Milesdaily

I, too, am about 17 weeks out (May 15) and just started to notice some growth (stubble) a couple of weeks ago. It's too early to be getting worried. The first 6 months are definately the worst as far as waiting goes, but it's worth it! Like Please Grow Please says, stay away from the mirror.

Good luck,

Miles

I had my first HT with Dr. Tessler and HT# 2&3 by one of his associates, Dr. James Aronovitz. I am quite pleased....13.5 weeks post HT#3 (see my hair blog). I also was told that Dr. Tessler is retired (neck problems, I believe). I'm not sure how wide my scar was, but they were able to completely remove it before each successive surgery and still get a good number of grafts/hairs.

Miles

Dr. Limmer,

I am an ER doc in Michigan. From a strictly cosmetic point of view, your closure looks fantastic! It would also be nice to see pics of the scar after it has healed. I imagine it will look just as good.

Miles

Bayer,

You're right about the step back, it's tough! I guess I just have to wait....and wait...

Thanks for the words of encouragement and I'll look forward to seeing your updated album.

Miles

Thanks NN!

I feel a lot better with that info. Just was getting a little anxious.

Miles

With a 2nd or 3rd HT, is it possible to experience shock loss in the previously transplanted hairs? I don't know if I'm being hypersensitive or looking in the mirror too much, but it seems like my hair is a bit more thin now than before. I'm only 18 days post-HT #3.

If this kind of shock loss does occur, when would it likely happen and is it more likely to be temporary being that these hairs are genetically predisposed not to fall out?

Thanks,

Miles

With a 2nd or 3rd HT, is it possible to experience shock loss in the previously transplanted hairs? I don't know if I'm being hypersensitive or looking in the mirror too much, but it seems like my hair is a bit more thin now than before. I'm only 18 days post-HT #3.

If this kind of shock loss does occur, when would it likely happen and is it more likely to be temporary being that these hairs are genetically predisposed not to fall out?

Thanks,

Miles

NN,

Congrats on your decision and good luck! Looking forward to seeing the pics.

Miles

When the donor strip was taken out it's possible that the wound may gape open a bit causing it to look wider than it actually is. Maybe one of the techs on the forum can comment on this. Cool picture though!

Miles

Thanks Bill,

I'll keep my blog updated on a monthly basis to document my progress. Good luck with your healing and growing as well.

Miles

Bill,

Do you have any idea what the average percentage of 1's-2's vs. 3's-4's is? Mine calculates to 28% 1's-2's and 78% 3's-4's. Are there any advantages/disadvantages of having a higher percentage of one group vs. the other, or does it really depend on what one is trying to accomplish?

BTW, I know the newly transplanted hairs have to go, but it is still sad to find them all over my pillow in the morning!

Thanks for your insight and information, and for taking the time to answer my questions.

Miles

Bill, NN,

Yes, the goal of this session was increased density in the front and coverage for the crown. NN has a good point. It would have been more difficult for to come back to work after a "megasession" as soon as I did. Also, I'm a real wuss when it comes to pain, and this last session, being the largest, hurt bad enough. After looking at your pics, Bill, I can only imagine the pain you felt with the extent of your incision. Mine goes to right above my ears, whereas yours continues a couple inches further on both sides.

I also hate to bring this up (I know it's sensitive and has been discussed ad nauseum in another thread) but I think with the number of 3's and 4's done, the hair count is probably pretty similar to those with larger graft counts but more 1's and 2's. I guess it all depends on what you're trying to accomplish -- hairlines will require a lot of 1's to make it look natural, where density behind the hairline can use the larger hair-count grafts. You are right ,though, Bill, that the end result is all that matters and I think we will both turn out very happy.

NN, one other thing, Dr. Aronovitz told me that almost all of the hair in front is now transplanted hair. Either through shock loss or natural "decay" (ha, ha), or more likely both, most of my native hair is gone. Meaning I would probably be pretty bald by now! I might even have a combover...GASP! (I tried to put one of those animated smiley faces here, but I can't for some reason).

Miles

Bill,

To tell you the truth, I didn't know a whole lot about HT before my first two session. I didn't know about this forum until I got a letter from Dr. Tessler's secretary after my second HT.

I went for a consultation and they told me what they thought would be best. I was involved in which areas I wanted them to concentrate on, but the number of grafts and spacing were all left up to them. I guess if I'd known more, I would have asked for as many grafts to be done as possible. I assumed they got as many grafts as they could with each session, but I guess I don't know. I don't think I got screwed or anything, but if I were more informed prior to my first session, maybe I could have asked more (or different) questions.

I guess that is the power of this forum, it gives potential patients insight and critical information to assist them in their decisions. I must say, though, that I am still quite pleased with my results, even though it took three sessions.

I welcome other's opinions on this matter.

Miles

NN, Nobuzz,

Thanks for the support! Hair greed is definately alive in me, can't wait to see the final results. Only 11.5 months to go!

Miles

I had my 3rd HT done May 15. I originally posted under a different thread....I felt a bit uncomfortable starting a thread about myself, but I was encouraged to start one (through PM) by another forum member, so here goes. My surgery was done by Dr. James Aronovitz (from Tessler & Aronovitz in Southfield, MI) 12 days ago. Dr. Tessler did my first HT, Dr. Aronovitz has done my last two. Dr. Tessler is now retired. My surgery lasted 6-7 hours and used 2292 grafts (totaling roughly 8100 hairs). This time we concentrated on the crown and also added density to the anterior 2/3's. My wife took my sutures out 2 days ago so I'm feeling quite good now. All pain is long gone, not even using ibuprofen any more. Virtually all of the scabs are gone, too, but a lot of the hairs are still hanging on. I've posted before and after photos in my hair weblog. I'll also post some pics of the donor area as soon as I can get my wife to take them, and I'll try to add some on a monthly basis.

I would highly recommend Dr. Aronovitz for anyone in the Michigan area. Dr. Aronovitz removed and sutured the donor area, and made all of the incisions himself as the surgery progressed. His staff is very friendly and knowledgable. I was given (and recommend) valium prior to each surgery, so there was very little pain (at least none that I cared about). For those of you thinking about this, I would also recommend using a sleeping pill for the first couple of nights, it makes the nights much better....I used Restoril 30mg/night for two nights.

If anyone has any questions about Dr. Aronovitz, let me know. BTW, I do not work for Drs. Tessler & Aronovitz, nor do I work in the HT industry.

Miles

I had my 3rd HT done May 15. I originally posted under a different thread....I felt a bit uncomfortable starting a thread about myself, but I was encouraged to start one (through PM) by another forum member, so here goes. My surgery was done by Dr. James Aronovitz (from Tessler & Aronovitz in Southfield, MI) 12 days ago. Dr. Tessler did my first HT, Dr. Aronovitz has done my last two. Dr. Tessler is now retired. My surgery lasted 6-7 hours and used 2292 grafts (totaling roughly 8100 hairs). This time we concentrated on the crown and also added density to the anterior 2/3's. My wife took my sutures out 2 days ago so I'm feeling quite good now. All pain is long gone, not even using ibuprofen any more. Virtually all of the scabs are gone, too, but a lot of the hairs are still hanging on. I've posted before and after photos in my hair weblog. I'll also post some pics of the donor area as soon as I can get my wife to take them, and I'll try to add some on a monthly basis.

I would highly recommend Dr. Aronovitz for anyone in the Michigan area. Dr. Aronovitz removed and sutured the donor area, and made all of the incisions himself as the surgery progressed. His staff is very friendly and knowledgable. I was given (and recommend) valium prior to each surgery, so there was very little pain (at least none that I cared about). For those of you thinking about this, I would also recommend using a sleeping pill for the first couple of nights, it makes the nights much better....I used Restoril 30mg/night for two nights.

If anyone has any questions about Dr. Aronovitz, let me know. BTW, I do not work for Drs. Tessler & Aronovitz, nor do I work in the HT industry.

Miles

Hairbank,

Go for it! I just took the plunge for HT #3 myself 10 days ago. Mine was done with Dr. James Aronovitz (with Tessler & Aronovitz). Dr. Tessler is now retired. I posted some day-after and beyond pics on my blog. Had 2292 grafts placed mostly in the crown, but also for more coverage/density behind the hairline. 61

One's, 177 Two's, and 2054 Three's and Four's (mostly Four's) -- roughly 8100 hairs. Now I'm playing the waiting game!!

Good luck!

Miles

Starbucks makes a good cafe' mocha (with whip cream, of course). Not too good for you, but tastes good. I'm not much of a coffee drinker so my morning drink of choice is diet Monster energy drink - tastes good and wakes me up!

Miles

Anyone heard of Nutri-ox? Nobody I've checked so far has Nioxin, but I was told by a beauty supply store employee that Nutri-ox is the same thing only cheaper.

Miles

I'm like most of the others -- 10d - 2weeks and they were all gone.

Miles

Thanks Hairbank,

Walmart, here I come!

Miles

Tarasilk,

Thanks for the info. I'll have to search the other drug/beauty supply stores in my area.

Miles

I was wondering where you guys buy your hair products (Nizoral, Nioxin, Toppik/Prothik, etc.). I looked for some of these in Meijer's but couldn't find ANY of them. Do I need to go to a salon or beauty supply store, or can I order them online?

Thanks,

Miles

CJS,

I'm on Proscar 1.25mg daily without any side effects; never tried Avodart. I found information about Avodart at www.avodart.com - look under "Information for physicians," then "potential side effects." Some side effects diminish over time with certain meds, however, I couldn't find anything specific for Avodart. Maybe someone who's taken Avodart can respond with their experience.

Good luck,

Miles

Andrew,

You are correct. TS - if you really have Propecia, you should not be cutting it in half, it is only 1mg per pill. If you have Proscar, then use a pill cutter to cut it into approximate quarters. It doesn't matter if they are exact, you will still be getting 5mg every 4 days and the small variation in dosage shouldn't be a problem. Men on Proscar for prostate problems take the whole 5mg pill daily, so you won't be overdosing on days when the piece is more than 1.25mg.

Miles