mr_predictable

H Rahal, MD

coalition member Elite Coalition Member
Hair transplant patient

mr_predictable

mr_predictable

About

Like many of the fellas in hair transplant land, I started losing my luscious locs at about 19. It was slow and annoying at first, however, it progressively got worse and became more noticeable. That’s when I started searching for “solutions.”

I’ve subjected myself to what can only be called scientific experimentation. I’ve tried laser lights, over-the-counter treatments such as Rogain and, of course, I jumped on the propecia train. Nothing helped my cause unfortunately, and I’m sure I’ve financed more than a few porsches.

In early 2012, I finally had enough. It was time for me to do something about my hairloss. I’d wasted far too many hours in front of the mirror, and honestly I’m tired of looking at before and after pictures of my balding compadres. It can drive a person insane – luckily the online community is nothing short of outstanding.

On July 2, 2013 I received a hair transplant from the wonderful team at the Rahal Hair Transplant Institute.


My Surgical Treatments to Date

One hair transplant to date, performed by Dr. H. Rahal at the Rahal Hair Transplant Institute. My procedure consisted of 3,435 graphs using the FUT transplant method.

3,435 - Graph count

719 - 1 units

1,931 - 2 units

786 - 3 units

My Non Surgical Treatments

I have used a combination of rogain, propecia an proscar. None of which had a noticable impact on my hair.

Bald Class

Bald class 3

Norwood class 3

The earliest stage of male hair loss. It is characterized by a deepening temporal recession.

Back to patient reviews

My Latest journal entries

...
mr_predictable
Bald class: 3
Procedure 1

8.5 Months Hi Guys, I'm rounding the 8.5 month mark and wanted to share a new pic I had taken recently. Lots of progress from my original hairline. Hair feels great, looks great and honestly I don't often think about it anymore. Overally really happy with my transplant.

...
mr_predictable
Bald class: 3
Procedure 1

5.5 Months Just passed my five month mark, things starting to look good. 

...
mr_predictable
Bald class: 3
Procedure 1

4 Months I'm about two days shy of my 4 month post hair transplant anniversary. My original hair has started to grow longer, which is doing a really nice job of masking my hair. The growth on the left side of the transplant and at the front have certainly started to pick up the pace. Comparing with last month... well there really isn't a comparison. I now am starting to see hair where as before I was nothing more than a cue ball with a few prickly hairs. I am quite concerned with the growth on the right side. It couldn't be more different than the left side of my transplant. I have what can only be described as a hole, or bald spot in the transplant area. Nothing seems to be growing, no new hairs appear to be sprouting, and as my hair grows longer the visual effect is compounded.  I keep reminding myself that I am still early in the process and to stay positive. But has anyone else experienced this type of lopsided growth?

...
mr_predictable
Bald class: 3
Procedure 1

2.5 Months Hey Everyone, Just passed the 2.5 month range.  I have to say I'm starting to get quite concerned with the lack of growth I'm experiencing. Yes, I have a few hair pocking through here or there but I am not seeing anything near what I would have expected to see at this point. Entire sections of the donor area have show little or no growth whatsoever. I understand that I am still early in the process but comparatively I am behind other patients.  The hair that I had prior to the transplant is also growing in much more thin than it was previously. My hope for this procedure is starting to be replaced by regret. Still hanging in there but this is starting to get worrying. Lastly, the pink colour is not leaving; not sure why but it is still very discoloured.

...
mr_predictable
Bald class: 3
Procedure 1

2 Months Well I've finally reached the two month mark. It seems like it has been much longer than only two months! My original hair has started to grow in further but I haven't seen much if any growth from the transplanted hairs. Still cautiously optimistic about my future results. One change of note is that I've upped my dosage of Minoxidil increasing from the 2% solution to 5%. Hoping for hair!

...
mr_predictable
Bald class: 3
Procedure 1

1.5 months Hi Everyone, I've just recently passed the 1.5 month point. Not much has changed since my last update other than my original hair has started to grow in. I am living the ugly duckling phase right now and am nervously waiting  for my hairs to sprout. I wasn't able to snap any shots of my donor area, it's quite difficult to capture from a mobile phone but for the most part things are looking nice and clean. I've experienced some minor shock loss but nothing to write home about. Looking forward to 2 months!

...
mr_predictable
Bald class: 3
Procedure 1

Density Breakdown I just received the density breakdown from patient care. Not sure exactly what 65% density will translate to in the frontal region. Hoping it's enough!

...
mr_predictable
Bald class: 3
Procedure 1

Day 21 Hi Everyone, I've made it to day 21. Honestly not a lot has changed over the last 7 days, however, I felt it was still worth noting my progress.  The recipient area is still quite pink and discolored but is pretty much back to normal in terms of feeling and sensation. The donor area seems to be healing nicely, I have a few large areas of dried blood but very little pain or discomfort. The area between my donor and recipient area that was quite sensitive early last week has started to return to normal. One thing I am questioning at this point is why the transplanted hairs haven't fallen out yet. I thought they would all have shed by this point. Normal?

...
mr_predictable
Bald class: 3
Procedure 1

Day 14 Hi Everyone, It was day 14 yesterday and I had my stitches removed as well as had my first real shower in over two weeks. All in all things are looking as good as they can for this stage. I've transitioned from looking like Larry from the three stooges to Hunter S. Thompson. The recipient area is quite pink now that the scabs have fallen off. The donor area is healing nicely, I believe, and isn't causing much concern. The area between the recipient area and the donor area is actually the most senstive. Running my fingers softly over the hairs sends a numb pain all the way down the back of my head... so that's really great. I'm hoping this is temporary and not something I'll need to deal with long-term. Anyway, pictures attached, let me know what you think. How does the work look?  

...
mr_predictable
Bald class: 3
Procedure 1

Day 7 Wow, it has been one week since my procedure and I’m excited to share my updates. The swelling in my face is gone, finally! Really happy about that because my hair transplant is all but undetectable at this point if I wear a hat. Looking back I’m grateful that I didn’t shave my head entirely and opted to leave the hair in the back and along the sides. I look like Larry from The Three Stooges but it has certainly helped to mask the donor area as it heals. Lastly, I’m no longer relegated to sleeping on the couch. I missed my bed! Bring on the silk sheets. How it feels Overall, the recipient area hasn’t changed much over the last few days. It is starting to scab over slightly and is less itchy than in day 3 and 4. The redness is still ever present but I’m hoping it will die down in the coming weeks as the recipient area continues to heal. I’m also becoming less aware of the donor area. During the first few days I did experience some minor discomfort around where the incision was made, however, it has tapered off to the point where it is negligible. I’m now in the home stretch of the first stage of my transplant recovery. I cannot wait to have the stitches removed next week and to finally wash my hair like normal. The Polysporin helps to sooth the donor area but it also feels quite greasy and has subsequently made the rest of my hair oily as well. All part of the fun I suppose. The money shots I’d also like to thank everyone for their comments. It means a lot to have your support during the ugly duckling phase. Below are the pictures. Enjoy.

...
mr_predictable
Bald class: 3
Procedure 1

Playing A Dangerous Game But a Fun One I honestly couldn't help myself! What do you get when you mix a graphic designer, a hair transplant and a bunch of free time. Well you get a mockup of your future hair transplant results of course. Thanks to Photoshop and a few pictures from today's leading males celebrities, I've put together my dream results. This is more therapeutic than anything and gives me something to look forward to during the difficult ugly duckling months. I must admit, if I can come anywhere near these results I would be ecstatic but am fully aware that it will likely be much more reserved. Fun right?

...
mr_predictable
Bald class: 3
Procedure 1

Pre Op Photos I thought I would take a moment to share my pre-op photos taken by the team at the Rahal Hair Transplant Institute. They are much more telling and better quality than my bathroom cell phone shots. It’s amazing to look at these photos now that I am 4 days post-op. I really didn’t know the extent of my hair loss. The pictures are quite telling and the hairline design more aggressive than I believed simply looking in the mirror. I honestly can’t wait for the next few months to pass by and am extremely happy with things thus far.