Not a Full Review, Yet. But Some Things You Should Really Know

3-days post procedure, so don't be put off about the rating....yet. I will update the rating with actual results and this log over the course of the 12-month period. I'll be as objective as possible. But here is what you should know right from the start: The grafts, at least the insertions, the most important part as this is what shall manifest as the final results after full recovery, are NOT done by Dr. Diep!!!

I was not awake during the whole procedure, but I did wake up a few times during parts of the procedure. The only time I was aware Dr. Diep was hands-on during my procedure was during administration of anesthesia (general as I got a shot to each upper arm, and local as he was pushing a needle around my scalp.) or during extraction. I was aware he did at least parts of the extraction because I woke up during the procedure from pain/discomfort. Then I either fell back asleep or they put me under again. Later when I woke up during another part of the procedure, there were two assistants performing the grafts, one working each side of my head. I recall being awake for much of the time during the grafting procedure. Dr. Diep was no where to be found during the times I was conscious during the grafting.

Regarding the anesthesia, Dr. Diep told me it was to relax me. I am not sure if it was intended to put me completely under. But I must say that I am not a morning person and probably got 3-4hrs of sleep the night before. So with a 7:30am start time, I was barely awake upon arrival. Perhaps the general anesthesia really was to relax me as Dr. Diep stated and I was intended remain awake during the entire 12-hour procedure. But I was under most of the time. I do remember having lunch. We didn't actually get started until close to 10am. And I didn't leave there until 10pm.

Now I have no idea if the graft incisions were done by Dr. Diep, then the insertions were left to his assistants. Or if the graft incisions and insertions were done entirely by his assistants. But there is a noticeable difference in the craftsmenship on one side of my head from the other as they were worked on by different people. I don't recall the specific question I asked one of the assistants, but the answer I got was to the extent of "Dr. Diep just tells us how the hairline is to be and we do it." Now I know transplant surgeons do use assistants. But I failed to inquire about the team he would be working with. Still thought, Dr. Diep should be more forthcoming with this information.

There is noticeable vineyard-like rows of hairs on the recepient site. Of course 3 days post procedure, there is no way to know how this will manifest. The shape of the hairline I do like. But the hairline itself, at this point, appears to be very much a line. Again, no way of knowing how this shall turn out at this point. Should you choose to go with Dr. Diep, insist that he does all the surgical proceedures. Bring someone with you to ensure this happens; insist upon both. I am concerned at this point, but there is no turning back now.

Here are my vitals:
Ethnicity: Southeast Asian
Hair type: Fine straight black
Age: mid-40's
Presence of gray hairs: Very few, mostly around ear lobes/side burns, a strand or two around the back and top can be found from time to time
Total Grafts/Cost: 2946/$8 per graft
Transplant Type: 100% FUE
Graft site: Hairline-only
Norwood scale: By my own estimation, a III/IV. (I didn't ask Dr. Diep and he never told me either)

As for the post procedure experience, lots of swelling on the right side on day 2. Lots of secretion from the donor site. Swelling on my head subsided by day 3, but passed to my right eye area as of now. My right eye is swollen pretty much shut and is black and blue. Some discomfort. Tingling mostly. No pain. Very little itching. Day 4 is tomorrow when I get to drip wash the receipient sight. Looking forward to that. But generally, I feel fine. No pain. Helps to be in COVID-19 lockdown however. I don't think I want to go outside looking like I do now. I had long hair before the procedure and sort of used a split down the middle hairstyle to cover the receding hairline in the corners. They shaved back literally all of that off and the front hairline. I was left with a tuft of long sideways rooster hair after the procedure. On the 3rd day, i shaved it all off with clippers and that is what you see now.

I've started a discussion at hairrestorationnetwork here about my experience: https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/57329-fue-experience-wdr-diep-mhta-clinic/?tabcomments#comment-548371

It is better to follow the discussion there. I will keep this review updated as much as possible.

Final results posted here: https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/57329-fue-experience-wdr-diep-mhta-clinic/page/15/#comment-689311

I got fixed a few days ago by a better doctor 2.5 years later.