[FEMALE] Hairline Lowering W/ FUE

First off, I'd like to thank the science gods for allowing such procedures to exist in order to improve the quality of one's confidence through elective operations such as this.

Preface: Because Science
Studies shows that people with symmetrical and proportional faces are more "beautiful". According to science, a proportional face is split in thirds:
- 1/3: Hairline to eyebrow
- 1/3: Eyebrow to nose
- 1/3: Nose to chin

My proportions are as follows:
- 1/2: Forehead
- 1/2: Everything else

Intro: Where It Began
I first started noticing the disproportion of my forehead in 8th grade when a group photo was taken on a day I had my hair pulled back. All I saw when I looked at myself in the photo was *forehead*. 9th grade comes around, it's high school and I re-invent myself by rocking straight bangs which I looked damn good in. I continue to wear some form of bangs (straight, side, etc.) throughout my college and the present where we are today.

For YEARS I considered doing a Hairline Lowering Surgery and even had a doctor consultation. I decided against it and "slept" on it for years due to timing and financial reasons because I really wanted to get a BA as well (see my BA review here on RS!). I decided to get a BA instead and wait a few years hoping maybe the confidence from my BA will overpower the insecurities of my fivehead. It did not.

I love my BA but the forehead is something different entirely. It is out there, in the open for the public eye to see. You only have so much hair styles to choose from to conceal the giant beast. You can see my forehead from a mile away...or should I say a galaxy away. One of my friends once commented on a Facebook picture of me where my hair was blown back revealing my forehead and I kid you not the comment was: "Wow you could fit a whole galaxy there (referring to my forehead)" B*$#@ what? LOL we are still good friends today and I forgive her for probably not knowing how much of a sensitive issue my forehead is to me.

Body: Where It's Going
Well present day, I decided a few months ago that this was the year I was going to address my fivehead. I mentioned a consultation for Hairline Lowering Surgery but during those years while sleeping on it, I also happened to stumble upon hair transplant as an alternative to reshape the hairline. I had never even considered a hair transplant because I thought it was only designed primarily for men who are bald/balding. To clarify, I AM NOT BALDING OR THINNING, just an abnormally high hairline thanks to genetics. This led me to a month ago where I locked in my date for 12/28/20 for a FUE hair transplant in hopes of reshaping my hairline into better proportions. I don't see many female hair transplant reviews so I wanted to document my experience in hopes that it may inspire and encourage other women who may be considering this procedure. I am optimistic about the future and will keep you all updated as I go through this journey.

For your enjoyment and mine, here are some photos throughout the years in rare occasions where for some reason in my mind I thought I looked cute with my hair pulled back and decided to go out like that. /)_-

To be continued...

[THE SEQUEL]
Welcome back! I had my procedure on 12/28/20 so let's review the details.

For context I am an Asian female with straight hair. I've been told by hairdressers my hair is fine but thick which came as a surprise to me as I always thought I had thin and thin hair.

[CLINIC: HMR - Tijuana, MX]
I live in CA and had a consultation with a reputable surgeon but he recommended a FUT with a $13,000 price tag that I couldn't get behind. 

So I scoured the world wide web and stumbled across multiple patient video testimonies on YouTube with one clinic in particular that stood out to me: Hair Medical Restoration (HMR) in Tijuana, MX with Dr. Cortez. A big factor that secured my decision in this clinic was that the doctor himself will be transplanting the follicles himself. I've read some clinics where the doctor extracts but has technicians transplant which was a no-go for me. Since I had my procedure today I can confirm he does the actual extractions and implants AND also offer PRP at no extra charge.

[COST: $4,600]
Originally the estimated cost based on my online consultation was $3900 for 1800 grafts. However, this morning after seeing me in person and for my desired results Dr. Cortez extracted a total of 2079 grafts which he rounded down to 2000 grafts x $2.30/graft so my total came out to $4,600.

[THE PROCESS]
The whole process took around 8 hours. I went in at 7AM and finished at 2:45PM. Here's a run down of that day.

[7AM] Went in signed some paperwork and changed into disposable clothes with technician. Blood pressure checked and was handed some medications to take (antibiotics, pain killers, muscle relaxer).

[8AM] - The doctor comes in and we discuss my desired outcome. He also draws in the hairline with a marker as an outline where the transplanted follicles would go. Then they shaved a portion on the back of my hair my "donor area". I was surpised at how much of my donor area he actually shaved off (see photos) but I will trust in the process.

[8:30AM-10:45AM] Into the OR we go and I'm lying face-down as they prep my donor area. I received over 10+ anesthetic injections at the back of my head. I would rate that pain level a 5/10. It wasn't as painful as the anesthesia I would receive on my transplant area (more on that later). Doctor was extracting the follicles with the tool. He had 4 other technicians in the room with him and as he went in with the extraction tool there was one technician following his path plucking the follicles out. This carried on for a about 2 hours then we took a break to have lunch.

[10:45-11AM] Quick lunch break. They provided me a chicken salad which was quite good and this is coming from someone who does not usually like salads. I was told they were able to extract quite a few hair follicles where there were even 4-5 hair follicle units! At this point they extracted 2079 follicles and once we resumed I was going in for the transplant portion of the operation.

[11:15AM - 2:30PM] Back in the OR room this time I'm lying face-up. The transplanted area was cleaned and doctor informs he starting with the anesthetic. The pain level of the local anesthesia were more sensitive on some parts such as the temples vs. the front of my head. This was quite painful and I would rate the pain level a 7/10. I recieved about 10 or so injections in the transplant area and after a few minutes it kicked in and I couldn't feel anything in those areas. It's a weird feeling I could feel the pressure of the needle going in with the implants but no pain so thank goodness for anesthesia! Toward the end of the procedure the doctor also collected blood for the PRP treatment to accelerate the healing process and preserve as much transplants as possible. This was the final step he did and then we were done! I was told to sit up and felt a little lightheaded upon doing so but felt fine after a minute to walk to the next room.

[2:45PM] I am changed back into my regular clothes and the doctor reviews post-op care instructions with me and the medications I am required to take. They provided me with 2 types of painkillers to be taken together every 8 hours for the next 5 days and antiobiotics to be taken every 24 hours for the next 3 days. I was also provided with a goody bag with all the instructions, some shampoo, and thermal spray water to keep the donor area moist. He said no follow up was needed for the next day unless I want to stop by I can. Then I check out with the receptionist make my payment and was on my way!

[THE RECOVERY DAY OF]
I walked back to my hotel ~4 mins of brisk walking. I forgot to mention that this clinic also set me up with this hotel for 2 nights at no extra cost to me so that's a bonus!

By the time I got back into my room I start to notice swelling right away. It's starting to travel down my head into my forehead and temples. I expected swelling but didn't know it would happen day of so I just lie down and try to relax. I felt pretty good right after surgery and must say that it looks worse than how it feels. I didn't feel too much pain and thought the recovery would be quite tolerable. I was wrong. The real discomfort came about 2 hours after I got out of procedure. I started to feel my recepient area pulsing/throbbing and my donor area stinging. Perhaps it was because the anesthesia finally wearing off, who knows. But that first night brutal, I probably woke up every 30 mins-1 hour due to discomfort and couldn't get much sleep in.

[THE RECOVERY DAY AFTER] 24+ hours after the surgery and now also home I finally slept for a solid 4 hours which is why up I'm now updating this review. I feel a lot better and the pulsing and stinging has gone away. I'll leave it here as this entry has gone on for too long. As they saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words so I'll leave these behind.

*POST EDIT* I tried to upload side by side photos I created via a collage app but RealSelf is saying the photo size is too large. I'll have to find a way to use another app or dimension or something but I am feeling tired now so I'll just upload the photos indivually at this point. Stay tuned...