the B spot

Iguana, I would like to see some before and after pics if you have them. Also, I think most of us would like to know which doc you went to, along with seeing the pics. I hope that you will regain your lost hair soon, and this post finds you well.

It would be silly to think that the time and energy spent running this great site did not require money. With that being said, I have met Pat in person, and he strikes me as a stand up guy-- I think it is great that doctors support this site. Trust me, it would not take long for the members of this forum to discover ANY improprieties, if they existed. I for one am glad I discovered this site when I did.

Hey Bill, keep your chin up buddy!!!!! We are all waiting for you to sprout!!! Can't wait to see the pics. I am 12 days post op, so I will be shaving down soon and showing my scar...... I will be entering the "waiting stage" myself......

Regardless of the skill of the doctor, it would be irresponsible for anyone to consider being able to shave their head after a HT. I am waiting for my scar to heal, and by the looks of things mine will be nearly undetectable, but that still does not mean I am not prepared for a noticeable scar.

I had the procedure done on Fri and I could have went back to work Tues. I took until Thursday because I just wanted to make sure I gave myself enough time to recover fully. As far as how I feel, post-op is going great, no shedding, very little swelling (forehead, eyes), very little redness, and lot's of scabs. The scabs aren't so bad (since they are necessary :-) I have heard others say they needed 3 days, some a week or so. I just think I heal quick, and I can't wait to get these damn staples out, that's for sure! (Tue) You know, my graft distribution is pretty interesting (to me anyway). If you look at my head imagine starting in the middle and working out. Since my strip yielded lots of 2, 3, 4 hair grafts Dr. Shapiro decided to bring my hairline down a bit and go back right to my crown. I covered a 120 cm section, but not equally. In the middle, imagine packing 40 fu's into a cm/2 but having 2 or 3 hair grafts each fu and expanding outward. Obviously, this will provide more density then if all the fu's were 1's or 2's. As you go toward my hairline it thins a bit to around 25-30 cm/2, using all single fu's to provide a natural hairline. I think this depends on what your strip yields though. I actually yielded 2970 grafts, but an additional 130 grafts were split because they were in 6-7 groupings, and needed to be cut down. Funny thing is, I was shocked at how dense my donor hair was, (so was Dr. Shapiro). I have to ask though, why such a small procedure for you?

Troy, Dr. Rose takes the time to post his views or new procedures on this forum. He also has a reputation for being an understanding doc! I think you will be most pleased with your decision. As far as being nervous, brother I know how you feel! If you read my posts, you will find what a great time I had, and how I cannot wait to do number 2! I think you should relax, and enjoy the fact that you are doing something about being hair challenged

Thanks Casanova I think we are all waiting for your results as well. Continue to keep up posted and happy growing! 3100 w/Shapiro 10/7/05

Thanks Pat. I did enjoy meeting you as well. I have more or less kept my opinions about session size to myself, choosing to wait until my first procedure to offer comments. For guys like myself, two 2500 to 3500 sessions seem to be in order, with perhaps a small touch up if necessary (donor permitting, of course). Again, what works for me, may not work for everyone else, but I offer my opinion for those who would like to listen. 3100 w/Shapiro 10/7/05

Hear!Hear!

Troy, if you indeed have made the decision to get a HT, then the hardest step is over. The fact that you are deciding between Rose or Shapiro is great as well. Either of these physicians consistently produce dramatic results and both command tremendous respect in their field. I think Matt is being honest with you, and is doing what ethical consultants should do: give you information and let YOU make the decision, without pressure. I do not think this is a "results" decision, Troy, but making a tough decision between two great doctors you can't go wrong with. 3100 w/Shapiro 10/7/05

Troy, when I called SMG, I did so with an open mind, preferring to keep all my options open. In saying that, I had already made up my mind BEFORE any consult or contact, that Dr. Shapiro was the best HT doctor for meeting all of my criteria. I did not make that decision lightly, nor did I allow anyone else to influence my judgement. Having Dr. Shapiro do my HT was amazing, reaffirming ny trust in him and my decision. With all of that, I would only accept the BEST, Dr. Shapiro. I do not think, however, you would be wrong in chosing Dr. Rose. YOU need to choose the right doc for you. Hope this helps.

KG, I see your logic, but do you think that the patient has to fit the program? I know that for me personally, I am looking at 3 surgery's, densing and refining each time. In my case I believe that the girls could have split additional 2 or 3's and brought my total up over 3500. I am not sure it would mean any difference for me personally. I see however IF just a smaller portion of the scalp is being transplanted where splitting could be more effective and necessary when "dense packing" 45 55 fu cm2 over a 80cm section. For me its moot anyway because I was a six, so I needed a different plan. I have watched this forum for quite a while, and am still taking a wait and see approach to these enormous 4000 5000 sessions. I will agree that some of the work you describe is amazing, just not realistic for all of us.

Yeah I was pretty much a full 6, but I have awesome scalp laxity and my donor strip yielded 3100 on a 1.25cm 27cm strip. After 6 days I can feel my scalp loosening up already, and I think I can get another 3000 plus again. Since I buzzed my head down to a #1 it is difficult to tell just how much native hair I do have. It is not much, but for a guy like me that makes it easier at this point in my life to have a plan of attack put in place with in my opinion the best HT doc on the planet. In this instance I covered a 120cm part of my scalp with 3100 grafts. My coverage will be between 25 to 40 fu percm2 which is AMAZING considering I had about 5 :-) When I do #2 I expect to have coverage in the front half at 35 to 55 with some coverage into crown at 20 to 30. You know Bill, after I got out of the chair, I immediately couldn't wait for #2. Did you feel the same way? BTW your looking pretty good up top yourself, buddy!

Ok boys and girls, here are the first pictures of my road to recovery. 3100 total with Dr. Shapiro 10/7/05

WOW that is pretty amazing! I think others would like to know which doc you used in order to speed along their plans for surgery. I imagine the doctor could charge a little more for assuming the financial risk, but that is some important information for those right on the edge of getting it done. I know that I could have went anytime during the past four years, but I waited becuase I wanted the perfect Doc for me, but if your doc produces and helps with financing, he should be pretty busy. 3100 w/Shapiro 10/7/05

2800 for the first one? What about number 2? How much donor hair do you have available? Did the doc draw a diagram of possible coverage? How wide/long a strip to get that much hair? From your information I am sure that you might want to consult with a couple of Doc's, and monitor this site in depth before you decide what is right for YOU. As a 6 myself, I decided my 1st HT would be from the middle out, with a concentration on the hairline. I will try for density on #2 and hope for 500 to 1000 for the crown on #2. I think during a consult the crown possibilities concerning surgery should be brought up by the doctor, without you asking. Just my opnion though. Good luck on your journey and keep us posted. 3100 w/Shapiro 10/7/05

Does anyone know how many of these 4000+ sessions have to go back for 1 or 2 more surgery's? I ask this because I have looked at hundreds of photos on this forum, and the best results seem to be a couple of 2000 - 3000 HT and possibly a smaller third one as a touch up. This is just my opinion, does anyone have any thoughts? Also, I had quite a few 2-3 fu's placed in the bridge across the top of my head. I think the density will end up being greater than if they had been all split. On my second surgery, I hope to add 1's and 2's in the same areas to really add density. 3100 w/Shapiro 10/7/05

I for one am ok with no bra's. That plus a great HT makes me a happy man

I am no expert, but that does not look good after 11 months brother. Did the doc offer any money back or corrective work? Perhaps he will foot the bill for FUE at another facility? Your immediate post op pics look awesome. I cannot believe you are not very dense in front. Please keep us all posted as to how all of this is handled.

I agree with Pat. The first session on a virgin scalp should be at least 2000 or more (personal opinion). You never have any assurances that your scalp will loosen up enough for HT #2. Also, what is the cost difference between 1200 and 2000? Talk to your consultant/doc and see what you can work out. Maybe they will meet you in the middle.

Don Juan- if you are always a step ahead of everyone, you should know the answer by now Anyway, I think medication is your ONLY option at this point. No person on earth could forecast your hairloss, so a HT could be disaster. Give your parents the address to the site and let them do some research on their own. Again, if you are losing hair at 19, a HT is NOT the answer. I hope this helps.

You know, I have been reading alot about MSM on this site, and I would like some thoughts on trying it out. I am starting Propecia, but it seems others feel as if MSM gives them some additional benefits. Let me know, and also let me know where to find the RIGHT type as well. Thanx fella's 3100 w/Shapiro 10/7/05

You know, I have been reading alot about MSM on this site, and I would like some thoughts on trying it out. I am starting Propecia, but it seems others feel as if MSM gives them some additional benefits. Let me know, and also let me know where to find the RIGHT type as well. Thanx fella's 3100 w/Shapiro 10/7/05

Thanks Robert

THE DEED IS DONE! I am so elated right now, I can barely describe it! I was so nervous going into surgery, but I ended up having so much fun with Dr. Shapiro and his EXCELLENT staff, it was a breeze!!!! Oh yeah, and the sweetest bonus... we were shooting for 2000 to 2500 and ended up with 3100+!!!!!!! Plus, Pat stopped by to check out the procedure, so I got to meet him as well. On Sat. I went back for my checkup and wash, and lo and behold, several of the worlds finest HT doc's were there to observe Dr. Shapiro in action. Needless to say I got to rub some elbows, and I let the doc's examine my now non bald dome Anyway back to the surgery.... the doc had decided to go conservative for the 1st one and then really attack my hairline on the 2nd one. Imagine my surprise when the technicians started going ga-ga over my doner density!!!!! When the doc asked where they were at they said 2800 and counting!!!!!!! Holy Sh@t!!! I had long given up hope that my crown would ever be touched, but now it looks as if I might get into 45fu sqcm in the front (after HT #2), and have some left over for the crown!!! Guys, I have been shaving my head for five years now and did not realize that I had lost most of my lateral humps. I was a NW6, but all of that's changed now baby!!!!!!!!! By the way, I would like to thank Pat for taking the time to stop and talk while I was in the chair. I really apprieciated someone with the knowledge he has, taking a look at my procedure and expressing his extreme approval over donor closure and graft placement. Thanks again Pat. PS. I know I hate when new people push a doctor, but at least try to have a consult with Shapiro. He gives you the straight shit, without the hot air. Cheers Mates!!!! pictures to follow.