La La Land Hair

Someone named "joe" emailed me but IU couldn't find/verify his username on here. (I prefer to communicate through postings or PM on this site only) So if that was you just reply to this! Best LLL

Just to make it clear. I made my decision a couple weeks ago. I'm going to have my HT done by Dr. Ron Shapiro. I did extensive research and met with patients.

Oh trust me I don't. And didn't. I did call them to get answers to a bunch of questions. I alsodi a ton of other research. I found them in the top three of my list - particularly Dr. Chao (for me personally) There are actually tons of very positive comments about Sampson HR on this site. Also, I didn't really find that other persons comments negative really. Plus like you said they hadn't done an HT with them anyway.

Yogi's Dad - I agree I think it looks great especially considering that it was 1 month post. I'm sure you'll be loving the next years 'grow in' period.

I've made my choice and booked with Ron Shapiro for this summer. Very excited. Will post lots of pics after/during surgery and recovery.

Shapiro quoted me 2500-3000 with NO SHAVING.

Thanks for the pics. Just to clarify. I'm not saying the good "coalition" doctors are creating the myth and I'm also not saying it isn't neccessary to shave when doing the mega mega sessions. I'm just saying I've seen nothing to support the statement that shaving somehow saves you from any kind of permanent (or other) shockloss. In fact the coalition doctors I've spoken to all say that the mega mega sessions (3000 +) where they require shaving often cause MORE shockloss (not permanent but still) due to the density in which they pack the grafts and the trauma this causes the scalp and surrounding hair. Please feel free to correct me if I'm misquoting any good doctors. (that's for the doctors) Cheers, J

There are no studies to back this up. I've checked thoroughly. And no cases support this either. I was told by 1 doctor this same thing and his explanation made no sense and when I asked other doctors and qouted his explanation they did not support it. S there you go. Sounds like a myth created to try and get more patients to shave...

don't know if this link will work but here's a guy with similar hair and exactly what I'm talking about. There are many more around this website: http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/home-page.asp?WebID=312

The reasons I'm not going to shave this area are this. I'd keep 85-95% of what I have now in that area intact without shaving. You will see the little hairs form the transplant behind these for the first month but with Toppik it can be hidden (for the most part.) Then from 1-2 months I'll look much like I did before surgery. After that the hairs grow in randomly at a gradual rate. On the other hand- if I shave all of the hairs I have in the front area now it will take 3-4 months for them to grow back to my current state. (by then the others will be outpacing them.) The reason for this is that they are mostly miniaturized or in some state of miniaturization. They grow much slower and are in a state of telegin much longer. So I don't think it will be as obvious as if I shaved the recipient area. You can see what I'm referring to on many of the blogs (various doctors) I'll see if I can post some.

To follow up again HK500. Quite a few of the docs I met/consulted with were fantastic. So the decision comes down to a lot of other factors, some are simply personal. First and foremost - I need tom maintain my 'look' as much as possible so I'm looking at doctors who have most of their experience doing HT's with hair in place (no shaving). Other thoughts were density and # of grafts in relation to danger of 'shock loss' and having a very clear plan. (On this note it seems two HTs are inevitable for me.) Also considered: experience/training, respect in industry (docs that use THEM, seminars they've done, etc.) amount/quality and availability of before/after shots as well as peoples blogs. I'm sure I'm forgetting things but you get the idea. I started with a list of ten questions for docs, that's grown to 24... Cheers, J (from la la land)

I haven't, but they also seem great. My issue is I cxannot have my head shaved for the surgery and need to maintain my look as much as possible. Because huge sessions like that tend to need shaving and also create more tenegin stage 'shock loss' I couldn't hang with it. SO I'll probably need a second at some point, maybe not. Maybe they'll have the whole cloning thing out by then!

I'm continuing this post from an old one since I feel the topic has shifted now that I'm close- I've since met with and/or had phone consults with a wide array of doctors (total of 9!) Many great doc's but I had to narrow it down. I feel I've got that list down to 3 great ones. Reed, Shapiro and Epstein. I'm leaning toward Shapiro but I'm waiting to speak in person with a few people and see more pics (they're still updating their 8 year old website...) I'd love to hear from you. Especially if you have FISTHAND experience. Details are appreciated and links to photos or blogs are great. Please try to keep comments tactful. If you want you can email me personally. Getting excited...

I've since met with and/or had phone consults with a wide array of doctors (total of 9!) Many great doc's but I had to narrow it down. I feel I've got that list down to 3 great ones. Reed, Shapiro and Epstein. I'm leaning toward Shapiro but I'm waiting to speak in person with a few people and see more pics (they're still updating their 8 year old website...) Please try to keep comments tactful. If you want you can email me personally. Getting excited...

djdennis, Any pics after shaving your head with that #1?? Please post to yuo blod and reply here if possible. I'm also thinking of going with your doc since he doesn't require shaving the recipient area.