Janus

Greetings, I just underwent my HT at Bernstein Medical this past Tuesday morning. I am an advanced Norwood 3V. Based on the recommendations from this site, I initially consulted with Bernstein, Feller, and Dorin back in January. Of the three, Bernstein and his staff came across as the most capable and professional and now that I am two days post-op I am very happy with my ultimate decision. From a roughly six inch strip, I had 1150 hairs implanted in and around my hairline, mostly on the left side where my hair naturally parts (so of course this is the area with the most thinnning, thanks Almighty Creator). No shaving was required; they worked around my existing hair. Dr. Bernstein is extremely professional. He sensed some residual hesitation about the HT from me (it was really me asking addtional questions to manage my expectations) and was clear that if we could not agree on the ultimate result, that he would refund me the total fee and we could simply cancel the procedure. I wonder how many other physicians would do that. Once the drawing was done and the final procedure laid out, I got two valiums (my first ever) and two shots in the arms and then awoke some time later with the strip removed and the staples already in place. Pretty sweet stuff that valium. The incisions were made and the hairs implanted while I watched Sonny Chiba in the Street Fighter's Last Revenge (a 1970s classic I highly recommend). So far, minimal swelling and my pain and discomfort is being managed by vicodin. The staples are really clean, no crusting that I can see, and just some minimal scabbing in the transpant area. I am super paranoid about knocking any grafts out so every move I make is extremely slow and exaggerated and I won't even touch a comb. Does this fear pass or must I wait until day 10 when the first staples are removed to calm down some? When can I use a wide tooth comb? How about a hair dryer? When I can I relax a little?

Greetings, I just underwent my HT at Bernstein Medical this past Tuesday morning. I am an advanced Norwood 3V. Based on the recommendations from this site, I initially consulted with Bernstein, Feller, and Dorin back in January. Of the three, Bernstein and his staff came across as the most capable and professional and now that I am two days post-op I am very happy with my ultimate decision. From a roughly six inch strip, I had 1150 hairs implanted in and around my hairline, mostly on the left side where my hair naturally parts (so of course this is the area with the most thinnning, thanks Almighty Creator). No shaving was required; they worked around my existing hair. Dr. Bernstein is extremely professional. He sensed some residual hesitation about the HT from me (it was really me asking addtional questions to manage my expectations) and was clear that if we could not agree on the ultimate result, that he would refund me the total fee and we could simply cancel the procedure. I wonder how many other physicians would do that. Once the drawing was done and the final procedure laid out, I got two valiums (my first ever) and two shots in the arms and then awoke some time later with the strip removed and the staples already in place. Pretty sweet stuff that valium. The incisions were made and the hairs implanted while I watched Sonny Chiba in the Street Fighter's Last Revenge (a 1970s classic I highly recommend). So far, minimal swelling and my pain and discomfort is being managed by vicodin. The staples are really clean, no crusting that I can see, and just some minimal scabbing in the transpant area. I am super paranoid about knocking any grafts out so every move I make is extremely slow and exaggerated and I won't even touch a comb. Does this fear pass or must I wait until day 10 when the first staples are removed to calm down some? When can I use a wide tooth comb? How about a hair dryer? When I can I relax a little?

This may be a lame FNG question but I am trying to plot out worst case scenarios as I prepare for my HT. I am going with Feller, Bernstein, or Dorin depending on how the January consults go so I have done some homework. Hypothetically, if things go wrong post transplant surgery (e.g. massive infection, all of my hair falls out, debiliting illness brought on by surgery, hospitalization, etc), who foots the bill? I am speaking in the context that I would follow all post-op directions to the letter and do everything I am supposed to do correctly. Is the doctor responsible in any way, shape, or form OR am I am on my own (hoping my HMO will cover it)? Does anyone have any experience with, or knowledge of, really, really bad surgery related problems and what the ultimate resolutions were?

Hello, I have been lurking for a while. Thanks to everyone involved for this great resource. Based on my research here, I have scheduled 3 separate consultations with Drs Feller, Dorin, and Bernstein in NY (I live in Maryland) during the first week in January. In addition to meeting with the doctors, can I/should I ask to meet with some of their former patients to see their (the patients') results? Is this a standard request? Is it likely they can make this happen with this relatively short notice? If they cannot arrange these meetings, should I hold off on making my final physician choice until they can be arranged? I have a very busy schedule, so multiple trips back and forth between MD and NY would be tough to pull off.