwood stage 3 Vertex

In terms of the receding hairline, stage 3 vertex balding is a less drastic version of stage 3.
However, people experiencing stage 3 vertex balding will also begin losing hair on the crown of their head. This often starts as one small bald spot.

Waves of denial and worry

Can't really tell but I used minox 5ml since the last 15 years

Yes! Good choice of surgeon, lest myself hailing from Europe it is a hassle traveling to NYC and staying there till staples were removed. I could have travelled back and got the staples removed from hometown clinic but did not want to risk. Took the opportunity to dredge NY :)

2 years down the line I can say I'm happier because I suppose I could have grown practically bald. My top frontal part is acceptably dense even if I understand that to cover the top of head one needs around 7-9000 grafts. My disappointment was the crown which is becoming a bit of a sore spot for me. For this reason I have decided for an FUE with Dr Feriduni this time in Belgium and again with Spex's support. Had I known that FUE was possible for mega sessions I would have chosen FUE for a mega session. No pain, minimal discomfort. Just need to buzz the full head down. The Doc extracted 800 grafts for the crown area and this with full compassion towards my wish to camouflage the shaven strips at the back. Excellent job. Still need to wait 6-12 mths to tell whether I'm happy with results. But hoping for the best. 

Only used minox so I can't really help here. Dr Feller did not seem to be a raving fan of Minoxidil and I left his clinic with hopes I could get off it. Reality is that 2700 graft for the top is only good if I kept the resident hair. I'm still uneasy playing with hormones using Finasteride. I am told that that Finasteride is being manufactured in gel form for topical use. Not scientifically proven but there are several experiences suggesting it works.  

As for the choice between FUT and FUE, I would go for FUE. It is way less painful. Recovery is superior to FUT. No scar. One can decide eventually to shave the full head with nothing to show.

BUT... It's imperative to research extremely well especially on choice of surgeon and clinic. Read blogs and experiences. The capability of the surgeon is reflected in genuine happy clients. I did extensive reading and my first choice of clinic was Dr Feriduni. Unfortunately he did not take me for my first HT as he prudently pointed out the risk of shock loss of my resident hair. Wanting to still risk, I went for my second choice Dr Feller. Both are good choices. Dr Feriduni is super professional with pre-op consultation lasting more than an hour, taking pics, counting hair follicles , plotting to scale, calculating a reasonable harvest, establishing priorities, strategizing... Professional! FUE was done by him. Team is superb. Post-op medication pack with serum, spray, oil and pills all in a branded premier package. Kudos! 

Like many men growing bald is not a pleasing experience. Some might say just buzz it off. I prefer grooming myself. So HT which I did whilst I still had hair, lest thinning steadily, did give me back confidence I wanted. I work among elite executives. A head of hair, a nice suite and especially clean smart shoes are my hallmarks. 

Knowing is not enough... we must apply

Willing is not enough... we must DO 

Back to patient reviews

My Latest journal entries

...
bold-ronin
Bald class: 3V
Procedure 2

The day after Well, my night was pretty ok. No pain. Just that I was a bit conscious I needed to sleep facing up and a bit inclined. Doc was super nice as were all his team. the surgery was smooth and I slept most of the time. The rest I watched TV. Pretty tranquil lest stiffening as I was sitting for 2 sessions with a 30 min lunch break. I had ordered lunch in the morning and it was huge!. Only managed to eat half of it. The Doc also gave me a pack with all the medications I needed. pain killers, Antibiotics, vitamins, mousse shampoo, sprays, oils and balms. Impressive. The day after I was again picked from the hotel by a friendly taxi driver. he knew what I was there for and it felt less intrusive. Assistant washed my scalp, inspected and sprayed recipient. The Doc saw me. he was happy with the outcome and also explained all the questions I had. I must publicly acknowledge that Dr Feriduni and his team are premier quality in terms of compassion with the patient, realistic explanations and goal setting, and mostly, customer care. Kudos! Doc then carefully backcombed my hair even if the day after the surgery. Pics show the extent of shaving and how he covered it. I will back to work in 7 days. He said I will be able to use Toppik o the donor part to conceal the shave. We shall see. Had I known how 'comfortable' FUE versus FUT is, I would have shaven my whole head and opted for it. However, Dr Feller had told me he would not do it. He only offered me FUT. Why I had not gone to Dr Feriduni in the first place? Well at that time he thought I had too much native hair to risk shock loss. So he did not take me on. Anyways, now its again looking forward to see the outcome. I am trying to avoid mirrors :)

...
bold-ronin
Bald class: 3V
Procedure 2

7 days after my first day in public Today was my first day of work just a week after surgery. Thanks to my better half's super hairstyling skills, I managed a full day unnoticed with no comment whatsoever. I was a bit edgy because I am usually groomed and gelled up and today I had to get my hair thoroughly cleaned from the emulsion and serum the Doc gave me, which I applied at 0300 in the morn to have time to wash before work, then blow-dried (quite unusual for me) and Toppik miracle fibres to fill in some showing scalp. Judge for yourself. 

...
bold-ronin
Bald class: 3V
Procedure 1

Fast forward I should resist hair greed as Spex calls it. When wet still sparse. Crown bothering me. But overall, super happy. These pics are before I decided to go for an FUE under Dr Feriduni of Hasselt, Belgium. More to come... Stay tuned 

...
bold-ronin
Bald class: 3V
Procedure 2

Postulation and deliberation Well I decided to take the plunge again. It is not greed for more hair, but after my FUT failing to extend also to thinning crown, and a cheeky comment here and there, I said that's it. Minoxidil was not the solution as the crown went thinner. I managed to keep the FUT a complete secrete. I updated my research and revived my considered conclusion that Dr Feriduni should be my surgeon of choice. Just hoped he would take me. Did an online consultation. Went well and was told the FUE to cover the crown was possible. My only concern as before was keeping it secretive. Doc requires a physical examination and strategy meeting before committing. Dashed over to Belgium and was pleasantly greeted by the Doc and his assistants. Already an air of professionalism.

...
bold-ronin
Bald class: 3V
Procedure 2

Consultation experience When I did my FUT I had no opportunity of a consultation. With Dr Feriduni, it seems it's a must. All I can say is that it is a good investment. I went with my better half and we were greeted vey cordially. I was given some paperwork which seemed quite familiar after my FUT experience. Then the Doc came himself to usher us to the concluding room. The Doc gave me all the time I needed, never given the feeling of being rushed. He is a gentleman, soft spoken, honest and extremely friendly. He showed me loads of case studies and he examined me fully counting the hairs per sqcm using special equipment, magnifying pics for me to visualize his plan, discussing what my wishes were, counting the follicles in the donor are, and then coming up with solutions. I explained carefully that my main concern was to somehow be able to conceal the Ht. I explained this is top on my priority list. Doc did some math explaining his plan on shaving 2 strips at the back that could be concealed with the correct length of hair. He opined he did not need to shave the crown. Super satisfied I went for the consultation. I left with an air of confidence in this premier team...

...
bold-ronin
Bald class: 3V
Procedure 2

Day of surgery Got to Belgium in the midst of the high terrorist threat but must admit that everything went super smooth. Was picked up at the airport by the taxi cordially arranged by the clinic (at about half the price had I taken a cab from the airport like I did for the consultation - insanely costly). Taken to Hassotel which has special arrangements with the clinic in terms of amenities and price. The day after at 0750 sharp my better half and myself were picked up and in 5 minutes we were at the clinic. Given full operating gown with head cap, clogs and all :) Doc came. We went through the plan together and was soon having my donor part being shaved off. I left a length so I was hoping, and the Doc reassured me it will be so, that I will be able to borrow over the length to cover the shaved part. the recipient area was not shaved. Soon after I was lying face down being numbed, sedated and .... slept

...
bold-ronin
Bald class: 3V
Procedure 1

2nd week post op Getting used to wearing a cap :)looks terrible...but hopeful for a betterment. I need to buzz the hair down but not before Doc takes staples off in a week. In the meantime dredging New York :) 

...
bold-ronin
Bald class: 3V
Procedure 1

Over a month and back to work I share with you here some pics after a month. Had a haircut by my better half. Mission now was to conceal the scar and also the relatively bald top and crown, hoping that even if I had to wait 9mths to realistically see some improvement, my native hair grows back and does not shy away and stay in shock loss. Used Toppik as a concealer. I think that even if I had to go through the regimen every morning, I reached my goal. I don't think anyone suspected that I had done the HT.now it's a waiting game and as Spex suggests, cover all mirrors for the next months :) 

...
bold-ronin
Bald class: 3V
Procedure 1

Before surgery Went to Dr Feller's clinic on D-Day. Been corresponding sporadically with him but quite a bit with Spex who I had engaged with for advice and support. I have no hesitation commending Spex. He's had the experience and the boldness to even go public and share his experience and knowledge.This pic is taken by the Doc at the clinic pre-op. Planned there and then with the Doc what my objective was. 

...
bold-ronin
Bald class: 3V
Procedure 1

Surgery day Apologies for the graphic content. However when I was doing my own research I found such pictures helpful to envision what I was going to go through. I think this forum was immensely helpful. Doc shaved off top of head. My heart sank :/ True that I had planned 3 weeks out of circulation, but hair doesn't grow that fast. Wanted my HT to remain discreet. Plan was to harvest around 2700 grafts and work from the front hairline back. Pity the number of grafts harvested did not fill the whole till the crown. Since priority was framing the face to be more mirror-friendly, the crown had to be left out.

...
bold-ronin
Bald class: 3V
Procedure 1

The day after Blues. Pain and discomfort. Terrible in the mirror. Bad ears. Bump on forehead. Stretch scalp. Post op blues.

...
bold-ronin
Bald class: 3V
Procedure 1

1 week after Adding some pics taken after a week. The days got better. To my relief no permanent disfigurement of the face (I was seriously worried about that. Was not prepared to see myself at night in the mirror thinking it came out of a horror film). Hairs on grafts still visible. Lost them eventually as many experience. Using Emu oil and Aloe Vera as suggested in Spex book. Some redness still there, flaking and itching.