Options to fix depleted donor area? (Photo)

Question

So, I did my second FUE hair transplant, lowering my hairline, almost 3 weeks ago with a total number of 2700 grafts removed now. For some reason the doctor extracted grafts from the same area (only in the back) both times, despite my relatively thick hair, which have now led to a depleted look. So now I'm wondering if this can be fixed only with SMP, or if it's possible to move hair from the sides, or even the top since it doesn't suffer from hair loss, to the back and retransplant the donor area?

Michael Vories, MD · Answer

This is the result of poor planning, and gives FUE a bad name. The whole point of FUE is spread the extractions out over the largest area possible to minimize the impact on any one area. I have no idea why someone would go back to the same area when the sides have not been touched.  Fixing this will likely utilize a combination of SMP and beard grafting.

Arslan Musbeh, MD · Answer

It is very early to analyze the donor area. Still in healing. we advice you to wait 4-6 months before decide for a treatment.The SMP is possible.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. I can understand your frustration and anger as this could have been avoided. A good doctor would have been  able to see that the donor area had already been used in certain places. The point is to use as much of the donor area as possible and not just in one spot. That being said, I suggest you wait about 6 months before you try anything. There is some hope that your situation could improve. Best wishes.Dr. T

David Perez-Meza, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Great question. Each case (patient) is different and each surgical plan and technique (hair surgeon) is different too. It is too soon to advice you any possible treatment options. You may have shock loss of the donor area too. First of all, I will let the donor area to heal and hair regrowth (minimum 3-6 or more months) and I will do nothing at the moment. Wait and see, continue your follow-ups and you may need a second opinion and consultation in the future. Please keep us posted about your case. Good luck.

Sandeep Bhasin, MBBS · Answer

Hi Since it is only 3 weeks since your surgery I would advice you to wait for 4  or 5 months before trying anything. I have seen many times results improve with time. I often give some shots of  Kenacort injections and Topical Monoxidil to be used on Donor area as some element of Shock loss and some hair may be in Catagen or Telogen phase. 
As I also add Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy in all patients of Hair Transplantation you may include Donor area also in PRP treatment.
If after 4 months results donot improve then you can try SMP or transplantation from Beard area.

Ilhan Serdaroglu, MD · Answer

İt's not possible and useless to move hair from the sides, or from the top  to the back and retransplant the donor area.  Because it ay  harm  to  your native hairs on nape area,  does not make any  difference. So I would like to advice you  to  use hair longer on back to  cover the scarce area on nape.

Jeffrey Epstein, MD, FACS · Answer

A growing number of patients are presenting with overharvested and or scarred donor areas from FUE.  To repair this, most often SMP provides the best outcome, however sometimes grafting with beard hairs can help fill these areas in.  Finally, prevention is always key -  make sure your surgeon does your procedure and not designate it to per diem technicians who may never see you again, and uses the best FUE devices and punches which reduce scarring.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Yes, SMP is the best way to hide the problem; however, the area shown is higher than the permanent zone so some of the grafts removed may not, in the long term, be permanent if your balding pattern moves down in the crown

Options to fix depleted donor area? (Photo)

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