Hair Transplants and Expectations:

I think its very important that guys venturing into HT's have a very good understanding of THEIR "expectations". Its important that perspective patients understand that essentially THEIR hair's characteristic, donor supply, donor density, laxity, physiology play the most vital role in the short/long term success of their HT. (Along with appropriate planning with a competent Doc) ie. Understanding that Patient X's hair characteristic may provide them with a completely different cosmetic result compared to Patient Y's - even though they had similar graft counts.

Obviously we all try to compare our own situations to various posters with similar loss patterns and we all obviously hope for results like, Jotronic, Hairroot,Bushy, Falcros, PB, Garageland, etc.. BUT although the perspective patient feels they are very similar doesn't necessarily mean they are going to end up with the same result - especially not first time round - and this is where "Expectations" need to be kept realistic.

The most appropriate surgery possible will be performed on the patient (doc dependant) applying their supply to their demand - off the back of the patients goal, requirements, hair characteristic, donor supply etc. - to enable the patient to reach the max potential from 1 surgery but more surgery potentially will be required in order to reach the finally goal.

Everyone wants to have their situations resolved first time round via HT's but this is very rare. No one gets just one HT - Even guys with minimal loss will obtain hair greed and want even more. Nature of the beast - hair and money..., we always want more.


Point i am trying to get across here is have a "realistic expectation" first time round of what you are setting out to achieve - and be aware that YOU the patient need to be aware of the variables that you bring to the table so to speak - Its at this point the experience of the Doc is applied in order to enable YOU to reach the max potential from YOUR session - - again taking into account YOUR characteristics, donor supply, loss pattern, personal goal, donor density, laxity, physiology, previous surgery..... etc

Here is a post i made previous that might help also:

Thursday November 30, 2006 4:15 AM


I get asked these questions all the time - "Will i only need one session?"

The answer to this is more than likely NO - Its very rare indeed that any patient only has one session unless they have a very small amount of loss - or limited donor supply, then you potentially aren't a viable HT candidate unfortunately.

Even if your hair loss is absolutely stable and doesn't progress any further the chances are your first session will be the foundation for a potential second session to top up/refine/add density/close angles/ work further back ..etc - regardless of technique used. Hair is like money you always want more - You will always want to make it better, we ALL do!

Top Dr's will endeavour to achieve the appropriate no. / highest number of grafts possible without jeopardising you in order to create as much coverage/density as possible in one session where warranted - whilst maintaining your donor area/further supply's integrity.

The initial session will come in so slowly and gradually that you become so used to it that it becomes the normal and YOU will not necessarily notice the change bang on month 3! - The realisation takes time!! It is only until you compare pre op pics that you actually realise how far you have come and have a glimpse at what your situation actually was.


You will scrutinise your results constantly, inspecting it every chance you get - and feel that you will always want more hair - Even at month 5/6/7 patients are planning their 2nd session but my advice is WAIT and allow for the first session to reach its max potential

It doesn't matter how many times i say it to people or write it they still feel that their growth has stopped at month 4/5/6...... then come month 10/11/12 they say - wow you were right.. I did get more.

Growth doesn't stop for many many months - it can take upto 18 months to reach the max potential from your HT so why guys are convinced after 5 months their growth has stopped is just beyond me
If you have received your HT from one of the reputable clinics around today then your growth will continue upto a year along with a great deal of maturing.

Many Dr's have commented on time scales for growth and established posters as well who have all been through the HT process and they all agree that you need to assess your HT at at least the 1 year mark in terms of reaching full growth.

You the HT recipient will not see the growth just occur - it takes months for the realisation to kick in. It is important to take pictures at monthly intervals to clearly see the progression.

Its important that guys realise that HT's are a commitment long term and you must realise that you will always want to refine your hair and wish it were thicker/fuller/denser - This is the nature of hair.

Hair greed

Grow well all but remember to keep expectations realistic ;-)

Regards
Spex

Very good post

I totally agree. People need to be objective and realistic. Personally, it has taken me 3 procedures which was what my doctor orignally quoted & I have followed this strategy. You know what, at 3 months post op in my 3rd, it has paid off !! My hair is going to look incredible! Many time I feel when a person gets less than 3000 grafts they are "2nd guessed' without looking at the circumstances..Megasessions are not right for everyone. In addition, there are many doctors out there that can deliver superior results (non coalition as well but I wouldn't chance it) As much as we would like to generalize everyone is different. Laxity, hair quality, head size,personal goals and of course; bank account..More is not always better, and as you said there are few on here who only get one procedure..I guess this stems from our natural tendency to be impatient and want everything now.

Lastly, patience, patience, patience.. If there is one aspect I would like to stress it is this one.. You cannot judge a HT at 6-8 month's and I feel Falc especially has been improperly judged.. I 've had 3 of these HT's and the way you look at 8 months is completely different than 14 months.. I am also finding my hair has even gain additional fullness into 16 month period..

Everyone is different so let's keep this in mind when posting. Opinions are great but let's remember they are just that ( and of course we are not doctors)

Thanks Mrb, glad you can relate and confirm.

I should have added this post on as well -

PATIENCE

Spex you're awesome!

Thank NervousNelly - just paying it forward brother

Great post Spex!
It is very relevant to me being 8 weeks post.

cheers mate!

All good mate - grow well!!

Spex,

Great post.

Couldn't say it better myself!

Short and long term expectations are important to establish and sometimes a reality check is important in order to put them in a realistic category.

We'll never be able to restore a "full head of hair" with transplantation, but ultimately MAY be given decent coverage with an illusion of density - varying from patient to patient depending on the many variables that will impact the final result (hair characteristics, laxity, density, etc).

Obviously I don't want to repeat your whole post because you covered all of this already!

But I can certainly confirm and relate to this...and certainly hair greed kicks in.

Even I, though I'm ecstatic with my resuls (hell, I'd be a full blown NW6 without it by now), more density and some hairline refinement may be in my future. But I still do consider myself mostly finished...and even if I didn't get another HT...I'd be satisfied with what I have.

Of course...I've had THREE transplants to get where I am.

Cheers brothers!

Falc

Cheers Falc - Appreciate the kudos!!!

Oh yeah and apply lots of Aloe vera gel

quote:

Oh yeah and apply lots of Aloe vera gel

LOL that's right. Many people have told me I'm the King of Aloe...

But don't you worry...I informed them of your kingship in that area

lol

Falc

LOL!! Hey i will share my Aloe Thrown with you mate!!!

Just keep spreading the word!