rws
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Everything posted by rws
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wb280, I'm lucky as my Mum is a nurse, and regularly checks my BP when I go back for visits weekly. I've told her I'm on minoxidil, so she's agreed to monitor my BP in this way, and so far it's just a little lower than it was before (which was a little high, so it's actually been good for me in this way!). It's still completely within normal limits, no problems at all. I'd agree that it's a good idea to be monitored regularly, so you're doing the right thing by involving your GP. Pics might be a bit misleading with me, as I've just had a HT in February this year, which obscures the results! Will try and post some of my crown soon, which is thickening nicely with Loniten - although sadly I have no before shots of that.
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I'm raving about oral minoxidil at the moment as I've had such noticeable results in just three months - it's not only given the hair at my crown a real boost, but the hairs in the frontal region are now fuller and thicker, giving a much thicker cosmetic appearance overall - and fine hairs that looked to be on the way out are now beginning to thicken up and sprout out. I had a 1500 FUE session in February, and I think the oral minoxidil has also helped stimulate growth of the grafts post-shedding. Of course it needs to be used with extreme caution, as all drugs do - but I'm only on a small dose (2.5mg twice a day) and I've noticed no side-effects at all, apart from increased hair growth in the beard, around the eyebrows and on the body (although this isn't unacceptably excessive by any measure).
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I can add another positive experience here - have been on finasteride (generic and branded Propecia) for about 8 years now, and have never noticed any side effects on libido at all, and none of the breast enlargement / tenderness that is mentioned in possible side effects.
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Just to add in my experience, I've been on oral minoxidil for 3 months now, and have had remarkable results in such a short time, and no serious side effects at all. I'm only taking 5mg a day, split into 2.5mg morning and night. No weight gain, no palpitations, no dizziness - all fine. And it's REALLY thickened up the finer hairs in my hairline and on my crown - I'm actually stunned at how visible the effect is. I had a 1500 FUE procedure in February, and I believe it's also helping to speed up the regrowth process after shedding. I have noticed my beard growth and body hair is starting to get much thicker, and there are a few hairs appearing around my eyebrows - nothing that trimming / shaving / plucking can't cope with! To be honest, if it saves my hairline, then I can definitely put up with a bit of extra body hair growth! I also had slightly high blood pressure before starting on Loniten, so it should bring that down as well as increase hair growth. I should add that I'm on Propecia too, and haven't experienced negative side effects with that at all. While Propecia seems to work for me in preventing further loss, it's Minoxidil that has given me the most dramatic results with regrowth / rethickening of fine hairs.
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From the album: FUE 1500 grafts, Feb 2011
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From the album: FUE 1500 grafts, Feb 2011
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From the album: FUE 1500 grafts, Feb 2011
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My transplantation beard hair grew right away. No shedding?
rws replied to akuma's topic in Hair Transplant Reviews
Same here, my grafts started growing straight away - a bit slower than the native hair at first - and then started shedding around week 5. So it sounds normal! -
Question on post op shedding
rws replied to ukpaitent's topic in Hair Restoration Questions and Answers
ukpatient, I'm following a similar pattern to you - I didn't start shedding until nearly week 5 post-op, and it's very slow and gradual. But like you, shedding is also uneven - particularly around my hairline, the grafts are hanging onto the hair for longer - whereas there are spots behind the hairline which have shed a fair bit more. I thought it might be due to the greater trauma to the regions behind the hairline (dense transplantion on all sides), so more 'scalp shock'. I'm not too worried about it myself, but it would be good to get some other opinions! -
what shampoo immeadiately post op?
rws replied to Stevelkinevil's topic in Hair Restoration Questions and Answers
Baby shampoo here too, although I was recommended to use it for a whole two months post-op. -
How long do I wait to use Dermatch Post-Op?
rws replied to boloheadboy's topic in Hair Restoration Questions and Answers
I have used Toppik for some years, and took a month off post-HT. Was told by my clinic not to use any kind of chemical on the hair for a month post-op, and I just counted Toppik in with this, although in reality - as the above posts suggest too - Toppik isn't really as much of a problem as more liquid preparations like Derma-match, which lie on the scalp / clog pores. Toppik does sit on the scalp, but as it consists of little fibres, most of it clings to the hair, and it's too big to get into pores etc. Have been back on the Toppik for a few days no and no problems at all, although I'm being careful - only putting it on when I'm going out somewhere very public where I know there's be lots of sunlight / bright lighting! -
Thanks bigcow - good to know what I'm experiencing is pretty much normal!
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From the album: FUE 1500 grafts, Feb 2011
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From the album: FUE 1500 grafts, Feb 2011
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Hi everyone, Just wondered what people's experiences were regarding numbness in the recipient region. I've just reached 1 month post-op, and the area is still pretty numb to the touch, although I have noticed the sensation beginning to return. How long have people found it takes for the whole recipient to return to a completely normal state? Thanks, R.
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Had the same worries myself (currently starting to shed at 29 days post-op), and found an earlier post about shed hairs with a dark bulb at the end which set my mind at rest. Apparently it's completely normal - follicles enter their 'sleeping' phase, and the so-called telogen hairs are shed with a small club of follicles at the end. Here's the post which helped me: http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/139594-why-do-some-shed-hairs-have-kink-black-bulb-bottom.html
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Know I'm late to this post but I have noticed the same thing and it seems normal from what I've read online. Many of the shed hairs I've noticed have had a darker, thicker end, sometimes with a kink too. It seems that telogen hairs which are shedding normally include a terminal club of cells like this, and it's nothing to worry about seemingly. At 4-6 weeks I don't think there's any chance of a graft coming out with the hair.
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I found that study useful as well in the first few days post-op, mattj, good link. I guess it confirms that any amount of rubbing / massaging after the first two weeks won't affect the grafts. In fact I remember reading one guy's post on here which said his doc recommended vigourously rubbing the recipient area at 15 days to actively dislodge all the loose hairs! I don't think I'd be brave enough to do that, it's paranoid work looking after these things Still barely any shedding yet, and now at day 28 post-op. I've read several accounts suggesting shedding is most prolific in weeks 4-6, so waiting with baited breath... (not, lol) What will make it weird is that I healed very quickly, and many of the grafts have been growing, so for 3 weeks I've had the appearance of a good hairline and quite full hair coverage on top. Not looking forward to going back to the previous thinning look, however brief One more quick question if anyone can help - I was using Nizoral twice weekly before the op, but have been instructed to only use baby shampoo for 2 months post-op. Is it safe to start using Nizoral earlier than the end of those two months? I think the rationale is that I should avoid putting anything too chemical onto my scalp before the end of that time.
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Levrais, Hairthere, thanks a million for your reassuring posts. I'm sure everyone's been there - logic and learning tell you everything is fine, but you're paranoid all the same... Human minds eh Levrais, I had 1500 grafts done (approx 3000 hairs) at the Harley Street Hair Clinic (Dr Tchalakov), London. Absolutely happy with the work done - a very professional outfit, initial results very pleasing (hairline looks very natural) and healing / post-op experience has so far been excellent. I had diffuse thinning at the front - the hairline was pretty sparse, although with meds / cover-up like Toppik, I've held the hair loss and the appearance of it off for some years now, and the HT was to rebuild the hairline I'd loss before I started all the meds etc. some years ago. Very glad for this site - has been a great source of info and encouragement. Looking forward to the regrowth and final result, thanks for the good wishes guys!
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Hi Rod, Thanks for that. I've read tons of info, on here and from the clinic itself, so I have no reason to be paranoid really... I know the shedding is due to start about now, but I guess I just wanted a friendly pat on the shoulder and a 'don't worry, it's fine!' from this thread really. Just being needy My main concern was the rubbing of the recipient area really - I guess it is perfectly safe to do so 26 days after the op, so I don't know what I'm worrying about really. R.
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Hey everyone, I'm now on day 26 post-op, and the little hairs have hung on this long, many of them starting to grow a little already... But now, slowly and gradually, they have begun to shed. I started massaging Regaine foam into the scalp twice daily from day 15, not pressing too hard into the recipient area. I just wanted to be sure that, at this point (nearly four weeks after the procedure), that there's NO chance of me dislodging actual grafts when I massage hairs which are about to shed. I ask because a couple of the shed hairs are a touch darker/ thicker at one end when I see them on my fingers. Not by much - I think it could well just be dry / scabby skin rather than an actual graft. I know I'm being a bit paranoid, as I've read all over the place that the grafts are fully secure by day 10 (which was over two weeks ago), but I want to make sure that I'm not being too agressive by rubbing the recipient area with my fingers already. I guess everyone who's been through a HT has been through this stage before, and it's a bit depressing and worrying... Keep having to tell myself it's a normal stage of the process. Hope someone can put my mind at rest... Thanks in advance! R.
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From the album: FUE 1500 grafts, Feb 2011
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From the album: FUE 1500 grafts, Feb 2011
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I know each case is individual, but I've been using finasteride for 7-8 years now, and I've never noticed any side effects - and at points I was taking 2.5mg a day. I do think a lot of the anxiety and worry is, like you say, the mind games triggered by reading so many horror stories. I can't remember the exact figure, but I think a drop in libido was experienced by only 2-3% of men on the 1mg a day dose - and that's not necessarily due to the finasteride, since lots of things can cause it. Worth checking out the exact figures as I can't quite remember them!
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Amped, I COMPLETELY sympathise with you - I'm now 10 days post-op, and every one of those negative posts gives me the shivers... Finding the post-op process can be fraught with anxieties and paranoia, although I'm getting better at taking things with a pinch of salt! That said, there have been some brilliant, encouraging, helpful posts as well - have gained so much info from this site, so to all you helpful posters - a huge thank you.
