Hair transplants for men: “I learnt the hard way you don’t fix what’s going on inside by getting rid of a bald patch”

(approx 3 minute read)

After two years of pondering, X spent £8,000 on a hair transplant – sadly, the only thing he’s felt since having it done is shame. 

Image by freepik

I knew I was in the wrong place when I was face down in an operating theatre in Paris, on my own, with blood dripping down my cheek into my mouth. By that time, however, it was too late for me to back out.

It had taken me a couple of years to get to this moment. Over time my crowning bald patch had started to bother me more and more. The odd comment from friends and colleagues about it getting worse didn’t help. I was finding it harder coping with baldness as a man.

I spoke to a friend who’d had it done in Paris. I thought it looked good so booked the operation.

The problem was that I booked it at a time of real upheaval in my life. I’d been fired from my job and we’d just come out of a tough third Covid lockdown. To make matters worse, I’d recently travelled abroad to visit my partner, only to find he hadn’t told any of his friends or family about us - I was just his friend. 

It felt like everything was on fire.

I felt like a failure – and that was driving my decision to get the transplant. My parents even tried to intervene beforehand. They knew it wouldn’t sit well with me once I’d done it. And I’d done very little emotional preparation for the hair transplant. 

I ignored them and travelled to Paris, alone. I had asked my partner to come with me, he suggested it was better I do it alone. I couldn’t fathom why. One of many red flags. 

I got in touch with a friend who lived in Paris and met him the night before the operation. I clearly wasn’t in a good state of mind as I proceeded to get shit-faced and ended up out until 4am.

The next day I overslept and was an hour late for my appointment. I called to let them know I was running late hoping they’d say I’d missed my slot and I didn’t have to go through with it. They said they could ‘squeeze me in’. I wasn’t filled with joy at the thought of a rushed hair transplant but continued anyway. 

I arrived with an empty stomach and an almighty hangover. Then straight into theatre. Seated facedown the injections to numb my head started. That’s when I first tasted the blood. Shortly after I think I fell asleep. 

About two hours later the first section was done and it was time for lunch. If this day couldn’t get any worse, I then fainted in the middle of theatre. Completely out cold on the floor. The surgeons got me into another room, gave me some lunch and fluids and I felt reasonably okay. I wondered, and hoped, if it might have been another reason to pause the operation. It wasn’t. They kept going.

Fast-forward six hours, the rest of my head had been done and I was on the Eurostar back to London. I think I’d just about sobered up by then.

It was on the train that the anxiety and shame kicked in. My internal monologue on overdrive. Wishing I’d not done it, thinking what a waste of £8,000. My head was numb, a constant reminder of the decision I’d made.

I went straight back to my parents because I was in a dark place. It took weeks for that darkness to lift so I stayed with them until it did. I had panic attacks. I even started to see the act of surgery as a form of self-harm. I felt like a freak. 

My head remained numb for months after, too. I would poke my head with a fork and even lay on the bathroom floor and bang it in the hope of getting some feeling back.

Thankfully, two years on and the numbness has gone and my hair looks good. The bald patch has gone and unless you know me, I don’t think you’d know I’d had a hair transplant. 

I have made peace with my decision to get the procedure but there is still regret there. 

I was not in a good place at the time and shouldn’t have made the decision when things weren’t right emotionally. 

I learned the hard way that you don’t fix what’s going on inside by getting rid of a bald patch. Sounds obvious now reflecting on it. 

Would I do it again if my hair continued to fall out? Absolutely not, I’ll just age gracefully. 

For those considering a hair transplant, don’t let my story put you off. Unlike me, you might be completely ready. It might be the best decision you ever make. 

So go and have a consultation. But before you do, think long and hard if there’s anything in your heart that needs fixing, and fix that first. You might also save £8,000.