Throbbing Pain Weeks After Hair Transplant!

Hello,

I’m a 30 year old male who had my first hair transplant when I was 26. I flew to Thailand and had a 2000 graft strip excision procedure done. The first week was hell but the transplant turned out to be good, but in need of obvious density. I decided to return 4 years later and get another procedure. I was thinking of going to another doctor but the last time he provided great service even though I suspected the 2000 grafts could have looked better.

Fast forward to now, I thought I needed between 1000-1500 and he immediately said 2000. I didn’t think about until after the procedure that this is too much. After the 2nd procedure which I am currently 15 days after the healing process is not going as well as the first time. I will run down the issues and you can tell me if I’m royally screwed or not.

1. My whole scalp is super tight. I can feel a constant tension ring from ear to ear and even my temples. When I lift my eyebrows all the way up I can even feel it. The most disturbing thing is every time I walk slowly up a flight of stairs I get a throbbing headache/pain which feels as if I’m going to pass out.
2. The scar (trychophyic closure) is not healing. On the right side there is a indentation with a huge scab (I think that gauze stuff?) which is surrounded by inflammation.
3. I have this dull ache in my throat when I swallow. It has never happened ever before and started after this procedure.

My questions are:

1. Will this throbbing pain while walking up stairs go away?
2. Is the dent and bump in my head going to heal? Is it swelling and or skin just pulled together from the wrong angle?
3. Is there anything I can do to help the wound heal?

I’ve been using propecia for 4 years now, and just started 5 sprays of minoxidil on recipient area. Please help this is extremely disconcerting because I’m a triathlete who routinely has 3 hour workouts in the gym, and I fear I will never be able to compete again. I would try to talk to the doc thailand but his English isn’t very good and kind of sent me packing without letting me know if I have a normal future. Thanks for reading, I will also try to send pictures although it may be a few weeks (moving, camera packed, etc.)

From what you described, there are clearly problems. Over time things should get better, but you should get an assessment for baseline purposes to plot progress or lack of progress (objectively) over time. It would be best that you be seen by me if you want a better assessment. The exam will be free, but I’m in Los Angeles, so you’ll likely need to do some more traveling. Drugs like minoxidil and Propecia will help prevent further hair loss, but not reverse what has already occurred.

Without knowing more I’m just able to give general info, but here’s a try at your questions:

1. Pain from damaged nerves may or may not get better depending upon whether or not the nerve was cut.
2. Dents in wounds, may or may not get better as more healing goes on.
3. Generally, there is nothing to do to help wound healing. Some readers will likely argue that, so please feel free to leave comments with your wound-healing advice.