aaron1234

ahairdown, You are correct. SMG does not require a shave but Dr. Paul highly recommended it. I remember reading a very persuasive article by Dr. Hasson awhile back giving countless reasons why shaving works out better in surgery and the long run. So I am of the opinion that shaving can help give a better result. Yeah, it sucks for a couple months but in the end I believe it's worth the trouble. It also doesn't hurt that I'm able to wear a hat for the next couple of months.

Not only would I take Propecia to keep the hairs on the top of your head but for your permanent (donor) zone as well. There has been occasional anecdotal evidence that miniaturization in the donor region is improved when taking finasteride. This has not been studied or scientifically proven but I have seen a handful examples on the forums where the donor region benefits from the meds. Don't psyche yourself out. Try the meds to see if they work for you because they work for the vast majority of men who take it - and side effects are extremely rare despite all the horror stories perpetuated on the internet.

Healing/recovery totally depends on the individual. i.e. how many grafts were done / how much shock loss the patient has / or how much native hair the patient has. Someone like corvettster will have a better cosmetic post-op recovery because he has a very good head of native hair. Someone like me on the other hand goes through a longer phase (and I also decided to shave). I really wasn't looking good the first 3 months of my last transplant but then things started turning around by month 4-5.

Congrats Adam. Good write up. Heal well and grow well. Now let's see some pics!

recedingboy... you're right on with Biden. I think his hairline looks ok.. not great. But it works for him. Also, keep out on an eye for Chuck Schumer from New York. Definitely has a transplanted hairline and is really balding behind it. Great link TC. When everything is so competitive these days there is no doubt one must look their absolute best to achieve their fullest potential no matter what career they choose. That is definitely one reason I'm doing all these HT's before my career gets started.

Yeah, you're totally right. I didn't really notice it until I saw the over head shots... those definitely give a different picture of how one stands. You should definitely be happy with where you are at now! No need to break the bank again at this point.

Amazing result for 4 months! Can't wait to see the 6 month result. And yeah, I'd love to see how many 3 and 4 hair grafts this guy has.

Plunge, Your hair is looking great! I really think the 2nd procedure put you where you need to be. The style is a good one for you and especially for transplanted hair. I do think you could use a dryer look. The hair in the front does clump together in the pics (water, styling agents?) and makes it look a little more thin than it needs to be. But it does look great for sure. I'd say hold off on another procedure for now until the connecting section between the frontal third and the crown thins more. You're looking good bro.

Dr. Feller, Absolutely agree with your first paragraph. That approach will definitely result in many "stand alone" procedures (with or without future hair loss). As for the second paragraph: Thanks for looking over my case. Your input is highly regarded and you are spot on. And I highly agree that Dr. Paul has put me back on the right track.

Yes, trich or no trich you will have a scar. I have a tendency for larger scars and my skin is sensitive. The benefit of trich is having hairs grow through the scar to diminish its detectability. Hairs grew through my scar but not enough to make a difference. Plus, having hair grow through my donor wound caused some skin irritation. My scar wasn't bad, just having the trich didn't achieve it's purpose with me.

I did have trich done for my 2nd procedure and it didn't turn out so great. However, I just had a double-layer closure done with my recent surgery and my scar is doing much better already. It also depends on patient physiology. For some, trich is the way.. for others, it is not.

Nicely put Dr. Feller. I think it's true the greatest obstacle to a "stand alone" result is the unknown variable of future hair loss. That's why it is such a tough call. Even so, all good ethical surgeons should consider this unknown variable when transplanting - AKA worst case scenario.

A lot of this discussion also has to do with the difference between "wanting" and "needing" another transplant. Whether a patient wants or needs another transplant largely determines whether the prior procedure was stand alone or not. Of course, no one needs a transplant at all. But if after one procedure the patient needs more work done to look natural and acceptable then the first procedure was not stand alone. If the patient has a choice whether to go through another round or not then obviously this reflects better on the first procedure.

hairthere, It looks like you are on your way. Yes, some areas have yet to fully fill in but it's still early in the game. No worries yet. Are you on fin? I think I recall you saying in another thread that you stopped taking it. I ask because it looks like maybe your crown is losing more hair. Hard to say. I love the comparison pics! You really have come along way from the beginning.

Yeah, you're probably losing more of your natural hair. Get on Fin ASAP.

Nice work Dr. Feller. Far more dense and natural. Welcome to the forums Tara.

If it is 12 months post-op and the patient is in desperate need for another procedure just to look natural - and further hair loss is not the culprit - then the transplant was not a "stand alone" procedure and also a failure. That was me after my first transplant. We all know that one transplant will NOT give someone a full head of hair. Either way, the grafts should be placed in a manner that would look natural one year post-op and ten years post-op even when more thinning has taken place. This is the strategic part of transplantation that an accomplished doctor should have mastered - being able to transplant with the worst case scenario in mind for the patient (i.e. should the current NW3 become a NW6 down the road). As for planning two or more procedures I don't believe this is any different. Even if it is discussed between the doctor and patient that multiple procedures would take place, the doctor should place the grafts in a way that would look natural whether the patient keeps his word and returns for a second procedure or not. Sure, the patient will have not completed the original outline for his HT and might be more thin in density - but he should not be cosmetically requiring another procedure. Of course, it is difficult to say what the patients balding progression will be 20-30 years down the road. But a good transplant surgeon should recognize the worst case scenario and transplant accordingly.

First of all, if you really want to take on MPB you need to except the reality of where your hair loss currently is. Sure taking pictures will reveal the ugly truth of your baldness - but it is the only way to really know where you have come from after you've done a HT or multiple HT's. Once you get a HT you should take pictures (monthly or bi-monthly) to monitor the progress. Hair loss is gradual and on the flip side hair growth after a transplant is also gradual. It is very easy to not notice the difference because the process is so dang slow... that is why taking pics is essential in your battle against hair loss.

Yeah, it's the truth. I wish I would have heeded this advice before my first procedure.

Hey dazza! Just checking in to see how everything is going after your scar revision. Hope all is well.

No prob. No I haven't seen any of his work. If you can't find many patients or threads of a doctors work then I would reconsider going to that doctor.

You're welcome.

But again, don't restrict yourself to the Uk, or Europe... look into the great clinics in North America as well.

I think you need much much more than a 1000 grafts. Double it at least. Are you open to doing the strip? If you keep your hair at that length then a scar shouldn't be a problem. Look into Farjo. But if you are dead set on FUE consult with Bisanga and/or Devroye.

I don't know of anything that will really speed up the healing process. Just be patient and try not to touch it. If it's terribly noticeable you can always conceal it with some dermmatch.