azjoe1

Hi all,

I'm 12-14 days post-op after 1967 FUE procedure and am in full paranoia mode about taking care of my grafts wanting to know if I'm healing properly. There is SOO much conflicting information post-op that its driving me crazy. Hope you guys can help!

I still have about 1/3 of the scabs on my head (just began washing more vigorously on day 9-11) and have alot of dry skin in and around the recipient area--is it okay to apply Aloe Vera lotion/gel/spray directly to the area for moisturizing???

Also, my donar area continues to be quite sore--sort of like a sunburn on my scalp. Scabing is virtually gone, but it seems like this "sunburn/soreness" may be lasting longer than it should. Any thoughts???

Oh yeah, during my first couple of more vigorous washings (actually using my hands--no direct stream from shower), I did notice alot of little stubs falling out and the recipient area does look a bit thinner now (bummer!)--that's okay, right???

Thanks all--really need some reassurance!

I slept in a recliner for the first 10 days--I'm a tosser and turner and prefer to sleep on my stomach/side. It sucked, but I KNOW I would have hit the new grafts sleeping as normal.

In the same, boat rws! I'm now 9-12 days post-op (it was 3 day 1967 graft procedure) and am experiencing the same thing. I didn't start to more vigorously wash until Day 9 and have lost quite a few small, stubbly hairs (only a few scabs left).

Also, the donar area is still kinda sore--feels like a sunburn on the scalp and is beginning to be itchy. When scratching, I do have some spots where I get some neuropathic shooting pain. However, each day seems to get a little better...

Curious, when were you told to begin washing the area??? I was told Day 6, but since it was a 3 day procedure, I waited till Day 9--sound right to you guys???

Looking forward to some responses! Good luck rws

Just completed 3 days of 1967 graft FUE procedure (this is now day 5), however, when I got off the plane yesterday evening, my head was the size of a pumpkin! Swelling has now moved to the eyes and face.

Is it okay to take NSAID's (Ibuprofen) for swelling yet???

For those about to take the dip, a couple of observations to make your life better post-op:

--Use prednisone during the procedure and after (unfortunately, the staff of my Dr. did not always remember to bring me any all three days and was not given any upon leaving the clinic...

--Ice your head during the evenings of the procedure, even if you are not feeling any swelling or discomfort (I didn't and now wish I had)

--Sleeping is difficult, especially bc you are concened about the health of the new grafts. Sleep sitting upright as best you can to avoid the inevitalble edema (I just learned this 5 days out)

Possibly a silly question, but when performing an FUE procdure, who typically performs the harvest portion of the procedure--the Dr. or a Technician???

I know the Dr. does the implanting of the grafts, but am unclear from some of my consultations on who harvests fromt the donar area...

I hate you.

Mongoal--sent you private message via this site...

Thanks mongoal--do you mind if I ask who your Dr. was???

Hi all,

What is generally regarded as the most FUE grafts that can be done in a single HT sitting??? Is there an accepted standard???

In particular, I think I'm looking at 2000-2500 grafts--can they all be done at once via FUE???

Posted this on the Drug forum, but haven't had any responses--any insights???

Thanks!

Hey Scar5,

Is a DHT blood level an accurate way to assess your rate of balding??? I never thought about doing that--thanks for the heads up!

Thanks everyone for their insights, much appreciated!

Yes, I have visited with several Drs and have several visits scheduled in the near future.

I dabbled with monoxidil probably 10-12 yrs ago in the vertex but found it very messy (smelly) and not conducive to styling my hair. I will be starting propecia/proscar soon.

I have visited these boards off-and-on for several years, but only recently have conditions in my life meritted taking the plunge.

i am just curious, why are you aggressively pursuing ht?

I think my hairline speaks for itself.

I've gotten some mixed answers to the following questions and wanted some the vets help guide me along here...

I'm 44, never been on hairloss meds, but am aggressively pursuing HT options at the moment. I'm a Norwood 3V, but note I've always had deep recesses (no hair) in the temporal region to the left and right of my forelock (cant wait to change this!!). Some miniaturization taking place in the frontal core and hairline. Good donar area. Don't think I'm necessarily losing it very rapidly. Hope to go the FUE route, if possible. Major concern is hairline. (I attached some pics)

How important is it to go on meds (propecia) PRIOR to HT to stablize the loss (and possibly add some hair)???

Obviously I dont want shedding or shock loss to interfere with the best possible outcome, but would hope not to have to wait another 6 months to a year before undergoing the procedure...

Thanks in advance!

Wow, is this a great post--thanks!

Hi hairtopik,

 

There is every chance that you could be a good candidate for an HT, but this is of course dependent on a lot of factors.

 

The fact that you're unable to take propecia is something that would have to be strongly considered. As we all know an HT can replace some of the lost hair in balding/thinning regions but it cannot stop further hairloss from happening. In the world of hairloss you're relatively young at 28 and so, although nobody can say for certain how much hair you'll lose in your lifetime, there is theoretically a chance you could continue to bald for many years to come. It is possible (and in reality probable) you'd need multiple HTs over your lifetime to replace lost hair and, even then, with current technology we only have a limited amount of donor hair which needs to go around. In short the more natural hair you can keep the better, and propecia/rogaine are still the only two drugs really proven to have an effect.

 

You don't need to be taking propecia to have an HT, but a doctor would have to plan for the possibility that your donor hair would one day have to be used to cover most of the top of your head. Issues such as density then come into play; if a doctor only has to fix a mildly thinning/balding head then they can possibly aim for higher densities in transplantation, but if the doctor is unsure how much further work you'll need they will need to plan conservatively in case in 5 or 10 years time, for example, you need a 2nd and possibly more HTs.

 

In terms of recommended doctors there is a 'coalition' of recommended doctors on this site and that's a great starting point. You can get information such as their location, see their work and find out what techniques they use to make a choice about who to visit. They will give you expert and honest advice about what you can do and the results you can expect.

 

Both FUT and FUE are good options with different pros/cons but as a general rule of thumb I would say the following applies to FUE:

 

* It's usually more expensive (though don't make cost your main consideration - an HT is for life and needs to be right!).

 

* The procedures tend to be smaller. These days FUT (strip) procedures can transplant thousands of grafts - maybe 3-6,000 in a single procedure. To my knowledge (though I am not an expert so best to research) FUE tends to be smaller procedures at a time, so you may need more procedures through FUE than FUT.

 

* FUE is not scarless. I only say this because a common misconception is that FUE produces no scars whilst FUT produces big scars. It's probably true that an FUT produces a more obvious strip-like scar (though this is hidden by hair and, in the hands of a good surgeon, very thin and clean) but FUE also produce tiny, mottled-texture scars. These tend not to be quite as noticeable since they look more textured than scar-like, but make sure you're aware a scare is inevitable with HT whatever current method you use. These days scars are not a big issue; many people can shave their hair very short and not show either FUE or FUT scars. But they are always present and must be considered.

 

Goals are also important. It's a harsh but simple fact that current HT techniques cannot restore a full head of hair and can, at best, usually only give somebody between 30-50% of their original density. In most cases this looks fine and patients are happy and a combination of good surgery and good styling means, to 90% of people 90% of the time, nobody notices and the illusion you have a good head of hair is maintained. But it is an illusion; if you run your hand through your hair, style it poorly or see a transplant in harsh sunlight it becomes clear you don't have a full head of hair.

 

I only say this because I personally feel the first psychological step on the road to getting a successful HT is to face up to the fact you're not going to have a full, thick head of hair like you did when you were 15 or something. You need to be comfortable with the idea that, rather than regaining a nice thick head of hair, you're actually only getting an 'acceptable' cosmetic look.

 

I don't say that to be harsh or undermine HTs (which can and often do look amazing). All cosmetic surgery is based on similar principles: you're not truly fixing the problem, you're very successfully creating the visual appearance you've fixed the problem. If you can deal with that, you might be a good candidate! Often, though, potential patients are disappointed when they start to realise an HT isn't going to actually take them back to 'how they were before'. What's probably more upsetting than losing your hair is not reaching your goals when you try to fix it. It's all about being realistic I guess.

 

Of course we don't know what future treatments lie around the corner, and maybe the future is bright and restoring more hair at higher densities is going to be an option. But until the fantasy becomes a fact, we need to plan as if this is as good as it gets!

 

Anyway, I have digressed a lot sorry, but for good reason. You actually have a decent head of hair at the moment. Yes, it is thinning and yes a HT would very likely improve it, but you need to weigh up a lot of factors to make a proper decision: how much will it cost, how much will your hair improve, what's the likelihood you will need further work, what are the implications of setting down that path etc.

 

This forum is a great starting point but find a good doctor local to you (or somewhere you're happy to travel to) and get their advice. Make sure you can achieve what you want cosmetically and make sure you understand both the good and the bad. I'm not suggesting there are "bad" elements to a HT, they're very safe and very effective. But they do have limitations and our brains can trick us into thinking "once I get this HT I'll look perfect and be happy and it'll be worth the cost and the effort". The reality is there is a lot to consider and a good doctor will give you the truth and let you make a decision you won't regret, one way or another.

 

Hope this helps a bit. Overall I'd say you definitely have a good chance of being a candidate for HT but go see a doctor, go see what you can expect to achieve and discuss your personal situation and make the best decision for you.

Outside of the various Dr's websites for pics of success stories, how does one actually get to meet other HT patients for reference purposes?

You look like a great candidate, but I'm relatively new myself. Quick question: What do you mean by "ultra refined" transplant--a term I'm not familiar with? I'm sure you'll get lots of great responses--good luck!

Thanks future HT doc, I plan to follow your advice, but do have a question about the constant mantra of "research, research, research"--its much easier said than done, however. I can read forums and opinions till my eyes are crossed, but at the end of the day, without meeting HT patients face-to-face, looking at pics of doc's work is extremely subjective at best. Not living in the area of some of the more recommended "name brand" docs on this and other boards, I will be having phone consultations as soon as I can set them up.

Outside of pics I subjectively like or dislike, what am I missing in terms of research???

BTW, are you a current med student or resident??? If resident, what specialty???

Thanks all--I had hoped for more responses, but for those of you who did respond, your comments were awesome and much appreciated! Wow, I had no idea I was at NW 4--I'm delusional and in denial I suppose...

I had never even thought about the the temples being an issue, but I think you're right that it would make a huge difference as well--the crown can wait, as I'm most concerned about hairline and framing. I will definitely start Propecia immediately, although I'm a little freaked about the potential side effects.

Kathie, I was hoping to knock this out by the end of 2010 if possible.

Quick question: How do you judge the best Dr.'s for hairline work--by simply looking at their websites and work on this website??? Any suggestions???

Thanks so much, Spex, just the kind of input I was looking for. What meds would you recommend (I know you're not necessarily a Dr.)??? Also, what Norwood Scale level am I???

For those not wanting to visit my profile...

Hey all,

Been conducting my research as we all do, and am now ready to take the plunge with an HT (I think--I'm scared as hell!). Anyway, I downloaded all the appropriate pics (with and without flash) and want to get some insights from you vets about my suitability and prognosis. I'm not even sure what my Norwood Scale level is?

A little background: 44 yrs old, have never used any hairloss drugs (Rogaine, propecia, etc...) and have always had a f'd up hairline that makes me look older. As you evaluate the pics, note I have never had hair in the temporal region (or gaps as I call them) on both sides of my forelock. In recent years, the forelock area and the crown have started to thin making it all worse.

I have always dreamed of having a great hairline and really want to create a hairline that frames my face more nicely.

Please check out my pics and give me some help! Thanks all...