Bimini, a prominent figure from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, has shared troubling details about complications following a recent hair transplant. The star revealed that the procedure led to severe swelling, causing their head to dramatically inflate.
In a video posted on TikTok, Bimini compared their appearance to Sloth, a character from the 1985 film The Goonies. The video, which has garnered over two million views, shows Bimini, whose real name is Thomas George Graeme Hibbitts, describing their swelling as part of the natural healing process.
Bimini had previously disclosed on Instagram that they sought the hair transplant to address a receding hairline that began at age 13. They noted, “I was quite self-conscious about it until about 2018 when I cut my hair into a mullet. I still knew I wanted to get a transplant at some point.”
The swelling, a common side effect, is due to fluid accumulation below the scalp. This occurs as the body sends fighter cells and inflammatory proteins to the injury site to prevent infection.
In the TikTok video, Bimini humorously remarked, “A natural part of the healing process when you get a hair transplant is facial swelling as all of the anesthesia and fluid drains from your face. But nobody told me I was going to look like the Goonies.”
To emphasize their point, Bimini posted a side-by-side image of Sloth from the movie with a caption that read, “Sign me up for the Goonies reboot.”
Originally from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, Bimini had been considering a hair transplant since their teenage years. They shared on Instagram, “From around 13 or 14, I started to recede. It was something I felt was very masculine about my body that I couldn’t control. I was quite self-conscious about it until about 2018 when I decided to cut my hair into a mullet.”
Hair transplants involve relocating hair from one part of the body, typically the back of the head or chest, to thinning or bald areas of the scalp. This cosmetic procedure is not available on the NHS and can cost between £2,000 and £30,000 privately in the UK, depending on the extent of the transplant. Bimini has not disclosed the cost of their procedure.
Recovery from the transplant takes about two weeks, but new hair growth can take up to four months. The NHS advises that patients may experience tightness, aching, and swelling of the scalp, along with temporary scabbing and small scarring. As with any surgery, risks include bleeding, infection, or an allergic reaction to anesthesia.
The NHS recommends thorough research before undergoing a hair transplant, including checking if the clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission and ensuring the surgeon is accredited by the General Medical Council and a member of the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery.
Many British men opt for hair transplants abroad, particularly in countries like Turkey, to save on costs. However, some have reported unsatisfactory results from these overseas procedures.