For those of who you have undergone hair transplants, what part of the process did you find most difficult (i.e., painful, uncomfortable) to deal with? Was it the anxiety leading up to your surgery day? Was it the procedure itself? Was it having your staples removed? Was it the immediate post-op recovery period? Was it apprehension over going out in public during your "ugly duckling" period? Was it the endless worrying over waiting for the grafts to start growing?

gmonasco,

Speaking for myself, I'd say it was the waiting. I didn't experience too much pain and discomfort. I had sutures and they were easily removed with no pain.

The first week after a hair transplant is also pretty rough. Shampooing and working the scabs off, sleeping at an incline. After that it's just a lot of anticipation.

Best of luck,

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David (TakingThePlunge)
Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant

I am not a medical professional. All opinions are my own and my advice should not constitute as medical advice.

View my Hair Loss Website

As far as physical pain, the staple removal part was a bit painful, nothing terrible though. Sutures do come out easier. The ugly duckling phase is the toughest part of a HT, for sure.

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HT #1: Karamikian Unknown # of grafts Sept.2006

HT#2 Nov.23rd, 2007
Dr.Feller
Almost 3200 grafts via strip

HT#3 April 2010
Fue 200/side into temple points

HT#4 February 2011

My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Feller

I would have to say the first 2 weeks after the surgery was the most stressful because you're being overly cautious during this phase, trying not to harm any of the grafts. I started to sleep normally after 3 and a half weeks because I just didn't feel comfortable sleeping on my grafts after 1.5 - 2 weeks. Sleeping for me during this time was tough as well, what helped me was Melatonin and Tylenol PM. The ugly duckling phase was tough, as is the waiting.

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My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Hasson

nothing beats the waiting time IMHO. Its only 2 months post op for me and i never felt time crawl by slower than right now!!!

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View my hair loss website. Surgery done by Doc Pathomvanich from Bangkok http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com...asp?WebID=1730

I can't decide between the waiting time and the two-weeks post op where you have to be very careful.

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1406 grafts by Dr. Dorin
17 June 2010

How about the shots! That was right up there on my list of things I didn't like.

My worst part was the actual planting! I had a very low platelet count when I had mine done, and they kept having to push the grafts back in. The anesthetic starting wearing off and they had to redo it while I was already sore! My last procedure of 400 grafts (remember this was 1993 when they were $22 a pop!) took 5 hours!!

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Finasteride 1.25 mg. daily
Avodart 0.5 mg. daily
Spironolactone 50 mg twice daily
5 mg. oral Minoxidil twice daily
Biotin 5000 mcg.
MSM 1500 mg. twice daily
Zinc 50 mg. daily

Damn, with all the stuff you put in your hair are you like a negative NW1?

I remember them giving me the shots. I was told they were ready to be given and I stupidly put my arm out. "No that's not where they're going".

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1406 grafts by Dr. Dorin
17 June 2010

The wait!!!!