Dr. Bisanga; 3503 grafts; May 2020

[BartSimpson]

Hi Everyone,

I would like to share my hair transplant experience that I had in May 2020 with Dr. Bisanga and his team in Brussels.

Before I decided to have a hair transplant procedure I was taking finasteride(1mg/day) and using minoxidil 5%(twice a day) for almost three years. Medications stopped the balding process and improved the quality of existing hair but I didn’t experience much regrowth so I started considering hair transplant.

Due to the pandemic restrictions it was a bit harder than usual to get to Brussels but I made it and began my hair transplant journey.

From the very beginning I found Dr. Bisanga and his team very professional, ethical and helpful. Despite the obstacles caused by restrictions, that didn’t depend on us, I always felt that they put my well-being at first place and they really care. It made the whole process a lot easier and less stressful.

Since my first contact with the clinic I was in touch with Ian, my patient advisor. He was extremely helpful throughout the process, answered all of my questions and gave me lots of advice to make sure that everything goes as smooth as possible and that I’m doing fine. Before the procedure I didn’t expect that this role is so important, but then I found out that it’s great to have a person, who is always there for you and can clarify all your doubts and concerns. It really gave me peace of mind before and after the procedure.

On my way to the clinic I was a little bit stressed, but right after I met Dr. Bisanga and started talking with him, all stress went away cause suddenly I felt that I’m in great hands and there is no need to worry. The pre-surgery consultation started, Dr. examined my donor and then we agreed on the design of my new hairline. I described my expectations and Dr. Bisanga drew a hairline exactly as I imagined.

Next we moved to the surgery room and started preparations for the procedure. After reading a lot of patients' stories, I was a bit afraid of anesthesia injections, but surprisingly it went really easy and was almost painless. I know it’s a very individual matter, but basically the whole procedure was relatively painless. If I would have to rate it from 0 to 10, where 0 is completely painless and 10 is extremely painful, I would give it 2.(As a reference, dental visit is 3 for me). Dr. Bisanga started the punching and after he finished, his team did the extractions. After that I had a break for a very tasty lunch and technicians examined the grafts. Dr. Bisanga made the incisions and technicians started placing the grafts. In the meantime I was watching a movie and falling asleep from time to time. No pain or discomfort during this process. After all grafts were placed, I had a conversation with Dr. Bisanga, who discussed the procedure with me (everything went as expected) and explained the aftercare. I was given all needed medicines and went back to my apartment. I didn’t feel much pain afterwards, so I didn’t take any painkillers. I stayed in Brussels for 10 days to heal and relax before my return journey. I followed post-op instructions and after these 10 days my head healed very nicely. I returned home and the waiting game started. 10 months later here I am - happy with hair on my head. Summarizing – I’m super happy that I decided to get a hair transplant done and I choose Dr. Bisanga’s clinic. Both he and his team are world-class professionals and I can honestly recommend them to everyone. I’m very pleased with the results, my hair has a really nice density and the donor area looks untouched even with a short haircut, but I believe that photos can show this better than description. It’s a great feeling to be able to style hair again. Many thanks to Dr. Bisanga and his team!

Please feel free to ask any questions.



Grafts breakdown:

1 Follicular Unit: 545 grafts

2 Follicular Unit: 1035 grafts

3 Follicular Unit: 1430 grafts

4 Follicular Unit: 493 grafts

 

[BartSimpson]

And here are photos before and just after the procedure:

 

[Kevboy]

Brilliant result at 10 months. Thanks for your detailed write up and high quality pictures.
Did you dye your hair or has the transplant changed the hair colour?

 

[Bigmac]

Hi Bart. Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your hair loss journey with us. It's good to hear that Ian has been there for you both before and after the surgery. Post op care is important and having someone as caring and passionate as Ian on call ain't a bad thing.
Surgery wise, everything went smoothly for you. Being relaxed and at ease really helps, plus the care and attention to detail Dr Bisanga provides.
It's a shame the meds didn't regrow any hair for you but maintaining what you had left and preventing more loss is the main benefit and they are doing that for you.
Your pictures are very good quality. I see Dr Bisanga extracted the finer grafts around the ears, these are great for creating a natural hairline. It looks as though a few were extracted from your sideburns too which you don't see too often.

The 3503 grafts have achieved a great result so far with coverage, density and naturalness. The donor extractions look neat and tidy, plus you healed quickly as well which is always a good thing.
How many days post op did you spray?
Do you have any other products in your hair loss regimen?

You are now in a position to style your hair like your username namesake.

Enjoy the new you.
All the best.
Bm.

 

[BartSimpson]

Thanks for your kind words guys, I appreciate it!
@Kevboy No, I didn’t dye my hair. The color depends much on the lighting conditions. Also using some styling products and having particular hairstyle can make my hair look lighter or darker.
@Bigmac After procedure I was using saline spray every two hours on recipient area for about a week until the bottle was finished. From day 2 to day 7 I sprayed IsoBetadine shampoo and from day 8 started gently massaging my scalp and added mild shampoo that was given to me. I also started applying Jojoba serum. After 3 weeks I was using minoxidil again.
Apart from finasteride and minoxidil I don’t use any anti-hairloss products.

 

[Baldingman23]

Awesome result

 

[Raphael84]

@BartSimpson
Thank you for kindly sharing your case with a very thorough write up and great quality photos to really illustrate your journey. I have no doubt that your experience and thread will go a long way to supporting other guys who are in a similar position to you pre surgery.
Thanks for your kind words, it was honestly a pleasure to be able to support you throughout and we still have a few further months to enjoy some further maturation that will carry your result to the finish line, and it's great to see you active here.
Congratulations to you, and I'm thrilled for you and your result. Hopefully you will be able to remember 2020/21 for different reasons than most of us. Enjoy!

 

[Kevboy]

What products do you use that make your hair look different shades?
Those pictures posted by Raphael really show how good your hair looks.

 

[Bigmac]

@Bigmac After procedure I was using saline spray every two hours on recipient area for about a week until the bottle was finished. From day 2 to day 7 I sprayed IsoBetadine shampoo and from day 8 started gently massaging my scalp and added mild shampoo that was given to me. I also started applying Jojoba serum. After 3 weeks I was using minoxidil again.
Apart from finasteride and minoxidil I don’t use any anti-hairloss products.

Using the spray on a regular basis really helps with the healing process. Was the IsoBetadine shampoo provide by the clinic as part of the post op care package?
Did you see any benefit in using the Jojoba serum?
Hopefully, the Finasteride and Minoxidil work well for many years to come.
You must be receiving compliments on your hair from people who were used to seeing you prior to your hair transplant.

 

[Raphael84]

For those who enjoy video presentation of patient results, here is @BartSimpson case -

 

[BartSimpson]

@Kevboy Styling product which makes my hair look darker is Reuzel Grooming Tonic, although I’m not applying it very often.
I’m also using argan oil because Minoxidil dries my hair and then they look brighter. Argan oil helps to keep them moisturized and soft.

@Bigmac
Yes, IsoBetadine shampoo was provided by the clinic in post op care package.
I think that Jojoba serum soften the scabs and made my scalp felt less „tight”.
People who haven’t seen me for a while are having hard time recognizing me at the first glance.

 

[Bigmac]

Thanks for the confirmation. They certainly do seem to have worked well for you.
I can imagine the people looking at you strangely.
What do they say once they realise or you tell them you had a hair transplant?

 

[Kevboy]

I’ve heard Argan oil is really good for your hair and scalp. I might treat my hair to it.

 

[BartSimpson]

@Bigmac
Most people don't know I had a HT and they're just thinking that I've grown my hair, because prior to HT I was shaving my head and due to pandemics they didn't see me after procedure for couple of months, so they couldn't notice that there was something done on my head. People, who are closer, know about HT and they're saying it looks very natural and hair suits me.

Here are 1 year update photos:

 

[Baldingman23]

That looks great Bart!!! Bet you are very happy with that result

 

[Raphael84]

@BartSimpson
Thank you for sharing your 12 month update. What a transformation. You have really come a long way looking at your pre surgery photos.
I am thrilled for you. Thanks again for such a thorough write up and hopefully 2020 will be a year that you will remember for more positive and different reasons than most of us.
Brilliant!

 

[harry1001]

Oh wow, what a great result.

 

[Bigmac]

Hi Bart, your result looks great. The hairline is looking very natural and a decent density.
It’s good to hear no one other than people you told have any idea you had a hair transplant.
Happy days for you.
Thanks for the update.
All the best.
‘Bm.