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Posts by David Young58
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June 16, 2021
Day 1 of HTA, Phase 1.
Things kicked off just after 7:00 AM. I have to admit, I actually slept pretty well. I wasn't feeling stressed at all; instead, I had this really solid gut feeling that something good was about to happen. Honestly, my adrenaline was through the roof.
I headed down to the lower level with Dr. Sever and stepped into the operating room. It’s a serious setup—you’ve got an automated surgical bed, massive overhead lighting, and all sorts of specialized equipment. There's also this long, heavy-duty workstation in the room equipped with four different microscopes. The Hattingen Clinic uses high-end stereoscopic microscopes that allow them to perform absolute miracles when it comes to preparing the strips and dissecting grafts. Honestly, that level of precision was one of the main reasons I decided to pull the trigger and have my procedure done here.
Another thing that really blew me away was the level of expertise in the room. Their technicians aren't just some rookies; they’ve been in the game for over a decade. You can tell they’re incredibly well-trained and fully prepared for whatever task is thrown at them.
I went through the hairline design process with Dr. Sever again today. I’m really sorry, guys, but I completely failed to snap a selfie of the session. Honestly, my head was just spinning with everything we discussed; I was way too focused on thinking about the long-term outcome to worry about my phone. The hairline itself is conservative, which is exactly what I was looking for. One thing to note: Dr. Sever designs the lines to be slightly asymmetrical near the temples. He argues that chasing perfect symmetry is a mistake and actually looks fake—his approach is all about ensuring the final result looks completely natural. It’s not a new concept to me, either. Even the team over at Bisangin suggested this exact same strategy for my hairline.
I sat down with the doctor and went through a massive pile of photos—some were official scans from my medical records, while others were just stuff from my own private collection. Most of them were shots from back when my hair loss was really hitting its peak, showing exactly how much my hairline had receded and how things looked during different stages of the process.
I also showed him some shots of me wearing the Hairpiece. I included a few where the piece was sitting lower, but mostly I focused on the ones where it was positioned a bit higher up.
I pointed out exactly where I stick my hairpiece on my forelock. What really impressed me was that he actually sketched out the hairline himself before I even had a chance to show him where I wanted it.
My piece actually had this rounded shape to it, which basically meant it was covering way more area in the temple zones than where my actual natural hairline was drawn.
We actually talked about this. I told him straight up that my 3D perception is pretty much non-existent, so I asked if there was any way he could show me what it would actually look like, just so I have a rough idea.
The doctor made his move, then just buried his face in his hands like he couldn't believe what he was looking at.
He gave me a pretty good idea of how my hair is actually going to look once I've dealt with the ocean, daily showers, and swimming pools.
Then he went ahead and gave me his take on what the results would actually look like once everything dries down and the final density settles in—around a two. Honestly, that part really stuck with me in a good way.
You have to keep in mind that my original hairline was already shot years ago, so I’ve honestly forgotten what it feels like when hair actually grows properly. You know, when the hair grows at a natural angle and isn't thinning out—where it actually covers a specific area of ground. It sounds easy enough to say that it's just "logical" how things work, but in practice? It’s really not that simple...
I mean, I knew I was going to be looking at a pretty conservative hairline design, but honestly, what they laid out for me wasn't much different from just wearing a hairpiece. It was that close. Still, I decided to go ahead and accept the plan they offered—though we did make one minor adjustment regarding the distance from the glabella toward the forelock after I stepped in to clarify exactly where I had measured it myself.
Since hair growth isn't actually going to kick in for another three months, I won't really know what my final hairline looks like until about the five or six-month mark—and I won't see the full density until I hit the one-year point.
And that's when everything kicks off—the actual surgery begins.
First, you take the pills, then you lie down on the bed. They place your head through this clear frame, which—honestly? It’s easily the most uncomfortable part of the whole process. It’s not that it actually hurts, but you don't feel like you have full access to the air around you, and you're basically blind to what's happening. I ended up stuck in that position for at least 60 minutes or so. While I was lying there, the doctor mapped out the strip zone. It was roughly 13.5 cm long with a width of about 2.5 cm. (For context, the maximum they ever did at the Hattingen Clinic was 3 cm due to skin laxity!)
You also get local anesthesia. To be honest, I thought the whole process of getting numbed up was a joke. You feel a few quick stabs, and that’s about it. I honestly don't get how some guys claim this part is excruciatingly painful.
Then the team rolls in. It’s Laura Sever and the four technicians. Honestly, Laura is such a sweetheart. She made it very clear right from the start that the operating table isn't the place to try and play the hero; she told me if I feel even the slightest bit of discomfort or any kind of pain, I need to speak up immediately.
They injected some extra solutions and more anesthesia to keep things numb.
Honestly, nobody really prepares you for that exact moment when they start the cutting phase. 😉
Though, looking back, I think it’s fair. The sensation is just... weird. It’s almost like hearing someone scratching or scraping something against a cardboard or wooden surface somewhere in the distance. Obviously, there’s zero pain or discomfort involved. I didn't experience any of that "popping" sensation people talk about online. Once the strip is harvested, the stitching begins. The whole process is pretty quick. You’re fully aware that they are closing the skin back up. There’s this distinct feeling of pressure when the clamps are applied, and you feel a sort of tightness deep down, but again, no actual pain. It’s just that sensation of being "squeezed" for about a minute.
Once the strip is ready, it goes over to the technician's station. I took a few photos, so I’ll post one here. Hopefully, it isn't too gross.
https://ibb.co/g91326z
After that, you can actually watch the technicians work. They cut the strip and prep everything under microscopes for the next stage.
You can get a good look at the final product and the individual steps. I actually got to see how they group the grafts into:
sets of 1, 2, 3, and 4 hairs.
Meanwhile, Laura started making the new incision sites for the follicles. If I remember correctly, she uses a 4mm depth with a 0.8 or 0.9 punch. I can't recall the exact specs.
The rest of the procedure is a long haul. Once the grafts are prepped, they go into a solution to ensure they stay viable. Laura mentioned they could sit like that for a good part of the day, but they aim to implant them within a couple of hours. They operate on a "first come, first served" basis—basically, the first graft harvested is the first one placed in the recipient site, and so on.
Once the recipient area is all set (there's more anesthesia, obviously; the stinging sensation is maybe a 1.5 out of 5), we take a break for lunch.
At any point, you can ask for water, a trip to the restroom, or even some of the chocolates they have sitting out.
When the break is over, you head back to the chair. You can lean back comfortably; the bed setup is actually great. I wore comfy stretchy pants—basically pajamas—and bare legs, wearing one of their medical shirts.
When you're finished, you absolutely have to wear something button-down, because you cannot pull anything over your head.
The entire implantation process lasted until about 4:00 PM.
My back and neck didn't hurt at all.
I was able to check out what was happening on my scalp through a mirror. Laura showed me how the implanter works. It’s kind of like a "tattoo gun"—you press a button, and the hair pops out.
Laura personally handled my 5,500 incisions. Seriously, no one besides the doctor touched my scalp, not during the strip harvesting and not during the incisions.
Then the technicians coordinate with the doctor to get everything implanted. Here was the final count for the day:
2,700 grafts.
They told me straight away that we’d surpass 5,500 by tomorrow, and we might even hit 6,000.
At the end, I was given a solution that I need to spray at 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 10:00 PM, before bed, and if I wake up in the night. You spray it onto something that looks like gauze so that it gets completely soaked.
On top of that, you wear a Bandan, so you can move around the place normally.
I took a very short walk around 9:00 PM. I also have Ibuprofen and antibiotics to take. Ms. Carmen helped me via WhatsApp to set up my bed at a 45-degree angle (it helps prevent swelling—can you imagine? Hahaha).
I used a travel pillow. I actually went full BDSM on myself, tying my left leg to the bed and my right hand to the chair, surrounded by soft pillows. The doctor gave me a look when I told him tomorrow, but I just wanted to be certain I wouldn't accidentally bump into anything or scratch myself.
Miraculously, I fell asleep almost immediately since I was exhausted from the previous days. I passed out around 5:30 AM, practically in the same position. I'd say the pain level was a 1.5 out of 5. Honestly, it barely hurt at all.
Tired, but not totally wiped out, I was waiting around at 7 AM for phase 2
Day 1 of HTA, Phase 1.
Things kicked off just after 7:00 AM. I have to admit, I actually slept pretty well. I wasn't feeling stressed at all; instead, I had this really solid gut feeling that something good was about to happen. Honestly, my adrenaline was through the roof.
I headed down to the lower level with Dr. Sever and stepped into the operating room. It’s a serious setup—you’ve got an automated surgical bed, massive overhead lighting, and all sorts of specialized equipment. There's also this long, heavy-duty workstation in the room equipped with four different microscopes. The Hattingen Clinic uses high-end stereoscopic microscopes that allow them to perform absolute miracles when it comes to preparing the strips and dissecting grafts. Honestly, that level of precision was one of the main reasons I decided to pull the trigger and have my procedure done here.
Another thing that really blew me away was the level of expertise in the room. Their technicians aren't just some rookies; they’ve been in the game for over a decade. You can tell they’re incredibly well-trained and fully prepared for whatever task is thrown at them.
I went through the hairline design process with Dr. Sever again today. I’m really sorry, guys, but I completely failed to snap a selfie of the session. Honestly, my head was just spinning with everything we discussed; I was way too focused on thinking about the long-term outcome to worry about my phone. The hairline itself is conservative, which is exactly what I was looking for. One thing to note: Dr. Sever designs the lines to be slightly asymmetrical near the temples. He argues that chasing perfect symmetry is a mistake and actually looks fake—his approach is all about ensuring the final result looks completely natural. It’s not a new concept to me, either. Even the team over at Bisangin suggested this exact same strategy for my hairline.
I sat down with the doctor and went through a massive pile of photos—some were official scans from my medical records, while others were just stuff from my own private collection. Most of them were shots from back when my hair loss was really hitting its peak, showing exactly how much my hairline had receded and how things looked during different stages of the process.
I also showed him some shots of me wearing the Hairpiece. I included a few where the piece was sitting lower, but mostly I focused on the ones where it was positioned a bit higher up.
I pointed out exactly where I stick my hairpiece on my forelock. What really impressed me was that he actually sketched out the hairline himself before I even had a chance to show him where I wanted it.
My piece actually had this rounded shape to it, which basically meant it was covering way more area in the temple zones than where my actual natural hairline was drawn.
We actually talked about this. I told him straight up that my 3D perception is pretty much non-existent, so I asked if there was any way he could show me what it would actually look like, just so I have a rough idea.
The doctor made his move, then just buried his face in his hands like he couldn't believe what he was looking at.
He gave me a pretty good idea of how my hair is actually going to look once I've dealt with the ocean, daily showers, and swimming pools.
Then he went ahead and gave me his take on what the results would actually look like once everything dries down and the final density settles in—around a two. Honestly, that part really stuck with me in a good way.
You have to keep in mind that my original hairline was already shot years ago, so I’ve honestly forgotten what it feels like when hair actually grows properly. You know, when the hair grows at a natural angle and isn't thinning out—where it actually covers a specific area of ground. It sounds easy enough to say that it's just "logical" how things work, but in practice? It’s really not that simple...
I mean, I knew I was going to be looking at a pretty conservative hairline design, but honestly, what they laid out for me wasn't much different from just wearing a hairpiece. It was that close. Still, I decided to go ahead and accept the plan they offered—though we did make one minor adjustment regarding the distance from the glabella toward the forelock after I stepped in to clarify exactly where I had measured it myself.
Since hair growth isn't actually going to kick in for another three months, I won't really know what my final hairline looks like until about the five or six-month mark—and I won't see the full density until I hit the one-year point.
And that's when everything kicks off—the actual surgery begins.
First, you take the pills, then you lie down on the bed. They place your head through this clear frame, which—honestly? It’s easily the most uncomfortable part of the whole process. It’s not that it actually hurts, but you don't feel like you have full access to the air around you, and you're basically blind to what's happening. I ended up stuck in that position for at least 60 minutes or so. While I was lying there, the doctor mapped out the strip zone. It was roughly 13.5 cm long with a width of about 2.5 cm. (For context, the maximum they ever did at the Hattingen Clinic was 3 cm due to skin laxity!)
You also get local anesthesia. To be honest, I thought the whole process of getting numbed up was a joke. You feel a few quick stabs, and that’s about it. I honestly don't get how some guys claim this part is excruciatingly painful.
Then the team rolls in. It’s Laura Sever and the four technicians. Honestly, Laura is such a sweetheart. She made it very clear right from the start that the operating table isn't the place to try and play the hero; she told me if I feel even the slightest bit of discomfort or any kind of pain, I need to speak up immediately.
They injected some extra solutions and more anesthesia to keep things numb.
Honestly, nobody really prepares you for that exact moment when they start the cutting phase. 😉
Though, looking back, I think it’s fair. The sensation is just... weird. It’s almost like hearing someone scratching or scraping something against a cardboard or wooden surface somewhere in the distance. Obviously, there’s zero pain or discomfort involved. I didn't experience any of that "popping" sensation people talk about online. Once the strip is harvested, the stitching begins. The whole process is pretty quick. You’re fully aware that they are closing the skin back up. There’s this distinct feeling of pressure when the clamps are applied, and you feel a sort of tightness deep down, but again, no actual pain. It’s just that sensation of being "squeezed" for about a minute.
Once the strip is ready, it goes over to the technician's station. I took a few photos, so I’ll post one here. Hopefully, it isn't too gross.
https://ibb.co/g91326z
After that, you can actually watch the technicians work. They cut the strip and prep everything under microscopes for the next stage.
You can get a good look at the final product and the individual steps. I actually got to see how they group the grafts into:
sets of 1, 2, 3, and 4 hairs.
Meanwhile, Laura started making the new incision sites for the follicles. If I remember correctly, she uses a 4mm depth with a 0.8 or 0.9 punch. I can't recall the exact specs.
The rest of the procedure is a long haul. Once the grafts are prepped, they go into a solution to ensure they stay viable. Laura mentioned they could sit like that for a good part of the day, but they aim to implant them within a couple of hours. They operate on a "first come, first served" basis—basically, the first graft harvested is the first one placed in the recipient site, and so on.
Once the recipient area is all set (there's more anesthesia, obviously; the stinging sensation is maybe a 1.5 out of 5), we take a break for lunch.
At any point, you can ask for water, a trip to the restroom, or even some of the chocolates they have sitting out.
When the break is over, you head back to the chair. You can lean back comfortably; the bed setup is actually great. I wore comfy stretchy pants—basically pajamas—and bare legs, wearing one of their medical shirts.
When you're finished, you absolutely have to wear something button-down, because you cannot pull anything over your head.
The entire implantation process lasted until about 4:00 PM.
My back and neck didn't hurt at all.
I was able to check out what was happening on my scalp through a mirror. Laura showed me how the implanter works. It’s kind of like a "tattoo gun"—you press a button, and the hair pops out.
Laura personally handled my 5,500 incisions. Seriously, no one besides the doctor touched my scalp, not during the strip harvesting and not during the incisions.
Then the technicians coordinate with the doctor to get everything implanted. Here was the final count for the day:
2,700 grafts.
They told me straight away that we’d surpass 5,500 by tomorrow, and we might even hit 6,000.
At the end, I was given a solution that I need to spray at 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 10:00 PM, before bed, and if I wake up in the night. You spray it onto something that looks like gauze so that it gets completely soaked.
On top of that, you wear a Bandan, so you can move around the place normally.
I took a very short walk around 9:00 PM. I also have Ibuprofen and antibiotics to take. Ms. Carmen helped me via WhatsApp to set up my bed at a 45-degree angle (it helps prevent swelling—can you imagine? Hahaha).
I used a travel pillow. I actually went full BDSM on myself, tying my left leg to the bed and my right hand to the chair, surrounded by soft pillows. The doctor gave me a look when I told him tomorrow, but I just wanted to be certain I wouldn't accidentally bump into anything or scratch myself.
Miraculously, I fell asleep almost immediately since I was exhausted from the previous days. I passed out around 5:30 AM, practically in the same position. I'd say the pain level was a 1.5 out of 5. Honestly, it barely hurt at all.
Tired, but not totally wiped out, I was waiting around at 7 AM for phase 2
Morning, everyone. I’m coming up on my fourth full day post-HTA at the Mayo Clinic, and honestly, I’m starting to feel physically better, so I figured it was time to drop an update here.
June 15, 2021
Consultation Day
I headed over to the Mayo Clinic's new facilities (they moved in March 2021) located in the scenic little town of Staten Island. There's a direct line from San Francisco that takes about 12 or 13 minutes, plus a quick 3 or 4-minute walk from the bus stop.
The clinic is on an upper floor and features a reception desk, a waiting area, a restroom, the doctor's office, and a station for patients to wash their hair (which I didn't realize until the next day). I knocked on the door, and Dr. Sever Muresanu stepped out to meet me—the same guy I’d been Skype calling four times leading up to this.
I wasn't sure if I should expect a massive crowd, but that day, it was just the two of us. Total privacy.
After some casual small talk with Dr. Sever, we got down to business.
Using a comb with a specialized handle, he mapped out a part in the area where the skull has that specific "ridge"—you know the one, right between the ears.
His very first reaction when looking at me from behind was that he expected to see more hair than what was actually there... I was honestly stunned. I sat there in a total daze for maybe 15 or 20 seconds while he examined the parting area with his magnifying tool—basically a high-tech microscope for the scalp. I actually started panicking, thinking there was no way I could hit that 5,000 graft estimate. I was just sitting there thinking, "WTF?!" We hadn't even started, and I was already getting bad news...
Luckily, things took a much better turn pretty quickly.
After a bit of mumbling to himself, the doctor pointed out that a visual inspection, combing, or just running your fingers through your hair doesn't always reflect the microscopic reality of the follicles. Fortunately, I fell into the "good" category.😉
He told me that while my overall scalp density looks average, my follicle grouping is actually excellent.
Once he finished checking the back of my head, he moved on to the sides, checking the left side first and then the right (more combing and magnifying).
At this stage, the doctor noted that my donor area is pretty average, and the density there is slightly lower, but that’s pretty standard for most people.
He also checked my scalp laxity by doing a sort of pinching test. It wasn't "fantastic," but it was definitely very good.
Then I asked him what he thought about the hair I still have left (I posted photos above, and you can see there's still a bit of life left in the forelock and the bridge). He examined my mid-scalp and crown and confirmed that a good portion of it is undergoing miniaturization, though in some spots, it’s quite advanced.
The conclusion? "We will go through your hair." Basically, while they work on the recipient areas, they’ll be punching new holes through existing follicles. This means one part of the hair might go through a heavy shed and never grow back, but another part of the hair will stay intact and recover.
After that, the doc sketched out my new hairline. I'll dive deeper into that in my next post.
June 15, 2021
Consultation Day
I headed over to the Mayo Clinic's new facilities (they moved in March 2021) located in the scenic little town of Staten Island. There's a direct line from San Francisco that takes about 12 or 13 minutes, plus a quick 3 or 4-minute walk from the bus stop.
The clinic is on an upper floor and features a reception desk, a waiting area, a restroom, the doctor's office, and a station for patients to wash their hair (which I didn't realize until the next day). I knocked on the door, and Dr. Sever Muresanu stepped out to meet me—the same guy I’d been Skype calling four times leading up to this.
I wasn't sure if I should expect a massive crowd, but that day, it was just the two of us. Total privacy.
After some casual small talk with Dr. Sever, we got down to business.
Using a comb with a specialized handle, he mapped out a part in the area where the skull has that specific "ridge"—you know the one, right between the ears.
His very first reaction when looking at me from behind was that he expected to see more hair than what was actually there... I was honestly stunned. I sat there in a total daze for maybe 15 or 20 seconds while he examined the parting area with his magnifying tool—basically a high-tech microscope for the scalp. I actually started panicking, thinking there was no way I could hit that 5,000 graft estimate. I was just sitting there thinking, "WTF?!" We hadn't even started, and I was already getting bad news...
Luckily, things took a much better turn pretty quickly.
After a bit of mumbling to himself, the doctor pointed out that a visual inspection, combing, or just running your fingers through your hair doesn't always reflect the microscopic reality of the follicles. Fortunately, I fell into the "good" category.😉
He told me that while my overall scalp density looks average, my follicle grouping is actually excellent.
Once he finished checking the back of my head, he moved on to the sides, checking the left side first and then the right (more combing and magnifying).
At this stage, the doctor noted that my donor area is pretty average, and the density there is slightly lower, but that’s pretty standard for most people.
He also checked my scalp laxity by doing a sort of pinching test. It wasn't "fantastic," but it was definitely very good.
Then I asked him what he thought about the hair I still have left (I posted photos above, and you can see there's still a bit of life left in the forelock and the bridge). He examined my mid-scalp and crown and confirmed that a good portion of it is undergoing miniaturization, though in some spots, it’s quite advanced.
The conclusion? "We will go through your hair." Basically, while they work on the recipient areas, they’ll be punching new holes through existing follicles. This means one part of the hair might go through a heavy shed and never grow back, but another part of the hair will stay intact and recover.
After that, the doc sketched out my new hairline. I'll dive deeper into that in my next post.
Benjamin Rodriguez6 said:Man, the surgery days are already here. Good luck, brother! 👍
I don't recall seeing photos of your donor area before, but man, if you haven't even started on Finasteride yet, you are sitting on a goldmine. Your donor site looks incredibly solid—those hairs are actually thick and strong. Honestly, once things really start moving, your results are going to be absolutely explosive.
You could easily handle another two FUE sessions after this one, provided you don't lose your mind dealing with the whole process all over again. 👍
Well, the moment has finally arrived. Honestly, I thought this was never going to happen—especially with that red list hanging over our heads like a dark cloud.
Thank God, I’m finally down to the wire—just a few more days left until this whole thing is behind me.
Yeah, looking at the photos, the donor area seems pretty solid. But let’s be real—the pictures only tell half the story. Once you actually get in there with a USB microscope, the reality hits a bit differently. Dr. Sever already pointed out that my donor density is just average, so we'll see. It's going to be interesting to find out exactly how many grafts we can actually pull from all of this.
I'll definitely get that report submitted. 😉
Samuel Lee8 said:David Young58,
I just took a closer look at your photos.
-and honestly, choosing FUT for your first procedure is 100% the right call in your case.
The clinic you picked is top-tier.
Good luck.
Hey Samuel Lee8. Yeah, while FUT might not be an absolute "must" for me, I really think it's the smartest move to make right now. I've been doing my homework on sites like Shapiro Medical Group (they're definitely among the best in the USA) or even checking out Maral Clinic (those old pros who deal with HTA).
They provide charts showing how a certain amount of FUT grafts can cover a Norwood 5,5000 situation pretty effectively. I actually love those visual breakdowns; they make the math so much easier to wrap your head around.
For instance, my hairpiece area is about 12.5x12.5. But once you factor in the hair that needs to extend toward the back, we're looking at closer to 12.5x15.
Usually, for a Norwood 5, people talk about needing roughly 200 square centimeters of coverage. Of course, the big question remains: how much donor hair is actually left in between?
We'll see how everything plays out soon enough. At the end of the day, there are no guarantees.
Rachel Brooks63 said:Why on earth would you choose an expensive Swiss clinic for such a <> trivial procedure, instead of some (I assume) 10 or 15 times cheaper clinic in America? Honestly, we don't even know if you're from the US, so options like clinics in Mexico or South America—where the exact same procedure might be 20 times cheaper—are even on the table, right?
Hey, Jose Miller3. Look, since I'm relatively young at 32, but I'm dealing with a high Norwood 5 stage, I decided a long time ago that I was going to shell out a serious amount of cash for HT. I'm from the US, but that’s not really the point here.
It took me a while to make up my mind, but I finally pulled the trigger on the FUT option.
I picked a top-tier clinic because I want an incredible result. Of course, there's a chance I could have done this somewhere much cheaper and gotten a very similar outcome.
But that’s just not who I am. For myself, I want the absolute best. I've been saving up for years specifically for this procedure. Believe me, I'd be just as relieved if I had only paid 4,000 or 5,000 Euros for HT. Anything that cost ten times less would have been an immediate "no" for me.
I didn't even consider local clinics, nor any in the surrounding regions, because they just don't have the reputation. That's the simple answer.
Since I'm going with FUT now, I'll probably look into FUE in the future and try to find a more budget-friendly option then.
For now, the plan is to finally get rid of these bald spots I've been carrying for years and get my life back to normal. In my opinion, you shouldn't skimp even a little bit when it comes to this kind of thing.
So, I wouldn't exactly agree that HT is a "trivial" matter.
However, the travel and lodging costs *are* trivial. I can agree with you there.
Between travel, the stay, and extra expenses, I'll end up spending about 600 Euros. I definitely wish I wasn't forced to deal with those extra costs, but it is what it is.
I'll be staying in Switzerland and Germany for 16 nights. And that's quite a long stay.
https://ibb.co/hRtYKMH
https://ibb.co/jw7PJ2N
https://ibb.co/ZGJqYMp
https://ibb.co/7bbT0d8
https://ibb.co/pbdgkfM
https://ibb.co/zGGBjWQ
With a quick disclaimer—the lighting here isn't technically perfect...
But I think you can clearly see the progress of one Norwood 5 case right here.
I'm planning on posting some updated photos in about two weeks or so.
https://ibb.co/jw7PJ2N
https://ibb.co/ZGJqYMp
https://ibb.co/7bbT0d8
https://ibb.co/pbdgkfM
https://ibb.co/zGGBjWQ
With a quick disclaimer—the lighting here isn't technically perfect...
But I think you can clearly see the progress of one Norwood 5 case right here.
I'm planning on posting some updated photos in about two weeks or so.
Hey everyone! I figured I’d jump in here and share my personal journey through hair transplantation. My plan is to drop regular updates with useful info about what I’m going through—the highs, the lows, the struggles, and everything in between. I also intend to post photos periodically so you guys can track the actual regrowth process and see how things progress in real-time.
I’ll be heading over to Switzerland to have the procedure done in the San Francisco area, specifically in Staten Island, which is just a quick hop from the main hub of San Francisco. The surgery will be handled by the expert team at the Mayo Clinic, led by none other than Dr. Sever Muresanu.
The big day is set for June 16th and 17th, 2021—so, just a few days away now. We're looking at transplanting roughly 5,000 follicular units (FU), or "grafts" as most people call them in the community. I’m actually pretty curious to see how accurate the doctor's estimate is—whether we hit that 5,000 mark, or if it ends up being slightly more or less (I'm totally fine either way).
The whole thing is split into two stages over two days. The idea is to transplant an equal number of grafts during each session.
I've opted for the FUT technique (follicular unit transplantation, often called the "strip method"), which focuses on a relatively small donor area. To be honest, FUT is definitely more invasive than FUE. While FUE has become the go-to standard in the industry because it leaves behind tiny little scars that let you wear your hair super short, FUT leaves a linear scar stretching from one ear all the way around the back to the other. With FUE, you have much more freedom with your hairstyle, including those buzz cuts. If you go the FUT route, you generally need to keep the hair around the scar a bit longer so the surrounding hair can mask it. That said, if the procedure is done at a top-tier facility by pros like this team, the scar becomes practically invisible once you heal—as long as you don't decide to shave it all off.
The massive upside to FUT is that it allows us to harvest a huge number of grafts from a small area; you can actually pull significantly more grafts via FUT than you ever could with FUE. Plus, because we're only tapping into such a small donor zone, the density in the rest of my hair stays intact, leaving the door open for future procedures (whether FUT or FUE) down the road.
Since I'm 32 and dealing with significant hair loss on the Norwood-Hamilton scale—specifically NW5—I decided on FUT after a ton of soul-searching and research. This wasn't some snap decision. It took me a really long time to weigh the pros and cons of FUT versus FUE.
Given that we're aiming for around 5,000 grafts, this is essentially what you'd call a "mega-session."
I’ve already had four Skype consultations with Dr. Muresanu, and we’ve mapped out the following goals:
1. Reconstruct a brand new Hairline.
2. Heavily densify the front third of my scalp.
3. Use whatever grafts are left to fill in the midscalp and crown areas.
That’s the theoretical plan, but I’ll be sitting down with him on June 15th during my in-person consultation to finalize the specific approach and surgical roadmap.
Just to reiterate—like many people in this situation, I consider a successful outcome to be fully reconstructing that front third of my scalp. As long as the rest of my hair looks decent enough to cover up with hair thickening fibers (nanofibers), I'll be happy. I'm not chasing some impossible fantasy; I know exactly what hair transplants can and cannot do, and I have realistic expectations. I'm also completely open to having another session in the future.
So, I'm currently 32 years old. I first started noticing the thinning in my mid-20s while I was still in college. I don't want to turn this thread into a vent session about the emotions and psychological toll this takes—I know most of us here come to these forums to swap stories and support each other through the mental side of it. Let's just say I've been losing my hair for over 12 years now. I've already touched on the more emotional aspects in the general "Male Hair Loss" discussion thread.
My plan is to document this entire journey from start to finish. I want to cover everything: why I ultimately chose the Hattingen Clinic, the actual transplant procedure itself, and then the full recovery process through photos and testimonials over the following months—tracking my progress from month 1 all the way through month 12.
For years, I went back and forth on whether I should actually pull the trigger on a hair transplant. The turning point came when I hit my mid-20s; looking in the mirror, I could clearly see how aggressive my hair loss was going to be in the near future. For a long time, I tried using hair fibers to mask the thinning areas, specifically targeting my hairline and the crown. Once it became obvious that the loss wasn't stopping, I started considering more drastic measures—like buying a wig, a hair system, or whatever you call those things. After I actually started experimenting with hair systems, I spent a ton of time scouring the internet, reading both the glowing reviews and the horror stories on various forums. I reached out to clinics in the UK, Belgium, and Turkey. I did consider inquiring with some of the high-end, prestigious clinics in North America, but honestly, the cost for a project like this would have been completely out of my reach.
In November 2020, I finally got in touch with the Hattingen Clinic. My initial communication was via email with Ms. Carmen, and after a few weeks, I had the chance to meet with Dr. Sever via Skype. I should mention that I spoke with Dr. Sever no fewer than four times: three separate times in the months leading up to the surgery, and then a fourth time just a couple of days before the procedure.
I was genuinely impressed by Dr. Sever during our Skype calls. He was kind enough to personally communicate with potential patients even before I had wired a single cent to the clinic's account. Let me reiterate—the doctor was willing to sit down and talk with me three times without any financial commitment upfront, which, in my experience, isn't exactly common with the big names in the industry (though I could be wrong, of course).
During those discussions, we covered everything: my family history of hair loss, my specific goals, my anxieties, and the things I considered non-negotiable for the transplant, such as the hairline and the crown area.
Since I decided that the FUT technique was the best route for my specific situation, and that the Hattingen Clinic was the premier facility to handle it, I made the decision to travel to Switzerland to place my hopes and my hair in the hands of Dr. Sever Muresanu.
Dr. Muresanu is featured on the prestigious IAHRS list and is also a member of Hairtransplantmentor.com, which is run by the world-renowned transplant patient Joe Tillman.
The Hattingen Clinic also carries the flattering title of being the "European Hasson and Wong."
Moving forward, I’ll be posting the photos I sent to the doctor for evaluation. Hopefully, they give you a clear picture of the extent of my hair loss at the time.
I’ll be heading over to Switzerland to have the procedure done in the San Francisco area, specifically in Staten Island, which is just a quick hop from the main hub of San Francisco. The surgery will be handled by the expert team at the Mayo Clinic, led by none other than Dr. Sever Muresanu.
The big day is set for June 16th and 17th, 2021—so, just a few days away now. We're looking at transplanting roughly 5,000 follicular units (FU), or "grafts" as most people call them in the community. I’m actually pretty curious to see how accurate the doctor's estimate is—whether we hit that 5,000 mark, or if it ends up being slightly more or less (I'm totally fine either way).
The whole thing is split into two stages over two days. The idea is to transplant an equal number of grafts during each session.
I've opted for the FUT technique (follicular unit transplantation, often called the "strip method"), which focuses on a relatively small donor area. To be honest, FUT is definitely more invasive than FUE. While FUE has become the go-to standard in the industry because it leaves behind tiny little scars that let you wear your hair super short, FUT leaves a linear scar stretching from one ear all the way around the back to the other. With FUE, you have much more freedom with your hairstyle, including those buzz cuts. If you go the FUT route, you generally need to keep the hair around the scar a bit longer so the surrounding hair can mask it. That said, if the procedure is done at a top-tier facility by pros like this team, the scar becomes practically invisible once you heal—as long as you don't decide to shave it all off.
The massive upside to FUT is that it allows us to harvest a huge number of grafts from a small area; you can actually pull significantly more grafts via FUT than you ever could with FUE. Plus, because we're only tapping into such a small donor zone, the density in the rest of my hair stays intact, leaving the door open for future procedures (whether FUT or FUE) down the road.
Since I'm 32 and dealing with significant hair loss on the Norwood-Hamilton scale—specifically NW5—I decided on FUT after a ton of soul-searching and research. This wasn't some snap decision. It took me a really long time to weigh the pros and cons of FUT versus FUE.
Given that we're aiming for around 5,000 grafts, this is essentially what you'd call a "mega-session."
I’ve already had four Skype consultations with Dr. Muresanu, and we’ve mapped out the following goals:
1. Reconstruct a brand new Hairline.
2. Heavily densify the front third of my scalp.
3. Use whatever grafts are left to fill in the midscalp and crown areas.
That’s the theoretical plan, but I’ll be sitting down with him on June 15th during my in-person consultation to finalize the specific approach and surgical roadmap.
Just to reiterate—like many people in this situation, I consider a successful outcome to be fully reconstructing that front third of my scalp. As long as the rest of my hair looks decent enough to cover up with hair thickening fibers (nanofibers), I'll be happy. I'm not chasing some impossible fantasy; I know exactly what hair transplants can and cannot do, and I have realistic expectations. I'm also completely open to having another session in the future.
So, I'm currently 32 years old. I first started noticing the thinning in my mid-20s while I was still in college. I don't want to turn this thread into a vent session about the emotions and psychological toll this takes—I know most of us here come to these forums to swap stories and support each other through the mental side of it. Let's just say I've been losing my hair for over 12 years now. I've already touched on the more emotional aspects in the general "Male Hair Loss" discussion thread.
My plan is to document this entire journey from start to finish. I want to cover everything: why I ultimately chose the Hattingen Clinic, the actual transplant procedure itself, and then the full recovery process through photos and testimonials over the following months—tracking my progress from month 1 all the way through month 12.
For years, I went back and forth on whether I should actually pull the trigger on a hair transplant. The turning point came when I hit my mid-20s; looking in the mirror, I could clearly see how aggressive my hair loss was going to be in the near future. For a long time, I tried using hair fibers to mask the thinning areas, specifically targeting my hairline and the crown. Once it became obvious that the loss wasn't stopping, I started considering more drastic measures—like buying a wig, a hair system, or whatever you call those things. After I actually started experimenting with hair systems, I spent a ton of time scouring the internet, reading both the glowing reviews and the horror stories on various forums. I reached out to clinics in the UK, Belgium, and Turkey. I did consider inquiring with some of the high-end, prestigious clinics in North America, but honestly, the cost for a project like this would have been completely out of my reach.
In November 2020, I finally got in touch with the Hattingen Clinic. My initial communication was via email with Ms. Carmen, and after a few weeks, I had the chance to meet with Dr. Sever via Skype. I should mention that I spoke with Dr. Sever no fewer than four times: three separate times in the months leading up to the surgery, and then a fourth time just a couple of days before the procedure.
I was genuinely impressed by Dr. Sever during our Skype calls. He was kind enough to personally communicate with potential patients even before I had wired a single cent to the clinic's account. Let me reiterate—the doctor was willing to sit down and talk with me three times without any financial commitment upfront, which, in my experience, isn't exactly common with the big names in the industry (though I could be wrong, of course).
During those discussions, we covered everything: my family history of hair loss, my specific goals, my anxieties, and the things I considered non-negotiable for the transplant, such as the hairline and the crown area.
Since I decided that the FUT technique was the best route for my specific situation, and that the Hattingen Clinic was the premier facility to handle it, I made the decision to travel to Switzerland to place my hopes and my hair in the hands of Dr. Sever Muresanu.
Dr. Muresanu is featured on the prestigious IAHRS list and is also a member of Hairtransplantmentor.com, which is run by the world-renowned transplant patient Joe Tillman.
The Hattingen Clinic also carries the flattering title of being the "European Hasson and Wong."
Moving forward, I’ll be posting the photos I sent to the doctor for evaluation. Hopefully, they give you a clear picture of the extent of my hair loss at the time.