canadian_buba

Hey guys! Thanks for the advice and the comments. As Eman stated the suture removal was a "non - event" I followed Dr. Rahal's post op manual perfectly, I did everything he said and it paid off. The stitches came out very easy with NO pain at all.(Due to Polysporan on the donor scar twice a day for 2 weeks) The nurse (very nice lady) and Dr. Rahal stated that my scar looked fantastic and that they are very pleased with the way it looks at 2 weeks. I will post pictures very soon as I want to get my wife to help me with the back of my head shots. Dr. Rahal shaved the rest of my head to match the grafted zone. It is down to a #1 !! So short. However I wanted it shaved and wouldnt trust a barber as much as I trust Dr. Rahal. He said it looks best when it is really short as it would look somewhat funny if the hair around the grafted area is longer. I agreed and will also be wearing a hat everywhere for the months to come. Well, when Im home with my wife and kids I will take it off. My head feels very clean!Its nice to have the short hair. No more vitamin E oil all over! No more blue cap! I look forward to cleaing my head, its going to be so much easier! My wife also likes it!! I find its great as at this point I still have most of my grafts so I can see the future shape of my hair line. Of course I will follow everything the doctor says to do for the months to come to work towards the best results possible. I am now taking Rogaine 2 x a day. Its the 5% foam. I am still being very gentle when washing. I'm using Burts Bee's Natural Shampoo. Dr. Rahal said I can now press down gently on the grafts when they are wet to assist with the breaking of the crusts. I may do this, however dont really like touching them much as they are still very firm and im just at the 2 week mark. Its a shame they need to fall out! I love these little guys! I spoke with Dr. Rahal about this online forum and he and his staff seem to follow it regularly. He loves to monitor his patients results and follow the changes in peoples lives due to his work. I name dropped a few names in the "Rahal Club " and he knows what stage people are at and loves to talk about what results they will see in the future. He is such a nice guy and takes so much pride in his work and his clients results! This is one of many factors, I am sure that makes, people travel from across the world to have Dr. Rahal work on their heads! I will post my pictures tomorrow! Now its back to real life! Work! Hat all the time! UFC and Super bowl this week! Sweet! Cheers

Wantego, Thanks for the advice, I plan on bringing all my hats with me today to Rahals office to see what he says about them. I will let you know. Cheers

No worries what so ever! I thought about that actually! I will ask the Doctor today when I get my stitches removed! I think Im going to wait about a month anyways!

Just posted pre stitch removal pics!

growmehair, Today (monday) I am two weeks post op. I am going into Rahal's office today to get my stitches removed (2pm). I cant wait! I want them out of there so bad its not even funny! They dont hurt or anything but I want to buzz the rest of my hair (which Rahal will be doing). Then I feel I can get back to normal life activities i.e. work with a hat on my head! I also have crusts and valleys like crazy! Last night I found some of them falling out and it is getting much better. I think it is from all the Vitamin E Dr. Rahal clients have to put on the grafts! From what I can see most Rahal patients are crust free around week 3ish. I will let you know about the pain with the stitches, however it cant be anything like the HT and its for only 10 minutes! All the best to you and all the Rahal clan! Cheers

Wantego, I would say your results look fantastic! It must be nice to have your face framed once again. Looks good! 1. As for the crown.. are you thinking of another HT? 2. I think you are safe to make a few jokes and not have to work about karma lol Cheers

hairseeker, Congrats on making the choice to get a HT. What doctor did you choose? 1. I am 13 days post op and would not go out in public without a hat on my head. I still have some scabs on the graft area. I will post pictures later today. 2. I had stitches, not sure what is better. 3. I had 3054 grafts and payed about 12K. Do you have pictures? Have you thought of creating a weblog? All the best

I am sure one of the TOP doctors could provide you with this hair line you want. I would take a variety of photos and send them for consults. How is your donor area? How old are you? All the best!

Hey Everyone, Well I will be 14 days post op on Monday and will be getting the stitches removed and my hair buzzed. I know there are many threads on this site about wearing a hat! However it still concerns me! I will need to wear a hat to work and I find the very loose hats look silly! Do you think that at 14 days post op I can wear a more fitted hat? Also do you think it is safe to wear a beanie? Please advise.. (One worried HT newbie) Ps. I want to protect these litle guys, however need to return to normal life activities!

GTL, I would get on Proscar at the very least now and start your consults. I think my hair loss is similar to yours, check out my profile. I recently had my HT with Rahal. One of the best tips I have taken from this site, is that a HT is rarely a one and done type of thing. Your hair loss could get worse, however if you have a HT now (approx 3000) to rebuild the front and stengthen the middle, then maybe down the road you may only need another for the crown and a few weak spots. All the best in your quest for hair!

Red, All the best my friend. Dont hesitae to ask as many questions as you want, so you are 100% going into it! In my opinion Rahal is in the top three for sure! You are in great hands! Sit back and enjoy the ride! I look forward to seeing you pictures and following your progress! Cheers

I am also interested in tracking your progress! Good luck with everything! Cheers

Space, I think I could return to work right now with a hat one my head. Im 8 days post op. However I grew my donor area longer before the HT. I think if you do the same you should be able to hide it very well. My only issue with that is that I dont want to put a hat on my grafts until day 14. Good luck

I am asking to find out if I can or not.. Trust me I dont want to risk it what so ever! I will ask Rahal and let you know. Cheers

Great choice! You will be in good hands! I am glad to be a member of the Rahal club! I can hardly wait for the Rahal results! Cheers

Wantego Your correct! Thanks for the heads up! Cheers!

Mike, The work looks great! Cant wait to track the growth! All the best! Cheers

I think I need the vitamin E at least until 14 days post op. Its messy but feels so good! I notice the top of the head gets very dry after the bath. After that I think I will turn to 100% Aloe Vera as per Eman's suggestion. Thanks!

Hey guys! Post op day 7 pics are now up! Let me know what you think.. For anyone who has not had a HT or will be please dont hesitate to ask questions! Wantego, I love being in the same city as Dr. Rahal, it really does make it much easier! Cant wait for the next few months to fly by! Cheers

Thanks for the tip! I will be two weeks this upcoming monday and plan to take it down to a # 3. Cheers lads! And thanks!

I agree with Eman!!! I want to get back to sports and lifting / pushing some heavy weights! Please advise!??

I was going to return to playing hockey at the 1 month marker.... Would this not be correct? Please advise!

Clint, A few things I would have are: 1. Neck pillow and extra pillows for sleeping at a 45 2. Gatorade or vitimin water to stay hydrated 3. Gel Ice pack for facial swelling 4. Plenty of zip up shirts 5. If you dont have a wife or GF prep some healthy meals ahead of time. 6. Extra surgical caps as they get very oily 7. Plenty of movies or TV shows to pass the time (I suggest online movies) 8. Rahal will give you a nice gift bag to take home with all the meds you will need. Good luck, you picked a great doctor! Are you travelling from far? How long will you be in Ottawa? If you have questions about the city let me know as that is where i live! Cheers

Does anyone know when it is safe to go into a Hot Tub (outdoor) post HT? Just wondering as it is one of my favorite past times up here in the Canadian Winter! Please advise. Cheers

Does anyone know when it is safe to go into a Hot Tub (outdoor) post HT? Just wondering as it is one of my favorite past times up here in the Canadian Winter! Please advise. Cheers