After I had my hair transplant, I thought everything will be easy. The hard part was done, I thought. But actually, the next weeks and months were also not simple. The first 3 months after the operation were maybe the most emotional time for me. I didn’t expect that. I was ready for some pain, but I was not ready for waiting and feeling confused.
The first week was okay. I stayed at home mostly, didn’t go to work, and just rested. I followed the instructions from the clinic. They told me how to wash my hair, how to sleep, and what not to do. Still, I was afraid I would do something wrong. The scabs looked scary. My head was red and swollen. Some people told me it looked normal, but when I looked in the mirror, I didn’t feel good. It didn’t look like “me.”
After two weeks, I had to go back to normal life. But I didn’t want people to see my head. I wore a hat all the time. Even when it was not allowed at work, I asked for permission. I told some people I had a skin treatment. I didn’t feel ready to talk about the hair transplant. I know now I should not be ashamed, but at that time, I felt uncomfortable. It was like a secret I had to hide.
Then came the shedding phase. They told me this would happen, but I didn’t believe it would be so much. Almost all the new hair fell. I panicked. I thought, “Did I lose everything? Did it fail?” I googled it again and again. Everyone said it’s normal. It’s called “shock loss.” But even when you read that, it still feels like something went wrong. I lost sleep some nights. I kept checking my head in the mirror like ten times a day.
Emotionally, I was up and down. One day I felt hopeful, like "Okay, in a few months this will look better." Next day I thought, “Why did I do this? I looked better before.” I talked to a guy on Reddit who also had a transplant. He said he felt the same in the beginning. That made me feel better. Talking to someone who understands is really important during this time.
In the second month, nothing much changed. No new hair, just a lot of waiting. That was the hardest part — waiting. I had to remind myself, this takes time. I tried to be patient. I started eating better and taking vitamins. I also stopped checking the mirror every hour. I focused on other parts of my life. I went back to the gym, watched some new shows, tried to stay busy.
In month three, something started to happen. Tiny hairs began to grow. At first I thought I was imagining. But they were real. Very small, very thin, but they were there. I smiled for the first time in weeks. It was not a big change, but it felt like hope. Like the work I did, the pain and stress, was not for nothing.
Now when I think back, I understand this time was not only about hair. It was also about trust. Trusting the process. Trusting my decision. And being kind to myself even when I felt bad. If you are in the first 3 months after a transplant, know that it’s okay to feel lost sometimes. You are not alone. Be patient, don’t panic. The results will come, but your peace of mind matters too.