Donor area not growing back.I had 800 FUE hairs extracted.I feel the doctor extracted too much hair from a small section.(photo)

Question

I got my fue surgery done on June 19 2015 by dr Yates in Chicago. I'm really worried about my donor area. If I keep the back of my hair long, the donor area gets covered up and you can't tell there is a bald patch from the hair being extracted. Should I expect any more growth in the donor area. I have a gut feeling the doctors extracted too much hair from a small area, causing a bald patch on the back of my head.

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Dear Bigben2010,Thank you for posting your question.  In some cases, you can get shock loss, or telogen effluvium, from the donor area.  This means a temporary shedding of hairs around the sites from which you had hair extracted with the FUE procedure.  This tends to be self-limited, and usually resolves after about 8-10 months following your procedure.  But the bottom line is that if you are concerned enough to post on Realself.com, I would make an appointment and check back with the physician who performed your surgery.  Over harvesting is a real issue, but is not common with experienced surgeons.  Scalp micropigmentation could be an answer down the line, but a tincture of time and perhaps a visit with your physician is indicated.I hope this information is helpful to you.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

If you have issues with surgery, the best thing to do is to follow up with your doctor for a recheck.  It generally takes 6 to12 months to see results.  Donor hair (all hair) generally grows at a rate of 1+cm a month so give it some time.

John Kahen, MD · Answer

During FUE hair transplant surgery, the follicles are extracted from the back of the head (donor area). The hair extracted will not grow back, but hair restorations surgeons are strategic about extraction to avoid any bald patches. If you are seeing these patches it may be beneficial to bring it to the attention of your surgeon for further observation and to determine possible solutions.

Anthony Bared, MD, FACS · Answer

It is best to have your surgeon examine your donor area.  Close inspection of the area with possible magnification is needed as it is still very early after your procedure.

Rashid M. Rashid, PhD, MD · Answer

It is a small area but also a small procedure.  The best thing to do is wait and let the healing work its way and maintain close follow up with the doctor.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

If you feel that your doctor extracted too many grafts, then you should go back to your doctor and speak to him. I know your doctor and he is first class and would welcome any comments or complaints or concerns that you have. The area can be addressed with Scalp micropigmentation provided that all of the surgery is finished. It works very well as a cosmetic solution to thinning. In the web reference below is an example of someone who had 'old plugs' ion his donor area which showed a see-through appearance and the solution we gave him.

Donor area not growing back.I had 800 FUE hairs extracted.I feel the doctor extracted too much hair from a small section.(photo)

Answers (6)

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