Dr Ron Shapiro 2099 FUT in Feb 2014 & Dr Edward Ball April 2022

[firetrapuk]

Hi All,

First time posting here but thought I would share my journey as sharing is caring and I've gained so much great advice from these forums.

I'll summarise here and then post pictures in further threads:

Round 1 : Ron Shapiro @ Shapiro Medical | February 2014 | 2099 Grafts FUT

So I had my first procedure back in February 2014 with Ron Shapiro of Shapiro Medical at age 34. I think I first started receding in my late 20's. It was around the time that Wayne Rooney had his first hair transplant so this is what made me aware that this was possible. There weren't that many clinics in the UK and the one which Wayne used suddenly had a massive waiting list.

I did a bit of research and Shapiro's was came back in the top 10. I travelled to Minneapolis from the UK and had the FUT procedure for 2099 grafts. Pictures to follow.

Round 2: Dr Edward Ball @ Maitland Clinic | April 2022 | 1952 Grafts FUT

Fast forward 8 years and I felt I would benefit from another round. I hadn't taken any Finasteride and wasn't using Minoxidil throughout this time. I tried both for a bit but gave up. I did however start again after my first consultation with the Maitland Clinic in February this year and will continue to use both going ahead.

I had a further 1952 grafts from FUT. Pictures to follow.

Feel free to ask any questions on either procedures. I'll be able to provide better details of the Maitland clinic as all I seem to remember about Shapiro Medical is how damn cold Minneapolis is!

 

[firetrapuk]

2014 - Before Any Procedures - Age 34

 

[firetrapuk]

2014 - Post 2099 FUT with Ron Shapiro

None of strip scar I'm afraid

 

[firetrapuk]

2015 - 2018 ish post Ron Shaprio

Apologies I didn't really take that many photo's of my journey after Ron Shapiro but here are some screenshots around the time between 2015 and 2018

 

[firetrapuk]

Feb 2022 - Before Dr Edward Ball- Age 42

 

[firetrapuk]

April 2022 - Day 1 Post Op - Dr Edward Ball - 1952 FUT

 

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Day 3

 

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Day 9 - taken 28/04/2022

 

[firetrapuk]

Shout if you have any questions or want to see any more pictures.

I'll continue to document progress.

Thanks all

 

[Bigmac]

Hi Firetrapuk. The work and result from Dr Shapiro looked good. With you stopping the meds it looks as though you lost the remaining native hair in your frontal third. Why did you stop them?
The transplanted hairs that were left look natural, the HT does not look artificial in anyway, it’s as though natural thinning.
This second HT by Dr ball looks very similar to Dr Shapiros work. It`s very nice, clean and refined. Your post-op healing looks good. You'll be due your sutures or staples out.
Being back on Finasteride will hopefully prevent the need for more surgery in the future.
How is your crown holding up?
ps, Mn is definitely cold in February.
Thanks for sharing your story. I`ll look forward to following your progress.

 

[firetrapuk]

Hi Firetrapuk. The work and result from Dr Shapiro looked good. With you stopping the meds it looks as though you lost the remaining native hair in your frontal third. Why did you stop them?
The transplanted hairs that were left look natural, the HT does not look artificial in anyway, it’s as though natural thinning.
This second HT by Dr ball looks very similar to Dr Shapiros work. It`s very nice, clean and refined. Your post-op healing looks good. You'll be due your sutures or staples out.
Being back on Finasteride will hopefully prevent the need for more surgery in the future.
How is your crown holding up?
ps, Mn is definitely cold in February.
Thanks for sharing your story. I`ll look forward to following your progress.

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I stopped the meds as I felt I was getting some slight weight gain around the chest (moobs). I also got married and was planning to have children so came off to due to the warnings around fertility. We were successful but through IVF due to my low sperm count /quality. I'm not sure if that was due to the 6-12 months I spent on Finasteride or other factors such as age.

I've switched to 1mg Propecia daily now instead of the 5mg Finasteride tablets I used to break down into the 1mg daily amounts.(fiddly). I haven't noticed any side effects this time and as I'm not planning any further children, so 'll continue for the foreseeable.

My stitches are coming out next Tuesday 3rd. I sent my 10 day photos to the clinic and the donor area is healing well.

Crown has faired well. I'll locate some more before photo's and upload together with my progress, I'm hoping my continued use of Propecia and Regaine will control future loss.

Cheers

 

[Bigmac]

Having slight moobs is my only side from Finasteride, more like extra fatty tissue than a pair. Good to hear you were successful in starting a family. IVF is an amazing treatment. Nice to hear you’ve restarted with Propecia and no sides.
It will feel good having the sutures removed. Propecia is great for maintaining crowns.
I`ll look forward to seeing your next update.

 

[janna]

Hi Firetrapuk!
How nice to see a SMG and a TMC patient posting - two of my favourite clinics. I'm sure I was around for your 1st procedure in Minnesota. It does get horribly cold here in the winters so it's not too surprising if that's all you remember. I do have to say tho that from your pre surgery pics at TMC, the recipient area looks very natural.

Congrats on your 2nd surgery, you're healing up well and I'm looking forward to following your progress. I'm sure you'll end up with another brilliant result.

 

[firetrapuk]

Hi Firetrapuk!
How nice to see a SMG and a TMC patient posting - two of my favourite clinics. I'm sure I was around for your 1st procedure in Minnesota. It does get horribly cold here in the winters so it's not too surprising if that's all you remember. I do have to say tho that from your pre surgery pics at TMC, the recipient area looks very natural.

Congrats on your 2nd surgery, you're healing up well and I'm looking forward to following your progress. I'm sure you'll end up with another brilliant result.

Thanks Janna,

Shapiro Medical was fantastic and I was extremely happy with my results over time. As you say, despite further thinning of my natural hair the transplanted hair never looked artificial.

I don't think you were actually there on my day as your name as crossed out on the report. Its a shame I didn't have chance to meet you as Dr Ball spoke enthusiastically about his time working with you.

Cheers

 

[Bigmac]

How is everything progressing?

 

[firetrapuk]

Hi Bigmac, thanks for checking in, hope you are well.

So I'm about 3.5 months now. Not sure if I've had any new growth yet but my hairline is feeling thicker. Maybe some grafts never shed or may be the result of the propecia (1mg a day) and the Regaine (2 x a day)?

I've attached some photos:
1st from my initial chat beginning of March
2nd from Day of surgery in April
3rd from Today

 

[firetrapuk]

I will post more photo's from more angles over the coming months. Thanks

 

[Bigmac]

In the latest picture your hairline appears to be full with an even density. I’d say you’re having early growth on this basis. The meds should be helping. I take it you’re ok with them.
I’ll look forward to seeing your next round of pictures.
I`m doing ok, hope you are too. And thanks for the update.

 

[firetrapuk]

Hi everyone, hope you are all keeping well.
Its been 6 months since my transplant with Dr Ball at the Maitland clinic so I though I would share my latest photos.
I'm very happy with the results so far and even if this it as much growth as I get, I'm over the moon with the outcome.
Big thanks to Dr Ball and everyone at the Maitland Clinic.
Let me know your thoughts or questions. Thanks all.

 

[firetrapuk]

Here's another from the right hand side, without my hand pulling on it.