FUE Hair Transplant

suave.4u

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118197112#Comment_118197112

Yes this is as per Dr Nel.

mrcheez

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118206036#Comment_118206036

Dr Nel prescribes 1.25mg Proscar 3 times a week rather than 7 in a week... seems to be the standard prescription he gives for all, unless he changes it as you progress?

suave.4u

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118206357#Comment_118206357

yes you are right. Initially I was following this, but later I started 1.25 every day (seemed more easier to be honest). There were no major sides, so went on with it

mrcheez

I find the whole pill cutting thing a pain (I tend to cut up about 10 tabs in one sitting rather than having to do it each week) so using less of them suits me for as long as I can get away with it 😅

Gonna ask Santy for one of these

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC9n-m-M3go

HBC08

I've took finisteride for years ( I don't anymore)

I used proscar, I'd leave a pill on the bedside locker and just nibble about a 1/4 or a 1/5 of it each morning.Theres no need to spend time trying to precisely cut it into 4 or 5 pieces.

The actual finisteride may not be evenly distributed throughout the pill anyway so you are wasting your time and energy trying to be so precise.If you want exactly 1mg per day or every 2nd day then shell out for 1mg finisteride.

mrcheez

heh.. one solution there.. ah I've gotten used to the pill cutter (it's a handy pill storage device too).. but it's a damned crumbly tablet, I think about a 1/5 ends up as dust!

suave.4u

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118220271#Comment_118220271

yes the pill cutter is very easy to use

zeebre12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118166890#Comment_118166890

Where are you getting oral minixodil? I queried a consultation with Dr Nel but not possible appointment until May. Thanks

mrcheez

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118358763#Comment_118358763

You can get oral minoxidil in any pharmacy

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118361568#Comment_118361568

Yes but you need a prescription for it.

Oral minoxidil is used for blood pressure issues and a lot of doctors wouldn't even know its used for hair loss nevermind prescribe it.

waynescales1

Why do people use oral minoxidil, just buy topical minox online. Who wants hair growth all over their body in weird places?

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118362553#Comment_118362553

It gets better results and is easier to use.

I use topical even though my surgeon recommended and wrote a prescription for oral.

There's a history of heart problems in my family so I'm not going to take any chances,I also don't like the extra body hair bit!

mrcheez

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118362553#Comment_118362553

Eh wha? No extra hair here..cept where it matters ;)

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118363424#Comment_118363424

One of the side effects of oral minoxidil is excess body hair.It doesnt happen to everyone,it hasn't happened to you,that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

I'd love to be on it and have prescription as mentioned but I won't be doing it.

mrcheez

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118363867#Comment_118363867

The excess hair possibility isn't a reason to not try it though. I'm sure if hair did start growing out of your eyeball or something you could stop taking them and go back on topical.

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118366417#Comment_118366417

That's one of the minor reasons I don't use it,the main one is its a blood pressure medication and a side effect of it is hair growth.I did plenty of research and I'm not risking it with a history of serious heart trouble in the family.By all accounts it works so if you want to try it and can get a doc to prescibe it then best of luck with it.The chances of anything going seriously wrong on a dose of say 2.5mg a day are slim but it's not for me.

mrcheez

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118366535#Comment_118366535

Dr Nel prescribes 1.25mg per day so that might be another reason why I'm not seeing the worst side-effects.

GenericName2

I can't find a good answer to this online...If I get FUE, can I ever shave my head after if I keeps going bald/fin doesn't stop it.

What I found out so far:

Back of head scarring

• Your gonna get little white dots scars from FUE. These can be bumpy. Can be filled 8n with SMP.

Cobblestoning

• The front of your head can end up bumpy where the hair is placed. If that falls out your head is this weird bumpy texture.

With a successful FUE transplant- these issues do not matter as it is all covered.

What I cannot find - actual pictures experiences of people who have close up images who went for a FUE HT, it eventually failed, and then shaved their head.

Any input?

Thanks!

mrcheez

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118407515#Comment_118407515

Not sure about pics, but the placed hair shouldn't necessarily fall out?

SMP should reduce issues with scarring though, that's correct

zeebre12

Hi..i received a phone call this evening about a cancellation at HSW Clinic in Swords for tomorrow. The person in the phone said I would not be meeting Dr Nel tomorrow but someone else. I rang a few months ago and they said April would be the next possible date for an appointment. Its all very last minute. I am only going up to try and get a prescription for oral minoxidil really as the topical irrates my scalp. Anyone any advice or questions to ask when I am up there? I have not really thought about a hair transplant yet but might enquire more when I am up there?

GenericName2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118417792#Comment_118417792

I'm the same! How did it go?

Any extra questions you forgot to ask or advice I should do?

zeebre12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118447238#Comment_118447238

Was on my way up and they rang me saying they would have to cancel as the Dr phoned in sick. They gave me another appointment for a few weeks. When in yours? Are you meeting with Dr Nel?

GenericName2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118447476#Comment_118447476

Aw that's fairly crap. I'd be pissed. I'm Wednesday. I might call tomorrow to make sure it goes ahead. I don't live in Dublin.

No I've been told another doc, but he will be in for the most important parts, whatever they are. I hope it's worth the fee.

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118450768#Comment_118450768

Jesus lads,red flags all over the shop here.

I don't know much about Dr Nel except he does long in depth consultation with potential clients and explains everything in detail,that's the sum of what I know about him.This alone means he's the best option from a very,very limited poor pool to choose from in Ireland. I also know he's about €4 a graft and at that price point you can get some of the biggest names in hair restoration in Europe.It doesn't make sense to me to do a ht in Ireland under these circumstances but I understand some might not like the idea of travel or that they can presumably go back to Dr Nels physical office if there are problems.

Are they now saying that another doctor (who is he/she? are they an actual ht surgeon? Where is their body of work?is it still €4 a graft?) a million different questions.

When I found a ht surgeon I scrutinised their work on forums for months before committing, if at the last minute (or any minute) they had said its actually going to be someone else completely I'd have told them where to go.

This sort of thing wouldn't be a big deal at some of the cheap Turkish clinics as you won't know who the doctor is anyway (it won't be a surgeon) and you're only paying a couple of grand but at €10k-12k+ you need to know who's doing what.

boetstark

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/112348384#Comment_112348384

Quonomedical are 100% great. I dealt with them and Dr Yavuz ii Istanbul. Best thing I have decided to do in a long time. Delighted with the results

boetstark

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/112350955#Comment_112350955

Dr Yazuz. He did hairline and almost half of extractions to prevent over harvesting. He then was present for all of the transplants.

2500 including hotel for 4850 grafts

mrcheez

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118450768#Comment_118450768

As long as he's in for the most relevant sections it's probably ok. A lot of the consultation is talking about general procedures that I suppose any doctor can cover, but when it comes to specifics about your personal make up then Dr Nel will probably be on hand to cover those.

zeebre12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118450768#Comment_118450768

What condition is your hair in? Finasteride doesn't seem to be working for me and want to try something different if possible? Could be 14k for the procedure which is crazy money really.

GenericName2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118451519#Comment_118451519

I'd say Norwood 3a. Def not great but not brutal yet. Good donor I hope.

I haven't taken fin yet. Gonna get first course from him. Should have started 4-5 years ago. I'm afraid of sides though but need to try it.

I also want to see what his thoughts are for going ahead with a HT, if I try fin and get side effects, and can't take it.

I got a rough quote from Feriduni, €9-11k, excludes travel obviously.

GenericName2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118450840#Comment_118450840

Do you mind sharing who you went to?

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453077#Comment_118453077

Yes,no probs,have mentioned before with pics (but probably a good but back the thread)

Dr Bisanga, he's based in Brussels but I had ht with him in Athens.

GenericName2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453177#Comment_118453177

Ah one of the best according to the different forums.

I actually emailed for a quote bit didnt here back yet.

Ferreira in Porto is booked for over a year for consultations! On waiting list for that.

It's so much money I obviously need it to be worth it of I go ahead.

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453208#Comment_118453208

Surprised he didn't get back,he has a good team doing admin and follow ups etc.I know he's very busy at the moment like all the top surgeons with 2 years of candidates all trying to get in at the same time.

Dr Ferreiro has become very popular in the last couple of years,I understand he doesn't have a good system in place yet to deal with the numbers (from a few of his patients looking to go back for 2nd)

If you're on the forums and having a proper read through you're on the right track.There are other surgeons in or around the same price who would be near enough the same level, maybe not as well known.Check out Dr Bicer for example.

GenericName2

Had a hair consultation with Dr Nel today. Now I'd say 90% of the time I was with Dr. Tunde Tarjanyi. She was excellent to be fair. Covered a lot.

The whole thing is well worth the money for a prescription and to get some answers about everything ht related, especially fin.

The suggested hairline seemed appropriate.

Gonna start on fin and everything else suggested there, see if any reactions and start planning the next move from there.

zeebre12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118464709#Comment_118464709

Were they kind of pushing for you to get a transplant? ($$$)

Did they give you anything else other than Finasteride? For how many months is your prescription? Did they give you a date for a followup consultation? Thanks

mrcheez

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118465667#Comment_118465667

My experience with Dr Nel was that he didn't push for getting a transplant, said it was entirely up to me, and when I suggested I first wanted to try taking Finasteride for a year to see how it goes he said that was a good idea.

The only follow up consultation you need is to get your prescription renewed, at which point he checks your hair progress and blood pressure etc.

Ultimately it was a good idea for me to try the finasteride for a year, as I was able to see what side effects might happen, before committing to any surgery. Because if I had gotten surgery and then it turned out I couldn't handle Finasteride, then all the remaining hair would have fallen out around the implants.

On my followup visit (€60) to get the prescription renewed he observed how my density had increased since I had started Finasteride and showed me the photos he took before and compared to a photo today.

victor8600

Please advise :) From reading the forums, it seems that only Finasteride works reliably to stop the MPB from progressing. Is that correct? If so, could you please recommend me the clinic in Dublin that would prescribe Finasteride for me and would have follow ups to observe if it works correctly before the possible transplants can be considered? Thanks!

GenericName2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118465667#Comment_118465667

Yea a prescription for Lonitin I think its called. Basically Oral minoxadil. My choice over the foam. That's to improve your current hair. Advised would take a couple of months of use before you see progress.

Didn't push anything. Pretty matter of fact/ to the point from Nel as Tarjanyi had done all the education part and explained what work to do with what I have before going further. Mostly focused on fin. But also derma rolling and nizoral shampoo.

If fin doesn't work for you then it there's no point going ahead with anything. That's my take away.

The only thing he pushed was if you do get a HT is to shave your head so your day 2 is shorter. And not to do the crown as I could recover what's there and do some smp on it. They do smp of course. I think my crown is pretty weak but the front is obviously more important/gone to the dogs!

I was recommended 2750 grafts.

GenericName2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118466288#Comment_118466288

This week I went to Andre Nel in Dublin. Mostly another doc Tarjanyi went through everything hair/biology/health related. Office manager was good too.

Worth it for nearly 12 month prescription and run down to see where your at in general with your hair.

I feel like I could have saved hours of forum research (and stress!) by going there sooner. And then learn more from forums from that point.

Still a long way to go for me but a start.

mrcheez

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118466383#Comment_118466383

Agreed. There's only so much you can garner from scraping through forums.. not to mention lots of misinformation to filter out, so it's just easier to cough up the €200 and get a professional analysis tailor-made for your particular state, not to mention getting a prescription from a GP etc.

Incidentally I found the pharmacy under the clinic was very well priced. Some pharmacies were charging up to €20 more for Proscar / Loniten when I was shopping around.

One thing I will say is that he recommends using a dermaroller every day (a 0.5mm I think), but I've done a lot of research and a 1mm once a week is better (also saves the hassle of having to clean the dermaroller every day)

zeebre12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118466357#Comment_118466357

What was the price for 2750 graphs? I'm f#cked so as Finasteride isn't doing anything for me. I'm 7 months now and my hair is still shedding. My hair has got noticeably thinner. I also have seborrheic dermatitis which could be affecting things?

GenericName2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118490895#Comment_118490895

Ah sh*ite. They said the hair around the transplant will thin and fall out. But saw some YouTube vids where ppl haven't taken it after a ht either. The whole thing is a nightmare!

Around €11k. Mega money for me. I guess paying for the convenience of not travelling.

I have still been checking out the other top ones around Europe just to gauge the situation. Seems the same price. Only Turkey is cheaper.

mrcheez

It's not only the convenience of not having to travel, but also being able to recuperate from comfort of home and have follow-up visits again without having to travel. Also if anything went wrong down the line you don't have far to go. You're paying a higher price, but for peace of mind ultimately.

There is always the option of SMP which can either be done to improve density in longer hair, or to cover bald spots if you decide to shave your head. Looks practically like real hair to all intents as long as you maintain it (i.e. keep head shaved, or maintain the longer hair)

GenericName2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453177#Comment_118453177

I got through to Bisanga second time around. Did you consider any of the other Belgium based surgeons? Even though you did get it done in Athens

Jean Devroyn

Bijan Feridun

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118496201#Comment_118496201

Yes I did,I heard of the two above and their work looked excellent, I was more impressed with Dr Lupanzula (he trained under Basinga before going out on his own) Look him up,he's a top surgeon too.

I reckon per capita Belgium probably has the most big name surgeons in Europe!

The reason I went to Athens is Bisanga was in the process of setting up a clinic there with Dr Cole (well renowned ht surgeon) it was slightly cheaper to go there as he was trying get it off the ground at the time.Its not an option now so if I go for my 2nd I'll go to Belgium.

Also I had both his Athens tech team and his own Belgian tech team do implantation.The Belgians were streets ahead,a really noticeable difference so I think I'd go there and pay the extra anyway.

GenericName2

Thanks for the info. And another name to research.

Unrelated - how was overall experience? Did you tell people? Did you stay for a few days after surgery? Was shedding bad? How was work after? Where you on your way by month 4?

Appreciate the help!

elgicko

I got 2 x hair transplants in 2013, in DHI in the beacon. Chap I dealt with was Justin, nice lad. Doctor that did it was from Greece, he was a really nice guy. I was 38 at the time. I got a lifetime guarantee, haven't had to go back since.

First was a full day session front of head mainly.

2nd was a half day session. Crown mainly

Think cost was about 10k total, can't remember.

I was fully bald at front and thinning at crown. To be honest one of the best things I ever did as the results are still very good, have loads of hair in front. Crown has thinned a bit but is fine for me, I may get another quick hit in a couple of years. I did the minoxidil thing after the operation, but got a pain in my arse with it so stopped after about a year, I am not sure if it really did anything for me!

Be under no illusion, it is a very painful and strange experience, my philosophy was, a couple of days pain and looking mad for a couple of weeks, for a lifetime of hair.

If you are thinking of getting it done and you are self conscious, get it done. Yeah it is a lot of money but so are cars and drinking. Drive a cheaper car and drink less!

GenericName2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118496163#Comment_118496163

All valid points. I do like the idea of recovering at home and a follow up if needed.

The thing that gets me though, and that some others mentioned is, it costs a bomb, and for the same price you can access european ht surgeons who seem to have a great global rep with loads of examples and lads posting their experiences and progress pics.

cookie24

Recently got this done in MHR on top of Grafton street. Luckily I didn't go to Turkey cos when they shaved my head they discovered light psoriasis, so op was postponed while that was treated.

apparently that's quite common.

The op, it is pretty uncomfortable. For me it lasted about 5 hours in total.

Re finasteride, can anyone share their experience with using/not using that. I have heard various reports to both take it and to stay away from it.

mrcheez

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118499169#Comment_118499169

For Finasteride I've seen notable density increase... the dosage I take 1.25mg Mon, Wed, Fri, is very small and I haven't noticed any particular side-effects.

Not to say people can't get them, but if they do occur, you can just stop taking the medication and the side-effects will disappear. It won't damage you permanently.