southbeacharchi

Calm down there Spanker. I think you were a little too sensitive on that post. Dr. Konior must mean a GREAT deal to you. I did not mean "cheerleaders" in a derogatory manner...just used the word to describe people that are very "pro" towards one doctor and seem to speak about it on every post, make-up posts, and sometimes maybe not be playing fully by the rules. I did not necessarily mean it directed at Dr. Konior or you as a patient. It is an overall observation/opinion of mine from browsing around. Now that that is cleared up, I honestly do not know if Dr. Konior performs other procedures. I have actually heard from several sources he does. If you say there is absolutely no way that he is backed-up due to that, then people can take your word for it, or simply ask....like I suggested. Again, that was not directed right at Dr. Konior, just something to keep in mind and possibly ask about with any doctor. I asked all the doctors I consulted with if they only did HT's. I think it is a pretty standard question. I want to say that I know Dr. Konior does very good work, and anyone that looks at the results of his patients can see that. He is an excellent HT doctor.

I type out a novel on here....and then it goes silent....lol Any update chicagobears? Have you met with any of the doctors? Done any further research?

I finally got around to taking my ONE YEAR pics! Sorry, it is about 2 weeks late - I had a lot going on the past two weeks. I am going to post the pics now, and I will write more later when I can think more about it. I want to make sure I convey my feelings about the whole experience to date accurately and thoroughly. But....here are the pics. For the first time I believe, I included some close-ups of the hairline and a pic of one of the ways I style it. P.S. - One update that has some impact on the results is that I stopped taking Propecia about...maybe 3 weeks ago? And started Minoxidil foam about a week ago...so I think I have shed a bit in the crown. I probably should, and will try, to post this in another forum but to summarize...I stopped the Propecia because I realized how much of a big impact it had on my sex drive and I was having ED problems. Glad to report things are almost back to normal already. I really wonder if the sexual side effects are as rare as the "studies" lead us to believe....but I will save that for the other post. Ok...now for real...the pics.

Just thought I would put my two cents in, as I live in Chicago and did a LOT of research before eventually deciding to have my transplant done by Dr. Keller. First and most importantly, I am glad you said you are not making any decision until you meet with both doctors. No matter how many reviews and how many people say one thing about one doctor or another, I think it is extremely important for you to draw your own opinions, ask your own questions, and ultimately make your own decision. Everyone gets different impressions, has different experiences and has their own unique priorities. That being said, and I have to say this just because I learned along the way, you cannot judge a doctor necessarily by the amount of time it takes to get an appointment or how many cheerleaders they have on a particular site. One huge factor that some overlook is that some doctors have a much longer wait time because they perform other procedures other than hair transplants (one question to ask a doctor when interviewing). Other doctors may also have different personal rules about limiting the number of procedures to improve quality, while others may try to book as many as possible. Also, I am not going to go into it fully, but I think some doctors on here have an odd proportion of positive reviews from "patients" compared to the number of operations they perform...but I digress. I truly believe that I found a hidden gem when I found Dr. Keller. I knew going into the consultation that there wasn't many reviews on this site about him and I still to this date wonder why (because I have talked to several of his patients and others that speak nothing but the highest about him) that is so. In the end, refer to what I said prior, research, research, have consults with several doctors, observe how they behave and make your own decision after taking into consideration all of your information as well as, to a degree, what others say about different doctors.....and research - did I mention research? This site is am AMAZING resource and a good foundation for the beginnings of research. I wouldn't mind answering any questions about any information on HT's or doctors in the area that anyone may have. Whew...typed a lot more than I had originally planned.

Thanks gobble! I thought 3000+ was considered a fairly large number...lol. What constitutes a "large number" or "mega-session" these days? I really do appreciate the compliment. I missed out on posting my eleven month, but it will be a year in about a week and a half. So happy and grateful.

I would then get a second opinion, so it can be official, then go back to them and tell them that it is not realistic to have to wait a full year and that you do not want to. You should be able to see SOMEthing by now and that you are not satisfied with their service. They need to fix it, or give you a refund. You have to be assertive with them.

Yeah, I would never goto a doc that wasn't recommended on here (where you can get examples of their work as well as speak directly with patients) nor that I hadn't researched,spoken to previous patients,etc. Did you have consults with more than one doctor? Have you spoken with this doctor even, to explain your dissatisfaction and/or concerns? If so, what did he/she say?

Hey Spanker! I hope I didn't sound ungrateful or at all disappointed in my last post, because I am not either at all. I just meant it wasn't the most exciting due to the Nizoral shedding (Now I am actually thinking about switching from that to Minoxidil). But I do understand and completely agree with what you said, and it is good to hear things like that every once in a while. You got me to go back and look at my pre-op pics and I did get all excited again....thanks. And thanks for the compliments. Best wishes.

Sorry it is a week late...been very busy. Well, since the surgery this is probably the month I am least excited by. I know as time goes by that is probably natural, but I think the main reason is that I started Nizoral about 3 weeks ago and I think I shed quite a bit because of it. I debated for quite a while whether or not to add that to my routine. I am already taking Finasteride and the shampoo may be overkill but like probably most of you, I am willing to do whatever to not lose any more hair. Hopefully it will grow back...and better. Also, I am looking forward to the hairs in the minor HT I had two months ago to start growing in and cover up that old teenage scar on the side of my head as well as hopefully thickening up the top a little more. I also know a couple of the pics are blurry....I need to buy a new camera. Hope everyone is doing well.

That is such a GREAT point and one of the best parts of getting a HT - aside of course from the confidence, feelings etc. Being able to do different things and style my hair again. I think for the past, at least 10 years all I ever felt comfortable doing was pushing/combing it forward to cover as much of the receding as possible. I am like you in the fact that making it look as dense as possible isn't important for me. I style it sometimes in ways that most HT patients/docs would probably frown against, but that is part of the reason I paid for it to be done. Freedom!!! Great point and your results look really good. Wish you the best and keep spikin and gellin it up.

From my reading and research, I would think it may, MAY, increase the amount of shedding but not increase the duration. As mentioned previously in this thread, the shedding comes from the weaker follicles falling out to make room for the new stronger ones. Along those lines, I would not think that the amount of hairs shed would increase that much combining the two initially. I also know that most doctors say that the combination of the two is the best non-surgical treatment to date.

Hey Slickers. So sorry about the delay. Started a fairly new job and just can't get used to the hours of commuting. I just come home and crash every day. Thanks so much for the incredibly nice compliments man. And I can completely relate to what you said. Sometimes I don't know how some people are not more excited. I still remember about the time that i saw my first HT commercial (won't mention names) but after already struggling with self-esteem issues anyway and then just like you said, the crushing of what little was left by knowing my hair was receding in my early 20's, discovering that it was an alternative to a rug glued to my head was truly amazing. But from that point up until recently, it was just a dream and I never thought I could afford it. Probably can't afford it now, but I just got to a point where I personally needed it for me, no matter the cost. Sorry, enough rambling. I'm really glad that my excitement and my new, changed attitude comes through in my story/posts/experience. I'm not sure of your story, but I definitely wish you the best. Feel free to hit me up if you need anything or have any questions. Cheers, buddy across the pond.

Thank-you very much Sean for the compliments and feedback. It is so much harder to notice the effects, if any, of the finasteride versus a HT. How can you tell that the hairs look stronger? This along with the thickness of the hair follicles that people speak of as far as hair maturation, are the things I want to be able to look for and analyze. I've been on it for about 10 months. I know it is said to wait at least a year before even beginning to evaluate its effectiveness but.... Thanks again for your input.