hair transplant at 37 - documenting my journey

My hairline started receding in my late 20s. Tried minoxidil for years - slowed it down but didn't bring anything back. Finally decided to just get a transplant.

Went with FUE where they take individual follicles from the back of your head and move them to the front/top. Got about 3000 grafts done. The procedure took literally ALL DAY - like 9 hours. But it wasn't painful, just long and boring.

Immediately after, the recipient area (my hairline and top) looked like a strawberry. Thousands of tiny red dots. The donor area in the back was shaved and tender. Slept sitting up for a week.

Here's the part no one tells you: around week 2-3, all the transplanted hairs FALL OUT. It's called shock loss and it's terrifying even when you know it's coming. I looked almost the same as before surgery. Felt like I wasted my money.

Months 3-4: still nothing really. This was the hardest period mentally. Just waiting.

Month 5-6: finally started seeing tiny hairs coming in. Like baby fuzz.

Month 8-10: real visible growth. My hairline was filling in.

Now at month 14: I have a full head of hair again. Like legit thick hair where I was balding before. It's still maturing and getting thicker. Results supposedly keep improving up to 18 months.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. Just be prepared for the mental game of waiting 6+ months to see results.