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1633 grafts placed to lower my hairline

UPDATED FROM Matisse1
1 year post

Up close density,

Matisse1
$12,000
I felt my pictures weren't giving a good example of what the density is at this point, so here's an up close. Scalp is kind of red because I just dermarolled. As you can see it's not very dense. If my hair parts anywhere is looks like it is thinning.

Matisse1's provider

John Diep, MD

John Diep, MD

Board Certified Hair Restoration Surgeon

4.7 | 236 Reviews
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Matisse1 rating for Dr. Diep:

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Replies (3)

July 7, 2019
I do not think that satisfies you for 12k. Check results in Turkey for much cheaper.
August 11, 2019
1600 grafts was not enaugh
August 11, 2019
I went to him and he is over priced. I will go somewhere else for the next one. I had the FUT and my scar is much longer than he showed me it would be. Plus there is no aftercare. He didn’t even take my staples out or bother to look at the incision.
August 15, 2019
Yeah I put too much faith in his youtube videos like so many are drawn into him. I think his hairline design was good, but he neglects to take care of the donor. I remember after the surgery I had a question while he was behind the front desk and he wouldn't even acknowledge I was there.
UPDATED FROM Matisse1
1 year post

Final update

Matisse1
Hello everyone here is how my result turned out. Happy with the design, however density could be improved on, just depends on angle and lighting to start to be noticeable. I'm guessing the reason my temples are lacking in the corner is because I have fine hair and a lot of singles. Donor at a 3 guard.
I've also started minoxidil + dermarolling which has helped tremendously on my temples. I recommend giving it a try because I'm seeing results after using fin and min alone for 3 years.

Replies (5)

March 8, 2019
Looks Great ! Dont listen to these guys who are saying you paid to much for 1600 graft Fue and that you should of gone to Turkey. Im from Los Gatos and i was ready to go ANYWHERE to find the best doctor INCLUDING TURKEY. I researched EVERYWHERE. And what it ultimately came down to was that there was a CLEAR and NOTICEABLE difference in the "End Results" (BETTER) with Dr Diep when i compared him to all the other "Top Hair Doctors" in the worlds end results. Your hair will get EVEN BETTER over the next 6 months.

Does the derma roller help with hair growth near the temple area? What is your experience doing this on the temple? any noticeable difference?
March 9, 2019
Yeah I feel dermarolling is making a difference in the temple area. I've been doing it for 2 months and its not as empty anymore but alot of the hairs arent mature. Yeah Diep is great at hairlines but I'm just bummed out that I can see the whole donor section and holes at a 3 guard even worse when my hairs wet. It took about a whole month+ to become unnoticeable. Felt really awkward trying to conceal it that long at work. My point is that a lot of doctors do cleaner work on the donor.

His videos of the donor on youtube are cherry picked and are surely not 1mm punches. He removes any criticism as well. I also find it strange how much reviews he has on here without pictures, like why even post a review.

Because of the donor showing with a small amount of grafts I don't I'd recommend him. I think he only respects and uses his patience in the process if you have a lot more money than I paid. I think I'll go to Dr Will Rassman and Jae Pak at NHI if I decide to get a procedure for density.
August 19, 2019
It does look good tho
March 9, 2019
Thats really interesting. I have never considered that being an issue for someone who want to wear there hair shorter. But i totally get your point.I think for me because i never have worn short hair like you it was never an issue. I had the FUT with a big scar ear to ear but my long hair covers it so i never considered it an issue. Did you bring this issue up to him?
March 9, 2019
I had stressed during the designing before surgery that I have fine hair and I wanted him to try to use a .8mm punch. I dont have thick asian hair so I thought 1mm would be excessive and possibly kill follicles close to it. He replied I think I will use 1mm and I was confused and he then said of course we will try the smallest first. But clearly he didnt. I just can't give it to him for designing a good hairline. The best hair transplant doctors will do a good job on the donor area and recipient I just don't think he has the patience with the volume of work he has.
March 10, 2019
Never really seen his patients complain about donor area. Hmm. You should try using biotin and I’d say a few pumpkin seeds that’s been soaked overnight. Should help to thicken overall. Give it a few months
March 10, 2019
There have been cases of excessive scarring worse than mine on patients of his I've seen on forums. I was looking at hairliciously donor on youtube and we had about the same amount of grafts and his donor looks immaculate cut shorter than mine.
March 9, 2019
Also- thanks on the dermaroll tip....i picked one up and will start right away :)
April 17, 2019
Hey there, have you had your one year follow up with Dr. Diep? If so, are you supposed to call the office to schedule or do they follow up with you? My situation is very similar to yours and looks like I will need a second procedure to increase density. I’m approaching my one year very soon but haven’t heard anything. I’m also debating whether I should have a second procedure elsewhere or stay with the same doctor.
April 19, 2019
They've reached out to me for my 1 year follow up. But I don't see a point in doing it since I'm planning on going to another doctor for density. I need someone that is careful with the donor so I can still plan for future transplants if needed.
August 16, 2019
Next time go to India, DR Bhatti. 1/8th the price and equally renowned or better surgeon.
August 17, 2019
I was scared to go overseas because of the language barrier and I've seen very bad cases of donor over harvesting in Turkey. I'll check him out though.
UPDATED FROM Matisse1
9 months post

8 Months

Matisse1
I never mentioned this but on one of the corners of my hairline, there's an empty spot where a tough scab was for 2 weeks after the procedure. it eventually washed off without me forcing it but nothing grew. Just goes to show how delicate the grafts are even though I tried to be really gentle.

Replies (2)

January 8, 2019
would you recommend Dr. Diep to anyone else? Your results look great, man. I have a consultation set up with him and the near future
January 8, 2019
For design I think he does an excellent job. But I think he falls short compared to other doctors in conserving the donor area. I have fine hair and I will need another surgery for density to wear my hair back comfortably. the temples look thin I probably should've gotten 2000 grafts total. But I am content, it's not terribly noticable for how I style my hair down and it's better than where I was. I'd recommend him but with his high price know that you will need to have another surgery to get the density.
February 22, 2019
any updates man?
February 28, 2019
I have a shed going on because I just started dermarolling+minoxidil. I'll post once its stabilizes
March 8, 2019
I wouldn't do a big fue procedure with him. He really fails at leaving the donor area looking good. That or I have to high of expectations. A 2 guard would surely be noticable in the donor area. I'm lucky he didnt extract from the sides.
March 8, 2019
I'm going to Dr william rassman at NHI if I decide to go for density itd be too risky to go for a 2nd run with diep