fortune11

while 2-3 is v low, i also dont see any reason to pay more than $5, when most other top notch doctors charge around this number, unless you have a special situation which needs additional time / care. While cost of some other cosmetic surgeries has recently come down dramatically (LASIK comes to min amng others), HTs are very labor intensive (difficult to imagine how they can be less so) and the cost has been consistent in the last 4-5 years I think, atleast for the modern FU based procedures.

I hated rogaine for the same reason, my current doctor (HT #2) recomended using a blow dryer on cold setting right after massaging in the rogaine foam. I have been doing it for past 6 weeks and its not too bad -- give it a try. Besides that, looking at your pictures, doubt it if rogaine or propecia itself will get you decent results especially given the diffuse pattern on top and front. HT is definitely in order, preferably a mass session (4000+), just my opinion. Several good doctors in NY (including ones mentioned here), dont think you need to travel if you dont want to.

Renlv -- I also had surgery w Ziering almost six weeks ago and while it is too early for me to comment on the results, the procedure itself went v well. Already having been through a good HT in 04 w one of the recommended doctors on this board (Ron Shapiro), I have a sense that this one too will turn out v well given the placement of hair. BTW when I was at the Ziering clinic for a follow up a week or so ago, one of the nurses informed me that Dr ROn Shapiro was supposed to perform surgery at the Ziering clinic that day. I was hoping to meet Shapiro in person but didnt work out the way I had planned timing wise. I think they are both great doctors, although Ziering is not yet recommended on this forum. He is definitely v much into marketing and franchise building but as I have stated on other posts on this forum, I really dont think it matters as long he is focusing on you (which he does) and you are getting a good transplant at a competitive price with good follow up care as and if needed - that in my opinion s what true professionalism is all about.

Thanks -- it does sound a little non-conventional, but I asked another general physician (not related to HT at all) and he said for any typical scar from an injury or surgery, a little masage does not cause stretching. He did qualify it by saying that the skin laxity and tendency to stretch is different in different parts of the body and may cause different results.

Today I am 6 weeks post op (HT#2, 2100 FUT, Ziering). Went to the clinic (local to me) to get some recipient area pimples checked out. The nurse removed some ingrown hair from the scar area as well and some random scabs here and there from the recipient area. Everything is coming along great so far. I have been using bio oil as recommended by Dr Ziering so far for the scar. One thing which was new to me today is that the nurse (she is very experienced btw 10+ years assisting HTs) recommended massaging the scalp as well the scar area periodically to improve circulation and promote body's natural healing. Now anyways I massage my scalp every once in a while when it itches but this would mean doing it actively and regularly. She said it will not cause any stretching this far post op. What do you guys think? any experiences to share?

Well not everyone wants a 10-15 year story - I certainly dont -- life moves on in 10-15 years -- lost career opportunities, romance oportunities and friendship opportunities, I can go on and on. I personally know of several lives that have been transformed in a span of 1-2 years by dense strip procedures as it gave them more confidence to be what they really wanted to be - I can put some really choice quotes from george costanza of seinfeld here but you get the idea saying that strip is more "forum friendly" is a very narrow perception of why strip dominates these forums. People have a finite amount of money and resources and lets face it, strip gives you the best bang for your buck.

Thanks for all these details and good luck. who was your doctor?

I got mine at 28, I had hairloss since I was 19. Thinking back now it was a good decision -- BUT note this - I also think now that I was foolish to stress so much over it when I was 21 or when I was 23 - compared to what I am now, I had much thicker hair at 23 - I just needed some good hairstyling and / or haircut. I had a certain notion of how my hair should look when I was 21 and 23 and once I got over that, I changed my hairstyle (it also helped that fashion changed around the same time to make short cropped hair more in style unlike the unkempt long hair look of the early - mid 90s) - and I became much more satisfied with how my face profile looked with that. I definitely suggest playing with hairstyle first. I am asuming unless you have wealthy parents and no shortage of money, at this stage you are just starting out in your career and HT $$ load can be a needless burden that wil stretch your finances for not that much material aesthetic gain given the other items I mentioned above.

I was in your shoes when i got my HT done at 28 -- dont regret it at all -- help me maintain my look through now when I am in mid 30s -- and needed a second onenow for better density. A good HT that is possible now is really a miracle of science that anyone that can afford should be able to avail of. I shudder to think of how I would have looked otherwise. People who preach its no big deal to be bald or "go shave your head" are the same ones who preach you dont need money in life to be happy or give the Bill Gates / Michael Dell example of you dont need to graduate from college to be successful etc etc ... you get the drift

Vinny -- Congratulations on your decision to go ahead, it will be worth it. Also, I am assuming you have a significant cost advantage here. A lot of extra headaches to worry about when you are overseas, especially India (I have been to Hyderabdad). Otherwise there are several excellent surgeons out here in the US who will keep your transplant concealed as several others have mentioned. I actually know of 2 other Indian acquaintences who have traveled to US to get HT work done (the relatively weaker dollar helps as well)

Good strategy. I had my first HT when I was your age and i didnt touch the crown area. Even now when I am in my mid to late 30s, I filled the top of the head with my HT#2 but not the back of the crown. I think the look that works best when you are middle aged is - "hey I do have a normal person's hair, but I am balding a bit at the crown, and that is totally acceptable (most ppl when you talk to / interact with them see your front and side profiles and not your top)" -- unless of course you have unlimited money and donor supply and you can get full coverage (very rare few with diffuse loss have that kind of donor supply in my opinion).

Logistics primarily -- travel was an issue. I loved Shapiro's natural work last time. However, unlike last time, I didnt have the luxury of taking 2 weeks off and had to get back to work earlier. Plus I wanted someone local in case I had folow up visits and questions (I have seen Ziering twice post surgery). For better or worse, I am a high maintenace patient. But all in all I went to Ziering because of a trusted reference plus my own experience during consultations with him. And I am totally happy with his work (see my other posts on this topic). Another reason in Ziering's favor is the scar closure w stitches (as opposed to staples last time which I hated the feel of). And the fact that he didnt buzz my recipient area which has helped keep the transplant concealed on a short notice post op. The graft placement is phenomenal when i look with a simple magnifying glass. I will reserve my final opinion when I see the complete results say 6 months down the line, so not jumping to any conclusions early here.

I had HT w Ziering in LA recently - 2100 FUT, great experience as well. About the grafts, I have banged my head accidentally several times I think after day 3 or 4 both the 1st and second time (2 HTs total), but didnt feel the grafts were affected at all. basically they are secure after day 2 in my opinion. Human body heals wounds really fast (this is what the incisions and the donor really are, large and small wounds).

Another option is Ziering in Los Angeles, short flight away (I went there, and was happy w the surgery, HT #2). But if you are like me, you would rather find someone local, helps w follow ups and any complications if they arise. There has got to be someone good in a major metro area like SF. Maybe check out other boards as well.

Picture is day 3 post op -- this is HT #2, used to infill the coverage from HT#1 (1600 FUT by Ron Shapiro in 04). -- my hair is very diffuse with loss all over the top. donor hair is not as thick as I would like but have decent density back there for a future #3 if needed -- the hair is wet so you can see where the sites are. Since the previous HT was in the frontal area, I took this opportunity to infill the top of the head, just before the total bald spot. Also infilled some 1's in the hairline area. -- goal is to have enough coverage to be able to style hair in the top and front but I am ok w having a bald spot (and leave it to the mercy of rogaine). Althogh I may go for crown coverage further down the road depending on my preference / circumstances at that point. -- donor site feels very tight (I am regreting not doing the scalp exercises before) but getting better by the day. Stitch looks very neatly done. Thanks. Happy to answer any questions.

Also check out Ziering in Los Angeles -- see my post elsewhere on this How much time does hair follies takes to grow after the surgery? -- mine took 4 months Is surgery painful? -- for me it was -- people say its pin pricks, I was actually screaming during a few of those injections -- worst part is not being able to sleep for 2 nights after the surgery (pain the suture area) - but its all worth it in hindsight, cost of looking a much better self than you were previously Is there any side effects after few years of the surgery? -- none for me, the scar was a little uneven but if you kept your hair in the back long enough, it was undetectable How much it cost? Between $4-5 per graft for a good surgeon. Dont pay more than 5, and if you paying less than 4, it better be for a mega session, otherwise there is perhaps reason to be suspect

I just had an HT w Zeiring (posted on a separate thread). Before the mob starts stoning me and blasting me as a fake poster, check out my posts from 2004 under the name fortune. That was done w Dr Shapiro who was great in every respect. That post has pictures etc well And yes, this board was very useful source of info for me (a lifesaver in fact) that helped guide me towards one of the better surgeons and not some quack out there. ANd for that, thanks to everyone here. Different circumstances now, which prevented me from making a trip to Minneapolis again. Searched around in LA and Ziering was the perfect match. A few observations -- 1. Ziering is very patient -- does not rush the consultation or the surgery -- my session started at 7 am and ended at 6 pm, and only 2100+ grafts !! -- but not becuase there was dead time in between - but he was very meticulous, explaining the whole process (running comentary) and being extra careful in graft placement .. which brings me to ... 2. He did NOT buzz any of the recipient area(unlike Shapiro) -- this was a huge plus for me as my graft is totally not detectable -- this was very important to me personally and he took extra care here to meet my expectations. I actually had brunch 2 days after surgery w a friend of mine and he had no clue i had a transplant until i actually told him. 3. His staff is great as well -- you know, hearing all the negative comments about him on this board (lus the MHR history) and having been through a transplant at the hands of an excellent surgeon (Shapiro) before, I was extra vigilant and nitpicky in trying to look for any faults (hey, is that a trainee instead of the veterans that I was promised? is that tech just rushing? hey, is there something fishy going on? etc. etc.) -- but honestly I could not find a single flaw. 4. If you are in the Los Angeles area, YOU HAVE TO GIVE ZIERING A CONSIDERATION. You may not like his excessive marketing, or the Beverly Hills 90210 type showbiz proclivity, but doesnt matter -- in the end, all you want is a great hair transplant -- at a reasonable cost -- yes that is all there is to it -- all the doctors are doing it for the money, and I am glad they are doing it or the money (that is the definition of a professional in our caitalist system which I happen to like) -- and for someone who is of that profile, he was extremely humble and down to earth --- I did not detect any hint of arrogance in him I know I need to post pictures, and will do so shortly once I sort a few things out. But I think its my duty to give back to this forum in terms of any meaningful and new information that may be of help to anyone who is considering an HT. And finally --- for all Newbies -- a good HT - if you can afford it -- is worth every penny you spend on it -- dont believe the naysayers -- my life totally changed after getting one -- both personally and professionally. Not everyone looks good in a shaved head (my big head certainly doesnt) and not everyone wants to take hormone affecting propecia (I certainly dont and I dont care what medical studies are out there, no one knows the end game on these non-essential drugs whose real nastiness sometime is revealed decades later)

Hi all, I have posted on this forum before (back in 04) under a different name but could not remember the passwd etc so created a new profile. My previous HT was w Shapiro - decent results for about 1500 FUT, very natural. This time being local in Los Angeles, I decided to go with Zeiring after doing some research. Costs seemed higher than what I paid back in 04 for Shapiro but they are very comparable to others in the LA area, plus I figured there must be some inflaiton as well in the past 7 years. The benefit of staying local (instead of a 4+ hr flight) and ability to have follow up appointments was a factor as well, as well the referral I received from another trusted and well-known plastic surgeon in the Los Angeles area regarding Ziering's abilities My hairlosis is of the diffuse type (all over except for the lower back and the sides) plus I have a ton of scalp area (big head) - so i am a challenging patient to begin with (both Shapiro in 04 and Ziering now told me the same thing) My experience on the day of the surgery with Dr Ziering himself and his staff was excellent (no complaints) - and the FU hair placement given my difusse pattern seems quite decent - for a total of 2100+ this time. Leaves enough donor hair for a a similar size transplant in case I wanted to have one last go in the future sometime. The only complaint was their "patient advocate" person who was a complete joke (compared to the excellent Matt Zupan at Shapiro). Anyways being already through an HT, I ignored this minor annoyance. I will post some pictures shortly. My suture seems to be well done, and the hair placement seems great too -- I will give high marks to Dr Zeiring, atleast based on my experience so far. BUT -- more updates to follow - day 7, day 14 type etc and then you guys can judge for yourself. NEWBIES looking for a surgeon in LA -- do give Dr Ziering a consideration -- if you have any specific questions -- I will be happy to address them -- although bear in mind, my transplant results are not fully developed yet -- but as any HT veteran on this board can tell you, once you have had one good transplant, the second time around you can instinctively tell a day or two after the surgery how the second one is going to turn out. Regards.